Urine specific gravity as an indicator of dehydration in Olympic combat sport athletes; considerations for research and practice.

PubMed

Zubac, Damir; Reale, Reid; Karnincic, Hrvoje; Sivric, Anamaria; Jelaska, Igor

2018-05-10

Urine specific gravity (U SG ) is the most commonly reported biochemical marker used in research and applied settings to detect fluid deficits in athletes, including those participating in combat sports. Despite the popularity of its use, there has been a growing debate regarding the diagnostic accuracy and the applicability of U SG in characterizing whole-body fluid status and fluctuations. Moreover, recent investigations report universally high prevalence of hypohydration (∼90%) via U SG assessment in combat sport athletes, often in spite of stable body-mass. Given the widespread use in both research and practice, and its use in a regulatory sense as a 'hydration test' in combat sports as a means to detect dehydration at the time of weigh-in; understanding the limitations and applicability of U SG assessment is of paramount importance. Inconsistencies in findings of U SG readings, possibly as a consequence of diverse methodological research approaches and/or overlooked confounding factors, preclude a conclusive position stand within current combat sports research and practice. Thus the primary aim of this paper is to critically review the literature regarding U SG assessment of hydration status in combat sports research and practice. When taken on balance, the existing literature suggests: the use of laboratory derived benchmarks in applied settings, inconsistent sampling methodologies, the incomplete picture of how various confounding factors affect end-point readings, and the still poorly understood potential of renal adaptation to dehydration in combat athletes; make the utility of hydration assessment via U SG measurement quite problematic, particularly when diet and training is not controlled.

Modification in CSF specific gravity in acutely decompensated cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure independent of encephalopathy, evidences for an early blood-CSF barrier dysfunction in cirrhosis.

PubMed

Weiss, Nicolas; Rosselli, Matteo; Mouri, Sarah; Galanaud, Damien; Puybasset, Louis; Agarwal, Banwari; Thabut, Dominique; Jalan, Rajiv

2017-04-01

Although hepatic encephalopathy (HE) on the background of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with high mortality rates, it is unknown whether this is due to increased blood-brain barrier permeability. Specific gravity of cerebrospinal fluid measured by CT is able to estimate blood-cerebrospinal fluid-barrier permeability. This study aimed to assess cerebrospinal fluid specific gravity in acutely decompensated cirrhosis and to compare it in patients with or without ACLF and with or without hepatic encephalopathy. We identified all the patients admitted for acute decompensation of cirrhosis who underwent a brain CT-scan. Those patients could present acute decompensation with or without ACLF. The presence of hepatic encephalopathy was noted. They were compared to a group of stable cirrhotic patients and healthy controls. Quantitative brain CT analysis used the Brainview software that gives the weight, the volume and the specific gravity of each determined brain regions. Results are given as median and interquartile ranges and as relative variation compared to the control/baseline group. 36 patients presented an acute decompensation of cirrhosis. Among them, 25 presented with ACLF and 11 without ACLF; 20 presented with hepatic encephalopathy grade ≥ 2. They were compared to 31 stable cirrhosis patients and 61 healthy controls. Cirrhotic patients had increased cerebrospinal fluid specific gravity (CSF-SG) compared to healthy controls (+0.4 %, p < 0.0001). Cirrhotic patients with ACLF have decreased CSF-SG as compared to cirrhotic patients without ACLF (-0.2 %, p = 0.0030) that remained higher than in healthy controls. The presence of hepatic encephalopathy did not modify CSF-SG (-0.09 %, p = 0.1757). Specific gravity did not differ between different brain regions according to the presence or absence of either ACLF or HE. In patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis, and those with ACLF, CSF specific gravity is modified compared to both stable cirrhotic patients and healthy controls. This pattern is observed even in the absence of hepatic encephalopathy suggesting that blood-CSF barrier impairment is manifest even in absence of overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Urine specific gravity measurement: reagent strip versus refractometer.

PubMed

Brandon, C A

1994-01-01

To compare the results of urinalysis screenings for specific gravity (SG) using the reagent strip and the refractometer. United Hospital, Grand Forks, North Dakota. United Hospital is a 384-bed teaching hospital. PRODUCT COMPARISON: The Ames Multistix 10 SG reagent strip (Miles, Inc., Elkhart, IN 46515) was compared with the TS Meter (Leica, Inc., Deerfield, IL 60015). The degree of correlation between the results produced by each method. The percentage of difference between the means of the direct strip readings and the refractometer readings was 9.68%. The percentage of difference between the means of the adjusted strip readings and the refractometer readings was 22.58%, which was significantly different. When the direct strip readings and the refractometer readings were plotted together on a graph, the points were widely scattered; this fact, and a correlation coefficient of 0.725, suggest that random error occurred in both methods. Analysis of the slope and intercept of the correlation indicated systematic error. The reagent strip method of measuring SG is accurate only in a narrow range of "average" values, and should not be used as the basis for medical diagnoses.

The Improved Hydrological Gravity Model for Moxa Observatory, Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weise, A.; Jahr, Th.

2017-04-01

The gravity variations observed by the superconducting gravimeter (SG) CD-034 at Moxa Geodynamic Observatory/Germany were compared with the GRACE results some years ago. The combination of a local hydrological model of a catchment area with a 3D-gravimetric model had been applied successfully for correcting the SG record of Moxa which is especially necessary due to the strong topography nearest to the SG location. Now, the models have been corrected and improved considerably by inserting several details in the very near surrounding. Mainly these are: the observatory building is inserted with the roof covered by a soil layer above the gravity sensor where humidity is varying, snow is placed on top of the roof and on topography (steep slope), and ground water is taken into account, additionally. The result is that the comparison of the corrected gravity residuals with gravity variations of the satellite mission GRACE, now using RL5 data, shows higher agreement, not only in amplitude but also the formerly apparent phase shift is obviously not realistic. The agreement between terrestrial gravity variations (SG) and the GRACE data is improved considerably which is discussed widely.

The Improved Hydrological Gravity Model for Moxa Observatory, Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weise, A.; Jahr, Th.

2018-05-01

The gravity variations observed by the superconducting gravimeter (SG) CD-034 at Moxa Geodynamic Observatory/Germany were compared with the GRACE results some years ago. The combination of a local hydrological model of a catchment area with a 3D-gravimetric model had been applied successfully for correcting the SG record of Moxa which is especially necessary due to the strong topography nearest to the SG location. Now, the models have been corrected and improved considerably by inserting several details in the very near surrounding. Mainly these are: the observatory building is inserted with the roof covered by a soil layer above the gravity sensor where humidity is varying, snow is placed on top of the roof and on topography (steep slope), and ground water is taken into account, additionally. The result is that the comparison of the corrected gravity residuals with gravity variations of the satellite mission GRACE, now using RL5 data, shows higher agreement, not only in amplitude but also the formerly apparent phase shift is obviously not realistic. The agreement between terrestrial gravity variations (SG) and the GRACE data is improved considerably which is discussed widely.

Influence of mass and volume of ruminal contents on voluntary intake and digesta passage of a forage diet in steers.

PubMed

Schettini, M A; Prigge, E C; Nestor, E L

1999-07-01

To assess the influence of volume and mass of ruminal contents on voluntary intake and related variables, five ruminally cannulated steers (550 kg) were fed a low-quality forage diet (43.1% ADF, 8.1% CP) in a 5 x 5 Latin square experiment. Mass and volume of ruminal contents were altered by adding varying numbers and weights of filled tennis balls (6.7-cm diameter) to the rumen immediately before the initiation of each experimental period. Treatments consisted of 0 balls (control), 50 balls with a 1.1 specific gravity (SG), 100 balls with a 1.1 SG, 50 balls with a 1.3 SG, and 100 balls with a SG of 1.3. The total volume of balls was 7.25 and 14.5 L for 50 and 100 balls, respectively. The total weight of balls was 8.5 and 17 kg for 50 and 100 balls with a 1.1 SG and 10.75 and 21.5 kg for 50 and 100 balls with a 1.3 SG, respectively. Daily DMI was 8.3, 7.3, 7.0, 6.5, and 6.0 kg for control; 50, 1.1 SG; 50, 1.3 SG; 100, 1.1 SG; and 100, 1.3 SG, respectively. Addition of balls to the rumen reduced (P < .01) DMI. Increasing the number (P < .01) and SG (P <. 01) of the balls decreased DMI further. However, digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF, and CP were not influenced by treatment. Increasing the number of balls in the rumen increased (P < .05) rate of passage of digesta from the rumen, but increasing SG of the balls did not alter rate of passage. There was a treatment x hour interaction (P < .05) in the proportion of ruminal digesta with a functional specific gravity (FSG) less than 1.1, which decreased with time after feeding for the control but increased with time after feeding for other treatments. Ruminal passage rate of inert particles added in the rumen of different SG (1.1 and 1.3) and length (1 and 3 mm) decreased (P < .05) as SG of the balls increased. Mean fecal particle size was greater for those treatments with the heavier balls. Both the number and SG of balls (P < .10) influenced total VFA, and total concentrations were greater for the control and for the 1.1 SG than for the 1.3 SG treatments.

Juvenile/mature wood transition in loblolly pine as defined by annual ring specific gravity, proportion of latewood, and microfibril angle

Treesearch

Alexander Clark; Richard F. Daniels; Lewis Jordan

2006-01-01

The length of juvenility or number of years a tree produces juvenile wood at a fixed height can be defined by the age of the wood at which properties change from juvenile to mature wood. This paper estimates the age of transition from juvenile to mature wood based on ring specific gravity (SG), proportion of annual ring in latewood, and ring average microfibril angle (...

Regional variation in wood modulus of elasticity (stiffness) and modulus of rupture (strength) of planted loblolly pine in the United States

Treesearch

Antony Finto; Lewis Jordan; Laurence R. Schimleck; Alexander Clark; Ray A. Souter; Richard F. Daniels

2011-01-01

Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and specific gravity (SG) are important properties for determining the end-use and value of a piece of lumber. This study addressed the variation in MOE, MOR, and SG with physiographic region, tree height, and wood type. Properties were measured from two static bending samples (dimensions 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm × 406.4...

Mobile Technology Application for Improved Urine Concentration Measurement Pilot Study.

PubMed

Walawender, Laura; Patterson, Jeremy; Strouse, Robert; Ketz, John; Saxena, Vijay; Alexy, Emily; Schwaderer, Andrew

2018-01-01

Objectives: Low hydration has a deleterious effect on many conditions. In the absence of a urine concentrating defect, urine concentration is a marker of hydration status. However, markers to evaluate hydration status have not been well studied in children. The objectives of this paper are to compare measures of thirst and urine concentration in children and to develop a novel mobile technology application to measure urine concentration. Study Design: Children age 12-17 years were selected ( n = 21) for this pilot study. Thirst perception, specific gravity (automated dipstick analysis and refractometer), and urine color scale results were correlated to urine osmolality. The technology department developed a mobile technology camera application to measure light penetrance into urine which was tested on 25 random anonymized urine samples. Results: The patients' thirst perception and color scale as well as two researchers color scale did not significantly correlate with osmolality. Correlation between osmolality and hydration markers resulted in the following Pearson coefficients: SG automated dipstick, 0.61 ( P 0.003); SG refractometer, 0.98 ( P < 0.0001); urine color scale (patient), 0.37 ( P 0.10), and light penetrance, -0.77 ( P < 0.0001). The correlation of light penetrance with osmolality was stronger than all measures except SG by refractometer and osmolality. Conclusion: The mobile technology application may be a more accurate tool for urine concentration measurement than specific gravity by automated dipstick, subjective thirst, and urine color scale, but lags behind specific gravity measured by refractometer. The mobile technology application is a step toward patient oriented hydration strategies.

Landscape-scale water balance monitoring with an iGrav superconducting gravimeter in a field enclosure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Güntner, Andreas; Reich, Marvin; Mikolaj, Michal; Creutzfeldt, Benjamin; Schroeder, Stephan; Wziontek, Hartmut

2017-04-01

In spite of the fundamental role of the landscape water balance for the Earth's water and energy cycles, monitoring the water balance and its components beyond the point scale is notoriously difficult due to the multitude of flow and storage processes and their spatial heterogeneity. Here, we present the first deployment of an iGrav superconducting gravimeter (SG) in a minimized field enclosure on a grassland site for integrative monitoring of water storage changes. Results of the field SG were compared to data provided by a nearby SG located in the controlled environment of an observatory building. For wet-temperate climate conditions, the system proves to provide gravity time series that are similarly precise as those of the observatory SG. At the same time, the field SG is more sensitive to hydrological variations than the observatory SG. We demonstrate that the gravity variations observed by the field setup are almost independent of the depth below the terrain surface where water storage changes occur (contrary to SGs in buildings), and thus the field SG system directly observes the total water storage change, i.e., the water balance, in its surroundings in an integrative way. We provide a framework to single out the water balance components actual evapotranspiration and lateral subsurface discharge from the gravity time series on annual to daily time scales. With about 99% and 85% of the gravity signal originating within a radius of 4000 and 200 meter around the instrument, respectively, this setup paves the road towards gravimetry as a continuous hydrological field monitoring technique at the landscape scale.

Local and Catchment-Scale Water Storage Changes in Northern Benin Deduced from Gravity Monitoring at Various Time-Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinderer, J.; Hector, B.; Séguis, L.; Descloitres, M.; Cohard, J.; Boy, J.; Calvo, M.; Rosat, S.; Riccardi, U.; Galle, S.

2013-12-01

Water storage changes (WSC) are investigated by the mean of gravity monitoring in Djougou, northern Benin, in the frame of the GHYRAF (Gravity and Hydrology in Africa) project. In this area, WSC are 1) part of the control system for evapotranspiration (ET) processes, a key variable of the West-African monsoon cycle and 2) the state variable for resource management, a critical issue in storage-poor hard rock basement contexts such as in northern Benin. We show the advantages of gravity monitoring for analyzing different processes in the water cycle involved at various time and space scales, using the main gravity sensors available today (FG5 absolute gravimeter, superconducting gravimeter -SG- and CG5 micro-gravimeter). The study area is also part of the long-term observing system AMMA-Catch, and thus under intense hydro-meteorological monitoring (rain, soil moisture, water table level, ET ...). Gravity-derived WSC are compared at all frequencies to hydrological data and to hydrological models calibrated on these data. Discrepancies are analyzed to discuss the pros and cons of each approach. Fast gravity changes (a few hours) are significant when rain events occur, and involve different contributions: rainfall itself, runoff, fast subsurface water redistribution, screening effect of the gravimeter building and local topography. We investigate these effects and present the statistical results of a set of rain events recorded with the SG installed in Djougou since July 2010. The intermediate time scale of gravity changes (a few days) is caused by ET and both vertical and horizontal water redistribution. The integrative nature of gravity measurements does not allow to separate these different contributions, and the screening from the shelter reduces our ability to retrieve ET values. Also, atmospheric corrections are critical at such frequencies, and deserve some specific attention. However, a quick analysis of gravity changes following rain events shows that the values are in accordance with expected ET values (up to about 5mm/day). Seasonal WSC are analyzed since 2008 using FG5 absolute gravity measurements four times a year and since 2010 using the continuous SG time series. They can reach up to 12 microGal (≈270mm) and show a clear interannual variability, as can be expected from rainfall variability in the area. This data set allows some estimates of an average specific yield for the local aquifer, together with a scaling factor for Magnetic Resonance Soundings-derived water content.

Precise Gravity Measurements for Lunar Laser Ranging at Apache Point Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, D. J.; Murphy, T.; Boy, J.; De Linage, C.; Wheeler, R. D.; Krauterbluth, K.

2012-12-01

Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) at Apache Point Observatory began in 2006 under the APOLLO project using a 3.5 m telescope on a 2780 m summit in New Mexico. Recent improvements in the technical operations are producing uncertainties at the few-mm level in the 1.5 x 10^13 cm separation of the solar orbits of the Earth and Moon. This level of sensitivity permits a number of important aspects of gravitational theory to be tested. Among these is the Equivalence Principle that determines the universality of free fall, tests of the time variation of the Gravitational Constant G, deviations from the inverse square law, and preferred frame effects. In 2009 APOLLO installed a superconducting gravimeter (SG) on the concrete pier under the main telescope to further constrain the deformation of the site as part of an initiative to improve all aspects of the modeling process. We have analyzed more than 3 years of high quality SG data that provides unmatched accuracy in determining the local tidal gravimetric factors for the solid Earth and ocean tide loading. With on-site gravity we have direct measurements of signals such as polar motion, and can compute global atmospheric and hydrological loading for the site using GLDAS and local hydrology models that are compared with the SG observations. We also compare the SG residuals with satellite estimates of seasonal ground gravity variations from the GRACE mission. Apache Point is visited regularly by a team from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to provide absolute gravity values for the calibration of the SG and to determine secular gravity changes. Nearby GPS location P027 provides continuous position information from the Plate Boundary Observatory of Earthscope that is used to correlate gravity/height variations at the site. Unusual aspects of the data processing include corrections for the telescope azimuth that appear as small offsets at the 1 μGal level and can be removed by correlating the azimuth data with the SG residuals.

Combining nutation and surface gravity observations to estimate the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Yann; Lambert, Sébastien; Rosat, Séverine; Nurul Huda, Ibnu; Bizouard, Christian

2017-04-01

Nutation time series derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and time varying surface gravity data recorded by superconducting gravimeters (SG) have long been used separately to assess the Earth's interior via the estimation of the free core and inner core resonance effects on nutation or tidal gravity. The results obtained from these two techniques have been shown recently to be consistent, making relevant the combination of VLBI and SG observables and the estimation of Earth's interior parameters in a single inversion. We present here the intermediate results of the ongoing project of combining nutation and surface gravity time series to improve estimates of the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies. We use VLBI nutation time series spanning 1984-2016 derived by the International VLBI Service for geodesy and astrometry (IVS) as the result of a combination of inputs from various IVS analysis centers, and surface gravity data from about 15 SG stations. We address here the resonance model used for describing the Earth's interior response to tidal excitation, the data preparation consisting of the error recalibration and amplitude fitting for nutation data, and processing of SG time-varying gravity to remove any gaps, spikes, steps and other disturbances, followed by the tidal analysis with the ETERNA 3.4 software package, the preliminary estimates of the resonant periods, and the correlations between parameters.

Landscape-scale water balance monitoring with an iGrav superconducting gravimeter in a field enclosure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Güntner, Andreas; Reich, Marvin; Mikolaj, Michal; Creutzfeldt, Benjamin; Schroeder, Stephan; Wziontek, Hartmut

2017-06-01

In spite of the fundamental role of the landscape water balance for the Earth's water and energy cycles, monitoring the water balance and its components beyond the point scale is notoriously difficult due to the multitude of flow and storage processes and their spatial heterogeneity. Here, we present the first field deployment of an iGrav superconducting gravimeter (SG) in a minimized enclosure for long-term integrative monitoring of water storage changes. Results of the field SG on a grassland site under wet-temperate climate conditions were compared to data provided by a nearby SG located in the controlled environment of an observatory building. The field system proves to provide gravity time series that are similarly precise as those of the observatory SG. At the same time, the field SG is more sensitive to hydrological variations than the observatory SG. We demonstrate that the gravity variations observed by the field setup are almost independent of the depth below the terrain surface where water storage changes occur (contrary to SGs in buildings), and thus the field SG system directly observes the total water storage change, i.e., the water balance, in its surroundings in an integrative way. We provide a framework to single out the water balance components actual evapotranspiration and lateral subsurface discharge from the gravity time series on annual to daily timescales. With about 99 and 85 % of the gravity signal due to local water storage changes originating within a radius of 4000 and 200 m around the instrument, respectively, this setup paves the road towards gravimetry as a continuous hydrological field-monitoring technique at the landscape scale.

Criterion values for urine-specific gravity and urine color representing adequate water intake in healthy adults.

PubMed

Perrier, E T; Bottin, J H; Vecchio, M; Lemetais, G

2017-04-01

Growing evidence suggests a distinction between water intake necessary for maintaining a euhydrated state, and water intake considered to be adequate from a perspective of long-term health. Previously, we have proposed that maintaining a 24-h urine osmolality (U Osm ) of ⩽500 mOsm/kg is a desirable target for urine concentration to ensure sufficient urinary output to reduce renal health risk and circulating vasopressin. In clinical practice and field monitoring, the measurement of U Osm is not practical. In this analysis, we calculate criterion values for urine-specific gravity (U SG ) and urine color (U Col ), two measures which have broad applicability in clinical and field settings. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed on 817 urine samples demonstrates that a U SG ⩾1.013 detects U Osm >500 mOsm/kg with very high accuracy (AUC 0.984), whereas a subject-assessed U Col ⩾4 offers high sensitivity and moderate specificity (AUC 0.831) for detecting U Osm >500 m Osm/kg.

Radial wood Allocation in Schizolobium Parahyba

Treesearch

G. Bruce Williamson; Michael C. Wiemann; James P. Geaghan

2012-01-01

The diversity of tropical trees has captivated botanists for centuries. Woods of difterent species, not only differ in appearance, but also in functional traits-density, porosity and strength-characteristics that relate to various plant functions such as support and conduction. The specific gravity (SG) of wood is a species' trait that integrates mechanical...

Monitoring gravity and water storage changes in northern Benin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hector, B.; Hinderer, J.; Boy, J.; Calvo, M.; Séguis, L.; Descloitres, M.; Cohard, J.; Rosat, S.; Riccardi, U.; Galle, S.

2013-12-01

The humid sudanian zone of West-Africa undergoes a monsoon climate, implying a strong seasonality in water storage changes (WSC). The GHYRAF (Gravity and Hydrology in Africa) project aims at monitoring both these local and non-local hydrological contributions with the main gravity sensors available today (FG5 absolute gravimeter, superconducting gravimeter -SG- and CG5 micro-gravimeter). The study area is located in hard-rock basement context in Djougou, northern Benin, and is also part of the long-term observing system AMMA-Catch, and thus under intense hydro-meteorological monitoring (rainfall, soil moisture, water table, evapotranspiration, ...). Gravity-derived WSC are compared to hydrological data and to physically-based or conceptual hydrological models calibrated on these data. This presentation shows the results and limitations of each gravimeter in the context of WSC retrieval. This site was first measured with a FG5 absolute gravimeter four times a year from 2008 to 2013. This can be considered as a high sampling rate, given the remote location and the complexity of FG5 carriage and installation. It allowed to derive an average specific yield for the local aquifer, and preliminary estimates of seasonal WSC (up to 120 nm/s2 - 270mm). Yet the lack of continuity in the data avoids further investigations. The SG-060 superconducting gravimeter has been installed in 2010 in order to monitor gravity response to WSC in a continuous way. A strong drift is present (230nm/s2/yr), and FG5 data together with a-priori information on WSC are needed for estimating its effect. Also, frequent power-failures lead to some significant gaps and offsets during which fast WSC may occur (e.g. rain), yielding to a challenging correction for these events. The retrieval of inter-annual WSC suffers from these strong and limiting instrumental effects. At higher frequencies, up to a few days, continuous gravity monitoring may help to quantify evapotranspiration (ET), a poorly-known variable of the hydrological cycle. In Djougou, favorable -flat- topographic conditions and significant ET (up to 5 mm/day) are present. However, the shelter size together with the low altitude of the SG sensor with respect to the ground yield to diminish the expected effect of ET. Also, atmospheric contribution at such frequencies in the equatorial band is governed by S1 and S2 pressure waves of planetary extension, with rather complicated behavior. Therefore, the retrieval of ET is limited by the SG environment (shelter and instrument height) and our ability to fully correct for atmospheric effects. The spatial variations of gravity changes on the local catchment are also investigated by CG5 micro-gravity surveys since July 2011 with weekly measurements in the wet season and monthly in the dry season, resulting in more than two years and 3 wet seasons coverage. This survey helped to identify preferential recharge areas and some specific water-redistribution processes at the catchment scale, driven by subsurface heterogeneities.

Earth Core and Inner Core: What Can We Learn From a Bayesian Inversion of Combined Nutation and Surface Gravimetry Data?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambert, S. B.; Ziegler, Y.; Rosat, S.; Bizouard, C.

2017-12-01

Nutation time series derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and time varying surface gravity data recorded by superconducting gravimeters (SG) have long been used separately to assess the Earth's interior via the estimation of the free core and inner core resonance effects on nutation or tidal gravity. The results obtained from these two techniques have shown recently to be consistent, making relevant the combination of VLBI and SG observables and the estimation of Earth's interior parameters in a single inversion. We present here the results of combining nutation and surface gravity time series to improve estimates of the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies. We use VLBI nutation time series spanning 1984-2016 derived by several analysis centers affiliated to the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry, together with surface gravity data from about 15 SG stations. We address the resonance model used for describing the Earth's interior response to tidal excitation, the data preparation consisting of the error recalibration and amplitude fitting to nutation data, and processing of SG time-varying gravity to remove any gaps, spikes, steps and other disturbances, followed by the tidal analysis with the ETERNA 3.4 software package. New estimates of the resonant periods are proposed and correlations between the parameters are investigated.

Parallel Observations with Three Superconducting Gravity Sensors During 2014-2015 at Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station, Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virtanen, Heikki; Raja-Halli, Arttu

2017-11-01

The new dual-sphere superconducting gravimeter (SG) OSG-073 was installed at Metsähovi Geodetic Fundamental Station in Southern Finland in February 2014. Its two gravity sensors (N6 and N7) are side by side, not one on top of the other as in other earlier dual-sensor installations. The old SG T020 has been recording continuously since 1994-2016. This instrument is situated in the same room at a distance of 3 m from the dual-sphere SG. T020 observed simultaneously for 1 year with N6 and for 15 months with N7. The gravity signals observed by N6 and N7 are very similar, except for the initial exponential drift. We have calculated the power spectral density to compare the noise level of these instruments with other low noise SGs. In this paper we present the observed differences in the gravity time series of T020 and OSG-073, induced by local hydrology. We have observed a clear 10-20 nms-2 difference in the seasonal gravity variations of OSG-073 and T020. We have found clear gravity differences due to transient effect of heavy precipitation. In addition, we compare the remote effect on gravity due to variations in the Baltic Sea level and total water storage in Finland to the observed gravity signal. We also present modeling results of gravity variations due to local hydrology.

Wood specific gravity variation among five important hardwood species of Kashmir Himalaya.

PubMed

Wani, Bilal Ahmad; Bodha, R H; Khan, Amina

2014-02-01

Wood Specific Gravity (SG) is a measure of the amount of structural material a tree species allocates to support and strength. In the present study, specific gravity varied among the five different woods at three different sites from 0.40 in Populus nigra at site III (Shopian) to 0.80 in Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana at site II (Surasyar). Among the three different sites, specific gravity varied from 0.73 to 0.80 in Parroptiosis jacquemontiana; in Robinia pseudoacacia it varied from 0.71 to 0.79; in Salix alba, it varied from 0.42 to 0.48; In Populus nigra it varied from 0.40 to 0.48 and in Juglans regia it varied from 0.59 to 0.66. On the basis of the specific gravity variation patterns these woods were categorized as light (Salix alba, Populus nigra) moderately heavy (Juglans regia) and moderately heavy to heavy (Robinia pseudoacacia, Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana) which predicts their properties like strength, dimensional stability with moisture content change, ability to retain paint, fiber yield per unit volume, suitability for making particleboard and related wood composite materials and suitability as a raw material for making paper.

Evaluation of a colorimetric reagent strip assay for urine specific gravity.

PubMed

Kirschbaum, B B

1983-06-01

N-Multistix SG provides a convenient colorimetric assay for the determination of the specific gravity (sp. gr.) of freshly voided urine. When compared with results obtained by standard hydrometry, the colorimetric assay sp. gr. was observed to decrease by as much as 0.010 units as urine pH increased from 5 to 7. Moderate levels of proteinuria that did not alter hydrometer readings effectively raised the colorimetric sp. gr. by 0.005-0.010 units. The colorimetric assay was almost completely insensitive to clinically encountered concentrations of glucose and urea but responded appropriately to monovalent salts. The magnitude of these observed discrepancies places serious limitations on the value of the colorimetric sp. gr. measurement.

Radio Frequency Scanning and Simulation of Oriented Strand Board Material Property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaojian; Zhang, Jilei; Steele, Philip. H.; Donohoe, J. Patrick

2008-02-01

Oriented strandboard (OSB) is a wood composite product with the largest market share in U.S. residential and commercial construction. Wood specific gravity (SG) and moisture content (MC) play an important role in the OSB manufacturing process. They are the two of the critical variables that manufacturers are required to monitor, locate, and control in order to produce a product with consistent quality. In this study, radio frequency scanning nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies evaluated the local area MC and SG of OSB panels following panel production by hot pressing. A finite element software simulation tool was used to optimize the sensor geometry and for investigating the interaction between electromagnetic field and wood dielectric properties. Our results indicate the RF scanning response is closely correlated to the MC and SG variations in OSB panels. Radio frequency NDE appears to have potential as an effective method for insuring OSB panel quality during manufacturing.

On the Retrieval of Geocenter Motion from Gravity Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosat, S.; Mémin, A.; Boy, J. P.; Rogister, Y. J. G.

2017-12-01

The center of mass of the whole Earth, the so-called geocenter, is moving with respect to the Center of Mass of the solid Earth because of the loading exerted by the Earth's fluid layers on the solid crust. Space geodetic techniques tying satellites and ground stations (e.g. GNSS, SLR and DORIS) have been widely employed to estimate the geocenter motion. Harmonic degree-1 variations of the gravity field are associated to the geocenter displacement. We show that ground records of time-varying gravity from Superconducting Gravimeters (SGs) can be used to constrain the geocenter motion. Two major difficulties have to be tackled: (1) the sensitivity of surface gravimetric measurements to local mass changes, and in particular hydrological and atmospheric variabilities; (2) the spatial aliasing (spectral leakage) of spherical harmonic degrees higher than 1 induced by the under-sampling of station distribution. The largest gravity variations can be removed from the SG data by subtracting solid and oceanic tides as well as atmospheric and hydrologic effects using global models. However some hydrological signal may still remain. Since surface water content is well-modelled using GRACE observations, we investigate how the spatial aliasing in SG data can be reduced by employing GRACE solutions when retrieving geocenter motion. We show synthetic simulations using complete surface loading models together with GRACE solutions computed at SG stations. In order to retrieve the degree-one gravity variations that are associated with the geocenter motion, we use a multi-station stacking method that performs better than a classical spherical harmonic stacking when the station distribution is inhomogeneous. We also test the influence of the network configuration on the estimate of the geocenter motion. An inversion using SG and GRACE observations is finally presented and the results are compared with previous geocenter estimates.

Near infrared spectroscopy for the nondestructive estimation of clear wood properties of Pinus taeda L. from the southern United States

Treesearch

Laurence R. Schimleck; P. David Jones; Alexander Clark; Richard F. Daniels; Gary F. Peter

2005-01-01

The estimation of specific gravity (SG), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) clear wood samples from a diverse range of sites across the southern United States was investigated using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR spectra were obtained from the radial and cross sectional (original, rough...

Estimating thermal maturity in the Eagle Ford Shale petroleum system using gas gravity data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Birdwell, Justin E.; Kinney, Scott A.

2017-01-01

Basin-wide datasets that provide information on the geochemical properties of petroleum systems, such as source rock quality, product composition, and thermal maturity, are often difficult to come by or assemble from publically available data. When published studies are available and include these kinds of properties, they generally have few sampling locations and limited numbers and types of analyses. Therefore, production-related data and engineering parameters can provide useful proxies for geochemical properties that are often widely available across a play and in some states are reported in publically available or commercial databases. Gas-oil ratios (GOR) can be calculated from instantaneous or cumulative production data and can be related to the source rock geochemical properties like kerogen type (Lewan and Henry, 1999) and thermal maturity (Tian et al., 2013; U.S. Energy Information Administration [EIA], 2014). Oil density or specific gravity (SG), often reported in American Petroleum Institute units (°API = 141.5 /SG – 131.5), can also provide information on source rock thermal maturity, particularly when combined with GOR values in unconventional petroleum systems (Nesheim, 2017).

Detection, quantification, and pharmacokinetics of furosemide and its effects on urinary specific gravity following IV administration to horses.

PubMed

Dirikolu, Levent; Lehner, Andreas F; Hughes, Charlie; Karpiesiuk, Wojciech; Camargo, Fernanda C; Harkins, J Daniel; Woods, William E; Bosken, Jeffrey M; Boyles, Jeff; Troppmann, Amy; Fisher, Mitzi; Tobin, Thomas

2003-01-01

Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for the prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. This drug may interfere with the detection of other substances by reducing urinary concentrations, so its use is strictly regulated. The regulation of furosemide in many racing jurisdictions is based on paired limits of urinary SG (<1.010) and serum furosemide concentrations (>100 ng/ml). To validate this regulatory mechanism, a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method employing a solid-phase extraction procedure and furosemide-d5 as an internal standard was developed. The method was used to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide in equine serum samples and its effects on urinary SG after IV administration (250 mg) to 10 horses. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that serum concentrations of furosemide were well described by a two-compartmental open model. Based on results in this study, it is very unlikely for horses to have serum furosemide concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml or urine SG less than 1.010 at 4 hours after administration (250 mg IV). However, it should be remembered that urine SG is a highly variable measurement in horses, and even without furosemide administration, some horses might naturally have urine SG values less than 1.010.

Gravity and Height Variations at Medicina, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruni, Sara; Zerbini, Susanna; Errico, Maddalena; Santi, Efisio; Wziontek, Hartmut

2017-04-01

Since 1996, at the Medicina station, height and gravity variations are monitored continuously by means of GPS, VLBI and superconducting gravimeter (SG) data. Additionally, absolute gravity observations are performed twice a year and environmental parameters, among others water table levels, are regularly acquired. Levelling between the different monuments at the site area is also carried out repeatedly to constrain local ties in the vertical position. Two GPS systems are located very close to each other, and both are in close proximity to the VLBI antenna. Twenty years of data are now available, which allow investigating both long- and short-period height and gravity signals together with their relevant correlations. Natural land subsidence, which is well known to occur in the area, is a major component of the observed long-term behavior; however, non-linear long-period signatures are also present in the time series. On a shorter time scale, fingerprints of the water table seasonal oscillations can be recognized in the data. The Medicina site is characterized by clayey soil subjected to consolidation effects when the water table lowers during summer periods. The pillar on which the SG is installed is especially affected because of its shallow foundation, causing height decreases in the order of 2.5-3 cm for water table lowering of 2 m. This study presents a comparative analysis of the different data sets with the aim of separating mass and deformation contributions in the SG gravity record.

Association of the urinary sodium to urinary specific gravity ratio with metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013.

PubMed

So, Cheol Hwan; Jeong, Hwal Rim; Shim, Young Suk

2017-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the association between sodium intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean boys. A total of 1,738 boys aged 10-18 years were included in this study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) during the years 2010-2013. Sodium intake was assessed using the urinary sodium excretion to urinary specific gravity ratio (U-Na to U-SG ratio). The median U-Na to U-SG ratio was 133.27 mmol/L (interquartile range: 95.66-178.50 mmol/L). Significant positive associations were found between the U-Na to U-SG ratio and the TG (P = 0.001 for trend) and TG concentrations, and these concentrations were significantly higher in boys with a U-Na to U-SG ratio in the highest quartile compared with those with a ratio in the lowest (P = 0.001) and second (P = 0.033) quartiles, as demonstrated through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) after adjustment for possible confounders, including age, BMI standard deviation score, ferritin, vitamin D, house income, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, season, total intake, total energy intake, protein intake, fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and water intake. Significant inverse associations were found for the U-Na to U-SG ratio with the HDL-C (P = 0.033 for trend) and HDL-C levels, and these values were significantly lower in boys with a ratio in the highest quartile compared with those with a ratio in the second quartile (P = 0.020), as demonstrated through an ANCOVA. Although the trends did not reach statistical significance, a higher U-Na to U-SG ratio tended to be associated with higher SBP (P = 0.086 for trend), DBP (P = 0.063 for trend), and glucose levels (P = 0.099 for trend), as illustrated through ANCOVA. Boys with a ratio in the highest quartile exhibited a 1.73-fold increased risk for elevated TG (95% CI, 1.19-2.51) and a 2.66-fold increased risk for MetS (95% CI, 1.11-6.35) compared with those with a ratio in the lowest quartile, as demonstrated through multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjusting for confounders. Our results suggest that high sodium intake may be significantly independently associated with MetS in Korean boys aged 10-18 years.

Wood and bark specific gravity of small-diameter, pine-site hardwood in the south

Treesearch

F.G. Manwiller

1979-01-01

Ten small-diameter trees from each of the 22 species (220 trees) were sampled from throughout the southern United States. Mean SG was determined for stem wood and bark and the whole stem, for branch wood and bark and whole branches (to a minimum diameter of 0.05 in.), and for tree wood and bark and the whole tree. Significant differences were determined a) among the...

Trace Urine Albumin and Mortality: Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

PubMed

Han, Eun Na; Lee, Kyu Beck; Kim, Hyang; Hyun, Young Youl

2018-06-07

The importance of a trace albumin on the urine dipstick test is not well known and is frequently disregarded in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of trace albuminuria in predicting all-cause mortality in Korean adults. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 347,938 Korean adults who underwent urine dipstick test from 2002 to 2012 in a health examination program. The participants were divided into three groups according to dipstick negative, trace (±), and overt (≥1+) albuminuria. The trace group was further stratified by urine specific gravity (SG) and classified as either high (≥1.020) or low (≤1.015) SG. Mortality data was obtained from STATICS KOREA, a Korean federal statistical organization. During a median follow-up period of 5.9 years, 1,855 deaths occurred. Mortality was compared to negative group and adjusted for potential risk factors. Mortality did not increase in the trace group (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.97-1.47; P=0.097), but increased in the overt (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.38-2.07; P< 0.001) albuminuria group. When the trace group was subdivided according to urine SG, mortality did not increase in the high SG (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.86-1.37; P=0.488) group, but increased in the low SG (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.19-2.83; P=0.006) and overt (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.39-2.08; P< 0.001) groups. Trace albumin with low SG in urine dipstick test was associated with higher all-cause mortality in Korean adults. We should not neglect the significance of trace albumin and SG when interpreting urinalysis results. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Exposure to organophosphorus pesticides in Norwegian mothers and their children: Diurnal variability in concentrations of their biomarkers and associations with food consumption.

PubMed

Cequier, Enrique; Sakhi, Amrit Kaur; Haug, Line Småstuen; Thomsen, Cathrine

2017-07-15

Several studies have suggested that exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides is detrimental for health, and in particular for children where moderate doses may have a negative impact on the neurodevelopment. This study surveys levels of the 6 non-specific urinary metabolites (dialkyl phosphates (DAPs)) of OP pesticides in Norwegian mothers (n=48) and their children (n=54), and examines the diurnal variation in concentrations as well as associations with consumption of specific food products. The highest median concentration measured in urine was found for dimethyl thiophosphate (5.3 and 5.5ng/mL SG ; specific gravity corrected) for both children and mothers, respectively, followed by diethyl phosphate (3.8 and 5.3ng/mL SG , respectively). The intra-class correlation coefficients of DAPs among mothers were moderate (0.49-0.68), and consumption of fruit explained between 8% and 55% of the variations in the mothers' and their children's urinary DAP concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

What have we learned about phototropism from spaceflight experiments? Novel responses to light discovered during the Seedling Growth project on the ISS.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiss, John Z.; Edelmann, Richard; Herranz, Raul; Medina, Francisco Javier; Vandenbrink, Joshua

2016-07-01

In response to external stimuli, plants exhibit directed growth responses termed tropisms. Phototropism is directed growth of plants in response to light while gravitropism is the tropistic movement of plants in response to gravity. The integration of these tropisms (along with other growth movements) results in the overall growth form of the plant. Utilizing the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) on the International Space Station (ISS), we were able to decouple phototropism from the effects of gravitropism. The Seedling Growth (SG-1, 2, 3) series of experiments employed the centrifuge in the EMCS to create fractional/reduced gravity environments (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1g) to help discern the relationship between the phototropic response and gravitropism in seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana. In SG, seedlings were exposed to continuous red light, continuous blue light, and red-to-blue light cycles at various gravity levels in order to characterize the phototropic response. Image downlinks from the ISS allowed for analysis of growth and curvature measurements under differential light and gravity conditions. Previous results from our space experiments identified a unique red-light-based phototropism in roots and shoots. The most recent results from SG-1 and SG-2 (2015) reveal a novel positive phototropic curvature in roots of seedlings illuminated with blue light under microgravity conditions. In addition, a positive phototropic response of roots and shoots exposed to red light was observed in microgravity, confirming our previous observations. The phototropic response of shoots to blue light appears to be largely unaffected by fractional gravity. In addition to the WT (Landsberg ecotype), phytochrome A and B mutants were utilized to elucidate the role phytochromes play in blue and red light perception and the resulting phototropic responses. Understanding the relationship between phototropic and gravitropic responses is an important first step in being able to optimize plant growth onboard the ISS, during long distance space travel, and in future attempts at interplanetary colonization. Supported by NASA grant NNX12AO65G.

Combining sprinkling experiments and superconducting gravimetry in the field: a qualitative approach to identify dominant infiltration patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reich, Marvin; Mikolaj, Michal; Blume, Theresa; Güntner, Andreas

2017-04-01

Hydrological process research at the plot to catchment scale commonly involves invasive field methods, leading to a large amount of point data. A promising alternative, which gained increasing interest in the hydrological community over the last years, is gravimetry. The combination of its non-invasive and integrative nature opens up new possibilities to approach hydrological process research. In this study we combine a field-scale sprinkling experiment with continuous superconducting gravity (SG) measurements. The experimental design consists of 8 sprinkler units, arranged symmetrically within a radius of about ten meters around an iGrav (SG) in a field enclosure. The gravity signal of the infiltrating sprinkling water is analyzed using a simple 3D water mass distribution model. We first conducted a number of virtual sprinkling experiments resulting in different idealized infiltration patterns and determined the pattern specific gravity response. In a next step we determined which combination of idealized infiltration patterns was able to reproduce the gravity response of our real-world experiment at the Wettzell Observatory (Germany). This process hypothesis is then evaluated with measured point-scale soil moisture responses and the results of the time-lapse electric resistivity survey which was carried out during the sprinkling experiment. This study demonstrates that a controlled sprinkling experiment around a gravimeter in combination with a simple infiltration model is sufficient to identify subsurface flow patterns and thus the dominant infiltration processes. As gravimeters become more portable and can actually be deployed in the field, their combination with sprinkling experiments as shown here constitutes a promising possibility to investigate hydrological processes in a non-invasive way.

The potential of at-home prediction of the formation of urolithiasis by simple multi-frequency electrical conductivity of the urine and the comparison of its performance with urine ion-related indices, color and specific gravity.

PubMed

Silverio, Angelito A; Chung, Wen-Yaw; Cheng, Cheanyeh; Wang, Hai-Lung; Kung, Chien-Min; Chen, Jun; Tsai, Vincent F S

2016-04-01

It is important to control daily diet, water intake and life style as well as monitor the quality of urine for urolithiasis prevention. For decades, many ion-related indices have been developed for predicting the formation of urinary stones or urolithiasis, such as EQUILs, relative supersaturation (RSS), Tiselius indices (TI), Robertson risk factor algorithms (RRFA) and more recently, the Bonn risk index. However, they mostly demand robust laboratory analysis, are work-intensive, and even require complex computational programs to get the concentration patterns of several urine analytes. A simple and fast platform for measuring multi-frequency electrical conductivity (MFEC) of morning spot urine (random urine) to predict the onset of urolithiasis was implemented in this study. The performance thereof was compared to ion-related indices, urine color and specific gravity. The concentrations of relevant ions, color, specific gravity (SG) and MFEC (MFEC tested at 1, 10, 100, 5001 KHz and 1 MHz) of 80 random urine samples were examined after collection. Then, the urine samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h to determine whether sedimentation would occur or not. Ion-activity product index of calcium oxalate (AP(CaOx) EQ2) was calculated. The correlation between AP(CaOx) EQ2, urine color, SG and MFEC were analyzed. AP(CaOx) EQ2, urine color and MFEC (at 5 frequencies) all demonstrated good prediction (p = 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, respectively) for stone formation. The positive correlation between AP(CaOx) EQ2 and MFEC is also significant (p = 0.01). MFEC provides a good metric for predicting the onset of urolithiasis, which is comparable to conventional ion-related indices and urine color. This technology can be implemented with much ease for objectively monitoring the quality of urine at points-of-care or at home.

Removing Hydrology Signals to Determine Ground Motion at the Apache Point Lunar Laser Ranging Site, New Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, D. J.; Borsa, A. A.; Murphy, T.

2017-12-01

We continue the analysis of superconducting gravimeter (SG) and GPS data at Apache Point Observatory (APO) as part of the astrophysical effort to reduce LLR errors to the mm level. With 8 years of data accumulated, the main impediment to getting benefit from the SG data is the assessment of the hydrology signal that arises mainly from the attraction of local water masses close to the site. Traditional SG processing attempts to remove as much signal as possible from the loading and attraction contributions, but we are limited at APO because here is no hydrology ground truth. Nevertheless, we produce a gravity residual that corresponds to some extent with the rather noisy vertical GPS data from Plate Boundary Site PB07 close to Sunspot observatory 2 km from APO. The main goal of this paper, apart from updating the gravity and GPS correction using recent models, is to construct simulated SG and GPS time series from the synthetic source functions - ground uplift, hydrology attraction and loading - and to perform an inversion to see what can be recovered of the vertical ground motion. The simulation will also include a first look at the effect of this synthetic local data on the current Planetary Ephemeris Program solution for the lunar distance.

Hydro-gravimetry in West-Africa: First results from the Djougou (Benin) superconducting gravimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hector, Basile; Hinderer, Jacques; Séguis, Luc; Boy, Jean-Paul; Calvo, Marta; Descloitres, Marc; Rosat, Séverine; Galle, Sylvie; Riccardi, Umberto

2014-10-01

The increasing number of hydro-gravimetry studies proves the rising interest of the hydrology community toward this monitoring method. The accuracy of superconducting gravimeters (SG) potentially allows the retrieval of small water storage changes (WSC) down to a few millimeters of equivalent water thickness. However, the importance of corrections applied to SG data to achieve such a precision in gravity residuals should be recalled. The Djougou permanent gravity station presented in this paper and located in northern Benin, West-Africa, provides a good opportunity to review these considerations. This station is equipped since July 2010 with the superconducting gravimeter SG-060 aimed at deriving WSC at different time-scales, daily to inter-annual. In this area, WSC are (1) part of the control system for evapotranspiration (ET) process, a key variable of the West-African monsoon cycle and (2) the state variable for resource management, a critical issue in storage-poor hard rock basement contexts such as in northern Benin. The potential for deriving WSC from time-lapse gravity data partly depends on environmental features such as topography and the instrument shelter. Therefore, this issue is addressed first, with the background idea that such sensitivity analysis should be undertaken before setting up any new instrument. In Djougou, local topography is quite flat leading to a theoretical straightforward relationship between gravity changes and WSC, close to the standard Bouguer value. However, the shelter plays a significant masking role, which is the principal limitation to the retrieval of fast hydrological processes such as ET following a rain event. Several issues concerning classical gravity corrections are also addressed in the paper. These include gap-filling procedures during rain-events and drift estimates for short time series. Special attention is provided to atmospheric corrections, and different approaches are tested: a simple scalar admittance, a filtered scalar admittance, a frequency-dependent admittance and direct atmospheric loading calculations. It is shown that the physically based approach of direct loading calculations performs better in both residual minimization and ET retrieval. Moreover, non-local hydrological effects are investigated and account for about 20% of the gravity residuals. Finally, gravity residuals are briefly analyzed at two distinct time scales: rapid (up to a few days) and seasonal. At the rapid time-scale, it is shown that ET retrieval is hardly achievable given shelter size and state-of-the-art atmospheric corrections. Still, mean values retrieved from this study are in accordance with known values of potential ET and lateral flow. Direct comparison of gravity changes with hydrological data (neutron probe monitoring and water table levels) show some discrepancies, particularly for the hydrological year of 2011, for which all hydrological data show a deficit, but SG and FG5 data do not. This preliminary analysis both provides a basis and call for further hydro-gravity modeling, to comprehensively investigate the water-cycle at the Djougou station.

Chemical Clarification Methods for Confined Dredged Material Disposal.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

foot second per metre cubic yards 0.7645549 cubic metres Farenheit degrees 5/9 Celsius degrees or Kelvins* feet 0.3048 metres feet per minute 0.3048...unknown in freshwater environments, use zero S.G. = specific gravity of solids; use 2.67 if unknown Wt. H20 [(weight of wet sample and dish, g...62.4 lb/ft v = average velocity, ft/sec Ps= absolute viscosity, 2.36 x 10-5 at 60F The duration t of the mixing is determined by t =L (6) v The net

The effect of fasting during Ramadan on parameters of the haematological and steroidal modules of the athletes biological passport - a pilot study.

PubMed

Alsaadi, K; Voss, S C; Kraiem, S; Alwahaibi, A; Alyazedi, S; Dbes, N; Goebel, R; Mohamed-Ali, V; Alsowaidi, S; Seyam, A M; Bashraheel, A S; Alsayrafi, M; Georgakopoulos, C

2015-01-01

This study investigated the effect of Ramadan on the haematological and steroid module of the Athletes Biological Passport (ABP) of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Nine healthy physically active subjects were tested in the morning and afternoon for two days before and three days during Ramadan. Sample collection and all analyses were performed according to WADA technical documents. Although there were significant changes in the haemoglobin concentration during Ramadan, especially during the first fasting week, none of the subjects in this study exceeded the individually calculated thresholds of the ABP. No significant effects on testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio were observed but only the afternoon specific gravity (SG) of the urine was elevated. Thus, when urinary steroid concentrations are required, SG corrections need to be performed. The haematological and the steroid module of the ABP can be reliably applied during Ramadan as the observed changes are only marginal. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Influence of forage species and diet particle size on the passage of digesta and nylon particles from the reticulorumen of steers.

PubMed

Prigge, E C; Fox, J T; Jacquemet, N A; Russell, R W

1993-10-01

To assess factors that influence the passage of digesta from the reticulorumen, ruminally fistulated steers (387 kg) were fed to appetite in a 4 x 4 Latin square design either orchardgrass (OG) (Dactylis glomerata L.) or switchgrass (SG) (Panicum virgatum L.) hays. The two hays were fed in either the long form or ground to pass a 2-cm screen. Steers fed OG diets had greater DMI (P < .05) than steers fed SG diets (11.7 vs 10.4 kg/d respectively). Particle size of ruminal digesta and feces determined by wet sieving was greater (P < .05) for the OG and long hay diets than for the SG and ground diets. Particle size of digesta collected from the anterior dorsal sac and anterior ventral sac of the rumen and from the reticulum did not vary (P > .25) with site. Conversely, ruminal concentrations of 1-mm nylon particles tended (P = .11) to be greater in the lower strata of the reticulorumen at 12 and 24 h after dosing. Neither a site effect nor a site x time-after-dosing interaction (P > .75) was observed for the 3- or 5-mm nylon particles, suggesting that a sorting process independent of specific gravity occurs in the rumen for smaller particles (before the reticulomasal orifice). Passage rate of the 1-mm nylon particles from the reticulorumen was greater (P < .01) for animals fed the SG than for those fed the OG diets, whereas for the 5-mm particles, passage rate was greater for the OG diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coupled X-ray computed tomography and grey level co-occurrence matrices as a method for quantification of mineralogy and texture in 3D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jardine, M. A.; Miller, J. A.; Becker, M.

2018-02-01

Texture is one of the most basic descriptors used in the geological sciences. The value derived from textural characterisation extends into engineering applications associated with mining, mineral processing and metal extraction where quantitative textural information is required for models predicting the response of the ore through a particular process. This study extends the well-known 2D grey level co-occurrence matrices methodology into 3D as a method for image analysis of 3D x-ray computed tomography grey scale volumes of drill core. Subsequent interrogation of the information embedded within the grey level occurrence matrices (GLCM) indicates they are sensitive to changes in mineralogy and texture of samples derived from a magmatic nickel sulfide ore. The position of the peaks in the GLCM is an indication of the relative density (specific gravity, SG) of the minerals and when interpreted using a working knowledge of the mineralogy of the ore presented a means to determine the relative abundance of the sulfide minerals (SG > 4), dense silicate minerals (SG > 3), and lighter silicate minerals (SG < 3). The spread of the peaks in the GLCM away from the diagonal is an indication of the degree of grain boundary interaction with wide peaks representing fine grain sizes and narrow peaks representing coarse grain sizes. The method lends itself to application as part of a generic methodology for routine use on large XCT volumes providing quantitative, timely, meaningful and automated information on mineralogy and texture in 3D.

Separating Mass and Height Contributions in Gravity Variations at Medicina, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerbini, S.; Bruni, S.; Errico, M.; Santi, E.; Wziontek, H.

2016-12-01

During 1996, at the Medicina station, a GPS and a superconducting gravimeter (SG) were installed in the framework of an experiment focused on the comparison between height and gravity variations. Absolute gravity observations are also performed twice a year and environmental parameters, among others water table levels, are recorded continuously. The station is also equipped with a second GPS system, the two antennas are very close to each other, and both are located in close proximity to the VLBI dish. Two decades of continuous height and gravity observations are now available which allow investigating both long and short period signals and the relevant correlations between the two measured quantities. Long period signatures are observed, a principal component is due to subsidence which is well known to occur in the area; however, also non-linear long-period behaviors are observed. Seasonal effects are also clearly recognizable in the time series and are mainly associated with the water table seasonal behavior. The station is characterized by clayey soil which is subject to consolidation effects when the water table lowers during the summer period. This effect is particularly recognizable in the SG data since the instrument is installed on a shallow foundation pillar which may suffer for height decreases in the order of 2,5-3 cm for water table lowering of 2 m.

First Observations with the New Dual Sphere Superconducting Gravimeter Osg-073 at Metsähovi, Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virtanen, H.; Raja-Halli, A.; Bilker-Koivula, M.; Naranen, J.; Ruotsalainen, H. E. O.

2014-12-01

The new dual sphere superconducting gravimeter (SG) OSG-073 was installed in the Metsähovi Geodetic Observatory in February 2014. Its two gravity sensors are side by side, not one on top of another as in most earlier dual sensor installations. One sensor is the standard iGrav™ SG, with a lightweight sphere (5 grams) which is nearly drift-free. The second sensor uses a heavy 20-gram sphere which gives ultra low noise and a much higher quality factor Q. We present time domain observations of the first months, and estimate drift rates after the initial exponential drift. We have determined the transfer functions. Calibration factors were obtained using parallel registrations with the FG5X-221 absolute gravimeter of the FGI. We show selected free oscillation spectra from the SG, and seismic data obtained at Metsähovi with the Nanometrics Trillium 120P broadband seismometer of the Institute of Seismology (University of Helsinki). The noise level of the data is then compared with the New Low Noise Model NLNM. The results with the dual sphere SG can be compared with parallel observations with the SG T020. This 20-year old instrument is situated in the same room at a distance of 2 metres from the dual-sphere SG.

Excretion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (OH-PAHs) in cattle urine in Ghana.

PubMed

Bortey-Sam, Nesta; Ikenaka, Yoshinori; Akoto, Osei; Nakayama, Shouta M M; Marfo, Jemima; Saengtienchai, Aksorn; Mizukawa, Hazuki; Ishizuka, Mayumi

2016-11-01

Previous studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter, soils and livers of wild rats indicated that the city centre of Kumasi, Ghana has been severely polluted with high cancer potency. Cattle urine were therefore collected from Kumasi (urban) and Offinso (rural), Ghana: to determine concentrations of urinary PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs); and find their association with sex; and to estimate exposure of cattle to PAHs from the different sites. From the results, geometric mean concentrations (adjusted by specific gravity), GM SG , showed that 2-OHNaphthalene (2-OHNap) was the most abundant OH-PAH in cattle urine from all study sites, and naphthalene-containing-mothballs might have contributed significantly to the levels. There was no significant difference between urinary OH-PAHs concentrations in cattle from urban and rural sites except for 2-OHPhe and 4-OHPhe, and similar to urban areas, rural sites could also be polluted with PAHs. GM SG of 2-OHNap in cattle urine in Kokote (21.9 ± 6.51 ng/mL; a rural area), was significantly higher compared to the other sites followed by Oforikrom (4.15 ± 4.37 ng/mL; urban). The GM SG concentration (ng/mL) of the sum of OH-PAHs decreased in the order, Kokote (44.7) > Oforikrom (7.87) > Saboa (6.98) > Santasi (6.68) > and Twumasen Estate (5.23). The high concentrations of urinary 2-OHNap, 2-3-OHFlu, 2-OHPhe, 3-OHPhe and 4-OHPhe in Kokote indicated high PAHs exposure to cattle in this area or different/specific source of PAHs exposure. GM SG of 2-OHNap was significantly higher in male cattle compared to females while 1-9-OHPhe was significantly higher in females. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

In vitro performance and principles of anti-siphoning devices.

PubMed

Freimann, Florian Baptist; Kimura, Takaoki; Stockhammer, Florian; Schulz, Matthias; Rohde, Veit; Thomale, Ulrich-Wilhelm

2014-11-01

Anti-siphon devices (ASDs) of various working principles were developed to overcome overdrainage-related complications associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunting. We aimed to provide comparative data on the pressure and flow characteristics of six different types of ASDs (gravity-assisted, membrane-controlled, and flow-regulated) in order to achieve a better understanding of these devices and their potential clinical application. We analyzed three gravity-dependent ASDs (ShuntAssistant [SA], Miethke; Gravity Compensating Accessory [GCA], Integra; SiphonX [SX], Sophysa), two membrane-controlled ASDs (Anti-Siphon Device [IASD], Integra; Delta Chamber [DC], Medtronic), and one flow-regulated ASD (SiphonGuard [SG], Codman). Defined pressure conditions within a simulated shunt system were generated (differential pressure 10-80 cmH2O), and the specific flow and pressure characteristics were measured. In addition, the gravity-dependent ASDs were measured in defined spatial positions (0-90°). The flow characteristics of the three gravity-assisted ASDs were largely dependent upon differential pressure and on their spatial position. All three devices were able to reduce the siphoning effect, but each to a different extent (flow at inflow pressure: 10 cmH2O, siphoning -20 cmH2O at 0°/90°: SA, 7.1 ± 1.2*/2.3 ±  0.5* ml/min; GCA, 10.5 ± 0.8/3.4 ± 0.4* ml/min; SX, 9.5 ± 1.2*/4.7 ± 1.9* ml/min, compared to control, 11.1 ± 0.4 ml/min [*p < 0.05]). The flow characteristics of the remaining ASDs were primarily dependent upon the inflow pressure effect (flow at 10 cmH2O, siphoning 0 cmH2O/ siphoning -20cmH2O: DC, 2.6 ± 0.1/ 4 ± 0.3* ml/min; IASD, 2.5 ± 0.2/ 0.8 ± 0.4* ml/min; SG, 0.8 ± 0.2*/ 0.2 ± 0.1* ml/min [*p < 0.05 vs. control, respectively]). The tested ASDs were able to control the siphoning effect within a simulated shunt system to differing degrees. Future comparative trials are needed to determine the type of device that is superior for clinical application.

Local Hydrological effects in Membach, Belgium: influence on the long term gravity variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Camp, M.; Dassargues, A.; Vanneste, K.; Verbeeck, K.; Warnant, R.

2003-04-01

Absolute (AG) and superconducting (SG) gravity measurements have been performed since 1996 at the underground Membach Station (Ardenne, eastern Belgium). Two effects can be distinguished: one seasonal-like and a long-term geophysical trend. The first effect is a 5 µGal seasonal-like term due most probably and mainly to hydrological variations. To determine the thickness of the porous unconsolidated layer covering the fissured bed-rock (low-porosity argillaceous sandstone with quartzitic beds) through which the tunnel was excavated, geophysical prospecting has been undertaken above the Membach station. This shows that the thickness of the weathered zone covering the bedrock can be highly variable between zero and 10 meters (possibly due to palaeo mudflows linked to periglacial conditions in the area). This leads to highly variable (in space) saturation capacity of the subsoil above the gallery. The extensive geological researches will allow us to correct the gravity variations induced by the variable mass of water stored in the shallow partially saturated soil. This work can be essential to correct local effects that can mask regional effects such as changes in continental water storage. Local effects, indeed, could prevent the combination of satellite data (e.g. GRACE) with ground-based gravity measurements. On the other hand, studying the local seasonal variations also contributes to investigate the influence of the water storage variations in small river basins on the time dependent gravity field. The second effect is the detection of a very low geophysical trend in gravity of -0.5+/-0.1 µGal/year. The SG drift, the hydrological effects, and the origin of the low trend are discussed. In particular, we show a good correlation between the gravity measurements and the continuous GPS measurements being made since 1997 at 3 km from the station. Possible crustal deformations could be linked to active faults in the Ardenne and/or bordering the Roer Valley Graben, or perhaps linked to the Eifel plume.

GRACE Solutions for the Gravity Field over Central Europe Compared to the Surface Field as Recorded by the GGP Network.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, D. J.; de Linage, C.; Hinderer, J.; Boy, J.

2007-12-01

As the number of different solutions from the GRACE satellite gravity project evolves, we can make more meaningful comparisons between the satellite-derived field and the surface field as recorded by superconducting gravimeters. On the GRACE side, we use CSR Level 2 products RL01 and the recent RL04 solutions, GFZ RL04 solutions, and the CNES/GRGS 10-day solutions, all for the time periods these are available. On the GGP side, we take advantage of the 10 years of SG data since July 1997 from 6-8 ground stations in Europe, allowing for the change in the network configuration as stations begin and end recording. Only data since 2002 can be compared directly to GRACE. Our primary measure of variability is the first principal component of the EOF analysis of all the fields. Unsurprisingly, the seasonal components for all the comparisons are similar in phase, but different in amplitude, to the predictions from a global hydrology model (GLDAS), provided allowance is made for the location of the SG stations above or below the soil moisture horizon that controls the gravity signature. We use detailed modeling at the Strasbourg station, as well as published results for Moxa and Membach, to confirm the gravity effect of hydrology. Good agreement is found between the GGP and the CNES/GRGS 10-day solutions, indicating the higher temporal resolution of this satellite solution is valid for our limited geographical area. We also synthesize the gravity field over the sub-group of GGP stations in N.E. Asia to see how the GRACE variability compares to that for the European array and to assess future ground validation using new GGP stations in that part of the world.

Integrative monitoring of water storage variations at the landscape-scale with an iGrav superconducting gravimeter in a field enclosure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guntner, A.; Reich, M.; Mikolaj, M.; Creutzfeldt, B.; Schroeder, S.; Wziontek, H.

2017-12-01

In spite of the fundamental role of the landscape water balance for the Earth's water and energy cycles, monitoring the water balance and related storage dynamics beyond the point scale is notoriously difficult due to the multitude of flow and storage processes and their spatial heterogeneity. We present the first outdoor deployment of an iGrav superconducting gravimeter (SG) in a minimized field enclosure on a wet-temperate grassland site for integrative monitoring of water storage changes. It is shown that the system performs similarly precise as SGs that have hitherto been deployed in observatory buildings, but with higher sensitivity to hydrological variations in the surroundings of the instrument. Gravity variations observed by the field setup are almost independent of the depth below the terrain surface where water storage changes occur, and thus the field SG system directly observes the total water storage change in an integrative way. We provide a framework to single out the water balance components actual evapotranspiration and lateral subsurface discharge from the gravity time series on annual to daily time scales. With about 99% and 85% of the gravity signal originating within a radius of 4000 and 200 meter around the instrument, respectively, the setup paves the road towards gravimetry as a continuous hydrological field monitoring technique for water storage dynamics at the landscape scale.

Presentation of a High Resolution Time Lapse 3D Groundwater Model of Metsähovi for Calculating the Gravity Effect of Groundwater in Local Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hokkanen, T. M.; Hartikainen, A.; Raja-Halli, A.; Virtanen, H.; Makinen, J.

2015-12-01

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study is to construct a fine resolution time lapse groundwater (GW) model of Metsähovi (MH). GW, geological, and soil moisture (SM) data were collected for several years to achieve the goal. The knowledge of the behavior of the GW at local scale is essential for superconductive gravimeter (SG) investigations performing in MH. DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA Almost 50 sensors have been recorded SM data some 6 years with 1 to 5 minutes sampling frequency. The GW table has been monitored, both in bedrock and in soil, in many stages with all together 15 piezometers. Two geological sampling campaigns were conducted to get the knowledge of hydrological properties of soil in the study area of 200×200 m2 around SG station in MH. PRINCIPLE OF TIME LAPSE 3D HYDROGEOLOGICAL MODEL The model of study site consists of the surfaces of ground and bedrock gridded with 2×2 m2 resolution. The height of GW table was interpolated to 2×2×0.1 m3 grid between GW and SM monitoring points. Close to the outline of the study site and areas lacking of sensors GW table was defined by extrapolation and considering the geological information of the area. The bedrock porosity is 2% and soil porosity determined by geological information and SM recordings is from 5 to 35%. Only fully saturated media is considered in the time lapse model excluding unsaturated one. BENEFICIERS With a new model the fluctuation of GW table can be followed with ranging time lapses from 1 minute to 1 month. The gravity effect caused by the variation of GW table can be calculated more accurate than before in MH. Moreover, the new model can be validated and refined by measured gravity, i.e. hydrological model can be improved by SG recordings (Figure 1).

Secular gravity variation at Svalbard (Norway) from ground observations and GRACE satellite data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mémin, A.; Rogister, Y.; Hinderer, J.; Omang, O. C.; Luck, B.

2011-03-01

The Svalbard archipelago, Norway, is affected by both the present-day ice melting (PDIM) and Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) subsequent to the Last Pleistocene deglaciation. The induced deformation of the Earth is observed by using different techniques. At the Geodetic Observatory in Ny-Ålesund, precise positioning measurements have been collected since 1991, a superconducting gravimeter (SG) has been installed in 1999, and six campaigns of absolute gravity (AG) measurements were performed between 1998 and 2007. Moreover, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission provides the time variation of the Earth gravity field since 2002. The goal of this paper is to estimate the present rate of ice melting by combining geodetic observations of the gravity variation and uplift rate with geophysical modelling of both the GIA and Earth's response to the PDIM. We estimate the secular gravity variation by superimposing the SG series with the six AG measurements. We collect published estimates of the vertical velocity based on GPS and VLBI data. We analyse the GRACE solutions provided by three groups (CSR, GFZ, GRGS). The crux of the problem lies in the separation of the contributions from the GIA and PDIM to the Earth's deformation. To account for the GIA, we compute the response of viscoelastic Earth models having different radial structures of mantle viscosity to the deglaciation histories included in the models ICE-3G or ICE-5G. To account for the effect of PDIM, we compute the deformation of an elastic Earth model for six models of ice-melting extension and rates. Errors in the gravity variation and vertical velocity are estimated by taking into account the measurement uncertainties and the variability of the GRACE solutions and GIA and PDIM models. The ground observations agree with models that involve a current ice loss of 25 km3 water equivalent yr-1 over Svalbard, whereas the space observations give a value in the interval [5, 18] km3 water equivalent yr-1. A better modelling of the PDIM, which would include the precise topography of the glaciers and altitude-dependency of ice melting, is necessary to decrease the discrepancy between the two estimates.

The vertical structure of gaseous galaxy discs in cold dark matter haloes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benítez-Llambay, Alejandro; Navarro, Julio F.; Frenk, Carlos S.; Ludlow, Aaron D.

2018-01-01

We study the vertical structure of polytropic centrifugally supported gaseous discs embedded in cold dark matter (CDM) haloes. At fixed radius, R, the shape of the vertical density profile depends weakly on whether the disc is self-gravitating (SG) or non-self-gravitating (NSG). The disc 'characteristic' thickness, zH, set by the midplane sound speed and circular velocity, zNSG = (cs/Vc)R, in the NSG case, and by the sound speed and surface density, z_SG = c_s^2/GΣ, in SG discs, is smaller than zSG and zNSG. SG discs are typically Toomre unstable, NSG discs are stable. Exponential discs in CDM haloes with roughly flat circular velocity curves 'flare' outwards. Flares in mono abundance or coeval populations in galaxies like the Milky Way are thus not necessarily due to radial migration. For the polytropic equation of state of the Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments (EAGLE) simulations, discs that match observational constraints are NSG for Md < 3 × 109 M⊙ and SG at higher masses, if fully gaseous. We test these analytic results using a set of idealized smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulations and find excellent agreement. Our results clarify the role of the gravitational softening on the thickness of simulated discs, and on the onset of radial instabilities. EAGLE low-mass discs are NSG so the softening plays no role in their vertical structure. High-mass discs are expected to be SG and unstable, and may be artificially thickened and stabilized unless gravity is well resolved. Simulations with spatial resolution high enough to not compromise the vertical structure of a disc also resolve the onset of their instabilities, but the converse is not true.

Self-Cloning CRISPR.

PubMed

Arbab, Mandana; Sherwood, Richard I

2016-08-17

CRISPR/Cas9-gene editing has emerged as a revolutionary technology to easily modify specific genomic loci by designing complementary sgRNA sequences and introducing these into cells along with Cas9. Self-cloning CRISPR/Cas9 (scCRISPR) uses a self-cleaving palindromic sgRNA plasmid (sgPal) that recombines with short PCR-amplified site-specific sgRNA sequences within the target cell by homologous recombination to circumvent the process of sgRNA plasmid construction. Through this mechanism, scCRISPR enables gene editing within 2 hr once sgRNA oligos are available, with high efficiency equivalent to conventional sgRNA targeting: >90% gene knockout in both mouse and human embryonic stem cells and cancer cell lines. Furthermore, using PCR-based addition of short homology arms, we achieve efficient site-specific knock-in of transgenes such as GFP without traditional plasmid cloning or genome-integrated selection cassette (2% to 4% knock-in rate). The methods in this paper describe the most rapid and efficient means of CRISPR gene editing. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comparison of visual and electronic devices for individual identification of dromedary camels under different farming conditions.

PubMed

Caja, G; Díaz-Medina, E; Salama, A A K; Salama, O A E; El-Shafie, M H; El-Metwaly, H A; Ayadi, M; Aljumaah, R S; Alshaikh, M A; Yahyahoui, M H; Seddik, M M; Hammadi, M; Khorchani, T; Amann, O; Cabrera, S

2016-08-01

The camel industry uses traditional (i.e., iron brands and ear tags) and modern (i.e., microchips) identification (ID) systems without having performance results of reference. Previously iron-branded ( = 45; 1 yr) and microchipped ( = 59; 7 yr) camels showed problems of healing (8.6% of brands) and reading (only 42.9% of brands and 69.5% of microchips were readable), which made their use inadvisable. With the aim of proposing suitable ID systems for different farming conditions, an on-field study was performed using a total of 528 dromedaries at 4 different locations (Egypt, = 83; Spain, = 304; Saudi Arabia, = 90; and Tunisia, = 51). The ID devices tested were visual (button ear tags, 28.5 mm diameter, = 178; double flag ear tags, 50 by 15 mm, = 83; both made of polyurethane) and electronic (ear tags, = 90, and rumen boluses, = 555). Electronic ear tags were polyurethane-loop type (75 by 9 mm) with a container in which a 22-mm transponder of full-duplex technology was lodged. Electronic boluses of 7 types, varying in dimensions (50 to 76 mm length, 11 to 21 mm width, and 12.7 to 82.1 g weight) and specific gravity (SG; 1.49 to 3.86) and each of them containing a 31-mm transponder of half-duplex technology, were all administered to the dromedaries at the beginning of the study. When a low-SG bolus was lost, a high-SG bolus was readministered. Readability rates of each ID system were evaluated during 1 to 3 yr, according to device and location, and yearly values were estimated for comparison. On a yearly basis, visual ear tag readability was not fully satisfactory; it was lower for rectangular ear tags (66.3%) than for button ear tags (80.9%). Yearly readability of electronic ear tags was 93.7%. Bolus readability dramatically varied according to their SG; the SG < 2.0 boluses were fully lost after 8 mo. In contrast, the SG > 3.0 boluses were efficiently retained (99.6 to 100%) at all locations. In conclusion, according to the expected long lifespan of camels, low ID performances were observed for iron brands, injectable microchips, and ear tags (visual and electronic), making their use inadvisable as unique ID systems in camels. The high readability of dense electronic boluses recommended their use as a permanent ID device of reference in camels.

Kinetics of the CRISPR-Cas9 effector complex assembly and the role of 3′-terminal segment of guide RNA

PubMed Central

Mekler, Vladimir; Minakhin, Leonid; Semenova, Ekaterina; Kuznedelov, Konstantin; Severinov, Konstantin

2016-01-01

CRISPR-Cas9 is widely applied for genome engineering in various organisms. The assembly of single guide RNA (sgRNA) with the Cas9 protein may limit the Cas9/sgRNA effector complex function. We developed a FRET-based assay for detection of CRISPR–Cas9 complex binding to its targets and used this assay to investigate the kinetics of Cas9 assembly with a set of structurally distinct sgRNAs. We find that Cas9 and isolated sgRNAs form the effector complex efficiently and rapidly. Yet, the assembly process is sensitive to the presence of moderate concentrations of non-specific RNA competitors, which considerably delay the Cas9/sgRNA complex formation, while not significantly affecting already formed complexes. This observation suggests that the rate of sgRNA loading into Cas9 in cells can be determined by competition between sgRNA and intracellular RNA molecules for the binding to Cas9. Non-specific RNAs exerted particularly large inhibitory effects on formation of Cas9 complexes with sgRNAs bearing shortened 3′-terminal segments. This result implies that the 3′-terminal segment confers sgRNA the ability to withstand competition from non-specific RNA and at least in part may explain the fact that use of sgRNAs truncated for the 3′-terminal stem loops leads to reduced activity during genomic editing. PMID:26945042

Influence of Hybridizing Flax and Hemp-Agave Fibers with Glass Fiber as Reinforcement in a Polyurethane Composite

PubMed Central

Pandey, Pankaj; Bajwa, Dilpreet; Ulven, Chad; Bajwa, Sreekala

2016-01-01

In this study, six combinations of flax, hemp, and glass fiber were investigated for a hybrid reinforcement system in a polyurethane (PU) composite. The natural fibers were combined with glass fibers in a PU composite in order to achieve a better mechanical reinforcement in the composite material. The effect of fiber hybridization in PU composites was evaluated through physical and mechanical properties such as water absorption (WA), specific gravity (SG), coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE), flexural and compression properties, and hardness. The mechanical properties of hybridized samples showed mixed trends compared to the unhybridized samples, but hybridization with glass fiber reduced water absorption by 37% and 43% for flax and hemp-agave PU composites respectively. PMID:28773512

Cloning-free CRISPR

PubMed Central

Arbab, Mandana; Srinivasan, Sharanya; Hashimoto, Tatsunori; Geijsen, Niels; Sherwood, Richard I.

2015-01-01

Summary We present self-cloning CRISPR/Cas9 (scCRISPR), a technology that allows for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic mutation and site-specific knockin transgene creation within several hours by circumventing the need to clone a site-specific single-guide RNA (sgRNA) or knockin homology construct for each target locus. We introduce a self-cleaving palindromic sgRNA plasmid and a short double-stranded DNA sequence encoding the desired locus-specific sgRNA into target cells, allowing them to produce a locus-specific sgRNA plasmid through homologous recombination. scCRISPR enables efficient generation of gene knockouts (∼88% mutation rate) at approximately one-sixth the cost of plasmid-based sgRNA construction with only 2 hr of preparation for each targeted site. Additionally, we demonstrate efficient site-specific knockin of GFP transgenes without any plasmid cloning or genome-integrated selection cassette in mouse and human embryonic stem cells (2%–4% knockin rate) through PCR-based addition of short homology arms. scCRISPR substantially lowers the bar on mouse and human transgenesis. PMID:26527385

Monoclonal antibodies and human sera directed to the secreted glycoprotein G of herpes simplex virus type 2 recognize type-specific antigenic determinants.

PubMed

Liljeqvist, Jan-Ake; Trybala, Edward; Hoebeke, Johan; Svennerholm, Bo; Bergström, Tomas

2002-01-01

Glycoprotein G-2 (gG-2) of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is cleaved to a secreted amino-terminal portion (sgG-2) and to a cell-associated carboxy-terminal portion which is further O-glycosylated to constitute the mature gG-2 (mgG-2). In contrast to mgG-2, which is known to elicit a type-specific antibody response in the human host, information on the immunogenic properties of sgG-2 is lacking. Here the sgG-2 protein was purified on a heparin column and used for production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Four anti-sgG-2 mAbs were mapped using a Pepscan technique and identified linear epitopes which localized to the carboxy-terminal part of the protein. One additional anti-sgG-2 mAb, recognizing a non-linear epitope, was reactive to three discrete peptide stretches where the most carboxy-terminally located stretch was constituted by the amino acids (320)RRAL(323). Although sgG-2 is rapidly secreted into the cell-culture medium after infection, the anti-sgG-2 mAbs identified substantial amounts of sgG-2 in the cytoplasm of HSV-2-infected cells. All of the anti-sgG-2 mAbs were HSV-2 specific showing no cross-reactivity to HSV-1 antigen or to HSV-1-infected cells. Similarly, sera from 50 HSV-2 isolation positive patients were all reactive to sgG-2 in an enzyme immunoassay whilst no reactivity was seen in 25 sera from HSV-1 isolation positive patients or in 25 serum samples from HSV-negative patients suggesting that sgG-2 is a novel antigen potentially suitable for type-discriminating serodiagnosis.

The use of semi-quantitative tests at Cesarean section delivery for the differentiation of canine fetal fluids from maternal urine on the basis of biochemical characteristics.

PubMed

Balogh, Orsolya; Roch, Marie; Keller, Stefanie; Michel, Erika; Reichler, Iris M

2017-01-15

In dogs, there is no diagnostic test to identify and differentiate fetal fluids from maternal urine in the event that a clear-yellowish vulvar discharge is observed pre-whelping. The objective of this study was to find a test that could easily and accurately identify rupture of the fetal membranes preceding parturition. Maternal urine, and amniotic fluid (AMF) and allantoic fluid (ALF) from only one fetus per bitch, were collected intraoperatively during Cesarean section. Specific gravity (SG) was analyzed with a refractometer, whereas the presence of leukocytes, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrite, erythrocyte/hemoglobin (Hb), and the pH were assessed using a urine dipstick (Combur-Test ® ). Combined calcium and magnesium (Ca/Mg) content were evaluated with the Total Hardness Test. The AmniSure test, which detects rupture of fetal membranes in women on the basis of the presence of human placental alpha microglobulin-1, was also performed on canine AMF, ALF, and urine. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Pearson's correlation. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated for parameters with significant difference between urine and both fetal fluids. Maternal urine had higher SG and lower leukocyte, protein, Hb, and Ca/Mg content than AMF and ALF. Glucose was more often present in AMF (n = 17) and ALF (n = 12) than in urine (n = 1), whereas ketone bodies were rarely detected in ALF compared with urine. Bilirubin content was higher in urine and ALF than in AMF. AMF pH was less variable and higher than the pH of ALF or urine. The AmniSure was negative in all samples tested. Sensitivity and specificity for SG and for the detection of leukocytes, protein, glucose, Hb, Ca/Mg, and glucose without ketones in urine and fetal fluids were between 42% to 100% and 65% to 100%, respectively. Best positive LR was achieved for the detection of glucose without ketones and best negative LR for SG of 1.022 or less. In conclusion, the AmniSure test, which is used in humans with high diagnostic accuracy, cannot identify AMF and ALF in dogs. On the basis of our results in 26 dogs undergoing Cesarean section, the presence or absence of fetal fluids could be best determined by a positive glucose test without ketone bodies or by SG higher than 1.022, respectively. These tests may serve as additional tools to recognize parturition if clear-yellowish vulvar discharge is present in a term pregnant bitch, but their accuracy and practicability in the clinical setting need to be confirmed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The physiological determinants of low-level urine cadmium: an assessment in a cross-sectional study among schoolchildren.

PubMed

Wang, Hongyu; Dumont, Xavier; Haufroid, Vincent; Bernard, Alfred

2017-09-12

Recent studies in children have reported associations of urinary cadmium (U-Cd), used as biomarker of Cd body burden, with renal dysfunction, retarded growth and impaired cognitive development in children. Little is known, however, about factors influencing U-Cd in children and likely to act as confounders. In a cross-sectional study involving 249 schoolchildren (mean age, 5.72 years; 138 boys), we measured the urine concentrations of cadmium, zinc, lead, albumin, alpha 1 -microglobulin (A1M), retinol-binding protein, β 2 -microglobulin and club cell protein (CC16). Determinants of U-Cd expressed per creatinine or adjusted to specific gravity were identified by multiple regression analyses. Girls and boys had similar median concentrations of U-Cd (0.22 and 0.24 μg/L, 0.33 and 0.35 μg/g creatinine, respectively). When models were run without including creatinine or specific gravity among independent variables, urinary zinc, urinary A1M and age emerged as the strongest predictors of U-Cd expressed per g creatinine or adjusted to SG. When adding creatinine among predictors, urinary creatinine emerged as an additional strong predictor correlating negatively with U-Cd per g creatinine. This strong residual influence of diuresis, not seen when adding specific gravity among predictors, linked U-Cd to U-A1M or U-CC16 through secondary associations mimicking those induced by Cd nephrotoxity. In young children U-Cd largely varies with diuresis, zinc metabolism and urinary A1M. These physiological determinants, unrelated to Cd body burden, may confound the child renal and developmental outcomes associated with low-level U-Cd.

Reliability of Urinary Dehydration Markers in Elite Youth Boxers.

PubMed

Zubac, Damir; Cular, Drazen; Marusic, Uros

2018-03-01

To determine the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive urinary dehydration markers in field-based settings on a day-to-day basis in elite adolescent amateur boxers. Sixty-nine urine samples were collected daily from 23 athletes (17.3 ± 1.9 y) during their weight-stable phase and analyzed by field and laboratory measures of hydration status. Urine osmolality (U OSM ), urine specific gravity (U SG ), total protein content (T PC ), and body-mass stability were evaluated to determine fluid balance and hydration status. Overall macronutrient and water intake were determined using dietary records. According to their anthropometric characteristics, athletes were assigned into 2 groups: lightweight (L WB ) and heavyweight (H WB ) boxers. Data presented on U OSM demonstrated a uniform increment by 11.2% ± 12.8% (L WB ) and 19.9% ± 22.7% (H WB ) (P < .001) over the course of the study, even during the weight-stable phase (body mass, ICC = .99) and ad libitum fluid intake (42 ± 4 mL · kg -1  · d -1 ). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from .52 to .55 for U SG and .38 to .52 for U OSM , further indicating inconsistency of the urinary dehydration markers. Poor correlations were found between U SG and T PC metabolites (r = .27, P = .211). Urinary dehydration markers (both U SG and U OSM ) exhibit high variability and seem to be unreliable diagnostic tools to track actual body-weight loss in real-life settings. The ad libitum fluid intake was apparently inadequate to match acute fluid loss during and after intense preparation. The applicability of a single-time-point hydration-status assessment concept may preclude accurate assessment of actual body-weight deficits in youth boxers.

Comment on: `The quest for a consistent signal in ground and GRACE gravity time-series', by Michel Van Camp, Olivier de Viron, Laurent Metivier, Bruno Meurers and Olivier Francis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, D. J.; Boy, J.-P.; Hinderer, J.; Jahr, T.; Weise, A.; Wziontek, H.; Abe, M.; Förste, C.

2014-12-01

The paper in question by Van Camp and co-authors [MVC] challenges previous work showing that ground gravity data arising from hydrology can provide a consistent signal for the comparison with satellite gravity data. The data sets used are similar to those used previously, that is, the gravity field as measured by the GRACE satellites versus ground-based data from superconducting gravimeters (SGs) over the same continental area, in this case Central Europe. One of the main impediments in this paper is the presentation that is frequently confusing and misleading as to what the data analysis really shows, for example, the irregular treatment of annual components that are first subtracted then reappear in the analysis. More importantly, we disagree on specific points. Two calculations are included in our comment to illustrate where we believe that the processing in [MVC] paper is deficient. The first deals with their erroneous treatment of the global hydrology using a truncated spherical harmonic approach which explains almost a factor 2 error in their computation of the loading. The second shows the effect of making the wrong assumption in the GRACE/hydrology/surface gravity comparison by inverting the whole of the hydrology loading for underground stations. We also challenge their claims that empirical orthogonal function techniques cannot be done in the presence of periodic components, and that SG data cannot be corrected for comparisons with GRACE data. The main conclusion of their paper, that there is little coherence between ground gravity stations and this invalidates GRACE comparisons, is therefore questionable. There is nothing in [MVC] that contradicts any of the previous papers that have shown clearly a strong relation between seasonal signals obtained from both ground gravity and GRACE satellite data.

Phototropism experiments in microgravity-the Seedling Growth project in the EMCS on the ISS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiss, John; Edelmann, Richard; Herranz, Raul; Medina, Francisco Javier; Millar, Katherine

The microgravity environment aboard orbiting spacecraft has provided a unique laboratory to explore important topics in basic plant biology. Our group has utilized the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to study plant growth, development, tropisms, and gene expression in a series of spaceflight experiments. The most current project performed on the ISS was termed Seeding Growth-1 (SG-1) which builds on the previous TROPI (for tropisms) experiments. TROPI-1 was the first EMCS experiment, and we discovered a novel red-light-based phototropism in hypocotyls of seedlings grown in microgravity (Millar et al. 2010). In TROPI-2, our experiments were extended to reduced gravity levels and found that 0.1-0.3 g can attenuate the red-light response (Kiss et al. 2012). In addition, we performed gene profiling studies and noted that approximately 280 genes that were differentially regulated at least two-fold in the space samples compared to the ground controls (Correll et al. 2013). Major technical and operational changes in SG-1 (launched in March 2013) compared to the TROPI experiments include: improvements in lighting conditions within the EMCS to optimize the environment for phototropism studies and the use of infrared illumination to provide high-quality images of the seedlings. In SG-1, the red-light-based phototropism in roots and hypocotyls of seedlings that was noted in TROPI-2 was confirmed and now can be more precisely characterized based on the improvements in procedures. As we move forward, the SG-2 experiments (to be launched in 2014), in addition to a continued focus on phototropism, will consider the cell cycle as well as the growth and proliferation of plant cells in microgravity (Matía et al. 2010). Furthermore, the lessons learned from sequential experiments from TROPI-1 to TROPI-2 to SG-1 can provide insights to other researchers developing space experiments in plant biology. References: Correll M.J., T.P. Pyle, K.D.L. Millar, Y. Sun, J. Yao, R.E. Edelmann, J.Z. Kiss. 2013. Transcriptome analyses of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown in space: implications for gravity-responsive genes. Planta 238: 519-533. Kiss J.Z., K.D.L. Millar, R.E. Edelmann. 2012. Phototropism of Arabidopsis thaliana in microgravity and fractional gravity on the International Space Station. Planta 236:635-645. Matía I., F. González-Camacho, R. Herranz, J.Z. Kiss, G. Gasset, J. van Loon, R. Marco, F.J. Medina. 2010. Plant cell proliferation and growth are altered by microgravity conditions in spaceflight. Journal of Plant Physiology 167: 184-193. Millar K.D.L., P. Kumar, M.J. Correll, J.L. Mullen, R.P. Hangarter, R.E. Edelmann, J.Z. Kiss 2010. A novel phototropic response to red light is revealed in microgravity. New Phytologist 186:648-656.

76 FR 66763 - Models for Plant-Specific Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-510...

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2011-10-27

... of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-510, Revision 2, ``Revision to Steam Generator..., Revision 2, ``Revision to Steam Generator [(SG)] Program Inspection Frequencies and Tube Sample Selection..., ``Steam Generator (SG) Program,'' Specification 5.6.7, ``Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report,'' and the...

Genetic Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Growth and Wood Quality Traits in Eucalyptus Grandis Using a Maternal Half-Sib Family and Rapd Markers

PubMed Central

Grattapaglia, D.; Bertolucci, FLG.; Penchel, R.; Sederoff, R. R.

1996-01-01

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of forest productivity traits was performed using an open pollinated half-sib family of Eucalyptus grandis. For volume growth, a sequential QTL mapping approach was applied using bulk segregant analysis (BSA), selective genotyping (SG) and cosegregation analysis (CSA). Despite the low heritability of this trait and the heterogeneous genetic background employed for mapping. BSA detected one putative QTL and SG two out of the three later found by CSA. The three putative QTL for volume growth were found to control 13.7% of the phenotypic variation, corresponding to an estimated 43.7% of the genetic variation. For wood specific gravity five QTL were identified controlling 24.7% of the phenotypic variation corresponding to 49% of the genetic variation. Overlapping QTL for CBH, WSG and percentage dry weight of bark were observed. A significant case of digenic epistasis was found, involving unlinked QTL for volume. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the within half-sib design for QTL mapping in forest trees and indicate the existence of major genes involved in the expression of economically important traits related to forest productivity in Eucalyptus grandis. These findings have important implications for marker-assisted tree breeding. PMID:8913761

Modeling the retention of rumen boluses for the electronic identification of goats.

PubMed

Carné, S; Caja, G; Ghirardi, J J; Salama, A A K

2011-02-01

We constructed a regression model to estimate the retention of electronic boluses in goats. With this aim, 2,482 boluses were administered to goats from dairy (Murciano-Granadina, n=1,326; French Alpine, n=381) and meat (Blanca de Rasquera, n=532) breeds. A total of 19 bolus types made of materials (ceramic, plastic tubes filled with concrete or silicone, and ballasts) differing in their specific gravity (SG) were used, thereby obtaining a wide variation in bolus features: diameter (9 to 22 mm), length (37 to 84 mm), weight (5 to 111 g), volume (2.6 to 26 mL), and SG (1.0 to 5.5). Each bolus contained a half-duplex glass encapsulated transponder (32 × 3.8mm) and was administered using adapted balling guns. Murciano-Granadina and Blanca de Rasquera goats also wore 2 visual plastic ear tags: V1 (double flag, 5.1g) and V2 (flag-button, 4.2g). No data on ear tags in French Alpine goats was available. Bolus and ear tag retention [(retained/monitored) × 100] was recorded for at least 1 yr. Dynamic reading efficiency [(dynamic reading/static reading) × 100] was also evaluated from 1,496 bolus readings. No administration incidences or apparent negative behavior or performance effects were observed for any bolus type. Static reading efficiency of retained boluses was 100%, except for the prototypes with metal ballasts, which yielded a 93.3% reading efficiency. Retention of metal-ballasted boluses was confirmed using x-ray equipment. Excluding ballasted boluses, a 99.5% dynamic reading efficiency was obtained. Ear tag losses were 6.5% for V1 and 3.7% for V2, ranging from 3.2 to 7.8% depending on ear tag type and goat breed. Bolus retention varied (0 to 100%) according to their physical features. Obtained data allowed the fitting of a logistic model of bolus retention rate according to bolus volume and weight (R(2) = 0.98); the SG was implicitly considered. Estimated weight and SG to produce medium- (15 mL) and standard-sized (22 mL) boluses for 99.95% retention rate in goats were 73.0 and 94.1g, and 4.87 and 4.28, respectively. Mini-boluses are not recommended, as none of the available radio translucent materials reach the required SG. In conclusion, increase of SG was fundamental to optimize bolus retention. Medium-sized boluses (10 to 15 mL; SG 5.8 to 4.9) for early administration and efficient retention in adult goats could be produced, thereby addressing the problem of using proper boluses for goat identification. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a bacterial tannase from Streptococcus gallolyticus UCN34 suitable for tannin biodegradation.

PubMed

Jiménez, Natalia; Barcenilla, José María; de Felipe, Félix López; de Las Rivas, Blanca; Muñoz, Rosario

2014-01-01

The gene in the locus GALLO_1609 from Streptococcus gallolyticus UCN34 was cloned and expressed as an active protein in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The protein was named TanSg1 since it shows similarity to bacterial tannases previously described. The recombinant strain produced His-tagged TanSg1 which was purified by affinity chromatography. Purified TanSg1 protein showed tannase activity, having a specific activity of 577 U/mg which is 41 % higher than the activity of Lactobacillus plantarum tannase. Remarkably, TanSg1 displayed optimum catalytic activity at pH 6-8 and 50-70 °C and showed high stability over a broad range of temperatures. It retained 25 % of its relative activity after prolonged incubation at 45 °C. The specific activity of TanSg1 is enhanced by the divalent cation Ca(2+) and is dramatically reduced by Zn(2+) and Hg(2+). The enzyme was highly specific for gallate and protocatechuate esters and showed no catalytic activity against other phenolic esters. The protein TanSg1 hydrolyzes efficiently tannic acid, a complex and polymeric gallotanin, allowing its complete conversion to gallic acid, a potent antioxidant. From its biochemical properties, TanSg1 is a tannase with potential industrial interest regarding the biodegradation of tannin waste or its bioconversion into biologically active products.

Linking Comparisons of Absolute Gravimeters: A Proof of Concept for a new Global Absolute Gravity Reference System.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wziontek, H.; Palinkas, V.; Falk, R.; Vaľko, M.

2016-12-01

Since decades, absolute gravimeters are compared on a regular basis on an international level, starting at the International Bureau for Weights and Measures (BIPM) in 1981. Usually, these comparisons are based on constant reference values deduced from all accepted measurements acquired during the comparison period. Temporal changes between comparison epochs are usually not considered. Resolution No. 2, adopted by IAG during the IUGG General Assembly in Prague 2015, initiates the establishment of a Global Absolute Gravity Reference System based on key comparisons of absolute gravimeters (AG) under the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) in order to establish a common level in the microGal range. A stable and unique reference frame can only be achieved, if different AG are taking part in different kind of comparisons. Systematic deviations between the respective comparison reference values can be detected, if the AG can be considered stable over time. The continuous operation of superconducting gravimeters (SG) on selected stations further supports the temporal link of comparison reference values by establishing a reference function over time. By a homogenous reprocessing of different comparison epochs and including AG and SG time series at selected stations, links between several comparisons will be established and temporal comparison reference functions will be derived. By this, comparisons on a regional level can be traced to back to the level of key comparisons, providing a reference for other absolute gravimeters. It will be proved and discussed, how such a concept can be used to support the future absolute gravity reference system.

A comparison of the gravity field over Central Europe from superconducting gravimeters, GRACE and global hydrological models, using EOF analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, David; de Linage, Caroline; Hinderer, Jacques; Boy, Jean-Paul; Famiglietti, James

2012-05-01

We analyse data from seven superconducting gravimeter (SG) stations in Europe from 2002 to 2007 from the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) and compare seasonal variations with data from GRACE and several global hydrological models - GLDAS, WGHM and ERA-Interim. Our technique is empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition of the fields that allows for the inherent incompatibility of length scales between ground and satellite observations. GGP stations below the ground surface pose a problem because part of the attraction from soil moisture comes from above the gravimeter, and this gives rise to a complex (mixed) gravity response. The first principle component (PC) of the EOF decomposition is the main indicator for comparing the fields, although for some of the series it accounts for only about 50 per cent of the variance reduction. PCs for GRACE solutions RL04 from CSR and GFZ are filtered with a cosine taper (degrees 20-40) and a Gaussian window (350 km). Significant differences are evident between GRACE solutions from different groups and filters, though they all agree reasonably well with the global hydrological models for the predominantly seasonal signal. We estimate the first PC at 10-d sampling to be accurate to 1 μGal for GGP data, 1.5 μGal for GRACE data and 1 μGal between the three global hydrological models. Within these limits the CNES/GRGS solution and ground GGP data agree at the 79 per cent level, and better when the GGP solution is restricted to the three above-ground stations. The major limitation on the GGP side comes from the water mass distribution surrounding the underground instruments that leads to a complex gravity effect. To solve this we propose a method for correcting the SG residual gravity series for the effects of soil moisture above the station.

CRISPR-FOCUS: A web server for designing focused CRISPR screening experiments.

PubMed

Cao, Qingyi; Ma, Jian; Chen, Chen-Hao; Xu, Han; Chen, Zhi; Li, Wei; Liu, X Shirley

2017-01-01

The recently developed CRISPR screen technology, based on the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, enables genome-wide interrogation of gene functions in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Although many computational algorithms and web servers have been developed to design single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) with high specificity and efficiency, algorithms specifically designed for conducting CRISPR screens are still lacking. Here we present CRISPR-FOCUS, a web-based platform to search and prioritize sgRNAs for CRISPR screen experiments. With official gene symbols or RefSeq IDs as the only mandatory input, CRISPR-FOCUS filters and prioritizes sgRNAs based on multiple criteria, including efficiency, specificity, sequence conservation, isoform structure, as well as genomic variations including Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and cancer somatic mutations. CRISPR-FOCUS also provides pre-defined positive and negative control sgRNAs, as well as other necessary sequences in the construct (e.g., U6 promoters to drive sgRNA transcription and RNA scaffolds of the CRISPR/Cas9). These features allow users to synthesize oligonucleotides directly based on the output of CRISPR-FOCUS. Overall, CRISPR-FOCUS provides a rational and high-throughput approach for sgRNA library design that enables users to efficiently conduct a focused screen experiment targeting up to thousands of genes. (CRISPR-FOCUS is freely available at http://cistrome.org/crispr-focus/).

First attempt to validate the gSG6-P1 salivary peptide as an immuno-epidemiological tool for evaluating human exposure to Anopheles funestus bites.

PubMed

Poinsignon, Anne; Samb, Badara; Doucoure, Souleymane; Drame, Papa-Makhtar; Sarr, Jean Biram; Sow, Cheikh; Cornelie, Sylvie; Maiga, Sophie; Thiam, Cheikh; Rogerie, François; Guindo, Sohidou; Hermann, Emmanuel; Simondon, François; Dia, Ibrahima; Riveau, Gilles; Konate, Lassana; Remoue, Franck

2010-10-01

The development of a biomarker of exposure based on the evaluation of the human antibody response specific to Anopheles salivary proteins seems promising in improving malaria control. The IgG response specific to the gSG6-P1 peptide has already been validated as a biomarker of An. gambiae exposure. This study represents a first attempt to validate the gSG6-P1 peptide as an epidemiological tool evaluating exposure to An. funestus bites, the second main malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa. A multi-disciplinary survey was performed in a Senegalese village where An. funestus represents the principal anopheline species. The IgG antibody level specific to gSG6-P1 was evaluated and compared in the same children before, at the peak and after the rainy season. Two-thirds of the children developed a specific IgG response to gSG6-P1 during the study period and--more interestingly--before the rainy season, when An. funestus was the only anopheline species reported. The specific IgG response increased during the An. funestus exposure season, and a positive association between the IgG level and the level of exposure to An. funestus bites was observed. The results suggest that the evaluation of the IgG response specific to gSG6-P1 in children could also represent a biomarker of exposure to An. funestus bites. The availability of such a biomarker evaluating the exposure to both main Plasmodium falciparum vectors in Africa could be particularly relevant as a direct criterion for the evaluation of the efficacy of vector control strategies. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Evaluation and rational design of guide RNAs for efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in Ciona

PubMed Central

Gandhi, Shashank; Haeussler, Maximilian; Razy-Krajka, Florian; Christiaen, Lionel; Stolfi, Alberto

2017-01-01

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has emerged as an important tool for various genome engineering applications. A current obstacle to high throughput applications of CRISPR/Cas9 is the imprecise prediction of highly active single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We previously implemented the CRISPR/Cas9 system to induce tissue-specific mutations in the tunicate Ciona. In the present study, we designed and tested 83 single guide RNA (sgRNA) vectors targeting 23 genes expressed in the cardiopharyngeal progenitors and surrounding tissues of Ciona embryo. Using high-throughput sequencing of mutagenized alleles, we identified guide sequences that correlate with sgRNA mutagenesis activity and used this information for the rational design of all possible sgRNAs targeting the Ciona transcriptome. We also describe a one-step cloning-free protocol for the assembly of sgRNA expression cassettes. These cassettes can be directly electroporated as unpurified PCR products into Ciona embryos for sgRNA expression in vivo, resulting in high frequency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in somatic cells of electroporated embryos. We found a strong correlation between the frequency of an Ebf loss-of-function phenotype and the mutagenesis efficacies of individual Ebf-targeting sgRNAs tested using this method. We anticipate that our approach can be scaled up to systematically design and deliver highly efficient sgRNAs for the tissue-specific investigation of gene functions in Ciona. PMID:28341547

Urinary trace element concentrations in environmental settings: is there a value for systematic creatinine adjustment or do we introduce a bias?

PubMed

Hoet, Perrine; Deumer, Gladys; Bernard, Alfred; Lison, Dominique; Haufroid, Vincent

2016-01-01

Systematic creatinine adjustment of urinary concentrations of biomarkers has been a challenge over the past years because the assumption of a constant creatinine excretion rate appears erroneous and the issue of overadjustment has recently emerged. This study aimed at determining whether systematic creatinine adjustment is to be recommended for urinary concentrations of trace elements (TEs) in environmental settings. Paired 24-h collection and random spot urine samples (spotU) were obtained from 39 volunteers not occupationally exposed to TEs. Four models to express TEs concentration in spotU were tested to predict the 24-h excretion rate of these TEs (TEμg/24h) considered as the gold standard reference: absolute concentration (TEμg/l); ratio to creatinine (TEμg/gcr); TEμg/gcr adjusted to creatinine (TEμg/gcr-adj); and concentration adjusted to specific gravity (TEμg/l-SG). As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sb, Se, Te, V and Zn were analyzed by inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry. There was no single pattern of relationship between urinary TEs concentrations in spotU and TEμg/24h. TEμg/l predicted TEμg/24h with an explained variance ranging from 0 to 60%. Creatinine adjustment improved the explained variance by an additional 5 to ~60% for many TEs, but with a risk of overadjustment for the most of them. This issue could be addressed by adjusting TE concentrations on the basis of the regression coefficient of the relationship between TEμg/gcr and creatinine concentration. SG adjustment was as suitable as creatinine adjustment to predict TEμg/24h with no SG-overadjustment (except V). Regarding Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Te, none of the models were found to reflect TEμg/24h. In the context of environmental exposure, systematic creatinine adjustment is not recommended for urinary concentrations of TEs. SG adjustment appears to be a more reliable alternative. For some TEs, however, neither methods appear suitable.

Third prize: the impact of fluid environment manipulation on shockwave lithotripsy artificial calculi fragmentation rates.

PubMed

Méndez-Probst, Carlos E; Fernadez, Alfonso; Erdeljan, Petar; Vanjecek, Maaike; Cadieux, Peter A; Razvi, Hassan

2011-03-01

Studies have suggested that shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) stone fragmentation rates can be affected by characteristics of the fluid media surrounding the stone, although evidence to implicate the impact of urine specific gravity (SG) is limited and inconclusive. Our aim is to further explore the impact fluid media and SGs have on stone fragmentation using a variable focus lithotripter. Artificial stones were presoaked for 24 hours in urine and then shocked in various fluid media including artificial urine (SG 1.010 control, 1.020, and 1.07), human pooled urine (HPU), degassed HPU, Pentastarch, 100% and 30% contrast, degassed 30% contrast, 100% ethanol, deionized water (dH(2)O), degassed dH(2)O, 5% glucose, Ringer lactate, 0.9% saline, glycerol, whole blood, and lubricating gel. After soaking, SWL using the Modulith SLX-F2 electromagnetic lithotripter was performed. Fragments were dried and sieved using a 4-mm diameter opening grid. Fragments >4 mm were weighed and fragmentation coefficients (FCs) calculated (pre-SWL weight - post-SWL weight)/(pre-SWL weight) × 100. Fifteen stones were shocked for each fluid group. Fluid type, viscosity, and degassing all significantly impacted stone fragmentation. While the solutions' SG, per se, did not appear to affect stone fragmentation, the use of degassed 30% contrast significantly improved stone destruction over the SG 1.010 artificial urine control (95.3% vs 71.4, P < 0.01). Furthermore, degassing improved comminution rates by increasing the number of completely fragmented stones (FC = 100%). Using degassed 30% contrast, 12/15 stones were completely fragmented, compared with only 2/15 in the control group (P = 0.007). Among the whole blood, glycerol, and lubricating gel groups, only 1/15, 0/15, and 1/15 stones reached 100% FC respectively in the narrow focus, possibly because of the detrimental impact of increased viscosity. Different fluid media can significantly affect FC in vitro. Among the various fluids tested, degassed 30% contrast significantly increased the FC and total number of completely fragmented stones.

A novel sgRNA selection system for CRISPR-Cas9 in mammalian cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Haiwei; Zhang, Xixi; Fan, Cunxian; Xie, Qun; Xu, Chengxian; Zhao, Qun; Liu, Yongbo; Wu, Xiaoxia; Zhang, Haibing

2016-03-18

CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing system has been developed as a powerful tool for elucidating the function of genes through genetic engineering in multiple cells and organisms. This system takes advantage of a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the Cas9 endonuclease to a specific DNA site to generate mutant alleles. Since the targeting efficiency of sgRNAs to distinct DNA loci can vary widely, there remains a need for a rapid, simple and efficient sgRNA selection method to overcome this limitation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Here we report a novel system to select sgRNA with high efficacy for DNA sequence modification by a luciferase assay. Using this sgRNAs selection system, we further demonstrated successful examples of one sgRNA for generating one gene knockout cell lines where the targeted genes are shown to be functionally defective. This system provides a potential application to optimize the sgRNAs in different species and to generate a powerful CRISPR-Cas9 genome-wide screening system with minimum amounts of sgRNAs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exchange bias training relaxation in spin glass/ferromagnet bilayers

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

Chi, Xiaodan; Du, An; Rui, Wenbin

2016-04-25

A canonical spin glass (SG) FeAu layer is fabricated to couple to a soft ferromagnet (FM) FeNi layer. Below the SG freezing temperature, exchange bias (EB) and training are observed. Training in SG/FM bilayers is insensitive to cooling field and may suppress the EB or change the sign of the EB field from negative to positive at specific temperatures, violating from the simple power-law or the single exponential function derived from the antiferromagnet based systems. In view of the SG nature, we employ a double decay model to distinguish the contributions from the SG bulk and the SG/FM interface tomore » training. Dynamical properties during training under different cooling fields and at different temperatures are discussed, and the nonzero shifting coefficient in the time index as a signature of slowing-down decay for SG based systems is interpreted by means of a modified Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm.« less

Development of a graphical user interface for sgRNAcas9 and its application.

PubMed

Zhao, Chang-zhi; Zhang, Yi; Li, Guang-lei; Chen, Ji-liang; Li, Jing-Jin; Ren, Rui-min; Ni, Pan; Zhao, Shu-hong; Xie, Sheng-song

2015-10-01

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique is a powerful tool for researchers. However, off-target effects of the Cas9 nuclease activity is a recurrent concern of the CRISPR system. Thus, designing sgRNA (single guide RNA) with minimal off-target effects is very important. sgRNAcas9 is a software package, which can be used to design sgRNA and to evaluate potential off-target cleavage sites. In this study, a graphical user interface for sgRNAcas9 was developed using the Java programming language. In addition, off-target effect for sgRNAs was evaluated according to mismatched number and "seed sequence" specification. Moreover, sgRNAcas9 software was used to design 34 124 sgRNAs, which can target 4691 microRNA (miRNA) precursors from human, mouse, rat, pig, and chicken. In particular, the off-target effect of a sgRNA targeting to human miR-206 precursor was analyzed, and the on/off-target activity of this sgRNA was validated by T7E1 assay in vitro. Taken together, these data showed that the interface can simplify the usage of the sgRNAcas9 program, which can be used to design sgRNAs for the majority of miRNA precursors. We also found that the GC% of those sgRNAs ranged from 40% to 60%. In summary, the sgRNAcas9 software can be easily used to design sgRNA with minimal off-target effects for any species. The software can be downloaded from BiooTools website (http://www.biootools.com/).

AMP Kinase Activation Alters Oxidant-Induced Stress Granule Assembly by Modulating Cell Signaling and Microtubule Organization.

PubMed

Mahboubi, Hicham; Koromilas, Antonis E; Stochaj, Ursula

2016-10-01

Eukaryotic cells assemble stress granules (SGs) when translation initiation is inhibited. Different cell signaling pathways regulate SG production. Particularly relevant to this process is 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which functions as a stress sensor and is transiently activated by adverse physiologic conditions. Here, we dissected the role of AMPK for oxidant-induced SG formation. Our studies identified multiple steps of de novo SG assembly that are controlled by the kinase. Single-cell analyses demonstrated that pharmacological AMPK activation prior to stress exposure changed SG properties, because the granules became more abundant and smaller in size. These altered SG characteristics correlated with specific changes in cell survival, cell signaling, cytoskeletal organization, and the abundance of translation initiation factors. Specifically, AMPK activation increased stress-induced eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2α phosphorylation and reduced the concentration of eIF4F complex subunits eIF4G and eIF4E. At the same time, the abundance of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) was diminished. This loss of HDAC6 was accompanied by increased acetylation of α-tubulin on Lys40. Pharmacological studies further confirmed this novel AMPK-HDAC6 interplay and its importance for SG biology. Taken together, we provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of SG formation. We propose that AMPK activation stimulates oxidant-induced SG formation but limits their fusion into larger granules. Copyright © 2016 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Evaluation and rational design of guide RNAs for efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in Ciona.

PubMed

Gandhi, Shashank; Haeussler, Maximilian; Razy-Krajka, Florian; Christiaen, Lionel; Stolfi, Alberto

2017-05-01

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has emerged as an important tool for various genome engineering applications. A current obstacle to high throughput applications of CRISPR/Cas9 is the imprecise prediction of highly active single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We previously implemented the CRISPR/Cas9 system to induce tissue-specific mutations in the tunicate Ciona. In the present study, we designed and tested 83 single guide RNA (sgRNA) vectors targeting 23 genes expressed in the cardiopharyngeal progenitors and surrounding tissues of Ciona embryo. Using high-throughput sequencing of mutagenized alleles, we identified guide sequences that correlate with sgRNA mutagenesis activity and used this information for the rational design of all possible sgRNAs targeting the Ciona transcriptome. We also describe a one-step cloning-free protocol for the assembly of sgRNA expression cassettes. These cassettes can be directly electroporated as unpurified PCR products into Ciona embryos for sgRNA expression in vivo, resulting in high frequency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis in somatic cells of electroporated embryos. We found a strong correlation between the frequency of an Ebf loss-of-function phenotype and the mutagenesis efficacies of individual Ebf-targeting sgRNAs tested using this method. We anticipate that our approach can be scaled up to systematically design and deliver highly efficient sgRNAs for the tissue-specific investigation of gene functions in Ciona. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[sgRNA design for the CRISPR/Cas9 system and evaluation of its off-target effects].

PubMed

Xie, Sheng-song; Zhang, Yi; Zhang, Li-sheng; Li, Guang-lei; Zhao, Chang-zhi; Ni, Pan; Zhao, Shu-hong

2015-11-01

The third generation of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology has been successfully applied to genome modification of various species including animals, plants and microorganisms. How to improve the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and reduce its off-target effects has been extensively explored in this field. Using sgRNA (Small guide RNA) with high efficiency and specificity is one of the critical factors for successful genome editing. Several software have been developed for sgRNA design and/or off-target evaluation, which have advantages and disadvantages respectively. In this review, we summarize characters of 16 kinds online and standalone software for sgRNA design and/or off-target evaluation and conduct a comparative analysis of these different kinds of software through developing 38 evaluation indexes. We also summarize 11 experimental approaches for testing genome editing efficiency and off-target effects as well as how to screen highly efficient and specific sgRNA.

Sequence features associated with the cleavage efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 system.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoxi; Homma, Ayaka; Sayadi, Jamasb; Yang, Shu; Ohashi, Jun; Takumi, Toru

2016-01-27

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has recently emerged as a versatile tool for biological and medical research. In this system, a single guide RNA (sgRNA) directs the endonuclease Cas9 to a targeted DNA sequence for site-specific manipulation. In addition to this targeting function, the sgRNA has also been shown to play a role in activating the endonuclease activity of Cas9. This dual function of the sgRNA likely underlies observations that different sgRNAs have varying on-target activities. Currently, our understanding of the relationship between sequence features of sgRNAs and their on-target cleavage efficiencies remains limited, largely due to difficulties in assessing the cleavage capacity of a large number of sgRNAs. In this study, we evaluated the cleavage activities of 218 sgRNAs using in vitro Surveyor assays. We found that nucleotides at both PAM-distal and PAM-proximal regions of the sgRNA are significantly correlated with on-target efficiency. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the genomic context of the targeted DNA, the GC percentage, and the secondary structure of sgRNA are critical factors contributing to cleavage efficiency. In summary, our study reveals important parameters for the design of sgRNAs with high on-target efficiencies, especially in the context of high throughput applications.

Developmental Profiling of Spiral Ganglion Neurons Reveals Insights into Auditory Circuit Assembly

PubMed Central

Lu, Cindy C.; Appler, Jessica M.; Houseman, E. Andres; Goodrich, Lisa V.

2011-01-01

The sense of hearing depends on the faithful transmission of sound information from the ear to the brain by spiral ganglion (SG) neurons. However, how SG neurons develop the connections and properties that underlie auditory processing is largely unknown. We catalogued gene expression in mouse SG neurons from embryonic day 12 (E12), when SG neurons first extend projections, up until postnatal day 15 (P15), after the onset of hearing. For comparison, we also analyzed the closely-related vestibular ganglion (VG). Gene ontology analysis confirmed enriched expression of genes associated with gene regulation and neurite outgrowth at early stages, with the SG and VG often expressing different members of the same gene family. At later stages, the neurons transcribe more genes related to mature function, and exhibit a dramatic increase in immune gene expression. Comparisons of the two populations revealed enhanced expression of TGFβ pathway components in SG neurons and established new markers that consistently distinguish auditory and vestibular neurons. Unexpectedly, we found that Gata3, a transcription factor commonly associated with auditory development, is also expressed in VG neurons at early stages. We therefore defined new cohorts of transcription factors and axon guidance molecules that are uniquely expressed in SG neurons and may drive auditory-specific aspects of their differentiation and wiring. We show that one of these molecules, the receptor guanylyl cyclase Npr2, is required for bifurcation of the SG central axon. Hence, our data set provides a useful resource for uncovering the molecular basis of specific auditory circuit assembly events. PMID:21795542

Potential high-frequency off-target mutagenesis induced by CRISPR/Cas9 in Arabidopsis and its prevention.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiang; Xing, Hui-Li; Wang, Zhi-Ping; Zhang, Hai-Yan; Yang, Fang; Wang, Xue-Chen; Chen, Qi-Jun

2018-03-01

We present novel observations of high-specificity SpCas9 variants, sgRNA expression strategies based on mutant sgRNA scaffold and tRNA processing system, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated T-DNA integrations. Specificity of CRISPR/Cas9 tools has been a major concern along with the reports of their successful applications. We report unexpected observations of high frequency off-target mutagenesis induced by CRISPR/Cas9 in T1 Arabidopsis mutants although the sgRNA was predicted to have a high specificity score. We also present evidence that the off-target effects were further exacerbated in the T2 progeny. To prevent the off-target effects, we tested and optimized two strategies in Arabidopsis, including introduction of a mCherry cassette for a simple and reliable isolation of Cas9-free mutants and the use of highly specific mutant SpCas9 variants. Optimization of the mCherry vectors and subsequent validation found that fusion of tRNA with the mutant rather than the original sgRNA scaffold significantly improves editing efficiency. We then examined the editing efficiency of eight high-specificity SpCas9 variants in combination with the improved tRNA-sgRNA fusion strategy. Our results suggest that highly specific SpCas9 variants require a higher level of expression than their wild-type counterpart to maintain high editing efficiency. Additionally, we demonstrate that T-DNA can be inserted into the cleavage sites of CRISPR/Cas9 targets with high frequency. Altogether, our results suggest that in plants, continuous attention should be paid to off-target effects induced by CRISPR/Cas9 in current and subsequent generations, and that the tools optimized in this report will be useful in improving genome editing efficiency and specificity in plants and other organisms.

Prevalence of Infection-Competent Serogroup 6 Legionella pneumophila within Premise Plumbing in Southeast Michigan.

PubMed

Byrne, Brenda G; McColm, Sarah; McElmurry, Shawn P; Kilgore, Paul E; Sobeck, Joanne; Sadler, Rick; Love, Nancy G; Swanson, Michele S

2018-02-06

Coinciding with major changes to its municipal water system, Flint, MI, endured Legionnaires' disease outbreaks in 2014 and 2015. By sampling premise plumbing in Flint in the fall of 2016, we found that 12% of homes harbored legionellae, a frequency similar to that in residences in neighboring areas. To evaluate the genetic diversity of Legionella pneumophila in Southeast Michigan, we determined the sequence type (ST) and serogroup (SG) of the 18 residential isolates from Flint and Detroit, MI, and the 33 clinical isolates submitted by hospitals in three area counties in 2013 to 2016. Common to one environmental and four clinical samples were strains of L. pneumophila SG1 and ST1, the most prevalent ST worldwide. Among the Flint premise plumbing isolates, 14 of 16 strains were of ST367 and ST461, two closely related SG6 strain types isolated previously from patients and corresponding environmental samples. Each of the representative SG1 clinical strains and SG6 environmental isolates from Southeast Michigan infected and survived within macrophage cultures at least as well as a virulent laboratory strain, as judged by microscopy and by enumerating CFU. Likewise, 72 h after infection, the yield of viable-cell counts increased >100-fold for each of the representative SG1 clinical isolates, Flint premise plumbing SG6 ST367 and -461 isolates, and two Detroit residential isolates. We verified by immunostaining that SG1-specific antibody does not cross-react with the SG6 L. pneumophila environmental strains. Because the widely used urinary antigen diagnostic test does not readily detect non-SG1 L. pneumophila , Legionnaires' disease caused by SG6 L. pneumophila is likely underreported worldwide. IMPORTANCE L. pneumophila is the leading cause of disease outbreaks associated with drinking water in the United States. Compared to what is known of the established risks of colonization within hospitals and hotels, relatively little is known about residential exposure to L. pneumophila One year after two outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease in Genesee County, MI, that coincided with damage to the Flint municipal water system, our multidisciplinary team launched an environmental surveillance and laboratory research campaign aimed at informing risk management strategies to provide safe public water supplies. The most prevalent L. pneumophila strains isolated from residential plumbing were closely related strains of SG6. In laboratory tests of virulence, the SG6 environmental isolates resembled SG1 clinical strains, yet they are not readily detected by the common diagnostic urinary antigen test, which is specific for SG1. Therefore, our study complements the existing epidemiological literature indicating that Legionnaires' disease due to non-SG1 strains is underreported around the globe. Copyright © 2018 Byrne et al.

Estimation of chemical carcass composition from 8th rib characteristics with Belgian blue double-muscled bulls.

PubMed

De Campeneere, S; Fiems, L O; Van de Voorde, G; Vanacker, J M; Boucque, C V; Demeyer, D I

1999-01-01

Characteristics from the 8th rib cut: chemical composition, tissue composition after dissection, specific gravity (SG) and m. longissimus thoracis (LT) composition, collected on 17 Belgian Blue double-muscled fattening bulls were used to generate equations for predicting chemical carcass composition. Carcass composition was best predicted from chemical analysis of the 8th rib cut and the empty body weight (EBW) of the bull. Carcass chemical fat content (CCF, kg) was predicted from the 8th rib cut fat content (ether extract, 8RF, kg) by the following regression: CCF=1.94+27.37 8RF (R(2)=0.957, RSD =9.89%). A higher coefficient was found for carcass water (CCW, kg) predicted from 8RF and EBW: CCW=-2.26+0.28 EBW-34.28 8RF (R(2)=0.997, RSD=1.48%). No parameter was found to improve the prediction of CCP from EBW solely: CCP=-0.86+0.08 EBW (R(2) =0.992, RSD=2.61%). Prediction equations based solely on LT composition had low R(2) values of between 0.38 and 0.67, whereas no significant equations were found using SG. However, equations based on EBW had R(2) values between 0.78 and 0.99. Chemical components of the 8th rib cut in combination with EBW are most useful in predicting the chemical composition of the carcass of Belgian-Blue double-muscled bulls.

Comparative Genomics Reveal That Host-Innate Immune Responses Influence the Clinical Prevalence of Legionella pneumophila Serogroups

PubMed Central

Khan, Mohammad Adil; Knox, Natalie; Prashar, Akriti; Alexander, David; Abdel-Nour, Mena; Duncan, Carla; Tang, Patrick; Amatullah, Hajera; Dos Santos, Claudia C.; Tijet, Nathalie; Low, Donald E.; Pourcel, Christine; Van Domselaar, Gary; Terebiznik, Mauricio; Ensminger, Alexander W.; Guyard, Cyril

2013-01-01

Legionella pneumophila is the primary etiologic agent of legionellosis, a potentially fatal respiratory illness. Amongst the sixteen described L. pneumophila serogroups, a majority of the clinical infections diagnosed using standard methods are serogroup 1 (Sg1). This high clinical prevalence of Sg1 is hypothesized to be linked to environmental specific advantages and/or to increased virulence of strains belonging to Sg1. The genetic determinants for this prevalence remain unknown primarily due to the limited genomic information available for non-Sg1 clinical strains. Through a systematic attempt to culture Legionella from patient respiratory samples, we have previously reported that 34% of all culture confirmed legionellosis cases in Ontario (n = 351) are caused by non-Sg1 Legionella. Phylogenetic analysis combining multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis and sequence based typing profiles of all non-Sg1 identified that L. pneumophila clinical strains (n = 73) belonging to the two most prevalent molecular types were Sg6. We conducted whole genome sequencing of two strains representative of these sequence types and one distant neighbour. Comparative genomics of the three L. pneumophila Sg6 genomes reported here with published L. pneumophila serogroup 1 genomes identified genetic differences in the O-antigen biosynthetic cluster. Comparative optical mapping analysis between Sg6 and Sg1 further corroborated this finding. We confirmed an altered O-antigen profile of Sg6, and tested its possible effects on growth and replication in in vitro biological models and experimental murine infections. Our data indicates that while clinical Sg1 might not be better suited than Sg6 in colonizing environmental niches, increased bloodstream dissemination through resistance to the alternative pathway of complement mediated killing in the human host may explain its higher prevalence. PMID:23826259

Gene replacements and insertions in rice by intron targeting using CRISPR-Cas9.

PubMed

Li, Jun; Meng, Xiangbing; Zong, Yuan; Chen, Kunling; Zhang, Huawei; Liu, Jinxing; Li, Jiayang; Gao, Caixia

2016-09-12

Sequence-specific nucleases have been exploited to create targeted gene knockouts in various plants(1), but replacing a fragment and even obtaining gene insertions at specific loci in plant genomes remain a serious challenge. Here, we report efficient intron-mediated site-specific gene replacement and insertion approaches that generate mutations using the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system. Using a pair of single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) targeting adjacent introns and a donor DNA template including the same pair of sgRNA sites, we achieved gene replacements in the rice endogenous gene 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) at a frequency of 2.0%. We also obtained targeted gene insertions at a frequency of 2.2% using a sgRNA targeting one intron and a donor DNA template including the same sgRNA site. Rice plants harbouring the OsEPSPS gene with the intended substitutions were glyphosate-resistant. Furthermore, the site-specific gene replacements and insertions were faithfully transmitted to the next generation. These newly developed approaches can be generally used to replace targeted gene fragments and to insert exogenous DNA sequences into specific genomic sites in rice and other plants.

Rational design of highly active sgRNAs for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene inactivation

PubMed Central

Doench, John G.; Hartenian, Ella; Graham, Daniel B.; Tothova, Zuzana; Hegde, Mudra; Smith, Ian; Sullender, Meagan; Ebert, Benjamin L.; Xavier, Ramnik J.; Root, David E.

2014-01-01

Components of the prokaryotic clustered regularly interspersed palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci have recently been repurposed for use in mammalian cells1–6. The Cas9 protein can be programmed with a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to generate site-specific DNA breaks, but there are few known rules governing on-target efficacy of this system7,8. We created a pool of sgRNAs, tiling across all possible target sites of a panel of six endogenous mouse and three endogenous human genes and quantitatively assessed their ability to produce null alleles of their target gene by antibody staining and flow cytometry. We discovered sequence features that improved activity, including a further optimization of the proto-spacer adjacent motif (PAM) of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9. The results from 1,841 sgRNAs were used to construct a predictive model of sgRNA activity to improve sgRNA design for gene editing and genetic screens. We provide an online tool for the design of highly active sgRNAs for any gene of interest. PMID:25184501

Mapping the subgenomic RNA promoter of the Citrus leaf blotch virus coat protein gene by Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation.

PubMed

Renovell, Agueda; Gago, Selma; Ruiz-Ruiz, Susana; Velázquez, Karelia; Navarro, Luis; Moreno, Pedro; Vives, Mari Carmen; Guerri, José

2010-10-25

Citrus leaf blotch virus has a single-stranded positive-sense genomic RNA (gRNA) of 8747 nt organized in three open reading frames (ORFs). The ORF1, encoding a polyprotein involved in replication, is translated directly from the gRNA, whereas ORFs encoding the movement (MP) and coat (CP) proteins are expressed via 3' coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs). We characterized the minimal promoter region critical for the CP-sgRNA expression in infected cells by deletion analyses using Agrobacterium-mediated infection of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The minimal CP-sgRNA promoter was mapped between nucleotides -67 and +50 nt around the transcription start site. Surprisingly, larger deletions in the region between the CP-sgRNA transcription start site and the CP translation initiation codon resulted in increased CP-sgRNA accumulation, suggesting that this sequence could modulate the CP-sgRNA transcription. Site-specific mutational analysis of the transcription start site revealed that the +1 guanylate and the +2 adenylate are important for CP-sgRNA synthesis. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Global changes in gene expression during compatible and incompatible interactions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with the root parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides.

PubMed

Huang, Kan; Mellor, Karolina E; Paul, Shom N; Lawson, Mark J; Mackey, Aaron J; Timko, Michael P

2012-08-17

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp., is one of the most important food and forage legumes in the semi-arid tropics. While most domesticated forms of cowpea are susceptible to the root parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides, several cultivars have been identified that show race-specific resistance. Cowpea cultivar B301 contains the RSG3-301 gene for resistance to S. gesnerioides race SG3, but is susceptible to race SG4z. When challenged by SG3, roots of cultivar B301 develop a strong resistance response characterized by a hypersensitive reaction and cell death at the site of parasite attachment. In contrast, no visible response occurs in B301 roots parasitized by SG4z. Gene expression in the roots of the cowpea cultivar B301 during compatible (susceptible) and incompatible (resistant) interactions with S. gesnerioides races SG4z and SG3, respectively, were investigated at the early (6 days post-inoculation (dpi)) and late (13 dpi) stages of the resistance response using a Nimblegen custom design cowpea microarray. A total of 111 genes were differentially expressed in B301 roots at 6 dpi; this number increased to 2102 genes at 13 dpi. At 13 dpi, a total of 1944 genes were differentially expressed during compatible (susceptible) interactions of B301 with SG4z. Genes and pathways involved in signal transduction, programmed cell death and apoptosis, and defense response to biotic and abiotic stress were differentially expressed in the early resistance response; at the later time point, enrichment was primarily for defense-related gene expression, and genes encoding components of lignifications and secondary wall formation. In compatible interactions (B301-SG4z), multiple defense pathways were repressed, including those involved in lignin biosynthesis and secondary cell wall modifications, while cellular transport processes for nitrogen and sulfur were increased. Distinct changes in global gene expression profiles occur in host roots following successful and unsuccessful attempted parasitism by Striga. Induction of specific defense related genes and pathways defines components of a unique resistance mechanism. Some genes and pathways up-regulated in the host resistance response to SG3 are repressed in the susceptible interactions, suggesting that the parasite is targeting specific components of the host's defense. These results add to our understanding of plant-parasite interactions and the evolution of resistance to parasitic weeds.

Satratoxin G interaction with 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits precedes apoptosis in the macrophage

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

Bae, Hee Kyong; Shinozuka, Junko; Islam, Zahidul

2009-06-01

Satratoxin G (SG) and other macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins are potent inhibitors of eukaryotic translation that are potentially immunosuppressive. The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that SG-induced apoptosis in the macrophage correlates with binding of this toxin to the ribosome. Exposure of RAW 264.7 murine macrophages to SG at concentrations of 10 to 80 ng/ml induced DNA fragmentation within 4 h that was indicative of apoptosis. To relate these findings to ribosome binding of SG, RAW cells were exposed to different toxin concentrations for various time intervals, ribosomal fractions isolated by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and resultantmore » fractions analyzed for SG by competitive ELISA. SG was found to specifically interact with 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits as early as 5 min and that, at high concentrations or extended incubation times, the toxin induced polysome disaggregation. While co-incubation with the simple Type B trichothecene DON had no effect on SG uptake into cell cytoplasm, it inhibited SG binding to the ribosome, suggesting that the two toxins bound to identical sites and that SG binding was reversible. Although both SG and DON induced mobilization of p38 and JNK 1/2 to the ribosome, phosphorylation of ribosomal bound MAPKs occurred only after DON treatment. SG association with the 40S and 60S subunits was also observed in the PC-12 neuronal cell model which is similarly susceptible to apoptosis. To summarize, SG rapidly binds small and large ribosomal subunits in a concentration- and time-dependent manner that was consistent with induction of apoptosis.« less

Depot-Specific Response of Adipose Tissue to Diet-Induced Inflammation: The Retinoid-Related Orphan Receptor α (RORα) Involved?

PubMed

Kadiri, Sarah; Auclair, Martine; Capeau, Jacqueline; Antoine, Bénédicte

2017-11-01

Epididymal adipose tissue (EAT), a visceral fat depot, is more closely associated with metabolic dysfunction than inguinal adipose tissue (IAT), a subcutaneous depot. This study evaluated whether the nuclear receptor RORα, which controls inflammatory processes, could be implicated. EAT and IAT were compared in a RORα loss-of-function mouse (sg/sg) and in wild-type (WT) littermates, fed a standard diet (SD) or a Western diet (WD), to evaluate the impact of RORα expression on inflammatory status and on insulin sensitivity (IS) of each fat depot according to the diet. Sg/sg mice fed the SD exhibited a decreased inflammatory status and a higher IS in their fat depots than WT mice. WD-induced obesity had distinct effects on the two fat depots. In WT mice, EAT exhibited increased inflammation and insulin resistance while IAT showed reduced inflammation and improved IS, together with a depot-specific increase of RORα, and its target gene IκBα, in the stroma vascular fraction (SVF). Conversely, in sg/sg mice, WD increased inflammation and lowered IS of IAT but not of EAT. These findings suggest an anti-inflammatory role for RORα in response to WD, which occurs at the level of SVF of IAT, thus possibly contributing to the "healthy" expansion of IAT. © 2017 The Obesity Society.

Inhibition of HIV-1 gene expression by retroviral vector-mediated small-guide RNAs that direct specific RNA cleavage by tRNase ZL

PubMed Central

Habu, Yuichiro; Miyano-Kurosaki, Naoko; Kitano, Michiko; Endo, Yumihiko; Yukita, Masakazu; Ohira, Shigeru; Takaku, Hiroaki; Nashimoto, Masayuki; Takaku, Hiroshi

2005-01-01

The tRNA 3′-processing endoribonuclease (tRNase Z or 3′ tRNase; EC 3.1.26.11) is an essential enzyme that removes the 3′ trailer from pre-tRNA. The long form (tRNase ZL) can cleave a target RNA in vitro at the site directed by an appropriate small-guide RNA (sgRNA). Here, we investigated whether this sgRNA/tRNase ZL strategy could be applied to gene therapy for AIDS. We tested the ability of four sgRNA-expression plasmids to inhibit HIV-1 gene expression in COS cells, using a transient-expression assay. The three sgRNAs guide inhibition of HIV-1 gene expression in cultured COS cells. Analysis of the HIV-1 mRNA levels suggested that sgRNA directed the tRNase ZL to mediate the degradation of target RNA. The observation that sgRNA was localized primarily in nuclei suggests that tRNase ZL cleaves the HIV-1 mRNA when complexed with sgRNA in this location. We also examined the ability of two retroviral vectors expressing sgRNA to suppress HIV-1 expression in HIV-1-infected Jurkat T cells. sgRNA-SL4 suppressed HIV-1 expression almost completely in infected cells for up to 18 days. These results suggest that the sgRNA/tRNase ZL approach is effective in downregulating HIV-1 gene expression. PMID:15647506

Sorting of the Neuroendocrine Secretory Protein Secretogranin II into the Regulated Secretory Pathway

PubMed Central

Courel, Maïté; Vasquez, Michael S.; Hook, Vivian Y.; Mahata, Sushil K.; Taupenot, Laurent

2008-01-01

Secretogranin II (SgII) belongs to the granin family of prohormones widely distributed in dense-core secretory granules (DCGs) of endocrine, neuroendocrine, and neuronal cells, including sympathoadrenal chromaffin cells. The mechanisms by which secretory proteins, and granins in particular, are sorted into the regulated secretory pathway are unsettled. We designed a strategy based on novel chimeric forms of human SgII fused to fluorescent (green fluorescent protein) or chemiluminescent (embryonic alkaline phosphatase) reporters to identify trafficking determinants mediating DCG targeting of SgII in sympathoadrenal cells. Three-dimensional deconvolution fluorescence microscopy and secretagogue-stimulated release studies demonstrate that SgII chimeras are correctly targeted to DCGs and released by exocytosis in PC12 and primary chromaffin cells. Results from a Golgi-retained mutant form of SgII suggest that sorting of SgII into DCGs depends on a saturable sorting machinery at the trans-Golgi/trans-Golgi network. Truncation analyses reveal the presence of DCG-targeting signals within both the N- and C-terminal regions of SgII, with the putative α-helix-containing SgII-(25-41) and SgII-(334-348) acting as sufficient, independent sorting domains. This study defines sequence features of SgII mediating vesicular targeting in sympathoadrenal cells and suggests a mechanism by which discrete domains of the molecule function in sorting, perhaps by virtue of a particular arrangement in tertiary structure and/or interaction with a specific component of the DCG membrane. PMID:18299326

Sorting of the neuroendocrine secretory protein Secretogranin II into the regulated secretory pathway: role of N- and C-terminal alpha-helical domains.

PubMed

Courel, Maïté; Vasquez, Michael S; Hook, Vivian Y; Mahata, Sushil K; Taupenot, Laurent

2008-04-25

Secretogranin II (SgII) belongs to the granin family of prohormones widely distributed in dense-core secretory granules (DCGs) of endocrine, neuroendocrine, and neuronal cells, including sympathoadrenal chromaffin cells. The mechanisms by which secretory proteins, and granins in particular, are sorted into the regulated secretory pathway are unsettled. We designed a strategy based on novel chimeric forms of human SgII fused to fluorescent (green fluorescent protein) or chemiluminescent (embryonic alkaline phosphatase) reporters to identify trafficking determinants mediating DCG targeting of SgII in sympathoadrenal cells. Three-dimensional deconvolution fluorescence microscopy and secretagogue-stimulated release studies demonstrate that SgII chimeras are correctly targeted to DCGs and released by exocytosis in PC12 and primary chromaffin cells. Results from a Golgi-retained mutant form of SgII suggest that sorting of SgII into DCGs depends on a saturable sorting machinery at the trans-Golgi/trans-Golgi network. Truncation analyses reveal the presence of DCG-targeting signals within both the N- and C-terminal regions of SgII, with the putative alpha-helix-containing SgII-(25-41) and SgII-(334-348) acting as sufficient, independent sorting domains. This study defines sequence features of SgII mediating vesicular targeting in sympathoadrenal cells and suggests a mechanism by which discrete domains of the molecule function in sorting, perhaps by virtue of a particular arrangement in tertiary structure and/or interaction with a specific component of the DCG membrane.

Evolution of structure and magnetic properties for BaFe11.9Al0.1O19 hexaferrite in a wide temperature range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trukhanov, A. V.; Trukhanov, S. V.; Panina, L. V.; Kostishyn, V. G.; Kazakevich, I. S.; Trukhanov, An. V.; Trukhanova, E. L.; Natarov, V. O.; Turchenko, V. A.; Salem, M. M.; Balagurov, A. M.

2017-03-01

M-type BaFe11.9Al0.1O19 hexaferrite was successfully synthesized by solid state reactions. Precision investigations of crystal and magnetic structures of BaFe11.9Al0.1O19 powder by neutron diffraction in the temperature range 4.2-730 K have been performed. Magnetic and electrical properties investigations were carried out in the wide temperature range. Neutron powder diffraction data were successfully refined in approximation for both space groups (SG): centrosymmetric #194 (standard non-polar phase) and non-centrosymmetric #186 (polar phase). It has been shown that at low temperatures (below room temperature) better fitting results (value χ2) were for the polar phase (SG: #186) or for the two phases coexistence (SG: #186 and SG: #194). At high temperatures (400-730 K) better fitting results were for SG: #194. It was established coexistence of the dual ferroic properties (specific magnetization and spontaneous polarization) at room temperature. Strong correlation between magnetic and electrical subsystems was demonstrated (magnetoelectrical effect). Temperature dependences of the spontaneous polarization, specific magnetization and magnetoelectrical effect were investigated.

Is specific gravity a good estimate of urine osmolality?

PubMed

Imran, Sethi; Eva, Goldwater; Christopher, Shutty; Flynn, Ethan; Henner, David

2010-01-01

Urine specific gravity (USG) is often used by clinicians to estimate urine osmolality. USG is measured either by refractometry or by reagent strip. We studied the correlation of USG obtained by either method with a concurrently obtained osmolality. Using our laboratory's records, we retrospectively gathered data on 504 urine specimens on patients on whom a simultaneously drawn USG and an osmolality were available. Out of these, 253 USG's were measured by automated refractometry and 251 USG's were measured by reagent strip. Urinalysis data on these subjects were used to determine the correlation between USG and osmolality, adjusting for other variables that may impact the relationship. The other variables considered were pH, protein, glucose, ketones, nitrates, bilirubin, urobilinogen, hemoglobin, and leukocyte esterase. The relationships were analyzed by linear regression. This study demonstrated that USG obtained by both reagent strip and refractometry had a correlation of approximately 0.75 with urine osmolality. The variables affecting the correlation included pH, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, glucose, and protein for the reagent strip and ketones, bilirubin, and hemoglobin for the refractometry method. At a pH of 7 and with an USG of 1.010 predicted osmolality is approximately 300  mosm/kg/H(2)O for either method. For an increase in SG of 0.010, predicted osmolality increases by 182  mosm/kg/H(2) O for the reagent strip and 203  mosm/kg/H(2)O for refractometry. Pathological urines had significantly poorer correlation between USG and osmolality than "clean" urines. In pathological urines, direct measurement of urine osmolality should be used. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Stress granule formation via ATP depletion-triggered phase separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wurtz, Jean David; Lee, Chiu Fan

2018-04-01

Stress granules (SG) are droplets of proteins and RNA that form in the cell cytoplasm during stress conditions. We consider minimal models of stress granule formation based on the mechanism of phase separation regulated by ATP-driven chemical reactions. Motivated by experimental observations, we identify a minimal model of SG formation triggered by ATP depletion. Our analysis indicates that ATP is continuously hydrolysed to deter SG formation under normal conditions, and we provide specific predictions that can be tested experimentally.

Goal specificity and knowledge acquisition in statistics problem solving: evidence for attentional focus.

PubMed

Trumpower, David L; Goldsmith, Timothy E; Guynn, Melissa J

2004-12-01

Solving training problems with nonspecific goals (NG; i.e., solving for all possible unknown values) often results in better transfer than solving training problems with standard goals (SG; i.e., solving for one particular unknown value). In this study, we evaluated an attentional focus explanation of the goal specificity effect. According to the attentional focus view, solving NG problems causes attention to be directed to local relations among successive problem states, whereas solving SG problems causes attention to be directed to relations between the various problem states and the goal state. Attention to the former is thought to enhance structural knowledge about the problem domain and thus promote transfer. Results supported this view because structurally different transfer problems were solved faster following NG training than following SG training. Moreover, structural knowledge representations revealed more links depicting local relations following NG training and more links to the training goal following SG training. As predicted, these effects were obtained only by domain novices.

Prevalence of Infection-Competent Serogroup 6 Legionella pneumophila within Premise Plumbing in Southeast Michigan

PubMed Central

Byrne, Brenda G.; McColm, Sarah; McElmurry, Shawn P.; Sobeck, Joanne; Sadler, Rick; Love, Nancy G.

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Coinciding with major changes to its municipal water system, Flint, MI, endured Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in 2014 and 2015. By sampling premise plumbing in Flint in the fall of 2016, we found that 12% of homes harbored legionellae, a frequency similar to that in residences in neighboring areas. To evaluate the genetic diversity of Legionella pneumophila in Southeast Michigan, we determined the sequence type (ST) and serogroup (SG) of the 18 residential isolates from Flint and Detroit, MI, and the 33 clinical isolates submitted by hospitals in three area counties in 2013 to 2016. Common to one environmental and four clinical samples were strains of L. pneumophila SG1 and ST1, the most prevalent ST worldwide. Among the Flint premise plumbing isolates, 14 of 16 strains were of ST367 and ST461, two closely related SG6 strain types isolated previously from patients and corresponding environmental samples. Each of the representative SG1 clinical strains and SG6 environmental isolates from Southeast Michigan infected and survived within macrophage cultures at least as well as a virulent laboratory strain, as judged by microscopy and by enumerating CFU. Likewise, 72 h after infection, the yield of viable-cell counts increased >100-fold for each of the representative SG1 clinical isolates, Flint premise plumbing SG6 ST367 and -461 isolates, and two Detroit residential isolates. We verified by immunostaining that SG1-specific antibody does not cross-react with the SG6 L. pneumophila environmental strains. Because the widely used urinary antigen diagnostic test does not readily detect non-SG1 L. pneumophila, Legionnaires’ disease caused by SG6 L. pneumophila is likely underreported worldwide. PMID:29437918

Assessing active faulting by hydrogeological modeling and superconducting gravimetry: A case study for Hsinchu Fault, Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lien, Tzuyi; Cheng, Ching-Chung; Hwang, Cheinway; Crossley, David

2014-09-01

We develop a new hydrology and gravimetry-based method to assess whether or not a local fault may be active. We take advantage of an existing superconducting gravimeter (SG) station and a comprehensive groundwater network in Hsinchu to apply the method to the Hsinchu Fault (HF) across the Hsinchu Science Park, whose industrial output accounts for 10% of Taiwan's gross domestic product. The HF is suspected to pose seismic hazards to the park, but its existence and structure are not clear. The a priori geometry of the HF is translated into boundary conditions imposed in the hydrodynamic model. By varying the fault's location, depth, and including a secondary wrench fault, we construct five hydrodynamic models to estimate groundwater variations, which are evaluated by comparing groundwater levels and SG observations. The results reveal that the HF contains a low hydraulic conductivity core and significantly impacts groundwater flows in the aquifers. Imposing the fault boundary conditions leads to about 63-77% reduction in the differences between modeled and observed values (both water level and gravity). The test with fault depth shows that the HF's most recent slip occurred in the beginning of Holocene, supplying a necessary (but not sufficient) condition that the HF is currently active. A portable SG can act as a virtual borehole well for model assessment at critical locations of a suspected active fault.

Human Antibody Responses to the Anopheles Salivary gSG6-P1 Peptide: A Novel Tool for Evaluating the Efficacy of ITNs in Malaria Vector Control

PubMed Central

Drame, Papa Makhtar; Poinsignon, Anne; Besnard, Patrick; Cornelie, Sylvie; Le Mire, Jacques; Toto, Jean-Claude; Foumane, Vincent; Dos-Santos, Maria Adelaide; Sembène, Mbacké; Fortes, Filomeno; Simondon, Francois; Carnevale, Pierre; Remoue, Franck

2010-01-01

To optimize malaria control, WHO has prioritised the need for new indicators to evaluate the efficacy of malaria vector control strategies. The gSG6-P1 peptide from gSG6 protein of Anopheles gambiae salivary glands was previously designed as a specific salivary sequence of malaria vector species. It was shown that the quantification of human antibody (Ab) responses to Anopheles salivary proteins in general and especially to the gSG6-P1 peptide was a pertinent biomarker of human exposure to Anopheles. The present objective was to validate this indicator in the evaluation of the efficacy of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs). A longitudinal evaluation, including parasitological, entomological and immunological assessments, was conducted on children and adults from a malaria-endemic area before and after the introduction of ITNs. Significant decrease of anti-gSG6-P1 IgG response was observed just after the efficient ITNs use. Interestingly, specific IgG Ab level was especially pertinent to evaluate a short-time period of ITNs efficacy and at individual level. However, specific IgG rose back up within four months as correct ITN use waned. IgG responses to one salivary peptide could constitute a reliable biomarker for the evaluation of ITN efficacy, at short- and long-term use, and provide a valuable tool in malaria vector control based on a real measurement of human-vector contact. PMID:21179476

Human antibody responses to the Anopheles salivary gSG6-P1 peptide: a novel tool for evaluating the efficacy of ITNs in malaria vector control.

PubMed

Drame, Papa Makhtar; Poinsignon, Anne; Besnard, Patrick; Cornelie, Sylvie; Le Mire, Jacques; Toto, Jean-Claude; Foumane, Vincent; Dos-Santos, Maria Adelaide; Sembène, Mbacké; Fortes, Filomeno; Simondon, Francois; Carnevale, Pierre; Remoue, Franck

2010-12-14

To optimize malaria control, WHO has prioritised the need for new indicators to evaluate the efficacy of malaria vector control strategies. The gSG6-P1 peptide from gSG6 protein of Anopheles gambiae salivary glands was previously designed as a specific salivary sequence of malaria vector species. It was shown that the quantification of human antibody (Ab) responses to Anopheles salivary proteins in general and especially to the gSG6-P1 peptide was a pertinent biomarker of human exposure to Anopheles. The present objective was to validate this indicator in the evaluation of the efficacy of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs). A longitudinal evaluation, including parasitological, entomological and immunological assessments, was conducted on children and adults from a malaria-endemic area before and after the introduction of ITNs. Significant decrease of anti-gSG6-P1 IgG response was observed just after the efficient ITNs use. Interestingly, specific IgG Ab level was especially pertinent to evaluate a short-time period of ITNs efficacy and at individual level. However, specific IgG rose back up within four months as correct ITN use waned. IgG responses to one salivary peptide could constitute a reliable biomarker for the evaluation of ITN efficacy, at short- and long-term use, and provide a valuable tool in malaria vector control based on a real measurement of human-vector contact.

Optimized gene editing technology for Drosophila melanogaster using germ line-specific Cas9.

PubMed

Ren, Xingjie; Sun, Jin; Housden, Benjamin E; Hu, Yanhui; Roesel, Charles; Lin, Shuailiang; Liu, Lu-Ping; Yang, Zhihao; Mao, Decai; Sun, Lingzhu; Wu, Qujie; Ji, Jun-Yuan; Xi, Jianzhong; Mohr, Stephanie E; Xu, Jiang; Perrimon, Norbert; Ni, Jian-Quan

2013-11-19

The ability to engineer genomes in a specific, systematic, and cost-effective way is critical for functional genomic studies. Recent advances using the CRISPR-associated single-guide RNA system (Cas9/sgRNA) illustrate the potential of this simple system for genome engineering in a number of organisms. Here we report an effective and inexpensive method for genome DNA editing in Drosophila melanogaster whereby plasmid DNAs encoding short sgRNAs under the control of the U6b promoter are injected into transgenic flies in which Cas9 is specifically expressed in the germ line via the nanos promoter. We evaluate the off-targets associated with the method and establish a Web-based resource, along with a searchable, genome-wide database of predicted sgRNAs appropriate for genome engineering in flies. Finally, we discuss the advantages of our method in comparison with other recently published approaches.

Organ-specific gene expression: the bHLH protein Sage provides tissue specificity to Drosophila FoxA.

PubMed

Fox, Rebecca M; Vaishnavi, Aria; Maruyama, Rika; Andrew, Deborah J

2013-05-01

FoxA transcription factors play major roles in organ-specific gene expression, regulating, for example, glucagon expression in the pancreas, GLUT2 expression in the liver, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in dopaminergic neurons. Organ-specific gene regulation by FoxA proteins is achieved through cooperative regulation with a broad array of transcription factors with more limited expression domains. Fork head (Fkh), the sole Drosophila FoxA family member, is required for the development of multiple distinct organs, yet little is known regarding how Fkh regulates tissue-specific gene expression. Here, we characterize Sage, a bHLH transcription factor expressed exclusively in the Drosophila salivary gland (SG). We show that Sage is required for late SG survival and normal tube morphology. We find that many Sage targets, identified by microarray analysis, encode SG-specific secreted cargo, transmembrane proteins, and the enzymes that modify these proteins. We show that both Sage and Fkh are required for the expression of Sage target genes, and that co-expression of Sage and Fkh is sufficient to drive target gene expression in multiple cell types. Sage and Fkh drive expression of the bZip transcription factor Senseless (Sens), which boosts expression of Sage-Fkh targets, and Sage, Fkh and Sens colocalize on SG chromosomes. Importantly, expression of Sage-Fkh target genes appears to simply add to the tissue-specific gene expression programs already established in other cell types, and Sage and Fkh cannot alter the fate of most embryonic cell types even when expressed early and continuously.

Organ-specific gene expression: the bHLH protein Sage provides tissue specificity to Drosophila FoxA

PubMed Central

Fox, Rebecca M.; Vaishnavi, Aria; Maruyama, Rika; Andrew, Deborah J.

2013-01-01

FoxA transcription factors play major roles in organ-specific gene expression, regulating, for example, glucagon expression in the pancreas, GLUT2 expression in the liver, and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in dopaminergic neurons. Organ-specific gene regulation by FoxA proteins is achieved through cooperative regulation with a broad array of transcription factors with more limited expression domains. Fork head (Fkh), the sole Drosophila FoxA family member, is required for the development of multiple distinct organs, yet little is known regarding how Fkh regulates tissue-specific gene expression. Here, we characterize Sage, a bHLH transcription factor expressed exclusively in the Drosophila salivary gland (SG). We show that Sage is required for late SG survival and normal tube morphology. We find that many Sage targets, identified by microarray analysis, encode SG-specific secreted cargo, transmembrane proteins, and the enzymes that modify these proteins. We show that both Sage and Fkh are required for the expression of Sage target genes, and that co-expression of Sage and Fkh is sufficient to drive target gene expression in multiple cell types. Sage and Fkh drive expression of the bZip transcription factor Senseless (Sens), which boosts expression of Sage-Fkh targets, and Sage, Fkh and Sens colocalize on SG chromosomes. Importantly, expression of Sage-Fkh target genes appears to simply add to the tissue-specific gene expression programs already established in other cell types, and Sage and Fkh cannot alter the fate of most embryonic cell types even when expressed early and continuously. PMID:23578928

Global changes in gene expression during compatible and incompatible interactions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) with the root parasitic angiosperm Striga gesnerioides

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp., is one of the most important food and forage legumes in the semi-arid tropics. While most domesticated forms of cowpea are susceptible to the root parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides, several cultivars have been identified that show race-specific resistance. Cowpea cultivar B301 contains the RSG3-301 gene for resistance to S. gesnerioides race SG3, but is susceptible to race SG4z. When challenged by SG3, roots of cultivar B301 develop a strong resistance response characterized by a hypersensitive reaction and cell death at the site of parasite attachment. In contrast, no visible response occurs in B301 roots parasitized by SG4z. Results Gene expression in the roots of the cowpea cultivar B301 during compatible (susceptible) and incompatible (resistant) interactions with S. gesnerioides races SG4z and SG3, respectively, were investigated at the early (6 days post-inoculation (dpi)) and late (13 dpi) stages of the resistance response using a Nimblegen custom design cowpea microarray. A total of 111 genes were differentially expressed in B301 roots at 6 dpi; this number increased to 2102 genes at 13 dpi. At 13 dpi, a total of 1944 genes were differentially expressed during compatible (susceptible) interactions of B301 with SG4z. Genes and pathways involved in signal transduction, programmed cell death and apoptosis, and defense response to biotic and abiotic stress were differentially expressed in the early resistance response; at the later time point, enrichment was primarily for defense-related gene expression, and genes encoding components of lignifications and secondary wall formation. In compatible interactions (B301 – SG4z), multiple defense pathways were repressed, including those involved in lignin biosynthesis and secondary cell wall modifications, while cellular transport processes for nitrogen and sulfur were increased. Conclusion Distinct changes in global gene expression profiles occur in host roots following successful and unsuccessful attempted parasitism by Striga. Induction of specific defense related genes and pathways defines components of a unique resistance mechanism. Some genes and pathways up-regulated in the host resistance response to SG3 are repressed in the susceptible interactions, suggesting that the parasite is targeting specific components of the host’s defense. These results add to our understanding of plant-parasite interactions and the evolution of resistance to parasitic weeds. PMID:22900582

The Sg-1 Glycosyltransferase Locus Regulates Structural Diversity of Triterpenoid Saponins of Soybean[W][OA

PubMed Central

Sayama, Takashi; Ono, Eiichiro; Takagi, Kyoko; Takada, Yoshitake; Horikawa, Manabu; Nakamoto, Yumi; Hirose, Aya; Sasama, Hiroko; Ohashi, Mihoko; Hasegawa, Hisakazu; Terakawa, Teruhiko; Kikuchi, Akio; Kato, Shin; Tatsuzaki, Nana; Tsukamoto, Chigen; Ishimoto, Masao

2012-01-01

Triterpene saponins are a diverse group of biologically functional products in plants. Saponins usually are glycosylated, which gives rise to a wide diversity of structures and functions. In the group A saponins of soybean (Glycine max), differences in the terminal sugar species located on the C-22 sugar chain of an aglycone core, soyasapogenol A, were observed to be under genetic control. Further genetic analyses and mapping revealed that the structural diversity of glycosylation was determined by multiple alleles of a single locus, Sg-1, and led to identification of a UDP-sugar–dependent glycosyltransferase gene (Glyma07g38460). Although their sequences are highly similar and both glycosylate the nonacetylated saponin A0-αg, the Sg-1a allele encodes the xylosyltransferase UGT73F4, whereas Sg-1b encodes the glucosyltransferase UGT73F2. Homology models and site-directed mutagenesis analyses showed that Ser-138 in Sg-1a and Gly-138 in Sg-1b proteins are crucial residues for their respective sugar donor specificities. Transgenic complementation tests followed by recombinant enzyme assays in vitro demonstrated that sg-10 is a loss-of-function allele of Sg-1. Considering that the terminal sugar species in the group A saponins are responsible for the strong bitterness and astringent aftertastes of soybean seeds, our findings herein provide useful tools to improve commercial properties of soybean products. PMID:22611180

Stabilizing Health Monitoring for Wireless Sensor Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-01

tation on a heterogenous WSN testbed, Kansei, comprising hundreds of Motes (of multiple types, specifically XSMs and TMoteSkys), Stargates , and PCs...0s; serial link between Stargates and XSMs, 0s; XSM radio, 5s, where higher delay corresponds to higher link cost. From the base station to a given...XSM X0 there can be many potential paths, including B-E-SG0-S-X0 and B-E-SG1-S-X1-R-X0, where B is base, SG is a Stargate , X is an XSM, E is Ethernet, S

Temporal variability of pyrethroid metabolite levels in bedtime, morning, and 24-h urine samples for 50 adults in North Carolina.

PubMed

Morgan, Marsha K; Sobus, Jon R; Barr, Dana Boyd; Croghan, Carry W; Chen, Fu-Lin; Walker, Richard; Alston, Lillian; Andersen, Erik; Clifton, Matthew S

2016-01-01

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely used to control insects in both agricultural and residential settings worldwide. Few data are available on the temporal variability of pyrethroid metabolites in the urine of non-occupationally exposed adults. In this work, we describe the study design and sampling methodology for the Pilot Study to Estimate Human Exposures to Pyrethroids using an Exposure Reconstruction Approach (Ex-R study). Two major objectives were to quantify the concentrations of several pyrethroid metabolites in bedtime, first morning void (FMV), and 24-h urine samples as concentration (wet weight), specific-gravity (SG) corrected, creatinine (CR) corrected, and excretion rate values for 50 Ex-R adults over a six-week monitoring period and to determine if these correction approaches for urine dilution reduced the variability of the biomarker levels. The Ex-R study was conducted at the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Human Studies Facility in Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA and at participants' homes within a 40-mile radius of this facility. Recruitment of participants and field activities occurred between October 2009 and May 2011. Participants, ages 19-50 years old, provided daily food, activity, and pesticide-use diaries and collected their own urine samples (bedtime, FMV, and 24-h) during weeks 1, 2, and 6 of a six-week monitoring period. A total of 2503 urine samples were collected from the study participants. These samples were analyzed for the pyrethroid metabolites 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), cis/trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis/trans-DCCA), and 2-methyl-3-phenylbenzoic acid (MPA) using high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Only 3-PBA was frequently detected (>50%) in the adult urine samples. Median urinary 3-PBA levels were 0.88 ng/mL, 0.96 ng/mL-SG, 1.04 ng/mg, and 1.04 ng/min for concentration, SG-corrected, CR-corrected, and excretion rate values, respectively, across all urine samples. The results showed that median urinary 3-PBA concentrations were consistently the lowest in FMV samples (0.77 ng/mL, 0.68 ng/mL-SG, 0.68 ng/mg, and 0.58 ng/min) and the highest in 24-h samples (0.92 ng/mL, 1.06 ng/mL-SG, 1.18 ng/mg, and 1.19 ng/min) across all four methods. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates for 3-PBA indicated poor reproducibility (<0.22) for all urine sample types and methods over a day, week, and six weeks. Correcting for urine sample dilution, based on either SG, CR or urine output, introduced additional measurement variability both between- and within-individuals. These results indicate that a single measure of urinary 3-PBA was not sufficient to characterize average exposure regardless of sample type, correction method, and time frame of collection. In addition, the study results can be used to inform the design of exposure characterization strategies in relevant environmental epidemiology studies in the future. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Egg sialoglycans increase intracellular pH and potentiate the acrosome reaction of sea urchin sperm.

PubMed

Hirohashi, Noritaka; Vacquier, Victor D

2002-03-08

Sea urchin egg jelly (EJ) triggers sperm acrosome reaction (AR), an exocytotic event required for membrane fusion of the gametes. Purified fucose sulfate polymer (FSP) in EJ is one inducer of the AR. Binding of FSP to its receptor regulates opening of two distinct calcium channels and also elevates intracellular pH (pH(i)). EJ also contains sialic acid-rich glycans (sialoglycans (SG)) that were isolated by beta-elimination followed by DEAE chromatography. In the presence of limiting amounts of FSP, the SG fraction markedly potentiates the AR; however, by itself SG has no activity. The SG fraction increases the pH(i) of sperm without increasing intracellular Ca(2+). The SG-induced increase in pH(i) is not blocked by nifedipine or high K(+), whereas the FSP-induced pH(i) increase is sensitive to both these agents. Treatment of the SG fraction with neuraminidase or mild metaperiodate that specifically cleaves the glycerol side chain of sialic acid abolishes the AR potentiation and ability of SG to elevate pH(i). These data are the first to show that there are at least two pathways to induce sperm pH(i) increase and that egg surface sialic acid plays a role in triggering the sperm AR.

Neural control of salivary glands in ixodid ticks.

PubMed

Šimo, Ladislav; Zitňan, Dušan; Park, Yoonseong

2012-04-01

Studies of tick salivary glands (SGs) and their components have produced a number of interesting discoveries over the last four decades. However, the precise neural and physiological mechanisms controlling SG secretion remain enigmatic. Major studies of SG control have identified and characterized many pharmacological and biological compounds that activate salivary secretion, including dopamine (DA), octopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), ergot alkaloids, pilocarpine (PC), and their pharmacological relatives. Specifically, DA has shown the most robust activities in various tick species, and its effect on downstream actions in the SGs has been extensively studied. Our recent work on a SG dopamine receptor has aided new interpretations of previous pharmacological studies and provided new concepts for SG control mechanisms. Furthermore, our recent studies have suggested that multiple neuropeptides are involved in SG control. Myoinhibitory peptide (MIP) and SIFamide have been identified in the neural projections reaching the basal cells of acini types II and III. Pigment-dispersing factor (PDF)-immunoreactive neural projections reach type II acini, and RFamide- and tachykinin-immunoreactive projections reach the SG ducts, but the chemical nature of the latter three immunoreactive substances are unidentified yet. Here, we briefly review previous pharmacological studies and provide a revised summary of SG control mechanisms in ticks. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multiplex Conditional Mutagenesis Using Transgenic Expression of Cas9 and sgRNAs

PubMed Central

Yin, Linlin; Maddison, Lisette A.; Li, Mingyu; Kara, Nergis; LaFave, Matthew C.; Varshney, Gaurav K.; Burgess, Shawn M.; Patton, James G.; Chen, Wenbiao

2015-01-01

Determining the mechanism of gene function is greatly enhanced using conditional mutagenesis. However, generating engineered conditional alleles is inefficient and has only been widely used in mice. Importantly, multiplex conditional mutagenesis requires extensive breeding. Here we demonstrate a system for one-generation multiplex conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using transgenic expression of both cas9 and multiple single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We describe five distinct zebrafish U6 promoters for sgRNA expression and demonstrate efficient multiplex biallelic inactivation of tyrosinase and insulin receptor a and b, resulting in defects in pigmentation and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, we demonstrate temporal and tissue-specific mutagenesis using transgenic expression of Cas9. Heat-shock-inducible expression of cas9 allows temporal control of tyr mutagenesis. Liver-specific expression of cas9 disrupts insulin receptor a and b, causing fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. We also show that delivery of sgRNAs targeting ascl1a into the eye leads to impaired damage-induced photoreceptor regeneration. Our findings suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-based conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish is not only feasible but rapid and straightforward. PMID:25855067

A note on the SG( m) test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López, Fernando A.; Matilla-García, Mariano; Mur, Jesús; Páez, Antonio; Ruiz, Manuel

2016-01-01

López et al. (Reg Sci Urban Econ 40(2-3):106-115, 2010) introduce a nonparametric test of spatial dependence, called SG( m). The test is claimed to be consistent and asymptotically Chi-square distributed. Elsinger (Reg Sci Urban Econ 43(5):838-840, 2013) raises doubts about the two properties. Using a particular counterexample, he shows that the asymptotic distribution of the SG( m) test may be far from the Chi-square family; the property of consistency is also questioned. In this note, the authors want to clarify the properties of the SG( m) test. We argue that the cause of the conflict is in the specification of the symbolization map. The discrepancies can be solved by adjusting some of the definitions made in the original paper. Moreover, we introduce a permutational bootstrapped version of the SG( m) test, which is powerful and robust to the underlying statistical assumptions. This bootstrapped version may be very useful in an applied context.

[Near ultraviolet absorption spectral properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the north area of Yellow Sea].

PubMed

Wang, Lin; Zhao, Dong-Zhi; Yang, Jian-Hong; Chen, Yan-Long

2010-12-01

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) near ultraviolet absorption spectra contains CDOM molecular structure, composition and other important physical and chemical information. Based on the measured data of CDOM absorption coefficient in March 2009 in the north area of Yellow Sea, the present paper analyzed near ultraviolet absorption spectral properties of CDOM. The results showed that due to the impact of near-shore terrigenous input, the composition of CDOM is quite different in the north area of Yellow Sea, and this area is a typical case II water; fitted slope with specific range of spectral band and absorption coefficient at specific band can indicate the relative size of CDOM molecular weight, correlation between spectral slope of the Sg,275-300), Sg,300-350, Sg,350-400 and Sg,250-275 and the relative size of CDOM molecular weight indicative parameter M increases in turn and the highest is up to 0.95. Correlation between a(g)(lambda) and M value increases gradually with the increase in wavelength, and the highest is up to 0.92 at 400 nm; being correlated or not between spectral slope and absorption coefficient is decided by the fitting-band wavelength range for the spectra slope and the wavelength for absorption coefficient. Correlation between Sg,275-300 and a(g)(400) is the largest, up to 0.87.

Epigenetic Therapy of Hematopoietic Malignancies: Novel Approaches for Tissue-Specific and Global Inhibition of EZH2 Enzymatic Activities

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

at cis-regulatory elements such as enhancers to facilitate gene transcription. CRISPR /Cas9- mediated ablation of a putative Meis1 enhancer carrying...Tables S4 and S5. 10 Cancer Cell 30, 1–16, July 11, 2016the CRISPR /Cas9-based genomic editing technology. Cas9 and a pair of single guide RNAs (sgRNA... CRISPR /Cas9-mediated deletio sgMeis1, a pair of sgRNAs that target the DMR boundaries. (N) Sequencing of the genomic PCR products from F2/R2 primers shows

Multiplex real-time PCR assay for Legionella species.

PubMed

Kim, Seung Min; Jeong, Yoojung; Sohn, Jang Wook; Kim, Min Ja

2015-12-01

Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (sg1) accounts for the majority of infections in humans, but other Legionella species are also associated with human disease. In this study, a new SYBR Green I-based multiplex real-time PCR assay in a single reaction was developed to allow the rapid detection and differentiation of Legionella species by targeting specific gene sequences. Candidate target genes were selected, and primer sets were designed by referring to comparative genomic hybridization data of Legionella species. The Legionella species-specific groES primer set successfully detected all 30 Legionella strains tested. The xcpX and rfbA primers specifically detected L. pneumophila sg1-15 and L. pneumophila sg1, respectively. In addition, this assay was validated by testing clinical samples and isolates. In conclusion, this novel multiplex real-time PCR assay might be a useful diagnostic tool for the rapid detection and differentiation of Legionella species in both clinical and epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An open randomized controlled study comparing an online text-based scenario and a serious game by Belgian and Swiss pharmacy students.

PubMed

Berger, Jérôme; Bawab, Noura; De Mooij, Jeremy; Sutter Widmer, Denise; Szilas, Nicolas; De Vriese, Carine; Bugnon, Olivier

2018-03-01

To compare online learning tools, looped, branch serious game (SG) and linear text-based scenario (TBS), among a sample of Belgian and Swiss pharmacy students. Open randomized controlled study. The lesson was based on the case of a benign cough in a healthy child. A randomized sample of 117 students: only the Swiss students had attended a previous lecture on coughs. Participation rate, pre- and post-experience Likert scales and students' clinical knowledge were measured. Our primary hypothesis was demonstrated: students favored the SG even if navigation was rated as more complex, and students who performed the SG better understood the aim of pharmacist triage in case of cough. The influence of the SG appeared to be linked to the presence of a previous lecture in the curriculum. SG and TBS are effective to teach pharmacist triage. Higher SG complexity should be used to teach the aim of pharmacist triage in the case of a specific disease and could be an alternative to simulated patients. A simpler TBS does not require a previous lecture and a debriefing to be fully effective. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Austrian absolute gravity base net: 27 years of spatial and temporal acquisition of gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullrich, Christian; Ruess, Diethard

2014-05-01

Since 1987 the BEV (Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying) has been operating the absolute gravimeters JILAg-6 and FG5 which are used for basic measurements to determine or review fundamental gravity stations in Austria and abroad. Overall more than 70 absolute gravity stations were installed in Austria and neighbouring countries and some of them have been regularly monitored. A few stations are part of international projects like ECGN (European Combined Geodetic network) and UNIGRACE (Unification of Gravity System in Central and Eastern Europe). As a national metrology institute (NMI) the Metrology Service of the BEV maintains the national standards for the realisation of the legal units of measurement and ensures their international equivalence and recognition. Thus the BEV maintains the national standard for gravimetry in Austria, which is validated and confirmed by international comparisons. Since 1989 the Austrian absolute gravimeters participated seven times in the ICAG's (International Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters) at the BIPM in Paris and Luxemburg and as well participated three times at the ECAG (European Comparison of Absolute Gravimeters) in Luxemburg. The results of these ICAG's and especially the performance of the Austrian absolute gravimeter are reported in this presentation. We also present some examples and interpretation of long time monitoring stations of absolute gravity in several Austrian locations. Some stations are located in large cities like Vienna and Graz and some others are situated in mountainous regions. Mountain stations are at the Conrad Observatory where a SG (Superconducting Gravimeter) is permanently monitoring and in Obergurgl (Tyrolia) at an elevation of approx. 2000 m which is very strong influenced from the glacier retreat.

Docking and Molecular Dynamics of Steviol Glycoside-Human Bitter Receptor Interactions.

PubMed

Acevedo, Waldo; González-Nilo, Fernando; Agosin, Eduardo

2016-10-12

Stevia is one of the sweeteners with the greatest consumer demand because of its natural origin and minimal calorie content. Steviol glycosides (SG) are the main active compounds present in the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana and are responsible for its sweetness. However, recent in vitro studies in HEK 293 cells revealed that SG specifically activate the hT2R4 and hT2R14 bitter taste receptors, triggering this mouth feel. The objective of this study was to characterize the interaction of SG with these two receptors at the molecular level. The results showed that SG have only one site for orthosteric binding to these receptors. The binding free energy (ΔG binding ) between the receptor and SG was negatively correlated with SG bitterness intensity, for both hT2R4 (r = -0.95) and hT2R14 (r = -0.89). We also determined, by steered molecular dynamics simulations, that the force required to extract stevioside from the receptors was greater than that required for rebaudioside A, in accordance with the ΔG values obtained by molecular docking. Finally, we identified the loop responsible for the activation by SG of both receptors. As a whole, these results contribute to a better understanding of the resulting off-flavor perception of these natural sweeteners in foods and beverages, allowing for better prediction, and control, of the resulting bitterness.

Molecular Architecture of Strictosidine Glucosidase: The Gateway to the Biosynthesis of the Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid Family[W

PubMed Central

Barleben, Leif; Panjikar, Santosh; Ruppert, Martin; Koepke, Juergen; Stöckigt, Joachim

2007-01-01

Strictosidine β-d-glucosidase (SG) follows strictosidine synthase (STR1) in the production of the reactive intermediate required for the formation of the large family of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in plants. This family is composed of ∼2000 structurally diverse compounds. SG plays an important role in the plant cell by activating the glucoside strictosidine and allowing it to enter the multiple indole alkaloid pathways. Here, we report detailed three-dimensional information describing both native SG and the complex of its inactive mutant Glu207Gln with the substrate strictosidine, thus providing a structural characterization of substrate binding and identifying the amino acids that occupy the active site surface of the enzyme. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrate the essential role of Glu-207, Glu-416, His-161, and Trp-388 in catalysis. Comparison of the catalytic pocket of SG with that of other plant glucosidases demonstrates the structural importance of Trp-388. Compared with all other glucosidases of plant, bacterial, and archaeal origin, SG's residue Trp-388 is present in a unique structural conformation that is specific to the SG enzyme. In addition to STR1 and vinorine synthase, SG represents the third structural example of enzymes participating in the biosynthetic pathway of the Rauvolfia alkaloid ajmaline. The data presented here will contribute to deciphering the structure and reaction mechanism of other higher plant glucosidases. PMID:17890378

Molecular characterization of SG33 and Borghi vaccines used against myxomatosis.

PubMed

Cavadini, Patrizia; Botti, Giuliana; Barbieri, Ilaria; Lavazza, Antonio; Capucci, Lorenzo

2010-07-26

Myxoma virus is a poxvirus responsible for myxomatosis in European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The entire genome of the myxoma virus has been sequenced, allowing a systemic survey of the functions of a large number of putative pathogenic factors that this virus expresses to subvert the immune and inflammatory pathways of infected rabbit hosts. In Italy, industrial rabbits are mostly vaccinated against myxomatosis using the attenuated myxoma virus strains Borghi or SG33. We have identified genetic markers specific for Borghi or SG33 vaccine strains and established a PCR-based assay that could be used to: (a) rapidly diagnose the presence of myxoma virus in infected organs; (b) discriminate between field strain-infected and vaccinated rabbits and (c) differentiate between Borghi or SG33 vaccine strain. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

IGF1 modifications after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients: potential implications of nutritional status according to specific surgical technique.

PubMed

Pellitero, Silvia; Granada, María Luisa; Martínez, Eva; Balibrea, Jose María; Guanyabens, Elena; Serra, Assumpta; Moreno, Pau; Navarro, Maruja; Romero, Ramon; Alastrué, Antonio; Puig-Domingo, Manel

2013-11-01

IGF1 is decreased in morbidly obese (MO) patients and its changes after bariatric surgery weight loss (WL) are not well known. The aim of this study was to analyse IGF1 modifications in MO patients after WL and its relationship to ghrelin and to different types of surgeries. Retrospective follow-up study at the University Medical Center. One hundred and nine MO patients (age 44.19.3, BMI 51.748.75KG/M(2)) were evaluated at baseline and 1 year after surgery: 28 sleeve gastrectomy (SG), 31 distal modified (m), and 50 ringed (r) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) surgery. Changes in IGF1, IGFBP3, ratio IGF1:IGFBP3, and ghrelin were evaluated 1 year after surgery. Baseline prevalence of low IGF1 (defined by s.d. IGF1<-2) was 22%, and %WL 1 year after surgery was 34.9±8.9%. There was a significant decrease in IGFBP3 in all the procedures, an increase in IGF1:IGFBP3 ratio in rRYGBP and SG, but total IGF1 only increased significantly in SG. Albumin concentrations decreased in mRYGBP, did not change in rRYGBP, but increased in SG after surgery. Total ghrelin concentrations increased after both RYGBPs and decreased after SG (P<0.05 in all cases). The prevalence of low IGF1 decreased in SG (28.6 vs 10.1%, P=0.03) and did not change in RYGPBP techniques. The %albumin change was the only dependent variable associated with the % total IGF1 change. Recovery of low IGF1 after bariatric surgery was specifically related to the albumin modifications induced by surgery and was not related to ghrelin modifications.

Effects of Exercise Induced Dehydration and Glycerol Rehydration on Anaerobic Power in Male Collegiate Wrestlers.

PubMed

McKenna, Zachary J; Gillum, Trevor L

2017-11-01

McKenna, ZJ and Gillum, TL. Effects of exercise induced dehydration and glycerol rehydration on anaerobic power in male collegiate wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 2965-2968, 2017-Wrestlers attempting to reach a specific weight class often use rapid weight loss (RWL). Rapid weight loss is associated with high levels of dehydration, which may hinder athletic performance. Thus, there is a need for wrestlers to optimize rehydration after achieving a specific weight. We sought to observe the effects of RWL on anaerobic power and the impact of glycerol on rehydration and power in male collegiate wrestlers (n = 7, 19.75 ± 1.67 years, 76.8 ± 4.32 kg, 11.6 ± 4.32% body fat, 59.9 ± 6.42 ml·kg·min). Subjects were assessed for body mass (BM), hydration, and mean power output (Wmean) before exercise (pre), immediately after exercise (3% dehydrated), and 60 minutes after exercise (rehydrated). Participants ran at 70% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2max in a heated room (30° C) until 3% BM loss (BML). Subjects rehydrated drinking either 26 ml·kg of water (control) or a 3% glycerol (treatment) solution containing 26 ml·kg of water and 1 g·kg of glycerol. Participants lost 3.00 ± 0.31% (control) and 2.89 ± 0.26% (treatment) of their BM from the pre- to dehydrated conditions. Wmean (control: 659.29 ± 79.12, 651.43 ± 70.71, 659.71 ± 82.78; treatment: 647.71 ± 110.64, 644.57 ± 118.15, 638.14 ± 100.71) did not differ across time (p = 0.87) nor condition (p = 0.80). In addition, glycerol had no significant impact on acute hydration (control: urine-specific gravity [SG] = 1.019 ± 0.010; treatment: SG = 1.017 ± 0.017). These data show that 3% BML did not impair anaerobic performance, and furthermore that glycerol proved ineffective for rehydration in a match like scenario for the competing wrestler.

7 CFR 51.3417 - Optional test for specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Optional test for specific gravity. 51.3417 Section 51... specific gravity. Tests to determine specific gravity shall be made in accordance with the procedures set.... The specific gravity for any lot of potatoes shall be the average of at least 3 corrected readings on...

7 CFR 51.3417 - Optional test for specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Optional test for specific gravity. 51.3417 Section 51... § 51.3417 Optional test for specific gravity. Tests to determine specific gravity shall be made in... lot with respect to size and quality. The specific gravity for any lot of potatoes shall be the...

7 CFR 51.3417 - Optional test for specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Optional test for specific gravity. 51.3417 Section 51... specific gravity. Tests to determine specific gravity shall be made in accordance with the procedures set.... The specific gravity for any lot of potatoes shall be the average of at least 3 corrected readings on...

7 CFR 51.3417 - Optional test for specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Optional test for specific gravity. 51.3417 Section 51... § 51.3417 Optional test for specific gravity. Tests to determine specific gravity shall be made in... lot with respect to size and quality. The specific gravity for any lot of potatoes shall be the...

Safety of using real-time sensor glucose values for treatment decisions in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study.

PubMed

Fox, Larry A; Balkman, Emilie; Englert, Kim; Hossain, Jobayer; Mauras, Nelly

2017-06-01

This study explored the safety of using real-time sensor glucose (SG) data for treatment decisions in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Ten adolescents with type 1 diabetes, HbA1c ≥9% on insulin pumps were admitted to the clinical research center and a continuous glucose sensor was inserted. Plasma glucose was measured at least hourly using Yellow Springs Instrument's (YSI) glucose analyzer. Starting at dinner, SG rather than YSI was used for treatment decisions unless YSI was <70 mg/dL (<3.9 mmol/L) or specific criteria indicating SG and YSI were very discordant were met. Participants were discharged after lunch the next day. Ten participants (seven males; 15.2-17.8 year old) completed the study. The range of differences between high glucose correction doses using SG vs YSI for calculations was -2 (SG < YSI dose) to +1 (SG > YSI dose); this difference was two units in only 2 of 23 correction doses given (all SG < YSI dose). There were five episodes of mild hypoglycemia in two patients, two of which occurred after using SG for dose calculations. There was no severe hypoglycemia and no YSI glucose >350 mg/dL (19.4 mmol/L). Mean (±SE) pre- and postmeal YSI glucose were 163 ± 11 and 183 ± 12 mg/dL (9.1 ± 0.6 and 10.2 ± 0.7 mmol/L), respectively. Use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring for treatment decisions was safe and did not result in significant over- or undertreatment. Use of SG for treatment decisions under supervised inpatient conditions is a suitable alternative to repeated fingerstick glucose monitoring. Outpatient studies using SG in real-time are needed. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Nursing students' perceptions of a video-based serious game's educational value: A pilot study.

PubMed

Johnsen, Hege M; Fossum, Mariann; Vivekananda-Schmidt, Pirashanthie; Fruhling, Ann; Slettebø, Åshild

2018-03-01

Despite an increasing number of serious games (SGs) in nursing education, few evaluation studies specifically address their educational value in terms of face, content, and construct validity. To assess nursing students' perceptions of a video-based SG in terms of face, content, and construct validity. In addition, the study assessed perceptions of usability, individual factors, and preferences regarding future use. A pilot study was conducted. An SG prototype was implemented as part of two simulation courses in nursing education: one for home health care and one for hospital medical-surgical wards. The SG aimed to teach clinical reasoning and decision-making skills to nursing students caring for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of 249second-year nursing students participated in pilot testing of the SG. A paper-based survey was used to assess students' perceptions of the SG's educational value. Overall, students from both simulation courses perceived the SG as educationally valuable and easy to use. No significant differences were found in perceptions of educational value between nursing students with previous healthcare experience versus those with none. However, significantly more students in the home healthcare simulation course indicated that the SG tested their clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Students from both the medical-surgical and home healthcare simulation courses suggested that more video-based SGs should be developed and used in nursing education. Overall, the survey results indicate that the participants perceived the SG as educationally valuable, and that the SG has potential as an educational tool in nursing education, especially in caring for patients with chronic diseases and in home healthcare simulation. Showing a SG's educational value and user acceptance among nursing students may justify the development and application of more SGs in nursing education. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gamma-sarcoglycan is required for the response of archvillin to mechanical stimulation in skeletal muscle

PubMed Central

Spinazzola, Janelle M.; Smith, Tara C.; Liu, Min; Luna, Elizabeth J.; Barton, Elisabeth R.

2015-01-01

Loss of gamma-sarcoglycan (γ-SG) induces muscle degeneration and signaling defects in response to mechanical load, and its absence is common to both Duchenne and limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Growing evidence suggests that aberrant signaling contributes to the disease pathology; however, the mechanisms of γ-SG-mediated mechanical signaling are poorly understood. To uncover γ-SG signaling pathway components, we performed yeast two-hybrid screens and identified the muscle-specific protein archvillin as a γ-SG and dystrophin interacting protein. Archvillin protein and message levels were significantly upregulated at the sarcolemma of murine γ-SG-null (gsg−/−) muscle but delocalized in dystrophin-deficient mdx muscle. Similar elevation of archvillin protein was observed in human quadriceps muscle lacking γ-SG. Reintroduction of γ-SG in gsg−/− muscle by rAAV injection restored archvillin levels to that of control C57 muscle. In situ eccentric contraction of tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from C57 mice caused ERK1/2 phosphorylation, nuclear activation of P-ERK1/2 and stimulus-dependent archvillin association with P-ERK1/2. In contrast, TA muscles from gsg−/− and mdx mice exhibited heightened P-ERK1/2 and increased nuclear P-ERK1/2 localization following eccentric contractions, but the archvillin–P-ERK1/2 association was completely ablated. These results position archvillin as a mechanically sensitive component of the dystrophin complex and demonstrate that signaling defects caused by loss of γ-SG occur both at the sarcolemma and in the nucleus. PMID:25605665

Transdiagnostic versus disorder-specific and clinician-guided versus self-guided internet-delivered treatment for generalized anxiety disorder and comorbid disorders: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Dear, B F; Staples, L G; Terides, M D; Karin, E; Zou, J; Johnston, L; Gandy, M; Fogliati, V J; Wootton, B M; McEvoy, P M; Titov, N

2015-12-01

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can be treated effectively with either disorder-specific cognitive behavior therapy (DS-CBT) or transdiagnostic CBT (TD-CBT). The relative benefits of DS-CBT and TD-CBT for GAD and the relative benefits of delivering treatment in clinician guided (CG-CBT) and self-guided (SG-CBT) formats have not been examined. Participants with GAD (n=338) were randomly allocated to receive an internet-delivered TD-CBT or DS-CBT intervention delivered in either CG-CBT or SG-CBT formats. Large reductions in symptoms of GAD (Cohen's d ≥ 1.48; avg. reduction ≥ 50%) and comorbid major depressive disorder (Cohen's d ≥ 1.64; avg. reduction ≥ 45%), social anxiety disorder (Cohen's d ≥ 0.80; avg. reduction ≥ 29%) and panic disorder (Cohen's d ≥ 0.55; avg. reduction ≥ 33%) were found across the conditions. No substantive differences were observed between DS-CBT and TD-CBT or CG-CBT and SG-CBT, highlighting the public health potential of carefully developed TD-CBT and SG-CBT. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Multiplex Conditional Mutagenesis Using Transgenic Expression of Cas9 and sgRNAs.

PubMed

Yin, Linlin; Maddison, Lisette A; Li, Mingyu; Kara, Nergis; LaFave, Matthew C; Varshney, Gaurav K; Burgess, Shawn M; Patton, James G; Chen, Wenbiao

2015-06-01

Determining the mechanism of gene function is greatly enhanced using conditional mutagenesis. However, generating engineered conditional alleles is inefficient and has only been widely used in mice. Importantly, multiplex conditional mutagenesis requires extensive breeding. Here we demonstrate a system for one-generation multiplex conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using transgenic expression of both cas9 and multiple single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We describe five distinct zebrafish U6 promoters for sgRNA expression and demonstrate efficient multiplex biallelic inactivation of tyrosinase and insulin receptor a and b, resulting in defects in pigmentation and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, we demonstrate temporal and tissue-specific mutagenesis using transgenic expression of Cas9. Heat-shock-inducible expression of cas9 allows temporal control of tyr mutagenesis. Liver-specific expression of cas9 disrupts insulin receptor a and b, causing fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. We also show that delivery of sgRNAs targeting ascl1a into the eye leads to impaired damage-induced photoreceptor regeneration. Our findings suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-based conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish is not only feasible but rapid and straightforward. Copyright © 2015 by the Genetics Society of America.

Wavelet filter analysis of local atmospheric pressure effects in the long-period tidal bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, X.-G.; Liu, L. T.; Ducarme, B.; Hsu, H. T.; Sun, H.-P.

2006-11-01

It is well known that local atmospheric pressure variations obviously affect the observation of short-period Earth tides, such as diurnal tides, semi-diurnal tides and ter-diurnal tides, but local atmospheric pressure effects on the long-period Earth tides have not been studied in detail. This is because the local atmospheric pressure is believed not to be sufficient for an effective pressure correction in long-period tidal bands, and there are no efficient methods to investigate local atmospheric effects in these bands. The usual tidal analysis software package, such as ETERNA, Baytap-G and VAV, cannot provide detailed pressure admittances for long-period tidal bands. We propose a wavelet method to investigate local atmospheric effects on gravity variations in long-period tidal bands. This method constructs efficient orthogonal filter bank with Daubechies wavelets of high vanishing moments. The main advantage of the wavelet filter bank is that it has excellent low frequency response and efficiently suppresses instrumental drift of superconducting gravimeters (SGs) without using any mathematical model. Applying the wavelet method to the 13-year continuous gravity observations from SG T003 in Brussels, Belgium, we filtered 12 long-period tidal groups into eight narrow frequency bands. Wavelet method demonstrates that local atmospheric pressure fluctuations are highly correlated with the noise of SG measurements in the period band 4-40 days with correlation coefficients higher than 0.95 and local atmospheric pressure variations are the main error source for the determination of the tidal parameters in these bands. We show the significant improvement of long-period tidal parameters provided by wavelet method in term of precision.

RNA Recognition and Stress Granule Formation by TIA Proteins

PubMed Central

Waris, Saboora; Wilce, Matthew Charles James; Wilce, Jacqueline Anne

2014-01-01

Stress granule (SG) formation is a primary mechanism through which gene expression is rapidly modulated when the eukaryotic cell undergoes cellular stresses (including heat, oxidative, viral infection, starvation). In particular, the sequestration of specifically targeted translationally stalled mRNAs into SGs limits the expression of a subset of genes, but allows the expression of heatshock proteins that have a protective effect in the cell. The importance of SGs is seen in several disease states in which SG function is disrupted. Fundamental to SG formation are the T cell restricted intracellular antigen (TIA) proteins (TIA-1 and TIA-1 related protein (TIAR)), that both directly bind to target RNA and self-associate to seed the formation of SGs. Here a summary is provided of the current understanding of the way in which TIA proteins target specific mRNA, and how TIA self-association is triggered under conditions of cellular stress. PMID:25522169

Microbial quality and associated health risks of raw milk marketed in the Tanga region of Tanzania.

PubMed

Swai, E S; Schoonman, L

2011-06-01

To evaluate microbial quality and associated health risks of raw milk marketed in the Tanga region of Tanzania. A microbial quality assessment of marketed raw milk was undertaken by evaluating 59 samples of milk from selling points (collecting centres =15), bicycle boys (12) and kiosks/restaurants (32) in Tanga city during April-May 2005. Quality and milk-borne hazards were assessed using a combination of tests in order to quantify the occurrence of Brucellosis (milk ring test), Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (culture), the coliform bacteria as well as standard plate count (SPC). Specific gravity (SG) determination was used as an indicator of adulteration. The mean coliform plate count (c.f.u/mL) of milk handled by bicycle boys (4.2×10(6)) was significantly higher than that handled by collecting centres (3.0×10(6)) and kiosk/ restaurants (1.4×10(6)), respectively (P < 0.05). Of the 59 milk samples collected, 33 (56%) were Brucella milk ring test (MRT)-positive and 78% and 17% of the samples graded satisfactorily based on SG and coliform plate counts as prescribed by East African Community standards for raw milk. There was no verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) O157: H7 in any of the milk samples collected and analysed during the present study. It can be concluded that raw market milk in the study area is of poor bacteriological quality and hazardous for human consumption. This highlights the need to implement good hygiene practices and effective monitoring from production through the delivery chain to the consumer. Further studies are needed for detection of toxins that are produced by E. coli, other pathogenic spore forming bacteria (Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp.) and other harmful microorganisms.

Human and methodological sources of variability in the measurement of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine.

PubMed

Barregard, Lars; Møller, Peter; Henriksen, Trine; Mistry, Vilas; Koppen, Gudrun; Rossner, Pavel; Sram, Radim J; Weimann, Allan; Poulsen, Henrik E; Nataf, Robert; Andreoli, Roberta; Manini, Paola; Marczylo, Tim; Lam, Patricia; Evans, Mark D; Kasai, Hiroshi; Kawai, Kazuaki; Li, Yun-Shan; Sakai, Kazuo; Singh, Rajinder; Teichert, Friederike; Farmer, Peter B; Rozalski, Rafal; Gackowski, Daniel; Siomek, Agnieszka; Saez, Guillermo T; Cerda, Concha; Broberg, Karin; Lindh, Christian; Hossain, Mohammad Bakhtiar; Haghdoost, Siamak; Hu, Chiung-Wen; Chao, Mu-Rong; Wu, Kuen-Yuh; Orhan, Hilmi; Senduran, Nilufer; Smith, Raymond J; Santella, Regina M; Su, Yali; Cortez, Czarina; Yeh, Susan; Olinski, Ryszard; Loft, Steffen; Cooke, Marcus S

2013-06-20

Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is a widely used biomarker of oxidative stress. However, variability between chromatographic and ELISA methods hampers interpretation of data, and this variability may increase should urine composition differ between individuals, leading to assay interference. Furthermore, optimal urine sampling conditions are not well defined. We performed inter-laboratory comparisons of 8-oxodG measurement between mass spectrometric-, electrochemical- and ELISA-based methods, using common within-technique calibrants to analyze 8-oxodG-spiked phosphate-buffered saline and urine samples. We also investigated human subject- and sample collection-related variables, as potential sources of variability. Chromatographic assays showed high agreement across urines from different subjects, whereas ELISAs showed far more inter-laboratory variation and generally overestimated levels, compared to the chromatographic assays. Excretion rates in timed 'spot' samples showed strong correlations with 24 h excretion (the 'gold' standard) of urinary 8-oxodG (rp 0.67-0.90), although the associations were weaker for 8-oxodG adjusted for creatinine or specific gravity (SG). The within-individual excretion of 8-oxodG varied only moderately between days (CV 17% for 24 h excretion and 20% for first void, creatinine-corrected samples). This is the first comprehensive study of both human and methodological factors influencing 8-oxodG measurement, providing key information for future studies with this important biomarker. ELISA variability is greater than chromatographic assay variability, and cannot determine absolute levels of 8-oxodG. Use of standardized calibrants greatly improves intra-technique agreement and, for the chromatographic assays, importantly allows integration of results for pooled analyses. If 24 h samples are not feasible, creatinine- or SG-adjusted first morning samples are recommended.

Macro-biophysical properties of candidate novel feedstuffs for poultry feeding.

PubMed

Omede, A; Okoro, V M O; Uchegbu, M C; Okoli, I C; Anyanwu, G A

2012-12-15

Information on the proximate composition and sometimes the toxicology of novel feedstuffs has been used routinely in determining the suitability of feedstuffs in poultry feeding, especially during animal feeding trials. Limited information however exists on the biophysical characteristics of such novel feedstuffs. The Bulk Density (BD), Water-holding Capacity (WHC) and Specific Gravity (SG) of three novel feedstuffs {Leaf Meal (LEM), Rumen Digesta (RD) and Poultry Dung (PD)}, were evaluated. Available published and unpublished results on the proximate compositions of the materials were related to the physical characteristics results. LEM had significantly (p > 0.05) lower BD and SG than RD and PD while RD recorded the highest WHC value although the value was similar (p > 0.05) to that of LEM. Particle Size (PS) effects showed that BD of RD and PD were lower at the > or = 1.00 mm PS than at the unmodified and < 1.00 mm PS, indicating that materials of similar Crude Fiber (CF) could be manipulated to yield different BD with possible ultimate effects on the performance of birds. The WHC of LEM at < 1.00 mm PS level was seven times higher than that of unmodified and =1.00 mm PS while RD value at the same < 1.00 mm PS level was 2 and 4 times higher than those recorded at the unmodified and > or = 1.00 mm PS levels, respectively. This is evidence that grinding increased the surface area of the LEM, thus improving the ability of its Non-starch Polysaccharides (NSP) to bind water. Information on the feed physical characteristics could be used together with proximate and toxicological information to determine the nutritional and intake potentials of a novel feedstuff even before a feeding trial.

27 CFR 30.25 - Use of precision specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... gravity hydrometers. 30.25 Section 30.25 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX... precision specific gravity hydrometers. The provisions of § 30.23 respecting the care, handling, and use of... specific gravity hydrometers. Specific gravity hydrometers shall be read to the nearest subdivision...

27 CFR 30.25 - Use of precision specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... gravity hydrometers. 30.25 Section 30.25 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX... precision specific gravity hydrometers. The provisions of § 30.23 respecting the care, handling, and use of... specific gravity hydrometers. Specific gravity hydrometers shall be read to the nearest subdivision...

27 CFR 30.25 - Use of precision specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... gravity hydrometers. 30.25 Section 30.25 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX... precision specific gravity hydrometers. The provisions of § 30.23 respecting the care, handling, and use of... specific gravity hydrometers. Specific gravity hydrometers shall be read to the nearest subdivision...

27 CFR 30.25 - Use of precision specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... gravity hydrometers. 30.25 Section 30.25 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX... precision specific gravity hydrometers. The provisions of § 30.23 respecting the care, handling, and use of... specific gravity hydrometers. Specific gravity hydrometers shall be read to the nearest subdivision...

27 CFR 30.25 - Use of precision specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... gravity hydrometers. 30.25 Section 30.25 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX... precision specific gravity hydrometers. The provisions of § 30.23 respecting the care, handling, and use of... specific gravity hydrometers. Specific gravity hydrometers shall be read to the nearest subdivision...

RNA-seq based transcriptomic map reveals new insights into mouse salivary gland development and maturation.

PubMed

Gluck, Christian; Min, Sangwon; Oyelakin, Akinsola; Smalley, Kirsten; Sinha, Satrajit; Romano, Rose-Anne

2016-11-16

Mouse models have served a valuable role in deciphering various facets of Salivary Gland (SG) biology, from normal developmental programs to diseased states. To facilitate such studies, gene expression profiling maps have been generated for various stages of SG organogenesis. However these prior studies fall short of capturing the transcriptional complexity due to the limited scope of gene-centric microarray-based technology. Compared to microarray, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) offers unbiased detection of novel transcripts, broader dynamic range and high specificity and sensitivity for detection of genes, transcripts, and differential gene expression. Although RNA-seq data, particularly under the auspices of the ENCODE project, have covered a large number of biological specimens, studies on the SG have been lacking. To better appreciate the wide spectrum of gene expression profiles, we isolated RNA from mouse submandibular salivary glands at different embryonic and adult stages. In parallel, we processed RNA-seq data for 24 organs and tissues obtained from the mouse ENCODE consortium and calculated the average gene expression values. To identify molecular players and pathways likely to be relevant for SG biology, we performed functional gene enrichment analysis, network construction and hierarchal clustering of the RNA-seq datasets obtained from different stages of SG development and maturation, and other mouse organs and tissues. Our bioinformatics-based data analysis not only reaffirmed known modulators of SG morphogenesis but revealed novel transcription factors and signaling pathways unique to mouse SG biology and function. Finally we demonstrated that the unique SG gene signature obtained from our mouse studies is also well conserved and can demarcate features of the human SG transcriptome that is different from other tissues. Our RNA-seq based Atlas has revealed a high-resolution cartographic view of the dynamic transcriptomic landscape of the mouse SG at various stages. These RNA-seq datasets will complement pre-existing microarray based datasets, including the Salivary Gland Molecular Anatomy Project by offering a broader systems-biology based perspective rather than the classical gene-centric view. Ultimately such resources will be valuable in providing a useful toolkit to better understand how the diverse cell population of the SG are organized and controlled during development and differentiation.

Evaluating the More Suitable ISM Frequency Band for IoT-Based Smart Grids: A Quantitative Study of 915 MHz vs. 2400 MHz.

PubMed

Sandoval, Ruben M; Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio-Javier; Garcia-Sanchez, Felipe; Garcia-Haro, Joan

2016-12-31

IoT has begun to be employed pervasively in industrial environments and critical infrastructures thanks to its positive impact on performance and efficiency. Among these environments, the Smart Grid (SG) excels as the perfect host for this technology, mainly due to its potential to become the motor of the rest of electrically-dependent infrastructures. To make this SG-oriented IoT cost-effective, most deployments employ unlicensed ISM bands, specifically the 2400 MHz one, due to its extended communication bandwidth in comparison with lower bands. This band has been extensively used for years by Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET), from which the IoT technologically inherits. However, this work questions and evaluates the suitability of such a "default" communication band in SG environments, compared with the 915 MHz ISM band. A comprehensive quantitative comparison of these bands has been accomplished in terms of: power consumption, average network delay, and packet reception rate. To allow such a study, a dual-band propagation model specifically designed for the SG has been derived, tested, and incorporated into the well-known TOSSIM simulator. Simulation results reveal that only in the absence of other 2400 MHz interfering devices (such as WiFi or Bluetooth) or in small networks, is the 2400 MHz band the best option. In any other case, SG-oriented IoT quantitatively perform better if operating in the 915 MHz band.

Evaluating the More Suitable ISM Frequency Band for IoT-Based Smart Grids: A Quantitative Study of 915 MHz vs. 2400 MHz

PubMed Central

Sandoval, Ruben M.; Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio-Javier; Garcia-Sanchez, Felipe; Garcia-Haro, Joan

2016-01-01

IoT has begun to be employed pervasively in industrial environments and critical infrastructures thanks to its positive impact on performance and efficiency. Among these environments, the Smart Grid (SG) excels as the perfect host for this technology, mainly due to its potential to become the motor of the rest of electrically-dependent infrastructures. To make this SG-oriented IoT cost-effective, most deployments employ unlicensed ISM bands, specifically the 2400 MHz one, due to its extended communication bandwidth in comparison with lower bands. This band has been extensively used for years by Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET), from which the IoT technologically inherits. However, this work questions and evaluates the suitability of such a “default” communication band in SG environments, compared with the 915 MHz ISM band. A comprehensive quantitative comparison of these bands has been accomplished in terms of: power consumption, average network delay, and packet reception rate. To allow such a study, a dual-band propagation model specifically designed for the SG has been derived, tested, and incorporated into the well-known TOSSIM simulator. Simulation results reveal that only in the absence of other 2400 MHz interfering devices (such as WiFi or Bluetooth) or in small networks, is the 2400 MHz band the best option. In any other case, SG-oriented IoT quantitatively perform better if operating in the 915 MHz band. PMID:28042863

Killing effect of TNF-mediated by conditionally replicating adenovirus on esophageal cancer and lung cancer cell lines.

PubMed

Jiang, Yue-Quan; Zhang, Zhi; Cai, Hua-Rong; Zhou, Hong

2015-01-01

The killing effect of TNF mediated by conditionally replicating adenovirus SG502 on human cancer cell lines was assessed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The recombinant adenovirus SG502-TNF was used to infect human lung cancer cell line A549 and human esophageal cancer cell line TE-1. The expression of the exogenous gene and its inhibitory effect on the tumor cell lines were thus detected. Tumor transplantation experiment was performed in mice with the purpose of assessing the inhibitory effect of the adenovirus on tumor cells and tumor formation. The targeting of the adenovirus and the mechanism of tumor inhibition were discussed by in vivo imaging technology, HE staining and TUNEL assay. Recombinant adenovirus SG502-TNF targeted the tumor cells specifically with stable expression of TNF, which produced a killing effect on tumor cells by regulating the apoptotic signaling pathway. Recombinant adenovirus SG502-TNF possessed significant killing effect on TE-1 cells either in vivo or in vitro. This finding demonstrated the potential clinical application of adenovirus SG502.

Use of microgravity bioreactors for development of an in vitro rat salivary gland cell culture model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, M. L.; Moriarity, D. M.; Campbell, P. S.

1993-01-01

During development, salivary gland (SG) cells both secrete factors which modulate cellular behavior and express specific hormone receptors. Whether SG cell growth is modulated by an autocrine epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway is not clearly understood. SG tissue is the synthesis site for functionally distinct products including growth factors, digestive enzymes, and homeostasis maintaining factors. Historically, SG cells have proven difficult to grow and may be only maintained as limited three-dimensional ductal-type structures in collagen gels or on reconstituted basement membrane gels. A novel approach to establishing primary rat SG cultures is use of microgravity bioreactors originally designed by NASA as low-shear culture systems for predicting cell growth and differentiation in the microgravity environment of space. These completely fluid-filled bioreactors, which are oriented horizontally and rotate, have proven advantageous for Earth-based culture of three-dimensional cell assemblies, tissue-like aggregates, and glandular structures. Use of microgravity bioreactors for establishing in vitro models to investigate steroid-mediated secretion of EGF by normal SG cells may also prove useful for the investigation of cancer and other salivary gland disorders. These microgravity bioreactors promise challenging opportunities for future applications in basic and applied cell research.

Genetic screens in human cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

PubMed

Wang, Tim; Wei, Jenny J; Sabatini, David M; Lander, Eric S

2014-01-03

The bacterial clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system for genome editing has greatly expanded the toolbox for mammalian genetics, enabling the rapid generation of isogenic cell lines and mice with modified alleles. Here, we describe a pooled, loss-of-function genetic screening approach suitable for both positive and negative selection that uses a genome-scale lentiviral single-guide RNA (sgRNA) library. sgRNA expression cassettes were stably integrated into the genome, which enabled a complex mutant pool to be tracked by massively parallel sequencing. We used a library containing 73,000 sgRNAs to generate knockout collections and performed screens in two human cell lines. A screen for resistance to the nucleotide analog 6-thioguanine identified all expected members of the DNA mismatch repair pathway, whereas another for the DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2A) poison etoposide identified TOP2A, as expected, and also cyclin-dependent kinase 6, CDK6. A negative selection screen for essential genes identified numerous gene sets corresponding to fundamental processes. Last, we show that sgRNA efficiency is associated with specific sequence motifs, enabling the prediction of more effective sgRNAs. Collectively, these results establish Cas9/sgRNA screens as a powerful tool for systematic genetic analysis in mammalian cells.

Estimation of nutrients and organic matter in Korean swine slurry using multiple regression analysis of physical and chemical properties.

PubMed

Suresh, Arumuganainar; Choi, Hong Lim

2011-10-01

Swine waste land application has increased due to organic fertilization, but excess application in an arable system can cause environmental risk. Therefore, in situ characterizations of such resources are important prior to application. To explore this, 41 swine slurry samples were collected from Korea, and wide differences were observed in the physico-biochemical properties. However, significant (P<0.001) multiple property correlations (R²) were obtained between nutrients with specific gravity (SG), electrical conductivity (EC), total solids (TS) and pH. The different combinations of hydrometer, EC meter, drying oven and pH meter were found useful to estimate Mn, Fe, Ca, K, Al, Na, N and 5-day biochemical oxygen demands (BOD₅) at improved R² values of 0.83, 0.82, 0.77, 0.75, 0.67, 0.47, 0.88 and 0.70, respectively. The results from this study suggest that multiple property regressions can facilitate the prediction of micronutrients and organic matter much better than a single property regression for livestock waste. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Properties of cold-bonded lightweight artificial aggregate containing bottom ash with different curing regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamad Ibrahim, Norlia; Nizar Ismail, Khairul; Che Amat, Roshazita; Mohamad Ghazali, Mohamad Iqbal

2018-03-01

Cold-bonded pelletizing technique is frequently used in aggregate manufacturing process as it can minimise the energy consumption. It has contributed to both economical and environmental advantages because it helps to reduce the gas emissions problems. Bottom ash collected from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plant was selected as raw material in this study and was utilised as a partial replacement for cement for artificial aggregate production. Several percentage of ash replacement was selected ranged from 10 to 50%. Aggregate pellets were subjected to different types of curing condition which is room-water (RW), room-room (RR), oven-room (OR) and oven-water (OW) condition. Properties of aggregate pellets were examined to obtain its density, water absorption, aggregate impact value (AIV) and specific gravity (SG). The results indicated that the most efficient curing regime is by exposing the aggregate in RW condition. The optimum aggregate was selected at 20% where it has satisfied the required density of 739.5kg/m3, and classified as strong aggregate with AIV 14. However, the water absorption of aggregate increased proportionately with the increment of ash content.

Incorporation of extra amino acids in peptide recognition probe to improve specificity and selectivity of an electrochemical peptide-based sensor.

PubMed

Zaitouna, Anita J; Maben, Alex J; Lai, Rebecca Y

2015-07-30

We investigated the effect of incorporating extra amino acids (AA) at the n-terminus of the thiolated and methylene blue-modified peptide probe on both specificity and selectivity of an electrochemical peptide-based (E-PB) HIV sensor. The addition of a flexible (SG)3 hexapeptide is, in particular, useful in improving sensor selectivity, whereas the addition of a highly hydrophilic (EK)3 hexapeptide has shown to be effective in enhancing sensor specificity. Overall, both E-PB sensors fabricated using peptide probes with the added AA (SG-EAA and EK-EAA) showed better specificity and selectivity, especially when compared to the sensor fabricated using a peptide probe without the extra AA (EAA). For example, the selectivity factor recorded in the 50% saliva was ∼2.5 for the EAA sensor, whereas the selectivity factor was 7.8 for both the SG-EAA and EK-EAA sensors. Other sensor properties such as the limit of detection and dynamic range were minimally affected by the addition of the six AA sequence. The limit of detection was 0.5 nM for the EAA sensor and 1 nM for both SG-EAA and EK-EAA sensors. The saturation target concentration was ∼200 nM for all three sensors. Unlike previously reported E-PB HIV sensors, the peptide probe functions as both the recognition element and antifouling passivating agent; this modification eliminates the need to include an additional antifouling diluent, which simplifies the sensor design and fabrication protocol. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hypothalamic expression and moonlight-independent changes of Cry3 and Per4 implicate their roles in lunar clock oscillators of the lunar-responsive Goldlined spinefoot.

PubMed

Toda, Riko; Okano, Keiko; Takeuchi, Yuki; Yamauchi, Chihiro; Fukushiro, Masato; Takemura, Akihiro; Okano, Toshiyuki

2014-01-01

Lunar cycle-associated physiology has been found in a wide variety of organisms. Studies suggest the presence of a circalunar clock in some animals, but the location of the lunar clock is unclear. We previously found lunar-associated expression of transcripts for Cryptochrome3 gene (SgCry3) in the brain of a lunar phase-responsive fish, the Goldlined spinefoot (Siganus guttatus). Then we proposed a photoperiodic model for the lunar phase response, in which SgCry3 might function as a phase-specific light response gene and/or an oscillatory factor in unidentified circalunar clock. In this study, we have developed an anti-SgCRY3 antibody to identify SgCRY3-immunoreactive cells in the brain. We found immunoreactions in the subependymal cells located in the mediobasal region of the diencephalon, a crucial site for photoperiodic seasonal responses in birds. For further assessment of the lunar-responding mechanism and the circalunar clock, we investigated mRNA levels of Cry3 as well as those of the other clock(-related) genes, Period (Per2 and Per4), in S. guttatus reared under nocturnal moonlight interruption or natural conditions. Not only SgCry3 but SgPer4 mRNA levels showed lunar phase-dependent variations in the diencephalon without depending on light condition during the night. These results suggest that the expressions of SgCry3 and SgPer4 are not directly regulated by moonlight stimulation but endogenously mediated in the brain, and implicate that circadian clock(-related) genes may be involved in the circalunar clock locating within the mediobasal region of the diencephalon.

Factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows.

PubMed

Morin, D E; Constable, P D; Maunsell, F P; McCoy, G C

2001-04-01

The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows, as measured by a commercially available hydrometer (Colostrometer). Colostral specific gravity was measured in 1085 first-milking colostrum samples from 608 dairy cows of four breeds on a single farm during a 5-yr period. Effects of breed, lactation number, and month and year of calving on colostral specific gravity were determined, as were correlations between colostral specific gravity, nonlactating period length, and 305-d yields of milk, protein, and fat. For 75 multiparous Holstein cows, relationships between colostral specific gravity, colostral IgG1, protein, and fat concentrations, and season of calving were determined. Colostral specific gravity values were lower for Brown Swiss and Ayrshire cows than for Jersey and Holstein cows, and lower for cows entering first or second lactation than third or later lactations. Month of calving markedly affected colostral specific gravity values, with highest values occurring in autumn and lowest values in summer. In multiparous Holstein cows, colostral specific gravity was more strongly correlated with colostral protein concentration (r = 0.76) than IgG1 concentration (r = 0.53), and colostral protein concentration varied seasonally (higher in autumn than summer). Our results demonstrate that colostral specific gravity more closely reflects colostral protein concentration than IgG1 concentration and is markedly influenced by month of calving. These results highlight potential limitations of using colostral specific gravity as an indicator of IgG1 concentration.

Differentiation of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene mothballs based on their difference in specific gravity.

PubMed

Fukuda, T; Koyama, K; Yamashita, M; Koichi, N; Takeda, M

1991-08-01

The present study was conducted to measure the specific gravities of paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene mothballs and compare them with the specific gravity of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride (1.197). The specific gravities of 450 paradichlorobenzene mothballs from 5 manufactures and 150 naphthalene mothballs from 2 manufactures were measured with a specific gravity meter. The mean specific gravities of paradichlorobenzene mothballs were between 1.429 and 1.437 (p = 0.99). On the other hand, the mean specific gravities of naphthalene mothballs were between 1.094 and 1.100 (p = 0.99). Based on the fact that paradichlorobenzene mothballs sink in a saturated solution of salt whereas naphthalene mothballs float on it, these 2 kinds of mothballs ought to be rapidly and accurately distinguished in clinical settings.

Earth's core and inner-core resonances from analysis of VLBI nutation and superconducting gravimeter data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosat, S.; Lambert, S. B.; Gattano, C.; Calvo, M.

2017-01-01

Geophysical parameters of the deep Earth's interior can be evaluated through the resonance effects associated with the core and inner-core wobbles on the forced nutations of the Earth's figure axis, as observed by very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), or on the diurnal tidal waves, retrieved from the time-varying surface gravity recorded by superconducting gravimeters (SGs). In this paper, we inverse for the rotational mode parameters from both techniques to retrieve geophysical parameters of the deep Earth. We analyse surface gravity data from 15 SG stations and VLBI delays accumulated over the last 35 yr. We show existing correlations between several basic Earth parameters and then decide to inverse for the rotational modes parameters. We employ a Bayesian inversion based on the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with a Markov-chain Monte Carlo method. We obtain estimates of the free core nutation resonant period and quality factor that are consistent for both techniques. We also attempt an inversion for the free inner-core nutation (FICN) resonant period from gravity data. The most probable solution gives a period close to the annual prograde term (or S1 tide). However the 95 per cent confidence interval extends the possible values between roughly 28 and 725 d for gravity, and from 362 to 414 d from nutation data, depending on the prior bounds. The precisions of the estimated long-period nutation and respective small diurnal tidal constituents are hence not accurate enough for a correct determination of the FICN complex frequency.

27 CFR 30.24 - Specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Specific gravity... BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS GAUGING MANUAL Gauging Instruments § 30.24 Specific gravity hydrometers. (a) The specific gravity hydrometers furnished by proprietors to appropriate TTB officers shall...

27 CFR 30.24 - Specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Specific gravity... BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS GAUGING MANUAL Gauging Instruments § 30.24 Specific gravity hydrometers. (a) The specific gravity hydrometers furnished by proprietors to appropriate TTB officers shall...

27 CFR 30.24 - Specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Specific gravity... BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY ALCOHOL GAUGING MANUAL Gauging Instruments § 30.24 Specific gravity hydrometers. (a) The specific gravity hydrometers furnished by proprietors to appropriate TTB officers shall...

27 CFR 30.24 - Specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Specific gravity... BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY ALCOHOL GAUGING MANUAL Gauging Instruments § 30.24 Specific gravity hydrometers. (a) The specific gravity hydrometers furnished by proprietors to appropriate TTB officers shall...

Personality and psychotic symptoms as predictors of self-harm and attempted suicide.

PubMed

Del Bello, Valentina; Verdolini, Norma; Pauselli, Luca; Attademo, Luigi; Bernardini, Francesco; Quartesan, Roberto; Moretti, Patrizia

2015-09-01

Nonfatal suicidal behaviours (NSB), including suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt, constitute a serious problem for public healthcare services. Suicide gesture (SG) which refers to self-injurious behaviour with no intent to die, differs from NSB in a variety of important ways. The aim of this study was to investigate demographic and clinical characteristics of NSB and SG to examine whether self-injurers with intent to die differ significantly from self injurers without such intent. All admissions for NSB and SG to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of University / General Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Umbria, Italy, from January 2015 to June 2015 were included in a medical record review. Basic descriptive statistics and distributional properties of all variables were first examined. Bivariate analyses were performed using Chi-square tests for group comparisons and t-test for independent samples used when appropriated. The study sample included 38 patients. Of these 23 had committed NSB (13.1%), 15 had commetted SG (8.5%). Number of married NSB was significantly higher than the number of married SG (p=0.08). We found a significant difference between NSB and SG related to the item of impulse control that was poorer in SG than NSB (p=0.010). BPRS items of hostility (p=0.082), suspiciousness (p=0.042) and excitement (p=0.02) were found to be significantly higher in SG than NSB. Borderline personality disorder (p=0.032) and Passive-Aggressive personality disorder (p=0,082) diagnosed by the means of the SCID-II, were more represented in SG than NSB (p=0.044). Schizoid personality disorder was significantly related to NSB (p=0.042). No others significant differences were found. NSB and SG are different for many psychopathological characteristics. These results confirm the importance of classifying individuals on the basis of the intent to die. Additional research is needed to understand and elucidate psychopatological and clinical characteristics of the different categories of self-injurers to find risk factors specific to suicide attempts.

A soluble form of Epstein-Barr virus gH/gL inhibits EBV-induced membrane fusion and does not function in fusion

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

Rowe, Cynthia L.; Connolly, Sarah A.; Chen, Jia

We investigated whether soluble EBV gH/gL (sgH/gL) functions in fusion and made a series of truncations of gH/gL domains based on the gH/gL crystal structure. We found sgH/gL failed to mediate cell-cell fusion both when co-expressed with the other entry glycoproteins and when added exogenously to fusion assays. Interestingly, sgH/gL inhibited cell-cell fusion in a dose dependent manner when co-expressed. sgH/gL from HSV was unable to inhibit EBV fusion, suggesting the inhibition was specific to EBV gH/gL. sgH/gL stably binds gp42, but not gB nor gH/gL. The domain mutants, DI/gL, DI-II/gL and DI-II-III/gL were unable to bind gp42. Instead, DI-II/gL,more » DI-II-III/gL and sgH/gL but not DI/gL decreased the expression of gp42, resulting in decreased overall fusion. Overall, our results suggest that domain IV may be required for proper folding and the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of EBV gH/gL are required for the most efficient fusion.« less

A critical review on physical factors and functional characteristics that may explain a sex/gender difference in work-related neck/shoulder disorders.

PubMed

Côté, Julie N

2012-01-01

The objective of this paper is to critically review recent literature on physical and functional sex/gender (s/g) differences, with focus on physical determinants associated with neck/shoulder musculoskeletal injuries. It is well known that there are s/g differences in anthropometrical and functional body characteristics (e.g. size and strength). However, s/g differences may be wrongly attributed if data analysis does not include appropriate corrections (e.g. by strength for endurance). Recent literature on motor control shows that there may indeed be s/g differences in muscle coordination and movement strategies during upper limb tasks that are not currently explained by methodological inadequacies. Moreover, recent studies have shown differences between men and women in sensory hypersensitivity characteristics associated with neck/shoulder injuries. Taken together, the literature points to the importance of accounting for possible s/g differences at all levels of the biopsychosocial system in order to better understand sex- and gender-specific issues relevant to workplace health. This article critically reviews recent literature and a conceptual model highlighting s/g differences in physical and functional characteristics related to neck/shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (NSMSD). Findings have implications on understanding how personal factors may affect NSMSD risk. With better understanding, practitioners can make more appropriate decisions to prevent work-related NSMSD.

A machine learning approach for predicting CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage efficiencies and patterns underlying its mechanism of action.

PubMed

Abadi, Shiran; Yan, Winston X; Amar, David; Mayrose, Itay

2017-10-01

The adaptation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a genome editing technique has generated much excitement in recent years owing to its ability to manipulate targeted genes and genomic regions that are complementary to a programmed single guide RNA (sgRNA). However, the efficacy of a specific sgRNA is not uniquely defined by exact sequence homology to the target site, thus unintended off-targets might additionally be cleaved. Current methods for sgRNA design are mainly concerned with predicting off-targets for a given sgRNA using basic sequence features and employ elementary rules for ranking possible sgRNAs. Here, we introduce CRISTA (CRISPR Target Assessment), a novel algorithm within the machine learning framework that determines the propensity of a genomic site to be cleaved by a given sgRNA. We show that the predictions made with CRISTA are more accurate than other available methodologies. We further demonstrate that the occurrence of bulges is not a rare phenomenon and should be accounted for in the prediction process. Beyond predicting cleavage efficiencies, the learning process provides inferences regarding patterns that underlie the mechanism of action of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. We discover that attributes that describe the spatial structure and rigidity of the entire genomic site as well as those surrounding the PAM region are a major component of the prediction capabilities.

Region-specific reduction of auditory sensory gating in older adults.

PubMed

Cheng, Chia-Hsiung; Baillet, Sylvain; Lin, Yung-Yang

2015-12-01

Aging has been associated with declines in sensory-perceptual processes. Sensory gating (SG), or repetition suppression, refers to the attenuation of neural activity in response to a second stimulus and is considered to be an automatic process to inhibit redundant sensory inputs. It is controversial whether SG deficits, as tested with an auditory paired-stimulus protocol, accompany normal aging in humans. To reconcile the debates arising from event-related potential studies, we recorded auditory neuromagnetic reactivity in 20 young and 19 elderly adult men and determined the neural activation by using minimum-norm estimate (MNE) source modeling. SG of M100 was calculated by the ratio of the response to the second stimulus over that to the first stimulus. MNE results revealed that fronto-temporo-parietal networks were implicated in the M100 SG. Compared to the younger participants, the elderly showed selectively increased SG ratios in the anterior superior temporal gyrus, anterior middle temporal gyrus, temporal pole and orbitofrontal cortex, suggesting an insufficient age-related gating to repetitive auditory stimulation. These findings also highlight the loss of frontal inhibition of the auditory cortex in normal aging. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Balance improvement after physical therapy training using specially developed serious games for cerebral palsy children: preliminary results.

PubMed

Bonnechère, Bruno; Omelina, Lubos; Jansen, Bart; Van Sint Jan, Serge

2017-02-01

Cerebral palsy (CP) leads to various clinical signs mainly induced by muscle spasticity and muscle weakness. Among these ones impaired balance and posture are very common. Traditional physical therapy exercise programs are focusing on this aspect, but it is difficult to motivate patients to regularly perform these exercises, especially at home without therapist supervision. Specially developed serious games (SG) could therefore be an interesting option to motivate children to perform specific exercise for balance improvement. Ten CP children participated in this study. Patients received four sessions of SG included into conventional therapy (1 session of 30 min a week during 4 weeks). Trunk control and balance were assessed using Trunk Control Motor Scale (TCMS) before and after interventions. Children presented a significant improvement in TCMS global score after interventions [37.6 (8.7) and 39.6 (9.5) before and after interventions, respectively, p = 0.04]. SG could therefore be an interesting option to integrate in the conventional treatment of CP children. Implication for Rehabilitation Cerebral palsy (CP) leads to balance issues. Rehabilitation exercises are not performed (enough) at home. Serious games (SG) could increase patients' motivation. SG increase balance control of CP children.

21 CFR 864.9320 - Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity... Establishments That Manufacture Blood and Blood Products § 864.9320 Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations. (a) Identification. A copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations is a device...

21 CFR 864.9320 - Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity... Establishments That Manufacture Blood and Blood Products § 864.9320 Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations. (a) Identification. A copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations is a device...

21 CFR 864.9320 - Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity... Establishments That Manufacture Blood and Blood Products § 864.9320 Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations. (a) Identification. A copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations is a device...

21 CFR 864.9320 - Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity... Establishments That Manufacture Blood and Blood Products § 864.9320 Copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations. (a) Identification. A copper sulfate solution for specific gravity determinations is a device...

Functional characterization of Pol III U6 promoters for gene knockdown and knockout in Plutella xylostella.

PubMed

Huang, Yuping; Wang, Yajun; Zeng, Baosheng; Liu, Zhaoxia; Xu, Xuejiao; Meng, Qian; Huang, Yongping; Yang, Guang; Vasseur, Liette; Gurr, Geoff M; You, Minsheng

2017-10-01

RNA polymerase type III (Pol-III) promoters such as U6 are commonly used to express small RNAs, including short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). Functional U6 promoters are widely used in CRISPR systems, and their characterization can facilitate genome editing of non-model organisms. In the present study, six U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) promoters containing two conserved elements of a proximal sequence element (PSEA) and a TATA box, were identified and characterized in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) genome. Relative efficiency of the U6 promoters to express shRNA induced EGFP knockdown was tested in a P. xylostella cell line, revealing that the PxU6:3 promoter had the strongest expression effect. Further work with the PxU6:3 promoter showed its efficacy in EGFP knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 system in the cells. The expression plasmids with versatile Pxabd-A gene specific sgRNA driven by the PxU6:3 promoter, combined with Cas9 mRNA, could induce mutagenesis at specific genomic loci in vivo. The phenotypes induced by sgRNA expression plasmids were similar to those done in vitro transcription sgRNAs. A plasmid with two tandem arranged PxU6:3:sgRNA expression cassettes targeting Pxabd-A loci was generated, which caused a 28,856 bp fragment deletion, suggesting that the multi-sgRNA expression plasmid can be used for multi-targeting. Our work indicates that U6 snRNA promoters can be used for functional studies of genes with the approach of reverse genetics in P. xylostella. These essential promoters also provide valuable potential for CRISPR-derived gene drive as a tactic for population control in this globally significant pest. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Goniometry Paradigm Shift to Measure Burn Scar Contracture in Burn Patients

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

test more extensively a recently designed Revised Goniometry (RG) method and compare it to Standard Goniometry (SG)used to measure burn scar...joint angle measurements willbe found between SG techniques compared to RG techniques which incorporate CKM and CFU principles. Specific Aim 1: To... compare the average reduction in joint range of motion measured with the standard GM measurements to a newly conceived set of revised GM measurements in

Seminal Plasma Proteins as Androgen Receptor Coregulators Promote Prostate Cancer Growth

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

structural proteins in human semen containing a high concentration of Zn2+, and their physiological functions have been well characterized...Specifically, semenogelins, upon binding to Zn2+, play an important role in gel-like formation of the semen [1]. After ejaculation, these proteins are degraded...determined whether SgI regulated the expression of PSA, an androgen- inducible AR target and also known to proteolyze SgI in semen [1,2], in prostate

Density and Specific Gravity Metrics in Biomass Research

Treesearch

Micheal C. Wiemann; G. Bruce Williamson

2012-01-01

Following the 2010 publication of Measuring Wood Specific Gravity… Correctly in the American Journal of Botany, readers contacted us to inquire about application of wood density and specific gravity to biomass research. Here we recommend methods for sample collection, volume measurement, and determination of wood density and specific gravity for...

30 CFR 15.22 - Tolerances for performance, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... specific gravity. 15.22 Section 15.22 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT... performance, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The rate of detonation of the explosive shall be within ±15... within ±2 grams of that specified in the approval. (c) The apparent specific gravity of the explosive...

27 CFR 30.41 - Bulk spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... specific gravity at the temperature of the spirits is not more than 1.0) and reference to Table 4 for the wine gallons per pound, or (b) Use of a specific gravity hydrometer, in accordance with the provisions of § 30.25, to determine the specific gravity of the spirits (if the specific gravity at the...

27 CFR 30.41 - Bulk spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... specific gravity at the temperature of the spirits is not more than 1.0) and reference to Table 4 for the wine gallons per pound, or (b) Use of a specific gravity hydrometer, in accordance with the provisions of § 30.25, to determine the specific gravity of the spirits (if the specific gravity at the...

27 CFR 30.41 - Bulk spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... specific gravity at the temperature of the spirits is not more than 1.0) and reference to Table 4 for the wine gallons per pound, or (b) Use of a specific gravity hydrometer, in accordance with the provisions of § 30.25, to determine the specific gravity of the spirits (if the specific gravity at the...

27 CFR 30.41 - Bulk spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... specific gravity at the temperature of the spirits is not more than 1.0) and reference to Table 4 for the wine gallons per pound, or (b) Use of a specific gravity hydrometer, in accordance with the provisions of § 30.25, to determine the specific gravity of the spirits (if the specific gravity at the...

Self-interacting polymer chains terminally anchored to adsorbing surfaces of three-dimensional fractal lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Živić, I.; Elezović-Hadžić, S.; Milošević, S.

2018-01-01

We have studied the adsorption problem of self-attracting linear polymers, modeled by self-avoiding walks (SAWs), situated on three-dimensional fractal structures, exemplified by 3d Sierpinski gasket (SG) family of fractals as containers of a poor solvent. Members of SG family are enumerated by an integer b (b ≥ 2), and it is assumed that one side of each SG fractal is an impenetrable adsorbing surface. We calculate the critical exponents γ1 ,γ11, and γs, which are related to the numbers of all possible SAWs with one, both, and no ends anchored to the adsorbing boundary, respectively. By applying the exact renormalization group (RG) method (for the first three members of the SG fractal family, b = 2 , 3, and 4), we have obtained specific values of these exponents, for θ-chain and globular polymer phase. We discuss their mutual relations and relations with corresponding values pertinent to extended polymer chain phase.

Identification of Neuregulin-2 as a novel stress granule component.

PubMed

Kim, Jin Ah; Jayabalan, Aravinth Kumar; Kothandan, Vinoth Kumar; Mariappan, Ramesh; Kee, Younghoon; Ohn, Takbum

2016-08-01

Stress Granules (SGs) are microscopically visible, phase dense aggregates of translationally stalled messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complexes formed in response to distinct stress conditions. It is generally considered that SG formation is induced to protect cells from conditions of stress. The precise constituents of SGs and the mechanism through which SGs are dynamically regulated in response to stress are not completely understood. Hence, it is important to identify proteins which regulate SG assembly and disassembly. In the present study, we report Neuregulin-2 (NRG2) as a novel component of SGs; furthermore, depletion of NRG2 potently inhibits SG formation. We also demonstrate that NRG2 specifically localizes to SGs under various stress conditions. Knockdown of NRG2 has no effect on stress-induced polysome disassembly, suggesting that the component does not influence early step of SG formation. It was also observed that reduced expression of NRG2 led to marginal increase in cell survival under arsenite-induced stress. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(8): 449-454].

Identification of Neuregulin-2 as a novel stress granule component

PubMed Central

Kim, Jin Ah; Jayabalan, Aravinth Kumar; Kothandan, Vinoth Kumar; Mariappan, Ramesh; Kee, Younghoon; Ohn, Takbum

2016-01-01

Stress Granules (SGs) are microscopically visible, phase dense aggregates of translationally stalled messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complexes formed in response to distinct stress conditions. It is generally considered that SG formation is induced to protect cells from conditions of stress. The precise constituents of SGs and the mechanism through which SGs are dynamically regulated in response to stress are not completely understood. Hence, it is important to identify proteins which regulate SG assembly and disassembly. In the present study, we report Neuregulin-2 (NRG2) as a novel component of SGs; furthermore, depletion of NRG2 potently inhibits SG formation. We also demonstrate that NRG2 specifically localizes to SGs under various stress conditions. Knockdown of NRG2 has no effect on stress-induced polysome disassembly, suggesting that the component does not influence early step of SG formation. It was also observed that reduced expression of NRG2 led to marginal increase in cell survival under arsenite-induced stress. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(8): 449-454] PMID:27345716

Estimating Janka hardness from specific gravity for tropical and temperate species

Treesearch

Michael C. Wiemann; David W. Green

2007-01-01

Using mean values for basic (green) specific gravity and Janka side hardness for individual species obtained from the world literature, regression equations were developed to predict side hardness from specific gravity. Statistical and graphical methods showed that the hardness–specific gravity relationship is the same for tropical and temperate hardwoods, but that the...

Survey of specific gravity of eight Maine conifers

Treesearch

Harold E. Wahlgren; Gregory Baker; Robert R. Maeglin; Arthur C. Hart

1968-01-01

This analysis of a mass increment core sampling of eight coniferous species of Maine characterizes specific gravity for each of the species. No clear-cut relationships of specific gravity to forest type, stand density class, height class, or tree diameter at breast height were found. Included in the data are the species average specific gravity and the range. These...

30 CFR 15.32 - Tolerances for weight of explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., wrapper, and specific gravity. 15.32 Section 15.32 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The weight of the explosive, the sheath, and the outer.... (c) The specific gravity of the explosive and sheath shall be within ±7.5 percent of that specified...

30 CFR 15.32 - Tolerances for weight of explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., wrapper, and specific gravity. 15.32 Section 15.32 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The weight of the explosive, the sheath, and the outer.... (c) The specific gravity of the explosive and sheath shall be within ±7.5 percent of that specified...

30 CFR 15.32 - Tolerances for weight of explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., wrapper, and specific gravity. 15.32 Section 15.32 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The weight of the explosive, the sheath, and the outer.... (c) The specific gravity of the explosive and sheath shall be within ±7.5 percent of that specified...

30 CFR 15.32 - Tolerances for weight of explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., wrapper, and specific gravity. 15.32 Section 15.32 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The weight of the explosive, the sheath, and the outer.... (c) The specific gravity of the explosive and sheath shall be within ±7.5 percent of that specified...

30 CFR 15.32 - Tolerances for weight of explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., wrapper, and specific gravity. 15.32 Section 15.32 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... explosive, sheath, wrapper, and specific gravity. (a) The weight of the explosive, the sheath, and the outer.... (c) The specific gravity of the explosive and sheath shall be within ±7.5 percent of that specified...

Assessment of Anopheles salivary antigens as individual exposure biomarkers to species-specific malaria vector bites

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Malaria transmission occurs during the blood feeding of infected anopheline mosquitoes concomitant with a saliva injection into the vertebrate host. In sub-Saharan Africa, most malaria transmission is due to Anopheles funestus s.s and to Anopheles gambiae s.l. (mainly Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles arabiensis). Several studies have demonstrated that the immune response against salivary antigens could be used to evaluate individual exposure to mosquito bites. The aim of this study was to assess the use of secreted salivary proteins as specific biomarkers of exposure to An. gambiae and/or An. funestus bites. Methods For this purpose, salivary gland proteins 6 (SG6) and 5′nucleotidases (5′nuc) from An. gambiae (gSG6 and g-5′nuc) and An. funestus (fSG6 and f-5′nuc) were selected and produced in recombinant form. The specificity of the IgG response against these salivary proteins was tested using an ELISA with sera from individuals living in three Senegalese villages (NDiop, n = 50; Dielmo, n = 38; and Diama, n = 46) that had been exposed to distinct densities and proportions of the Anopheles species. Individuals who had not been exposed to these tropical mosquitoes were used as controls (Marseille, n = 45). Results The IgG responses against SG6 recombinant proteins from these two Anopheles species and against g-5′nucleotidase from An. gambiae, were significantly higher in Senegalese individuals compared with controls who were not exposed to specific Anopheles species. Conversely, an association was observed between the level of An. funestus exposure and the serological immune response levels against the f-5′nucleotidase protein. Conclusion This study revealed an Anopheles salivary antigenic protein that could be considered to be a promising antigenic marker to distinguish malaria vector exposure at the species level. The epidemiological interest of such species-specific antigenic markers is discussed. PMID:23276246

Heterologous expression of a Rauvolfia cDNA encoding strictosidine glucosidase, a biosynthetic key to over 2000 monoterpenoid indole alkaloids.

PubMed

Gerasimenko, Irina; Sheludko, Yuri; Ma, Xueyan; Stöckigt, Joachim

2002-04-01

Strictosidine glucosidase (SG) is an enzyme that catalyses the second step in the biosynthesis of various classes of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Based on the comparison of cDNA sequences of SG from Catharanthus roseus and raucaffricine glucosidase (RG) from Rauvolfia serpentina, primers for RT-PCR were designed and the cDNA encoding SG was cloned from R. serpentina cell suspension cultures. The active enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Analysis of its deduced amino-acid sequence assigned the SG from R. serpentina to family 1 of glycosyl hydrolases. In contrast to the SG from C. roseus, the enzyme from R. serpentina is predicted to lack an uncleavable N-terminal signal sequence, which is believed to direct proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum. The temperature and pH optimum, enzyme kinetic parameters and substrate specificity of the heterologously expressed SG were studied and compared to those of the C. roseus enzyme, revealing some differences between the two glucosidases. In vitro deglucosylation of strictosidine by R. serpentina SG proceeds by the same mechanism as has been shown for the C. roseus enzyme preparation. The reaction gives rise to the end product cathenamine and involves 4,21-dehydrocorynantheine aldehyde as an intermediate. The enzymatic hydrolysis of dolichantoside (Nbeta-methylstrictosidine) leads to several products. One of them was identified as a new compound, 3-isocorreantine A. From the data it can be concluded that the divergence of the biosynthetic pathways leading to different classes of indole alkaloids formed in R. serpentina and C. roseus cell suspension cultures occurs at a later stage than strictosidine deglucosylation.

Recommendations for the use of Serious Games in people with Alzheimer's Disease, related disorders and frailty.

PubMed

Robert, Philippe H; König, Alexandra; Amieva, Hélene; Andrieu, Sandrine; Bremond, François; Bullock, Roger; Ceccaldi, Mathieu; Dubois, Bruno; Gauthier, Serge; Kenigsberg, Paul-Ariel; Nave, Stéphane; Orgogozo, Jean M; Piano, Julie; Benoit, Michel; Touchon, Jacques; Vellas, Bruno; Yesavage, Jerome; Manera, Valeria

2014-01-01

Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders (ADRD) represent a major challenge for health care systems within the aging population. It is therefore important to develop better instruments to assess the disease severity and progression, as well as to improve its treatment, stimulation, and rehabilitation. This is the underlying idea for the development of Serious Games (SG). These are digital applications specially adapted for purposes other than entertaining; such as rehabilitation, training and education. Recently, there has been an increase of interest in the use of SG targeting patients with ADRD. However, this field is completely uncharted, and the clinical, ethical, economic and research impact of the employment of SG in these target populations has never been systematically addressed. The aim of this paper is to systematically analyze the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of employing SG with patients with ADRD in order to provide practical recommendations for the development and use of SG in these populations. These analyses and recommendations were gathered, commented on and validated during a 2-round workshop in the context of the 2013 Clinical Trial of Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) conference, and endorsed by stakeholders in the field. The results revealed that SG may offer very useful tools for professionals involved in the care of patients suffering from ADRD. However, more interdisciplinary work should be done in order to create SG specifically targeting these populations. Furthermore, in order to acquire more academic and professional credibility and acceptance, it will be necessary to invest more in research targeting efficacy and feasibility. Finally, the emerging ethical challenges should be considered a priority.

Recommendations for the use of Serious Games in people with Alzheimer's Disease, related disorders and frailty

PubMed Central

Robert, Philippe H.; König, Alexandra; Amieva, Hélene; Andrieu, Sandrine; Bremond, François; Bullock, Roger; Ceccaldi, Mathieu; Dubois, Bruno; Gauthier, Serge; Kenigsberg, Paul-Ariel; Nave, Stéphane; Orgogozo, Jean M.; Piano, Julie; Benoit, Michel; Touchon, Jacques; Vellas, Bruno; Yesavage, Jerome; Manera, Valeria

2014-01-01

Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders (ADRD) represent a major challenge for health care systems within the aging population. It is therefore important to develop better instruments to assess the disease severity and progression, as well as to improve its treatment, stimulation, and rehabilitation. This is the underlying idea for the development of Serious Games (SG). These are digital applications specially adapted for purposes other than entertaining; such as rehabilitation, training and education. Recently, there has been an increase of interest in the use of SG targeting patients with ADRD. However, this field is completely uncharted, and the clinical, ethical, economic and research impact of the employment of SG in these target populations has never been systematically addressed. The aim of this paper is to systematically analyze the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of employing SG with patients with ADRD in order to provide practical recommendations for the development and use of SG in these populations. These analyses and recommendations were gathered, commented on and validated during a 2-round workshop in the context of the 2013 Clinical Trial of Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) conference, and endorsed by stakeholders in the field. The results revealed that SG may offer very useful tools for professionals involved in the care of patients suffering from ADRD. However, more interdisciplinary work should be done in order to create SG specifically targeting these populations. Furthermore, in order to acquire more academic and professional credibility and acceptance, it will be necessary to invest more in research targeting efficacy and feasibility. Finally, the emerging ethical challenges should be considered a priority. PMID:24715864

A comprehensive WSN-based approach to efficiently manage a Smart Grid.

PubMed

Martinez-Sandoval, Ruben; Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio-Javier; Garcia-Sanchez, Felipe; Garcia-Haro, Joan; Flynn, David

2014-10-10

The Smart Grid (SG) is conceived as the evolution of the current electrical grid representing a big leap in terms of efficiency, reliability and flexibility compared to today's electrical network. To achieve this goal, the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are considered by the scientific/engineering community to be one of the most suitable technologies to apply SG technology to due to their low-cost, collaborative and long-standing nature. However, the SG has posed significant challenges to utility operators-mainly very harsh radio propagation conditions and the lack of appropriate systems to empower WSN devices-making most of the commercial widespread solutions inadequate. In this context, and as a main contribution, we have designed a comprehensive ad-hoc WSN-based solution for the Smart Grid (SENSED-SG) that focuses on specific implementations of the MAC, the network and the application layers to attain maximum performance and to successfully deal with any arising hurdles. Our approach has been exhaustively evaluated by computer simulations and mathematical analysis, as well as validation within real test-beds deployed in controlled environments. In particular, these test-beds cover two of the main scenarios found in a SG; on one hand, an indoor electrical substation environment, implemented in a High Voltage AC/DC laboratory, and, on the other hand, an outdoor case, deployed in the Transmission and Distribution segment of a power grid. The results obtained show that SENSED-SG performs better and is more suitable for the Smart Grid than the popular ZigBee WSN approach.

Fast-SG: an alignment-free algorithm for hybrid assembly.

PubMed

Di Genova, Alex; Ruz, Gonzalo A; Sagot, Marie-France; Maass, Alejandro

2018-05-01

Long-read sequencing technologies are the ultimate solution for genome repeats, allowing near reference-level reconstructions of large genomes. However, long-read de novo assembly pipelines are computationally intense and require a considerable amount of coverage, thereby hindering their broad application to the assembly of large genomes. Alternatively, hybrid assembly methods that combine short- and long-read sequencing technologies can reduce the time and cost required to produce de novo assemblies of large genomes. Here, we propose a new method, called Fast-SG, that uses a new ultrafast alignment-free algorithm specifically designed for constructing a scaffolding graph using light-weight data structures. Fast-SG can construct the graph from either short or long reads. This allows the reuse of efficient algorithms designed for short-read data and permits the definition of novel modular hybrid assembly pipelines. Using comprehensive standard datasets and benchmarks, we show how Fast-SG outperforms the state-of-the-art short-read aligners when building the scaffoldinggraph and can be used to extract linking information from either raw or error-corrected long reads. We also show how a hybrid assembly approach using Fast-SG with shallow long-read coverage (5X) and moderate computational resources can produce long-range and accurate reconstructions of the genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler-0) and human (NA12878). Fast-SG opens a door to achieve accurate hybrid long-range reconstructions of large genomes with low effort, high portability, and low cost.

Excretion rates of indigestible plastic balls of different specific gravities and diameters in dairy cattle.

PubMed

Seyama, Tomohiro; Hirayasu, Hirofumi; Kasai, Koji

2017-01-01

We used plastic balls to investigate how their specific gravity and diameter affect excretion rate and rumination in dairy cattle, to develop a capsule that can be used for reaching the lower gastrointestinal tract without physical breakdown and/or degradation in the rumen. Twelve types of indigestible plastic balls composed of a combination of four specific gravities (0.95, 1.19, 1.41, or 2.20) and three diameters (3.97, 6.35, or 7.94 mm) were orally administered to lactating dairy cows, and the balls were collected from feces, after 120 h post-administration, to evaluate the recovery rate. Recovery rate of the balls with specific gravity 1.19 or 1.41 and diameter 6.35 or 7.94 mm was higher than those with specific gravity 0.95 or 2.20 and diameter 3.97 mm. The cumulative recovery rate at 24 and 48 h post-administration was higher for balls with specific gravity 1.19 than that for balls with other specific gravities. These results suggest that specific gravity 1.19 or 1.41 and diameters 6.35-7.94 mm are optimal for use in bypass capsules for administration to cattle. In addition, the passage time of capsules differed between specific gravities 1.19 and 1.41. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

27 CFR 21.161 - Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... gravities of specially denatured alcohol. 21.161 Section 21.161 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms... ALCOHOL AND RUM Weights and Specific Gravities of Specially Denatured Alcohol § 21.161 Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol. The weight of one gallon of each formula of specially...

27 CFR 21.161 - Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... gravities of specially denatured alcohol. 21.161 Section 21.161 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms... ALCOHOL AND RUM Weights and Specific Gravities of Specially Denatured Alcohol § 21.161 Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol. The weight of one gallon of each formula of specially...

27 CFR 21.161 - Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... gravities of specially denatured alcohol. 21.161 Section 21.161 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms... ALCOHOL AND RUM Weights and Specific Gravities of Specially Denatured Alcohol § 21.161 Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol. The weight of one gallon of each formula of specially...

27 CFR 21.161 - Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... gravities of specially denatured alcohol. 21.161 Section 21.161 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms... ALCOHOL AND RUM Weights and Specific Gravities of Specially Denatured Alcohol § 21.161 Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol. The weight of one gallon of each formula of specially...

27 CFR 21.161 - Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... gravities of specially denatured alcohol. 21.161 Section 21.161 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms... ALCOHOL AND RUM Weights and Specific Gravities of Specially Denatured Alcohol § 21.161 Weights and specific gravities of specially denatured alcohol. The weight of one gallon of each formula of specially...

Estimation of settling velocity of sediment particles in estuarine and coastal waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasiha, Hussain J.; Shanmugam, Palanisamy

2018-04-01

A model for estimating the settling velocity of sediment particles (spherical and non-spherical) in estuarine and coastal waters is developed and validated using experimental data. The model combines the physical, optical and hydrodynamic properties of the particles and medium to estimate the sediment settling velocity. The well-known Stokes law is broadened to account for the influencing factors of settling velocity such as particle size, shape and density. To derive the model parameters, laboratory experiments were conducted using natural flaky seashells, spherical beach sands and ball-milled seashell powders. Spectral light backscattering measurements of settling particles in a water tank were made showing a distinct optical feature with a peak shifting from 470-490 nm to 500-520 nm for particle populations from spherical to flaky grains. This significant optical feature was used as a proxy to make a shape determination in the present model. Other parameters experimentally determined included specific gravity (ΔSG) , Corey shape factor (CSF) , median grain diameter (D50) , drag coefficient (Cd) and Reynolds number (Re) . The CSF values considered ranged from 0.2 for flaky to 1.0 for perfectly spherical grains and Reynolds numbers from 2.0 to 105 for the laminar to turbulent flow regimes. The specific gravity of submerged particles was optically derived and used along with these parameters to estimate the sediment settling velocity. Comparison with the experiment data showed that the present model estimated settling velocities of spherical and non-spherical particles that were closely consistent with the measured values. Findings revealed that for a given D50, the flaky particles caused a greater decrease in settling velocity than the spherical particles which suggests that the particle shape factor has a profound role in influencing the sediment settling velocity and drag coefficients, especially in transitional and turbulent flow regimes. The present model can be easily adopted for various scientific and operational applications since the required parameters are readily measurable with the commercially available instrumentations.

The value of urine specific gravity in detecting diabetes insipidus in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus: urine specific gravity in differential diagnosis.

PubMed

Akarsu, Ersin; Buyukhatipoglu, Hakan; Aktaran, Sebnem; Geyik, Ramazan

2006-11-01

When a patient with diabetes mellitus presents with worsening polyuria and polydipsia, what is a sensible, cost-effective approach? We report the unique coincidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. A 46-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes complained of polyuria with a daily output of 5 L. Although urinalysis demonstrated significant glucosuria, diabetes insipidus was suspected owing to a low urine specific gravity (1.008). The low specific gravity persisted during a water deprivation test. Ultimately, diabetes insipidus was confirmed when urine specific gravity and urine osmolality normalized following desmopressin administration. This case emphasizes the importance of accurately interpreting the urine specific gravity in patients with polyuria and diabetes mellitus to detect diabetes insipidus.

Urine specific gravity test

MedlinePlus

... medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003587.htm Urine specific gravity test To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Urine specific gravity is a laboratory test that shows the concentration ...

Application of a model to analyze shoulder biomechanics in adult patients with spinal cord injury when walking with crutches in two different gait patterns.

PubMed

Perez-Rizo, Enrique; Trincado-Alonso, Fernando; Pérez-Nombela, Soraya; Del Ama-Espinosa, Antonio; Jiménez-Díaz, Fernando; Lozano-Berrio, Vicente; Gil-Agudo, Angel

2017-01-01

Specific biomechanical models have been developed to study gait using crutches. Clinical application of these models is needed in adult spinal cord injury (SCI) population walking with different patterns of gait with crutches to prevent overuse shoulder injuries. To apply a biomechanical model in a clinical environment to analyze shoulder in adult SCI patients walking with two different patterns of gait with crutches: two point reciprocal gait (RG) and swing-through gait (SG). Load cells were fixed to the distal ends and forearm cuffs of a pair of crutches. An active markers system was used for kinematics. Five cycles for each gait pattern were analyzed applying a biomechanical model of the upper limbs. Fifteen subjects with SCI were analyzed. The flexo-extension range of motion was significantly greater when using SG (p < 0.01). Similarly, the superior, posterior and medial forces were significantly stronger for SG in all 3 directions. Flexion, adduction and internal rotation torques were also greater in SG (p < 0.01). A biomechanical model was successfully applied to study shoulder biomechanics in adult patients with SCI walking with crutches in two different gait patterns. Greater loads exerted on the shoulder walking with SG were confirmed compared to RG.

Enhancement of single guide RNA transcription for efficient CRISPR/Cas-based genomic engineering.

PubMed

Ui-Tei, Kumiko; Maruyama, Shohei; Nakano, Yuko

2017-06-01

Genomic engineering using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein is a promising approach for targeting the genomic DNA of virtually any organism in a sequence-specific manner. Recent remarkable advances in CRISPR/Cas technology have made it a feasible system for use in therapeutic applications and biotechnology. In the CRISPR/Cas system, a guide RNA (gRNA), interacting with the Cas protein, recognizes a genomic region with sequence complementarity, and the double-stranded DNA at the target site is cleaved by the Cas protein. A widely used gRNA is an RNA polymerase III (pol III)-driven single gRNA (sgRNA), which is produced by artificial fusion of CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and trans-activation crRNA (tracrRNA). However, we identified a TTTT stretch, known as a termination signal of RNA pol III, in the scaffold region of the sgRNA. Here, we revealed that sgRNA carrying a TTTT stretch reduces the efficiency of sgRNA transcription due to premature transcriptional termination, and decreases the efficiency of genome editing. Unexpectedly, it was also shown that the premature terminated sgRNA may have an adverse effect of inducing RNA interference. Such disadvantageous effects were avoided by substituting one base in the TTTT stretch.

Age-dependent radial increases in wood specific gravity of tropical pioneers in Costa Rica

Treesearch

Bruce G. Williamson; Michael C. Wiemann

2010-01-01

Wood specific gravity is the single best descriptor of wood functional properties and tree life-history traits, and it is the most important variable in estimating carbon stocks in forests. Tropical pioneer trees produce wood of increasing specific gravity across the trunk radius as they grow in stature. Here, we tested whether radial increases in wood specific gravity...

The Moisture Content and Specific Gravity of the Bark and Wood of Northern Pulpwood Species

Treesearch

John R. Erickson

1972-01-01

Much information is available on the specific gravity of wood on a dry weight over green volume and dry weight over dry volume basis. This paper presents the conventional specific gravity on a green weight over green volume basis. The relative specific gravities of bark and wood chips may be helpful in finding way to remove bark particles from chips.

The Role of Adenosine A2BR in Metastatic Melanoma

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-07-01

100% complete. ACURO approval to perform animal studies was obtained July 2016. Specific Aim 1, Subtask 2: 100% complete. Use CRISPR /Cas9 technology...immune cell interactions, the first objective was to use the CRISPR Cas9 system to knock out A2BR expression in melanoma cell lines. Melanoma cell lines...and sgRNA3 to work but sgRNA2 would not be as efficient. We considered commercially available constructs to potentially improve the CRISPR knock

A CRISPR/molecular beacon hybrid system for live-cell genomic imaging.

PubMed

Wu, Xiaotian; Mao, Shiqi; Yang, Yantao; Rushdi, Muaz N; Krueger, Christopher J; Chen, Antony K

2018-04-30

The clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) gene-editing system has been repurposed for live-cell genomic imaging, but existing approaches rely on fluorescent protein reporters, making sensitive and continuous imaging difficult. Here, we present a fluorophore-based live-cell genomic imaging system that consists of a nuclease-deactivated mutant of the Cas9 protein (dCas9), a molecular beacon (MB), and an engineered single-guide RNA (sgRNA) harboring a unique MB target sequence (sgRNA-MTS), termed CRISPR/MB. Specifically, dCas9 and sgRNA-MTS are first co-expressed to target a specific locus in cells, followed by delivery of MBs that can then hybridize to MTS to illuminate the target locus. We demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for quantifying genomic loci, for monitoring chromatin dynamics, and for dual-color imaging when using two orthogonal MB/MTS pairs. With flexibility in selecting different combinations of fluorophore/quencher pairs and MB/MTS sequences, our CRISPR/MB hybrid system could be a promising platform for investigating chromatin activities.

46 CFR 44.340 - Operating restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... refuge; and (4) Specific gravity of the spoil carried is not more than the highest specific gravity of... paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section; and (2) The maximum specific gravity of the spoils allowed...

46 CFR 44.340 - Operating restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... refuge; and (4) Specific gravity of the spoil carried is not more than the highest specific gravity of... paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section; and (2) The maximum specific gravity of the spoils allowed...

46 CFR 44.340 - Operating restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... refuge; and (4) Specific gravity of the spoil carried is not more than the highest specific gravity of... paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section; and (2) The maximum specific gravity of the spoils allowed...

46 CFR 44.340 - Operating restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... refuge; and (4) Specific gravity of the spoil carried is not more than the highest specific gravity of... paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section; and (2) The maximum specific gravity of the spoils allowed...

46 CFR 44.340 - Operating restrictions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... refuge; and (4) Specific gravity of the spoil carried is not more than the highest specific gravity of... paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section; and (2) The maximum specific gravity of the spoils allowed...

Comparison of some characteristics of aerobic granules and sludge flocs from sequencing batch reactors.

PubMed

Li, J; Garny, K; Neu, T; He, M; Lindenblatt, C; Horn, H

2007-01-01

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics were investigated for aerobic granules and sludge flocs from three laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). One reactor was operated as normal SBR (N-SBR) and two reactors were operated as granular SBRs (G-SBR1 and G-SBR2). G-SBR1 was inoculated with activated sludge and G-SBR2 with granules from the municipal wastewater plant in Garching (Germany). The following major parameters and functions were measured and compared between the three reactors: morphology, settling velocity, specific gravity (SG), sludge volume index (SVI), specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), distribution of the volume fraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bacteria, organic carbon and nitrogen removal. Compared with sludge flocs, granular sludge had excellent settling properties, good solid-liquid separation, high biomass concentration, simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Aerobic granular sludge does not have a higher microbial activity and there are some problems including higher effluent suspended solids, lower ratio of VSS/SS and no nitrification at the beginning of cultivation. Measurement with CLSM and additional image analysis showed that EPS glycoconjugates build one main fraction inside the granules. The aerobic granules from G-SBR1 prove to be heavier, smaller and have a higher microbial activity compared with G-SBR2. Furthermore, the granules were more compact, with lower SVI and less filamentous bacteria.

IgG responses to the gSG6-P1 salivary peptide for evaluating human exposure to Anopheles bites in urban areas of Dakar region, Sénégal

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Urban malaria can be a serious public health problem in Africa. Human-landing catches of mosquitoes, a standard entomological method to assess human exposure to malaria vector bites, can lack sensitivity in areas where exposure is low. A simple and highly sensitive tool could be a complementary indicator for evaluating malaria exposure in such epidemiological contexts. The human antibody response to the specific Anopheles gSG6-P1 salivary peptide have been described as an adequate tool biomarker for a reliable assessment of human exposure level to Anopheles bites. The aim of this study was to use this biomarker to evaluate the human exposure to Anopheles mosquito bites in urban settings of Dakar (Senegal), one of the largest cities in West Africa, where Anopheles biting rates and malaria transmission are supposed to be low. Methods One cross-sectional study concerning 1,010 (505 households) children (n = 505) and adults (n = 505) living in 16 districts of downtown Dakar and its suburbs was performed from October to December 2008. The IgG responses to gSG6-P1 peptide have been assessed and compared to entomological data obtained in or near the same district. Results Considerable individual variations in anti-gSG6-P1 IgG levels were observed between and within districts. In spite of this individual heterogeneity, the median level of specific IgG and the percentage of immune responders differed significantly between districts. A positive and significant association was observed between the exposure levels to Anopheles gambiae bites, estimated by classical entomological methods, and the median IgG levels or the percentage of immune responders measuring the contact between human populations and Anopheles mosquitoes. Interestingly, immunological parameters seemed to better discriminate the exposure level to Anopheles bites between different exposure groups of districts. Conclusions Specific human IgG responses to gSG6-P1 peptide biomarker represent, at the population and individual levels, a credible new alternative tool to assess accurately the heterogeneity of exposure level to Anopheles bites and malaria risk in low urban transmission areas. The development of such biomarker tool would be particularly relevant for mapping and monitoring malaria risk and for measuring the efficiency of vector control strategies in these specific settings. PMID:22424570

27 CFR 30.66 - Table 6, showing respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor... volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor. This... gallon of water in air by the specific gravity in air of the spirits—8.32823 by 0.88862—the product (7...

27 CFR 30.66 - Table 6, showing respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor... volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor. This... gallon of water in air by the specific gravity in air of the spirits—8.32823 by 0.88862—the product (7...

27 CFR 30.66 - Table 6, showing respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor... volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor. This... gallon of water in air by the specific gravity in air of the spirits—8.32823 by 0.88862—the product (7...

27 CFR 30.66 - Table 6, showing respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor... volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor. This... gallon of water in air by the specific gravity in air of the spirits—8.32823 by 0.88862—the product (7...

27 CFR 30.66 - Table 6, showing respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... respective volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor... volumes of alcohol and water and the specific gravity in both air and vacuum of spirituous liquor. This... gallon of water in air by the specific gravity in air of the spirits—8.32823 by 0.88862—the product (7...

Steam generator degradation: Current mitigation strategies for controlling corrosion

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

Millett, P.

1997-02-01

Steam Generator degradation has caused substantial losses of power generation, resulted in large repair and maintenance costs, and contributed to significant personnel radiation exposures in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) operating throughout the world. EPRI has just published the revised Steam Generator Reference Book, which reviews all of the major forms of SG degradation. This paper discusses the types of SG degradation that have been experienced with emphasis on the mitigation strategies that have been developed and implemented in the field. SG degradation is presented from a world wide perspective as all countries operating PWRs have been effected to one degreemore » or another. The paper is written from a US. perspective where the utility industry is currently undergoing tremendous change as a result of deregulation of the electricity marketplace. Competitive pressures are causing utilities to strive to reduce Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and capital costs. SG corrosion is a major contributor to the O&M costs of PWR plants, and therefore US utilities are evaluating and implementing the most cost effective solutions to their corrosion problems. Mitigation strategies developed over the past few years reflect a trend towards plant specific solutions to SG corrosion problems. Since SG degradation is in most cases an economic problem and not a safety problem, utilities can focus their mitigation strategies on their unique financial situation. Accordingly, the focus of R&D has shifted from the development of more expensive, prescriptive solutions (e.g. reduced impurity limits) to corrosion problems to providing the utilities with a number of cost effective mitigation options (e.g. molar ratio control, boric acid treatment).« less

A Comprehensive WSN-Based Approach to Efficiently Manage a Smart Grid

PubMed Central

Martinez-Sandoval, Ruben; Garcia-Sanchez, Antonio-Javier; Garcia-Sanchez, Felipe; Garcia-Haro, Joan; Flynn, David

2014-01-01

The Smart Grid (SG) is conceived as the evolution of the current electrical grid representing a big leap in terms of efficiency, reliability and flexibility compared to today's electrical network. To achieve this goal, the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are considered by the scientific/engineering community to be one of the most suitable technologies to apply SG technology to due to their low-cost, collaborative and long-standing nature. However, the SG has posed significant challenges to utility operators—mainly very harsh radio propagation conditions and the lack of appropriate systems to empower WSN devices—making most of the commercial widespread solutions inadequate. In this context, and as a main contribution, we have designed a comprehensive ad-hoc WSN-based solution for the Smart Grid (SENSED-SG) that focuses on specific implementations of the MAC, the network and the application layers to attain maximum performance and to successfully deal with any arising hurdles. Our approach has been exhaustively evaluated by computer simulations and mathematical analysis, as well as validation within real test-beds deployed in controlled environments. In particular, these test-beds cover two of the main scenarios found in a SG; on one hand, an indoor electrical substation environment, implemented in a High Voltage AC/DC laboratory, and, on the other hand, an outdoor case, deployed in the Transmission and Distribution segment of a power grid. The results obtained show that SENSED-SG performs better and is more suitable for the Smart Grid than the popular ZigBee WSN approach. PMID:25310468

Data on the weights, specific gravities and chemical compositions of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers for food processing from different areas of Hokkaido, Japan.

PubMed

Sato, Hiroaki; Koizumi, Ryosuke; Nakazawa, Yozo; Yamazaki, Masao; Itoyama, Ryuichi; Ichisawa, Megumi; Negichi, Junko; Sakuma, Rui; Furusho, Tadasu; Sagane, Yoshimasa; Takano, Katsumi

2017-04-01

This data article provides the weights, specific gravities and chemical compositions (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate) of potato tubers, for food processing use, from the Tokachi, Kamikawa and Abashiri areas of Hokkaido, Japan. Potato tubers of four cultivars ('Toyoshiro', 'Kitahime', 'Snowden' and 'Poroshiri') were employed in the current study. The weights and specific gravities of potato tubers from each cultivar, harvested from three areas, were measured, and those of near average weight and specific gravity from each group were analyzed for their chemical composition. In this article, weight, specific gravity, and chemical composition data are provided in tables.

Human and Methodological Sources of Variability in the Measurement of Urinary 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine

PubMed Central

Møller, Peter; Henriksen, Trine; Mistry, Vilas; Koppen, Gudrun; Rossner, Pavel; Sram, Radim J.; Weimann, Allan; Poulsen, Henrik E.; Nataf, Robert; Andreoli, Roberta; Manini, Paola; Marczylo, Tim; Lam, Patricia; Evans, Mark D.; Kasai, Hiroshi; Kawai, Kazuaki; Li, Yun-Shan; Sakai, Kazuo; Singh, Rajinder; Teichert, Friederike; Farmer, Peter B.; Rozalski, Rafal; Gackowski, Daniel; Siomek, Agnieszka; Saez, Guillermo T.; Cerda, Concha; Broberg, Karin; Lindh, Christian; Hossain, Mohammad Bakhtiar; Haghdoost, Siamak; Hu, Chiung-Wen; Chao, Mu-Rong; Wu, Kuen-Yuh; Orhan, Hilmi; Senduran, Nilufer; Smith, Raymond J.; Santella, Regina M.; Su, Yali; Cortez, Czarina; Yeh, Susan; Olinski, Ryszard; Loft, Steffen

2013-01-01

Abstract Aims: Urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is a widely used biomarker of oxidative stress. However, variability between chromatographic and ELISA methods hampers interpretation of data, and this variability may increase should urine composition differ between individuals, leading to assay interference. Furthermore, optimal urine sampling conditions are not well defined. We performed inter-laboratory comparisons of 8-oxodG measurement between mass spectrometric-, electrochemical- and ELISA-based methods, using common within-technique calibrants to analyze 8-oxodG-spiked phosphate-buffered saline and urine samples. We also investigated human subject- and sample collection-related variables, as potential sources of variability. Results: Chromatographic assays showed high agreement across urines from different subjects, whereas ELISAs showed far more inter-laboratory variation and generally overestimated levels, compared to the chromatographic assays. Excretion rates in timed ‘spot’ samples showed strong correlations with 24 h excretion (the ‘gold’ standard) of urinary 8-oxodG (rp 0.67–0.90), although the associations were weaker for 8-oxodG adjusted for creatinine or specific gravity (SG). The within-individual excretion of 8-oxodG varied only moderately between days (CV 17% for 24 h excretion and 20% for first void, creatinine-corrected samples). Innovation: This is the first comprehensive study of both human and methodological factors influencing 8-oxodG measurement, providing key information for future studies with this important biomarker. Conclusion: ELISA variability is greater than chromatographic assay variability, and cannot determine absolute levels of 8-oxodG. Use of standardized calibrants greatly improves intra-technique agreement and, for the chromatographic assays, importantly allows integration of results for pooled analyses. If 24 h samples are not feasible, creatinine- or SG-adjusted first morning samples are recommended. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18, 2377–2391. PMID:23198723

Determining the syringyl/guaiacyl lignin ratio in the vessel and fiber cell walls of transgenic Populus plants

DOE PAGES

Tolbert, Allison K.; Ma, Tao; Kalluri, Udaya C.; ...

2016-06-20

Observation of the spatial lignin distribution throughout the plant cell wall provides insight into the physicochemical characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass. The distribution of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) lignin in cell walls of a genetically modified Populus deltoides and its corresponding empty vector control were analyzed with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and then mapped to determine the S/G lignin ratio of the sample surface and specific regions of interest (ROIs). The surface characterizations of transgenic cross-sections within 1 cm vertical distance of each other on the stem possess similar S/G lignin ratios. Furthermore, the analysis of the ROIsmore » determined that there was a 50% decrease in the S/G lignin ratio of the transgenic xylem fiber cell walls.« less

Determining the syringyl/guaiacyl lignin ratio in the vessel and fiber cell walls of transgenic Populus plants

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

Tolbert, Allison K.; Ma, Tao; Kalluri, Udaya C.

Observation of the spatial lignin distribution throughout the plant cell wall provides insight into the physicochemical characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass. The distribution of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) lignin in cell walls of a genetically modified Populus deltoides and its corresponding empty vector control were analyzed with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and then mapped to determine the S/G lignin ratio of the sample surface and specific regions of interest (ROIs). The surface characterizations of transgenic cross-sections within 1 cm vertical distance of each other on the stem possess similar S/G lignin ratios. Furthermore, the analysis of the ROIsmore » determined that there was a 50% decrease in the S/G lignin ratio of the transgenic xylem fiber cell walls.« less

Bulk specific gravity round-robin using the Corelok vacuum sealing device

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-11-01

This project conducted an evaluation of the Corelok device for the determination of the bulk specific gravity of compacted hot mix asphalt samples. The project consisted of the bulk specific gravity determination for compacted HMA mixes utilizing the...

Zika Virus Hijacks Stress Granule Proteins and Modulates the Host Stress Response

PubMed Central

Hou, Shangmei; Kumar, Anil; Xu, Zaikun; Airo, Adriana M.; Stryapunina, Iryna; Wong, Cheung Pang; Branton, William; Tchesnokov, Egor; Götte, Matthias; Power, Christopher

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, has recently emerged as an important human pathogen with increasing economic and health impact worldwide. Because of its teratogenic nature and association with the serious neurological condition Guillain-Barré syndrome, a tremendous amount of effort has focused on understanding ZIKV pathogenesis. To gain further insights into ZIKV interaction with host cells, we investigated how this pathogen affects stress response pathways. While ZIKV infection induces stress signaling that leads to phosphorylation of eIF2α and cellular translational arrest, stress granule (SG) formation was inhibited. Further analysis revealed that the viral proteins NS3 and NS4A are linked to translational repression, whereas expression of the capsid protein, NS3/NS2B-3, and NS4A interfered with SG formation. Some, but not all, flavivirus capsid proteins also blocked SG assembly, indicating differential interactions between flaviviruses and SG biogenesis pathways. Depletion of the SG components G3BP1, TIAR, and Caprin-1, but not TIA-1, reduced ZIKV replication. Both G3BP1 and Caprin-1 formed complexes with capsid, whereas viral genomic RNA stably interacted with G3BP1 during ZIKV infection. Taken together, these results are consistent with a scenario in which ZIKV uses multiple viral components to hijack key SG proteins to benefit viral replication. IMPORTANCE There is a pressing need to understand ZIKV pathogenesis in order to advance the development of vaccines and therapeutics. The cellular stress response constitutes one of the first lines of defense against viral infection; therefore, understanding how ZIKV evades this antiviral system will provide key insights into ZIKV biology and potentially pathogenesis. Here, we show that ZIKV induces the stress response through activation of the UPR (unfolded protein response) and PKR (protein kinase R), leading to host translational arrest, a process likely mediated by the viral proteins NS3 and NS4A. Despite the activation of translational shutoff, formation of SG is strongly inhibited by the virus. Specifically, ZIKV hijacks the core SG proteins G3BP1, TIAR, and Caprin-1 to facilitate viral replication, resulting in impaired SG assembly. This process is potentially facilitated by the interactions of the viral RNA with G3BP1 as well as the viral capsid protein with G3BP1 and Caprin-1. Interestingly, expression of capsid proteins from several other flaviviruses also inhibited SG formation. Taken together, the present study provides novel insights into how ZIKV modulates cellular stress response pathways during replication. PMID:28592527

Evidence for two spin-glass transitions with magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings in the multiferroic (B i1 -xB ax) (F e1 -xT ix ) O3 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Arun; Kaushik, S. D.; Siruguri, V.; Pandey, Dhananjai

2018-03-01

For disordered Heisenberg systems with small single ion anisotropy (D ), two spin-glass (SG) transitions below the long-range ordered (LRO) phase transition temperature (Tc) have been predicted theoretically for compositions close to the percolation threshold. Experimental verification of these predictions is still controversial for conventional spin glasses. We show that multiferroic spin-glass systems can provide a unique platform for verifying these theoretical predictions via a study of change in magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings, obtained from an analysis of diffraction data, at the spin-glass transition temperatures (TSG). Results of macroscopic (dc M (H , T ), M(t ), ac susceptibility [χ (ω, T )], and specific heat (Cp)) and microscopic (x-ray and neutron scattering) measurements are presented on disordered BiFe O3 , a canonical Heisenberg system with small single ion anisotropy, which reveal appearance of two spin-glass phases, SG1 and SG2, in coexistence with the LRO phase below the Almeida-Thouless (A-T) and Gabey-Toulouse (G-T) lines. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the integrated intensity of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) peak shows dips with respect to the Brillouin function behavior around the SG1 and SG2 transition temperatures. The temperature dependence of the unit cell volume departs from the Debye-Grüneisen behavior below the SG1 transition and the magnitude of departure increases significantly with decreasing temperature up to the electromagnon driven transition temperature below which a small change of slope occurs followed by another similar change of slope at the SG2 transition temperature. The ferroelectric polarization also changes significantly at the two spin-glass transition temperatures. These results, obtained using microscopic techniques, clearly demonstrate that the SG1 and SG2 transitions occur on the same magnetic sublattice and are intrinsic to the system. We also construct a phase diagram showing all the magnetic phases in the BF-x BT system. While our results on the two spin-glass transitions support the theoretical predictions, they also raise several open questions, which need to be addressed by revisiting the existing theories of spin-glass transitions after taking into account the effect of magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings as well as electromagnons.

Disruption of hippocampus-regulated behavioural and cognitive processes by heterozygous constitutive deletion of SynGAP.

PubMed

Muhia, Mary; Yee, Benjamin K; Feldon, Joram; Markopoulos, Foivos; Knuesel, Irene

2010-02-01

The brain-specific Ras/Rap-GTPase activating protein (SynGAP) is a prime candidate linking N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors to the regulation of the ERK/MAP kinase signalling cascade, suggested to be essential for experience-dependent synaptic plasticity. Here, we evaluated the behavioural phenotype of SynGAP heterozygous knockout mice (SG(+/-)), expressing roughly half the normal levels of SynGAP. In the cognitive domain, SG(+/-) mice demonstrated severe working and reference memory deficits in the radial arm maze task, a mild impairment early in the transfer test of the water maze task, and a deficiency in spontaneous alternation in an elevated T-maze. In the non-cognitive domain, SG(+/-) mice were hyperactive in the open field and appeared less anxious in the elevated plus maze test. In contrast, object recognition memory performance was not impaired in SG(+/-) mice. The reduction in SynGAP thus resulted in multiple behavioural traits suggestive of aberrant cognitive and non-cognitive processes normally mediated by the hippocampus. Immunohistochemical evaluation further revealed a significant reduction in calbindin-positive interneurons in the hippocampus and doublecortin-positive neurons in the dentate gyrus of adult SG(+/-) mice. Heterozygous constitutive deletion of SynGAP is therefore associated with notable behavioural as well as morphological phenotypes indicative of hippocampal dysfunction. Any suggestion of a possible causal link between them however remains a matter for further investigation.

27 CFR 30.24 - Specific gravity hydrometers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... hydrometers. 30.24 Section 30.24 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE... hydrometers. (a) The specific gravity hydrometers furnished by proprietors to appropriate TTB officers shall... instruments. Such specific gravity hydrometers shall be of a precision grade, standardization temperature 60...

Development of new test procedures for measuring fine and coarse aggregates specific gravity.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-01

The objective of the research is to develop and evaluate new test methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of both fine and coarse aggregates. Current methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine and coarse agg...

27 CFR 30.21 - Requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... thermometers furnished by the Government. However, where this part requires the use of a specific gravity hydrometer, TTB officers shall use precision grade specific gravity hydrometers conforming to the provisions... determination of specific gravity and for gauging. From time to time appropriate TTB officers shall verify the...

27 CFR 30.21 - Requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... thermometers furnished by the Government. However, where this part requires the use of a specific gravity hydrometer, TTB officers shall use precision grade specific gravity hydrometers conforming to the provisions... determination of specific gravity and for gauging. From time to time appropriate TTB officers shall verify the...

27 CFR 30.21 - Requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... thermometers furnished by the Government. However, where this part requires the use of a specific gravity hydrometer, TTB officers shall use precision grade specific gravity hydrometers conforming to the provisions... determination of specific gravity and for gauging. From time to time appropriate TTB officers shall verify the...

27 CFR 30.21 - Requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... thermometers furnished by the Government. However, where this part requires the use of a specific gravity hydrometer, TTB officers shall use precision grade specific gravity hydrometers conforming to the provisions... determination of specific gravity and for gauging. From time to time appropriate TTB officers shall verify the...

The effect of substrate composition and storage time on urine specific gravity in dogs.

PubMed

Steinberg, E; Drobatz, K; Aronson, L

2009-10-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of substrate composition and storage time on urine specific gravity in dogs. A descriptive cohort study of 15 dogs. The urine specific gravity of free catch urine samples was analysed during a 5-hour time period using three separate storage methods; a closed syringe, a diaper pad and non-absorbable cat litter. The urine specific gravity increased over time in all three substrates. The syringe sample had the least change from baseline and the diaper sample had the greatest change from baseline. The urine specific gravity for the litter and diaper samples had a statistically significant increase from the 1-hour to the 5-hour time point. The urine specific gravity from canine urine stored either on a diaper or in a non-absorbable litter increased over time. Although the change was found to be statistically significant over the 5-hour study period it is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Multigenome analysis identifies a worldwide distributed epidemic Legionella pneumophila clone that emerged within a highly diverse species

PubMed Central

Cazalet, Christel; Jarraud, Sophie; Ghavi-Helm, Yad; Kunst, Frank; Glaser, Philippe; Etienne; Buchrieser, Carmen

2008-01-01

Genomics can provide the basis for understanding the evolution of emerging, lethal human pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease. This bacterium replicates within amoebae and persists in the environment as a free-living microbe. Among the many Legionella species described, L. pneumophila is associated with 90% of human disease and within the 15 serogroups (Sg), L. pneumophila Sg1 causes over 84% of Legionnaires’ disease worldwide. Why L. pneumophila Sg1 is so predominant is unknown. Here, we report the first comprehensive screen of the gene content of 217 L. pneumophila and 32 non-L. pneumophila strains isolated from humans and the environment using a Legionella DNA-array. Strikingly, we uncovered a high conservation of virulence- and eukaryotic-like genes, indicating strong environmental selection pressures for their preservation. No specific hybridization profile differentiated clinical and environmental strains or strains of different serogroups. Surprisingly, the gene cluster coding the determinants of the core and the O side-chain synthesis of the lipopolysaccaride (LPS cluster) determining Sg1 was present in diverse genomic backgrounds, strongly implicating the LPS of Sg1 itself as a principal cause of the high prevalence of Sg1 strains in human disease and suggesting that the LPS cluster can be transferred horizontally. Genomic analysis also revealed that L. pneumophila is a genetically diverse species, in part due to horizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements among L. pneumophila strains, but also between different Legionella species. However, the genomic background also plays a role in disease causation as demonstrated by the identification of a globally distributed epidemic strain exhibiting the genotype of the sequenced L. pneumophila strain Paris. PMID:18256241

Effects of relativity for atomization and isomerization energies of seaborgium carbonyl SgCO and seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC: Relativity predicts SgOC to be more stable than SgCO

DOE PAGES

Malli, Gulzari L.

2015-12-31

Our ab initio all-electron fully relativistic Dirac-Fock (DF) and nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock (NR) calculations for seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC predict atomization energy (AE) of 13.04 and 11.05 eV, respectively. However, the corresponding DF and NR atomization energies for the seaborgium carbonyl SgCO are predicted as 12.75 and 12.45 eV, respectively. This is the first such result in Chemistry where an isocarbonyl (and especially for a system of superheavy element Sg) is predicted to be more stable at the DF level of theory than the corresponding carbonyl. The predicted energy for the formation of the carbonyl SgCO at the relativistic DF and NRmore » levels of theory is -54.90 and -50.95 kJ /mol, whereas the corresponding energy of formation of the isocarbonyl SgOC is -64.44 and -18.64 kJ/mol, respectively. Ours are the first results of relativistic effects for isomerization and atomization energies of the superheavy seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC and its isomer SgCO. Lastly, the formation of isocarbonyl SgOC, should be favored over the carbonyl isomer SgCO in the first step of the reaction Sg+CO →SgOC.« less

Decay properties of {sup 265}Sg(Z=106) and {sup 266}Sg(Z=106)

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

Tuerler, A.; Dressler, R.; Eichler, B.

1998-04-01

The presently known most neutron-rich isotopes of element 106 (seaborgium, Sg), {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg, were produced in the fusion reaction {sup 22}Ne+{sup 248}Cm at beam energies of 121 and 123 MeV. Using the On-Line Gas chemistry Apparatus OLGA, a continuous separation of Sg was achieved within a few seconds. Final products were assayed by {alpha}-particle and spontaneous fission (SF) spectrometry. {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg were identified by observing time correlated {alpha}-{alpha}-({alpha}) and {alpha}-SF decay chains. A total of 13 correlated decay chains of {sup 265}Sg (with an estimated number of 2.8 random correlations) and 3 decay chainsmore » of {sup 266}Sg (0.6 random correlations) were identified. Deduced decay properties were T{sub 1/2}=7.4{sub {minus}2.7}{sup +3.3} s (68{percent} c.i.) and E{sub {alpha}}=8.69 MeV (8{percent}), 8.76 MeV (23{percent}), 8.84 MeV (46{percent}), and 8.94 MeV (23{percent}) for {sup 265}Sg; and T{sub 1/2}=21{sub {minus}12}{sup +20} s (68{percent} c.i.) and E{sub {alpha}}=8.52 MeV (33{percent}) and 8.77 MeV (66{percent}) for {sup 266}Sg. The resolution of the detectors was between 50{endash}100 keV (full width at half maximum). Upper limits for SF of {le}35{percent} and {le}82{percent} were established for {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg, respectively. The upper limits for SF are given with a 16{percent} error probability. Using the lower error limits of the half-lives of {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg, the resulting lower limits for the partial SF half-lives are T{sub 1/2}{sup SF}({sup 265}Sg){ge}13 s and T{sub 1/2}{sup SF}({sup 266}Sg){ge}11 s. Correspondingly, the partial {alpha}-decay half-lives are between T{sub 1/2}{sup {alpha}}({sup 265}Sg)=4.7{endash}16.5 s (68{percent} c.i.) and T{sub 1/2}{sup {alpha}}({sup 266}Sg)=9{endash}228 s (68{percent} c.i.), using the upper and lower error limits of the half-lives of {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg. The lower limit on the partial SF half-life of {sup 266}Sg is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Production cross sections of about 240 pb and 25 pb for the {alpha}-decay branch in {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg were estimated, respectively. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}« less

Transdiagnostic versus disorder-specific and clinician-guided versus self-guided internet-delivered treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder and comorbid disorders: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Dear, B F; Staples, L G; Terides, M D; Fogliati, V J; Sheehan, J; Johnston, L; Kayrouz, R; Dear, R; McEvoy, P M; Titov, N

2016-08-01

Disorder-specific (DS-CBT) and transdiagnostic (TD-CBT) cognitive behaviour therapy have both been used to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD). This study compared internet-delivered DS-CBT and TD-CBT for SAD across clinician-guided (CG-CBT) and self-guided (SG-CBT) formats. Participants with SAD (n=233) were randomly allocated to receive internet-delivered TD-CBT or DS-CBT and CG-CBT or SG-CBT. Large reductions in symptoms of SAD (Cohen's d≥1.01; avg. reduction≥30%) and moderate-to-large reductions in symptoms of comorbid depression (Cohen's d≥1.25; avg. reduction≥39%), generalised anxiety disorder (Cohen's d≥0.86; avg. reduction≥36%) and panic disorder (Cohen's d≥0.53; avg. reduction≥25%) were found immediately post-treatment and were maintained or further improved to 24-month follow-up. No marked differences were observed between TD-CBT and DS-CBT or CG-CBT and SG-CBT highlighting the potential of each for the treatment of SAD and comorbid disorders. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Perioperative complications of sleeve gastrectomy: Review of the literature.

PubMed

Iannelli, Antonio; Treacy, Patrick; Sebastianelli, Lionel; Schiavo, Luigi; Martini, Francesco

2018-05-04

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has known a spectacular rise worldwide during the last decade. The absence of digestive anastomosis simplifies the surgical technique, reducing anastomosis-related complications such as fistula, stricture and marginal ulcer. Furthermore, the respect for digestive continuity preserves the functions of pylorus, that regulates gastric emptying, and duodenum, where calcium, B vitamins and iron are absorbed. Despite the multiple advantages, SG also has specific complications such as bleeding, stenosis, portal thrombosis and leak. The staple line leak at the oesophagogastric junction is the most feared complication and its prevention remains difficult, as the involved mechanisms have been only partially elucidated. Its management is long and requires a multidisciplinary technical platform including Intensive Care Unit, digestive endoscopy and interventional radiology as well as a specialised surgeon. The aim of this review is to explain in detail the perioperative complications of SG, their prevention and treatment, referring to the most recent available literature.

Characterization of soluble glycoprotein D-mediated herpes simplex virus type 1 infection

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

Tsvitov, Marianna; Frampton, Arthur R.; Shah, Waris A.

2007-04-10

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) entry into permissive cells involves attachment to cell-surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and fusion of the virus envelope with the cell membrane triggered by the binding of glycoprotein D (gD) to cognate receptors. In this study, we characterized the observation that soluble forms of the gD ectodomain (sgD) can mediate entry of gD-deficient HSV-1. We examined the efficiency and receptor specificity of this activity and used sequential incubation protocols to determine the order and stability of the initial interactions required for entry. Surprisingly, virus binding to GAGs did not increase the efficiency of sgD-mediated entry andmore » gD-deficient virus was capable of attaching to GAG-deficient cells in the absence of sgD. These observations suggested a novel binding interaction that may play a role in normal HSV infection.« less

Multiplex conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish using the CRISPR/Cas system.

PubMed

Yin, L; Maddison, L A; Chen, W

2016-01-01

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system is a powerful tool for genome editing in numerous organisms. However, the system is typically used for gene editing throughout the entire organism. Tissue and temporal specific mutagenesis is often desirable to determine gene function in a specific stage or tissue and to bypass undesired consequences of global mutations. We have developed the CRISPR/Cas system for conditional mutagenesis in transgenic zebrafish using tissue-specific and/or inducible expression of Cas9 and U6-driven expression of sgRNA. To allow mutagenesis of multiple targets, we have isolated four distinct U6 promoters and designed Golden Gate vectors to easily assemble transgenes with multiple sgRNAs. We provide experimental details on the reagents and applications for multiplex conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Using High-Precision Specific Gravity Measurements to Study Minerals in Undergraduate Geoscience Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandriss, Mark E.

2010-01-01

This article describes ways to incorporate high-precision measurements of the specific gravities of minerals into undergraduate courses in mineralogy and physical geology. Most traditional undergraduate laboratory methods of measuring specific gravity are suitable only for unusually large samples, which severely limits their usefulness for student…

The Value of Urine Specific Gravity in Detecting Diabetes Insipidus in a Patient with Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus

PubMed Central

Akarsu, Ersin; Buyukhatipoglu, Hakan; Aktaran, Sebnem; Geyik, Ramazan

2006-01-01

When a patient with diabetes mellitus presents with worsening polyuria and polydipsia, what is a sensible, cost-effective approach? We report the unique coincidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. A 46-year-old woman with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes complained of polyuria with a daily output of 5 L. Although urinalysis demonstrated significant glucosuria, diabetes insipidus was suspected owing to a low urine specific gravity (1.008). The low specific gravity persisted during a water deprivation test. Ultimately, diabetes insipidus was confirmed when urine specific gravity and urine osmolality normalized following desmopressin administration. This case emphasizes the importance of accurately interpreting the urine specific gravity in patients with polyuria and diabetes mellitus to detect diabetes insipidus. PMID:17026722

Immunoglobulin concentration, specific gravity, and nitrogen fractions of colostrum from Jersey cattle.

PubMed

Quigley, J D; Martin, K R; Dowlen, H H; Wallis, L B; Lamar, K

1994-01-01

Colostrum samples from 88 Jersey cows were analyzed for concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA, total solids, specific gravity, and N fractions. Colostrum (50 ml) was sampled from each cow as soon as possible after parturition, and specific gravity was determined immediately using a hydrometer. Samples then were frozen prior to analysis of Ig, fat, and N fractions. Mean concentrations of IgG, IgM, and IgA were 65.8, 2.4, and 1.7 g/L, respectively. Concentration of IgG was lower, and IgA was higher, in colostrum from second lactation cows than from first lactation cows or from cows in third or later lactations; IgM increased linearly as lactation number increased. Total N, protein N, noncasein N, and fat contents also were lower in second lactation cows. Regression of total Ig (grams per liter) on specific gravity was -1172 + 1180 x specific gravity (r2 = .38). Relationship of total Ig to specific gravity differed from colostrum of Holstein cattle and may have been related to differences in fat and noncasein N concentrations. Use of specific gravity hydrometer to estimate Ig concentration using equations derived from Holstein cattle appears to underestimate Ig concentration in colostrum from Jersey cattle.

[Comparative measurement of urine specific gravity: reagent strips, refractometry and hydrometry].

PubMed

Costa, Christian Elías; Bettendorff, Carolina; Bupo, Sol; Ayuso, Sandra; Vallejo, Graciela

2010-06-01

The urine specific gravity is commonly used in clinical practice to measure the renal concentration/dilution ability. Measurement can be performed by three methods: hydrometry, refractometry and reagent strips. To assess the accuracy of different methods to measure urine specific gravity. We analyzed 156 consecutive urine samples of pediatric patients during April and May 2007. Urine specific gravity was measured by hydrometry (UD), refractometry (RE) and reagent strips (TR), simultaneously. Urine osmolarity was considered as the gold standard and was measured by freezing point depression. Correlation between different methods was calculated by simple linear regression. A positive and acceptable correlation was found with osmolarity for the RE as for the UD (r= 0.81 and r= 0.86, respectively). The reagent strips presented low correlation (r= 0.46). Also, we found good correlation between measurements obtained by UD and RE (r= 0.89). Measurements obtained by TR, however, had bad correlation when compared to UD (r= 0.46). Higher values of specific gravity were observed when measured with RE with respect to UD. Reagent strips are not reliable for measuring urine specific gravity and should not be used as an usual test. However, hydrometry and refractometry are acceptable alternatives for measuring urine specific gravity, as long as the same method is used for follow-up.

Effects of sleeve gastrectomy with jejuno-jejunal or jejuno-ileal loop on glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats

PubMed Central

Zhong, Ming-Wei; Liu, Shao-Zhuang; Zhang, Guang-Yong; Zhang, Xiang; Hu, San-Yuan

2016-01-01

AIM To explore the effect of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with jejuno-jejunal or jejuno-ileal loop on glycolipid metabolism in diabetic rats. METHODS Diabetic rats, which were induced by high-fat diet (HFD), nicotinamide and low-dose streptozotocin, underwent sham operations, SG, SG with jejuno-ileal loop (SG-JI) and SG with jejuno-jejunal loop (SG-JJ) followed by postoperative HFD. Then, at the time points of baseline and 2, 12 and 24 wk postoperatively, we determined and compared several variables, including the area under the curve for the results of oral glucose tolerance test (AUCOGTT), serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and ghrelin in fasting state, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body weight, calorie intake, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and insulin secretions after glucose gavage at dose of 1 g/kg. RESULTS At 2 wk postoperatively, rats that underwent SG, SG-JJ and SG-JI, compared with sham-operated (SHAM) rats, demonstrated lower body weight, calorie intake and ghrelin (P < 0.05 vs SHAM), enhanced secretion of insulin and GLP-1 after glucose gavage (P < 0.05 vs SHAM), improved AUCOGTT, HOMA-IR, fasting serum triglyceride and cholesterol (AUCOGTT: 1616.9 ± 83.2, 837.4 ± 83.7, 874.9 ± 97.2 and 812.6 ± 81.9, P < 0.05 vs SHAM; HOMA-IR: 4.31 ± 0.54, 2.94 ± 0.22, 3.17 ± 0.37 and 3.41 ± 0.22, P < 0.05 vs SHAM; Triglyceride: 2.35 ± 0.17, 1.87 ± 0.23, 1.98 ± 0.30 and 2.04 ± 0.21 mmol/L, P < 0.05 vs SHAM; Cholesterol: 1.84 ± 0.21, 1.53 ± 0.20, 1.52 ± 0.20 and 1.46 ± 0.23 mmol/L). At 12 wk postoperatively, rats receiving SG-JJ and SG-JI had lower body weight, reduced levels of triglyceride and cholesterol and elevated level of GLP-1 compared to those receiving SG (P < 0.05 vs SG). At 24 wk after surgery, compared with SG, the advantage of SG-JJ and SG-JI for glucolipid metabolism was still evident (P < 0.05 vs SG). SG-JI had a better performance in lipid metabolism and GLP-1 secretion of rats than did SG-JJ. CONCLUSION SG combined with intestinal loop induces better glycolipid metabolism than simple SG, with the lipid metabolism being more improved with SG-JI compared to SG-JJ. PMID:27621579

The orphan nuclear receptor, RORalpha, regulates gene expression that controls lipid metabolism: staggerer (SG/SG) mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity.

PubMed

Lau, Patrick; Fitzsimmons, Rebecca L; Raichur, Suryaprakash; Wang, Shu-Ching M; Lechtken, Adriane; Muscat, George E O

2008-06-27

Homozygous staggerer mice (sg/sg) display decreased and dysfunctional retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORalpha) expression. We observed decreases in serum (and liver) triglycerides and total and high density lipoprotein serum cholesterol in sg/sg mice. Moreover, the sg/sg mice were characterized by reduced adiposity (associated with decreased fat pad mass and adipocyte size). Candidate-based expression profiling demonstrated that the dyslipidemia in sg/sg mice is associated with decreased hepatic expression of SREBP-1c, and the reverse cholesterol transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1. This is consistent with the reduced serum lipids. The molecular mechanism did not involve aberrant expression of LXR and/or ChREBP. However, ChIP and transfection analyses revealed that RORalpha is recruited to and regulates the activity of the SREBP-1c promoter. Furthermore, the lean phenotype in sg/sg mice is also characterized by significantly increased expression of PGC-1alpha, PGC-1beta, and lipin1 mRNA in liver and white and brown adipose tissue from sg/sg mice. In addition, we observed a significant 4-fold increase in beta(2)-adrenergic receptor mRNA in brown adipose tissue. Finally, dysfunctional RORalpha expression protects against diet-induced obesity. Following a 10-week high fat diet, wild-type but not sg/sg mice exhibited a approximately 20% weight gain, increased hepatic triglycerides, and notable white and brown adipose tissue accumulation. In summary, these changes in gene expression (that modulate lipid homeostasis) in metabolic tissues are involved in decreased adiposity and resistance to diet-induced obesity in the sg/sg mice, despite hyperphagia. In conclusion, we suggest this orphan nuclear receptor is a key modulator of fat accumulation and that selective ROR modulators may have utility in the treatment of obesity.

Requirement for specific gravity and creatinine adjustments for urinary steroids and luteinizing hormone concentrations in adolescents.

PubMed

Singh, Gurmeet K S; Balzer, Ben W R; Desai, Reena; Jimenez, Mark; Steinbeck, Katharine S; Handelsman, David J

2015-11-01

Urinary hormone concentrations are often adjusted to correct for hydration status. We aimed to determine whether first morning void urine hormones in growing adolescents require adjustments and, if so, whether urinary creatinine or specific gravity are better adjustments. The study population was adolescents aged 10.1 to 14.3 years initially who provided fasting morning blood samples at 0 and 12 months (n = 343) and first morning urine every three months (n = 644). Unadjusted, creatinine and specific gravity-adjusted hormonal concentrations were compared by Deming regression and Bland-Altman analysis and grouped according to self-rated Tanner stage or chronological age. F-ratios for self-rated Tanner stages and age groups were used to compare unadjusted and adjusted hormonal changes in growing young adolescents. Correlations of paired serum and urinary hormonal concentration of unadjusted and creatinine and specific gravity-adjusted were also compared. Fasting first morning void hormone concentrations correlated well and were unbiased between unadjusted or adjusted by either creatinine or specific gravity. Urine creatinine concentration increases with Tanner stages, age and male gender whereas urine specific gravity was not influenced by Tanner stage, age or gender. Adjustment by creatinine or specific gravity of urinary luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations did not improve correlation with paired serum concentrations. Urine steroid and luteinizing hormone concentrations in first morning void samples of adolescents are not significantly influenced by hydration status and may not require adjustments; however, if desired, both creatinine and specific gravity adjustments are equally suitable. © The Author(s) 2015.

Wood Specific Gravity Variations and Biomass of Central African Tree Species: The Simple Choice of the Outer Wood

PubMed Central

Bastin, Jean-François; Fayolle, Adeline; Tarelkin, Yegor; Van den Bulcke, Jan; de Haulleville, Thales; Mortier, Frederic; Beeckman, Hans; Van Acker, Joris; Serckx, Adeline; Bogaert, Jan; De Cannière, Charles

2015-01-01

Context Wood specific gravity is a key element in tropical forest ecology. It integrates many aspects of tree mechanical properties and functioning and is an important predictor of tree biomass. Wood specific gravity varies widely among and within species and also within individual trees. Notably, contrasted patterns of radial variation of wood specific gravity have been demonstrated and related to regeneration guilds (light demanding vs. shade-bearing). However, although being repeatedly invoked as a potential source of error when estimating the biomass of trees, both intraspecific and radial variations remain little studied. In this study we characterized detailed pith-to-bark wood specific gravity profiles among contrasted species prominently contributing to the biomass of the forest, i.e., the dominant species, and we quantified the consequences of such variations on the biomass. Methods Radial profiles of wood density at 8% moisture content were compiled for 14 dominant species in the Democratic Republic of Congo, adapting a unique 3D X-ray scanning technique at very high spatial resolution on core samples. Mean wood density estimates were validated by water displacement measurements. Wood density profiles were converted to wood specific gravity and linear mixed models were used to decompose the radial variance. Potential errors in biomass estimation were assessed by comparing the biomass estimated from the wood specific gravity measured from pith-to-bark profiles, from global repositories, and from partial information (outer wood or inner wood). Results Wood specific gravity profiles from pith-to-bark presented positive, neutral and negative trends. Positive trends mainly characterized light-demanding species, increasing up to 1.8 g.cm-3 per meter for Piptadeniastrum africanum, and negative trends characterized shade-bearing species, decreasing up to 1 g.cm-3 per meter for Strombosia pustulata. The linear mixed model showed the greater part of wood specific gravity variance was explained by species only (45%) followed by a redundant part between species and regeneration guilds (36%). Despite substantial variation in wood specific gravity profiles among species and regeneration guilds, we found that values from the outer wood were strongly correlated to values from the whole profile, without any significant bias. In addition, we found that wood specific gravity from the DRYAD global repository may strongly differ depending on the species (up to 40% for Dialium pachyphyllum). Main Conclusion Therefore, when estimating forest biomass in specific sites, we recommend the systematic collection of outer wood samples on dominant species. This should prevent the main errors in biomass estimations resulting from wood specific gravity and allow for the collection of new information to explore the intraspecific variation of mechanical properties of trees. PMID:26555144

Wood Specific Gravity Variations and Biomass of Central African Tree Species: The Simple Choice of the Outer Wood.

PubMed

Bastin, Jean-François; Fayolle, Adeline; Tarelkin, Yegor; Van den Bulcke, Jan; de Haulleville, Thales; Mortier, Frederic; Beeckman, Hans; Van Acker, Joris; Serckx, Adeline; Bogaert, Jan; De Cannière, Charles

2015-01-01

Wood specific gravity is a key element in tropical forest ecology. It integrates many aspects of tree mechanical properties and functioning and is an important predictor of tree biomass. Wood specific gravity varies widely among and within species and also within individual trees. Notably, contrasted patterns of radial variation of wood specific gravity have been demonstrated and related to regeneration guilds (light demanding vs. shade-bearing). However, although being repeatedly invoked as a potential source of error when estimating the biomass of trees, both intraspecific and radial variations remain little studied. In this study we characterized detailed pith-to-bark wood specific gravity profiles among contrasted species prominently contributing to the biomass of the forest, i.e., the dominant species, and we quantified the consequences of such variations on the biomass. Radial profiles of wood density at 8% moisture content were compiled for 14 dominant species in the Democratic Republic of Congo, adapting a unique 3D X-ray scanning technique at very high spatial resolution on core samples. Mean wood density estimates were validated by water displacement measurements. Wood density profiles were converted to wood specific gravity and linear mixed models were used to decompose the radial variance. Potential errors in biomass estimation were assessed by comparing the biomass estimated from the wood specific gravity measured from pith-to-bark profiles, from global repositories, and from partial information (outer wood or inner wood). Wood specific gravity profiles from pith-to-bark presented positive, neutral and negative trends. Positive trends mainly characterized light-demanding species, increasing up to 1.8 g.cm-3 per meter for Piptadeniastrum africanum, and negative trends characterized shade-bearing species, decreasing up to 1 g.cm-3 per meter for Strombosia pustulata. The linear mixed model showed the greater part of wood specific gravity variance was explained by species only (45%) followed by a redundant part between species and regeneration guilds (36%). Despite substantial variation in wood specific gravity profiles among species and regeneration guilds, we found that values from the outer wood were strongly correlated to values from the whole profile, without any significant bias. In addition, we found that wood specific gravity from the DRYAD global repository may strongly differ depending on the species (up to 40% for Dialium pachyphyllum). Therefore, when estimating forest biomass in specific sites, we recommend the systematic collection of outer wood samples on dominant species. This should prevent the main errors in biomass estimations resulting from wood specific gravity and allow for the collection of new information to explore the intraspecific variation of mechanical properties of trees.

Rapid detection of semenogelin by one-step immunochromatographic assay for semen identification.

PubMed

Sato, Itaru; Kojima, Koichiro; Yamasaki, Tadashi; Yoshida, Kaoru; Yoshiike, Miki; Takano, Shoichi; Mukai, Toshiji; Iwamoto, Teruaki

2004-04-01

To identify semen in forensic samples, we developed an analytical system for one-step immunoassay that has been constructed using the concept of immunochromatography and can identify semenogelin (Sg), which originates in the seminal vesicles. The system employed monoclonal antibody (mAb) and polyclonal antibody (pAb) against recombinant Sg-II (63 kDa), which has been synthesized in insect cells using baculovirus. The two antibodies bound with the seminal plasma motility inhibitor (SPMI; 14 kDa) as a final fragment peptide of Sg. The test stick is based on the sandwich technique using the above antibodies. When serial dilutions of seminal plasma were analyzed using this test stick, the intensity of a clear immunoreactive signal peaked at 2000-fold dilution. Thereafter, the signals decreased slowly but still persisted up to 400,000-fold dilution. The Sg antigen was undetectable in saliva, urine, breast milk, serum or vaginal secretions. Also, the test stick shown did not react with animal semen samples, such as those from horses, dogs, swine and bulls. When semen samples, diluted 100,000-fold from 100 men were tested, the Sg antigenic activity was detectable in all samples. In addition, the specificity and sensitivity of the test stick for identification of semen were demonstrated by comparative forensic studies. We conclude that this immunoassay method is a useful confirmatory test for the identification of semen. The immunochromatographic system for forensic testing or research use will become available commercially soon.

CCR5 Gene Disruption via Lentiviral Vectors Expressing Cas9 and Single Guided RNA Renders Cells Resistant to HIV-1 Infection

PubMed Central

Liu, Jingjing; Zhang, Di; Kimata, Jason T.; Zhou, Paul

2014-01-01

CCR5, a coreceptor for HIV-1 entry, is a major target for drug and genetic intervention against HIV-1. Genetic intervention strategies have knocked down CCR5 expression levels by shRNA or disrupted the CCR5 gene using zinc finger nucleases (ZFN) or Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN). In the present study, we silenced CCR5 via CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) and single guided RNAs (sgRNAs). We constructed lentiviral vectors expressing Cas9 and CCR5 sgRNAs. We show that a single round transduction of lentiviral vectors expressing Cas9 and CCR5 sgRNAs into HIV-1 susceptible human CD4+ cells yields high frequencies of CCR5 gene disruption. CCR5 gene-disrupted cells are not only resistant to R5-tropic HIV-1, including transmitted/founder (T/F) HIV-1 isolates, but also have selective advantage over CCR5 gene-undisrupted cells during R5-tropic HIV-1 infection. Importantly, using T7 endonuclease I assay we did not detect genome mutations at potential off-target sites that are highly homologous to these CCR5 sgRNAs in stably transduced cells even at 84 days post transduction. Thus we conclude that silencing of CCR5 via Cas9 and CCR5-specific sgRNAs could be a viable alternative strategy for engineering resistance against HIV-1. PMID:25541967

Comparing the physical demands of friendly matches and small-sided games in semiprofessional soccer players.

PubMed

Casamichana, David; Castellano, Julen; Castagna, Carlo

2012-03-01

This study compared the physical demands of friendly matches (FMs) and small-sided games (SGs) in semiprofessional soccer players by means of global positioning system technology. Twenty-seven semiprofessional soccer players were monitored during 7 FMs and 9 sessions involving different SGs. Their physical profile was described on the basis of 20 variables related to distances and frequencies at different running speeds, the number of accelerations, and through global indicators of workload such as the work:rest ratio, player workload, and the exertion index. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between SGs and FMs for the following variables: overall workload (SG > FM); the distribution of the distance covered in the speed zones 7.0-12.9 km·h(-1) (SG > FM) and >21 km·h(-1) (FM > SG); the distribution of time spent in certain speed zones (FM > SG: 0.0-6.9 and >21 km·h(-1); FM > SG: 7.0-12.9 km·h(-1)). More sprints per hour of play were performed during FMs, with greater mean durations and distances, greater maximum durations and distances, and a greater frequency per hour of play for sprints of 10-40 and >40 m (p < 0.01). The frequency of repeated high-intensity efforts was higher during FM (p < 0.01). The results show that coaches and strength and conditioning professionals should consider FMs during their training routine to foster specific adaptations in the domain of high-intensity effort.

Automatic selection of optimal Savitzky-Golay filter parameters for Coronary Wave Intensity Analysis.

PubMed

Rivolo, Simone; Nagel, Eike; Smith, Nicolas P; Lee, Jack

2014-01-01

Coronary Wave Intensity Analysis (cWIA) is a technique capable of separating the effects of proximal arterial haemodynamics from cardiac mechanics. The cWIA ability to establish a mechanistic link between coronary haemodynamics measurements and the underlying pathophysiology has been widely demonstrated. Moreover, the prognostic value of a cWIA-derived metric has been recently proved. However, the clinical application of cWIA has been hindered due to the strong dependence on the practitioners, mainly ascribable to the cWIA-derived indices sensitivity to the pre-processing parameters. Specifically, as recently demonstrated, the cWIA-derived metrics are strongly sensitive to the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) filter, typically used to smooth the acquired traces. This is mainly due to the inability of the S-G filter to deal with the different timescale features present in the measured waveforms. Therefore, we propose to apply an adaptive S-G algorithm that automatically selects pointwise the optimal filter parameters. The newly proposed algorithm accuracy is assessed against a cWIA gold standard, provided by a newly developed in-silico cWIA modelling framework, when physiological noise is added to the simulated traces. The adaptive S-G algorithm, when used to automatically select the polynomial degree of the S-G filter, provides satisfactory results with ≤ 10% error for all the metrics through all the levels of noise tested. Therefore, the newly proposed method makes cWIA fully automatic and independent from the practitioners, opening the possibility to multi-centre trials.

MODIS and GIMMS Inferred Northern Hemisphere Spring Greenup in Responses to Preseason Climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, X.; Riley, W. J.; Koven, C.; Jia, G.

2017-12-01

We compare the discrepancies in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) inferred spring greenup (SG) between Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instruments carried by the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling Studies (GIMMS) in North Hemisphere. The interannual variation of SG inferred by MODIS and GIMMS NDVI is well correlated in the mid to high latitudes. However, the presence of NDVI discrepancies leads to discrepancies in SG with remarkable latitudinal characteristics. MODIS NDVI inferred later SG in the high latitude while earlier SG in the mid to low latitudes, in comparison to GIMMS NDVI inferred SG. MODIS NDVI inferred SG is better correlated to preseason climate. Interannual variation of SG is only sensitive to preseason temperature. The GIMMS SG to temperature sensitivity over two periods implied that the inter-biome SG to temperature sensitivity is relatively stable, but SG to temperature sensitivity decreased over time. Over the same period, MODIS SG to temperature sensitivity is much higher than GIMMS. This decreased sensitivity demonstrated the findings from previous studies with continuous GIMMS NDVI analysis that vegetation growth (indicated by growing season NDVI) to temperature sensitivity is reduced over time and SG advance trend ceased after 2000s. Our results also explained the contradictive findings that SG advance accelerated after 2000s according to the merged GIMMS and MODIS NDVI time series. Despite the found discrepancies, without ground data support, the quality of NDVI and its inferred SG cannot be effectively evaluated. The discrepancies and uncertainties in different NDVI products and its inferred SG may bias the scientific significance of climate-vegetation relationship. The different NDVI products when used together should be first evaluated and harmonized.

Levels of semenogelin in human spermatozoa decrease during capacitation: involvement of reactive oxygen species and zinc.

PubMed

de Lamirande, E; Lamothe, G

2010-07-01

Semenogelin (Sg), the main protein of human semen coagulum, prevents sperm capacitation. The objective of this study was to examine the role of Sg and its mechanism of action. Sg blocked sperm capacitation triggered by various stimuli, via inhibition of superoxide anion (O(2)*-; luminescence assay) and nitric oxide (NO*; tested using diaminofluorescein) generation. Triton-soluble and -insoluble sperm fractions contained Sg and Sg peptides (immunoblotting), the level of which decreased with initiation of capacitation. This drop was prevented by superoxide dismutase and NO* synthase inhibitor and was reproduced by addition of O(2)*- and NO*. Zinc (Zn(2+)) blocked and a zinc chelator (TPEN) promoted the decline in Sg levels. There was a decreased labelling of Sg on the head in capacitating spermatozoa with the two fixation techniques tested (immunocytochemistry). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O(2)*- and NO*) caused, these changes, and zinc prevented them. Spermatozoa quickly internalized Sg upon incubation and Sg was then rapidly degraded in a zinc-inhibitable manner. Sg blocked capacitation mainly via inhibition of ROS generation. Spermatozoa appeared permeable to Sg and processed Sg in a zinc-inhibitable fashion. ROS themselves could promote sperm disposal of Sg which maybe one of the mechanisms that allows initiation of capacitation.

Hydrometer test for estimation of immunoglobulin concentration in bovine colostrum.

PubMed

Fleenor, W A; Stott, G H

1980-06-01

A practical field method for measuring immunoglobulin concentration in bovine colostrum has been developed from the linear relationship between colostral specific gravity and immunoglobulin concentration. Fourteen colostrums were collected within 24 h postpartum from nursed and unnursed cows and were assayed for specific gravity and major colostral constituents. Additionally, 15 colostrums were collected immediately postpartum prior to suckling and assayed for specific gravity and immunoglobulin concentration. Regression analysis provided an equation to estimate colostral immunoglobulin concentration from the specific gravity of fresh whole colostrum. From this, a colostrometer was developed for practical field use.

Specific gravity of bovine colostrum immunoglobulins as affected by temperature and colostrum components.

PubMed

Mechor, G D; Gröhn, Y T; McDowell, L R; Van Saun, R J

1992-11-01

The effects of temperature and colostrum components on specific gravity in bovine colostrum were investigated. Thirty-nine first milking colostrum samples were collected from Holstein cows. The samples were assayed for alpha-tocopherol, fat, protein, total solids, and IgG. The concentrations of total solids, total protein, total IgG, and fat in colostrum were 26.6, 12.5, 3.7, and 9.4 g/100 g, respectively. A range of 1.8 to 24.7 micrograms/ml for alpha-tocopherol was measured in the colostrum samples. Specific gravity of the colostrum was measured using a hydrometer in increments of 5 degrees C from 0 to 40 degrees C. Specific gravity explained 76% of the variation in colostral total IgG at a colostrum temperature of 20 degrees C. The regression model was improved only slightly with the addition of protein, fat, and total solids. The model for samples at 20 degrees C was IgG (milligrams per milliliter) = 958 x (specific gravity) - 969. Measurement of specific gravity at variable temperatures necessitated inclusion of temperature in the model for estimation of IgG. Inclusion of the other components of colostrum into the model slightly improved the fit. The regression model for samples at variable temperatures was as follows: IgG (milligrams per milliliter) = 853 x (specific gravity) + .4 x temperature (Celsius degrees) - 866.

The effects of Sutaehwan-Gami on menopausal symptoms induced by ovariectomy in rats.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Il; Choi, Min Sun; Pak, Sok Cheon; Lee, Seung-Bok; Jeon, Songhee

2012-11-23

This study was undertaken to evaluate the beneficial effects of a modified prescription of Sutaehwan named Sutaehwan-Gami (SG), created by adding Rhizoma dioscoreae and Carthami semen to Sutaehwan, on menopausal symptoms. To evaluate the estrogenic effect of SG, we first examined estrogen receptor (ER) activation by SG treatment in breast adenocarcinoma cells and confirmed the estrogenic effect of SG in vivo ovariectomized rats. The animals were randomized into four groups: Sham operated group (Sham), saline treated ovariectomized group (OVX), SG treated group (SG) and raloxifene treated group (RLX). Animals were provided with SG at a dose of 500 mg/kg bw/day and RLX at a dose of 5.4 mg/kg bw/day with standard rat pellets for 3 months. SG significantly increased ERα phosphorylation, and its downstream effectors, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in breast adenocarcinoma cells. Treatment with SG reversed ovariectomy-induced uterine weight reduction and weight gain. Decreases in the levels of GOT and GPT were observed in the SG group. The significantly reduced E2β level in OVX rats was raised by treatment with SG. Moreover, SG significantly increased the phosphorylation levels of ERK and Akt in the uterus. Taken together, these data indicate that SG has phytoestrogen-like properties through ERK and Akt activation, implying that it could be protective and beneficial for the management of menopausal symptoms.

Specific gravity and wood moisture variation of white pine

Treesearch

Glenn L. Gammon

1969-01-01

A report on results of a study to develop a means for estimating specific gravity and wood moisture content of white pine. No strong relationships were found by using either the single or combined factors of age and dimensional stem characteristics. Inconsistent patterns of specific gravity and moisture over height in tree are graphically illustrated.

Rotorcraft Weight Trends in Light of Structural Material Characteristics

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-04-26

torsion W weight for tota We weight empty v tail rotor 0 mass ratio got ultimate to specific weight I wVater S specific gravity * twist, torsion...imagined meters. An alternate way of expressing the weight effectiveness of materials may be based on the specific gravity of the material. In this...specific weight of distilled water at 40C, and 6. is the specific gravity of the considered structural material. Since, obviously, 7,, - const, it may

Confirmation of the Department of Transportation criteria for a substituted urine specimen.

PubMed

Barbanel, Cheryl S; Winkelman, James W; Fischer, George A; King, Andrew J

2002-05-01

The purpose of this study was to determine whether people could naturally produce urine sufficiently dilute to meet the federal criteria for a "substituted" specimen. The United States Department of Transportation Regulations (49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 40) defines a urine specimen as substituted if it has a creatinine concentration of < or = 5 mg/dL and a specific gravity of < or = 1.001 or > or = 1.020. These criteria have been criticized based on the contention that an insufficient number of specimens had been tested from the same urine sample for both creatinine and specific gravity measurements. We reviewed the results of 803,130 random urine specimens measured for creatinine and/or specific gravity in a hospital-based laboratory. In this database, 13,467 urine specimens had both creatinine and specific gravity measurements. None of these 13,467 paired urine specimens met the lower limit of specific gravity (< or = 1.001) and creatinine (< or = 5 mg/dL) criteria for a Department of Transportation substituted specimen. We also examined the medical records of those patients meeting even one of the two criteria; creatinine concentration < or = 5 mg/dL or specific gravity < or = 1.001. These patients were neonatal, moribund, or so severely ill that essentially none could have been among the working population. These data in patients with various pathologic states support our belief that normal individuals do not produce urine dilute enough to meet the lower limit of the specific gravity (< or = 1.001) and creatinine (< or = 5 mg/dL) required for meeting substituted specimen criteria. Eleven patients met the criteria for a substituted specimen, with elevated specific gravity of > or = 1.020 and creatinine concentration of < or = 5 mg/dL; however, these patients were seriously ill or terminally ill.

[Relationship between the refractive index and specific gravity of the rat urine (author's transl)].

PubMed

Kitagawa, Y F; Takahashi, T; Hayashi, H

1981-07-01

The relationship between the refractive index and specific gravity of urine was studied with specimens from 165 Sprague-Dawley rats, by graphic analysis of the plot of the refractometrically determined index against the specific gravity which was measured with a pycnometer. 1. A linear regression was demonstrated between the refractive index and specific gravity. 2. The nomogram fitted the data of even those samples with high refractive index and specific gravity, irrespective of changes in food or water intake and protein or glucose contents in the urine. 3. The nomogram was in good agreement, in respect of linearity, with the regression line derived from the conversion table of TS meter by the American Optical Corporation and also with the nomogram of the Japanese Society of Clinical Pathology. It approximated more closely to the former than to the latter.

Mechanisms for ribotoxin-induced ribosomal RNA cleavage

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

He, Kaiyu; Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824; Zhou, Hui-Ren

The Type B trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON), a ribotoxic mycotoxin known to contaminate cereal-based foods, induces ribosomal RNA (rRNA) cleavage in the macrophage via p38-directed activation of caspases. Here we employed the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage model to test the hypothesis that this rRNA cleavage pathway is similarly induced by other ribotoxins. Capillary electrophoresis confirmed that the antibiotic anisomycin (≥ 25 ng/ml), the macrocylic trichothecene satratoxin G (SG) (≥ 10 ng/ml) and ribosome-inactivating protein ricin (≥ 300 ng/ml) induced 18s and 28s rRNA fragmentation patterns identical to that observed for DON. Also, as found for DON, inhibition of p38, double-stranded RNA-activatedmore » kinase (PKR) and hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck) suppressed MAPK anisomycin-induced rRNA cleavage, while, in contrast, their inhibition did not affect SG- and ricin-induced rRNA fragmentation. The p53 inhibitor pifithrin-μ and pan caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK suppressed rRNA cleavage induced by anisomycin, SG and ricin, indicating that these ribotoxins shared with DON a conserved downstream pathway. Activation of caspases 8, 9 and 3 concurrently with apoptosis further suggested that rRNA cleavage occurred in parallel with both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of programmed cell death. When specific inhibitors of cathepsins L and B (lysosomal cysteine cathepsins active at cytosolic neutral pH) were tested, only the former impaired anisomycin-, SG-, ricin- and DON-induced rRNA cleavage. Taken together, the data suggest that (1) all four ribotoxins induced p53-dependent rRNA cleavage via activation of cathepsin L and caspase 3, and (2) activation of p53 by DON and anisomycin involved p38 whereas SG and ricin activated p53 by an alternative mechanism. Highlights: ► Deoxynivalenol (DON) anisomycin, satratoxin G (SG) and ricin are ribotoxins. ► Ribotoxins induce 18s and 28s rRNA cleavage in the RAW 264.7 macrophage model. ► Ribotoxins induce rRNA cleavage via activation of p53, caspases and cathepsins. ► DON- and anisomycin-triggered rRNA cleavage is p38-dependent. ► SG- and ricin-induced rRNA cleavage is p38-independent.« less

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

Malli, Gulzari L., E-mail: malli@sfu.ca

Our ab initio all-electron fully relativistic Dirac-Fock (DF) and nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock (NR) calculations for seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC predict atomization energy (AE) of 13.04 and 11.05 eV, respectively. However, the corresponding DF and NR atomization energies for the seaborgium carbonyl SgCO are predicted as 12.75 and 12.45 eV, respectively. This is the first such result in Chemistry where an isocarbonyl (and especially for a system of superheavy element Sg) is predicted to be more stable at the DF level of theory than the corresponding carbonyl. The predicted energy for the formation of the carbonyl SgCO at the relativistic DF and NRmore » levels of theory is -54.90 and -50.95 kJ /mol, whereas the corresponding energy of formation of the isocarbonyl SgOC is -64.44 and -18.64 kJ/mol, respectively. Ours are the first results of relativistic effects for isomerization and atomization energies of the superheavy seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC and its isomer SgCO.The formation of isocarbonyl SgOC, should be favored over the carbonyl isomer SgCO in the first step of the reaction Sg+CO →SgOC.« less

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

Malli, Gulzari L.

Our ab initio all-electron fully relativistic Dirac-Fock (DF) and nonrelativistic Hartree-Fock (NR) calculations for seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC predict atomization energy (AE) of 13.04 and 11.05 eV, respectively. However, the corresponding DF and NR atomization energies for the seaborgium carbonyl SgCO are predicted as 12.75 and 12.45 eV, respectively. This is the first such result in Chemistry where an isocarbonyl (and especially for a system of superheavy element Sg) is predicted to be more stable at the DF level of theory than the corresponding carbonyl. The predicted energy for the formation of the carbonyl SgCO at the relativistic DF and NRmore » levels of theory is -54.90 and -50.95 kJ /mol, whereas the corresponding energy of formation of the isocarbonyl SgOC is -64.44 and -18.64 kJ/mol, respectively. Ours are the first results of relativistic effects for isomerization and atomization energies of the superheavy seaborgium isocarbonyl SgOC and its isomer SgCO. Lastly, the formation of isocarbonyl SgOC, should be favored over the carbonyl isomer SgCO in the first step of the reaction Sg+CO →SgOC.« less

English Translation of Seven Papers on Thermophysical Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

capillary constant (eq. 18) *- a = surface tension (eq. 18) g = acceleration of gravity (eq. 18) v = atomic volume at the melting point - . .. M-16...Accuracyoft/"m Ex*Ceperiment C 1941 r1143 oil 181-195 0.4610.01 Specific gravity flask 1946 [20 - t, Ar (up to 332-160 0.517 1.01 Specific gravity ...i 65 arm) flask, 0.52 1ś No1 P, 1 Kb 16 319T 400-1125 0.503 1.021 Specific gravity 1970 163) was - 242.-917 0.304 0.95 Hydrostatic sun-pension. -. 3

Resin distribution in second-growth ponderosa pine

Treesearch

B.H. Paul

1955-01-01

In a study of specific gravity of second-growth ponderosa pine, there was visible evidence of resin in a part of the specific gravity specimens. Each specimen contained 10 annual growth rings in cross sections taken at 4 heights in the merchantable length of the trees. Since the presence of resin introduced an uncertain amount of error in the specific gravity values,...

Comparison of osmolality and refractometric readings of Hispaniolan Amazon parrot (Amazona ventralis) urine.

PubMed

Brock, A Paige; Grunkemeyer, Vanessa L; Fry, Michael M; Hall, James S; Bartges, Joseph W

2013-12-01

To evaluate the relationship between osmolality and specific gravity of urine samples from clinically normal adult parrots and to determine a formula to convert urine specific gravity (USG) measured on a reference scale to a more accurate USG value for an avian species, urine samples were collected opportunistically from a colony of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Samples were analyzed by using a veterinary refractometer, and specific gravity was measured on both canine and feline scales. Osmolality was measured by vapor pressure osmometry. Specific gravity and osmolality measurements were highly correlated (r = 0.96). The linear relationship between refractivity measurements on a reference scale and osmolality was determined. An equation was calculated to allow specific gravity results from a medical refractometer to be converted to specific gravity values of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots: USGHAp = 0.201 +0.798(USGref). Use of the reference-canine scale to approximate the osmolality of parrot urine leads to an overestimation of the true osmolality of the sample. In addition, this error increases as the concentration of urine increases. Compared with the human-canine scale, the feline scale provides a closer approximation to urine osmolality of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots but still results in overestimation of osmolality.

The occurrence of antibodies against Legionella pneumophila in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

PubMed

Sikora, Agnieszka; Koszarny, Arkadiusz; Kozioł-Montewka, Maria; Majdan, Maria; Paluch-Oleś, Jolanta; Kozioł, Małgorzata M

2015-01-01

Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more susceptible to infection, owing to the underlying disease itself or to its treatment. Most commonly, infections affect the respiratory and urinary tracts. One of the etiological factors of infections in these patients is the bacteria of the genus Legionella. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anti-Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) antibodies in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and to analyze individual and environmental risk factors for the development of Legionella infection in patients with positive antibody results. The study group consisted of 165 patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and 100 healthy subjects. Serum samples were tested for the presence of specific antibodies in the immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG classes against L. pneumophila serogroups 1 to 7 (SG 1-7) and the IgG class for serogroup 1 (SG 1). Antibodies against L. pneumophila were found in 7 patients (4%): 5 cases with antibody positivity only in the IgG class and 2 cases with antibody positivity in both classes. In patients with positive IgG antibodies for SG 1-7, specific antibodies for L. pneumophila SG 1 were not detected. In the control group, positive results were obtained in 9 cases (9%): IgM positivity in 6 (6%) and IgG positivity in 3 (3%). The frequency of antibodies to L. pneumophila in our patients is comparable to that in healthy individuals. L. pneumophila should be recognized as a potential pathogen in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Primary disease condition, immunosuppressive therapy, and other risk factors should not be ignored in these patients.

Acute multi-sgRNA knockdown of KEOPS complex genes reproduces the microcephaly phenotype of the stable knockout zebrafish model.

PubMed

Jobst-Schwan, Tilman; Schmidt, Johanna Magdalena; Schneider, Ronen; Hoogstraten, Charlotte A; Ullmann, Jeremy F P; Schapiro, David; Majmundar, Amar J; Kolb, Amy; Eddy, Kaitlyn; Shril, Shirlee; Braun, Daniela A; Poduri, Annapurna; Hildebrandt, Friedhelm

2018-01-01

Until recently, morpholino oligonucleotides have been widely employed in zebrafish as an acute and efficient loss-of-function assay. However, off-target effects and reproducibility issues when compared to stable knockout lines have compromised their further use. Here we employed an acute CRISPR/Cas approach using multiple single guide RNAs targeting simultaneously different positions in two exemplar genes (osgep or tprkb) to increase the likelihood of generating mutations on both alleles in the injected F0 generation and to achieve a similar effect as morpholinos but with the reproducibility of stable lines. This multi single guide RNA approach resulted in median likelihoods for at least one mutation on each allele of >99% and sgRNA specific insertion/deletion profiles as revealed by deep-sequencing. Immunoblot showed a significant reduction for Osgep and Tprkb proteins. For both genes, the acute multi-sgRNA knockout recapitulated the microcephaly phenotype and reduction in survival that we observed previously in stable knockout lines, though milder in the acute multi-sgRNA knockout. Finally, we quantify the degree of mutagenesis by deep sequencing, and provide a mathematical model to quantitate the chance for a biallelic loss-of-function mutation. Our findings can be generalized to acute and stable CRISPR/Cas targeting for any zebrafish gene of interest.

Fabrication of Au 25(SG) 18–ZIF-8 Nanocomposites: A Facile Strategy to Position Au 25(SG) 18 Nanoclusters Inside and Outside ZIF-8

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

Luo, Yucheng; Fan, Shiyan; Yu, Wenqian

Multifunctional composite materials are currently highly desired for sustainable energy applications. A general strategy to integrate atomically precise Au 25(SG) 18 with ZIF-8 (Zn(MeIm) 2, MeIm = 2-methylimidazole), is developed in this paper via the typical Zn-carboxylate type of linkage. Au 25(SG) 18 are uniformly encapsulated into a ZIF-8 framework (Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8) by coordination-assisted self-assembly. In contrast, Au 25(SG) 18 integrated by simple impregnation is oriented along the outer surface of ZIF-8 (Au 25(SG) 18/ZIF-8). The porous structure and thermal stability of these nanocomposites are characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption isothermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The distribution ofmore » Au 25(SG) 18 in the two nanocomposites is confirmed by electron microscopy, and the accessibility of Au 25(SG) 18 is evaluated by the 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction. The as-prepared nanocomposites retain the high porosity and thermal stability of the ZIF-8 matrix, while also exhibiting the desired catalytic and optical properties derived from the integrated Au 25(SG) 18 nanoclusters (NCs). Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8 with isolated Au 25 sites is a promising heterogenous catalyst with size selectivity imparted by the ZIF-8 matrix. Finally, the structural distinction between Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8 and Au 25(SG) 18/ZIF-8 determines their different emission features, and provides a new strategy to adjust the optical behavior of Au 25(SG) 18 for applications in bioimaging and biotherapy.« less

Fabrication of Au 25(SG) 18–ZIF-8 Nanocomposites: A Facile Strategy to Position Au 25(SG) 18 Nanoclusters Inside and Outside ZIF-8

DOE PAGES

Luo, Yucheng; Fan, Shiyan; Yu, Wenqian; ...

2017-12-22

Multifunctional composite materials are currently highly desired for sustainable energy applications. A general strategy to integrate atomically precise Au 25(SG) 18 with ZIF-8 (Zn(MeIm) 2, MeIm = 2-methylimidazole), is developed in this paper via the typical Zn-carboxylate type of linkage. Au 25(SG) 18 are uniformly encapsulated into a ZIF-8 framework (Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8) by coordination-assisted self-assembly. In contrast, Au 25(SG) 18 integrated by simple impregnation is oriented along the outer surface of ZIF-8 (Au 25(SG) 18/ZIF-8). The porous structure and thermal stability of these nanocomposites are characterized by N 2 adsorption–desorption isothermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The distribution ofmore » Au 25(SG) 18 in the two nanocomposites is confirmed by electron microscopy, and the accessibility of Au 25(SG) 18 is evaluated by the 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction. The as-prepared nanocomposites retain the high porosity and thermal stability of the ZIF-8 matrix, while also exhibiting the desired catalytic and optical properties derived from the integrated Au 25(SG) 18 nanoclusters (NCs). Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8 with isolated Au 25 sites is a promising heterogenous catalyst with size selectivity imparted by the ZIF-8 matrix. Finally, the structural distinction between Au 25(SG) 18@ZIF-8 and Au 25(SG) 18/ZIF-8 determines their different emission features, and provides a new strategy to adjust the optical behavior of Au 25(SG) 18 for applications in bioimaging and biotherapy.« less

Fabrication of Au25 (SG)18 -ZIF-8 Nanocomposites: A Facile Strategy to Position Au25 (SG)18 Nanoclusters Inside and Outside ZIF-8.

PubMed

Luo, Yucheng; Fan, Shiyan; Yu, Wenqian; Wu, Zili; Cullen, David A; Liang, Chaolun; Shi, Jianying; Su, Chengyong

2018-02-01

Multifunctional composite materials are currently highly desired for sustainable energy applications. A general strategy to integrate atomically precise Au 25 (SG) 18 with ZIF-8 (Zn(MeIm) 2 , MeIm = 2-methylimidazole), is developed via the typical Zn-carboxylate type of linkage. Au 25 (SG) 18 are uniformly encapsulated into a ZIF-8 framework (Au 25 (SG) 18 @ZIF-8) by coordination-assisted self-assembly. In contrast, Au 25 (SG) 18 integrated by simple impregnation is oriented along the outer surface of ZIF-8 (Au 25 (SG) 18 /ZIF-8). The porous structure and thermal stability of these nanocomposites are characterized by N 2 adsorption-desorption isothermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The distribution of Au 25 (SG) 18 in the two nanocomposites is confirmed by electron microscopy, and the accessibility of Au 25 (SG) 18 is evaluated by the 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction. The as-prepared nanocomposites retain the high porosity and thermal stability of the ZIF-8 matrix, while also exhibiting the desired catalytic and optical properties derived from the integrated Au 25 (SG) 18 nanoclusters (NCs). Au 25 (SG) 18 @ZIF-8 with isolated Au 25 sites is a promising heterogenous catalyst with size selectivity imparted by the ZIF-8 matrix. The structural distinction between Au 25 (SG) 18 @ZIF-8 and Au 25 (SG) 18 /ZIF-8 determines their different emission features, and provides a new strategy to adjust the optical behavior of Au 25 (SG) 18 for applications in bioimaging and biotherapy. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Rapid detection and typing of pathogenic nonpneumophila Legionella spp. isolates using a multiplex real-time PCR assay.

PubMed

Benitez, Alvaro J; Winchell, Jonas M

2016-04-01

We developed a single tube multiplex real-time PCR assay that allows for the rapid detection and typing of 9 nonpneumophila Legionella spp. isolates that are clinically relevant. The multiplex assay is capable of simultaneously detecting and discriminating L. micdadei, L. bozemanii, L. dumoffii, L. longbeachae, L. feeleii, L. anisa, L. parisiensis, L. tucsonensis serogroup (sg) 1 and 3, and L. sainthelensis sg 1 and 2 isolates. Evaluation of the assay with nucleic acid from each of these species derived from both clinical and environmental isolates and typing strains demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when tested against 43 other Legionella spp. Typing of L. anisa, L. parisiensis, and L. tucsonensis sg 1 and 3 isolates was accomplished by developing a real-time PCR assay followed by high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis targeting the ssrA gene. Further typing of L. bozemanii, L. longbeachae, and L. feeleii isolates to the serogroup level was accomplished by developing a real-time PCR assay followed by HRM analysis targeting the mip gene. When used in conjunction with other currently available diagnostic tests, these assays may aid in rapidly identifying specific etiologies associated with Legionella outbreaks, clusters, sporadic cases, and potential environmental sources. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Tempus Pro Patient Monitoring System

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-03

AFMSA SG5T, (AFMESA) Mr. John Ingram, AFMSA SG5T, AFMESA Mr. John Plaga , 711 HPW/HP Human Factors Engineering Mr. Paul Bailey, AMC SG/SGR Ms. Lynn...John Plaga , 711 HPW/HP Human Factors Engineering Mr. Paul Bailey, AMC SG/SGR Lt Col Cheryl Hale, AMC SG/SGK Mr. Graham Murphy, RDT Mr. Nigel

Establishment of Functional Acinar-like Cultures from Human Salivary Glands

PubMed Central

Jang, S.I.; Ong, H.L.; Gallo, A.; Liu, X.; Illei, G.

2015-01-01

Disorders of human salivary glands resulting from therapeutic radiation treatment for head and neck cancers or from the autoimmune disease Sjögren syndrome (SS) frequently result in the reduction or complete loss of saliva secretion. Such irreversible dysfunction of the salivary glands is due to the impairment of acinar cells, the major glandular cells of protein, salt secretion, and fluid movement. Availability of primary epithelial cells from human salivary gland tissue is critical for studying the underlying mechanisms of these irreversible disorders. We applied 2 culture system techniques on human minor salivary gland epithelial cells (phmSG) and optimized the growth conditions to achieve the maintenance of phmSG in an acinar-like phenotype. These phmSG cells exhibited progenitor cell markers (keratin 5 and nanog) as well as acinar-specific markers—namely, α-amylase, cystatin C, TMEM16A, and NKCC1. Importantly, with an increase of the calcium concentration in the growth medium, these phmSG cells were further promoted to acinar-like cells in vitro, as indicated by an increase in AQP5 expression. In addition, these phmSG cells also demonstrated functional calcium mobilization, formation of epithelial monolayer with high transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and polarized secretion of α-amylase secretion after β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Taken together, suitable growth conditions have been established to isolate and support culture of acinar-like cells from the human salivary gland. These primary epithelial cells can be useful for study of molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the function of acinar cells and in the loss of salivary gland function in patients. PMID:25416669

Spiral ganglion degeneration and hearing loss as a consequence of satellite cell death in saposin B-deficient mice.

PubMed

Akil, Omar; Sun, Ying; Vijayakumar, Sarath; Zhang, Wujuan; Ku, Tiffany; Lee, Chi-Kyou; Jones, Sherri; Grabowski, Gregory A; Lustig, Lawrence R

2015-02-18

Saposin B (Sap B) is an essential activator protein for arylsulfatase A in the hydrolysis of sulfatide, a lipid component of myelin. To study Sap B's role in hearing and balance, a Sap B-deficient (B(-/-)) mouse was evaluated. At both light and electron microscopy (EM) levels, inclusion body accumulation was seen in satellite cells surrounding spiral ganglion (SG) neurons from postnatal month 1 onward, progressing into large vacuoles preceding satellite cell degeneration, and followed by SG degeneration. EM also revealed reduced or absent myelin sheaths in SG neurons from postnatal month 8 onwards. Hearing loss was initially seen at postnatal month 6 and progressed thereafter for frequency-specific stimuli, whereas click responses became abnormal from postnatal month 13 onward. The progressive hearing loss correlated with the accumulation of inclusion bodies in the satellite cells and their subsequent degeneration. Outer hair cell numbers and efferent function measures (distortion product otoacoustic emissions and contralateral suppression) were normal in the B(-/-) mice throughout this period. Alcian blue staining of SGs demonstrated that these inclusion bodies corresponded to sulfatide accumulation. In contrast, changes in the vestibular system were much milder, but caused severe physiologic deficits. These results demonstrate that loss of Sap B function leads to progressive sulfatide accumulation in satellite cells surrounding the SG neurons, leading to satellite cell degeneration and subsequent SG degeneration with a resultant loss of hearing. Relative sparing of the efferent auditory and vestibular neurons suggests that alternate glycosphingolipid metabolic pathways predominate in these other systems. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/353263-13$15.00/0.

Segmented Separable Footprint Projector for Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and Its application for Subpixel Reconstruction

PubMed Central

Zheng, Jiabei; Fessler, Jeffrey A; Chan, Heang-Ping

2017-01-01

Purpose Digital forward and back projectors play a significant role in iterative image reconstruction. The accuracy of the projector affects the quality of the reconstructed images. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) often uses the ray-tracing (RT) projector that ignores finite detector element size. This paper proposes a modified version of the separable footprint (SF) projector, called the segmented separable footprint (SG) projector, that calculates efficiently the Radon transform mean value over each detector element. The SG projector is specifically designed for DBT reconstruction because of the large height-to-width ratio of the voxels generally used in DBT. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the SG projector in reducing projection error and improving DBT reconstruction quality. Methods We quantitatively compared the projection error of the RT and the SG projector at different locations and their performance in regular and subpixel DBT reconstruction. Subpixel reconstructions used finer voxels in the imaged volume than the detector pixel size. Subpixel reconstruction with RT projector uses interpolated projection views as input to provide adequate coverage of the finer voxel grid with the traced rays. Subpixel reconstruction with the SG projector, however, uses the measured projection views without interpolation. We simulated DBT projections of a test phantom using CatSim (GE Global Research, Niskayuna, NY) under idealized imaging conditions without noise and blur, to analyze the effects of the projectors and subpixel reconstruction without other image degrading factors. The phantom contained an array of horizontal and vertical line pair patterns (1 to 9.5 line pairs/mm) and pairs of closely spaced spheres (diameters 0.053 to 0.5 mm) embedded at the mid-plane of a 5-cm-thick breast-tissue-equivalent uniform volume. The images were reconstructed with regular simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) and subpixel SART using different projectors. The resolution and contrast of the test objects in the reconstructed images and the computation times were compared under different reconstruction conditions. Results The SG projector reduced the projector error by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude at most locations. In the worst case, the SG projector still reduced the projection error by about 50%. In the DBT reconstructed slices parallel to the detector plane, the SG projector not only increased the contrast of the line pairs and spheres, but also produced more smooth and continuous reconstructed images whereas the discrete and sparse nature of the RT projector caused artifacts appearing as patterned noise. For subpixel reconstruction, the SG projector significantly increased object contrast and computation speed, especially for high subpixel ratios, compared with the RT projector implemented with accelerated Siddon’s algorithm. The difference in the depth resolution among the projectors is negligible under the conditions studied. Our results also demonstrated that subpixel reconstruction can improve the spatial resolution of the reconstructed images, and can exceed the Nyquist limit of the detector under some conditions. Conclusions The SG projector was more accurate and faster than the RT projector. The SG projector also substantially reduced computation time and improved the image quality for the tomosynthesized images with and without subpixel reconstruction. PMID:28058719

New Gravity Wave Treatments for GISS Climate Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geller, Marvin A.; Zhou, Tiehan; Ruedy, Reto; Aleinov, Igor; Nazarenko, Larissa; Tausnev, Nikolai L.; Sun, Shan; Kelley, Maxwell; Cheng, Ye

2011-01-01

Previous versions of GISS climate models have either used formulations of Rayleigh drag to represent unresolved gravity wave interactions with the model-resolved flow or have included a rather complicated treatment of unresolved gravity waves that, while being climate interactive, involved the specification of a relatively large number of parameters that were not well constrained by observations and also was computationally very expensive. Here, the authors introduce a relatively simple and computationally efficient specification of unresolved orographic and nonorographic gravity waves and their interaction with the resolved flow. Comparisons of the GISS model winds and temperatures with no gravity wave parameterization; with only orographic gravity wave parameterization; and with both orographic and nonorographic gravity wave parameterizations are shown to illustrate how the zonal mean winds and temperatures converge toward observations. The authors also show that the specifications of orographic and nonorographic gravity waves must be different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Then results are presented where the nonorographic gravity wave sources are specified to represent sources from convection in the intertropical convergence zone and spontaneous emission from jet imbalances. Finally, a strategy to include these effects in a climate-dependent manner is suggested.

New Gravity Wave Treatments for GISS Climate Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geller, Marvin A.; Zhou, Tiehan; Ruedy, Reto; Aleinov, Igor; Nazarenko, Larissa; Tausnev, Nikolai L.; Sun, Shan; Kelley, Maxwell; Cheng, Ye

2010-01-01

Previous versions of GISS climate models have either used formulations of Rayleigh drag to represent unresolved gravity wave interactions with the model resolved flow or have included a rather complicated treatment of unresolved gravity waves that, while being climate interactive, involved the specification of a relatively large number of parameters that were not well constrained by observations and also was computationally very expensive. Here, we introduce a relatively simple and computationally efficient specification of unresolved orographic and non-orographic gravity waves and their interaction with the resolved flow. We show comparisons of the GISS model winds and temperatures with no gravity wave parametrization; with only orographic gravity wave parameterization; and with both orographic and non-orographic gravity wave parameterizations to illustrate how the zonal mean winds and temperatures converge toward observations. We also show that the specifications of orographic and nonorographic gravity waves must be different in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. We then show results where the non-orographic gravity wave sources are specified to represent sources from convection in the Intertropical Convergence Zone and spontaneous emission from jet imbalances. Finally, we suggest a strategy to include these effects in a climate dependent manner.

Effects of ozone and sulfur dioxide on height and stem specific gravity of Populus hybrids

Treesearch

Roy L. Patton

1981-01-01

Unfumigated hybrid poplars (Populus spp.) were compared with poplars of the same nine clones fumigated with 0.15 pprn ozone or 0.25 ppm sulfur dioxide. After 102 days, plant height and stem specific gravity were measured to determine whether specific gravity is altered by the fumigants and to compare that response to height suppression, an accepted...

Specific gravity of hybrid poplars in the north-central region, USA: within-tree variability and site × genotype effects

Treesearch

William L. Headlee; Ronald S. Jr. Zalesny; Richard B. Hall; Edmund O. Bauer; Bradford Bender; Bruce A. Birr; Raymond O. Miller; Jesse A. Randall; Adam H. Wiese

2013-01-01

Specific gravity is an important consideration for traditional uses of hybrid poplars for pulp and solid wood products, as well as for biofuels and bioenergy production. While specific gravity has been shown to be under strong genetic control and subject to within-tree variability, the role of genotype × environment interactions is poorly understood. Most...

Age versus size determination of radial variation in wood specific gravity : lessons from eccentrics

Treesearch

G. Bruce Williamson; Michael C. Wiemann

2011-01-01

Radial increases in wood specific gravity have been shown to characterize early successional trees from tropical forests. Here, we develop and apply a novel method to test whether radial increases are determined by tree age or tree size. The method compares the slopes of specific gravity changes across a short radius and a long radius of trees with eccentric trunks. If...

The influence of plantation and seed-source elevation on wood specific gravity of 29-year-old ponderosa pines

Treesearch

R. M. Echols; M. T. Conkle

1971-01-01

Genetic, environmental, and age effects were found in 29-yr-old ponderosa pine progenies from different elevational sources, when they were grown at 960, 2730, and 5650 ft elevation in the Sierra Nevada of California. Wood specific gravity decreased as elevation of seed parents increased, and all genotypes produced significantly lower specific gravity wood in the high-...

Variation of Specific Gravity in Plantation-Grown Trees of Bigleaf Mahogany

Treesearch

C. B. Briscoe; J. B. Harris; D. Wyckoff

1963-01-01

As a prelude to tree improvement work in the genus Swietenia, a study was made of specific gravity variation within the bole of six plantation-grown trees of bigleaf mahogany. Variation was appreciable, from 0.36 to 0.65 , and several patterns were determined. Specific gravity of the tree increased with growth rate, as expressed in diameter at breast height, but not...

Fibril angle of loblolly pine wood as related to specific gravity, growth rate, and distance from pith

Treesearch

Charles W. McMillin

1972-01-01

Fibril angles were greater for earlywood (avg. 33.4o) than for latewood tracheids (avg. 26.9o). For earlywood, fibril angle did not differ between growth rates when the specific gravity was low (avg. 33.3o). When the specific gravity was high, wood of fast growth had a higher fibril angle (avg. 35.1...

Editing Citrus Genome via SaCas9/sgRNA System

PubMed Central

Jia, Hongge; Xu, Jin; Orbović, Vladimir; Zhang, Yunzeng; Wang, Nian

2017-01-01

SaCas9/sgRNA, derived from Staphylococcus aureus, is an alternative system for genome editing to Streptococcus pyogenes SpCas9/sgRNA. The smaller SaCas9 recognizes a different protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence from SpCas9. SaCas9/sgRNA has been employed to edit the genomes of Arabidopsis, tobacco and rice. In this study, we aimed to test its potential in genome editing of citrus. Transient expression of SaCas9/sgRNA in Duncan grapefruit via Xcc-facilitated agroinfiltration showed it can successfully modify CsPDS and Cs2g12470. Subsequently, binary vector GFP-p1380N-SaCas9/35S-sgRNA1:AtU6-sgRNA2 was developed to edit two target sites of Cs7g03360 in transgenic Carrizo citrange. Twelve GFP-positive Carrizo transformants were successfully established, designated as #Cz1 to #Cz12. Based on targeted next generation sequencing results, the mutation rates for the two targets ranged from 15.55 to 39.13% for sgRNA1 and 49.01 to 79.67% for sgRNA2. Therefore, SaCas9/sgRNA can be used as an alternative tool to SpCas9/sgRNA for citrus genome editing. PMID:29312390

7 CFR 51.3417 - Optional test for specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... be corrected for temperature variations using Table I. (2) A hydrometer specifically designed for determining the specific gravity of potatoes. 3 3 The hydrometer is available from the Potato Chip/Snack Food...

Ultrasonic hydrometer. [Specific gravity of electrolyte

DOEpatents

Swoboda, C.A.

1982-03-09

The disclosed ultrasonic hydrometer determines the specific gravity (density) of the electrolyte of a wet battery, such as a lead-acid battery. The hydrometer utilizes a transducer that when excited emits an ultrasonic impulse that traverses through the electrolyte back and forth between spaced sonic surfaces. The transducer detects the returning impulse, and means measures the time t between the initial and returning impulses. Considering the distance d between the spaced sonic surfaces and the measured time t, the sonic velocity V is calculated with the equation V = 2d/t. The hydrometer also utilizes a thermocouple to measure the electrolyte temperature. A hydrometer database correlates three variable parameters including sonic velocity in and temperature and specific gravity of the electrolyte, for temperature values between 0 and 40/sup 0/C and for specific gravity values between 1.05 and 1.30. Upon knowing two parameters (the calculated sonic velocity and the measured temperature), the third parameter (specific gravity) can be uniquely found in the database. The hydrometer utilizes a microprocessor for data storage and manipulation.

Egg buoyancy variability in local populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).

PubMed

Jung, Kyung-Mi; Folkvord, Arild; Kjesbu, Olav Sigurd; Agnalt, Ann Lisbeth; Thorsen, Anders; Sundby, Svein

2012-01-01

Previous studies have found strong evidences for Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) egg retention in fjords, which are caused by the combination of vertical salinity structure, estuarine circulation, and egg specific gravity, supporting small-scaled geographical differentiations of local populations. Here, we assess the variability in egg specific gravity for selected local populations of this species, that is, two fjord-spawning populations and one coastal-spawning population from Northern Norway (66-71°N/10-25°E). Eggs were naturally spawned by raised broodstocks (March to April 2009), and egg specific gravity was measured by a density-gradient column. The phenotype of egg specific gravity was similar among the three local populations. However, the associated variability was greater at the individual level than at the population level. The noted gradual decrease in specific gravity from gastrulation to hatching with an increase just before hatching could be a generic pattern in pelagic marine fish eggs. This study provides needed input to adequately understand and model fish egg dispersal.

XIAP and Ki-67: A Correlation Between Antiapoptotic and Proliferative Marker Expression in Benign and Malignant Tumours of Salivary Gland: An Immunohistochemical Study.

PubMed

Bagulkar, Bhupesh Bhayyaji; Gawande, Madhuri; Chaudhary, Minal; Gadbail, Amol Ramchandra; Patil, Swati; Bagulkar, Smita

2015-02-01

Impaired balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is crucial to the development of malignant neoplasm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression of X-Linked inhibitor of apoptotic protein (XIAP) (antiapoptotic marker) and Ki-67 (proliferative marker) expression in benign and malignant salivary gland (SG) tumours. The study consisted of 40 cases of benign SG tumours and 50 cases of malignant SG tumours. The immunohistochemistry was carried out by using Ki-67 antibody (clone MIB-1) and XIAP antibody in all the groups. XIAP expression was significantly higher in malignant SG tumours than benign SG tumours (p = 0.016). Ki-67 LI was significantly higher in malignant SG tumours than benign SG tumours (p = 0.0002). Statistically significant positive correlation between Ki-67 count and XIAP expression was noted in benign and malignant SG tumours (p = 0.000). As the expression of an antiapoptotic marker (XIAP) increases, the expression of a proliferative marker (Ki-67) also increases from benign to malignant SG tumours. Thus, targeted therapy of XIAP may play a future role in the management of SG malignancy.

XIAP and Ki-67: A Correlation Between Antiapoptotic and Proliferative Marker Expression in Benign and Malignant Tumours of Salivary Gland: An Immunohistochemical Study

PubMed Central

Gawande, Madhuri; Chaudhary, Minal; Gadbail, Amol Ramchandra; Patil, Swati; Bagulkar, Smita

2015-01-01

Background: Impaired balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is crucial to the development of malignant neoplasm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression of X-Linked inhibitor of apoptotic protein (XIAP) (antiapoptotic marker) and Ki-67 (proliferative marker) expression in benign and malignant salivary gland (SG) tumours. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 40 cases of benign SG tumours and 50 cases of malignant SG tumours. The immunohistochemistry was carried out by using Ki-67 antibody (clone MIB-1) and XIAP antibody in all the groups. Results: XIAP expression was significantly higher in malignant SG tumours than benign SG tumours (p = 0.016). Ki-67 LI was significantly higher in malignant SG tumours than benign SG tumours (p = 0.0002). Statistically significant positive correlation between Ki-67 count and XIAP expression was noted in benign and malignant SG tumours (p = 0.000). Conclusion: As the expression of an antiapoptotic marker (XIAP) increases, the expression of a proliferative marker (Ki-67) also increases from benign to malignant SG tumours. Thus, targeted therapy of XIAP may play a future role in the management of SG malignancy. PMID:25859460

Specific gravity variation in robusta eucalyptus grown in Hawaii

Treesearch

Roger G. Skolmen

1972-01-01

The specific gravity (air-dry volume, ovendry weight) of Eucalyptus robusta wood was tested within and between trees from 10 stands. Mean specific gravity was 0.603, but the range in individual samples for 50 trees was 0.331 to 0.869, and was 0.357 to 0.755 within one cross section. A consistent increase was recorded in all trees from pith to cambium and from butt to...

Device for detecting the specific gravity of a liquid. [Patent application

DOEpatents

Derouin, C.R.; Kerwin, W.J.; McCormick, J.B.; Bobbett, R.E.

1980-11-18

A device for detecting the specific gravity of a liquid and a device for detecting the state of charge of a liquid phase electrolyte battery are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, a change in the critical angle of total internal reflection is utilized to determine the index of refraction of the liquid to be measured. It is shown that the index of refraction of the liquid is a function of the specific gravity of the liquid. In applications for measuring the state of charge of a battery, the specific gravity is proportional to the state of charge of the battery. A change in intensity of rays intersecting an interface surface indicates the critical angle which is a direct indication of the specific gravity of the liquid and the state of charge of a battery. In another embodiment, a light beam is projected through a transparent medium and then through a portion of the liquid to be measured. A change in refraction due to a change in the index of refraction of the liquid produces a deflection of the beam which is measured by a detector. The magnitude of deflection of the beam is directly proportional to the specific gravity of the liquid and the state of charge of a battery.

Quantification of sweat gland volume and innervation in neuropathy: Correlation with thermoregulatory sweat testing.

PubMed

Loavenbruck, Adam; Wendelschaefer-Crabbe, Gwen; Sandroni, Paola; Kennedy, William R

2014-10-01

No study has correlated thermoregulatory sweat testing (TST) with histopathologic study of sweat glands (SGs) and SG nerve fibers (SGNFs). We studied 10 neuropathy patients in whom anhidrosis was found by TST and 10 matched controls. Skin biopsies were taken from both anhidrotic and sweating skin and immunohistochemical staining was done for nerves and basement membrane. For each biopsy, total tissue volume, total SG volume, and total SGNF length were measured. SGNF length per biopsy volume, SG volume per biopsy volume (SG%), and SGNF length per SG volume were calculated. SGNF length per biopsy volume was reduced in anhidrotic site biopsies of patients compared with controls. SG% was decreased and SGNF length per SG volume increased in patients compared with controls. The results suggest a concomitant loss of SG volume and SGNF length in neuropathy, with greater loss of SGNFs in anhidrotic skin, possibly exceeding collateral reinnervation. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Noether symmetry approach in f(G,T) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shamir, M. Farasat; Ahmad, Mushtaq

2017-01-01

We explore the recently introduced modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity (Sharif and Ikram in Eur Phys J C 76:640, 2016), f(G,T) pragmatic with G, the Gauss-Bonnet term, and T, the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. Noether symmetry approach has been used to develop some cosmologically viable f(G,T) gravity models. The Noether equations of modified gravity are reported for flat FRW universe. Two specific models have been studied to determine the conserved quantities and exact solutions. In particular, the well known deSitter solution is reconstructed for some specific choice of f(G,T) gravity model.

Generation of beta-lactoglobulin knock-out goats using CRISPR/Cas9

PubMed Central

Zhou, Wenjun; Wan, Yongjie; Guo, Rihong; Deng, Mingtian; Deng, Kaiping; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Yanli; Wang, Feng

2017-01-01

Goat’s milk, considered a substitute for cow’s milk, has a high nutritional value. However, goat’s milk contains various allergens, predominantly β-lactoglobulin (BLG). In this study, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to target the BLG locus in goat fibroblasts for sgRNA optimization and generate BLG knock-out goats through co-injection of Cas9 mRNA and small guide RNAs (sgRNAs) into goat embryos at the one-cell stage. We firstly tested sgRNA editing efficiencies in goat fibroblast cells, and approximately 8.00%–9.09% of the cells were modified in single sgRNA-guided targeting experiment. Among the kids, the genome-targeting efficiencies of single sgRNA were 12.5% (10 ng/μL sg1) and 0% (10 ng/μL sg2) and efficiencies of dual sgRNAs were 25.0% (25 ng/μL sg2+sg3 group) and 28.6% (50 ng/μL sg2+sg3 group). Relative expression of BLG in BLG knock-out goat mammary glands significantly (p < 0.01) decreased as well as other milk protein coding genes, such as CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, CSN3 and LALBA (p < 0.05). As expected, BLG protein had been abolished in the milk of the BLG knock-out goat. In addition, most of the targeted kids were chimeric (3/4), and their various body tissues were edited simultaneously. Our study thus provides a basis for optimizing the quality of goat milk, which can be applied to biomedical and agricultural research. PMID:29016691

CRISPRscan: designing highly efficient sgRNAs for CRISPR/Cas9 targeting in vivo

PubMed Central

Moreno-Mateos, Miguel A.; Vejnar, Charles E.; Beaudoin, Jean-Denis; Fernandez, Juan P.; Mis, Emily K.; Khokha, Mustafa K.; Giraldez, Antonio J.

2015-01-01

CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides a powerful system for genome engineering. However, variable activity across different single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) remains a significant limitation. We have analyzed the molecular features that influence sgRNA stability, activity and loading into Cas9 in vivo. We observe that guanine enrichment and adenine depletion increase sgRNA stability and activity, while loading, nucleosome positioning and Cas9 off-target binding are not major determinants. We additionally identified truncated and 5′ mismatch-containing sgRNAs as efficient alternatives to canonical sgRNAs. Based on these results, we created a predictive sgRNA-scoring algorithm (CRISPRscan.org) that effectively captures the sequence features affecting Cas9/sgRNA activity in vivo. Finally, we show that targeting Cas9 to the germ line using a Cas9-nanos-3′-UTR fusion can generate maternal-zygotic mutants, increase viability and reduce somatic mutations. Together, these results provide novel insights into the determinants that influence Cas9 activity and a framework to identify highly efficient sgRNAs for genome targeting in vivo. PMID:26322839

Axisymmetric Strain Path Tests on Nellis Baseline Sand

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

tested to determine their grain-size distributions, specific gravities , and Atterberg limits. The results of these tests are su-Arized in Table 2.1...plastic limits, plasticity index, and specific gravity . All four batches of NB sand were classified by the Unified Soil Classi- fication System...those contaminated by oil due to membrane leakage. Based on these data and a specific gravity of 2.62, values of dry density, void ratio, degree of

Measurement of ground-water storage change and specific yield using the temporal-gravity method near Rillito Creek, Tucson, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pool, Donald R.; Schmidt, Werner

1997-01-01

The temporal-gravity method was used to estimate ground-water storage change and specific -yield values at wells near Rillito Creek, Tucson, Arizona, between early December 1992 and early January 1994. The method applies Newton's Law of Gravitation to measure changes in the local gravitational field of the Earth that are caused by changes in the mass and volume of ground water. Gravity at 50 stations in a 6-square-mile area was measured repeatedly relative to gravity at two bedrock stations. Ephemeral recharge through streamflow infiltration during the winter of 1992-93 resulted in water-level rises and gravity increases near Rillito Creek as the volume of ground water in storage increased. Water levels in wells rose as much as 30 feet, and gravity increased as much as 90 microgals. Water levels declined and gravity decreased near the stream after the last major winter flow but continued to rise and increase, respectively, in downgradient areas. Water levels and gravity relative to bedrock were measured at 10 wells. Good linear correlations between water levels and gravity values at five wells nearest the stream allowed for the estimation of specific-yield values for corresponding stratigraphic units assuming the mass change occurred in an infinite horizonal slab of uniform thickness. Specific-yield values for the stream-channel deposits at three wells ranged from 0.15 to 0.34, and correlation coefficients ranged from 0.81 to 0.99. Specific-yield values for the Fort Lowell Formation at three wells ranged from 0.07 to 0.18, and correlation coefficients ranged from 0.82 to 0.93. Specific-yield values were not calculated for the five wells farthest from the stream because of insufficient water-level and gravity change or poor correlations between water level and gravity. Poor correlations between water levels and gravity resulted from ground-water storage change in perched aquifers and in the unsaturated zone near ephemeral streams. Seasonal distributions of ground-water storage change since early December 1992 were evaluated from gravity change at all stations using Gauss's Law. Changes in the distribution of gravity are caused by the flow of water into or out of ground-water storage. Gravity along two profiles was measured frequently to evaluate spatial and temporal distributions of gravity change. Gravity variations indicated preferential ground-water flow to the south in the western part of the study area where the saturate thickness of the aquifer is greatest. Storage changes from December 1992 through early March 1993, mid-May 1993, late August 1993, and early January 1994 were calculated as increases of 7,900, 8,000, 6,300, and 3,700 acre-feet, respectively. Seasonal variations in storage were caused by ground-water withdrawlas, ground-water flow across the boundaries of the gravity-station network, and streamflow infiltration from December 1992 through late April 1993. Most of the estimated recharge of 10,900 acre-feet occurred before mid-May 1993.

Validation of ethnopharmacology of ayurvedic sarasvata ghrita and comparative evaluation of its neuroprotective effect with modern alcoholic and lipid based extracts in β-amyloid induced memory impairment.

PubMed

Shelar, Madhuri; Nanaware, Sadhana; Arulmozhi, S; Lohidasan, Sathiyanarayanan; Mahadik, Kakasaheb

2018-06-12

Sarasvata ghrita (SG), a polyherbal formulation from ayurveda, an ancient medicinal system of India, has been used to improve intelligence and memory, treat speech delay, speaking difficulties and low digestion power in children. Study aimed to validate the ethno use of SG in memory enhancement through systematic scientific protocol. The effect of SG and modern extracts of ingredients of SG was compared on cognitive function and neuroprotection in amyloid-β peptide 25-35(Aβ25-35) induced memory impairment in wistar rats. Further the underlying mechanism for neuroprotective activity was investigated. SG was prepared as per traditional method, ethanolic extract (EE) was prepared by conventional method and lipid based extract was prepared by modern extraction method. All extracts were standardised by newly developed HPLC method with respect to marker compounds. SG, EE and LE were administered orally to male Wistar rats at doses of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg Body Weight by feeding needle for a period of 21 days after the intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ25-35 bilaterally. Spatial memory of rats was tested using Morris water maze (MWM) and Radial arm maze (RAM) test. The possible underlying mechanisms for the cognitive improvement exhibited by SG, EE and LE was investigated through ex-vivo brain antioxidant effect, monoamine level estimation, acetylcholine esterase (AchE) inhibitory effect and Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels estimation. SG, EE and LE were analyzed by HPLC method, results showed that EE extract has high percent of selected phytoconstituents as compared with SG and LE. SG and LE decrease escape latency and searching distance in a dose dependant manner during MWM test. In case of RAM significant decrease in number of errors and increase in number of correct choices indicate an elevation in retention and recall aspects of learning and memory after administration of SG an LE. SG and LE extract can efficiently prevent accumulation of β-amyloid plaque in hippocampus region. There was increase in SOD, GSH, CAT and NO level and decrease in MDA levels in SG and LE administered animals. SG and LE have found to exhibit AchE inhibitiory activity and significant dose-dependant increase in BDNF level in the plasma. SG and LE significantly increased the levels of noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain. The study validated the neuroprotective activity of SG. The study concludes the extraction efficiency of SG for selected phytoconstituents is less than modern methods. However the neuroprotective activity of SG and LE was found to be greater than EE. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of roughage inclusion and particle size on performance and rumination behavior of finishing beef steers.

PubMed

Gentry, W W; Weiss, C P; Meredith, C M; McCollum, F T; Cole, N A; Jennings, J S

2016-11-01

Roughage is typically mechanically processed to increase digestibility and improve handling and mixing characteristics in beef cattle finishing diets. Roughage is fed to promote ruminal health and decrease digestive upset, but inclusion in finishing diets is limited due to the cost per unit of energy. Rumination behavior may be a means to standardize roughage in beef cattle finishing diets, and increasing particle size of roughage may allow a decrease in roughage inclusion without sacrificing animal performance. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to quantify rumination time for a finishing beef animal and to evaluate the effects of corn stalk (CS) inclusion rate and particle size on rumination behavior, animal performance, and carcass characteristics. Fifty-one individually fed steers (385 ± 3.6 kg initial BW) were used in a randomized complete block design feeding study. Corn stalks were passed through a tub grinder equipped with a 7.62-cm screen once to generate long-grind CS (LG-CS) or twice to generate short-grind CS (SG-CS). Dietary treatments were based on steam-flaked corn and included, on a DM basis, 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) with 5% SG-CS (5SG), 30% WCGF with 5% LG-CS (5LG), and 25% WCGF with 10% SG-CS (10SG). The Penn State Particle Separator was used to separate ingredients and treatment diets and to estimate physically effective NDF (peNDF). On d 70, each steer was fitted with a collar (HR Tag; SCR Dairy, Netanya, Isreal), which continuously measured rumination minutes via a sensory microphone. Long-grind CS contained more ( < 0.01) peNDF than SG-CS, and the 10SG diet contained more ( = 0.03) peNDF than the 5LG and 5SG diets. Dry matter intake was greatest ( = 0.03) for steers consuming 5LG and least for steers consuming 10SG, with cattle consuming 5SG being intermediate. Carcass-adjusted ADG and G:F were greatest ( ≤ 0.03) for steers consuming 5LG and 5SG compared with steers consuming 10SG. Hot carcass weight tended ( = 0.10) to be greatest for steers consuming 5LG and least for steers consuming 10SG, with steers consuming 5SG being intermediate. Dressing percent was greater ( = 0.01) for steers consuming 5LG and 5SG than for steers consuming 10SG. A significant interaction ( < 0.01) occurred for rumination minutes × day. Rumination (min/day) were greatest ( = 0.01) for steers consuming 10SG followed by steers consuming 5LG and was lowest for steers consuming 5SG. Increasing particle size of roughage may be a means to decrease roughage inclusion rate while maintaining rumination and performance.

Establishment of functional acinar-like cultures from human salivary glands.

PubMed

Jang, S I; Ong, H L; Gallo, A; Liu, X; Illei, G; Alevizos, I

2015-02-01

Disorders of human salivary glands resulting from therapeutic radiation treatment for head and neck cancers or from the autoimmune disease Sjögren syndrome (SS) frequently result in the reduction or complete loss of saliva secretion. Such irreversible dysfunction of the salivary glands is due to the impairment of acinar cells, the major glandular cells of protein, salt secretion, and fluid movement. Availability of primary epithelial cells from human salivary gland tissue is critical for studying the underlying mechanisms of these irreversible disorders. We applied 2 culture system techniques on human minor salivary gland epithelial cells (phmSG) and optimized the growth conditions to achieve the maintenance of phmSG in an acinar-like phenotype. These phmSG cells exhibited progenitor cell markers (keratin 5 and nanog) as well as acinar-specific markers-namely, α-amylase, cystatin C, TMEM16A, and NKCC1. Importantly, with an increase of the calcium concentration in the growth medium, these phmSG cells were further promoted to acinar-like cells in vitro, as indicated by an increase in AQP5 expression. In addition, these phmSG cells also demonstrated functional calcium mobilization, formation of epithelial monolayer with high transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), and polarized secretion of α-amylase secretion after β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Taken together, suitable growth conditions have been established to isolate and support culture of acinar-like cells from the human salivary gland. These primary epithelial cells can be useful for study of molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the function of acinar cells and in the loss of salivary gland function in patients. © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2014.

Gene Editing Vectors for Studying Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Cholinergic Transmission.

PubMed

Peng, Can; Yan, Yijin; Kim, Veronica J; Engle, Staci E; Berry, Jennifer N; McIntosh, J Michael; Neve, Rachael L; Drenan, Ryan M

2018-05-19

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), prototype members of the cys-loop ligand gated ion channel family, are key mediators of cholinergic transmission in the central nervous system. Despite their importance, technical gaps exist in our ability to dissect the function of individual subunits in the brain. To overcome these barriers, we designed CRISPR/Cas9 small guide RNA sequences (sgRNAs) for production of loss-of-function alleles in mouse nAChR genes. These sgRNAs were validated in vitro via deep sequencing. We subsequently targeted candidate nAChR genes in vivo by creating herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors delivering sgRNAs and Cas9 expression to mouse brain. Production of loss-of-function insertions or deletions (indels) by these "all-in-one" HSV vectors was confirmed using brain slice patch clamp electrophysiology coupled with pharmacological analysis. Next, we developed a scheme for cell type-specific gene editing in mouse brain. Knockin mice expressing Cas9 in a Cre-dependent manner were validated using viral microinjections and genetic crosses to common Cre-driver mouse lines. We subsequently confirmed functional Cas9 activity by targeting the ubiquitous neuronal protein, NeuN, using adeno associated virus (AAV) delivery of sgRNAs. Finally, the mouse β2 nAChR gene was successfully targeted in dopamine transporter (DAT) positive neurons via CRISPR/Cas9. The sgRNA sequences and viral vectors, including our scheme for Cre-dependent gene editing, should be generally useful to the scientific research community. These tools could lead to new discoveries related to the function of nAChRs in neurotransmission and behavioral processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Different Effects of sgRNA Length on CRISPR-mediated Gene Knockout Efficiency.

PubMed

Zhang, Jian-Ping; Li, Xiao-Lan; Neises, Amanda; Chen, Wanqiu; Hu, Lin-Ping; Ji, Guang-Zhen; Yu, Jun-Yao; Xu, Jing; Yuan, Wei-Ping; Cheng, Tao; Zhang, Xiao-Bing

2016-06-24

CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful genome editing technology, yet with off-target effects. Truncated sgRNAs (17nt) have been found to decrease off-target cleavage without affecting on-target disruption in 293T cells. However, the potency of 17nt sgRNAs relative to the full-length 20nt sgRNAs in stem cells, such as human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has not been assessed. Using a GFP reporter system, we found that both 17nt and 20nt sgRNAs expressed by lentiviral vectors induce ~95% knockout (KO) in 293T cells, whereas the KO efficiencies are significantly lower in iPSCs (60-70%) and MSCs (65-75%). Furthermore, we observed a decrease of 10-20 percentage points in KO efficiency with 17nt sgRNAs compared to full-length sgRNAs in both iPSCs and MSCs. Off-target cleavage was observed in 17nt sgRNAs with 1-2nt but not 3-4nt mismatches; whereas 20nt sgRNAs with up to 5nt mismatches can still induce off-target mutations. Of interest, we occasionally observed off-target effects induced by the 17nt but not the 20nt sgRNAs. These results indicate the importance of balancing on-target gene cleavage potency with off-target effects: when efficacy is a major concern such as genome editing in stem cells, the use of 20nt sgRNAs is preferable.

First chemical separation and identification of Seaborgium

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

Tuerler, A.; Eichler, B.; Jost, D.T.

1997-12-31

The chemical properties of element 106 (Seaborgium, Sg) were successfully studied using the On-line Gas Chromatography Apparatus (OLGA III). After chemical separation of Sg in the form of volatile oxichlorides the nuclides {sup 265}Sg and {sup 266}Sg were unambiguously identified and their half-lives were determined for the first time. The Sg nuclides were produced from the {sup 248}Cm({sup 22}Ne, 4,5n){sup 266,265}Sg reaction at the GSI Darmstadt UNILAC accelerator. Simultaneously, short-lived W nuclides were produced from a small admixture of {sup 152}Gd to the Cm target material. As predicted by relativistic calculations and by extrapolations of chemical properties, it was demonstratedmore » that Sg oxichlorides are indeed less volatile than their lighter homologue W- and Mo-oxichlorides.« less

Acute multi-sgRNA knockdown of KEOPS complex genes reproduces the microcephaly phenotype of the stable knockout zebrafish model

PubMed Central

Schneider, Ronen; Hoogstraten, Charlotte A.; Schapiro, David; Majmundar, Amar J.; Kolb, Amy; Eddy, Kaitlyn; Shril, Shirlee; Braun, Daniela A.; Poduri, Annapurna

2018-01-01

Until recently, morpholino oligonucleotides have been widely employed in zebrafish as an acute and efficient loss-of-function assay. However, off-target effects and reproducibility issues when compared to stable knockout lines have compromised their further use. Here we employed an acute CRISPR/Cas approach using multiple single guide RNAs targeting simultaneously different positions in two exemplar genes (osgep or tprkb) to increase the likelihood of generating mutations on both alleles in the injected F0 generation and to achieve a similar effect as morpholinos but with the reproducibility of stable lines. This multi single guide RNA approach resulted in median likelihoods for at least one mutation on each allele of >99% and sgRNA specific insertion/deletion profiles as revealed by deep-sequencing. Immunoblot showed a significant reduction for Osgep and Tprkb proteins. For both genes, the acute multi-sgRNA knockout recapitulated the microcephaly phenotype and reduction in survival that we observed previously in stable knockout lines, though milder in the acute multi-sgRNA knockout. Finally, we quantify the degree of mutagenesis by deep sequencing, and provide a mathematical model to quantitate the chance for a biallelic loss-of-function mutation. Our findings can be generalized to acute and stable CRISPR/Cas targeting for any zebrafish gene of interest. PMID:29346415

Nanoparticle-mediated rhodopsin cDNA but not intron-containing DNA delivery causes transgene silencing in a rhodopsin knockout model.

PubMed

Zheng, Min; Mitra, Rajendra N; Filonov, Nazar A; Han, Zongchao

2016-03-01

Previously, we compared the efficacy of nanoparticle (NP)-mediated intron-containing rhodopsin (sgRho) vs. intronless cDNA in ameliorating retinal disease phenotypes in a rhodopsin knockout (RKO) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. We showed that NP-mediated sgRho delivery achieved long-term expression and phenotypic improvement in RKO mice, but not NP housing cDNA. However, the protein level of the NP-sgRho construct was only 5-10% of wild-type at 8 mo postinjection. To have a better understanding of the reduced levels of long-term expression of the vectors, in the present study, we evaluated the epigenetic changes of subretinal delivering NP-cDNA vs. NP-sgRho in the RKO mouse eyes. Following the administration, DNA methylation and histone status of specific regions (bacteria plasmid backbone, promoter, rhodopsin gene, and scaffold/matrix attachment region) of the vectors were evaluated at various time points. We documented that epigenetic transgene silencing occurred in vector-mediated gene transfer, which were caused by the plasmid backbone and the cDNA of the transgene, but not the intron-containing transgene. No toxicity or inflammation was found in the treated eyes. Our results suggest that cDNA of the rhodopsin transgene and bacteria backbone interfered with the host defense mechanism of DNA methylation-mediated transgene silencing through heterochromatin-associated modifications. © FASEB.

Value of Free-Run Electromyographic Monitoring of Extraocular Cranial Nerves during Expanded Endonasal Surgery (EES) of the Skull Base.

PubMed

Thirumala, Parthasarathy D; Mohanraj, Santhosh Kumar; Habeych, Miguel; Wichman, Kelley; Chang, Yue-Fang; Gardner, Paul; Snyderman, Carl; Crammond, Donald J; Balzer, Jeffrey

2013-06-01

Objective To evaluate the value of free-run electromyography (f-EMG) monitoring of extraocular cranial nerves (EOCN) III, IV, and VI during expanded endonasal surgery (EES) of the skull base in reducing iatrogenic cranial nerve (CN) deficits. Design We retrospectively identified 200 patients out of 990 who had at least one EOCN monitored during EES. We further separated patients into groups according to the specific CN monitored. In each CN group, we classified patients who had significant (SG) f-EMG activity as Group I and those who did not as Group II. Results A total of 696 EOCNs were monitored. The number of muscles supplied by EOCNs that had SG f-EMG activity was 88, including CN III = 46, CN IV = 21, and CN VI = 21. There were two deficits involving CN VI in patients who had SG f-EMG activity during surgery. There were 14 deficits observed, including CN III = 3, CN IV = 2, and CN VI = 9 in patients who did not have SG f-EMG activity during surgery. Conclusions f-EMG monitoring of EOCN during EES can be useful in identifying the location of the nerve. It seems to have limited value in predicting postoperative neurological deficits. Future studies to evaluate the EMG of EOCN during EES need to be done with both f-EMG and triggered EMG.

Value of Free-Run Electromyographic Monitoring of Extraocular Cranial Nerves during Expanded Endonasal Surgery (EES) of the Skull Base

PubMed Central

Thirumala, Parthasarathy D.; Mohanraj, Santhosh Kumar; Habeych, Miguel; Wichman, Kelley; Chang, Yue-fang; Gardner, Paul; Snyderman, Carl; Crammond, Donald J.; Balzer, Jeffrey

2013-01-01

Objective To evaluate the value of free-run electromyography (f-EMG) monitoring of extraocular cranial nerves (EOCN) III, IV, and VI during expanded endonasal surgery (EES) of the skull base in reducing iatrogenic cranial nerve (CN) deficits. Design We retrospectively identified 200 patients out of 990 who had at least one EOCN monitored during EES. We further separated patients into groups according to the specific CN monitored. In each CN group, we classified patients who had significant (SG) f-EMG activity as Group I and those who did not as Group II. Results A total of 696 EOCNs were monitored. The number of muscles supplied by EOCNs that had SG f-EMG activity was 88, including CN III = 46, CN IV = 21, and CN VI = 21. There were two deficits involving CN VI in patients who had SG f-EMG activity during surgery. There were 14 deficits observed, including CN III = 3, CN IV = 2, and CN VI = 9 in patients who did not have SG f-EMG activity during surgery. Conclusions f-EMG monitoring of EOCN during EES can be useful in identifying the location of the nerve. It seems to have limited value in predicting postoperative neurological deficits. Future studies to evaluate the EMG of EOCN during EES need to be done with both f-EMG and triggered EMG. PMID:23943720

Identification and subcellular localization of porcine deltacoronavirus accessory protein NS6

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

Fang, Puxian; Fang, Liurong; Liu, Xiaorong

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an emerging swine enteric coronavirus. Accessory proteins are genus-specific for coronavirus, and two putative accessory proteins, NS6 and NS7, are predicted to be encoded by PDCoV; however, this remains to be confirmed experimentally. Here, we identified the leader-body junction sites of NS6 subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) and found that the actual transcription regulatory sequence (TRS) utilized by NS6 is non-canonical and is located upstream of the predicted TRS. Using the purified NS6 from an Escherichia coli expression system, we obtained two anti-NS6 monoclonal antibodies that could detect the predicted NS6 in cells infected with PDCoV or transfectedmore » with NS6-expressing plasmids. Further studies revealed that NS6 is always localized in the cytoplasm of PDCoV-infected cells, mainly co-localizing with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER-Golgi intermediate compartments, as well as partially with the Golgi apparatus. Together, our results identify the NS6 sgRNA and demonstrate its expression in PDCoV-infected cells. -- Highlights: •The leader-body fusion site of NS6 sgRNA is identified. •NS6 sgRNA uses a non-canonical transcription regulatory sequence (TRS). •NS6 can be expressed in PDCoV-infected cell. •NS6 predominantly localize to the ER complex and ER-Golgi intermediate compartment.« less

Whole genome analysis of CRISPR Cas9 sgRNA off-target homologies via an efficient computational algorithm.

PubMed

Zhou, Hong; Zhou, Michael; Li, Daisy; Manthey, Joseph; Lioutikova, Ekaterina; Wang, Hong; Zeng, Xiao

2017-11-17

The beauty and power of the genome editing mechanism, CRISPR Cas9 endonuclease system, lies in the fact that it is RNA-programmable such that Cas9 can be guided to any genomic loci complementary to a 20-nt RNA, single guide RNA (sgRNA), to cleave double stranded DNA, allowing the introduction of wanted mutations. Unfortunately, it has been reported repeatedly that the sgRNA can also guide Cas9 to off-target sites where the DNA sequence is homologous to sgRNA. Using human genome and Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) as an example, this article mathematically analyzed the probabilities of off-target homologies of sgRNAs and discovered that for large genome size such as human genome, potential off-target homologies are inevitable for sgRNA selection. A highly efficient computationl algorithm was developed for whole genome sgRNA design and off-target homology searches. By means of a dynamically constructed sequence-indexed database and a simplified sequence alignment method, this algorithm achieves very high efficiency while guaranteeing the identification of all existing potential off-target homologies. Via this algorithm, 1,876,775 sgRNAs were designed for the 19,153 human mRNA genes and only two sgRNAs were found to be free of off-target homology. By means of the novel and efficient sgRNA homology search algorithm introduced in this article, genome wide sgRNA design and off-target analysis were conducted and the results confirmed the mathematical analysis that for a sgRNA sequence, it is almost impossible to escape potential off-target homologies. Future innovations on the CRISPR Cas9 gene editing technology need to focus on how to eliminate the Cas9 off-target activity.

ATP Mediates Neuroprotective and Neuroproliferative Effects in Mouse Olfactory Epithelium following Exposure to Satratoxin G In Vitro and In Vivo

PubMed Central

Jia, Cuihong; Sangsiri, Sutheera; Belock, Bethany; Iqbal, Tania R.; Pestka, James J.; Hegg, Colleen C.

2011-01-01

Intranasal aspiration of satratoxin G (SG), a mycotoxin produced by the black mold Stachybotrys chartarum, selectively induces apoptosis in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in mouse olfactory epithelium (OE) through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show a dose-dependent induction of apoptosis 24 h post-SG exposure in vitro as measured by increased activated caspases in the OP6 olfactory placodal cell line and increased propidium iodide staining in primary OE cell cultures. Intranasal aspiration of SG increased TUNEL (Terminal dUTP Nick End Labeling) staining in the neuronal layer of the OE and significantly increased the latency to find a buried food pellet, confirming that SG selectively induces neuronal apoptosis and demonstrating that SG impairs the sense of smell. Next, we investigated whether ATP can prevent SG-induced OE toxicity. ATP did not decrease apoptosis under physiological conditions but significantly reduced SG-induced OSN apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, purinergic receptor inhibition significantly increased apoptosis in OE primary cell culture and in vivo. These data indicate that ATP is neuroprotective against SG-induced OE toxicity. The number of cells that incorporated 5′-bromodeoxyuridine, a measure of proliferation, was significantly increased 3 and 6 days post-SG aspiration. Treatment with purinergic receptor antagonists significantly reduced SG-induced cell proliferation, whereas post-treatment with ATP significantly potentiated SG-induced cell proliferation. These data indicate that ATP is released and promotes cell proliferation via activation of purinergic receptors in SG-induced OE injury. Thus, the purinergic system is a therapeutic target to alleviate or restore the loss of OSNs. PMID:21865290

Distribution, variability, and predictors of urinary bisphenol A levels in 50 North Carolina adults over a six-week monitoring period.

PubMed

Morgan, Marsha K; Nash, Maliha; Barr, Dana Boyd; Starr, James M; Scott Clifton, M; Sobus, Jon R

2018-03-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly manufactured to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins for use in consumer products and packaged goods. BPA has been found in several different types of environmental media (e.g., food, dust, and air). Many cross-sectional studies have frequently detected BPA concentrations in adult urine samples. However, limited data are available on the temporal variability and important predictors of urinary BPA concentrations in adults. In this work, the major objectives were to: 1) quantify BPA levels in duplicate-diet solid food, drinking water, hard floor surface wipe, and urine samples (first-morning void [FMV], bedtime, and 24-h) collected from adults over a six-week monitoring period; 2) determine the temporal variability of urinary BPA levels using concentration, specific gravity (SG) adjusted, creatinine (CR) adjusted, and excretion rate values, and; 3) examine associations between available study factors and urinary BPA concentrations. In 2009-2011, a convenience sample of 50 adults was recruited from residential settings in North Carolina. The participants completed diaries and collected samples during weeks 1, 2, and/or 6 of a six-week monitoring period. BPA was detected in 38%, 4%, and 99% of the solid food (n=775), drinking water (n=50), and surface wipe samples (n=138), respectively. Total BPA (free plus conjugated) was detected in 98% of the 2477 urine samples. Median urinary BPA levels were 2.07ng/mL, 2.20ng/mL-SG, 2.29ng/mg, and 2.31ng/min for concentration, SG-adjusted, CR-adjusted, and excretion rate values, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates for BPA showed poor reproducibility (≤0.35) for all urine sample types and methods over a day, week, and six weeks. CR-adjusted bedtime voids collected over six-weeks required the fewest, realistic number of samples (n=11) to obtain a reliable biomarker estimate (ICC=0.80). Results of linear mixed-effects models showed that sex, race, season, and CR-level were all significant predictors (p<0.05) of the adults' urinary BPA concentrations. BPA levels in the solid food and surface wipe samples did not contribute significantly to the participants' urinary BPA concentrations. However, a significant positive relationship was observed between solid food intake and urine-based estimates of BPA dose, when aggregated over 24-h periods. Ingestion of BPA via solid food explained only about 20% of the total dose (at the median of the dose distribution), suggesting that these adults were likely exposed to other major unknown (non-dietary) sources of BPA in their everyday environments. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluation of early recognition of viral infections in man. [using specific gravity of lymphocytes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelton, A. A.; Lawton, M. B.

1975-01-01

The potential of Lymphocyte Specific Gravity Distribution (LSGD) as a non-specific procedure for early diagnosis of viral disease in astronauts is considered. Results of experiments and a literature search show that several virus diseases result in distinctive changes in the specific gravity distribution of peripheral blood lymphocytes as a result of disease process and associated immune response. A tentative model is proposed which relates the shape of LSGD to the identity of subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes in a preclinical viral disease situation.

Sulfaguanidine cocrystals: Synthesis, structural characterization and their antibacterial and hemolytic analysis.

PubMed

Abidi, Syed Sibte Asghar; Azim, Yasser; Khan, Shahper Nazeer; Khan, Asad U

2018-02-05

Sulfaguanidine (SG), belongs to the class of sulfonamide drug used as an effective antibiotic. In the present work, using crystal engineering approach two novel cocrystals of SG were synthesized (SG-TBA and SG-PT) with thiobarbutaric acid (TBA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (PT), characterized by solid state techniques viz., powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. A comparative antibacterial activity and hemolytic potential was done on SG drug, coformers and their cocrystals. The tested cocrystals formulations showed almost two fold higher antibacterial activity against the tested strains of bacteria Gram-positive bacteria (S. mutans and E. faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, K. pneumonia and E. clocae) over SG alone and their coformers. Cocrystal SG-TBA showed better antibacterial activity and reduced hemolysis, thereby, reduced cytotoxicity than SG-PT. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The requirement of sterol glucoside for pexophagy in yeast is dependent on the species and nature of peroxisome inducers.

PubMed

Nazarko, Taras Y; Polupanov, Andriy S; Manjithaya, Ravi R; Subramani, Suresh; Sibirny, Andriy A

2007-01-01

Sterol glucosyltransferase, Ugt51/Atg26, is essential for both micropexophagy and macropexophagy of methanol-induced peroxisomes in Pichia pastoris. However, the role of this protein in pexophagy in other yeast remained unclear. We show that oleate- and amine-induced peroxisomes in Yarrowia lipolytica are degraded by Atg26-independent macropexophagy. Surprisingly, Atg26 was also not essential for macropexophagy of oleate- and amine-induced peroxisomes in P. pastoris, suggesting that the function of sterol glucoside (SG) in pexophagy is both species and peroxisome inducer specific. However, the rates of degradation of oleate- and amine-induced peroxisomes in P. pastoris were reduced in the absence of SG, indicating that P. pastoris specifically uses sterol conversion by Atg26 to enhance selective degradation of peroxisomes. However, methanol-induced peroxisomes apparently have lost the redundant ability to be degraded without SG. We also show that the P. pastoris Vac8 armadillo repeat protein is not essential for macropexophagy of methanol-, oleate-, or amine-induced peroxisomes, which makes PpVac8 the first known protein required for the micropexophagy, but not for the macropexophagy, machinery. The uniqueness of Atg26 and Vac8 functions under different pexophagy conditions demonstrates that not only pexophagy inducers, such as glucose or ethanol, but also the inducers of peroxisomes, such as methanol, oleate, or primary amines, determine the requirements for subsequent pexophagy in yeast.

Substrate-Specific Development of Thermophilic Bacterial Consortia by Using Chemically Pretreated Switchgrass.

PubMed

Eichorst, Stephanie A; Joshua, Chijioke; Sathitsuksanoh, Noppadon; Singh, Seema; Simmons, Blake A; Singer, Steven W

2014-12-01

Microbial communities that deconstruct plant biomass have broad relevance in biofuel production and global carbon cycling. Biomass pretreatments reduce plant biomass recalcitrance for increased efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. We exploited these chemical pretreatments to study how thermophilic bacterial consortia adapt to deconstruct switchgrass (SG) biomass of various compositions. Microbial communities were adapted to untreated, ammonium fiber expansion (AFEX)-pretreated, and ionic-liquid (IL)-pretreated SG under aerobic, thermophilic conditions using green waste compost as the inoculum to study biomass deconstruction by microbial consortia. After microbial cultivation, gravimetric analysis of the residual biomass demonstrated that both AFEX and IL pretreatment enhanced the deconstruction of the SG biomass approximately 2-fold. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) experiments and acetyl bromide-reactive-lignin analysis indicated that polysaccharide hydrolysis was the dominant process occurring during microbial biomass deconstruction, and lignin remaining in the residual biomass was largely unmodified. Small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene amplicon libraries revealed that although the dominant taxa across these chemical pretreatments were consistently represented by members of the Firmicutes, the Bacteroidetes, and Deinococcus-Thermus, the abundance of selected operational taxonomic units (OTUs) varied, suggesting adaptations to the different substrates. Combining the observations of differences in the community structure and the chemical and physical structure of the biomass, we hypothesize specific roles for individual community members in biomass deconstruction. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Regional Climate Simulation with a Variable Resolution Stretched Grid GCM: The Regional Down-Scaling Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox-Rabinovitz, Michael S.; Takacs, Lawrence L.; Suarez, Max; Sawyer, William; Govindaraju, Ravi C.

1999-01-01

The results obtained with the variable resolution stretched grid (SG) GEOS GCM (Goddard Earth Observing System General Circulation Models) are discussed, with the emphasis on the regional down-scaling effects and their dependence on the stretched grid design and parameters. A variable resolution SG-GCM and SG-DAS using a global stretched grid with fine resolution over an area of interest, is a viable new approach to REGIONAL and subregional CLIMATE studies and applications. The stretched grid approach is an ideal tool for representing regional to global scale interactions. It is an alternative to the widely used nested grid approach introduced a decade ago as a pioneering step in regional climate modeling. The GEOS SG-GCM is used for simulations of the anomalous U.S. climate events of 1988 drought and 1993 flood, with enhanced regional resolution. The height low level jet, precipitation and other diagnostic patterns are successfully simulated and show the efficient down-scaling over the area of interest the U.S. An imitation of the nested grid approach is performed using the developed SG-DAS (Data Assimilation System) that incorporates the SG-GCM. The SG-DAS is run with withholding data over the area of interest. The design immitates the nested grid framework with boundary conditions provided from analyses. No boundary condition buffer is needed for the case due to the global domain of integration used for the SG-GCM and SG-DAS. The experiments based on the newly developed versions of the GEOS SG-GCM and SG-DAS, with finer 0.5 degree (and higher) regional resolution, are briefly discussed. The major aspects of parallelization of the SG-GCM code are outlined. The KEY OBJECTIVES of the study are: 1) obtaining an efficient DOWN-SCALING over the area of interest with fine and very fine resolution; 2) providing CONSISTENT interactions between regional and global scales including the consistent representation of regional ENERGY and WATER BALANCES; 3) providing a high computational efficiency for future SG-GCM and SG-DAS versions using PARALLEL codes.

Specific gravity of woody tissue from lowland Neotropical plants: differences among forest types.

PubMed

Casas, Luisa Fernanda; Aldana, Ana María; Henao-Diaz, Francisco; Villanueva, Boris; Stevenson, Pablo R

2017-05-01

Wood density, or more precisely, wood specific gravity, is an important parameter when estimating aboveground biomass, which has become a central tool for the management and conservation of forests around the world. When using biomass allometric equations for tropical forests, researchers are often required to assume phylogenetic trait conservatism, which allows us to assign genus- and family-level wood specific gravity mean values, to many woody species. The lack of information on this trait for many Neotropical plant species has led to an imprecise estimation of the biomass stored in Neotropical forests. The data presented here has information of woody tissue specific gravity from 2,602 individual stems for 386 species, including trees, lianas, and hemi-epiphytes of lowland tropical forests in Colombia. This data set was produced by us collecting wood cores from woody species in five localities in the Orinoco and Magdalena Basins in Colombia. We found lower mean specific gravity values in várzea than in terra firme and igapó. © 2017 The Authors. Ecology, published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., on behalf of the Ecological Society of America.

SALIVA SPECIFIC GRAVITY.

DTIC Science & Technology

Four experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of flow rate on parotid fluid specific gravity at different levels of stimulation and to...compare parotid fluid to submaxillo-sublingual fluid in this regard. A strong positive correlation was found between parotid flow rate and specific

Effects of sleeve gastrectomy surgery with modified jejunoileal bypass on body weight, food intake and metabolic hormone levels of rats.

PubMed

Yan, Lingling; Zhu, Zhanyong; Wu, Dan; Zhou, Qixing; Wu, Yiping

2011-12-01

This study examined the effects of a combined surgery of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and modified jejunoileal bypass (JIB) on the body weight, food intake, and the plasma levels of active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and total ghrelin of rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups in terms of different surgical protocol: SG-JIB (n=12), SG (n=12), JIB (n=12) and sham surgery groups (n=10). In SG-JIB group, rats was subjected to sleeve gastrectomy and end to side anastomosis of part of the jejunum (25 cm from the ligament of Treitz) to the ileum 25 cm proximal to the cecum. The body weight and food intake were evaluated during 10 consecutive weeks postoperatively. The levels of active GLP-1 and total ghrelin in the plasma of the rats were measured by ELISA assay. The results showed that the SG-JIB treated rats relative to SG- or JIB-treated ones produced a sustained reduction in food intake and weight gain. The level of active GLP-1 was elevated and total ghrelin level decreased in SG-JIB-treated rats as compared with SG- or JIB-treated ones. It was concluded that SG-JIB could efficiently reduce the body weight and food intake, alter obesity-related hormone levels of the rats, indicating that SG-JIB may be potentially used for the treatment of obesity.

[Study on Chemical Constituents of Fat-soluble Extraction from Lepidium meyenii].

PubMed

Fan, Cai-hong; Ge, Fa-huan

2015-02-01

To study the chemical constituents of the fat-soluble extraction from Lepidium meyenii root. Different extraction methods were studied, including supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, circumfluence extraction and steam distillation. Chemical constituents of the fat-soluble extraction from Lepidium meyenii were analyzed by GC/MS. The number of compounds isolated by the above four methods were 38, 31, 14, 21 (specific gravity less than 1 in steam distillation) , and 25 (specific gravity greater than 1 in steam distillation), accounting for 85.79%, 81.18%, 62.08%, 98.36% (specific gravity less than 1 in steam distillation) and 81.54% (specific gravity greater than 1 in steam distillation) of each total peak area, respectively. This study lays a certain foundation for further study and development of functional factors in Lepidium meyenii root.

Repeat sleeve gastrectomy: optimization of outcomes by modifying the indications and technique.

PubMed

Rebibo, Lionel; Dhahri, Abdennaceur; Robert, Brice; Regimbeau, Jean-Marc

2018-04-01

Few series are available concerning repeat sleeve gastrectomy (re-SG), and series have reported contradictory results concerning morbidity rates, with limited data concerning weight loss. Evaluate the short- and medium-term outcomes of re-SG. University hospital, France, public practice. Between June 2007 and March 2016, all patients undergoing re-SG (n = 46 patients) were included. Re-SG was proposed for patients with insufficient excess weight loss (EWL) (≤50%) or renewed weight gain with excessively high residual gastric volume (>250 mL and/or large gastric pouch). The primary efficacy endpoint was the overall complication rate of re-SG. The secondary efficacy endpoints were operative data, evaluation of weight loss, and correction of co-morbidities, risk factors for gastric leak (GL), by comparing 2 periods (period 1, January 2004-December 2013: blue/green or purple staplers without reinforcement; period 2, after December 2013: black staplers with reinforcement) and comparison of weight loss according to the indication for re-SG. The re-SG group consisted of 46 patients (35 women, mean age: 47.5 yr). The mean body mass index (BMI) before SG was 47.2 kg/m² (35-63.6). The mean time interval between SG and re-SG was 73 months (11-106). The BMI before re-SG was 41.2 kg/m² (29-54.7). Indications for surgery were insufficient weight loss in 25 patients (54.3%) and weight regain in 21 patients (45.7%). A large gastric pouch was visible in 4 patients (8.6%). The mean operating time was 97.6 minutes (45-220). One death (2.1%) and 7 complications (15.2%) were observed. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.6 days (1-30). At last follow-up, mean BMI was 32.1 kg/m 2 (20.3-41.3) and mean EWL was 62.3% (18-127.2). When analyzing risk factors for GL, residual gastric volume between 250 and 350 mL was associated with a higher GL rate compared with a volume ≥350 mL, and re-SG performed during period 1 was associated with a higher GL rate than re-SG performed during period 2 (17.4% versus 0%; P = .13). Re-SG performed for weight regain was associated with a significantly higher additional weight loss compared with re-SG performed for insufficient weight loss (mean additional EWL of 45.9%; P = .06). Re-SG is feasible, but it requires adaptation of the surgical procedure to decrease complications. Results on weight loss are acceptable, but the best indications for re-SG were a gastric volume>350 mL and in the case of weight regain with the exception of technical failure of the primary SG. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 30584 - Thirtieth Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 206, Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-23

... preliminary roadmap SG1 report SG2 report SG3 report SAE G-10 AI ARP Briefing to SC-206 Plenary 12:30 p.m... document for release to the PMC SG3 report PMC decision on TOR revision Action item review Future meeting...

Fibril angle of loblolly pine wood as related to specific gravity, growth rate, and distance from pith

Treesearch

C.W. McMillin

1973-01-01

Fibril angles were greater for earlywood (avg. 33.4°) than for latewood tracheida (avg. 26.9°). For earlywood, fibril angle did not differ between growth rates when the specific gravity was low (avg. 33.3°). When the specific gravity was high, wood of fast growth had a higher fibril angle (avg. 35.1.°) than wood of slow growth (avg. 32.0°). No differences were detected...

Specific Yields Estimated from Gravity Change during Pumping Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, K. H.; Hwang, C.; Chang, L. C.

2017-12-01

Specific yield (Sy) is the most important parameter to describe available groundwater capacity in an unconfined aquifer. When estimating Sy by a field pumping test, aquifer heterogeneity and well performers will cause a large uncertainty. In this study, we use a gravity-based method to estimate Sy. At the time of pumping test, amounts of mass (groundwater) are forced to be taken out. If drawdown corn is big and close enough to high precision gravimeter, the gravity change can be detected. The gravity-based method use gravity observations that are independent from traditional flow computation. Only the drawdown corn should be modeled with observed head and hydrogeology data. The gravity method can be used in most groundwater field tests, such as locally pumping/injection tests initiated by active man-made or annual variations due to natural sources. We apply our gravity method at few sites in Taiwan situated over different unconfined aquifer. Here pumping tests for Sy determinations were also carried out. We will discuss why the gravity method produces different results from traditional pumping test, field designs and limitations of the gravity method.

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Response in Silver Nanoclusters: Insight from a Computational Investigation (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-05

applying DFT and TDDFT. Synthesis and optical characterization of the silver glutathione nanoclusters Ag32(SG)19 and Ag15(SG)11 were recently reported by...Ag15. Synthesis and optical characterization of the Ag32(SG)19, Ag31(SG)19, and Ag15(SG)11 silver glutathione nanoclusters have been reported.19,20 A...Barnett, R. N.; Monahan, B. M.; Kirschbaum, K.; Griffith, W. P.; Whetten, R. L.; Landman, U.; Bigioni, T. P. Ultrastable Silver Nanoparticles . Nature

On the Probabilistic Deployment of Smart Grid Networks in TV White Space.

PubMed

Cacciapuoti, Angela Sara; Caleffi, Marcello; Paura, Luigi

2016-05-10

To accommodate the rapidly increasing demand for wireless broadband communications in Smart Grid (SG) networks, research efforts are currently ongoing to enable the SG networks to utilize the TV spectrum according to the Cognitive Radio paradigm. To this aim, in this letter, we develop an analytical framework for the optimal deployment of multiple closely-located SG Neighborhood Area Networks (NANs) concurrently using the same TV spectrum. The objective is to derive the optimal values for both the number of NANs and their coverage. More specifically, regarding the number of NANs, we derive the optimal closed-form expression, i.e., the closed-form expression that assures the deployment of the maximum number of NANs in the considered region satisfying a given collision constraint on the transmissions of the NANs. Regarding the NAN coverage, we derive the optimal closed-form expression, i.e., the closed-form expression of the NAN transmission range that assures the maximum coverage of each NAN in the considered region satisfying the given collision constraint. All the theoretical results are derived by adopting a stochastic approach. Finally, numerical results validate the theoretical analysis.

Compact and highly active next-generation libraries for CRISPR-mediated gene repression and activation

PubMed Central

Horlbeck, Max A; Gilbert, Luke A; Villalta, Jacqueline E; Adamson, Britt; Pak, Ryan A; Chen, Yuwen; Fields, Alexander P; Park, Chong Yon; Corn, Jacob E; Kampmann, Martin; Weissman, Jonathan S

2016-01-01

We recently found that nucleosomes directly block access of CRISPR/Cas9 to DNA (Horlbeck et al., 2016). Here, we build on this observation with a comprehensive algorithm that incorporates chromatin, position, and sequence features to accurately predict highly effective single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for targeting nuclease-dead Cas9-mediated transcriptional repression (CRISPRi) and activation (CRISPRa). We use this algorithm to design next-generation genome-scale CRISPRi and CRISPRa libraries targeting human and mouse genomes. A CRISPRi screen for essential genes in K562 cells demonstrates that the large majority of sgRNAs are highly active. We also find CRISPRi does not exhibit any detectable non-specific toxicity recently observed with CRISPR nuclease approaches. Precision-recall analysis shows that we detect over 90% of essential genes with minimal false positives using a compact 5 sgRNA/gene library. Our results establish CRISPRi and CRISPRa as premier tools for loss- or gain-of-function studies and provide a general strategy for identifying Cas9 target sites. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19760.001 PMID:27661255

Impact of blue, red, and far-red light treatments on gene expression and steviol glycoside accumulation in Stevia rebaudiana.

PubMed

Yoneda, Yuki; Nakashima, Hiroshi; Miyasaka, Juro; Ohdoi, Katsuaki; Shimizu, Hiroshi

2017-05-01

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni is a plant that biosynthesizes a group of natural sweeteners that are up to approximately 400 times sweeter than sucrose. The sweetening components of S. rebaudiana are steviol glycosides (SGs) that partially share their biosynthesis pathway with gibberellins (GAs). However, the molecular mechanisms through which SGs levels can be improved have not been studied. Therefore, transcription levels of several SG biosynthesis-related genes were analyzed under several light treatments involved in GA biosynthesis. We detected higher transcription of UGT85C2, which is one of the UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) involved in catalyzing the sugar-transfer reaction, under red/far-red (R/FR) 1.22 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and blue LEDs treatment. In this study, it was demonstrated that transcription levels of SG-related genes and the SGs content are affected by light treatments known to affect the GA contents. It is expected that this approach could serve as a practical way to increase SG contents using specific light treatments. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rational design of a split-Cas9 enzyme complex

DOE PAGES

Wright, Addison V.; Sternberg, Samuel H.; Taylor, David W.; ...

2015-02-23

Cas9, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease found in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) bacterial immune systems, is a versatile tool for genome editing, transcriptional regulation, and cellular imaging applications. Structures of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 alone or bound to single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and target DNA revealed a bilobed protein architecture that undergoes major conformational changes upon guide RNA and DNA binding. To investigate the molecular determinants and relevance of the interlobe rearrangement for target recognition and cleavage, we designed a split-Cas9 enzyme in which the nuclease lobe and α-helical lobe are expressed as separate polypeptides. The lobes do not interactmore » on their own, the sgRNA recruits them into a ternary complex that recapitulates the activity of full-length Cas9 and catalyzes site-specific DNA cleavage. The use of a modified sgRNA abrogates split-Cas9 activity by preventing dimerization, allowing for the development of an inducible dimerization system. We propose that split-Cas9 can act as a highly regulatable platform for genome-engineering applications.« less

Rational design of a split-Cas9 enzyme complex

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

Wright, Addison V.; Sternberg, Samuel H.; Taylor, David W.

Cas9, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease found in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) bacterial immune systems, is a versatile tool for genome editing, transcriptional regulation, and cellular imaging applications. Structures of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 alone or bound to single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and target DNA revealed a bilobed protein architecture that undergoes major conformational changes upon guide RNA and DNA binding. To investigate the molecular determinants and relevance of the interlobe rearrangement for target recognition and cleavage, we designed a split-Cas9 enzyme in which the nuclease lobe and α-helical lobe are expressed as separate polypeptides. The lobes do not interactmore » on their own, the sgRNA recruits them into a ternary complex that recapitulates the activity of full-length Cas9 and catalyzes site-specific DNA cleavage. The use of a modified sgRNA abrogates split-Cas9 activity by preventing dimerization, allowing for the development of an inducible dimerization system. We propose that split-Cas9 can act as a highly regulatable platform for genome-engineering applications.« less

Selection-dependent and Independent Generation of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Gene Knockouts in Mammalian Cells.

PubMed

Sternburg, Erin L; Dias, Kristen C; Karginov, Fedor V

2017-06-16

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering system has revolutionized biology by allowing for precise genome editing with little effort. Guided by a single guide RNA (sgRNA) that confers specificity, the Cas9 protein cleaves both DNA strands at the targeted locus. The DNA break can trigger either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology directed repair (HDR). NHEJ can introduce small deletions or insertions which lead to frame-shift mutations, while HDR allows for larger and more precise perturbations. Here, we present protocols for generating knockout cell lines by coupling established CRISPR/Cas9 methods with two options for downstream selection/screening. The NHEJ approach uses a single sgRNA cut site and selection-independent screening, where protein production is assessed by dot immunoblot in a high-throughput manner. The HDR approach uses two sgRNA cut sites that span the gene of interest. Together with a provided HDR template, this method can achieve deletion of tens of kb, aided by the inserted selectable resistance marker. The appropriate applications and advantages of each method are discussed.

Rational design of a split-Cas9 enzyme complex.

PubMed

Wright, Addison V; Sternberg, Samuel H; Taylor, David W; Staahl, Brett T; Bardales, Jorge A; Kornfeld, Jack E; Doudna, Jennifer A

2015-03-10

Cas9, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease found in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) bacterial immune systems, is a versatile tool for genome editing, transcriptional regulation, and cellular imaging applications. Structures of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 alone or bound to single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and target DNA revealed a bilobed protein architecture that undergoes major conformational changes upon guide RNA and DNA binding. To investigate the molecular determinants and relevance of the interlobe rearrangement for target recognition and cleavage, we designed a split-Cas9 enzyme in which the nuclease lobe and α-helical lobe are expressed as separate polypeptides. Although the lobes do not interact on their own, the sgRNA recruits them into a ternary complex that recapitulates the activity of full-length Cas9 and catalyzes site-specific DNA cleavage. The use of a modified sgRNA abrogates split-Cas9 activity by preventing dimerization, allowing for the development of an inducible dimerization system. We propose that split-Cas9 can act as a highly regulatable platform for genome-engineering applications.

78 FR 69928 - 35th Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 206, Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data Link...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-21

...-Groups meetings SG4: SE2020 Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) Turbulence Project Plenary--SG3 Architecture Document FRAC Resolution 11 December Plenary--SG3 Architecture Document FRAC Resolution Sub-Group Meetings 12 December Plenary--SG3 Architecture Document FRAC Resolution Sub-Group Meetings 13 December Closing...

Recommendations for the Design of Serious Games in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

PubMed

Ben-Sadoun, Grégory; Manera, Valeria; Alvarez, Julian; Sacco, Guillaume; Robert, Philippe

2018-01-01

The use of Serious Games (SG) in the health domain is expanding. In the field of Neurodegenerative Diseases (ND) such as Alzheimer's Disease, SG are currently employed to provide alternative solutions for patients' treatment, stimulation, and rehabilitation. The design of SG for people with ND implies collaborations between professionals in ND and professionals in SG design. As the field is quite young, professionals specialized in both ND and SG are still rare, and recommendations for the design of SG for people with ND are still missing. This perspective paper aims to provide recommendations in terms of ergonomic choices for the design of SG aiming at stimulating people with ND, starting from the existing SG already tested in this population: "MINWii", "Kitchen and Cooking", and "X-Torp". We propose to rely on nine ergonomic criteria: eight ergonomic criteria inspired by works in the domain of office automation: Compatibility, Guidance, Workload, Adaptability, Consistency, Significance of codes, Explicit control and Error management; and one ergonomic criterion related to videogame: the game rules. Perspectives derived from this proposal are also discussed.

Recommendations for the Design of Serious Games in Neurodegenerative Diseases

PubMed Central

Ben-Sadoun, Grégory; Manera, Valeria; Alvarez, Julian; Sacco, Guillaume; Robert, Philippe

2018-01-01

The use of Serious Games (SG) in the health domain is expanding. In the field of Neurodegenerative Diseases (ND) such as Alzheimer’s Disease, SG are currently employed to provide alternative solutions for patients’ treatment, stimulation, and rehabilitation. The design of SG for people with ND implies collaborations between professionals in ND and professionals in SG design. As the field is quite young, professionals specialized in both ND and SG are still rare, and recommendations for the design of SG for people with ND are still missing. This perspective paper aims to provide recommendations in terms of ergonomic choices for the design of SG aiming at stimulating people with ND, starting from the existing SG already tested in this population: “MINWii”, “Kitchen and Cooking”, and “X-Torp”. We propose to rely on nine ergonomic criteria: eight ergonomic criteria inspired by works in the domain of office automation: Compatibility, Guidance, Workload, Adaptability, Consistency, Significance of codes, Explicit control and Error management; and one ergonomic criterion related to videogame: the game rules. Perspectives derived from this proposal are also discussed. PMID:29456501

Impaired Processing of Prohormones in Secretogranin III-Null Mice Causes Maladaptation to an Inadequate Diet and Stress.

PubMed

Maeda, Yoshinori; Kudo, Saki; Tsushima, Ken; Sato, Eri; Kubota, Chisato; Kayamori, Aika; Bochimoto, Hiroki; Koga, Daisuke; Torii, Seiji; Gomi, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Hosaka, Masahiro

2018-02-01

Secretogranin III (SgIII), a member of the granin family, binds both to another granin, chromogranin A (CgA), and to a cholesterol-rich membrane that is destined for secretory granules (SGs). The knockdown of SgIII in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing AtT-20 cells largely impairs the regulated secretion of CgA and ACTH. To clarify the physiological roles of SgIII in vivo, we analyzed hormone secretion and SG biogenesis in newly established SgIII-knockout (KO) mice. Although the SgIII-KO mice were viable and fertile and exhibited no overt abnormalities under ordinary rearing conditions, a high-fat/high-sucrose diet caused pronounced obesity in the mice. Furthermore, in the SgIII-KO mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice, the stimulated secretion of active insulin decreased substantially, whereas the storage of proinsulin increased in the islets. The plasma ACTH was also less elevated in the SgIII-KO mice than in the WT mice after chronic restraint stress, whereas the storage level of the precursor proopiomelanocortin in the pituitary gland was somewhat increased. These findings suggest that the lack of SgIII causes maladaptation of endocrine cells to an inadequate diet and stress by impairing the proteolytic conversion of prohormones in SGs, whereas SG biogenesis and the basal secretion of peptide hormones under ordinary conditions are ensured by the compensatory upregulation of other residual granins or factors. Copyright © 2018 Endocrine Society.

Feasibility and safety of augmented reality-assisted urological surgery using smartglass.

PubMed

Borgmann, H; Rodríguez Socarrás, M; Salem, J; Tsaur, I; Gomez Rivas, J; Barret, E; Tortolero, L

2017-06-01

To assess the feasibility, safety and usefulness of augmented reality-assisted urological surgery using smartglass (SG). Seven urological surgeons (3 board urologists and 4 urology residents) performed augmented reality-assisted urological surgery using SG for 10 different types of operations and a total of 31 urological operations. Feasibility was assessed using technical metadata (number of photographs taken/number of videos recorded/video time recorded) and structured interviews with the urologists on their use of SG. Safety was evaluated by recording complications and grading according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Usefulness of SG for urological surgery was queried in structured interviews and in a survey. The implementation of SG use during urological surgery was feasible with no intrinsic (technical defect) or extrinsic (inability to control the SG function) obstacles being observed. SG use was safe as no grade 3-5 complications occurred for the series of 31 urological surgeries of different complexities. Technical applications of SG included taking photographs/recording videos for teaching and documentation, hands-free teleconsultation, reviewing patients' medical records and images and searching the internet for health information. Overall usefulness of SG for urological surgery was rated as very high by 43 % and high by 29 % of surgeons. Augmented reality-assisted urological surgery using SG is both feasible and safe and also provides several useful functions for urological surgeons. Further developments and investigations are required in the near future to harvest the great potential of this exciting technology for urological surgery.

Cellulolytic and Xylanolytic Potential of High β-Glucosidase-Producing Trichoderma from Decaying Biomass

DOE PAGES

Okeke, Benedict C.

2014-08-17

Availability, cost and efficiency of microbial enzymes for lignocellulose bioconversion are central to sustainable biomass ethanol technology. Fungi enriched from decaying biomass and surface soil mixture displayed an array of strong cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. Strains SG2 and SG4 produced a promising array of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes including β-glucosidase, usually low in cultures of Trichoderma species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of rRNA gene revealed that strains SG2 and SG4 are closely related to Trichoderma inhamatum, Trichoderma piluliferum and Trichoderma aureoviride. Trichoderma sp. SG2 correspondingly displayed as much as 9.84±1.12, 48.02±2.53 and 30.10±1.11 unitsmore » mL-1 of cellulase, xylanase and β-glucosidase. Ten times dilution of culture supernatant of strain SG2 revealed that activities were about 5.34, 8.45, and 2.05 orders of magnitude higher than observed in crude culture filtrate for cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase respectively, indicating that more enzymes are present to contact with substrates in biomass sacharification. In parallel experiments Trichoderma species SG2 and SG4 produced more β-glucosidase than the industrial strain Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30. Results indicate that strains SG2 and SG4 have potential for low cost in-house production of primary lignocellulose-hydrolyzing enzymes for production of biomass saccharides and biofuel in the field.« less

Computational correction of copy number effect improves specificity of CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens in cancer cells.

PubMed

Meyers, Robin M; Bryan, Jordan G; McFarland, James M; Weir, Barbara A; Sizemore, Ann E; Xu, Han; Dharia, Neekesh V; Montgomery, Phillip G; Cowley, Glenn S; Pantel, Sasha; Goodale, Amy; Lee, Yenarae; Ali, Levi D; Jiang, Guozhi; Lubonja, Rakela; Harrington, William F; Strickland, Matthew; Wu, Ting; Hawes, Derek C; Zhivich, Victor A; Wyatt, Meghan R; Kalani, Zohra; Chang, Jaime J; Okamoto, Michael; Stegmaier, Kimberly; Golub, Todd R; Boehm, Jesse S; Vazquez, Francisca; Root, David E; Hahn, William C; Tsherniak, Aviad

2017-12-01

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized gene editing both at single genes and in multiplexed loss-of-function screens, thus enabling precise genome-scale identification of genes essential for proliferation and survival of cancer cells. However, previous studies have reported that a gene-independent antiproliferative effect of Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage confounds such measurement of genetic dependency, thereby leading to false-positive results in copy number-amplified regions. We developed CERES, a computational method to estimate gene-dependency levels from CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens while accounting for the copy number-specific effect. In our efforts to define a cancer dependency map, we performed genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens across 342 cancer cell lines and applied CERES to this data set. We found that CERES decreased false-positive results and estimated sgRNA activity for both this data set and previously published screens performed with different sgRNA libraries. We further demonstrate the utility of this collection of screens, after CERES correction, for identifying cancer-type-specific vulnerabilities.

Computational correction of copy-number effect improves specificity of CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens in cancer cells

PubMed Central

Meyers, Robin M.; Bryan, Jordan G.; McFarland, James M.; Weir, Barbara A.; Sizemore, Ann E.; Xu, Han; Dharia, Neekesh V.; Montgomery, Phillip G.; Cowley, Glenn S.; Pantel, Sasha; Goodale, Amy; Lee, Yenarae; Ali, Levi D.; Jiang, Guozhi; Lubonja, Rakela; Harrington, William F.; Strickland, Matthew; Wu, Ting; Hawes, Derek C.; Zhivich, Victor A.; Wyatt, Meghan R.; Kalani, Zohra; Chang, Jaime J.; Okamoto, Michael; Stegmaier, Kimberly; Golub, Todd R.; Boehm, Jesse S.; Vazquez, Francisca; Root, David E.; Hahn, William C.; Tsherniak, Aviad

2017-01-01

The CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized gene editing both on single genes and in multiplexed loss-of-function screens, enabling precise genome-scale identification of genes essential to proliferation and survival of cancer cells1,2. However, previous studies reported that a gene-independent anti-proliferative effect of Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage confounds such measurement of genetic dependency, leading to false positive results in copy number amplified regions3,4. We developed CERES, a computational method to estimate gene dependency levels from CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens while accounting for the copy-number-specific effect. As part of our efforts to define a cancer dependency map, we performed genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens across 342 cancer cell lines and applied CERES to this dataset. We found that CERES reduced false positive results and estimated sgRNA activity for both this dataset and previously published screens performed with different sgRNA libraries. Here, we demonstrate the utility of this collection of screens, upon CERES correction, in revealing cancer-type-specific vulnerabilities. PMID:29083409

Hit and go CAS9 delivered through a lentiviral based self-limiting circuit.

PubMed

Petris, Gianluca; Casini, Antonio; Montagna, Claudia; Lorenzin, Francesca; Prandi, Davide; Romanel, Alessandro; Zasso, Jacopo; Conti, Luciano; Demichelis, Francesca; Cereseto, Anna

2017-05-22

In vivo application of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology is still limited by unwanted Cas9 genomic cleavages. Long-term expression of Cas9 increases the number of genomic loci non-specifically cleaved by the nuclease. Here we develop a Self-Limiting Cas9 circuit for Enhanced Safety and specificity (SLiCES) which consists of an expression unit for Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), a self-targeting sgRNA and a second sgRNA targeting a chosen genomic locus. The self-limiting circuit results in increased genome editing specificity by controlling Cas9 levels. For its in vivo utilization, we next integrate SLiCES into a lentiviral delivery system (lentiSLiCES) via circuit inhibition to achieve viral particle production. Upon delivery into target cells, the lentiSLiCES circuit switches on to edit the intended genomic locus while simultaneously stepping up its own neutralization through SpCas9 inactivation. By preserving target cells from residual nuclease activity, our hit and go system increases safety margins for genome editing.

Compared to Sleeve Gastrectomy, Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy Gives Better Glycemic Control in T2DM Patients, with a Lower β-Cell Response and Similar Appetite Sensations: Mixed-Meal Study.

PubMed

Zachariah, Pulimuttil James; Chen, Chih-Yen; Lee, Wei-Jei; Chen, Shu-Chu; Ser, Kong-Han; Chen, Jung-Chien; Lee, Yi-Chih

2016-12-01

Functional studies of how duodenal-jejunal exclusion (DJE) brings a superior glycemic control when added to sleeve gastrectomy in duodenal-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (DJB-SG) patients, are lacking. To study this, we compared the appetite sensations and the β-cell response following a standard mixed meal in patients with DJB-SG, versus those with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) alone. Twenty one patients who underwent DJB-SG and 25 with SG, who participated in mixed-meal tests (MMTT) preoperatively and at 1 year, with complete data were included and compared. Blood glucose, C-peptide, and insulin levels were estimated, along with the visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring of the six appetite sensations, as a part of the MMTT. At 1 year following surgery, compared to SG group, DJB-SG group had greater complete remission rates (HbA1C <6.0 %) of 62 versus 32 % (p < 0.05), with similar total body weight loss (25.7 vs. 22 %). There were significantly lower post-prandial blood glucose and lower C-peptide levels during the MMTT in the patients with DJB-SG compared to SG group. There were no significant differences in the appetite sensations (mean VAS) scores between the groups. The addition of DJE component to SG, as in DJB-SG, was associated with higher diabetes remission rates, lower glycemic fluctuations, and lower C-peptide levels. This may point to a β-cell preserving glucose control which could result in longer remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This effect also may be unrelated to food intake as there were no significant differences in the appetite sensations.

Identification and transcriptional analysis of two types of lectins (SgCTL-1 and SgGal-1) from mollusk Solen grandis.

PubMed

Wei, Xiumei; Yang, Jianmin; Liu, Xiangquan; Yang, Dinglong; Xu, Jie; Fang, Jinghui; Wang, Weijun; Yang, Jialong

2012-08-01

C-type lectin and galectin are two types of animal carbohydrate-binding proteins which serve as pathogen recognition molecules and play crucial roles in the innate immunity of invertebrates. In the present study, a C-type lectin (designated as SgCTL-1) and galectin (designated as SgGal-1) were identified from mollusk Solen grandis, and their expression patterns, both in tissues and toward three pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) stimulation were characterized. The full-length cDNA of SgCTL-1 and SgGal-1 was 1280 and 1466 bp, containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 519 and 1218 bp, respectively. Their deduced amino acid sequences showed high similarity to other members of C-type lectin and galectin superfamily, respectively. SgCTL-1 encoded a single carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD), and the motif of Ca(2+)-binding site 2 was EPN (Glu(135)-Pro(136)-Asn(137)). While SgGal-1 encoded two CRDs, and the amino acid residues constituted the carbohydrate-binding motifs were well conserved in CRD1 but partially conserved in CRD2. Although SgCTL-1 and SgGal-1 exhibited different tissue expression pattern, they were both constitutively expressed in all tested tissues, including hemocytes, gonad, mantle, muscle, gill and hepatopancreas, and they were both highly expressed in hepatopancreas and gill. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of two lectins in hemocytes was significantly (P < 0.01) up-regulated with different levels after S. grandis were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN) or β-1,3-glucan. Our results suggested that SgCTL-1 and SgGal-1 from razor clam were two novel members of animal lectins, and they might function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) taking part in the process of pathogen recognition. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Constraining estimates of global soil respiration by quantifying sources of variability.

PubMed

Jian, Jinshi; Steele, Meredith K; Thomas, R Quinn; Day, Susan D; Hodges, Steven C

2018-05-10

Quantifying global soil respiration (R SG ) and its response to temperature change are critical for predicting the turnover of terrestrial carbon stocks and their feedbacks to climate change. Currently, estimates of R SG range from 68 to 98 Pg C year -1 , causing considerable uncertainty in the global carbon budget. We argue the source of this variability lies in the upscaling assumptions regarding the model format, data timescales, and precipitation component. To quantify the variability and constrain R SG , we developed R SG models using Random Forest and exponential models, and used different timescales (daily, monthly, and annual) of soil respiration (R S ) and climate data to predict R SG . From the resulting R SG estimates (range = 66.62-100.72 Pg), we calculated variability associated with each assumption. Among model formats, using monthly R S data rather than annual data decreased R SG by 7.43-9.46 Pg; however, R SG calculated from daily R S data was only 1.83 Pg lower than the R SG from monthly data. Using mean annual precipitation and temperature data instead of monthly data caused +4.84 and -4.36 Pg C differences, respectively. If the timescale of R S data is constant, R SG estimated by the first-order exponential (93.2 Pg) was greater than the Random Forest (78.76 Pg) or second-order exponential (76.18 Pg) estimates. These results highlight the importance of variation at subannual timescales for upscaling to R SG . The results indicated R SG is lower than in recent papers and the current benchmark for land models (98 Pg C year -1 ), and thus may change the predicted rates of terrestrial carbon turnover and the carbon to climate feedback as global temperatures rise. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Validity of EuroQOL-5D, time trade-off, and standard gamble for age-related macular degeneration in the Singapore population

PubMed Central

Au Eong, K G; Chan, E W; Luo, N; Wong, S H; Tan, N W H; Lim, T H; Wagle, A M

2012-01-01

Background/aims Utility values of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asian patients are unknown. This study aims to assess utility values and construct validity of the EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG) instruments in the Singapore multi-ethnic AMD population. Methods Cross-sectional, two-centre, institution-based study. Visual acuity (VA), clinical AMD severity, and utility scores on the EQ-5D, TTO, and SG were obtained from 338 AMD patients. VA was analysed in terms of the better-seeing eye (BEVA), worse-seeing eye (WEVA), and weighted average of both eyes (WVA). We evaluated SG on the perfect health-death (SG(death)) and binocular perfect vision-binocular blindness (SG(blindness)) scales. Construct validity was determined by testing a priorihypotheses relating the EQ-5D, TTO, and SG utility scores to VA and clinical AMD severity. Results The mean utilities on the EQ-5D, TTO, SG(death), and SG(blindness) were 0.89, 0.81, 0.86, and 0.90, respectively. EQ-5D scores correlated weakly with BEVA, WEVA, and WVA (Pearson's correlation coefficients −0.291, −0.247, and −0.305 respectively, P<0.001 for all). SG(death) and SG(blindness) demonstrated no correlation with BEVA, WEVA, or WVA (Pearson's correlation coefficients, range −0.06 to −0.125). TTO showed weak association only with WEVA and WVA (correlation coefficients −0.237, −0.228, P<0.0001), but not with BEVA (correlation coefficient −0.161). Clinical AMD severity correlated with EQ-5D and SG(death), but not with TTO and SG(blindness) (P=0.004, 0.002, 0.235, and 0.069, respectively). Conclusions AMD has a negative impact on utilities, although utility scores were high compared with Western cohorts. EQ-5D, TTO, and SG showed suboptimal construct validity, suggesting that health status utilities may not be sufficiently robust for cost-utility analyses in this population. PMID:22222257

More Thoughts on AG-SG Comparisons and SG Scale Factor Determinations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, David; Calvo, Marta; Rosat, Severine; Hinderer, Jacques

2018-05-01

We revisit a number of details that arise when doing joint AG-SG (absolute gravimeter-superconducting gravimeter) calibrations, focusing on the scale factor determination and the AG mean value that derives from the offset. When fitting SG data to AG data, the choice of which time span to use for the SG data can make a difference, as well as the inclusion of a trend that might be present in the fitting. The SG time delay has only a small effect. We review a number of options discussed recently in the literature on whether drops or sets provide the most accurate scale factor, and how to reject drops and sets to get the most consistent result. Two effects are clearly indicated by our tests, one being to smooth the raw SG 1 s (or similar sampling interval) data for times that coincide with AG drops, the other being a second pass in processing to reject residual outliers after the initial fit. Although drops can usefully provide smaller SG calibration errors compared to using set data, set values are more robust to data problems but one has to use the standard error to avoid large uncertainties. When combining scale factor determinations for the same SG at the same station, the expected gradual reduction of the error with each new experiment is consistent with the method of conflation. This is valid even when the SG data acquisition system is changed, or different AG's are used. We also find a relationship between the AG mean values obtained from SG to AG fits with the traditional short-term AG (`site') measurements usually done with shorter datasets. This involves different zero levels and corrections in the AG versus SG processing. Without using the Micro-g FG5 software it is possible to use the SG-derived corrections for tides, barometric pressure, and polar motion to convert an AG-SG calibration experiment into a site measurement (and vice versa). Finally, we provide a simple method for AG users who do not have the FG5-software to find an internal FG5 parameter that allows us to convert AG values between different transfer heights when there is a change in gradient.

More Thoughts on AG-SG Comparisons and SG Scale Factor Determinations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crossley, David; Calvo, Marta; Rosat, Severine; Hinderer, Jacques

2018-03-01

We revisit a number of details that arise when doing joint AG-SG (absolute gravimeter-superconducting gravimeter) calibrations, focusing on the scale factor determination and the AG mean value that derives from the offset. When fitting SG data to AG data, the choice of which time span to use for the SG data can make a difference, as well as the inclusion of a trend that might be present in the fitting. The SG time delay has only a small effect. We review a number of options discussed recently in the literature on whether drops or sets provide the most accurate scale factor, and how to reject drops and sets to get the most consistent result. Two effects are clearly indicated by our tests, one being to smooth the raw SG 1 s (or similar sampling interval) data for times that coincide with AG drops, the other being a second pass in processing to reject residual outliers after the initial fit. Although drops can usefully provide smaller SG calibration errors compared to using set data, set values are more robust to data problems but one has to use the standard error to avoid large uncertainties. When combining scale factor determinations for the same SG at the same station, the expected gradual reduction of the error with each new experiment is consistent with the method of conflation. This is valid even when the SG data acquisition system is changed, or different AG's are used. We also find a relationship between the AG mean values obtained from SG to AG fits with the traditional short-term AG (`site') measurements usually done with shorter datasets. This involves different zero levels and corrections in the AG versus SG processing. Without using the Micro-g FG5 software it is possible to use the SG-derived corrections for tides, barometric pressure, and polar motion to convert an AG-SG calibration experiment into a site measurement (and vice versa). Finally, we provide a simple method for AG users who do not have the FG5-software to find an internal FG5 parameter that allows us to convert AG values between different transfer heights when there is a change in gradient.

Measurements of aquifer-storage change and specific yield using gravity surveys

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pool, D.R.; Eychaner, J.H.

1995-01-01

Pinal Creek is an intermittent stream that drains a 200-square-mile alluvial basin in central Arizona. Large changes in water levels and aquifer storage occur in an alluvial aquifer near the stream in response to periodic recharge and ground-water withdrawals. Outflow components of the ground-water budget and hydraulic properties of the alluvium are well-defined by field measurements; however, data are insufficient to adequately describe recharge, aquifer-storage change, and specific-yield values. An investigation was begun to assess the utility of temporal-gravity surveys to directly measure aquifer-storage change and estimate values of specific yield.The temporal-gravity surveys measured changes in the differences in gravity between two reference stations on bedrock and six stations at wells; changes are caused by variations in aquifer storage. Specific yield was estimated by dividing storage change by water-level change. Four surveys were done between February 21, 1991, and March 31, 1993. Gravity increased as much as 158 microGal ± 1 to 6 microGal, and water levels rose as much as 58 feet. Average specific yield at wells ranged from 0.16 to 0.21, and variations in specific yield with depth correlate with lithologic variations. Results indicate that temporal-gravity surveys can be used to estimate aquifer-storage change and specific yield of water-table aquifers where significant variations in water levels occur. Direct measurement of aquifer-storage change can eliminate a major unknown from the ground-water budget of arid basins and improve residual estimates of recharge.

Hydrological signals in height and gravity in northeastern Italy inferred from principal components analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerbini, S.; Raicich, F.; Richter, B.; Gorini, V.; Errico, M.

2010-04-01

This work describes a study of GPS heights, gravity and hydrological time series collected by stations located in northeastern Italy. During the last 12 years, changes in the long-term behaviors of the GPS heights and gravity time series are observed. In particular, starting in 2004-2005, a height increase is observed over the whole area. The temporal and spatial variability of these parameters has been studied as well as those of key hydrological variables, namely precipitation, hydrological balance and water table by using the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) analysis. The coupled variability between the GPS heights and the hydrological balance and precipitation data has been investigated by means of the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) approach. Significant common patterns in the spatial and temporal variability of these parameters have been recognized. In particular, hydrology-induced variations are clearly observable starting in 2002-2003 in the southern part of the Po Plain for the longest time series, and from 2004-2005 over the whole area. These findings, obtained by means of purely mathematical approaches, are supported by sound physical interpretation suggesting that the climate-related fluctuations in the regional/local hydrological regime are one of the main contributors to the observed variations. A regional scale signal has been identified in the GPS station heights; it is characterized by the opposite behavior of the southern and northern stations in response to the hydrological forcing. At Medicina, in the southern Po Plain, the EOF analysis has shown a marked common signal between the GPS heights and the Superconducting Gravimeter (SG) data both over the long and the short period.

Urinalysis: MedlinePlus Health Topic

MedlinePlus

... Urine odor (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish Urine pH test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish Urine specific gravity ... Urine - abnormal color Urine - bloody Urine odor Urine pH test Urine specific gravity test Show More Show Less ...

Identification of specific gravity sensitive signal transduction pathways in human A431 carcinoma cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rijken, P. J.; de Groot, R. P.; Kruijer, W.; de Laat, S. W.; Verkleij, A. J.; Boonstra, J.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) activates a well characterized signal transduction cascade in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells. The influence of gravity on EGF-induced EGF-receptor clustering and early gene expression as well as on actin polymerization and actin organization have been investigated. Different signalling pathways induced by the agents TPA, forskolin and A23187 that activate gene expression were tested for sensitivity to gravity. EGF-induced c-fos and c-jun expression were decreased in microgravity. However, constitutive β-2 microglobulin expression remained unaltered. Under simulated weightlessness conditions EGF- and TPA-induced c-fos expression was decreased, while forskolin- and A23187-induced c-fos expression was independent of the gravity conditions. These results suggest that gravity affects specific signalling pathways. Preliminary results indicate that EGF-induced EGF-receptor clustering remained unaltered irrespective of the gravity conditions. Furthermore, the relative filamentous actin content of steady state A431 cells was enhanced under microgravity conditions and actin filament organization was altered. Under simulated weightlessness actin filament organization in steady state cells as well as in EGF-treated cells was altered as compared to the 1 G reference experiment. Interestingly the microtubule and keratin organization in untreated cells showed no difference with the normal gravity samples. This indicates that gravity may affect specific components of the signal transduction circuitry.

Identifying the hydrochemical characteristics of rivers and groundwater by multivariate statistical analysis in the Sanjiang Plain, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yingjie; Tang, Changyuan; Song, Xianfang; Liu, Changming; Zhang, Yinghua

2016-06-01

Two multivariate statistical technologies, factor analysis (FA) and discriminant analysis (DA), are applied to study the river and groundwater hydrochemistry and its controlling processes in the Sanjiang Plain of the northeast China. Factor analysis identifies five factors which account for 79.65 % of the total variance in the dataset. Four factors bearing specific meanings as the river and groundwater hydrochemistry controlling processes are divided into two groups, the "natural hydrochemistry evolution" group and the "pollution" group. The "natural hydrochemistry evolution" group includes the salinity factor (factor 1) caused by rock weathering and the residence time factor (factor 2) reflecting the groundwater traveling time. The "pollution" group represents the groundwater quality deterioration due to geogenic pollution caused by elevated Fe and Mn (factor 3) and elevated nitrate (NO3 -) introduced by human activities such as agriculture exploitations (factor 5). The hydrochemical difference and hydraulic connection among rivers (surface water, SW), shallow groundwater (SG) and deep groundwater (DG) group are evaluated by the factor scores obtained from FA and DA (Fisher's method). It is showed that the river water is characterized as low salinity and slight pollution, and the shallow groundwater has the highest salinity and severe pollution. The SW is well separated from SG and DG by Fisher's discriminant function, but the SG and DG can not be well separated showing their hydrochemical similarities, and emphasize hydraulic connections between SG and DG.

CASFISH: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated in situ labeling of genomic loci in fixed cells.

PubMed

Deng, Wulan; Shi, Xinghua; Tjian, Robert; Lionnet, Timothée; Singer, Robert H

2015-09-22

Direct visualization of genomic loci in the 3D nucleus is important for understanding the spatial organization of the genome and its association with gene expression. Various DNA FISH methods have been developed in the past decades, all involving denaturing dsDNA and hybridizing fluorescent nucleic acid probes. Here we report a novel approach that uses in vitro constituted nuclease-deficient clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated caspase 9 (Cas9) complexes as probes to label sequence-specific genomic loci fluorescently without global DNA denaturation (Cas9-mediated fluorescence in situ hybridization, CASFISH). Using fluorescently labeled nuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) protein assembled with various single-guide RNA (sgRNA), we demonstrated rapid and robust labeling of repetitive DNA elements in pericentromere, centromere, G-rich telomere, and coding gene loci. Assembling dCas9 with an array of sgRNAs tiling arbitrary target loci, we were able to visualize nonrepetitive genomic sequences. The dCas9/sgRNA binary complex is stable and binds its target DNA with high affinity, allowing sequential or simultaneous probing of multiple targets. CASFISH assays using differently colored dCas9/sgRNA complexes allow multicolor labeling of target loci in cells. In addition, the CASFISH assay is remarkably rapid under optimal conditions and is applicable for detection in primary tissue sections. This rapid, robust, less disruptive, and cost-effective technology adds a valuable tool for basic research and genetic diagnosis.

From spent graphite to amorphous sp2+sp3 carbon-coated sp2 graphite for high-performance lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zhen; Zhuang, Yuchan; Deng, Yaoming; Song, Xiaona; Zuo, Xiaoxi; Xiao, Xin; Nan, Junmin

2018-02-01

Today, with the massive application of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) in the portable devices and electric vehicles, to supply the active materials with high-performances and then to recycle their wastes are two core issues for the development of LIBs. In this paper, the spent graphite (SG) in LIBs is used as raw materials to fabricate two comparative high-capacity graphite anode materials. Based on a microsurgery-like physical reconstruction, the reconstructed graphite (RG) with a sp2+sp3 carbon surface is prepared through a microwave exfoliation and subsequent spray drying process. In contrast, the neural-network-like amorphous sp2+sp3 carbon-coated graphite (AC@G) is synthesized using a self-reconfigurable chemical reaction strategy. Compared with SG and commercial graphite (CG), both RG and AC@G have enhanced specific capacities, from 311.2 mAh g-1 and 360.7 mAh g-1 to 409.7 mAh g-1 and 420.0 mAh g-1, at 0.1C after 100 cycles. In addition, they exhibit comparable cycling stability, rate capability, and voltage plateau with CG. Because the synthesis of RG and AC@G represents two typical physical and chemical methods for the recycling of SG, these results on the sp2+sp3 carbon layer coating bulk graphite also reveal an approach for the preparation of high-performance graphite anode materials derived from SG.

Terahertz spectroscopy properties of the selected engine oils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Shouming; Zhao, Kun; Lu, Tian; Zhao, Songqing; Zhou, Qingli; Shi, Yulei; Zhao, Dongmei; Zhang, Cunlin

2010-11-01

Engine oil, most of which is extracted from petroleum, consist of complex mixtures of hydrocarbons of molecular weights in the range of 250-1000. Variable amounts of different additives are put into them to inhibit oxidation, improve the viscosity index, decrease the fluidity point and avoid foaming or settling of solid particles among others. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy contains rich physical, chemical, and structural information of the materials. Most low-frequency vibrational and rotational spectra of many petrochemicals lie in this frequency range. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the THz spectroscopic studies of petroleum products. In this paper, the optical properties and spectroscopy of selected kinds of engine oil consisting of shell HELIX 10W-40, Mobilube GX 80W-90, GEELY ENGINE OIL SG 10W-30, SMA engine oil SG 5W-30, SMA engine oil SG 10W-30, SMA engine oil SG 75W-90 have been studied by the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) in the spectral range of 0.6-2.5 THz. Engine oil with different viscosities in the terahertz spectrum has certain regularity. In the THz-TDS, with the increase of viscosity, time delay is greater and with the increase of viscosity, refractive indexes also grow and their rank is extremely regular. The specific kinds of engine oil can be identified according to their different spectral features in the THz range. The THz-TDS technology has potentially significant impact on the engine oil analysis.

The Fast and Transient Transcriptional Network of Gravity and Mechanical Stimulation in the Arabidopsis Root Apex1[w

PubMed Central

Kimbrough, Jeffery M.; Salinas-Mondragon, Raul; Boss, Wendy F.; Brown, Christopher S.; Sederoff, Heike Winter

2004-01-01

Plant root growth is affected by both gravity and mechanical stimulation (Massa GD, Gilroy S [2003] Plant J 33: 435–445). A coordinated response to both stimuli requires specific and common elements. To delineate the transcriptional response mechanisms, we carried out whole-genome microarray analysis of Arabidopsis root apices after gravity stimulation (reorientation) and mechanical stimulation and monitored transcript levels of 22,744 genes in a time course during the first hour after either stimulus. Rapid, transient changes in the relative abundance of specific transcripts occurred in response to gravity or mechanical stimulation, and these transcript level changes reveal clusters of coordinated events. Transcriptional regulation occurs in the root apices within less than 2 min after either stimulus. We identified genes responding specifically to each stimulus as well as transcripts regulated in both signal transduction pathways. Several unknown genes were specifically induced only during gravitropic stimulation (gravity induced genes). We also analyzed the network of transcriptional regulation during the early stages of gravitropism and mechanical stimulation. PMID:15347791

'Emotiplay': a serious game for learning about emotions in children with autism: results of a cross-cultural evaluation.

PubMed

Fridenson-Hayo, S; Berggren, S; Lassalle, A; Tal, S; Pigat, D; Meir-Goren, N; O'Reilly, H; Ben-Zur, S; Bölte, S; Baron-Cohen, S; Golan, O

2017-08-01

Children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) experience difficulties recognizing others' emotions and mental states. It has been shown that serious games (SG) can produce simplified versions of the socio-emotional world. The current study performed a cross-cultural evaluation (in the UK, Israel and Sweden) of Emotiplay's SG, a system aimed to teach emotion recognition (ER) to children with ASC in an entertaining, and intrinsically motivating way. Participants were 6-9 year olds with high functioning ASC who used the SG for 8-12 weeks. Measures included face, voice, body, and integrative ER tasks, as well as parent-reported level of autism symptoms, and adaptive socialization. In the UK, 15 children were tested before and after using the SG. In Israel (n = 38) and Sweden (n = 36), children were randomized into a SG or a waiting list control group. In the UK, results revealed that 8 weeks of SG use significantly improved participants' performance on ER body language and integrative tasks. Parents also reported their children improved their adaptive socialization. In Israel and Sweden, participants using the SG improved significantly more than controls on all ER measures. In addition, parents in the Israeli SG group reported their children showed reduced autism symptoms after using the SG. In conclusion, Emotiplay's SG is an effective and motivating psycho-educational intervention, cross-culturally teaching ER from faces, voices, body language, and their integration in context to children with high functioning ASC. Local evidence was found for more generalized gains to socialization and reduced autism symptoms.

Cellulolytic and xylanolytic potential of high β-glucosidase-producing Trichoderma from decaying biomass.

PubMed

Okeke, Benedict C

2014-10-01

Availability, cost, and efficiency of microbial enzymes for lignocellulose bioconversion are central to sustainable biomass ethanol technology. Fungi enriched from decaying biomass and surface soil mixture displayed an array of strong cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities. Strains SG2 and SG4 produced a promising array of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes including β-glucosidase, usually low in cultures of Trichoderma species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of rRNA gene revealed that strains SG2 and SG4 are closely related to Trichoderma inhamatum, Trichoderma piluliferum, and Trichoderma aureoviride. Trichoderma sp. SG2 crude culture supernatant correspondingly displayed as much as 9.84 ± 1.12, 48.02 ± 2.53, and 30.10 ± 1.11 units mL(-1) of cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase in 30 min assay. Ten times dilution of culture supernatant of strain SG2 revealed that total activities were about 5.34, 8.45, and 2.05 orders of magnitude higher than observed in crude culture filtrate for cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase, respectively, indicating that more enzymes are present to contact with substrates in biomass saccharification. In parallel experiments, Trichoderma species SG2 and SG4 produced more β-glucosidase than the industrial strain Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30. Results indicate that strains SG2 and SG4 have potential for low cost in-house production of primary lignocellulose-hydrolyzing enzymes for production of biomass saccharides and biofuel in the field.

Protective effect of gelatin and gelatin hydrolysate from salmon skin on UV irradiation-induced photoaging of mice skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tiejun; Hou, Hu; Lu, Jiaohan; Zhang, Kai; Li, Bafang

2016-08-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gelatin (SG) isolated from salmon skin and its hydrolysate (SGH) on photoaging skin, and the mechanism responsible for anti-photoaging. The average molecular weights of SG and SGH were 65 kDa and 873 Da, respectively. The amino acid compositions of SG and SGH were similar. Both of them were abundant in hydrophobic amino acids. Twenty-five peptides were identified from SGH. SG and SGH could improve UV irradiation-induced pathological changes of macroscopical tissue texture and skin morphology. Hydroxyproline content is an indicator of matrix collagen content, SG and SGH could inhibit the decrease of hydroxyproline content in photoaging skin in a dose dependent manner. In addition, SG and SGH could alleviate UV irradiation-induced oxidative damages to skin by increasing the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), increasing the content of glutathione (GSH) and decreasing the content of malonaldehyde (MDA). Moreover, SG and SGH could enhance immune regulation system by increasing the thymus index. Thus, the anti-photoaging mechanisms of SG and SGH were by inhibiting the depletion of antioxidant defense components, involving in the synthesis of collagen and enhancing the function of immune system. Besides, SGH showed a better result in protecting skin from photoaging than SG.

Regulation and distribution of squirrel monkey chorionic gonadotropin and secretogranin II in the pituitary.

PubMed

Vasauskas, Audrey A; Hubler, Tina R; Mahanic, Christina; Gibson, Susan; Kahn, Andrea G; Scammell, Jonathan G

2011-02-01

Secretogranin II (SgII) is a member of the granin family of proteins found in neuroendocrine and endocrine cells. The expression and storage of SgII in the pituitary gland of Old World primates and rodents have been linked with those of luteinizing hormone (LH). However, New World primates including squirrel monkeys do not express LH in the pituitary gland, but rather CG is expressed. If CG takes on the luteotropic role of LH in New World primates, SgII may be associated with the expression and storage of CG in the pituitary gland. The goal of this study was to evaluate the regulation and distribution of CG and SgII in the squirrel monkey. A DNA fragment containing approximately 750 bp of squirrel monkey SgII promoter was isolated from genomic DNA and found to contain a cyclic-AMP response element that is also present in the human SgII promoter and important for GnRH responsiveness. The squirrel monkey and human SgII promoters were similarly activated by GnRH in luciferase reporter gene assays in LβT2 cells. Double immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated close association of SgII and CG in gonadotrophs of squirrel monkey pituitary gland. These results suggest that CG and SgII have a similar intercellular distribution and are coregulated in squirrel monkey pituitary gland. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regulation and distribution of squirrel monkey chorionic gonadotropin and secretogranin II in the pituitary

PubMed Central

Vasauskas, Audrey A.; Hubler, Tina R.; Mahanic, Christina; Gibson, Susan; Kahn, Andrea G.; Scammell, Jonathan G.

2011-01-01

Secretogranin II (SgII) is a member of the granin family of proteins found in neuroendocrine and endocrine cells. The expression and storage of SgII in the pituitary gland of Old World primates and rodents have been linked with those of luteinizing hormone (LH). However, New World primates including squirrel monkeys do not express LH in the pituitary gland, but rather CG is expressed. If CG takes on the luteotropic role of LH in New World primates, SgII may be associated with the expression and storage of CG in the pituitary gland. The goal of this study was to evaluate the regulation and distribution of CG and SgII in the squirrel monkey. A DNA fragment containing approximately 750 bp of squirrel monkey SgII promoter was isolated from genomic DNA and found to contain a cyclic AMP response element that is also present in the human SgII promoter and important for GnRH responsiveness. The squirrel monkey and human SgII promoters were similarly activated by GnRH in luciferase reporter gene assays in LβT2 cells. Double immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated close association of SgII and CG in gonadotrophs of squirrel monkey pituitary gland. These results suggest that CG and SgII have a similar intercellular distribution and are coregulated in squirrel monkey pituitary gland. PMID:21095191

A nonlinear generalization of the Savitzky-Golay filter and the quantitative analysis of saccades

PubMed Central

Dai, Weiwei; Selesnick, Ivan; Rizzo, John-Ross; Rucker, Janet; Hudson, Todd

2017-01-01

The Savitzky-Golay (SG) filter is widely used to smooth and differentiate time series, especially biomedical data. However, time series that exhibit abrupt departures from their typical trends, such as sharp waves or steps, which are of physiological interest, tend to be oversmoothed by the SG filter. Hence, the SG filter tends to systematically underestimate physiological parameters in certain situations. This article proposes a generalization of the SG filter to more accurately track abrupt deviations in time series, leading to more accurate parameter estimates (e.g., peak velocity of saccadic eye movements). The proposed filtering methodology models a time series as the sum of two component time series: a low-frequency time series for which the conventional SG filter is well suited, and a second time series that exhibits instantaneous deviations (e.g., sharp waves, steps, or more generally, discontinuities in a higher order derivative). The generalized SG filter is then applied to the quantitative analysis of saccadic eye movements. It is demonstrated that (a) the conventional SG filter underestimates the peak velocity of saccades, especially those of small amplitude, and (b) the generalized SG filter estimates peak saccadic velocity more accurately than the conventional filter. PMID:28813566

Excision of Nucleopolyhedrovirus Form Transgenic Silkworm Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System.

PubMed

Dong, Zhanqi; Dong, Feifan; Yu, Xinbo; Huang, Liang; Jiang, Yaming; Hu, Zhigang; Chen, Peng; Lu, Cheng; Pan, Minhui

2018-01-01

The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering has been shown to efficiently suppress infection by disrupting genes of the pathogen. We recently constructed transgenic lines expressing CRISPR/Cas9 and the double sgRNA target Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) immediate early-1 ( ie-1 ) gene in the silkworm, respectively, and obtained four transgenic hybrid lines by G1 generation hybridization: Cas9(-)/sgRNA(-), Cas9(+)/sgRNA(-), Cas9(-)/sgRNA(+), and Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+). We demonstrated that the Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic lines effectively edited the target site of the BmNPV genome, and large fragment deletion was observed after BmNPV infection. Further antiviral analysis of the Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic lines shows that the median lethal dose (LD50) is 1,000-fold higher than the normal lines after inoculation with occlusion bodies. The analysis of economic characters and off-target efficiency of Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic hybrid line showed no significant difference compared with the normal lines. Our findings indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering more effectively targets the BmNPV genomes and could be utilized as an insect antiviral treatment.

A nonlinear generalization of the Savitzky-Golay filter and the quantitative analysis of saccades.

PubMed

Dai, Weiwei; Selesnick, Ivan; Rizzo, John-Ross; Rucker, Janet; Hudson, Todd

2017-08-01

The Savitzky-Golay (SG) filter is widely used to smooth and differentiate time series, especially biomedical data. However, time series that exhibit abrupt departures from their typical trends, such as sharp waves or steps, which are of physiological interest, tend to be oversmoothed by the SG filter. Hence, the SG filter tends to systematically underestimate physiological parameters in certain situations. This article proposes a generalization of the SG filter to more accurately track abrupt deviations in time series, leading to more accurate parameter estimates (e.g., peak velocity of saccadic eye movements). The proposed filtering methodology models a time series as the sum of two component time series: a low-frequency time series for which the conventional SG filter is well suited, and a second time series that exhibits instantaneous deviations (e.g., sharp waves, steps, or more generally, discontinuities in a higher order derivative). The generalized SG filter is then applied to the quantitative analysis of saccadic eye movements. It is demonstrated that (a) the conventional SG filter underestimates the peak velocity of saccades, especially those of small amplitude, and (b) the generalized SG filter estimates peak saccadic velocity more accurately than the conventional filter.

Excision of Nucleopolyhedrovirus Form Transgenic Silkworm Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System

PubMed Central

Dong, Zhanqi; Dong, Feifan; Yu, Xinbo; Huang, Liang; Jiang, Yaming; Hu, Zhigang; Chen, Peng; Lu, Cheng; Pan, Minhui

2018-01-01

The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering has been shown to efficiently suppress infection by disrupting genes of the pathogen. We recently constructed transgenic lines expressing CRISPR/Cas9 and the double sgRNA target Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) immediate early-1 (ie-1) gene in the silkworm, respectively, and obtained four transgenic hybrid lines by G1 generation hybridization: Cas9(-)/sgRNA(-), Cas9(+)/sgRNA(-), Cas9(-)/sgRNA(+), and Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+). We demonstrated that the Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic lines effectively edited the target site of the BmNPV genome, and large fragment deletion was observed after BmNPV infection. Further antiviral analysis of the Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic lines shows that the median lethal dose (LD50) is 1,000-fold higher than the normal lines after inoculation with occlusion bodies. The analysis of economic characters and off-target efficiency of Cas9(+)/sgRNA(+) transgenic hybrid line showed no significant difference compared with the normal lines. Our findings indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering more effectively targets the BmNPV genomes and could be utilized as an insect antiviral treatment. PMID:29503634

Dual-Emission SG7@MOF Sensor via SC-SC Transformation: Enhancing the Formation of Excimer Emission and the Range and Sensitivity of Detection.

PubMed

Fu, Hong-Ru; Wu, Xiao-Xia; Ma, Lu-Fang; Wang, Fei; Zhang, Jian

2018-05-30

In this study, a water stable metal-organic framework FIR-53 is applied as a single-crystal container for anion exchange. The exceptional chemical stability and low crystallographic symmetry of FIR-53 makes it possible to determine anionic guests. Through ion exchange and single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) transformation, 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (SG7, solvent green 7, ion form as SG7 3- ) is introduced into the pores of FIR-53 to obtain SG7@FIR-53. Because of the spatial confinement and partition effect, SG7@FIR-53 shows the bright exciter emission of SG7 ions. Interestingly, the composite SG7@FIR-53 exhibits a sensitive fluorescence quenching response against Cr 2 O 7 2- and MnO 4 - in aqueous solution. Especially, the detection limit toward MnO 4 - is as low as 0.12 ppb, which is the smallest value to date. Moreover, the prepared SG7@FIR-53 film also displays a broad response to nitro explosives in vapor/aqueous phase. Compared with the results of FIR-53, the range and sensitivity were greatly improved.

Interplay of growth rate and xylem plasticity for optimal coordination of carbon and hydraulic economies in Fraxinus ornus trees.

PubMed

Petit, Giai; Savi, Tadeja; Consolini, Martina; Anfodillo, Tommaso; Nardini, Andrea

2016-11-01

Efficient leaf water supply is fundamental for assimilation processes and tree growth. Renovating the architecture of the xylem transport system requires an increasing carbon investment while growing taller, and any deficiency of carbon availability may result in increasing hydraulic constraints to water flow. Therefore, plants need to coordinate carbon assimilation and biomass allocation to guarantee an efficient and safe long-distance transport system. We tested the hypothesis that reduced branch elongation rates together with carbon-saving adjustments of xylem anatomy hydraulically compensate for the reduction in biomass allocation to xylem. We measured leaf biomass, hydraulic and anatomical properties of wood segments along the main axis of branches in 10 slow growing (SG) and 10 fast growing (FG) Fraxinus ornus L. trees. Branches of SG trees had five times slower branch elongation rate (7 vs 35 cm year -1 ), and produced a higher leaf biomass (P < 0.0001) and thinner xylem rings with fewer but larger vessels (P < 0.0001). On the contrary, we found no differences between SG and FG trees in terms of leaf-specific conductivity (P > 0.05) and xylem safety (Ψ 50 ≈ -3.2 MPa). Slower elongation rate coupled with thinner annual rings and larger vessels allows the reduction of carbon costs associated with growth, while maintaining similar leaf-specific conductivity and xylem safety. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Meditation Awareness Training for the Treatment of Sex Addiction: A Case Study

PubMed Central

Van Gordon, William; Shonin, Edo; Griffiths, Mark D.

2016-01-01

Background Sex addiction is a disorder that can have serious adverse functional consequences. Treatment effectiveness research for sex addiction is currently underdeveloped, and interventions are generally based on the guidelines for treating other behavioral (as well as chemical) addictions. Consequently, there is a need to clinically evaluate tailored treatments that target the specific symptoms of sex addiction. It has been proposed that second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) may be an appropriate treatment for sex addiction because in addition to helping individuals increase perceptual distance from craving for desired objects and experiences, some SG-MBIs specifically contain meditations intended to undermine attachment to sex and/or the human body. The current study conducts the first clinical investigation into the utility of mindfulness for treating sex addiction. Case presentation An in-depth clinical case study was conducted involving an adult male suffering from sex addiction that underwent treatment utilizing an SG-MBI known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT). Following completion of MAT, the participant demonstrated clinically significant improvements in addictive sexual behavior, as well as reductions in depression and psychological distress. The MAT intervention also led to improvements in sleep quality, job satisfaction, and non-attachment to self and experiences. Salutary outcomes were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Discussion and conclusion The current study extends the literature exploring the applications of mindfulness for treating behavioral addiction, and findings indicate that further clinical investigation into the role of mindfulness for treating sex addiction is warranted. PMID:27348560

Meditation Awareness Training for the Treatment of Sex Addiction: A Case Study.

PubMed

Van Gordon, William; Shonin, Edo; Griffiths, Mark D

2016-06-01

Background Sex addiction is a disorder that can have serious adverse functional consequences. Treatment effectiveness research for sex addiction is currently underdeveloped, and interventions are generally based on the guidelines for treating other behavioral (as well as chemical) addictions. Consequently, there is a need to clinically evaluate tailored treatments that target the specific symptoms of sex addiction. It has been proposed that second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) may be an appropriate treatment for sex addiction because in addition to helping individuals increase perceptual distance from craving for desired objects and experiences, some SG-MBIs specifically contain meditations intended to undermine attachment to sex and/or the human body. The current study conducts the first clinical investigation into the utility of mindfulness for treating sex addiction. Case presentation An in-depth clinical case study was conducted involving an adult male suffering from sex addiction that underwent treatment utilizing an SG-MBI known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT). Following completion of MAT, the participant demonstrated clinically significant improvements in addictive sexual behavior, as well as reductions in depression and psychological distress. The MAT intervention also led to improvements in sleep quality, job satisfaction, and non-attachment to self and experiences. Salutary outcomes were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Discussion and conclusion The current study extends the literature exploring the applications of mindfulness for treating behavioral addiction, and findings indicate that further clinical investigation into the role of mindfulness for treating sex addiction is warranted.

[ANTITHROMBOTIC MEDICATION IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH PREVIOUS INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION].

PubMed

Neykova, K; Dimitrova, V; Dimitrov, R; Vakrilova, L

2016-01-01

To analyze pregnancy outcome in patients who were on antithrombotic medication (AM) because of previous pregnancy with fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The studied group (SG) included 21 pregnancies in 15 women with history of previous IUGR. The patients were on low dose aspirin (LDA) and/or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Pregnancy outcome was compared to the one in two more groups: 1) primary group (PG) including the previous 15 pregnancies with IUGR of the same women; 2) control group (CG) including 45 pregnancies of women matched for parity with the ones in the SG, with no history of IUGR and without medication. The SG, PG and CG were compared for the following: mean gestational age (g.a.) at birth, mean birth weight (BW), proportion of cases with early preeclampsia (PE), IUGR (total, moderate, and severe), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), neonatal death (NND), admission to NICU, cesarean section (CS) because of chronic or acute fetal distress (FD) related to IUGR, PE or placental abruption. Student's t-test was applied to assess differences between the groups. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The differences between the SG and the PG regarding mean g. a. at delivery (33.7 and 29.8 w.g. respectively) and the proportion of babies admitted to NICU (66.7% vs. 71.4%) were not statistically significant. The mean BW in the SG (2114,7 g.) was significantly higher than in the PG (1090.8 g.). In the SG compared with the PG there were significantly less cases of IUFD (14.3% and 53.3% respectively), early PE (9.5% vs. 46.7%) moderate and severe IUGR (10.5% and 36.8% vs. 41.7% and 58.3%). Neonatal mortality in the SG (5.6%) was significantly lower than in the PG (57.1%), The proportion of CS for FD was not significantly different--53.3% in the SG and 57.1% in the PG. On the other hand, comparison between the SG and the CG demonstrated significantly lower g.a. at delivery in the SG (33.7 vs. 38 w.g.) an lower BW (2114 vs. 3094 g). There were significantly more cases with IUGR in the SG compared to the CG--total, moderate and severe (47.4 %, 10.5% and 36.8% in the SG vs. 8.9%, 6.7% and 2.2% in the CG) and NICU admissions (66.7% vs. 4.4%). There were no cases in the control group with severe PE (9.5% in the SG), IUFD (14.3% in the SG), and CS for FD (53.3% in the SG). The proportion of pregnancies without complication in the SG (23.8%) was significantly lower than in the CG (86.7%). The outcome of pregnancies with AM because of previous fetal IUGR is improved compared to the index ones. However, it is less favorable compared to the outcome in matched cases with no history of IUGR in previous pregnancies.

ERF is a Potential ERK-Modulated Tumor Suppressor in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

15 20 P = 0 .0 17 P < 0 .0 00 1 CRISPR –Cas9 sgERF CRISPR –Cas9 sgNT –dox (TetOn_Flag–ERF) +dox (TetOn_Flag–ERF) shNT, sgNT shERF_2, sgNT shERF_2...Pten−/−;R26ERG/ERG organoids infected with CRISPR –Cas9 targeting ERF (sgERF). Data are median ± interquartile range; n = 10 tumours per condition, P...cancer21. We next asked whether ERF could modulate oncogenicity mediated by ERG expression. First, we used CRISPR –Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced

Thirty-day outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: first report based on Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database.

PubMed

Chaar, Maher El; Lundberg, Peter; Stoltzfus, Jill

2018-05-01

According to recent American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery estimates, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is now the most commonly performed procedure in the United States (~53.8% of all bariatric procedures), followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB; 23.1% of all procedures). The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes and safety of these 2 procedures in the first 30 days postoperatively using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data registry. University health network, United States. We reviewed all SG and RYGB cases entered between January 1 and December 31, 2015 in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data registry. Demographic characteristics and 30-day outcomes were analyzed based on separate Mann-Whitney rank sums tests, χ 2 , or Fisher's exact tests as appropriate, with P<.05 denoting statistical significance and no adjustment for multiple testing. A total of 141,646 patients were analyzed; 98,292 underwent SG and 43,354 underwent RYGB. Average age was 44.5 and 45.4 years for SG and RYGB, respectively. Preoperative body mass index was 45.1 and 46.1 for SG and RYGB, respectively. The 30-day mortality was .1% for SG and .2% for RYGB (P<.05). The incidence of unplanned intensive care unit admission after RYGB was twice as high compared with SG (1.3% versus .6%, respectively, P<.05). The incidence of at least 1 intervention or reoperation after RYGB was significantly higher compared with SG (2.8% and 2.5% for GB versus 1.2% and 1% for SG, P<.05). After RYGB, .4% of patients had a drain left in place at 30 days postoperatively versus .3% for SG (P<.05). The incidence of readmission was 2.8% for RYGB and 1.2% for SG (P<.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the first 30 days after surgery is low for both RYGB and SG. However, SG seems to have a better safety profile in the first 30 days postoperatively compared with RYGB. These findings should be considered in the preoperative evaluation and counseling of bariatric patients. Long-term follow-up is needed to compare safety and efficacy of SG versus RYGB. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DNA targeting specificity of RNA-guided Cas9 nucleases.

PubMed

Hsu, Patrick D; Scott, David A; Weinstein, Joshua A; Ran, F Ann; Konermann, Silvana; Agarwala, Vineeta; Li, Yinqing; Fine, Eli J; Wu, Xuebing; Shalem, Ophir; Cradick, Thomas J; Marraffini, Luciano A; Bao, Gang; Zhang, Feng

2013-09-01

The Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) nuclease can be efficiently targeted to genomic loci by means of single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to enable genome editing. Here, we characterize SpCas9 targeting specificity in human cells to inform the selection of target sites and avoid off-target effects. Our study evaluates >700 guide RNA variants and SpCas9-induced indel mutation levels at >100 predicted genomic off-target loci in 293T and 293FT cells. We find that SpCas9 tolerates mismatches between guide RNA and target DNA at different positions in a sequence-dependent manner, sensitive to the number, position and distribution of mismatches. We also show that SpCas9-mediated cleavage is unaffected by DNA methylation and that the dosage of SpCas9 and sgRNA can be titrated to minimize off-target modification. To facilitate mammalian genome engineering applications, we provide a web-based software tool to guide the selection and validation of target sequences as well as off-target analyses.

All-in-One CRISPR-Cas9/FokI-dCas9 Vector-Mediated Multiplex Genome Engineering in Cultured Cells.

PubMed

Sakuma, Tetsushi; Sakamoto, Takuya; Yamamoto, Takashi

2017-01-01

CRISPR-Cas9 enables highly convenient multiplex genome engineering in cultured cells, because it utilizes generic Cas9 nuclease and an easily customizable single-guide RNA (sgRNA) for site-specific DNA double-strand break induction. We previously established a multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 assembly system for constructing an all-in-one vector simultaneously expressing multiple sgRNAs and Cas9 nuclease or other Cas9 variants including FokI-dCas9, which supersedes the wild-type Cas9 with regard to high specificity. In this chapter, we describe a streamlined protocol to design and construct multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 or FokI-dCas9 vectors, to introduce them into cultured cells by lipofection or electroporation, to enrich the genomically edited cells with a transient puromycin selection, to validate the mutation efficiency by Surveyor nuclease assay, and to perform off-target analyses. We show that our protocol enables highly efficient multiplex genome engineering even in hard-to-transfect HepG2 cells.

Rational design of inducible CRISPR guide RNAs for de novo assembly of transcriptional programs

PubMed Central

Ferry, Quentin R. V.; Lyutova, Radostina; Fulga, Tudor A.

2017-01-01

CRISPR-based transcription regulators (CRISPR-TRs) have transformed the current synthetic biology landscape by allowing specific activation or repression of any target gene. Here we report a modular and versatile framework enabling rapid implementation of inducible CRISPR-TRs in mammalian cells. This strategy relies on the design of a spacer-blocking hairpin (SBH) structure at the 5′ end of the single guide RNA (sgRNA), which abrogates the function of CRISPR-transcriptional activators. By replacing the SBH loop with ligand-controlled RNA-cleaving units, we demonstrate conditional activation of quiescent sgRNAs programmed to respond to genetically encoded or externally delivered triggers. We use this system to couple multiple synthetic and endogenous target genes with specific inducers, and assemble gene regulatory modules demonstrating parallel and orthogonal transcriptional programs. We anticipate that this ‘plug and play' approach will be a valuable addition to the synthetic biology toolkit, facilitating the understanding of natural gene circuits and the design of cell-based therapeutic strategies. PMID:28256578

The herpes simplex virus 2 virion-associated ribonuclease vhs interferes with stress granule formation.

PubMed

Finnen, Renée L; Hay, Thomas J M; Dauber, Bianca; Smiley, James R; Banfield, Bruce W

2014-11-01

In a previous study, it was observed that cells infected with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) failed to accumulate stress granules (SGs) in response to oxidative stress induced by arsenite treatment. As a follow-up to this observation, we demonstrate here that disruption of arsenite-induced SG formation by HSV-2 is mediated by a virion component. Through studies on SG formation in cells infected with HSV-2 strains carrying defective forms of UL41, the gene that encodes vhs, we identify vhs as a virion component required for this disruption. Cells infected with HSV-2 strains producing defective forms of vhs form SGs spontaneously late in infection. In addition to core SG components, these spontaneous SGs contain the viral immediate early protein ICP27 as well as the viral serine/threonine kinase Us3. As part of these studies, we reexamined the frameshift mutation known to reside within the UL41 gene of HSV-2 strain HG52. We demonstrate that this mutation is unstable and can rapidly revert to restore wild-type UL41 following low-multiplicity passaging. Identification of the involvement of virion-associated vhs in the disruption of SG formation will enable mechanistic studies on how HSV-2 is able to counteract antiviral stress responses early in infection. In addition, the ability of Us3 to localize to stress granules may indicate novel roles for this viral kinase in the regulation of translation. Eukaryotic cells respond to stress by rapidly shutting down protein synthesis and storing mRNAs in cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs). Stoppages in protein synthesis are problematic for all viruses as they rely on host cell machinery to synthesize viral proteins. Thus, many viruses target SGs for disruption or modification. Infection by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) was previously observed to disrupt SG formation induced by oxidative stress. In this follow-up study, we identify virion host shutoff protein (vhs) as a viral protein involved in this disruption. The identification of a specific viral protein involved in disrupting SG formation is a key step toward understanding how HSV-2 interacts with these antiviral structures. Additionally, this understanding may provide insights into the biology of SGs that may find application in studies on human motor neuron degenerative diseases, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which may arise as a result of dysregulation of SG formation. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Normalization to specific gravity prior to analysis improves information recovery from high resolution mass spectrometry metabolomic profiles of human urine.

PubMed

Edmands, William M B; Ferrari, Pietro; Scalbert, Augustin

2014-11-04

Extraction of meaningful biological information from urinary metabolomic profiles obtained by liquid-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) necessitates the control of unwanted sources of variability associated with large differences in urine sample concentrations. Different methods of normalization either before analysis (preacquisition normalization) through dilution of urine samples to the lowest specific gravity measured by refractometry, or after analysis (postacquisition normalization) to urine volume, specific gravity and median fold change are compared for their capacity to recover lead metabolites for a potential future use as dietary biomarkers. Twenty-four urine samples of 19 subjects from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort were selected based on their high and low/nonconsumption of six polyphenol-rich foods as assessed with a 24 h dietary recall. MS features selected on the basis of minimum discriminant selection criteria were related to each dietary item by means of orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis models. Normalization methods ranked in the following decreasing order when comparing the number of total discriminant MS features recovered to that obtained in the absence of normalization: preacquisition normalization to specific gravity (4.2-fold), postacquisition normalization to specific gravity (2.3-fold), postacquisition median fold change normalization (1.8-fold increase), postacquisition normalization to urinary volume (0.79-fold). A preventative preacquisition normalization based on urine specific gravity was found to be superior to all curative postacquisition normalization methods tested for discovery of MS features discriminant of dietary intake in these urinary metabolomic datasets.

Relativistic effects for the reaction Sg + 6 CO → Sg(CO){sub 6}: Prediction of the mean bond energy, atomization energy, and existence of the first organometallic transactinide superheavy hexacarbonyl Sg(CO){sub 6}

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

Malli, Gulzari L., E-mail: malli@sfu.ca

2015-02-14

Our ab initio all-electron fully relativistic Dirac–Fock (DF) and nonrelativistic (NR) Hartree-Fock calculations predict the DF relativistic and NR energies for the reaction: Sg + 6 CO → Sg(CO){sub 6} as −7.39 and −6.96 eV, respectively, i.e., our calculated ground state total DF relativistic and NR energies for the reaction product Sg(CO){sub 6} are lower by 7.39 and 6.96 eV than the total DF and NR ground state energies of the reactants, viz., one Sg atom plus six CO molecules, respectively. Our calculated DF relativistic and NR atomization energies (Ae) are 65.23 and 64.82 eV, respectively, and so the contributionmore » of relativistic effects to the Ae of ∼0.40 eV is marginal. The Sg–C and C–O optimized bond distances for the octahedral geometry as calculated in our DF (NR) calculations are 2.151 (2.318 Å) and 1.119 (1.114 Å), respectively. The BSSE correction calculated using the DIRAC code ∼14 kcal/mol. The relativistic DF and NR mean energies predicted by us are 118.8 and 111.9 kJ/mol, respectively, and the contribution of ∼7 kJ/mol due to relativistic effects to the mean energy of Sg(CO){sub 6} is negligible. Ours are the first calculations of the relativistic effects for the atomization energy, mean bond energy, and energy of the reaction for possible formation of Sg(CO){sub 6}, and both our relativistic DF and the NR treatments clearly predict for the first time the existence of hexacarbonyl of the transactinide superheavy element seaborgium Sg. In conclusion, relativistic effects are not significant for Sg(CO){sub 6}.« less

Phleum pratense pollen starch granules induce humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in a rat model of allergy.

PubMed

Motta, A; Peltre, G; Dormans, J A M A; Withagen, C E T; Lacroix, G; Bois, F; Steerenberg, P A

2004-02-01

Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen allergens are an important cause of allergic symptoms. However, pollen grains are too large to penetrate the deeper airways. Grass pollen is known to release allergen-bearing starch granules (SG) upon contact with water. These granules can create an inhalable allergenic aerosol capable of triggering an early asthmatic response and are implicated in thunderstorm-associated asthma. We studied the humoral (IgE) and bronchial lymph node cells reactivities to SG from timothy grass pollen in pollen-sensitized rats. Brown-Norway rats were sensitized (day 0) and challenged (day 21) intratracheally with intact pollen and kept immunized by pollen intranasal instillation by 4 weeks intervals during 3 months. Blood and bronchial lymph nodes were collected 7 days after the last intranasal challenge. SG were purified from fresh timothy grass pollen using 5 microm mesh filters. To determine the humoral response (IgE) to SG, we developed an original ELISA inhibition test, based on competition between pollen allergens and purified SG. The cell-mediated response to SG in the bronchial lymph node cells was determined by measuring the uptake of [3H]thymidine in a proliferation assay. An antibody response to SG was induced, and purified SG were able to inhibit the IgE ELISA absorbance by 45%. Pollen extract and intact pollen gave inhibitions of 55% and 52%, respectively. A cell-mediated response was also found, as pollen extract, intact pollen and SG triggered proliferation of bronchial lymph node cells. It was confirmed that timothy grass pollen contains allergen-loaded SG, which are released upon contact with water. These granules were shown to be recognized by pollen-sensitized rats sera and to trigger lymph node cell proliferation in these rats. These data provide new arguments supporting the implication of grass pollen SG in allergic asthma.

6-Shogaol exerts anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects through the modulation of STAT3 and MAPKs signaling pathways.

PubMed

Kim, Sung-Moo; Kim, Chulwon; Bae, Hang; Lee, Jong Hyun; Baek, Seung Ho; Nam, Dongwoo; Chung, Won-Seok; Shim, Bum Sang; Lee, Seok-Geun; Kim, Sung-Hoon; Sethi, Gautam; Ahn, Kwang Seok

2015-10-01

6-shogaol (6SG), one of active ingredients in ginger (Zingiber officinale), is known to exhibit anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic, and pro-apoptotic activities through a mechanism that is not fully elucidated. Because the aberrant activation of STAT3 and MAPKs have been associated with regulation of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumors, we hypothesized that 6SG modulates the activation of STAT3 and MAPKs activation in tumor cells. We found that 6SG strongly inhibited constitutive phosphorylation of STAT3 through inhibition of the activation of upstream JAK2 and c-Src kinases and nuclear translocation of STAT3 on both MDA-MB231 and DU145 cells. Also, 6SG caused the activation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and ERK. Inhibition of ROS generation by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly prevented 6SG-induced apoptosis. 6SG induced apoptosis as characterized by cleavage of PARP, accumulation of cells in subG1 phase, positive Annexin V binding, down-regulation of STAT3-regulated proteins, and activation of caspase-8, -9, -3 in both MDA-MB231 cells. Compared with other analogues of 6SG, such as 6-gingerol (6G), 8-gingerol (8G), and 10-gingerol (10G), 6SG was found to be the most potent blocker of STAT3 activation. We observed that the administration of 6SG alone significantly suppressed the growth of the tumor. As compared to the vehicle control, 6SG also suppressed the expression of STAT3-regulated gene products such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Survivin in tumor tissues. Overall, these findings suggest that 6SG can interfere with multiple signaling cascades involved in tumorigenesis and can be used as a potential therapeutic candidate for both the prevention and treatment of cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Specific gravity, moisture content, and density relationship for wood

Treesearch

W. T. Simpson

1993-01-01

This report reviews the basis for determining values for the density of wood as it depends on moisture content and specific gravity. The data are presented in several ways to meet the needs of a variety of users.

27 CFR 21.107 - Ethyl acetate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... by weight. (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.882. (6) Distillation range. (For.... (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.899. (6) Distillation range. (For applicable ASTM...

27 CFR 21.107 - Ethyl acetate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... by weight. (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.882. (6) Distillation range. (For.... (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.899. (6) Distillation range. (For applicable ASTM...

27 CFR 21.107 - Ethyl acetate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... by weight. (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.882. (6) Distillation range. (For.... (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.899. (6) Distillation range. (For applicable ASTM...

27 CFR 21.107 - Ethyl acetate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... by weight. (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.882. (6) Distillation range. (For.... (5) Specific gravity at 20 °/20 °C. Not less than 0.899. (6) Distillation range. (For applicable ASTM...

Picornavirus 2A protease regulates stress granule formation to facilitate viral translation

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiaodan; Hu, Zhulong; Fan, Shanshan; Zhang, Qiang; Zhong, Yi; Guo, Dong; Qin, Yali

2018-01-01

Stress granules (SGs) contain stalled messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes and are related to the regulation of mRNA translation. Picornavirus infection can interfere with the formation of SGs. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms and functions of picornavirus-mediated regulation of SG formation are not clear. Here, we found that the 2A protease of a picornavirus, EV71, induced atypical stress granule (aSG), but not typical stress granule (tSG), formation via cleavage of eIF4GI. Furthermore, 2A was required and sufficient to inhibit tSGs induced by EV71 infection, sodium arsenite, or heat shock. Infection of 2A protease activity-inactivated recombinant EV71 (EV71-2AC110S) failed to induce aSG formation and only induced tSG formation, which is PKR and eIF2α phosphorylation-dependent. By using a Renilla luciferase mRNA reporter system and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, we found that EV71-induced aSGs were beneficial to viral translation through sequestering only cellular mRNAs, but not viral mRNAs. In addition, we found that the 2A protease of other picornaviruses such as poliovirus and coxsackievirus also induced aSG formation and blocked tSG formation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that, on one hand, EV71 infection induces tSG formation via the PKR-eIF2α pathway, and on the other hand, 2A, but not 3C, blocks tSG formation. Instead, 2A induces aSG formation by cleaving eIF4GI to sequester cellular mRNA but release viral mRNA, thereby facilitating viral translation. PMID:29415027

SG2NA enhances cancer cell survival by stabilizing DJ-1 and thus activating Akt

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

Tanti, Goutam Kumar, E-mail: goutamjnu@hotmail.com; Pandey, Shweta; Goswami, Shyamal K.

2015-08-07

SG2NA in association with striatin and zinedin forms a striatin family of WD-40 repeat proteins. This family of proteins functions as scaffold in different signal transduction pathways. They also act as a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. We have shown that SG2NA which evolved first in the metazoan evolution among the striatin family members expresses different isoforms generated out of alternative splicing. We have also shown that SG2NA protects cells from oxidative stress by recruiting DJ-1 and Akt to mitochondria and membrane in the post-mitotic neuronal cells. DJ-1 is both cancer and Parkinson's disease related protein. In the presentmore » study we have shown that SG2NA protects DJ-1 from proteasomal degradation in cancer cells. Hence, downregulation of SG2NA reduces DJ-1/Akt colocalization in cancer cells resulting in the reduction of anchorage dependent and independent growth. Thus SG2NA enhances cancer cell survival. Reactive oxygen species enhances SG2NA, DJ-1 and Akt trimerization. Removal of the reactive oxygen species by N-acetyl-cysteine thus reduces cancer cell growth. - Highlights: • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play potential role in cancer cell proliferation. • It enhances the association between DJ-1 and Akt mediated by SG2NA. • In cancer cells SG2NA stabilizes DJ-1 by inhibiting it from proteosomal degradation. • DJ-1 then activates Akt and cancer cells get their property of enhanced proliferation by sustained activation of Akt. • Further study on this field could lead to new target for cancer therapy.« less

Antidepressant Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy Correlate With Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Activity and Connectivity in Depression

PubMed Central

Liu, Yi; Du, Lian; Li, Yongmei; Liu, Haixia; Zhao, Wenjing; Liu, Dan; Zeng, Jinkun; Li, Xingbao; Fu, Yixiao; Qiu, Haitang; Li, Xirong; Qiu, Tian; Hu, Hua; Meng, Huaqing; Luo, Qinghua

2015-01-01

Abstract The mechanisms underlying the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in major depressive disorder (MDD) are not fully understood. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a new tool to study the effects of brain stimulation interventions, particularly ECT. The authors aim to investigate the mechanisms of ECT in MDD by rs-fMRI. They used rs-fMRI to measure functional changes in the brain of first-episode, treatment-naive MDD patients (n = 23) immediately before and then following 8 ECT sessions (brief-pulse square-wave apparatus, bitemporal). They also computed voxel-wise amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) as a measure of regional brain activity and selected the left subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) to evaluate functional connectivity between the sgACC and other brain regions. Increased regional brain activity measured by ALFF mainly in the left sgACC following ECT. Functional connectivity of the left sgACC increased in the ipsilateral parahippocampal gyrus, pregenual ACC, contralateral middle temporal pole, and orbitofrontal cortex. Importantly, reduction in depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with increased ALFF in the left sgACC and left hippocampus, and with distant functional connectivity between the left sgACC and contralateral middle temporal pole. That is, across subjects, as depression improved, regional brain activity in sgACC and its functional connectivity increased in the brain. Eight ECT sessions in MDD patients modulated activity in the sgACC and its networks. The antidepressant effects of ECT were negatively correlated with sgACC brain activity and connectivity. These findings suggest that sgACC-associated prefrontal-limbic structures are associated with the therapeutic effects of ECT in MDD. PMID:26559309

The nuclear retinoid-related orphan receptor RORα controls circadian thermogenic programming in white fat depots.

PubMed

Monnier, Chloé; Auclair, Martine; Le Cam, Gala; Garcia, Marie-Pauline; Antoine, Bénédicte

2018-04-01

The RORα-deficient staggerer (sg/sg) mouse is lean and resistant to diet-induced obesity. Its thermogenic activity was shown to be increased not only in brown adipose tissue (BAT), but also in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) where UCP1 content was enhanced, however, without Prdm16 coexpression. Our observation of partial multilocular lipid morphology of WAT in sg/sg mice both in the inguinal and perigonadal sites led us to focus on the phenotype of both fat depots. Because RORα is a nuclear factor acting in the clock machinery, we looked at the circadian expression profile of genes involved in thermogenesis and browning in WAT and BAT depots of sg/sg and WT mice, through real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. This 24-h period approach revealed both a rhythmic expression of thermogenic genes in WAT and an increased browning of all the WAT depots tested in sg/sg mice that indeed involved the canonical browning process (through induction of Pgc-1α and Prdm16). This was associated with an enhanced isoproterenol-induced oxygen consumption rate of WAT explants from sg/sg mice, which was reproducible in WT explants by treatment with a RORα inverse agonist SR 3335, that induced a parallel increase in the UCP1 protein. Inhibitors of browning differentiation, such as TLE3 and RIP140, could be new targets of RORα that would be rather implicated in the whitening of adipocytes. Our study showed the pivotal role of RORα as an inhibitor of the thermogenic program in WAT, the role that could be counteracted in vivo with the RORα antagonists currently in development. © 2018 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society.

Anxiety and styles of coping with occupational stress resulting from work with 'dangerous' prisoners in prison service officers.

PubMed

Tsirigotis, Konstantinos; Gruszczyński, Wojciech; Pęczkowski, Sebastian

2015-10-01

Prisoners categorised as 'dangerous' are a category of prisoners that require and/or force into using special measures of caution, protection and security. The aim of the study was to examine the intensity of anxiety (as a state and as a trait) experienced by officers working with 'dangerous' prisoners and styles of coping with stress they adopt. A total of 40 officers working with 'dangerous' prisoners (the study group, SG) and 60 officers of the security department not working with 'dangerous' prisoners (the reference group, RG) were studied. The intensity of anxiety was assessed applying the Polish version of 'State-Trait Anxiety Inventory' (STAI); styles of coping with stress were explored employing the Polish version of 'Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations' (CISS) and the author's own questionnaire. Data were analysed using the mean, standard deviation, difference testing (the Mann-Whitney U test), correlation-regression procedure (Kendall's tau, τ correlation coefficient and forward stepwise multiple regression). Officers in the SG faced verbal and physical aggression; nevertheless, scores of officers in both the groups were within the interval of mean scores for all the studied STAI and CISS variables. Officers in the SG achieved significantly higher scores on the state-anxiety scale and the Emotion-Oriented Style (EOS), and lower scores on the Task-Oriented Style (TOS) and Social Diversion (SD). The correlation-regression procedure indicated that there were relationships between anxiety and styles of coping with stress but they differed slightly between the groups. Officers in the SG feel state anxiety stronger and display a stronger preference for the EOS than officers in the RG. Officers in the RG more strongly prefer the TOS and SD. State anxiety is a variable negatively explaining the TOS in the SG, whereas anxiety as a trait is a variable explaining the EOS in both the groups. The coping styles of warders dealing with dangerous prisoners are different and may need specific psychological counselling and training programmes.

Rapid ITLC System for Determining the Radiochemical Purity of 68Ga-DOTATATE.

PubMed

Bornholdt, Michael; Woelfel, Kayla; Fang, Ping; Jacobson, Mark; Hung, Joseph

2018-05-03

The objective of this study was to develop instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC) conditions for the determination of radiochemical purity (RCP) of 68 Ga-DOTATATE in a shorter time period than those stated in the NETSPOT (Advanced Accelerator Applications, Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France; AAA) kit package insert (PI). A faster ITLC system is needed to reduce the current 48-50 minutes development time; so that (1) more radioactivity is available for single patient use as the generator ages and (2) wait times are shorter in the event of kit failure. Methods: Experiments began by attempting to shorten the 10 cm development distance to 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cm. After that, alternative stationary phases (i.e., silica gel on aluminum plates and microfiber chromatography paper impregnated with silica gel [ITLC-SG]) were tested. We then proceeded to search for an alternative mobile phase. Variations of the PI mobile system were evaluated, as well as normal saline. This study was carried out prior to PI amendment which included ITLC-SG as one of two recommended stationary phases. Results: ITLC-SG with the PI mobile phase resulted in faster development times relative to the glass microfiber chromatography paper impregnated with salicylic acid (ITLC-SA) control. Our results were somewhat validated by the recent inclusion and data generated using ITLC-SG paper in the PI amendment. Experiments using variations of PI mobile phase showed that increasing proportion of methanol in the mobile phase decreases development times, but if the mixing ratio of 1M ammonium acetate was ≤ 10%, retention factor values were out of specification. Conclusion: The fastest developing ITLC system, which maintained resolution and peak shape, was methanol: 1M ammonium acetate (80:20 V/V) with ITLC-SG. Copyright © 2018 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Satratoxin G from the Black Mold Stachybotrys chartarum Evokes Olfactory Sensory Neuron Loss and Inflammation in the Murine Nose and Brain

PubMed Central

Islam, Zahidul; Harkema, Jack R.; Pestka, James J.

2006-01-01

Satratoxin G (SG) is a macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, the “black mold” suggested to contribute etiologically to illnesses associated with water-damaged buildings. Using an intranasal instillation model in mice, we found that acute SG exposure specifically induced apoptosis of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the olfactory epithelium. Dose–response analysis revealed that the no-effect and lowest-effect levels at 24 hr postinstillation (PI) were 5 and 25 μg/kg body weight (bw) SG, respectively, with severity increasing with dose. Apoptosis of OSNs was identified using immunohistochemistry for caspase-3 expression, electron microscopy for ultrastructural cellular morphology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction for elevated expression of the proapoptotic genes Fas, FasL, p75NGFR, p53, Bax, caspase-3, and CAD. Time-course studies with a single instillation of SG (500 μg/kg bw) indicated that maximum atrophy of the olfactory epithelium occurred at 3 days PI. Exposure to lower doses (100 μg/kg bw) for 5 consecutive days resulted in similar atrophy and apoptosis, suggesting that in the short term, these effects are cumulative. SG also induced an acute, neutrophilic rhinitis as early as 24 hr PI. Elevated mRNA expression for the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 and the chemokine macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) were detected at 24 hr PI in both the ethmoid turbinates of the nasal airways and the adjacent olfactory bulb of the brain. Marked atrophy of the olfactory nerve and glomerular layers of the olfactory bulb was also detectable by 7 days PI along with mild neutrophilic encephalitis. These findings suggest that neurotoxicity and inflammation within the nose and brain are potential adverse health effects of exposure to satratoxins and Stachybotrys in the indoor air of water-damaged buildings. PMID:16835065

Satratoxin G from the black mold Stachybotrys chartarum evokes olfactory sensory neuron loss and inflammation in the murine nose and brain.

PubMed

Islam, Zahidul; Harkema, Jack R; Pestka, James J

2006-07-01

Satratoxin G (SG) is a macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, the "black mold" suggested to contribute etiologically to illnesses associated with water-damaged buildings. Using an intranasal instillation model in mice, we found that acute SG exposure specifically induced apoptosis of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the olfactory epithelium. Dose-response analysis revealed that the no-effect and lowest-effect levels at 24 hr postinstillation (PI) were 5 and 25 microg/kg body weight (bw) SG, respectively, with severity increasing with dose. Apoptosis of OSNs was identified using immunohistochemistry for caspase-3 expression, electron microscopy for ultrastructural cellular morphology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction for elevated expression of the proapoptotic genes Fas, FasL, p75NGFR, p53, Bax, caspase-3, and CAD. Time-course studies with a single instillation of SG (500 microg/kg bw) indicated that maximum atrophy of the olfactory epithelium occurred at 3 days PI. Exposure to lower doses (100 microg/kg bw) for 5 consecutive days resulted in similar atrophy and apoptosis, suggesting that in the short term, these effects are cumulative. SG also induced an acute, neutrophilic rhinitis as early as 24 hr PI. Elevated mRNA expression for the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6) , and IL-1 and the chemokine macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) were detected at 24 hr PI in both the ethmoid turbinates of the nasal airways and the adjacent olfactory bulb of the brain. Marked atrophy of the olfactory nerve and glomerular layers of the olfactory bulb was also detectable by 7 days PI along with mild neutrophilic encephalitis. These findings suggest that neurotoxicity and inflammation within the nose and brain are potential adverse health effects of exposure to satratoxins and Stachybotrys in the indoor air of water-damaged buildings.

Serotonin transporter genotype modulates subgenual response to fearful faces using an incidental task.

PubMed

O'Nions, Elizabeth J P; Dolan, Raymond J; Roiser, Jonathan P

2011-11-01

This study assessed the impact of serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTTLPR) on regional responses to emotional faces in the amygdala and subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC), while subjects performed a gender discrimination task. Although we found no evidence for greater amygdala reactivity or reduced amygdala-sgACC coupling in short variant 5-HTTLPR homozygotes (s/s), we observed an interaction between genotype and emotion in sgACC. Only long variant homozygotes (la/la) exhibited subgenual deactivation to fearful versus neutral faces, whereas the effect in s/s subjects was in the other direction. This absence of subgenual deactivation in s/s subjects parallels a recent finding in depressed subjects [Grimm, S., Boesiger, P., Beck, J., Schuepbach, D., Bermpohl, F., Walter, M., et al. Altered negative BOLD responses in the default-mode network during emotion processing in depressed subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology, 34, 932-943, 2009]. Taken together, the findings suggest that subgenual cingulate activity may play an important role in regulating the impact of aversive stimuli, potentially conferring greater resilience to the effects of aversive stimuli in la/la subjects. Using dynamic causal modeling of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we explored the effects of genotype on effective connectivity and emotion-specific changes in coupling across a network of regions implicated in social processing. Viewing fearful faces enhanced bidirectional excitatory coupling between the amygdala and the fusiform gyrus, and increased the inhibitory influence of the amygdala over the sgACC, although this modulation of coupling did not differ between the genotype groups. The findings are discussed in relation to the role of sgACC and serotonin in moderating responses to aversive stimuli [Dayan, P., & Huys, Q. J., Serotonin, inhibition, and negative mood. PLoS Comput Biol, 4, e4, 2008; Mayberg, H. S., Liotti, M., Brannan, S. K., McGinnis, S., Mahurin, R. K., Jerabek, P. A., et al. Reciprocal limbic-cortical function and negative mood: Converging PET findings in depression and normal sadness. Am J Psychiatry, 156, 675-682, 1999].

Fluorescence of sanguinarine: fundamental characteristics and analysis of interconversion between various forms.

PubMed

Janovská, Marika; Kubala, Martin; Simánek, Vilím; Ulrichová, Jitka

2009-09-01

The quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid, sanguinarine (SG) plays an important role in both traditional and modern medicine, exhibiting a wide range of biological activities. Under physiological conditions, there is an equilibrium between the quaternary cation (SG+) and a pseudobase (SGOH) forms of SG. In the gastrointestinal tract, SG is converted to dihydrosanguinarine (DHSG). All forms exhibit bright fluorescence. However, their spectra overlap, which limited the use of powerful techniques based on fluorescence spectroscopy/microscopy. Our experiments using a combination of steady-state and time-resolved techniques enabled the separation of individual components. The results revealed that (a) the equilibrium constant between SG+ and SGOH is pKa = 8.06, while fluorescence of DHSG exhibited no changes in the pH range 5-12, (b) the SGOH has excitation/emission spectra with maxima at 327/418 nm and excited-state lifetime 3.2 ns, the spectra of the SG+ have maxima at 475/590 nm and excited-state lifetime 2.4 ns. The DHSG spectra have maxima at 327/446 nm and 2-exponential decay with components 4.2 and 2.0 ns, (c) NADH is able to convert SG to DHSG, while there is no apparent interaction between NADH and DHSG. These techniques are applicable for monitoring the SG to DHSG conversion in hepatocytes.

Search for the Heisenberg spin glass on rewired square lattices with antiferromagnetic interaction

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

Surungan, Tasrief, E-mail: tasrief@unhas.ac.id; Bansawang, B.J.; Tahir, Dahlang

Spin glass (SG) is a typical magnetic system with frozen random spin orientation at low temperatures. The system exhibits rich physical properties, such as infinite number of ground states, memory effect, and aging phenomena. There are two main ingredients considered to be pivotal for the existence of SG behavior, namely, frustration and randomness. For the canonical SG system, frustration is led by the presence of competing interaction between ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AF) couplings. Previously, Bartolozzi et al. [Phys. Rev. B73, 224419 (2006)], reported the SG properties of the AF Ising spins on scale free network (SFN). It is amore » new type of SG, different from the canonical one which requires the presence of both FM and AF couplings. In this new system, frustration is purely caused by the topological factor and its randomness is related to the irregular connectvity. Recently, Surungan et. al. [Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 640, 012001 (2015)] reported SG bahavior of AF Heisenberg model on SFN. We further investigate this type of system by studying an AF Heisenberg model on rewired square lattices. We used Replica Exchange algorithm of Monte Carlo Method and calculated the SG order parameter to search for the existence of SG phase.« less

Hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas over a nickel catalyst supported on mesoporous alumina xerogel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Jeong Gil; Youn, Min Hye; Cho, Kyung Min; Park, Sunyoung; Song, In Kyu

Mesoporous alumina xerogel (A-SG) is prepared by a sol-gel method for use as a support for a nickel catalyst. The Ni/A-SG catalyst is then prepared by an impregnation method, and is applied to hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The effect of the mesoporous alumina xerogel support on the catalytic performance of Ni/A-SG catalyst is investigated. For the purpose of comparison, a nickel catalyst supported on commercial alumina (A-C) is also prepared by an impregnation method (Ni/A-C). Both the hydroxyl-rich surface and the electron-deficient sites of the A-SG support enhance the dispersion of the nickel species on the support during the calcination step. The formation of the surface nickel aluminate phase in the Ni/A-SG catalyst remarkably increases the reducibility and stability of the catalyst. Furthermore, the high-surface area and the well-developed mesoporosity of the Ni/A-SG catalyst enhance the gasification of surface hydrocarbons that are adsorbed in the reaction. In the steam reforming of LNG, the Ni/A-SG catalyst exhibits a better catalytic performance than the Ni/A-C catalyst in terms of LNG conversion and hydrogen production. Moreover, the Ni/A-SG catalyst shows strong resistance toward catalyst deactivation.

30 CFR 15.22 - Tolerances for performance, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... percent of that specified in the approval. (b) The weight of wrapper per 100 grams of explosive shall be within ±2 grams of that specified in the approval. (c) The apparent specific gravity of the explosive...

30 CFR 15.22 - Tolerances for performance, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... percent of that specified in the approval. (b) The weight of wrapper per 100 grams of explosive shall be within ±2 grams of that specified in the approval. (c) The apparent specific gravity of the explosive...

30 CFR 15.22 - Tolerances for performance, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... percent of that specified in the approval. (b) The weight of wrapper per 100 grams of explosive shall be within ±2 grams of that specified in the approval. (c) The apparent specific gravity of the explosive...

30 CFR 15.22 - Tolerances for performance, wrapper, and specific gravity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... percent of that specified in the approval. (b) The weight of wrapper per 100 grams of explosive shall be within ±2 grams of that specified in the approval. (c) The apparent specific gravity of the explosive...

6-Thioguanine alters the structure and stability of duplex DNA and inhibits quadruplex DNA formation.

PubMed

Marathias, V M; Sawicki, M J; Bolton, P H

1999-07-15

The ability to chemically synthesize biomolecules has opened up the opportunity to observe changes in structure and activity that occur upon single atom substitution. In favorable cases this can provide information about the roles of individual atoms. The substitution of 6-thioguanine (6SG) for guanine is a potentially very useful single atom substitution as 6SG has optical, photocrosslinking, metal ion binding and other properties of potential utility. In addition, 6-mercaptopurine is a clinically important pro-drug that is activated by conversion into 6SG by cells. The results presented here indicate that the presence of 6SG blocks the formation of quadruplex DNA. The presence of 6SG alters the structure and lowers the thermal stability of duplex DNA, but duplex DNA can be formed in the presence of 6SG. These results indicate that some of the cytotoxic activity of 6SG may be due to disruption of the quadruplex structures formed by telomere and other DNAs. This additional mode of action is consistent with the delayed onset of cytotoxicity.

Active Intracellular Delivery of a Cas9/sgRNA Complex Using Ultrasound-Propelled Nanomotors.

PubMed

Hansen-Bruhn, Malthe; de Ávila, Berta Esteban-Fernández; Beltrán-Gastélum, Mara; Zhao, Jing; Ramírez-Herrera, Doris E; Angsantikul, Pavimol; Vesterager Gothelf, Kurt; Zhang, Liangfang; Wang, Joseph

2018-03-01

Direct and rapid intracellular delivery of a functional Cas9/sgRNA complex using ultrasound-powered nanomotors is reported. The Cas9/sgRNA complex is loaded onto the nanomotor surface through a reversible disulfide linkage. A 5 min ultrasound treatment enables the Cas9/sgRNA-loaded nanomotors to directly penetrate through the plasma membrane of GFP-expressing B16F10 cells. The Cas9/sgRNA is released inside the cells to achieve highly effective GFP gene knockout. The acoustic Cas9/sgRNA-loaded nanomotors display more than 80 % GFP knockout within 2 h of cell incubation compared to 30 % knockout using static nanowires. More impressively, the nanomotors enable highly efficient knockout with just 0.6 nm of the Cas9/sgRNA complex. This nanomotor-based intracellular delivery method thus offers an attractive route to overcome physiological barriers for intracellular delivery of functional proteins and RNAs, thus indicating considerable promise for highly efficient therapeutic applications. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for targeted mutagenesis, gene replacement and stacking of genes in higher plants.

PubMed

Luo, Ming; Gilbert, Brian; Ayliffe, Michael

2016-07-01

Mutagenesis continues to play an essential role for understanding plant gene function and, in some instances, provides an opportunity for plant improvement. The development of gene editing technologies such as TALENs and zinc fingers has revolutionised the targeted mutation specificity that can now be achieved. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is the most recent addition to gene editing technologies and arguably the simplest requiring only two components; a small guide RNA molecule (sgRNA) and Cas9 endonuclease protein which complex to recognise and cleave a specific 20 bp target site present in a genome. Target specificity is determined by complementary base pairing between the sgRNA and target site sequence enabling highly specific, targeted mutation to be readily engineered. Upon target site cleavage, error-prone endogenous repair mechanisms produce small insertion/deletions at the target site usually resulting in loss of gene function. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has been rapidly adopted in plants and successfully undertaken in numerous species including major crop species. Its applications are not restricted to mutagenesis and target site cleavage can be exploited to promote sequence insertion or replacement by recombination. The multiple applications of this technology in plants are described.

A pilot study to assess if urine specific gravity and urine colour charts are useful indicators of dehydration in acute stroke patients.

PubMed

Rowat, Anne; Smith, Laura; Graham, Cat; Lyle, Dawn; Horsburgh, Dorothy; Dennis, Martin

2011-09-01

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether urine specific gravity and urine colour could provide an early warning of dehydration in stroke patients compared with standard blood indicators of hydration status. Dehydration after stroke has been associated with increased blood viscosity, venous thrombo-embolism and stroke mortality at 3-months. Earlier identification of dehydration might allow us to intervene to prevent significant dehydration developing or reduce its duration to improve patient outcomes. We recruited 20 stroke patients in 2007 and measured their urine specific gravity with urine test strips, a refractometer, and urine colour of specimens taken daily on 10 consecutive days and compared with the routine blood urea:creatinine ratios over the same period to look for trends and relationships over time. The agreement between the refractometer, test strips and urine colour were expressed as a percentage with 95% confidence intervals. Nine (45%) of the 20 stroke patients had clinical signs of dehydration and had a significantly higher admission median urea:creatinine ratio (P = 0·02, Mann-Whitney U-test). There were no obvious relationships between urine specific gravity and urine colour with the urea:creatinine ratio. Of the 174 urine samples collected, the refractometer agreed with 70/174 (40%) urine test strip urine specific gravity and 117/174 (67%) urine colour measurements. Our results do not support the use of the urine test strip urine specific gravity as an early indicator of dehydration. Further research is required to develop a practical tool for the early detection of dehydration in stroke patients. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Development of a sleeve gastrectomy weight loss model in obese Zucker rats.

PubMed

Lopez, Peter P; Nicholson, Susannah E; Burkhardt, Gabriel E; Johnson, Robert A; Johnson, Fruzsina K

2009-12-01

Obesity promotes the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The most effective weight loss treatment is bariatric surgery, but results greatly vary depending on the procedure. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has recently emerged as a reduced risk weight loss procedure for super obese patients. However, the mechanism of weight loss from SG and its effects on obesity-induced complications are yet to be determined. Our goal was to develop an experimental model of SG in genetically obese rats. Male obese Zucker rats (400-500 g, leptin-insensitive) were anesthetized with isoflurane. After a midline laparotomy, the stomach was clamped, the greater curvature was excised, and a triple suture line was used to close the gastric remnant. Sham rats underwent laparotomy only. Metabolic parameters were followed for 14 d after surgery. Caloric intake and body weight decreased in SG rats over 14 d by 98 +/- 10 kcal/d and 74 +/- 14 g, respectively. Blood total cholesterol levels were lower in rats that lost weight. Furthermore, blood glucose levels were lower in rats that lost weight. Active ghrelin levels were unchanged in SG rats 14 d after surgery. These results show that SG promotes weight loss in obese Zucker rats. Furthermore, SG-induced weight loss is accompanied by improved plasma cholesterol and glucose profile. However, SG does not promote a prolonged decrease in ghrelin levels. These results suggest that SG is an effective weight loss procedure in leptin insensitivity to improve the lipid profile and decrease insulin resistance and these effects might be independent of changes in ghrelin levels.

Infection of capilloviruses requires subgenomic RNAs whose transcription is controlled by promoter-like sequences conserved among flexiviruses.

PubMed

Komatsu, Ken; Hirata, Hisae; Fukagawa, Takako; Yamaji, Yasuyuki; Okano, Yukari; Ishikawa, Kazuya; Adachi, Tatsushi; Maejima, Kensaku; Hashimoto, Masayoshi; Namba, Shigetou

2012-07-01

The first open-reading frame (ORF) of apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), of the genus Capillovirus, encodes an apparently chimeric polyprotein containing conserved regions for replicase (Rep) and coat protein (CP). However, our previous study revealed that ASGV mutants with distinct and discontinuous Rep- and CP-coding regions successfully infect plants, indicating that CP expressed via a subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) is sufficient for viability of the virus. Here we identified a transcription start site of the CP sgRNA and revealed that CP translated from the sgRNA is essential for ASGV infection. We mapped the transcription start sites of both the CP and the movement protein (MP) sgRNAs of ASGV and found a hexanucleotide motif, UUAGGU, conserved upstream from both sgRNA transcription start sites. Mutational analysis of the putative CP initiation codon and of the UUAGGU sequence upstream from the transcription start site of CP sgRNA demonstrated their importance for ASGV accumulation. Our results also demonstrated that potato virus T (PVT), an unassigned species closely related to ASGV, produces two sgRNAs putatively deployed for the CP and MP expression and that the same hexanucleotide motif as found in ASGV is located upstream from the transcription start sites of both sgRNAs. This motif, which constituted putative core elements of the sgRNA promoter, is broadly conserved among viruses in the families Alphaflexiviridae and Betaflexiviridae, suggesting that the gene expression strategy of the viruses in both families has been conserved throughout evolution. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Validity of standard gamble utilities in patients referred for aortic valve replacement.

PubMed

Hussain, Amjad I; Garratt, Andrew M; Beitnes, Jan Otto; Gullestad, Lars; Pettersen, Kjell I

2016-07-01

Standard gamble (SG) is the preferred method of assessing preferences in situations with uncertainty and risk, which makes it relevant to patients considered for aortic valve replacement (AVR). The present study assesses SG preferences in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). All patients >18 years old with severe AS referred for AVR to our institution were invited to enroll in the study. The SG was administered by a clinical research nurse. The SF-36, EQ-5D 3L, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and AS symptoms were administered by self-completed questionnaire. We hypothesized that SG utilities would have low-to-moderate correlations with physical and mental aspects of health based on our pathophysiological understanding of severe AS. No correlations were expected with echocardiographic measures of the aortic valve. The response rate for SG was 98 %. SG moderately correlated with physical aspects of SF-36 (PCS, role-physical, vitality), health transition, AS symptoms, and EQ-VAS (ρ S = 0.31-0.39, p < 0.001) and had low correlation with mental aspects of SF-36 and EQ-5D (ρ S = 0.17-0.28, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between SG and HADS, echocardiographic measures, age, gender, or education level (ρ S = 0.01-0.06). SG is an acceptable and feasible method of assessing preferences in patients with severe AS that has evidence for validity. The inclusion of uncertainty lends the SG face validity in this population as a direct approach to assessing preferences and basis for QALY calculations.

Fusion of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1-derived glycine-alanine repeat to trans-dominant HIV-1 Gag increases inhibitory activities and survival of transduced cells in vivo.

PubMed

Hammer, Diana; Wild, Jens; Ludwig, Christine; Asbach, Benedikt; Notka, Frank; Wagner, Ralf

2008-06-01

Trans-dominant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag derivatives have been shown to efficiently inhibit late steps of HIV-1 replication in vitro by interfering with Gag precursor assembly, thus ranking among the interesting candidates for gene therapy approaches. However, efficient antiviral activities of corresponding transgenes are likely to be counteracted in particular by cell-mediated host immune responses toward the transgene-expressing cells. To decrease this potential immunogenicity, a 24-amino acid Gly-Ala (GA) stretch derived from Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) and known to overcome proteasomal degradation was fused to a trans-dominant Gag variant (sgD1). To determine the capacity of this fusion polypeptide to repress viral replication, PM-1 cells were transduced with sgD1 and GAsgD1 transgenes, using retroviral gene transfer. Challenge of stably transfected permissive cell lines with various viral strains indicated that N-terminal GA fusion even enhanced the inhibitory properties of sgD1. Further studies revealed that the GA stretch increased protein stability by blocking proteasomal degradation of Gag proteins. Immunization of BALB/c mice with a DNA vaccine vector expressing sgD1 induced substantial Gag-specific immune responses that were, however, clearly diminished in the presence of GA. Furthermore, recognition of cells expressing the GA-fused transgene by CD8(+) T cells was drastically reduced, both in vitro and in vivo, resulting in prolonged survival of the transduced cells in recipient mice.

Using Smartphones as Experimental Tools—Effects on Interest, Curiosity, and Learning in Physics Education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hochberg, Katrin; Kuhn, Jochen; Müller, Andreas

2018-04-01

Smartphones as experimental tools (SETs) offer inspiring possibilities for science education, as their built-in sensors allow many different measurements, but until now, there has been little research that studies this approach. Due to current interest in their development, it seems necessary to provide empirical evidence about potential effects of SETs by a well-controlled study. For the present investigation, experiments were developed that use the smartphones' acceleration sensors to investigate an important topic of classical mechanics (pendulum). A quasi-experimental repeated-measurement design, consisting of an experimental group using SETs (smartphone group, SG, N SG = 87) and a control group working with traditional experimental tools (CG, N CG = 67), was used to study the effects on interest, curiosity, and learning achievement. Moreover, various control variables were taken into account. With multiple-regression analyses and ANCOVA, we found significantly higher levels of interest in the SG (small to medium effect size). Pupils that were less interested at the beginning of the study profited most from implementing SETs. Moreover, the SG showed higher levels of topic-specific curiosity (small effect size). No differences were found for learning achievement. This means that the often-supposed cognitive disadvantage of distracting learners with technological devices did not lead to reduced learning, whereas interest and curiosity were apparently fostered. Moreover, the study contributes evidence that could reduce potential concerns related to classroom use of smartphones and similar devices (increased cognitive load, mere novelty effect). In sum, the study presents encouraging results for the under-researched topic of SET use in science classrooms.

Succinylated gelatin substantially increases en bloc resection size in colonic EMR: a randomized, blinded trial in a porcine model.

PubMed

Moss, Alan; Bourke, Michael J; Kwan, Vu; Tran, Kayla; Godfrey, Craig; McKay, Gary; Hopper, Andrew D

2010-03-01

Succinylated gelatin (SG) is an inexpensive colloid that may combine ease of use with the advantages of a colloid to potentially increase EMR specimen size, leading to a higher rate of en bloc resection. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and impact on EMR specimen size of SG as a submucosal (s.m.) injectant in comparison with normal saline solution (NS). Randomized, blinded, controlled trial conducted with Animal Ethics Committee approval. Academic hospital. Ten swine. Sixty EMRs (30 using SG vs 30 using NS as 3 paired experiments per animal) of the largest possible en bloc snare resection of normal colonic mucosa after s.m. injection of a fixed volume of either SG or NS. EMR specimen size, duration of s.m. cushion, duration of procedure, ratio of vertical elevation to lateral spread of injectant, ease of resection, adverse effects, perforation, histopathology of EMR sites in colectomy specimens at necropsy (for inflammatory cell content, depth of ulceration, and vascular or ischemic changes). The mean subject weight was 53 kg. The mean EMR specimen dimensions and surface area were significantly larger with SG (length 37 vs 31 mm, P = .031; width 32 vs 26 mm, P = .022; surface area 9.5 cm(2) vs 6.7 cm(2), P = .044, respectively). The median s.m. cushion duration was 60 minutes with SG versus 15 minutes with NS (P = .005). The median procedure duration with SG was 2.6 minutes vs 2.5 minutes with NS (P = .515). The ratio of vertical elevation to lateral spread of injectant (mean score on a 3-point scale) was 3 with SG versus 2 with NS (P = .228). Ease of resection score (mean score on a 10-point scale) was 8 with SG versus 7 with NS (P = .216). There were no systemic adverse effects, hypersensitivity reactions, or bleeding episodes. There were 2 perforations (treated with clips) with SG and 1 with NS (P = 1.0). Blinded histopathologist assessment of necropsy colectomy specimens did not identify any significant differences between SG and NS EMR sites. Animal study. SG is safe and results in a 42% increased surface area for en bloc EMR. Given its other favorable properties, it represents a significant step toward defining the ideal EMR solution. 2010 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Spiritual Quest in the Realm of Harry Potter.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radley, Gail

2003-01-01

Looks at the alternate and fantastic world of Harry Potter because it has so captured the imaginations of children and adults alike, garnering unprecedented weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Describes many specific examples in which readers can connect and relate to the Harry Potter books. (SG)

CERT Resilience Management Model - Mail-Specific Process Areas: International Mail Transportation (Version 1.0)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

IMPC. These threats may include natural and man-made disasters, damage, theft, fraud, and terrorism. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes ...controls for mail sanctity include surveillance cameras, metal detectors , and X-ray screening to detect dangerous goods. (See IMT:SG2.SP1 and

Characteristics of H2S emission from aged refuse after excavation exposure.

PubMed

Shen, Dong-Sheng; Du, Yao; Fang, Yuan; Hu, Li-Fang; Fang, Cheng-Ran; Long, Yu-Yang

2015-05-01

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S(g)) emission from landfills is a widespread problem, especially when aged refuse is excavated. H2S(g) emission from aged refuse exposed to air was investigated and the results showed that large amounts of H2S(g) can be released, especially in the first few hours after excavation, when H2S(g) concentrations in air near refuse could reach 2.00 mg m(-3). Initial exposure to air did not inhibit the emission of H2S(g), as is generally assumed, but actually promoted it. The amounts of H2S(g) emitted in the first 2 d after excavation can be very dangerous, and the risks associated with the emission of H2S(g) could decrease significantly with time. Unlike a large number of sulfide existed under anaerobic conditions, the sulfide in aged municipal solid waste can be oxidized chemically to elemental sulfur (but not sulfate) under aerobic conditions, and its conversion rate was higher than 80%. Only microorganisms can oxidize the reduced sulfur species to sulfate, and the conversion rate could reach about 50%. Using appropriate techniques to enhance these chemical and biological transformations could allow the potential health risks caused by H2S(g) after refuse excavation to be largely avoided. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout is insensitive to target copy number but is dependent on guide RNA potency and Cas9/sgRNA threshold expression level

PubMed Central

Yuen, Garmen; Khan, Fehad J.; Gao, Shaojian; Stommel, Jayne M.; Batchelor, Eric; Wu, Xiaolin

2017-01-01

Abstract CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful gene editing tool for gene knockout studies and functional genomic screens. Successful implementation of CRISPR often requires Cas9 to elicit efficient target knockout in a population of cells. In this study, we investigated the role of several key factors, including variation in target copy number, inherent potency of sgRNA guides, and expression level of Cas9 and sgRNA, in determining CRISPR knockout efficiency. Using isogenic, clonal cell lines with variable copy numbers of an EGFP transgene, we discovered that CRISPR knockout is relatively insensitive to target copy number, but is highly dependent on the potency of the sgRNA guide sequence. Kinetic analysis revealed that most target mutation occurs between 5 and 10 days following Cas9/sgRNA transduction, while sgRNAs with different potencies differ by their knockout time course and by their terminal-phase knockout efficiency. We showed that prolonged, low level expression of Cas9 and sgRNA often fails to elicit target mutation, particularly if the potency of the sgRNA is also low. Our findings provide new insights into the behavior of CRISPR/Cas9 in mammalian cells that could be used for future improvement of this platform. PMID:29036671

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout is insensitive to target copy number but is dependent on guide RNA potency and Cas9/sgRNA threshold expression level.

PubMed

Yuen, Garmen; Khan, Fehad J; Gao, Shaojian; Stommel, Jayne M; Batchelor, Eric; Wu, Xiaolin; Luo, Ji

2017-11-16

CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful gene editing tool for gene knockout studies and functional genomic screens. Successful implementation of CRISPR often requires Cas9 to elicit efficient target knockout in a population of cells. In this study, we investigated the role of several key factors, including variation in target copy number, inherent potency of sgRNA guides, and expression level of Cas9 and sgRNA, in determining CRISPR knockout efficiency. Using isogenic, clonal cell lines with variable copy numbers of an EGFP transgene, we discovered that CRISPR knockout is relatively insensitive to target copy number, but is highly dependent on the potency of the sgRNA guide sequence. Kinetic analysis revealed that most target mutation occurs between 5 and 10 days following Cas9/sgRNA transduction, while sgRNAs with different potencies differ by their knockout time course and by their terminal-phase knockout efficiency. We showed that prolonged, low level expression of Cas9 and sgRNA often fails to elicit target mutation, particularly if the potency of the sgRNA is also low. Our findings provide new insights into the behavior of CRISPR/Cas9 in mammalian cells that could be used for future improvement of this platform. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research 2017.

The Structure of L-Tyrosine 2,3-Aminomutase frmo the C-1027 Enediyne Antitumor Antibiotic Biosynthetic Pathway

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

Christianson,C.; Montavon, T.; Van Lanen, S.

2007-01-01

The SgcC4 L-tyrosine 2,3-aminomutase (SgTAM) catalyzes the formation of (S)-{beta}-tyrosine in the biosynthetic pathway of the enediyne antitumor antibiotic C-1027. SgTAM is homologous to the histidine ammonia lyase family of enzymes whose activity is dependent on the methylideneimidazole-5-one (MIO) cofactor. Unlike the lyase enzymes, SgTAM catalyzes additional chemical transformations resulting in an overall stereospecific 1,2-amino shift in the substrate L-tyrosine to generate (S)-{beta}-tyrosine. Previously, we provided kinetic, spectroscopic, and mutagenesis data supporting the presence of MIO in the active site of SgTAM [Christenson, S. D.; Wu, W.; Spies, A.; Shen, B.; and Toney, M. D. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 12708-12718]. Heremore » we report the first X-ray crystal structure of an MIO-containing aminomutase, SgTAM, and confirm the structural homology of SgTAM to ammonia lyases. Comparison of the structure of SgTAM to the L-tyrosine ammonia lyase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides provides insight into the structural basis for aminomutase activity. The results show that SgTAM has a closed active site well suited to retain ammonia and minimize the formation of lyase elimination products. The amino acid determinants for substrate recognition and catalysis can be predicted from the structure, setting the framework for detailed mechanistic investigations.« less

Touch-down reverse transcriptase-PCR detection of IgV(H) rearrangement and Sybr-Green-based real-time RT-PCR quantitation of minimal residual disease in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PubMed

Peková, Sona; Marková, Jana; Pajer, Petr; Dvorák, Michal; Cetkovský, Petr; Schwarz, Jirí

2005-01-01

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can relapse even after aggressive therapy and autografts. It is commonly assumed that to prevent relapse the level of minimal residual disease (MRD) should be as low as possible. To evaluate MRD, highly sensitive quantitative assays are needed. The aim of the study was to develop a robust and sensitive method for detection of the clonal immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IgV(H)) rearrangement in CLL and to introduce a highly sensitive and specific methodology for MRD monitoring in patients with CLL who undergo intensive treatment. As a prerequisite for MRD detection, touch-down reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using degenerate primers were used for the diagnostic identification of (H) gene rearrangement(s). For quantitative MRD detection in 18 patients, we employed a real-time RT-PCR assay (RQ-PCR) making use of patient-specific primers and the cost-saving Sybr-Green reporter dye (SG). For precise calibration of RQ-PCR, patient-specific IgV(H) sequences were cloned. Touch-down RT-PCR with degenerate primers allowed the successful detection of IgV(H) clonal rearrangement(s) in 252 of 257 (98.1%) diagnostic samples. Biallelic rearrangements were found in 27 of 252 (10.7%) cases. Degenerate primers used for the identification of clonal expansion at diagnosis were not sensitive enough for MRD detection. In contrast, our RQ-PCR assay using patient-specific primers and SG reached the sensitivity of 10(-)(6). We demonstrated MRD in each patient tested, including four of four patients in complete remission following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and three of three following allogeneic 'mini'-HSCT. Increments in MRD might herald relapse; aggressive chemotherapy could induce molecular remission. Our touch-down RT-PCR has higher efficiency to detect clonal IgV(H) rearrangements including the biallelic ones. MRD quantitation of IgV(H) expression using SG-based RQ-PCR represents a highly specific, sensitive, and economic alternative to the current quantitative methods.

Optimized paired-sgRNA/Cas9 cloning and expression cassette triggers high-efficiency multiplex genome editing in kiwifruit.

PubMed

Wang, Zupeng; Wang, Shuaibin; Li, Dawei; Zhang, Qiong; Li, Li; Zhong, Caihong; Liu, Yifei; Huang, Hongwen

2018-01-13

Kiwifruit is an important fruit crop; however, technologies for its functional genomic and molecular improvement are limited. The clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system has been successfully applied to genetic improvement in many crops, but its editing capability is variable depending on the different combinations of the synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA) and Cas9 protein expression devices. Optimizing conditions for its use within a particular species is therefore needed to achieve highly efficient genome editing. In this study, we developed a new cloning strategy for generating paired-sgRNA/Cas9 vectors containing four sgRNAs targeting the kiwifruit phytoene desaturase gene (AcPDS). Comparing to the previous method of paired-sgRNA cloning, our strategy only requires the synthesis of two gRNA-containing primers which largely reduces the cost. We further compared efficiencies of paired-sgRNA/Cas9 vectors containing different sgRNA expression devices, including both the polycistronic tRNA-sgRNA cassette (PTG) and the traditional CRISPR expression cassette. We found the mutagenesis frequency of the PTG/Cas9 system was 10-fold higher than that of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, coinciding with the relative expressions of sgRNAs in two different expression cassettes. In particular, we identified large chromosomal fragment deletions induced by the paired-sgRNAs of the PTG/Cas9 system. Finally, as expected, we found both systems can successfully induce the albino phenotype of kiwifruit plantlets regenerated from the G418-resistance callus lines. We conclude that the PTG/Cas9 system is a more powerful system than the traditional CRISPR/Cas9 system for kiwifruit genome editing, which provides valuable clues for optimizing CRISPR/Cas9 editing system in other plants. © 2018 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Occurrence and parameters of frequency of Legionella in warm water systems of hospitals and hotels in Lower Saxony.

PubMed

Habicht, W; Müller, H E

1988-03-01

A total of 1241 water samples was investigated from 103 hospitals and 62 hotels in Lower Saxony 1985-87. 331 of 949 samples from hospitals and 26 of 292 samples from hotels were Legionella positive. All together 70% of the hospitals and 18% of the hotels investigated were Legionella positive, and 836 strains of Legionella were isolated (Table 1). As they could be diagnosed they belong to L. pneumophila SG1 306 strains, SG2 36 strains, SG3 127 strains, SG4 45 strain, SG5 29 strain, SG6 106 strains, SG9 13 strains and SG10 13 strains. Further 134 strains belonging to L. pneumophila but not to SG1-SG12 show cross reactions with serogroups 5, 8, and 10. Finally, 16 strains belong to L. dumoffii and 1 strain to L. anisa (Table 2). The following parameters of water samples were studied, too: temperature, pH value, conductivity, concentration of iron, of organic matter, of other bacteria, occurrence of amoebas, and the materials of water plumbing systems. Most samples contained concentrations of Legionella in the range of 10(1)-10(3) CFU/ml, highest concentrations were 10(5) CFU/ml (Fig. 1). Most frequently, Legionella were isolated within the range of temperature of 35-45 degrees C. However, a few of the water samples were positive for Legionella even up to 66 degrees C (Fig. 3). The conductivity has no and the pH value (Fig. 2) has only little influence on the occurrence of Legionella. There is a positive correlation between concentration of iron and frequency of Legionella (Fig. 4). Also organic matter (Fig. 6) and amoebas (Table 3) seem to enhance the occurrence of Legionella. Plumbing systems consisting of copper showed an inhibitory effect on Legionella during the first five years, whereas no effect could be detected in older systems (Fig. 5).

Antagonistic Action of Bacillus subtilis Strain SG6 on Fusarium graminearum

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yueju; Selvaraj, Jonathan Nimal; Xing, Fuguo; Zhou, Lu; Wang, Yan; Song, Huimin; Tan, Xinxin; Sun, Lichao; Sangare, Lancine; Folly, Yawa Minnie Elodie; Liu, Yang

2014-01-01

Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that leads to extensive yield and quality loss of wheat and barley. Bacteria isolated from wheat kernels and plant anthers were screened for antagonistic activity against F. graminearum. Based on its in vitro effectiveness, strain SG6 was selected for characterization and identified as Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis SG6 exhibited a high antifungal effect on the mycelium growth, sporulation and DON production of F. graminearum with the inhibition rate of 87.9%, 95.6% and 100%, respectively. In order to gain insight into biological control effect in situ, we applied B. subtilis SG6 at anthesis through the soft dough stage of kernel development in field test. It was revealed that B. subtilis SG6 significantly reduced disease incidence (DI), FHB index and DON (P≤0.05). Further, ultrastructural examination shows that B. subtilis SG6 strain induced stripping of F. graminearum hyphal surface by destroying the cellular structure. When hypha cell wall was damaged, the organelles and cytoplasm inside cell would exude, leading to cell death. The antifungal activity of SG6 could be associated with the coproduction of chitinase, fengycins and surfactins. PMID:24651513

Degenerate pressure driven self-gravito-acoustic solitary waves in a self-gravitating degenerate quantum plasma system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mamun, A. A.

2018-02-01

A general (but realistic) self-gravitating degenerate quantum plasma system (SG-DQPS) containing inertialess degenerate electron species, inertial degenerate light, and heavy ion/nucleus species is considered to examine the possibility for the existence of degenerate pressure driven self-gravito-acoustic (DPD-SGA) solitary waves (SWs) formed in such a SG-DQPS. The pseudo-potential approach, which is valid for the arbitrary amplitude DPD-SGA SWs, is employed. It is found that depending on the value of the number density of heavy ion/nucleus species, the SG-DQPS under consideration supports the existence of positive or the coexistence of positive and negative DPD-SGA SWs. The basic features (polarity, amplitude, and width) of both positive and negative DPD-SGA SWs are found to be significantly modified by the dynamics of heavy ion/nucleus species. The theoretical investigation presented here is so general that it can be applied not only in astrophysical SG-DQPSs (such as white dwarf and neutron star SG-DQPSs), but also in laboratory SG-DQPSs (viz., solid density and laser-produced SG-DQPSs) to identify the salient features of the DPD-SGA SWs formed in them.

Antagonistic action of Bacillus subtilis strain SG6 on Fusarium graminearum.

PubMed

Zhao, Yueju; Selvaraj, Jonathan Nimal; Xing, Fuguo; Zhou, Lu; Wang, Yan; Song, Huimin; Tan, Xinxin; Sun, Lichao; Sangare, Lancine; Folly, Yawa Minnie Elodie; Liu, Yang

2014-01-01

Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that leads to extensive yield and quality loss of wheat and barley. Bacteria isolated from wheat kernels and plant anthers were screened for antagonistic activity against F. graminearum. Based on its in vitro effectiveness, strain SG6 was selected for characterization and identified as Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis SG6 exhibited a high antifungal effect on the mycelium growth, sporulation and DON production of F. graminearum with the inhibition rate of 87.9%, 95.6% and 100%, respectively. In order to gain insight into biological control effect in situ, we applied B. subtilis SG6 at anthesis through the soft dough stage of kernel development in field test. It was revealed that B. subtilis SG6 significantly reduced disease incidence (DI), FHB index and DON (P ≤ 0.05). Further, ultrastructural examination shows that B. subtilis SG6 strain induced stripping of F. graminearum hyphal surface by destroying the cellular structure. When hypha cell wall was damaged, the organelles and cytoplasm inside cell would exude, leading to cell death. The antifungal activity of SG6 could be associated with the coproduction of chitinase, fengycins and surfactins.

The construction of standard gamble utilities.

PubMed

van Osch, Sylvie M C; Stiggelbout, Anne M

2008-01-01

Health effects for cost-effectiveness analysis are best measured in life years, with quality of life in each life year expressed in terms of utilities. The standard gamble (SG) has been the gold standard for utility measurement. However, the biases of probability weighting, loss aversion, and scale compatibility have an inconclusive effect on SG utilities. We determined their effect on SG utilities using qualitative data to assess the reference point and the focus of attention. While thinking aloud, 45 healthy respondents provided SG utilities for six rheumatoid arthritis health states. Reference points, goals, and focuses of attention were coded. To assess the effect of scale compatibility, correlations were assessed between focus of attention and mean utility. The certain outcome served most frequently as reference point, the SG was perceived as a mixed gamble. Goals were mostly mentioned with respect to this outcome. Scale compatibility led to a significant upward bias in utilities; attention lay relatively more on the low outcome and this was positively correlated with mean utility. SG utilities should be corrected for loss aversion and probability weighting with the mixed correction formula proposed by prospect theory. Scale compatibility will likely still bias SG utilities, calling for research on a correction. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparison of 3 Methods to Assess Urine Specific Gravity in Collegiate Wrestlers.

PubMed

Stuempfle, Kristin J.; Drury, Daniel G.

2003-12-01

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and validity of refractometry, hydrometry, and reagent strips in assessing urine specific gravity in collegiate wrestlers. DESIGN AND SETTING: We assessed the reliability of refractometry, hydrometry, and reagent strips between 2 trials and among 4 testers. The validity of hydrometry and reagent strips was assessed by comparison with refractometry, the criterion measure for urine specific gravity. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III collegiate wrestlers provided fresh urine samples. MEASUREMENTS: Four testers measured the specific gravity of each urine sample 6 times: twice by refractometry, twice by hydrometry, and twice by reagent strips. RESULTS: Refractometer measurements were consistent between trials (R =.998) and among testers; hydrometer measurements were consistent between trials (R =.987) but not among testers; and reagent-strip measurements were not consistent between trials or among testers. Hydrometer (1.018 +/- 0.006) and reagent-strip (1.017 +/- 0.007) measurements were significantly higher than refractometer (1.015 +/- 0.006) measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficients were moderate between refractometry and hydrometry (R =.869) and low between refractometry and reagent strips (R =.573). The hydrometer produced 28% false positives and 2% false negatives, and reagent strips produced 15% false positives and 9% false negatives. CONCLUSIONS: Only the refractometer should be used to determine urine specific gravity in collegiate wrestlers during the weight-certification process.

Rice straw-wood particle composite for sound absorbing wooden construction materials.

PubMed

Yang, Han-Seung; Kim, Dae-Jun; Kim, Hyun-Joong

2003-01-01

In this study, rice straw-wood particle composite boards were manufactured as insulation boards using the method used in the wood-based panel industry. The raw material, rice straw, was chosen because of its availability. The manufacturing parameters were: a specific gravity of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8, and a rice straw content (10/90, 20/80, and 30/70 weight of rice straw/wood particle) of 10, 20, and 30 wt.%. A commercial urea-formaldehyde adhesive was used as the composite binder, to achieve 140-290 psi of bending modulus of rupture (MOR) with 0.4 specific gravity, 700-900 psi of bending MOR with 0.6 specific gravity, and 1400-2900 psi of bending MOR with a 0.8 specific gravity. All of the composite boards were superior to insulation board in strength. Width and length of the rice straw particle did not affect the bending MOR. The composite boards made from a random cutting of rice straw and wood particles were the best and recommended for manufacturing processes. Sound absorption coefficients of the 0.4 and 0.6 specific gravity boards were higher than the other wood-based materials. The recommended properties of the rice straw-wood particle composite boards are described, to absorb noises, preserve the temperature of indoor living spaces, and to be able to partially or completely substitute for wood particleboard and insulation board in wooden constructions.

Comparison of 3 Methods to Assess Urine Specific Gravity in Collegiate Wrestlers

PubMed Central

Drury, Daniel G.

2003-01-01

Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of refractometry, hydrometry, and reagent strips in assessing urine specific gravity in collegiate wrestlers. Design and Setting: We assessed the reliability of refractometry, hydrometry, and reagent strips between 2 trials and among 4 testers. The validity of hydrometry and reagent strips was assessed by comparison with refractometry, the criterion measure for urine specific gravity. Subjects: Twenty-one National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III collegiate wrestlers provided fresh urine samples. Measurements: Four testers measured the specific gravity of each urine sample 6 times: twice by refractometry, twice by hydrometry, and twice by reagent strips. Results: Refractometer measurements were consistent between trials (R = .998) and among testers; hydrometer measurements were consistent between trials (R = .987) but not among testers; and reagent-strip measurements were not consistent between trials or among testers. Hydrometer (1.018 ± 0.006) and reagent-strip (1.017 ± 0.007) measurements were significantly higher than refractometer (1.015 ± 0.006) measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficients were moderate between refractometry and hydrometry (R = .869) and low between refractometry and reagent strips (R = .573). The hydrometer produced 28% false positives and 2% false negatives, and reagent strips produced 15% false positives and 9% false negatives. Conclusions: Only the refractometer should be used to determine urine specific gravity in collegiate wrestlers during the weight-certification process. PMID:14737213

Assessing the likely value of gravity and drawdown measurements to constrain estimates of hydraulic conductivity and specific yield during unconfined aquifer testing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blainey, Joan B.; Ferré, Ty P.A.; Cordova, Jeffrey T.

2007-01-01

Pumping of an unconfined aquifer can cause local desaturation detectable with high‐resolution gravimetry. A previous study showed that signal‐to‐noise ratios could be predicted for gravity measurements based on a hydrologic model. We show that although changes should be detectable with gravimeters, estimations of hydraulic conductivity and specific yield based on gravity data alone are likely to be unacceptably inaccurate and imprecise. In contrast, a transect of low‐quality drawdown data alone resulted in accurate estimates of hydraulic conductivity and inaccurate and imprecise estimates of specific yield. Combined use of drawdown and gravity data, or use of high‐quality drawdown data alone, resulted in unbiased and precise estimates of both parameters. This study is an example of the value of a staged assessment regarding the likely significance of a new measurement method or monitoring scenario before collecting field data.

Edematogenic activity of a sulfated galactan from the red marine algae Gelidium crinale.

PubMed

Assreuy, Ana Maria Sampaio; Amorim, Renata Morais Ferreira; Brizeno, Luiz André Cavalcante; de Paulo Pereira, Lívia; de Sousa, Albertina Antonielly Sydney; Aragão, Gislei Frota; Pereira, Maria Gonçalves

2012-09-01

The red algae Gelidium crinale (Turner) Gaillon (Gelidiaceae), encountered along the Southeast and Northeast Brazilian sea coast, contains a sulfated galactan presenting a similar saccharide backbone compared to λ carrageenan. Inflammatory effects of other galactans were reported, but not for that obtained from G. crinale (SG-Gc). To investigate the in vivo edematogenic effect of SG-Gc in comparison to λ carrageenan. SG-Gc was isolated by ion exchange chromatography. Paw edema was induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) intraplantar injection of SG-Gc or λ carrageenan and evaluated by hydroplethysmometry. Data were expressed as the increase in paw volume subtracted from the basal volume or area under curve-AUC. To investigate the participation of early and late-phase inflammatory mediators, rats were treated with pyrilamine, compound 48/80, indomethacin, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or pentoxifylline before SG-Gc. SG-Gc edematogenic effect was initiated at 0.5 h, peaked at 2 h (1.26 ± 0.05 mL) and lasted until 6 h (0.21 ± 0.03 mL), whereas the carrageenan-induced edema started at 1 h. The first phase (1-3 h) of SG-Gc-induced edema was 176 ± 15 (AUC) versus carrageenan (114.5 ± 14), whereas the second phase (3-5 h) was 95 ± 12 (AUC) versus carrageenan (117.5 ± 11). Treatment with compound 48/80, pyrilamine, indomethacin, L-NAME, and pentoxifylline inhibited the effect of SG-Gc by 32, 40, 69, 72, and 49%, respectively. SG-Gc and λ carrageenan induce different profile of inflammatory response in the paw edema model, that involves histamine, cytokines, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide (NO), but with different degree of participation.

Depth Discrimination Using Rg-to-Sg Spectral Amplitude Ratios for Seismic Events in Utah Recorded at Local Distances

DOE PAGES

Tibi, Rigobert; Koper, Keith D.; Pankow, Kristine L.; ...

2018-03-20

Most of the commonly used seismic discrimination approaches are designed for regional data. Relatively little attention has focused on discriminants for local distances (< 200 km), the range at which the smallest events are recorded. We take advantage of the variety of seismic sources and the existence of a dense regional seismic network in the Utah region to evaluate amplitude ratio seismic discrimination at local distances. First, we explored phase-amplitude Pg-to-Sg ratios for multiple frequency bands to classify events in a dataset that comprises populations of single-shot surface explosions, shallow and deep ripple-fired mining blasts, mining-induced events, and tectonic earthquakes.more » We achieved a limited success. Then, for the same dataset, we combined the Pg-to-Sg phase-amplitude ratios with Sg-to-Rg spectral amplitude ratios in a multivariate quadratic discriminant function (QDF) approach. For two-category, pairwise classification, seven out of ten population pairs show misclassification rates of about 20% or less, with five pairs showing rates of about 10% or less. The approach performs best for the pair involving the populations of single-shot explosions and mining-induced events. By combining both Pg-to-Sg and Rg-to-Sg ratios in the multivariate QDFs, we are able to achieve an average improvement of about 4–14% in misclassification rates compared to Pg-to-Sg ratios alone. When all five event populations are considered simultaneously, as expected, the potential for misclassification increases and our QDF approach using both Pg-to-Sg and Rg-to-Sg ratios achieves an average success rate of about 74%, compared to the rate of about 86% for two-category, pairwise classification.« less

6-Shogaol ameliorates diabetic nephropathy through anti-inflammatory, hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative activity in db/db mice.

PubMed

Xu, Yun; Bai, Liwei; Chen, Xuehui; Li, Yan; Qin, Yan; Meng, Xiangyu; Zhang, Qinggui

2018-01-01

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been increasing worldwide and more than two thirds of the patients may develop diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the efficiency of existing approaches on DN progression is limited. 6-Shogaol (6-SG), a major dehydrated derivative of gingerols, possesses various biological properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible effects of 6-SG on DN in db/db mice and to investigate the mechanisms. We revealed that 6-SG reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure. 6-SG decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, urinary albumin content and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), ameliorated the pathological injuries of kidneys, reduced the surface area of Bowman's capsule, Bowman's space, glomerular tuft, and decreased the expression of collagen IV and fibronectin in kidneys of db/db mice. The high levels of systemic and renal triglyceride and cholesterol were decreased by 6-SG. Moreover, 6-SG exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, as reflected by reduction of tumor necrosis factor ɑ (TNFɑ), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 levels in circulation and kidneys, and decrease of NF-κB expression. Furthermore, 6-SG also inhibited oxidative stress and restored the expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in kidneys of db/db mice. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that 6-SG exhibits anti-diabetic and renal protective effects against DN, in which effect the anti-inflammatory, hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative activities may be involved. Overall, 6-SG could be a promising therapeutic treatment to ameliorate diabetes and the development of DN. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Biocompatible Dialysis Solutions Preserve Peritoneal Mesothelial Cell and Vessel Wall Integrity. A Case-Control Study on Human Biopsies

PubMed Central

del Peso, Gloria; Jiménez-Heffernan, José Antonio; Selgas, Rafael; Remón, César; Ossorio, Marta; Fernández-Perpén, Antonio; Sánchez-Tomero, José Antonio; Cirugeda, Antonio; de Sousa, Erika; Sandoval, Pilar; Díaz, Raquel; López-Cabrera, Manuel; Bajo, María Auxiliadora

2016-01-01

♦ Introduction: Chronic exposure to conventional peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions has been related to peritoneal function alterations in PD patients, and associated with mesothelial cell loss, submesothelial fibrosis, vasculopathy, and angiogenesis. In vitro and ex vivo analyses, as well as studies with animal models, have demonstrated that biocompatible PD solutions attenuate these morphological alterations. Our aim was to confirm the morphological benefits of biocompatible solutions in PD patients. ♦ Methods: We analyzed biopsies from 23 patients treated with biocompatible solutions (study group, SG), and compared them with a control group (n = 23) treated with conventional solutions (CG), matched for time on PD. ♦ Results: A total of 56.5% of SG patients showed total or partial preservation of mesothelial cells monolayer, in contrast with 26.1% of patients in CG (p = 0.036). Peritoneal fibrosis was not significantly less frequent in SG patients (47.8% SG vs 69.6% CG; p = 0.13). In patients without previous peritonitis, a significantly lower prevalence of fibrosis was present in SG patients (41.7% SG vs 77.8% CG; p = 0.04). Hyalinizing vasculopathy (HV) was significantly lower in SG (4.3% SG vs 30.4% CG; p = 0.02). Cytokeratin-positive fibroblast-like cells were detected in 10 patients (22%), but the prevalence was not significantly lower in SG. In the univariate regression analysis, the use of biocompatible solutions was associated with mesothelial monolayer integrity (p = 0.04) and an absence of vasculopathy (p = 0.04). ♦ Conclusion: The present study demonstrates in vivo in human biopsies that biocompatible solutions are better tolerated by the peritoneum in the medium and long term than conventional solutions. PMID:26475848

Rating scale, standard gamble, and time trade-off for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries.

PubMed

Lin, Mau-Roung; Hwang, Hei-Fen; Chung, Kuo-Piao; Huang, Chingchaw; Chen, Chih-Yi

2006-03-01

The rating scale (RS), standard gamble (SG), and time trade-off (TTO) for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) have not been reported. This study compared psychometric performances of these preference-based measures among people with SCIs in Taiwan. In total, 187 subjects from a nationwide registry of people with traumatic SCIs were interviewed by telephone. Score distributions, interrater reliability, discriminant ability, and convergent validity for the RS, SG, and TTO were compared. The mean (median) values of the RS, SG, and TTO were 0.67 (0.70), 0.64 (0.75), and 0.53 (0.50), respectively, and their corresponding intraclass correlation coefficients for intrarater and interrater test-retest reliability were .92 and .89, .78 and .73, and .91 and .78. Compared with the SG and TTO, the RS had fewer floor and ceiling values as well as percent changes, more missing observations, a larger effect size, and better discrimination ability. The results of Spearman correlation and factor analysis showed that the SG strongly converged with the TTO (r=.65, and in a single common factor), but they weakly converged with the RS (r=.33 with the SG and r=.27 with the TTO). In the linear regression models, the RS was significantly associated with neurological severity, employment, educational level, and self-care ability; the SG was associated with neurological severity and employment; and the TTO was associated only with neurological severity. The RS generally performed better than the SG and TTO among people with traumatic SCIs; however, the underlying construct measured by the RS differed considerably from those measured by the SG and TTO.

Depth Discrimination Using Rg-to-Sg Spectral Amplitude Ratios for Seismic Events in Utah Recorded at Local Distances

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

Tibi, Rigobert; Koper, Keith D.; Pankow, Kristine L.

Most of the commonly used seismic discrimination approaches are designed for regional data. Relatively little attention has focused on discriminants for local distances (< 200 km), the range at which the smallest events are recorded. We take advantage of the variety of seismic sources and the existence of a dense regional seismic network in the Utah region to evaluate amplitude ratio seismic discrimination at local distances. First, we explored phase-amplitude Pg-to-Sg ratios for multiple frequency bands to classify events in a dataset that comprises populations of single-shot surface explosions, shallow and deep ripple-fired mining blasts, mining-induced events, and tectonic earthquakes.more » We achieved a limited success. Then, for the same dataset, we combined the Pg-to-Sg phase-amplitude ratios with Sg-to-Rg spectral amplitude ratios in a multivariate quadratic discriminant function (QDF) approach. For two-category, pairwise classification, seven out of ten population pairs show misclassification rates of about 20% or less, with five pairs showing rates of about 10% or less. The approach performs best for the pair involving the populations of single-shot explosions and mining-induced events. By combining both Pg-to-Sg and Rg-to-Sg ratios in the multivariate QDFs, we are able to achieve an average improvement of about 4–14% in misclassification rates compared to Pg-to-Sg ratios alone. When all five event populations are considered simultaneously, as expected, the potential for misclassification increases and our QDF approach using both Pg-to-Sg and Rg-to-Sg ratios achieves an average success rate of about 74%, compared to the rate of about 86% for two-category, pairwise classification.« less

Determination of specific yield and water-table changes using temporal microgravity surveys collected during the second injection, storage, and recovery test at Lancaster, Antelope Valley, California, November 1996 through April 1997

USGS Publications Warehouse

Howle, James F.; Phillips, Steven P.; Denlinger, Roger P.; Metzger, Loren F.

2003-01-01

To evaluate the feasibility of artificially recharging the ground-water system in the Lancaster area of the Antelope Valley, California, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, conducted a series of injection, storage, and recovery tests between September 1995 and September 1998. A key component of this study was to measure the response of the water table to injection, which was difficult because the water table averaged 300 feet below land surface. Rather than install many expensive piezometers, microgravity surveys were conducted to determine specific yield and to measure the development of a ground-water mound during the injection of about 1,050 acre-feet of fresh water into an alluvial-aquifer system. The surveys were done prior to, during, and near the end of a 5-month injection period (November 12, 1996, to April 17, 1997). Results of the surveys indicate increases in gravity of as much as 66 microgals between a bedrock reference station and 20 gravity stations within a 1-square-mile area surrounding the injection site. The changes were assumed to have been caused by changes in the ground-water elevation. Gravity and ground-water levels were measured simultaneously at an existing well (7N/12W-34B1). The coupled measurements were used to calculate a specific yield of 0.13 for the alluvial aquifer near the well. To determine the gravitational effect of the injection mound on the gravity measurements made near well 7N/12W-34B1, a two-dimensional gravity model was used. Results of the model simulation show that the effect on gravity associated with the mass of the injection mound was minor and thus had a negligible effect on the calculation of specific yield. The specific yield of 0.13, therefore, was used to infer water-level changes at other gravity stations within the study area. The gravity-derived water-level changes were compared with simulated water-table changes.

Application of dGNSS in Alpine Ski Racing: Basis for Evaluating Physical Demands and Safety

PubMed Central

Gilgien, Matthias; Kröll, Josef; Spörri, Jörg; Crivelli, Philip; Müller, Erich

2018-01-01

External forces, such as ground reaction force or air drag acting on athletes' bodies in sports, determine the sport-specific demands on athletes' physical fitness. In order to establish appropriate physical conditioning regimes, which adequately prepare athletes for the loads and physical demands occurring in their sports and help reduce the risk of injury, sport-and/or discipline-specific knowledge of the external forces is needed. However, due to methodological shortcomings in biomechanical research, data comprehensively describing the external forces that occur in alpine super-G (SG) and downhill (DH) are so far lacking. Therefore, this study applied new and accurate wearable sensor-based technology to determine the external forces acting on skiers during World Cup (WC) alpine skiing competitions in the disciplines of SG and DH and to compare these with those occurring in giant slalom (GS), for which previous research knowledge exists. External forces were determined using WC forerunners carrying a differential global navigation satellite system (dGNSS). Combining the dGNSS data with a digital terrain model of the snow surface and an air drag model, the magnitudes of ground reaction forces were computed. It was found that the applied methodology may not only be used to track physical demands and loads on athletes, but also to simultaneously investigate safety aspects, such as the effectiveness of speed control through increased air drag and ski–snow friction forces in the respective disciplines. Therefore, the component of the ground reaction force in the direction of travel (ski–snow friction) and air drag force were computed. This study showed that (1) the validity of high-end dGNSS systems allows meaningful investigations such as characterization of physical demands and effectiveness of safety measures in highly dynamic sports; (2) physical demands were substantially different between GS, SG, and DH; and (3) safety-related reduction of skiing speed might be most effectively achieved by increasing the ski–snow friction force in GS and SG. For DH an increase in the ski–snow friction force might be equally as effective as an increase in air drag force. PMID:29559918

Benchmarking CRISPR on-target sgRNA design.

PubMed

Yan, Jifang; Chuai, Guohui; Zhou, Chi; Zhu, Chenyu; Yang, Jing; Zhang, Chao; Gu, Feng; Xu, Han; Wei, Jia; Liu, Qi

2017-02-15

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-based gene editing has been widely implemented in various cell types and organisms. A major challenge in the effective application of the CRISPR system is the need to design highly efficient single-guide RNA (sgRNA) with minimal off-target cleavage. Several tools are available for sgRNA design, while limited tools were compared. In our opinion, benchmarking the performance of the available tools and indicating their applicable scenarios are important issues. Moreover, whether the reported sgRNA design rules are reproducible across different sgRNA libraries, cell types and organisms remains unclear. In our study, a systematic and unbiased benchmark of the sgRNA predicting efficacy was performed on nine representative on-target design tools, based on six benchmark data sets covering five different cell types. The benchmark study presented here provides novel quantitative insights into the available CRISPR tools. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Adsorption enhancement of elemental mercury onto sulphur-functionalized silica gel adsorbents.

PubMed

Johari, Khairiraihanna; Saman, Norasikin; Mat, Hanapi

2014-01-01

In this study, elemental mercury (EM) adsorbents were synthesized using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane as silica precursors. The synthesized silica gel (SG)-TEOS was further functionalized through impregnation with elemental sulphur and carbon disulphide (CS2). The SG adsorbents were then characterized by using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infra-red spectrophotometer, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and energy-dispersive X-ray diffractometer. The EM adsorption of the SG adsorbents was determined using fabricated fixed-bed adsorber. The EM adsorption results showed that the sulphur-functionalized SG adsorbents had a greater Hgo breakthrough adsorption capacity, confirming that the presence of sulphur in silica matrices can improve Hgo adsorption performance due to their high affinity towards mercury. The highest Hgo adsorption capacity was observed for SG-TEOS(CS2) (82.62 microg/g), which was approximately 2.9 times higher than SG-TEOS (28.47 microg/g). The rate of Hgo adsorption was observed higher for sulphur-impregnated adsorbents, and decreased with the increase in the bed temperatures.

Enterovirus 71 induces anti-viral stress granule-like structures in RD cells.

PubMed

Zhu, Yuanmei; Wang, Bei; Huang, He; Zhao, Zhendong

2016-08-05

Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic cytoplasmic granules formed in response to a variety of stresses, including viral infection. Several viruses can modulate the formation of SG with different effects, but the relationship between SG formation and EV71 infection is poorly understood. In this study, we report that EV71 inhibits canonical SGs formation in infected cells and induces the formation of novel RNA granules that were distinguished from canonical SGs in composition and morphology, which we termed 'SG like structures'. Our results also demonstrated that EV71 triggered formation of SG-like structures is dependent on PKR and eIF2α phosphorylation and requires ongoing cellular mRNA synthesis. Finally, we found that SG-like structures are antiviral RNA granules that promote cellular apoptosis and suppress EV71 propagation. Taken together, our findings explain the formation mechanism of SG-like structures induced by EV71 and shed light on virus-host interaction and molecular mechanism underlying EV71 pathogenesis. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of Salmonella Gallinarum trace the origin and diversification of recent outbreaks of fowl typhoid in poultry farms.

PubMed

De Carli, Silvia; Gräf, Tiago; Kipper, Diéssy; Lehmann, Fernanda Kieling Moreira; Zanetti, Nathalie; Siqueira, Franciele Maboni; Cibulski, Samuel; Fonseca, André Salvador Kazantzi; Ikuta, Nilo; Lunge, Vagner Ricardo

2017-12-01

Fowl typhoid (FT) and pullorum disease (PD) are two important poultry infections caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum). S. Gallinarum strains are adapted to birds and classified into biovars Gallinarum (bvGA) and Pullorum (bvPU) as they are the causative agent of FT and PD, respectively. In Brazil, FT/PD outbreaks have been reported along the last 50 years, but there was a recent increase of FT field reports with the suspicion it could be due to virulence reversion of the attenuated live vaccine SG9R. In this study, we applied molecular biology assays and phylogenetic methods to detect and investigate S. Gallinarum isolates from commercial poultry flocks in order to understand the evolutionary history and origin of the recent FT outbreaks in Brazil. S. Gallinarum isolates were obtained from thirteen different poultry flocks with clinical signs of FT/PD from 2013 to 2015. These isolates were serotyped, tested with three specific PCR (for the detection of bvGA, bvPU and live vaccine strain SG9R) and submitted to sequencing of a variable genome region (ISR analysis). The complete genome of one bvGA strain (BR_RS12) was also compared to other S. Gallinarum complete genomes (including other two Brazilian ones: bvGA 287/91 and bvPU FCVA198). PCR detected all thirteen isolates as S. Gallinarum (eight bvGA and five bvPU), none positive for SG9R strain. ISR analysis revealed that all eight bvGA isolates showed exactly the same nucleotide sequences with 100% similarity to reference strains, while two patterns were observed for bvPU. Genome phylogeny demonstrated distinct clades for bvGA and bvPU, with the bvGA clade showing a clear subdivision including three genomes: SG9R vaccine, the respective SG9 parent strain and one SG9R revertant field isolate (MB4523). The evolutionary rate of the total S. Gallinarum genome was calculated at 6.15×10 -7 substitutions/site/year, with 2.8 observed substitutions per year per genome (1 SNP per 4292 bases). Phylodynamics analysis estimated that at least two introductions of S. Gallinarum bvGA happened in Brazil, the first in 1885 and the second in 1950. The Brazilian bvGA genomes 287/91 and BR_RS12 analyzed here were related to the early and the late introductions, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicate the occurrence of S. Gallinarum strains associated with FT outbreaks that have been circulating for more than 50 years in Brazil and are not originated from virulence reversion of the SG9R vaccine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cascading gravity is ghost free

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

Rham, Claudia de; Khoury, Justin; Tolley, Andrew J.

2010-06-15

We perform a full perturbative stability analysis of the 6D cascading gravity model in the presence of 3-brane tension. We demonstrate that for sufficiently large tension on the (flat) 3-brane, there are no ghosts at the perturbative level, consistent with results that had previously only been obtained in a specific 5D decoupling limit. These results establish the cascading gravity framework as a consistent infrared modification of gravity.

30 CFR 1206.53 - How do I determine value for oil that I or my affiliate do(es) not sell under an arm's-length...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... sales to the same gravity as that of the oil produced from the lease. Use applicable gravity adjustment tables for the field (or the same general area for like-quality oil if you do not have gravity adjustment tables for the specific field) to normalize for gravity. Example to paragraph (b): 1. Assume that a...

30 CFR 1206.53 - How do I determine value for oil that I or my affiliate do(es) not sell under an arm's-length...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... sales to the same gravity as that of the oil produced from the lease. Use applicable gravity adjustment tables for the field (or the same general area for like-quality oil if you do not have gravity adjustment tables for the specific field) to normalize for gravity. Example to paragraph (b): 1. Assume that a...

30 CFR 1206.53 - How do I determine value for oil that I or my affiliate do(es) not sell under an arm's-length...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... sales to the same gravity as that of the oil produced from the lease. Use applicable gravity adjustment tables for the field (or the same general area for like-quality oil if you do not have gravity adjustment tables for the specific field) to normalize for gravity. Example to paragraph (b): 1. Assume that a...

30 CFR 1206.53 - How do I determine value for oil that I or my affiliate do(es) not sell under an arm's-length...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... sales to the same gravity as that of the oil produced from the lease. Use applicable gravity adjustment tables for the field (or the same general area for like-quality oil if you do not have gravity adjustment tables for the specific field) to normalize for gravity. Example to paragraph (b): 1. Assume that a...

30 CFR 816.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 817.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 817.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 817.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 816.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 816.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 816.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

30 CFR 817.74 - Disposal of excess spoil: Preexisting benches.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to a lower preexisting bench by means of gravity transport may be approved by the regulatory authority provided that— (1) The gravity transport courses are determined on a site-specific basis by the..., and downslope of the lower bench should excess spoil accidentally move; (2) All gravity transported...

The dynamical origin of multiple populations in intermediate-age clusters in the Magellanic Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Jongsuk; de Grijs, Richard; Askar, Abbas; Berczik, Peter; Li, Chengyuan; Wang, Long; Deng, Licai; Kouwenhoven, M. B. N.; Giersz, Mirek; Spurzem, Rainer

2017-11-01

Numerical simulations were carried out to study the origin of multiple stellar populations in the intermediate-age clusters NGC 411 and NGC 1806 in the Magellanic Clouds. We performed NBODY6++ simulations based on two different formation scenarios, an ad hoc formation model where second-generation (SG) stars are formed inside a cluster of first-generation (FG) stars using the gas accumulated from the external intergalactic medium and a minor merger model of unequal mass (MSG/MFG ∼ 5-10 per cent) clusters with an age difference of a few hundred million years. We compared our results such as the radial profile of the SG-to-FG number ratio with observations on the assumption that the SG stars in the observations are composed of cluster members, and confirmed that both the ad hoc formation and merger scenarios reproduce the observed radial trend of the SG-to-FG number ratio, which shows less centrally concentrated SG than FG stars. It is difficult to constrain the formation scenario for the multiple populations by only using the spatial distribution of the SG stars. SG stars originating from the merger scenario show a significant velocity anisotropy and rotational features compared to those from the ad hoc formation scenario. Thus, observations aimed at kinematic properties like velocity anisotropy or rotational velocities for SG stars should be obtained to better understand the formation of the multiple populations in these clusters. This is, however, beyond current instrumentation capabilities.

Reflectors and tuning elements for widely-tunable GaAs-based sampled grating DBR lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brox, O.; Wenzel, H.; Della Case, P.; Tawfieq, M.; Sumpf, B.; Weyers, M.; Knigge, A.

2018-02-01

Widely-tunable lasers without moving parts are attractive light sources for sensors in industry and biomedicine. In contrast to InP based sampled grating (SG) distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) diode lasers which are commercially available, shorter wavelength GaAs SG-DBR lasers are still under development. One reason is the difficulty to integrate gratings with coupling coefficients that are high enough for functional grating bursts with lengths below 10 μm. Recently we have demonstrated > 20 nm wide quasi-continuous tuning with a GaAs based SG-DBR laser emitting around 975 nm. Wavelength selective reflectors are realized with SGs having different burst periods for the front and back mirrors. Thermal tuning elements (resistors) which are placed on top of the SG allow the control of the spectral positions of the SG reflector combs and hence to adjust the Vernier mode. In this work we characterize subsections of the developed SG-DBR laser to further improve its performance. We study the impact of two different vertical structures (with vertical far field FWHMs of 41° and 24°) and two grating orders on the coupling coefficient. Gratings with coupling coefficients above 350 cm-1 have been integrated into SG-DBR lasers. We also examine electronic tuning elements (a technique which is typically applied in InP based SG-DBR lasers and allows tuning within nanoseconds) and discuss the limitations in the GaAs material system

Guidance Document on Anaerobic Digester Foaming Prevention and Control Methods (WERF Report INFR1SG10a)

EPA Science Inventory

The development of this anaerobic digester (AD) foaming guidance document is based on the need for a specific detailed methodology that water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) personnel can follow and implement to manage or mitigate AD foam incidents. This guidance manual is th...

77 FR 40647 - Biweekly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-10

... operation of the shared unit's diesel generator (emergency power) and to assure long term operation of the... actuation system limiting safety system settings, and emergency diesel generator surveillance start voltage... specification for the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2, associated with the ``Steam Generator (SG...

Inducible CRISPR genome-editing tool: classifications and future trends.

PubMed

Dai, Xiaofeng; Chen, Xiao; Fang, Qiuwu; Li, Jia; Bai, Zhonghu

2018-06-01

The discovery of CRISPR-Cas9/dCas9 system has reinforced our ability and revolutionized our history in genome engineering. While Cas9 and dCas9 are programed to modulate gene expression by introducing DNA breaks, blocking transcription factor recruitment or dragging functional groups towards the targeted sites, sgRNAs determine the genomic loci where the modulation occurs. The off-target problem, due to limited sgRNA specificity and genome complexity of many species, has posed concerns for the wide application of this revolutionary technique. To solve this problem and, more importantly, gain power over gene functionality and cell fate control, inducible strategies have been continuously evolved to offer tailored solutions to address specific biological questions. By reviewing recent advances in inducible CRISPR system design and critical elements potentially adding values to such systems, we classify current approaches in this domain into four mechanically distinct categories, namely, "split system", "allosteric system", "combinatorial system", and "transient delivery system", discuss the pros and cons of each system, and point out the under-explored areas and future directions, with the aim of enriching our toolbox of delicate life engineering.

Some Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of Titanium and Titanium Alloys

DTIC Science & Technology

1950-03-07

treated alloy steel armor, Justifies high expectations that titanium alloys may make excellent armor meterials . The corrosion resistant properties of...Fur* Metal Beat Treated -7-4 - -I-re Tensile Strength in pot 13,000 5 0,oo 230,000 203400 speifict Gravity 2.71 7.87 4.54 2.9 7.9 4.6 Stroe4cth-Vleight...solution of HCI: 50 parts by volume ECl-specific gravity 1.19 (37.6%) 50 parts by volume H2 0 2. Concentrated RIP: Hl-specific gravity 1.15 (14%) 3. 5

NEDDylation promotes stress granule assembly.

PubMed

Jayabalan, Aravinth Kumar; Sanchez, Anthony; Park, Ra Young; Yoon, Sang Pil; Kang, Gum-Yong; Baek, Je-Hyun; Anderson, Paul; Kee, Younghoon; Ohn, Takbum

2016-07-06

Stress granules (SGs) harbour translationally stalled messenger ribonucleoproteins and play important roles in regulating gene expression and cell fate. Here we show that neddylation promotes SG assembly in response to arsenite-induced oxidative stress. Inhibition or depletion of key components of the neddylation machinery concomitantly inhibits stress-induced polysome disassembly and SG assembly. Affinity purification and subsequent mass-spectrometric analysis of Nedd8-conjugated proteins from translationally stalled ribosomal fractions identified ribosomal proteins, translation factors and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including SRSF3, a previously known SG regulator. We show that SRSF3 is selectively neddylated at Lys85 in response to arsenite. A non-neddylatable SRSF3 (K85R) mutant do not prevent arsenite-induced polysome disassembly, but fails to support the SG assembly, suggesting that the neddylation pathway plays an important role in SG assembly.

Shared governance: time to consider the cons as well as the pros.

PubMed

Gavin, M; Ash, D; Wakefield, S; Wroe, C

1999-07-01

This paper aims to provide a critical appraisal of an approach to the management and organization of nursing work known as shared governance (SG). This approach has its origins in the USA, where, during the past 20 years it has become increasingly influential. The advocates of SG claim that it can, inter alia, improve recruitment and retention rates, boost morale, and help raise clinical skills. Little wonder that SG in now beginning to make significant inroads into the NHS. ORIGIN OF INFORMATION: However, a trawl through the extensive US literature, using printed and online (e.g. BIDS, CINHAL, MEDLINE, etc.) bibliographical sources, suggests that the claimed benefits of SG should be treated with caution. Much of the existing published research appears to be both methodologically flawed and lacking in any critical edge. While many researchers and commentators appear only too willing to highlight what they see as the promise of SG, they shy away from exploring any potential pitfalls. One consequence of this is that many of the putative benefits SG is said to confer, may in fact be more apparent than real. Nurses and nurse managers need to be apprised of and consider seriously, the possible cons as well as the potential pros of SG, if any promise it may have is to be realized.

Depression in chronic ketamine users: Sex differences and neural bases.

PubMed

Li, Chiang-Shan R; Zhang, Sheng; Hung, Chia-Chun; Chen, Chun-Ming; Duann, Jeng-Ren; Lin, Ching-Po; Lee, Tony Szu-Hsien

2017-11-30

Chronic ketamine use leads to cognitive and affective deficits including depression. Here, we examined sex differences and neural bases of depression in chronic ketamine users. Compared to non-drug using healthy controls (HC), ketamine-using females but not males showed increased depression score as assessed by the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We evaluated resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), a prefrontal structure consistently implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. Compared to HC, ketamine users (KU) did not demonstrate significant changes in sgACC connectivities at a corrected threshold. However, in KU, a linear regression against CES-D score showed less sgACC connectivity to the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) with increasing depression severity. Examined separately, male and female KU showed higher sgACC connectivity to bilateral superior temporal gyrus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), respectively, in correlation with depression. The linear correlation of sgACC-OFC and sgACC-dmPFC connectivity with depression was significantly different in slope between KU and HC. These findings highlighted changes in rsFC of the sgACC as associated with depression and sex differences in these changes in chronic ketamine users. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Satratoxin-G from the black mold Stachybotrys chartarum induces rhinitis and apoptosis of olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal airways of rhesus monkeys.

PubMed

Carey, Stephan A; Plopper, Charles G; Hyde, Dallas M; Islam, Zahidul; Pestka, James J; Harkema, Jack R

2012-08-01

Satratoxin-G (SG) is a trichothecene mycotoxin of Stachybotrys chartarum, the black mold suggested to contribute etiologically to illnesses associated with water-damaged buildings. We have reported that intranasal exposure to SG evokes apoptosis of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and acute inflammation in the nose and brain of laboratory mice. To further assess the potential human risk of nasal airway injury and neurotoxicity, we developed a model of SG exposure in monkeys, whose nasal airways more closely resemble those of humans. Adult, male rhesus macaques received a single intranasal instillation of 20 µg SG (high dose, n = 3), or 5 µg SG daily for four days (repeated low dose, n = 3) in one nasal passage, and saline vehicle in the contralateral nasal passage. Nasal tissues were examined using light and electron microscopy and morphometric analysis. SG induced acute rhinitis, atrophy of the olfactory epithelium (OE), and apoptosis of OSNs in both groups. High-dose and repeated low-dose SG elicited a 13% and 66% reduction in OSN volume density, and a 14-fold and 24-fold increase in apoptotic cells of the OE, respectively. This model provides new insight into the potential risk of nasal airway injury and neurotoxicity caused by exposure to water-damaged buildings.

An IMU Evaluation Method Using a Signal Grafting Scheme

PubMed Central

Niu, Xiaoji; Wang, Qiang; Li, You; Zhang, Quan; Jiang, Peng

2016-01-01

As various inertial measurement units (IMUs) from different manufacturers appear every year, it is not affordable to evaluate every IMU through tests. Therefore, this paper presents an IMU evaluation method by grafting data from the tested IMU to the reference data from a higher-grade IMU. The signal grafting (SG) method has several benefits: (a) only one set of field tests with a higher-grade IMU is needed, and can be used to evaluate numerous IMUs. Thus, SG is effective and economic because all data from the tested IMU is collected in the lab; (b) it is a general approach to compare navigation performances of various IMUs by using the same reference data; and, finally, (c) through SG, one can first evaluate an IMU in the lab, and then decide whether to further test it. Moreover, this paper verified the validity of SG to both medium- and low-grade IMUs, and presents and compared two SG strategies, i.e., the basic-error strategy and the full-error strategy. SG provided results similar to field tests, with a difference of under 5% and 19.4%–26.7% for tested tactical-grade and MEMS IMUs. Meanwhile, it was found that dynamic IMU errors were essential to guarantee the effect of the SG method. PMID:27294932

Broad-band properties of the CfA Seyfert Galaxies. II - Infrared to millimeter properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edelson, R. A.; Malkan, M. A.; Rieke, G. H.

1987-01-01

IR and mm observations of the 48 Seyfert 1 and 2 galaxies (SG1s and SG2s) of the CfA sample (Huchra and Berg, 1987) are reported. Data obtained (1) in the NIR using the 1.55-m reflector at Stewart Observatory and the 3-m IRTF during 1984-1986, (2) in the FIR with IRAS, and (3) at 1.3 mm using the 12-m NRAO telescope at KPNO in June 1984 are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail. None of the objects was detected at 1.3 mm, and the IR spectra of the SG2s are found to be significantly steeper (indicating thermal emission) than those of SG1s and QSOs (nonthermal emission). Turnover in the IR emission below 100 microns (in half of the objects detected at three or more IRAS wavelengths) is shown to be consistent with an accretion disk in dust-free SG1s and with unusually warm (35-65 K) dust in SG2s. It is inferred that a 60-100-micron cool excess is masking turnover in the other SGs, so that a general association of SG nuclei with strong star formation can be confirmed.

Recommendations for the Use of Serious Games in Neurodegenerative Disorders: 2016 Delphi Panel.

PubMed

Manera, Valeria; Ben-Sadoun, Grégory; Aalbers, Teun; Agopyan, Hovannes; Askenazy, Florence; Benoit, Michel; Bensamoun, David; Bourgeois, Jérémy; Bredin, Jonathan; Bremond, Francois; Crispim-Junior, Carlos; David, Renaud; De Schutter, Bob; Ettore, Eric; Fairchild, Jennifer; Foulon, Pierre; Gazzaley, Adam; Gros, Auriane; Hun, Stéphanie; Knoefel, Frank; Olde Rikkert, Marcel; Phan Tran, Minh K; Politis, Antonios; Rigaud, Anne S; Sacco, Guillaume; Serret, Sylvie; Thümmler, Susanne; Welter, Marie L; Robert, Philippe

2017-01-01

The use of Serious Games (SG) in the health domain is expanding. In the field of neurodegenerative disorders (ND) such as Alzheimer's disease, SG are currently employed both to support and improve the assessment of different functional and cognitive abilities, and to provide alternative solutions for patients' treatment, stimulation, and rehabilitation. As the field is quite young, recommendations on the use of SG in people with ND are still rare. In 2014 we proposed some initial recommendations (Robert et al., 2014). The aim of the present work was to update them, thanks to opinions gathered by experts in the field during an expert Delphi panel. Results confirmed that SG are adapted to elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, and can be employed for several purposes, including assessment, stimulation, and improving wellbeing, with some differences depending on the population (e.g., physical stimulation may be better suited for people with MCI). SG are more adapted for use with trained caregivers (both at home and in clinical settings), with a frequency ranging from 2 to 4 times a week. Importantly, the target of SG, their frequency of use and the context in which they are played depend on the SG typology (e.g., Exergame, cognitive game), and should be personalized with the help of a clinician.

Associated lumbar scoliosis does not affect outcomes in patients undergoing focal minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MISTLIF) for neurogenic symptoms-a minimum 2-year follow-up study.

PubMed

Tay, Kae Sian; Bassi, Anupreet; Yeo, William; Yue, Wai Mun

2017-01-01

There is no current literature comparing outcomes of patients with and without lumbar scoliosis having neurologic symptoms undergoing minimally invasive surgery-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MISTLIF) technique. This study aimed to determine whether associated lumbar scoliosis will result in different clinical, radiological, and operative outcomes in patients undergoing focal MISTLIF for neurogenic symptoms, without specific correction of the scoliosis. A retrospective case comparison study from prospectively collected hospital registry data was carried out. Two hundred and thirty eligible patients were evaluated and divided into two groups: Scoliosis Group (SG; n=57) with Cobb angle >10 degrees on anterioposterior (AP) plain lumbar spine radiographs and Non-Scoliosis Group (NSG; n=173) consisting of the remaining patients. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index, the North American Spine Society (NASS) Neurogenic Symptom Score, the NASS Satisfaction with Surgery Rating, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for back and leg pain. Radiological findings included Cobb angle, fusion, implant failure or loosening, and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). Both groups were compared for demographics, perioperative parameters, complications, clinical, and radiological outcomes. Interobserver agreement (kappa statistics) for measurement of Cobb angle was calculated on all cases of both groups by two authors. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, at 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. The average follow-up was 2.88±1.47 years in the SG and 2.71±1.34 years in the NSG (p=.444). Differences in mean age (SG: 62.9±10.9 years and NSG: 57.6±13.1 years), estimated related risk of death (SG: 3.05±2.13 and NSG: 2.41±1.74), and gender (female=SG: 87.7% and NSG: 64.2%) were statistically significant (p<.05), whereas race distribution, body mass index |(BMI), spinal levels operated, number of levels operated, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 use, and type of bone graft were not. Fluoroscopic time, operative time, blood loss, postoperative opioid usage, time to ambulation, and length of hospitalization were similar (p>.05). Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were similar in both groups (p>.05) except SF-36 physical function score, which was found to be significantly higher in the NSG at final follow-up (p<.05). Clinical outcomes scores improved significantly postoperatively (p<.05), and grade 1 fusion (Bridwell classification) was achieved in 93% in the SG and in 93.6% in the NSG (p=.417). Total complications were 11 (19.29%) in the SG and 21 (12.13%) in the NSG (p=.097). De novo ASD was found in 1 case in the SG and in 14 cases in the NSG (p=.124), with 1 case in the NSG requiring further surgery. Associated mild lumbar scoliosis (Cobb angle <30°) does not result in significantly different perioperative, clinical, and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing focal decompression and MISTLIF for neurogenic symptoms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Specific sine-Gordon soliton dynamics in the presence of external driving forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinisch, Gilbert; Fernandez, Jean Claude

1981-07-01

We consider the acceleration of a single sine-Gordon (SG) soliton kink wave by an external time-dependent force χ(t), first without any dissipation, and then in the presence of a weak damping effect. We use the method of Fogel, Trullinger, Bishop, and Krumhansl [FTBK,

RNA-Seq for gene identification and transcript profiling of three Stevia rebaudiana genotypes.

PubMed

Chen, Junwen; Hou, Kai; Qin, Peng; Liu, Hongchang; Yi, Bin; Yang, Wenting; Wu, Wei

2014-07-07

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is an important medicinal plant that yields diterpenoid steviol glycosides (SGs). SGs are currently used in the preparation of medicines, food products and neutraceuticals because of its sweetening property (zero calories and about 300 times sweeter than sugar). Recently, some progress has been made in understanding the biosynthesis of SGs in Stevia, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. Additionally, the genomics of Stevia, a non-model species, remains uncharacterized. The recent advent of RNA-Seq, a next generation sequencing technology, provides an opportunity to expand the identification of Stevia genes through in-depth transcript profiling. We present a comprehensive landscape of the transcriptome profiles of three genotypes of Stevia with divergent SG compositions characterized using RNA-seq. 191,590,282 high-quality reads were generated and then assembled into 171,837 transcripts with an average sequence length of 969 base pairs. A total of 80,160 unigenes were annotated, and 14,211 of the unique sequences were assigned to specific metabolic pathways by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Gene sequences of all enzymes known to be involved in SG synthesis were examined. A total of 143 UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT) unigenes were identified, some of which might be involved in SG biosynthesis. The expression patterns of eight of these genes were further confirmed by RT-QPCR. RNA-seq analysis identified candidate genes encoding enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of SGs in Stevia, a non-model plant without a reference genome. The transcriptome data from this study yielded new insights into the process of SG accumulation in Stevia. Our results demonstrate that RNA-Seq can be successfully used for gene identification and transcript profiling in a non-model species.

Preoperative Detection of Sarcopenic Obesity Helps to Predict the Occurrence of Gastric Leak After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PubMed

Gaillard, Martin; Tranchart, Hadrien; Maitre, Sophie; Perlemuter, Gabriel; Lainas, Panagiotis; Dagher, Ibrahim

2018-03-02

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the primary procedure for many bariatric teams and staple-line leak represents its most feared complication. Sarcopenic obesity combines the risks of obesity and depleted lean mass leading possibly to an inferior surgical outcome after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of a potential link between radiologically determined sarcopenic obesity and staple-line leak risk after SG. A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was performed in consecutive patients undergoing SG as primary procedure. Total psoas muscles (TPA) and total visible muscles (TMA) areas were measured on a preoperative computed tomography (CT). Sarcopenia was defined as lowest tertile of skeletal muscular mass indexes (muscular areas over square of height) in each gender (using TPA or TMA). Multivariate analysis was performed to determine preoperative risk factors for staple-line leak. During the study period, 205 patients were included in the analysis. Median BMI was 40.8 kg/m 2 (34.2-49.6), and 9 patients (4.4%) presented a gastric leak. The sex-specific cut-offs for skeletal muscular mass index according to TPA were 8.2 cm 2 /m 2 for men and 6.08 cm 2 /m 2 for women. After multivariate analysis, preoperative weight (OR = 1043) and sarcopenia (TPA) (OR = 5204) were independent predictive factors for gastric leak. The present series suggests that CT scan-determined sarcopenic obesity is associated with increased risk of gastric leak after SG. This preoperatively radiological examination would be a useful clinical tool to tailor patient management according to gastric leak risk.

Properties of medium-density fiberboard related to hardwood specific gravity

Treesearch

George E. Woodson

1976-01-01

Boards of acceptable quality were made from barky material, pressure-refined from 14 species of southern hardwoods. Static bending and tensile properties (parallel to surface) of specimens were negatively correlated to stem specific gravity (wood plus bark), chip bulk density, and fiber bulk density. Bending and tensile properties increased with increasing...

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

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

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

Reliability of measurement and genotype x environment 1 interaction for potato specific gravity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The dry matter content of potatoes used to make potato chips and French fries strongly influences fry oil absorption and texture of the finished product. Specific gravity (SpGr) is often used to assess the processing quality of potatoes tubers because of its strong correlation with dry matter conten...