Study of different thermal processes on boron-doped PERL cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenjia; Wang, Zhenjiao; Han, Peiyu; Lu, Hongyan; Yang, Jian; Guo, Ying; Shi, Zhengrong; Li, Guohua

2014-08-01

In this paper, three kinds of thermal processes for boron-doped PERL cells were investigated. These are the forming gas annealing (FGA), the rapid thermal (RTP) and the low temperature annealing processes. FGA was introduced after laser ablation and doping in order to increase minority carrier lifetime by hydrogenating the trapping centers. Subsequent evaluation revealed considerable enhancement of minority carrier lifetime (from 150 μs to 240 μs) and the implied Voc (from 660 mV to 675 mV). After aluminum sputtering, three actual peak temperatures (370 °C, 600 °C and 810 °C) of RTP (as it occurs in the compressed air environment used in our experiment) were utilized to form a contact between the metal and the semi-conductor. It is concluded that only low temperature (lower than 600 °C) firing could create boron back surface field and high quality rear reflector. Lastly, a method of improving the performance of finished PERL cells which did not experience high temperature (over 800 °C) firing was investigated. Finished cells undergone low temperature annealing in N2 atmosphere at 150 °C for 15 min produced 0.44% absolute increase in PERL cells. The enhancement of low temperature annealing originally comes from the activation of passivated boron which is deactivated during FGA.

Measurement and simulation of thermal neutron flux distribution in the RTP core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabir, Mohamad Hairie B.; Jalal Bayar, Abi Muttaqin B.; Hamzah, Na'im Syauqi B.; Mustafa, Muhammad Khairul Ariff B.; Karim, Julia Bt. Abdul; Zin, Muhammad Rawi B. Mohamed; Ismail, Yahya B.; Hussain, Mohd Huzair B.; Mat Husin, Mat Zin B.; Dan, Roslan B. Md; Ismail, Ahmad Razali B.; Husain, Nurfazila Bt.; Jalil Khan, Zareen Khan B. Abdul; Yakin, Shaiful Rizaide B. Mohd; Saad, Mohamad Fauzi B.; Masood, Zarina Bt.

2018-01-01

The in-core thermal neutron flux distribution was determined using measurement and simulation methods for the Malaysian’s PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP). In this work, online thermal neutron flux measurement using Self Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) has been performed to verify and validate the computational methods for neutron flux calculation in RTP calculations. The experimental results were used as a validation to the calculations performed with Monte Carlo code MCNP. The detail in-core neutron flux distributions were estimated using MCNP mesh tally method. The neutron flux mapping obtained revealed the heterogeneous configuration of the core. Based on the measurement and simulation, the thermal flux profile peaked at the centre of the core and gradually decreased towards the outer side of the core. The results show a good agreement (relatively) between calculation and measurement where both show the same radial thermal flux profile inside the core: MCNP model over estimation with maximum discrepancy around 20% higher compared to SPND measurement. As our model also predicts well the neutron flux distribution in the core it can be used for the characterization of the full core, that is neutron flux and spectra calculation, dose rate calculations, reaction rate calculations, etc.

Processing silicon microparticles recycled from wafer waste via Rapid Thermal Process for lithium-ion battery anode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Hui-Gee; Duh, Jenq-Gong

2016-12-01

A vast quantity of waste sludge is generated during the silicon wafers slicing process in semiconductor and photovoltaic industries. Turning the waste powder into high-value products is of strategic importance for industrial processes. The purified Si microparticles (Si-MP) are recycled by a simple and fast procedure, Rapid Thermal Process (RTP). A prominent anodic material of Si-MP/Carbon composite with porous structure is obtained via in-spaced carbonization of water-soluble binder sodium carboxymethyl cellulose during RTP. This strategy provides buffer space, which is constructed by carbon porous continuous conductive framework throughout the entire electrode, to resist local stress and intense volume variation. In addition, a sufficiently electrochemically stable solid-electrolyte interphase layer is accomplished with the coating of SiOx film and amorphous carbon on the surface of Si-MP. Under these circumstances, the enhanced electrodes achieve a first cycle efficiency of approximately 80% and a reversible charge capacity of 800 mAhg-1 over 100 cycles at 0.5 Ag-1 with good retention. Through a green and simple procedure, a remarkable Si-MP embedded carbon-matrix with porous structure is established to achieve commercially high performance Si-MP/C composite anodes and also to resolve the issues of waste disposal.

A Summary of Lightpipe Radiation Thermometry Research at NIST

PubMed Central

Tsai, Benjamin K.

2006-01-01

During the last 10 years, research in light-pipe radiation thermometry has significantly reduced the uncertainties for temperature measurements in semiconductor processing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has improved the calibration of lightpipe radiation thermometers (LPRTs), the characterization procedures for LPRTs, the in situ calibration of LPRTs using thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) test wafers, and the application of model-based corrections to improve LPRT spectral radiance temperatures. Collaboration with industry on implementing techniques and ideas established at NIST has led to improvements in temperature measurements in semiconductor processing. LPRTs have been successfully calibrated at NIST for rapid thermal processing (RTP) applications using a sodium heat-pipe blackbody between 700 °C and 900 °C with an uncertainty of about 0.3 °C (k = 1) traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990. Employing appropriate effective emissivity models, LPRTs have been used to determine the wafer temperature in the NIST RTP Test Bed with an uncertainty of 3.5 °C. Using a TFTC wafer for calibration, the LPRT can measure the wafer temperature in the NIST RTP Test Bed with an uncertainty of 2.3 °C. Collaborations with industry in characterizing and calibrating LPRTs will be summarized, and future directions for LPRT research will be discussed. PMID:27274914

A Summary of Lightpipe Radiation Thermometry Research at NIST.

PubMed

Tsai, Benjamin K

2006-01-01

During the last 10 years, research in light-pipe radiation thermometry has significantly reduced the uncertainties for temperature measurements in semiconductor processing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has improved the calibration of lightpipe radiation thermometers (LPRTs), the characterization procedures for LPRTs, the in situ calibration of LPRTs using thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) test wafers, and the application of model-based corrections to improve LPRT spectral radiance temperatures. Collaboration with industry on implementing techniques and ideas established at NIST has led to improvements in temperature measurements in semiconductor processing. LPRTs have been successfully calibrated at NIST for rapid thermal processing (RTP) applications using a sodium heat-pipe blackbody between 700 °C and 900 °C with an uncertainty of about 0.3 °C (k = 1) traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990. Employing appropriate effective emissivity models, LPRTs have been used to determine the wafer temperature in the NIST RTP Test Bed with an uncertainty of 3.5 °C. Using a TFTC wafer for calibration, the LPRT can measure the wafer temperature in the NIST RTP Test Bed with an uncertainty of 2.3 °C. Collaborations with industry in characterizing and calibrating LPRTs will be summarized, and future directions for LPRT research will be discussed.

A new approach to measure the temperature in rapid thermal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Jiang

This dissertation has presented the research work about a new method to measure the temperatures for the silicon wafer. The new technology is mainly for the rapid thermal processing (RTP) system. RTP is a promising technology in semiconductor manufacturing especially for the devices with minimum feature size less than 0.5 μm. The technique to measure the temperatures of the silicon wafer accurately is the key factor to apply the RTP technology to more critical processes in the manufacturing. Two methods which are mostly used nowadays, thermocouples and pyrometer, all have the limitation to be applied in the RTP. This is the motivation to study the new method using acoustic waves for the temperature measurement. The test system was designed and built up for the study of the acoustic method. The whole system mainly includes the transducer unit, circuit hardware, control software, the computer, and the chamber. The acoustic wave was generated by the PZT-5H transducer. The wave travels through the quartz rod into the silicon wafer. After traveling a certain distances in the wafer, the acoustic waves could be received by other transducers. By measuring the travel time and with the travel distance, the velocity of the acoustic wave traveling in the silicon wafer can be calculated. Because there is a relationship between the velocity and the temperature: the velocities of the acoustic waves traveling in the silicon wafer decrease as the temperatures of the wafer increase, the temperature of the wafer can be finally obtained. The thermocouples were used to check the measurement accuracy of the acoustic method. The temperature mapping across the 8″ silicon wafer was obtained with four transducer sensor unit. The temperatures of the wafer were measured using acoustic method at both static and dynamic status. The main purpose of the tests is to know the measurement accuracy for the new method. The goal of the research work regarding to the accuracy is <=+/-3°C. The measurement was also done under the different wafer conditions in order to clarify that the acoustic method is independent of the wafer conditions.

Enhanced Impurity-Free Intermixing Bandgap Engineering for InP-Based Photonic Integrated Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Xiao; Zhang, Can; Liang, Song; Zhu, Hong-Liang; Hou, Lian-Ping

2014-04-01

Impurity-free intermixing of InGaAsP multiple quantum wells (MQW) using sputtering Cu/SiO2 layers followed by rapid thermal processing (RTP) is demonstrated. The bandgap energy could be modulated by varying the sputtering power and time of Cu, RTP temperature and time to satisfy the demands for lasers, modulators, photodetector, and passive waveguides for the photonic integrated circuits with a simple procedure. The blueshift of the bandgap wavelength of MQW is experimentally investigated on different sputtering and annealing conditions. It is obvious that the introduction of the Cu layer could increase the blueshift more greatly than the common impurity free vacancy disordering technique. A maximum bandgap blueshift of 172 nm is realized with an annealing condition of 750°C and 200s. The improved technique is promising for the fabrication of the active/passive optoelectronic components on a single wafer with simple process and low cost.

Fundamental approaches for analysis thermal hydraulic parameter for Puspati Research Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashim, Zaredah; Lanyau, Tonny Anak; Farid, Mohamad Fairus Abdul; Kassim, Mohammad Suhaimi; Azhar, Noraishah Syahirah

2016-01-01

The 1-MW PUSPATI Research Reactor (RTP) is the one and only nuclear pool type research reactor developed by General Atomic (GA) in Malaysia. It was installed at Malaysian Nuclear Agency and has reached the first criticality on 8 June 1982. Based on the initial core which comprised of 80 standard TRIGA fuel elements, the very fundamental thermal hydraulic model was investigated during steady state operation using the PARET-code. The main objective of this paper is to determine the variation of temperature profiles and Departure of Nucleate Boiling Ratio (DNBR) of RTP at full power operation. The second objective is to confirm that the values obtained from PARET-code are in agreement with Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for RTP. The code was employed for the hot and average channels in the core in order to calculate of fuel's center and surface, cladding, coolant temperatures as well as DNBR's values. In this study, it was found that the results obtained from the PARET-code showed that the thermal hydraulic parameters related to safety for initial core which was cooled by natural convection was in agreement with the designed values and safety limit in SAR.

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

Xiong, W; Zhou, Yunshen; Hou, Wenjia

Direct formation of graphene with controlled number of graphitic layers on dielectric surfaces is highly desired for practical applications. Despite significant progress achieved in understanding the formation of graphene on metallic surfaces through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of hydrocarbons, very limited research is available elucidating the graphene formation process via rapid thermal processing (RTP) of solid-state amorphous carbon, through which graphene is formed directly on dielectric surfaces accompanied by autonomous nickel evaporation. It is suggested that a metastable hexagonal nickel carbide (Ni 3C) intermediate phase plays a critical role in transforming amorphous carbon to 2D crystalline graphene and contributing tomore » the autonomous Ni evaporation. Temperature resolved carbon and nickel evolution in the RTP process is investigated using Auger electron spectroscopic (AES) depth profiling and glancing-angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD). Formation, migration and decomposition of the hexagonal Ni 3C are confirmed to be responsible for the formation of graphene and the evaporation of Ni at 1100 °C. The Ni 3C-assisted graphene formation mechanism expands the understanding of Ni-catalyzed graphene formation, and provides insightful guidance for controlled growth of graphene through the solid-state transformation process.« less

Method and apparatus for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates

DOEpatents

Griffiths, Stewart K.; Nilson, Robert H.; Mattson, Brad S.; Savas, Stephen E.

2002-01-01

An improved apparatus and method for thermal processing of semiconductor wafers. The apparatus and method provide the temperature stability and uniformity of a conventional batch furnace as well as the processing speed and reduced time-at-temperature of a lamp-heated rapid thermal processor (RTP). Individual wafers are rapidly inserted into and withdrawn from a furnace cavity held at a nearly constant and isothermal temperature. The speeds of insertion and withdrawal are sufficiently large to limit thermal stresses and thereby reduce or prevent plastic deformation of the wafer as it enters and leaves the furnace. By processing the semiconductor wafer in a substantially isothermal cavity, the wafer temperature and spatial uniformity of the wafer temperature can be ensured by measuring and controlling only temperatures of the cavity walls. Further, peak power requirements are very small compared to lamp-heated RTPs because the cavity temperature is not cycled and the thermal mass of the cavity is relatively large. Increased speeds of insertion and/or removal may also be used with non-isothermal furnaces.

Method and apparatus for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates

DOEpatents

Griffiths, Stewart K.; Nilson, Robert H.; Mattson, Brad S.; Savas, Stephen E.

2000-01-01

An improved apparatus and method for thermal processing of semiconductor wafers. The apparatus and method provide the temperature stability and uniformity of a conventional batch furnace as well as the processing speed and reduced time-at-temperature of a lamp-heated rapid thermal processor (RTP). Individual wafers are rapidly inserted into and withdrawn from a furnace cavity held at a nearly constant and isothermal temperature. The speeds of insertion and withdrawal are sufficiently large to limit thermal stresses and thereby reduce or prevent plastic deformation of the wafer as it enters and leaves the furnace. By processing the semiconductor wafer in a substantially isothermal cavity, the wafer temperature and spatial uniformity of the wafer temperature can be ensured by measuring and controlling only temperatures of the cavity walls. Further, peak power requirements are very small compared to lamp-heated RTPs because the cavity temperature is not cycled and the thermal mass of the cavity is relatively large. Increased speeds of insertion and/or removal may also be used with non-isothermal furnaces.

PROCEEDINGS: SEMINAR ON IN-STACK PARTICLE SIZING FOR PARTICULATE CONTROL DEVICE EVALUATION

EPA Science Inventory

The proceedings document discussions during an EPA/IERL-RTP-sponsored seminar on In-stack Particle Sizing for Particulate Control Device Evaluation. The seminar, organized by IERL-RTP's Process Measurements Branch, was held at IERL-RTP in North Carolina on December 3 and 4, 1975....

Challenges surrounding return-to-play (RTP) for the sports clinician: a case highlighting the need for a thorough three-step RTP model.

PubMed

Menta, Roger; D'Angelo, Kevin

2016-12-01

Return-to-play (RTP) is a multifactorial process of retuning an injured athlete back to competition when risk for re-injury is minimized. Traditionally, these decisions are made by medical practitioners based on experience or anecdotal evidence. RTP decisions continue to be a challenging task for the medical practitioner. In the interest of advancing sports medicine for the betterment of athletes, improving the RTP decision-making process with a new paradigm has been suggested.1 It stands to clarify the intricacies used by clinicians when making RTP decisions by providing insight into the multiple factors that must be considered; not only by the athlete and medical practitioner, but all relevant parties (i.e., coaches, trainers, and organizations). This case describes a 19-year-old Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) player who fractured his left clavicle during game play and consequently, suffered a more severe injury to the same clavicle 5½ weeks later by returning to competition against medical advice. This case highlights the potential issues that present when a RTP protocol is poorly executed and addresses the need to adopt a thorough decision-based RTP model proposed by Creighton et al.1 Further, the discussion will draw on current literature and issues surrounding RTP, and the potential legal implications associated with premature return to competition. Given the lack of consensus among sport medicine experts in regards to RTP criteria, the presented model stands to provide a pivotal framework upon which future research can be conducted, while improving the current criteria in place when returning an athlete to competition to aid medical practitioners.

[Non-thermal effect of GSM electromagnetic radiation on quality of pea seeds].

PubMed

Veselova, T V; Veselovskiĭ, V A; Deev, L I; Baĭzhumanov, A A

2012-01-01

The seeds with low level of room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) were selected from a lot of air-dry peas (Pisum sativum) with 62% germination. These strong seeds (95-97% germination percentage) in air-dry, imbibed or emerged states were exposed to 905 MHz GSM-band electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The following effects of EMR were observed. Fraction II with higher RTP level appeared in the air-dry seeds. The germination rate decreased 2-3 fold in the air-dry, swollen and sprouting seeds due to an increase in the ratio of the seedlings with morphological defects (from 3 to 38%) and suffocated seeds (from 1 to 15%). We suggest tentative mechanisms to account for the decreased fitness of peas under GSM-band EMR (905 MHz); also discussed is the role of non-enzymatic hydrolysis of carbohydrates and amino-carbonyl reaction in this process.

Radio-physical properties of radiotransparent thermal protection materials in ablation mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrovskiy, V. P.; Pakhomov, E. P.; Politiko, A. A.; Semenenko, V. N.; Chistyaev, V. A.; Balakirev, B. A.; Pervov, A. Yu; Kamalov, A. D.; Sotskova, L. P.

2018-01-01

Experimental method for assessing the impact of the effects of high-temperature ablation processes on the radio physical characteristics of radiotransparent thermal protection materials (RTPM) is developed. Researches for the following RTPM with various structures of glass fillers are completed: press material (radiotransparent thermal protection press material or RTP-200); glass-fiber laminate (glass-fiber radiotransparent organic ceramic matrix or GFR-CM); reinforced composite material of class SiO2-SiO2 (high-temperature radiotransparent ceramic organic matrix or HTRC-OM). The influence of physicochemical transformations in the surface layer of RTPM on transmission and reflection coefficients of electromagnetic waves of RTPM samples and on the value of their complex permittivity is determined.

Validation of Contamination Control in Rapid Transfer Port Chambers for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes

PubMed Central

Hu, Shih-Cheng; Shiue, Angus; Liu, Han-Yang; Chiu, Rong-Ben

2016-01-01

There is worldwide concern with regard to the adverse effects of drug usage. However, contaminants can gain entry into a drug manufacturing process stream from several sources such as personnel, poor facility design, incoming ventilation air, machinery and other equipment for production, etc. In this validation study, we aimed to determine the impact and evaluate the contamination control in the preparation areas of the rapid transfer port (RTP) chamber during the pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The RTP chamber is normally tested for airflow velocity, particle counts, pressure decay of leakage, and sterility. The air flow balance of the RTP chamber is affected by the airflow quantity and the height above the platform. It is relatively easy to evaluate the RTP chamber′s leakage by the pressure decay, where the system is charged with the air, closed, and the decay of pressure is measured by the time period. We conducted the determination of a vaporized H2O2 of a sufficient concentration to complete decontamination. The performance of the RTP chamber will improve safety and can be completely tested at an ISO Class 5 environment. PMID:27845748

Validation of Contamination Control in Rapid Transfer Port Chambers for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Processes.

PubMed

Hu, Shih-Cheng; Shiue, Angus; Liu, Han-Yang; Chiu, Rong-Ben

2016-11-12

There is worldwide concern with regard to the adverse effects of drug usage. However, contaminants can gain entry into a drug manufacturing process stream from several sources such as personnel, poor facility design, incoming ventilation air, machinery and other equipment for production, etc. In this validation study, we aimed to determine the impact and evaluate the contamination control in the preparation areas of the rapid transfer port (RTP) chamber during the pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The RTP chamber is normally tested for airflow velocity, particle counts, pressure decay of leakage, and sterility. The air flow balance of the RTP chamber is affected by the airflow quantity and the height above the platform. It is relatively easy to evaluate the RTP chamber's leakage by the pressure decay, where the system is charged with the air, closed, and the decay of pressure is measured by the time period. We conducted the determination of a vaporized H₂O₂ of a sufficient concentration to complete decontamination. The performance of the RTP chamber will improve safety and can be completely tested at an ISO Class 5 environment.

Miscibility of amorphous ZrO2-Al2O3 binary alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, C.; Richard, O.; Bender, H.; Caymax, M.; De Gendt, S.; Heyns, M.; Young, E.; Roebben, G.; Van Der Biest, O.; Haukka, S.

2002-04-01

Miscibility is a key factor for maintaining the homogeneity of the amorphous structure in a ZrO2-Al2O3 binary alloy high-k dielectric layer. In the present work, a ZrO2/Al2O3 laminate thin layer has been prepared by atomic layer chemical vapor deposition on a Si (100) wafer. This layer, with artificially induced inhomogeneity (lamination), enables one to study the change in homogeneity of the amorphous phase in the ZrO2/Al2O3 system during annealing. High temperature grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) was used to investigate the change in intensity of the constructive interference peak of the x-ray beams which are reflected from the interfaces of ZrO2/Al2O3 laminae. The HT-XRD spectra show that the intensity of the peak decreases with an increase in the anneal temperature, and at 800 °C, the peak disappears. The same samples were annealed by a rapid thermal process (RTP) at temperatures between 700 and 1000 °C for 60 s. Room temperature XRD of the RTP annealed samples shows a similar decrease in peak intensity. Transmission electronic microscope images confirm that the laminate structure is destroyed by RTP anneals and, just below the crystallization onset temperature, a homogeneous amorphous ZrAlxOy phase forms. The results demonstrate that the two artificially separated phases, ZrO2 and Al2O3 laminae, tend to mix into a homogeneous amorphous phase before crystallization. This observation indicates that the thermal stability of ZrO2-Al2O3 amorphous phase is suitable for high-k applications.

An approach to model reactor core nodalization for deterministic safety analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salim, Mohd Faiz; Samsudin, Mohd Rafie; Mamat @ Ibrahim, Mohd Rizal; Roslan, Ridha; Sadri, Abd Aziz; Farid, Mohd Fairus Abd

2016-01-01

Adopting good nodalization strategy is essential to produce an accurate and high quality input model for Deterministic Safety Analysis (DSA) using System Thermal-Hydraulic (SYS-TH) computer code. The purpose of such analysis is to demonstrate the compliance against regulatory requirements and to verify the behavior of the reactor during normal and accident conditions as it was originally designed. Numerous studies in the past have been devoted to the development of the nodalization strategy for small research reactor (e.g. 250kW) up to the bigger research reactor (e.g. 30MW). As such, this paper aims to discuss the state-of-arts thermal hydraulics channel to be employed in the nodalization for RTP-TRIGA Research Reactor specifically for the reactor core. At present, the required thermal-hydraulic parameters for reactor core, such as core geometrical data (length, coolant flow area, hydraulic diameters, and axial power profile) and material properties (including the UZrH1.6, stainless steel clad, graphite reflector) have been collected, analyzed and consolidated in the Reference Database of RTP using standardized methodology, mainly derived from the available technical documentations. Based on the available information in the database, assumptions made on the nodalization approach and calculations performed will be discussed and presented. The development and identification of the thermal hydraulics channel for the reactor core will be implemented during the SYS-TH calculation using RELAP5-3D® computer code. This activity presented in this paper is part of the development of overall nodalization description for RTP-TRIGA Research Reactor under the IAEA Norwegian Extra-Budgetary Programme (NOKEBP) mentoring project on Expertise Development through the Analysis of Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics for Malaysia, denoted as EARTH-M.

An approach to model reactor core nodalization for deterministic safety analysis

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

Salim, Mohd Faiz, E-mail: mohdfaizs@tnb.com.my; Samsudin, Mohd Rafie, E-mail: rafies@tnb.com.my; Mamat Ibrahim, Mohd Rizal, E-mail: m-rizal@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my

Adopting good nodalization strategy is essential to produce an accurate and high quality input model for Deterministic Safety Analysis (DSA) using System Thermal-Hydraulic (SYS-TH) computer code. The purpose of such analysis is to demonstrate the compliance against regulatory requirements and to verify the behavior of the reactor during normal and accident conditions as it was originally designed. Numerous studies in the past have been devoted to the development of the nodalization strategy for small research reactor (e.g. 250kW) up to the bigger research reactor (e.g. 30MW). As such, this paper aims to discuss the state-of-arts thermal hydraulics channel to bemore » employed in the nodalization for RTP-TRIGA Research Reactor specifically for the reactor core. At present, the required thermal-hydraulic parameters for reactor core, such as core geometrical data (length, coolant flow area, hydraulic diameters, and axial power profile) and material properties (including the UZrH{sub 1.6}, stainless steel clad, graphite reflector) have been collected, analyzed and consolidated in the Reference Database of RTP using standardized methodology, mainly derived from the available technical documentations. Based on the available information in the database, assumptions made on the nodalization approach and calculations performed will be discussed and presented. The development and identification of the thermal hydraulics channel for the reactor core will be implemented during the SYS-TH calculation using RELAP5-3D{sup ®} computer code. This activity presented in this paper is part of the development of overall nodalization description for RTP-TRIGA Research Reactor under the IAEA Norwegian Extra-Budgetary Programme (NOKEBP) mentoring project on Expertise Development through the Analysis of Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics for Malaysia, denoted as EARTH-M.« less

Solid-state graphene formation via a nickel carbide intermediate phase [Nickel carbide (Ni 3C) as an intermediate phase for graphene formation

DOE PAGES

Xiong, W; Zhou, Yunshen; Hou, Wenjia; ...

2015-11-10

Direct formation of graphene with controlled number of graphitic layers on dielectric surfaces is highly desired for practical applications. Despite significant progress achieved in understanding the formation of graphene on metallic surfaces through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of hydrocarbons, very limited research is available elucidating the graphene formation process via rapid thermal processing (RTP) of solid-state amorphous carbon, through which graphene is formed directly on dielectric surfaces accompanied by autonomous nickel evaporation. It is suggested that a metastable hexagonal nickel carbide (Ni 3C) intermediate phase plays a critical role in transforming amorphous carbon to 2D crystalline graphene and contributing tomore » the autonomous Ni evaporation. Temperature resolved carbon and nickel evolution in the RTP process is investigated using Auger electron spectroscopic (AES) depth profiling and glancing-angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD). Formation, migration and decomposition of the hexagonal Ni 3C are confirmed to be responsible for the formation of graphene and the evaporation of Ni at 1100 °C. The Ni 3C-assisted graphene formation mechanism expands the understanding of Ni-catalyzed graphene formation, and provides insightful guidance for controlled growth of graphene through the solid-state transformation process.« less

A Study on the Formation of 2-Dimensional Tungsten Disulfide Thin Films on Sapphire Substrate by Sputtering and High Temperature Rapid Thermal Processing.

PubMed

Nam, Hanyeob; Kim, Hong-Seok; Han, Jae-Hee; Kwon, Sang Jik; Cho, Eou Sik

2018-09-01

As direct formation of p-type two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) films on substrates, tungsten disulfide (WS2) thin films were deposited onto sapphire glass substrate through shadow mask patterns by radio-frequency (RF) sputtering at different sputtering powers ranging from 60 W to 150 W and annealed by rapid thermal processing (RTP) at various high temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 800 °C. Based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Raman spectra, better surface roughness and mode dominant E12g and A1g peaks were found for WS2 thin films prepared at higher RF sputtering powers. It was also possible to obtain high mobilities and carrier densities for all WS2 thin films based on results of Hall measurements. Process conditions for these WS2 thin films on sapphire substrate were optimized to low RF sputtering power and high temperature annealing.

Role of Firing Temperature, Sheet Resistance, and Contact Area in Contact Formation on Screen-Printed Metal Contact of Silicon Solar Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Samir Mahmmod; Leong, Cheow Siu; Sopian, K.; Zaidi, Saleem H.

2018-03-01

Formation of an Ohmic contact requires a suitable firing temperature, appropriate doping profile, and contact dimensions within resolution limits of the screen-printing process. In this study, the role of the peak firing temperature in standard rapid thermal annealing (RTA) six-zone conveyor belt furnace (CBF) and two inexpensive alternate RTA systems [a custom-designed, three-zone, 5″-diameter quartz tube furnace (QTF) and a tabletop, 3″-diameter rapid thermal processing (RTP)] has been investigated. In addition, the role of sheet resistance and contact area in achieving low-resistance ohmic contacts has been examined. Electrical measurements of ohmic contacts between silver paste/ n +-emitter layer with varying sheet resistances and aluminum paste/ p-doped wafer were carried out in transmission line method configuration. Experimental measurements of the contact resistivity ( ρ c) exhibited the lowest values for CBF at 0.14 mΩ cm2 for Ag and 100 mΩ cm2 for Al at a peak firing temperature of 870°C. For the QTF configuration, lowest measured contact resistivities were 3.1 mΩ cm2 for Ag and 74.1 mΩ cm2 for Al at a peak firing temperature of 925°C. Finally, for the RTP configuration, lowest measured contact resistivities were 1.2 mΩ cm2 for Ag and 68.5 mΩ cm2 for Al at a peak firing temperature of 780°C. The measured contact resistivity exhibits strong linear dependence on sheet resistance. The contact resistivity for Ag decreases with contact area, while for Al the opposite behavior is observed.

Cardiopulmonary effects of reverse Trendelenburg position at 5° and 10° in sevoflurane-anesthetized steers.

PubMed

Araújo, Marcelo A; Deschk, Maurício; Wagatsuma, Juliana T; Floriano, Beatriz P; Siqueira, Carlos E; Oliva, Valéria Nls; Santos, Paulo Sp

2017-07-01

To assess the cardiopulmonary effects caused by reverse Trendelenburg position (RTP) at 5° and 10° in sevoflurane-anesthetized yearling steers. Prospective, experimental study. Eight Holstein steers aged (mean ± standard deviation) 12 ± 2 months and weighing 145 ± 26 kg. In the first phase of the study, the individual minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane was determined using electrical stimulation. In the second phase, the effects of RTP were assessed. The animals were anesthetized on three separate events separated by ≥7 days in an incomplete crossover design: control treatment using a table without tilt (RTP0); treatment with the table at 5° RTP (RTP5) and table tilted 10° RTP (RTP10). Subjects were physically restrained in dorsal recumbency on the table, which was already tilted according to each treatment. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane at 8% in 5 L minute -1 oxygen via face mask followed by maintenance with sevoflurane at 1.3 MAC and spontaneous breathing. Cardiopulmonary variables were obtained immediately after instrumentation (T 0 ) and then after 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes (T 30 , T 60 , T 120 and T 180 , respectively). The mean sevoflurane MAC for the eight steers was 2.12 ± 0.31%. Cardiac output was lower at all time points and the systemic vascular resistance index was higher at T 120 and T 180 in RTP10 compared with RTP0. Oxygen consumption was lower at T 0 and at T 180 in RTP10 compared with RTP0 and at all time points except T 30 compared with RTP5. Oxygen extraction was lower at T 0 in RTP10 compared with RTP0 and RTP5, and at T 60 and T 180 compared with RTP5. RTP 5° and 10° did not improve ventilatory and oxygenation variables in sevoflurane-anesthetized steers when compared with no tilt, however the cardiovascular variables were adversely affected in RTP10. Copyright © 2017 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Return to Play After Hamstring Injuries: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Definitions and Criteria.

PubMed

van der Horst, Nick; van de Hoef, Sander; Reurink, Gustaaf; Huisstede, Bionka; Backx, Frank

2016-06-01

More than half of the recurrent hamstring injuries occur within the first month after return-to-play (RTP). Although there are numerous studies on RTP, comparisons are hampered by the numerous definitions of RTP used. Moreover, there is no consensus on the criteria used to determine when a person can start playing again. These criteria need to be critically evaluated, in an attempt to reduce recurrence rates and optimize RTP. To carry out a systematic review of the literature on (1) definitions of RTP used in hamstring research and (2) criteria for RTP after hamstring injuries. Systematic review. Seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane, SPORTDiscus, Scopus) were searched for articles that provided a definition of, or criteria for, RTP after hamstring injury. There were no limitations on the methodological design or quality of articles. Content analysis was used to record and analyze definitions and criteria for RTP after hamstring injury. Twenty-five papers fulfilled inclusion criteria, of which 13 provided a definition of RTP and 23 described criteria to support the RTP decision. "Reaching the athlete's pre-injury level" and "being able to perform full sport activities" were the primary content categories used to define RTP. "Absence of pain", "similar strength", "similar flexibility", "medical staff clearance", and "functional performance" were core themes to describe criteria to support the RTP decision after hamstring injury. Only half of the included studies provided some definition of RTP after hamstring injury, of which reaching the athlete's pre-injury level and being able to perform full sport activities were the most important. A wide variety of criteria are used to support the RTP decision, none of which have been validated. More research is needed to reach a consensus on the definition of RTP and to provide validated RTP criteria to facilitate hamstring injury management and reduce hamstring injury recurrence. PROSPERO systematic review registration number: CRD42015016510.

Return to play and performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the National Basketball Association: surgeon case series and literature review.

PubMed

Nwachukwu, Benedict U; Anthony, Shawn G; Lin, Kenneth M; Wang, Tim; Altchek, David W; Allen, Answorth A

2017-09-01

To investigate return to play (RTP) and functional performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in National Basketball Association (NBA) players and to perform a systematic review of the literature to understand RTP after ACLR in professional basketball. NBA players undergoing ACLR between 2008 and 2014 by two surgeons were identified. RTP and performance were assessed based on a review of publically available statistics. A systematic review of the literature was performed using the MEDLINE database. Inclusion criteria were: English language, ACL surgery outcome, professional basketball and RTP outcome. We reviewed studies for RTP rates and RTP performance. Our study included 12 professional basketball players with NBA level experience. Eleven of the 12 players returned to their prior level of play. Eight of the 9 (88.9%) players actively playing in the NBA returned to play in the NBA at a mean 9.8 months. Among players returning to NBA play, during RTP season 1, mean per game statistics decreased for the following: minutes, points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers and personal fouls - none of these changes reached statistical significance. Player efficiency ratings significantly declined from pre-injury (12.5) to the first RTP season (7.6) (p = 0.05). By RTP season 2, player performance metrics approximated pre-injury levels and were not significantly different. Six studies met inclusion criteria; reported RTP rates ranged from 78-86%. Identified studies similarly found a decline in functional performance after RTP. There is a high rate (89%) of return to NBA play for NBA players undergoing ACLR. After RTP, however, there is a quantitative decline in initial season 1 RTP statistics with a significant decrease in player efficiency rating. By RTP season 2, performance metrics demonstrated an improvement compared to RTP season 1 but did not reach pre-injury functional performance, though performance metrics are not significantly different between pre-injury and RTP season 2.

Software Design for Interactive Graphic Radiation Treatment Simulation Systems*

PubMed Central

Kalet, Ira J.; Sweeney, Christine; Jacky, Jonathan

1990-01-01

We examine issues in the design of interactive computer graphic simulation programs for radiation treatment planning (RTP), as well as expert system programs that automate parts of the RTP process, in light of ten years of experience at designing, building and using such programs. An experiment in object-oriented design using standard Pascal shows that while some advantage is gained from the design, it is still difficult to achieve modularity and to integrate expert system components. A new design based on the Common LISP Object System (CLOS) is described. This series of designs for RTP software shows that this application benefits in specific ways from object-oriented design methods and appropriate languages and tools.

Team clinician variability in return-to-play decisions.

PubMed

Shultz, Rebecca; Bido, Jennifer; Shrier, Ian; Meeuwisse, Willem H; Garza, Daniel; Matheson, Gordon O

2013-11-01

To describe the variability in the return-to-play (RTP) decisions of experienced team clinicians and to assess their clinical opinion as to the relevance of 19 factors described in a RTP decision-making model. Survey questionnaire. Advanced Team Physician Course. Sixty-seven of 101 sports medicine clinicians completed the questionnaire. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For categorical variables, we report percentage and frequency. For continuous variables, we report mean (SD) if data were approximately normally distributed and frequencies for clinically relevant categories for skewed data. The average number of years of clinical sports medicine experience was 13.6 (9.8). Of the 62 clinicians who responded fully, 35% (n = 22) would "clear" (vs "not clear") an athlete to participate in sport even if the risk of an acute reinjury or long-term sequelae is increased. When respondents were given 6 different RTP options rather than binary choices, there were increased discrepancies across some injury risk scenarios. For example, 8.1% to 16.1% of respondents who chose to clear an athlete when presented with binary choices, later chose to "not clear" an athlete when given 6 graded RTP options. The respondents often considered factors of potential importance to athletes as nonimportant to the RTP decision process if risk of reinjury was unaffected (range, n = 4 [10%] to n = 19 [45%]). There is a high degree of variability in how different clinicians weight the different factors related to RTP decision making. More precise definitions decrease but do not eliminate this variability.

Parkin loss of function contributes to RTP801 elevation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease

PubMed Central

Romaní-Aumedes, J; Canal, M; Martín-Flores, N; Sun, X; Pérez-Fernández, V; Wewering, S; Fernández-Santiago, R; Ezquerra, M; Pont-Sunyer, C; Lafuente, A; Alberch, J; Luebbert, H; Tolosa, E; Levy, O A; Greene, L A; Malagelada, C

2014-01-01

Mutations in the PARK2 gene are associated with an autosomal recessive form of juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP). These mutations affect parkin solubility and impair its E3 ligase activity, leading to a toxic accumulation of proteins within susceptible neurons that results in a slow but progressive neuronal degeneration and cell death. Here, we report that RTP801/REDD1, a pro-apoptotic negative regulator of survival kinases mTOR and Akt, is one of such parkin substrates. We observed that parkin knockdown elevated RTP801 in sympathetic neurons and neuronal PC12 cells, whereas ectopic parkin enhanced RTP801 poly-ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. In parkin knockout mouse brains and in human fibroblasts from AR-JP patients with parkin mutations, RTP801 levels were elevated. Moreover, in human postmortem PD brains with mutated parkin, nigral neurons were highly positive for RTP801. Further consistent with the idea that RTP801 is a substrate for parkin, the two endogenous proteins interacted in reciprocal co-immunoprecipitates of cell lysates. A potential physiological role for parkin-mediated RTP801 degradation is indicated by observations that parkin protects neuronal cells from death caused by RTP801 overexpression by mediating its degradation, whereas parkin knockdown exacerbates such death. Similarly, parkin knockdown enhanced RTP801 induction in neuronal cells exposed to the Parkinson's disease mimetic 6-hydroxydopamine and increased sensitivity to this toxin. This response to parkin loss of function appeared to be mediated by RTP801 as it was abolished by RTP801 knockdown. Taken together these results indicate that RTP801 is a novel parkin substrate that may contribute to neurodegeneration caused by loss of parkin expression or activity. PMID:25101677

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the Bacillus subtilis replication termination protein in complex with the 37-base-pair TerI-binding site

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

Vivian, J. P.; Porter, C.; Wilce, J. A.

2006-11-01

A preparation of replication terminator protein (RTP) of B. subtilis and a 37-base-pair TerI sequence (comprising two binding sites for RTP) has been purified and crystallized. The replication terminator protein (RTP) of Bacillus subtilis binds to specific DNA sequences that halt the progression of the replisome in a polar manner. These terminator complexes flank a defined region of the chromosome into which they allow replication forks to enter but not exit. Forcing the fusion of replication forks in a specific zone is thought to allow the coordination of post-replicative processes. The functional terminator complex comprises two homodimers each of 29more » kDa bound to overlapping binding sites. A preparation of RTP and a 37-base-pair TerI sequence (comprising two binding sites for RTP) has been purified and crystallized. A data set to 3.9 Å resolution with 97.0% completeness and an R{sub sym} of 12% was collected from a single flash-cooled crystal using synchrotron radiation. The diffraction data are consistent with space group P622, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 118.8, c = 142.6 Å.« less

Development and characterization of five rainbow trout pituitary single-cell clone lines capable of producing pituitary hormones

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Five single-cell clone lines (mRTP1B, mRTP1E, mRTP1F, mRTP1K, and mRTP2A) have been developed from adult rainbow trout pituitary glands. These cell lines have been maintained in a CO2-independent medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for more than 150 passages. At about 150 passages,...

Return to play after hamstring injuries in football (soccer): a worldwide Delphi procedure regarding definition, medical criteria and decision-making.

PubMed

van der Horst, Nick; Backx, Fjg; Goedhart, Edwin A; Huisstede, Bionka Ma

2017-11-01

There are three major questions about return to play (RTP) after hamstring injuries: How should RTP be defined? Which medical criteria should support the RTP decision? And who should make the RTP decision? The study aimed to provide a clear RTP definition and medical criteria for RTP and to clarify RTP consultation and responsibilities after hamstring injury. The study used the Delphi procedure. The results of a systematic review were used as a starting point for the Delphi procedure. Fifty-eight experts in the field of hamstring injury management selected by 28 FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence worldwide participated. Each Delphi round consisted of a questionnaire, an analysis and an anonymised feedback report. After four Delphi rounds, with more than 83% response for each round, consensus was achieved that RTP should be defined as 'the moment a player has received criteria-based medical clearance and is mentally ready for full availability for match selection and/or full training'. The experts reached consensus on the following criteria to support the RTP decision: medical staff clearance, absence of pain on palpation, absence of pain during strength and flexibility testing, absence of pain during/after functional testing, similar hamstring flexibility, performance on field testing, and psychological readiness. It was also agreed that RTP decisions should be based on shared decision-making, primarily via consultation with the athlete, sports physician, physiotherapist, fitness trainer and team coach. The consensus regarding aspects of RTP should provide clarity and facilitate the assessment of when RTP is appropriate after hamstring injury, so as to avoid or reduce the risk of injury recurrence because of a premature RTP. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Use of bark-derived pyrolysis oils ass a phenol substitute in structural panel adhesives

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

Louisiana Pacific Corp

2004-03-01

The main objective of this program was to pilot the world's first commercial-scale production of an acceptable phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin containing natural resin (NR) ingredients, for use as an adhesive in Oriented-Strand Board (OSB) and plywood panel products. Natural Resin products, specifically MNRP are not lignin ''fillers''. They are chemically active, natural phenolics that effectively displace significant amounts of phenol in PF resins, and which are extracted from bark-derived and wood-derived bio-oils. Other objectives included the enhancement of the economics of NR (MNRP) production by optimizing the production of certain Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP{trademark}) byproducts, particularly char and activatedmore » carbon. The options were to activate the char for use in waste-water and/or stack gas purification. The preliminary results indicate that RTP{trademark} carbon may ultimately serve as a feedstock for activated carbon synthesis, as a fuel to be used within the wood product mill, or a fuel for an electrical power generating facility. Incorporation of the char as an industrial heat source for use in mill operations was L-P's initial intention for the carbon, and was also of interest to Weyerhaeuser as they stepped into in the project.« less

Intensive care unit robotic telepresence facilitates rapid physician response to unstable patients and decreased cost in neurointensive care.

PubMed

Vespa, Paul M; Miller, Chad; Hu, Xiao; Nenov, Val; Buxey, Farzad; Martin, Neil A

2007-04-01

The timely assessment and treatment of ICU patients is important for neurosurgeons and neurointensivists. We hypothesized that the use of RTP can improve physician rapid response to unstable ICU patients. This is a prospective study using a before-after, cohort-control design to test the effectiveness of RTP. Physicians used RTP to make rounds in the ICU in response to nursing pages. Data concerning several aspects of the RTP interaction including the latency of the response, the problem being treated, the intervention that was ordered, and the type of information gathered using the RTP were documented. The effect of RTP on ICU length of stay and cost was assessed. The use of RTP was associated with a reduction in latency of attending physician face-to-face response for routine and urgent pages compared to conventional care (RTP: 9.2 +/- 9.3 minutes vs conventional: 218 +/- 186 minutes). The response latencies to brain ischemia (7.8 +/- 2.8 vs 152 +/- 85 minutes) and elevated ICP (11 +/- 14 vs 108 +/- 55 minutes) were reduced (P < .001), as was the LOS for patients with SAH (2 days) and brain trauma (1 day). There was an increase in ICU occupancy by 11% compared with the prerobot era, and there was an ICU cost savings of $1.1 million attributable to the use of RTP. The use of RTP enabled rapid face-to-face attending physician response to ICU patients and resulted in decreased ICU cost and LOS.

Influential factors in the response to salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Algarra, R; Tienza, A; Hevia, M; Zudaire, J; Rosell, D; Robles, J E; Pascual, I

2014-12-01

To analyze the influential factors in the response in prostatectomized patients with subsequent biochemical relapse (BCR) and treated with salvage radiotherapy (RTP). We analyzed 313 patients with pT2/pT3 prostate cancer who were receiving salvage therapy due to biochemical relapse (from a series of 1,310 radical prostatectomies between 1989-2012). Of the 313 patients; 159 (50.8%) only received androgen deprivation (AD), 63 (20.1%) Radiotherapy (RTP) plus concomitant AD and 91 (29.1%) only RTP. Of these, 57 (62.6%) have maintained complete response and 34 (37.4%) had failure response with post-RTP BCR. Study of the group treated exclusively with salvage RTP. Ninety-one patients were treated with salvage RTP. Median follow-up was 6.4 years and median to recurrence 11 months. Post-RTP biochemical relapse-free survival (PRBRFS) was 68 ± 7% and 30 ± 10% in 5 to 10 years. Median PRBRFS was 7.3 years (6.3-8.3). Initial PSA (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.1 P=.02) with best PSA cut-off point PSA>20 ng/ml (HR: 13.6; 95% CI: 2.1-86 P=.005) and PSA pre-RTP (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.3; P=.009), best PSA cut-off point PSA preRTP 0.92 ng/ml (HR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.3-15.6; P=.01) showed independent influence in the response in the multivariate study. PRBRFS at 5 years, 81 ± 9% versus 58 ± 9% with initial PSA <20 or >20 ng/ml (P=.03). PRBRFS at 5 years, 93 ± 5% versus 53 ± 10% according to PSA pre-RTP <0.9 or >0.9 ng/ml (P=.02). In patients treated with salvage RTP after radical prostatectomy, the preoperative PSA>20 ng/ml and PSA preRTP>0.92 ng/ml shows an independent influence on the response. Copyright © 2013 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Days to Return to Participation After a Hamstrings Strain Among American Collegiate Soccer Players

PubMed Central

Cross, Kevin M.; Saliba, Susan A.; Conaway, Mark; Gurka, Kelly K.; Hertel, Jay

2015-01-01

Context Among US collegiate soccer players, the incidence rate and the event characteristics of hamstrings strains differ between sexes, but comparisons in the return-to-participation (RTP) time have not been reported. Objective To compare the RTP time between male and female collegiate soccer players and analyze the influence of event characteristics on the RTP time for each sex. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Data were collected from collegiate teams that voluntarily participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System. Patients or Other Participants Collegiate soccer athletes who sustained 507 hamstrings strains (306 men, 201 women) during the 2004 through 2009 fall seasons. Main Outcome Measure(s) Nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate RTP time differences between sexes and among categories of each event characteristic (ie, time of season, practice or competition, player position). Negative binomial regression was used to model the RTP time for each sex. All analyses were performed separately for first-time and recurrent strains. Results We found no differences in the RTP time between sexes for first-time (median: men = 7.0 days, women = 6.0 days; P = .07) or recurrent (median: men = 11 days, women = 5.5 days; P = .06) hamstrings strains. For male players with first-time strains, RTP time was increased when the strain occurred during competition or the in-season/postseason and varied depending on the division of play. Among female players with first-time strains, we found no differences in RTP time within characteristics. For male players with recurrent hamstrings strains, the RTP time was longer when the injury occurred during the in-season/postseason. Among female players with recurrent strains, RTP time was longer for forwards than for midfielders or defenders. Conclusions Although we found no differences in the RTP time after hamstrings strains in male and female collegiate soccer players, each sex had unique event characteristics that influenced RTP time. PMID:25978100

Return to Play After Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in National Football League Players

PubMed Central

Okoroha, Kelechi R.; Kadri, Omar; Keller, Robert A.; Marshall, Nathan; Cizmic, Zlatan; Moutzouros, Vasilios

2017-01-01

Background: National Football League (NFL) players who undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been shown to have a lower return to play (RTP) than previously expected. However, RTP in the NFL after revision ACL reconstruction (RACLR) is not well defined. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to determine the RTP of NFL players after RACLR and evaluate factors that predict RTP. Our hypothesis was that more experienced and established players would be more likely to RTP after RACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 24 NFL players who underwent RACLR between 2007 and 2014 were reviewed and evaluated. Return to NFL play, time to return, seasons and games played prior to and after revision surgery, draft status, and demographic data were collected. Overall RTP was determined, and players who did RTP were compared with those unable to RTP. Data were also compared with control players matched for age, position, size, and experience. Results: After RACLR, 79% (19/24) of NFL players returned to NFL regular-season play at an average of 12.6 months. All players who were drafted in the first 4 rounds, played in at least 55 games, or played 4 seasons of NFL play prior to injury were able to RTP. Players drafted in the first 4 rounds of the NFL draft were more likely to RTP than those who were not (odds ratio, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.01-1.00; P = .05). Those who returned to NFL play played in significantly less games and seasons after their injury than before (P = .01 and P = .01, respectively). However, these values did not differ when compared with matched controls (P = .67 and P = .33). Conclusion: NFL players who RTP after RACLR do so at a similar rate but prolonged time period compared with after primary ACL reconstruction. Athletes who were drafted in earlier rounds were more likely to RTP than those who were not. Additionally, player experience prior to injury is an important factor when predicting RTP after RACLR. PMID:28451611

AQS-20 through-the-sensor environmental data sharing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steed, Chad A.; Sample, John; Harris, Mike; Avera, Will; Bibee, L. Dale

2005-05-01

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed an advanced architecture for connecting many maturing Through-The-Sensor (TTS) efforts for an end-to-end demonstration using the AQS-20 mine hunting sensor. The goal of TTS technologies is to exploit tactical sensors to characterize the battlespace environment for Navy Fleet Tactical Decision Aids (TDAs) with minimal impact on tactical systems. The AQS-20 Rapid Transition Process (RTP) will utilize the AQS-20 to demonstrate sensor data collection, processing, fusion, storage, distribution and use in a tactical decision aid. In recent years, NRL has shown that the AQS-20 can be used to obtain swath bathymetry and bottom sediment information in a single flight. In the AQS-20 RTP, these data will be processed and fused with historical databases to provide an improved environmental picture. The RTP will also utilize the Geophysical Data Base Variable resolution (GDBV) dynamic format for storing local datasets. The GDBV dynamic has been developed in prior years to provide an extensible, efficient data storage format for TTS systems. To provide the interconnectivity that is critical to Network Centric Warfare (NCW), the GDBV will be connected to the SPAWAR funded Tactical Environmental Data Services (TEDServices). To complete the flow of information from sensor to user, the RTP will transmit information to the MEDAL TDA through existing connections in The Naval Oceanographic Office"s (NAVOCEANO) Bottom Mapping Workstation (BMW). In addition, TEDServices will handle transmission of the AQS-20 data to NAVOCEANO who serves as the domain authority for oceanographic datasets in the U.S. Navy.

THE QUALITY OF FATHER-CHILD ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE PLAY AND TODDLERS' AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN CHINA.

PubMed

Anderson, Sheila; Qiu, Wei; Wheeler, Shanalyn J

2017-11-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the quality of early father-child rough-and-tumble play (RTP) on toddler aggressive behaviors and more fully understand how child, mother, and father characteristics were associated with higher quality father-child RTP among contemporary urban Chinese families. Participants included 42 families in Changsha, China. Play observations of fathers and their children were coded for RTP quality. The specific RTP quality of father-child reciprocity of dominance was associated with fewer toddler aggressive behaviors, as rated by both fathers and mothers. Mothers' democratic parenting attitudes were associated with higher quality father-child RTP. These findings suggest that higher quality father-child RTP may be one way in which some fathers influence children's expression of aggressive behaviors, and the quality of father-child RTP may be influenced by the broader family, social, and cultural contexts. © 2017 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.

Sci-Thur PM - Colourful Interactions: Highlights 04: A Fast Quantitative MRI Acquisition and Processing Pipeline for Radiation Treatment Planning and Simulation

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

Jutras, Jean-David

MRI-only Radiation Treatment Planning (RTP) is becoming increasingly popular because of a simplified work-flow, and less inconvenience to the patient who avoids multiple scans. The advantages of MRI-based RTP over traditional CT-based RTP lie in its superior soft-tissue contrast, and absence of ionizing radiation dose. The lack of electron-density information in MRI can be addressed by automatic tissue classification. To distinguish bone from air, which both appear dark in MRI, an ultra-short echo time (UTE) pulse sequence may be used. Quantitative MRI parametric maps can provide improved tissue segmentation/classification and better sensitivity in monitoring disease progression and treatment outcome thanmore » standard weighted images. Superior tumor contrast can be achieved on pure T{sub 1} images compared to conventional T{sub 1}-weighted images acquired in the same scan duration and voxel resolution. In this study, we have developed a robust and fast quantitative MRI acquisition and post-processing work-flow that integrates these latest advances into the MRI-based RTP of brain lesions. Using 3D multi-echo FLASH images at two different optimized flip angles (both acquired in under 9 min, and 1mm isotropic resolution), parametric maps of T{sub 1}, proton-density (M{sub 0}), and T{sub 2}{sup *} are obtained with high contrast-to-noise ratio, and negligible geometrical distortions, water-fat shifts and susceptibility effects. An additional 3D UTE MRI dataset is acquired (in under 4 min) and post-processed to classify tissues for dose simulation. The pipeline was tested on four healthy volunteers and a clinical trial on brain cancer patients is underway.« less

Induction of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (L1) retrotransposition by 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), a tryptophan photoproduct

PubMed Central

Okudaira, Noriyuki; Iijima, Kenta; Koyama, Takayoshi; Minemoto, Yuzuru; Kano, Shigeyuki; Mimori, Akio; Ishizaka, Yukihito

2010-01-01

Long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (L1) is a retroelement comprising about 17% of the human genome, of which 80–100 copies are competent as mobile elements (retrotransposition: L1-RTP). Although the genetic structures modified during L1-RTP have been clarified, little is known about the cellular signaling cascades involved. Herein we found that 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), a tryptophan photoproduct postulated as a candidate physiological ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), induces L1-RTP. Notably, RNA-interference experiments combined with back-transfection of siRNA-resistant cDNAs revealed that the induction of L1-RTP by FICZ is dependent on AhR nuclear translocator-1 (ARNT1), a binding partner of AhR, and the activation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein. However, our extensive analyses suggested that AhR is not required for L1-RTP. FICZ stimulated the interaction of the L1-encoded open reading frame-1 (ORF1) and ARNT1, and recruited ORF1 to chromatin in a manner dependent on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. Along with our additional observations that the cellular cascades for FICZ-induced L1-RTP were different from those of L1-RTP triggered by DNA damage, we propose that the presence of the cellular machinery of ARNT1 mediates L1-RTP. A possible role of ARNT1-mediated L1-RTP in the adaptation of living organisms to environmental changes is discussed. PMID:20852066

Sex Differences in Time to Return-to-Play Progression After Sport-Related Concussion.

PubMed

Stone, Sarah; Lee, Bobby; Garrison, J Craig; Blueitt, Damond; Creed, Kalyssa

2016-10-03

Recently, female sports participation has increased, and there is a tendency for women to experience more symptoms and variable presentation after sport-related concussion (SRC). The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex differences exist in time to begin a return-to-play (RTP) progression after an initial SRC. After initial SRC, female athletes (11-20 years old) would take longer to begin an RTP progression compared with age-matched male athletes. Retrospective cohort study. Level 3. A total of 579 participants (365 males [mean age, 15.0 ± 1.7 years], 214 females [mean age, 15.2 ± 1.5 years]), including middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes who participated in various sports and experienced an initial SRC were included and underwent retrospective chart review. The following information was collected: sex, age at injury, sport, history of prior concussion, date of injury, and date of initiation of RTP progression. Participants with a history of more than 1 concussion or injury sustained from non-sport-related activity were excluded. Despite American football having the greatest percentage (49.2%) of sport participation, female athletes took significantly longer to start an RTP progression after an initial SRC (29.1 ± 26.3 days) compared with age-matched male athletes (22.7 ± 18.3 days; P = 0.002). On average, female athletes took approximately 6 days longer to begin an RTP progression compared with age-matched male athletes. This suggests that sex differences exist between athletes, ages 11 to 20 years, with regard to initiation of an RTP progression after SRC. Female athletes may take longer to recover after an SRC, and therefore, may take longer to return to sport. Sex should be considered as part of the clinical decision-making process when determining plan of care for this population. © 2016 The Author(s).

Thalamic connections of the core auditory cortex and rostral supratemporal plane in the macaque monkey.

PubMed

Scott, Brian H; Saleem, Kadharbatcha S; Kikuchi, Yukiko; Fukushima, Makoto; Mishkin, Mortimer; Saunders, Richard C

2017-11-01

In the primate auditory cortex, information flows serially in the mediolateral dimension from core, to belt, to parabelt. In the caudorostral dimension, stepwise serial projections convey information through the primary, rostral, and rostrotemporal (AI, R, and RT) core areas on the supratemporal plane, continuing to the rostrotemporal polar area (RTp) and adjacent auditory-related areas of the rostral superior temporal gyrus (STGr) and temporal pole. In addition to this cascade of corticocortical connections, the auditory cortex receives parallel thalamocortical projections from the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). Previous studies have examined the projections from MGN to auditory cortex, but most have focused on the caudal core areas AI and R. In this study, we investigated the full extent of connections between MGN and AI, R, RT, RTp, and STGr using retrograde and anterograde anatomical tracers. Both AI and R received nearly 90% of their thalamic inputs from the ventral subdivision of the MGN (MGv; the primary/lemniscal auditory pathway). By contrast, RT received only ∼45% from MGv, and an equal share from the dorsal subdivision (MGd). Area RTp received ∼25% of its inputs from MGv, but received additional inputs from multisensory areas outside the MGN (30% in RTp vs. 1-5% in core areas). The MGN input to RTp distinguished this rostral extension of auditory cortex from the adjacent auditory-related cortex of the STGr, which received 80% of its thalamic input from multisensory nuclei (primarily medial pulvinar). Anterograde tracers identified complementary descending connections by which highly processed auditory information may modulate thalamocortical inputs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Risk and return: evaluating Reverse Tracing of Precursors earthquake predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zechar, J. Douglas; Zhuang, Jiancang

2010-09-01

In 2003, the Reverse Tracing of Precursors (RTP) algorithm attracted the attention of seismologists and international news agencies when researchers claimed two successful predictions of large earthquakes. These researchers had begun applying RTP to seismicity in Japan, California, the eastern Mediterranean and Italy; they have since applied it to seismicity in the northern Pacific, Oregon and Nevada. RTP is a pattern recognition algorithm that uses earthquake catalogue data to declare alarms, and these alarms indicate that RTP expects a moderate to large earthquake in the following months. The spatial extent of alarms is highly variable and each alarm typically lasts 9 months, although the algorithm may extend alarms in time and space. We examined the record of alarms and outcomes since the prospective application of RTP began, and in this paper we report on the performance of RTP to date. To analyse these predictions, we used a recently developed approach based on a gambling score, and we used a simple reference model to estimate the prior probability of target earthquakes for each alarm. Formally, we believe that RTP investigators did not rigorously specify the first two `successful' predictions in advance of the relevant earthquakes; because this issue is contentious, we consider analyses with and without these alarms. When we included contentious alarms, RTP predictions demonstrate statistically significant skill. Under a stricter interpretation, the predictions are marginally unsuccessful.

Long interspersed element-1 is differentially regulated by food-borne carcinogens via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

PubMed Central

Okudaira, N; Okamura, T; Tamura, M; Iijma, K; Goto, M; Matsunaga, A; Ochiai, M; Nakagama, H; Kano, S; Fujii-Kuriyama, Y; Ishizaka, Y

2013-01-01

A single human cell contains more than 5.0 × 105 copies of long interspersed element-1 (L1), 80–100 of which are competent for retrotransposition (L1-RTP). Recent observations have revealed the presence of de novo L1 insertions in various tumors, but little is known about its mechanism. Here, we found that 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), food-borne carcinogens that are present in broiled meats, induced L1-RTP. This induction was dependent on a cellular cascade comprising the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a mitogen-activated protein kinase, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β. Notably, these compounds exhibited differential induction of L1-RTP. MeIQx-induced L1-RTP was dependent on AhR nuclear translocator 1 (ARNT1), a counterpart of AhR required for gene expression in response to environmental pollutants. By contrast, PhIP-induced L1-RTP did not require ARNT1 but was dependent on estrogen receptor α (ERα) and AhR repressor. In vivo studies using transgenic mice harboring the human L1 gene indicated that PhIP-induced L1-RTP was reproducibly detected in the mammary gland, which is a target organ of PhIP-induced carcinoma. Moreover, picomolar levels of each compound induced L1-RTP, which is comparable to the PhIP concentration detected in human breast milk. Data suggest that somatic cells possess machineries that induce L1-RTP in response to the carcinogenic compounds. Together with data showing that micromolar levels of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) were non-genotoxic, our observations indicate that L1-RTP by environmental compounds is a novel type of genomic instability, further suggesting that analysis of L1-RTP by HCAs is a novel approach to clarification of modes of carcinogenesis. PMID:23208499

Long interspersed element-1 is differentially regulated by food-borne carcinogens via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

PubMed

Okudaira, N; Okamura, T; Tamura, M; Iijma, K; Goto, M; Matsunaga, A; Ochiai, M; Nakagama, H; Kano, S; Fujii-Kuriyama, Y; Ishizaka, Y

2013-10-10

A single human cell contains more than 5.0 × 10(5) copies of long interspersed element-1 (L1), 80-100 of which are competent for retrotransposition (L1-RTP). Recent observations have revealed the presence of de novo L1 insertions in various tumors, but little is known about its mechanism. Here, we found that 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), food-borne carcinogens that are present in broiled meats, induced L1-RTP. This induction was dependent on a cellular cascade comprising the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a mitogen-activated protein kinase, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β. Notably, these compounds exhibited differential induction of L1-RTP. MeIQx-induced L1-RTP was dependent on AhR nuclear translocator 1 (ARNT1), a counterpart of AhR required for gene expression in response to environmental pollutants. By contrast, PhIP-induced L1-RTP did not require ARNT1 but was dependent on estrogen receptor α (ERα) and AhR repressor. In vivo studies using transgenic mice harboring the human L1 gene indicated that PhIP-induced L1-RTP was reproducibly detected in the mammary gland, which is a target organ of PhIP-induced carcinoma. Moreover, picomolar levels of each compound induced L1-RTP, which is comparable to the PhIP concentration detected in human breast milk. Data suggest that somatic cells possess machineries that induce L1-RTP in response to the carcinogenic compounds. Together with data showing that micromolar levels of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) were non-genotoxic, our observations indicate that L1-RTP by environmental compounds is a novel type of genomic instability, further suggesting that analysis of L1-RTP by HCAs is a novel approach to clarification of modes of carcinogenesis.

A novel combined method of osteosynthesis in treatment of tibial fractures: a comparative study on sheep with application of rod-through-plate fixator and bone plating.

PubMed

Tralman, G; Andrianov, V; Arend, A; Männik, P; Kibur, R T; Nõupuu, K; Uksov, D; Aunapuu, M

2013-04-01

The study compares the efficiency of a new bone fixator combining periostal and intramedullary osteosynthesis to bone plating in treatment of tibial fractures in sheep. Experimental osteotomies were performed in the middle third of the left tibia. Animals were divided into two groups: in one group (four animals) combined osteosynthesis (rod-through-plate fixator, RTP fixator) was applied, and in the other group (three animals) bone plating was used. The experiments lasted for 10 weeks during which fracture union was followed by radiography, and the healing process was studied by blood serum markers reflecting bone turnover and by histological and immunohistochemical investigations. In the RTP fixator group, animals started to load body weight on the operated limbs the next day after the surgery, while in the bone plating group, this happened only on the seventh day. In the RTP fixator group, consolidation of fractures was also faster, as demonstrated by radiographical, histological, and immunohistochemical investigations and in part by blood serum markers for bone formation. It can be concluded that application of RTP fixation is more efficient than plate fixation in the treatment of experimental osteotomies of long bones in sheep. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Automated power control system for reactor TRIGA PUSPATI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghazali, Anith Khairunnisa; Minhat, Mohd Sabri; Hassan, Mohd Khair

2017-01-01

Reactor TRIGA PUSPATI (RTP) Mark II type undergoes safe operation for more than 30 years and the only research reactor exists in Malaysia. The main safety feature of Instrumentation and Control (I&C) system design is such that any failure in the electronic, or its associated components, does not lead to an uncontrolled rate of reactivity. The existed controller using feedback approach to control the reactor power. This paper introduces proposed controllers such as Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) and Proportional Integral Derivatives (PID) controller for the RTP simulation. In RTP, the most important considered parameter is the reactor power and act as nervous system. To design a controller for complex plant like RTP is quite difficult due to high cost and safety factors cause by the failure of the controller. Furthermore, to overcome these problems, a simulator can be used to replace functions the hardware and test could then be simulated using this simulator. In order to find the best controller, several controllers were proposed and the result will be analysed for study the performances of the controller. The output result will be used to find out the best RTP power controller using MATLAB/Simulink and gives result as close as the real RTP performances. Currently, the structures of RTP was design using MATLAB/Simulink tool that consist of fission chamber, controller, control rod position, height-to-worth of control rods and a RTP model. The controller will control the control rod position to make sure that the reactivity still under the limitation parameter. The results given from each controller will be analysed and validated through experiment data collected from RTP.

Recombinant Treponema pallidum Protein Tp0965 Activates Endothelial Cells and Increases the Permeability of Endothelial Cell Monolayer

PubMed Central

Zhang, Rui-Li; Zhang, Jing-Ping; Wang, Qian-Qiu

2014-01-01

The recombinant Treponema pallidum protein Tp0965 (rTp0965), one of the many proteins derived from the genome of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum, shows strong immunogenicity and immunoreactivity. In this study, we investigated the effects of rTp0965 on the endothelial barrier. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with rTp0965 resulted in increased levels of ICAM-1, E-selectin, and MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression. These increases contributed to the adhesion and chemataxis of monocytes (THP-1 cells) to HUVECs preincubated with rTp0965. In addition, rTp0965 induced reorganization of F-actin and decreased expression of claudin-1 in HUVECs. Interestingly, inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signal pathway protected against rTp0965-induced higher endothelial permeability as well as transendothelial migration of monocytes. These data indicate that Tp0965 protein may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of syphilis. PMID:25514584

Neutronics calculation of RTP core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabir, Mohamad Hairie B.; Zin, Muhammad Rawi B. Mohamed; Karim, Julia Bt. Abdul; Bayar, Abi Muttaqin B. Jalal; Usang, Mark Dennis Anak; Mustafa, Muhammad Khairul Ariff B.; Hamzah, Na'im Syauqi B.; Said, Norfarizan Bt. Mohd; Jalil, Muhammad Husamuddin B.

2017-01-01

Reactor calculation and simulation are significantly important to ensure safety and better utilization of a research reactor. The Malaysian's PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP) achieved initial criticality on June 28, 1982. The reactor is designed to effectively implement the various fields of basic nuclear research, manpower training, and production of radioisotopes. Since early 90s, neutronics modelling were used as part of its routine in-core fuel management activities. The are several computer codes have been used in RTP since then, based on 1D neutron diffusion, 2D neutron diffusion and 3D Monte Carlo neutron transport method. This paper describes current progress and overview on neutronics modelling development in RTP. Several important parameters were analysed such as keff, reactivity, neutron flux, power distribution and fission product build-up for the latest core configuration. The developed core neutronics model was validated by means of comparison with experimental and measurement data. Along with the RTP core model, the calculation procedure also developed to establish better prediction capability of RTP's behaviour.

From Wagons to Race Cars, At Least Now We Have A Chassis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrow, A. L.

2003-12-01

For the past 30 years Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) has provided astronomers with the most accurate measurements to date of both distant radio sources as well as the tectonic plates. The resolutions attainable through VLBI are orders of magnitude better than other instruments. In order to transmit radio signals collected at different sites to a correlator for processing the VLBI data was stored on magnetic tapes, and then the magnetic tapes were shipped through the mail to the central processing site. This was not only arduous and inefficient, it was also costly. Now this means of shipment can be replaced by global high speed networks. This means of transmission is called e-VLBI. New protocols must be developed so e-VLBI can become a proficient high bandwidth background user. The protocol agreed upon uses a Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) framework to preserve timing information and synchronization. The RTP is then transported using the Internet User Datagram Protocol (UDP) with RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) monitoring the networks performance. When this protocol is fully functional astronomers will be able to observe all over the world and receive results in real time.

Identification of magnetic anomalies based on ground magnetic data analysis using multifractal modeling: a case study in Qoja-Kandi, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansouri, E.; Feizi, F.; Karbalaei Ramezanali, A. A.

2015-07-01

Ground magnetic anomaly separation using reduction-to-the-pole (RTP) technique and the fractal concentration-area (C-A) method has been applied to the Qoja-Kandi prosepecting area in NW Iran. The geophysical survey that resulted in the ground magnetic data was conducted for magnetic elements exploration. Firstly, RTP technique was applied for recognizing underground magnetic anomalies. RTP anomalies was classified to different populations based on this method. For this reason, drilling points determination with RTP technique was complicated. Next, C-A method was applied on the RTP-Magnetic-Anomalies (RTP-MA) for demonstrating magnetic susceptibility concentration. This identification was appropriate for increasing the resolution of the drilling points determination and decreasing the drilling risk, due to the economic costs of underground prospecting. In this study, the results of C-A Modeling on the RTP-MA are compared with 8 borehole data. The results show there is good correlation between anomalies derived via C-A method and log report of boreholes. Two boreholes were drilled in magnetic susceptibility concentration, based on multifractal modeling data analyses, between 63 533.1 and 66 296 nT. Drilling results show appropriate magnetite thickness with the grades greater than 20 % Fe total. Also, anomalies associated with andesite units host iron mineralization.

Highly selective manganese-doped zinc sulfide quantum dots based label free phosphorescent sensor for phosphopeptides in presence of zirconium (IV).

PubMed

Gong, Yan; Fan, Zhefeng

2015-04-15

We report a room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) sensor for phosphopeptides based on zirconium (IV)-modulated mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs). This sensor incorporates the advantages of the well-known Zr(4+)-phosphopeptide affinity pair and the RTP properties of doped QDs. The RTP of Mn-doped ZnS QDs capped with MPA can be effectively quenched by Zr(4+). The high affinity of phosphopeptides to Zr(4+) enables the dissociation of the ion from the surface of MPA-capped ZnS QDs, thereby forming a stable complex with phosphopeptides in the solution, and recovering the RTP of the QDs. The Zr(4+)-induced RTP quenching and subsequent phosphopeptide-induced RTP recovery for MPA-capped ZnS QDs provide a solid basis for the present RTP sensor based on QDs for the detection of phosphopeptides. The detection limit for phosphopeptides is 0.9ngmL(-1), the relative standard deviations is 2.5%, and the recovery of urine and serum samples with phosphopeptides addition rangs from 96% to 105% at optimal conditions. The proposed method was successfully applied to biological fluids and obtained satisfactory results. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Utilization of thorium and U-ZrH1.6 fuels in various heterogeneous cores for TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor (RTP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damahuri, Abdul Hannan Bin; Mohamed, Hassan; Aziz Mohamed, Abdul; Idris, Faridah

2018-01-01

The use of thorium as nuclear fuel has been an appealing prospect for many years and will be great significance to nuclear power generation. There is an increasing need for more research on thorium as Malaysian government is currently active in the national Thorium Flagship Project, which was launched in 2014. The thorium project, which is still in phase 1, focuses on the research and development of the thorium extraction from mineral processing ore. Thus, the aim of the study is to investigate other alternative TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor (RTP) core designs that can fully utilize thorium. Currently, the RTP reactor has an average neutron flux of 2.797 x 1012 cm-2/s-1 and an effective multiplication factor, k eff, of 1.001. The RTP core has a circular array core configuration with six circular rings. Each ring consists of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 or 36 U-ZrH1.6 fuel rods. There are three main type of uranium weight, namely 8.5, 12 and 20 wt.%. For this research, uranium zirconium hydride (U-ZrH1.6) fuel rods in the RTP core were replaced by thorium (ThO2) fuel rods. Seven core configurations with different thorium fuel rods placements were modelled in a 2D structure and simulated using Monte Carlo n-particle (MCNPX) code. Results show that the highest initial criticality obtained is around 1.35101. Additionally there is a significant discrepancy between results from previous study and the work because of the large estimated leakage probability of approximately 21.7% and 2D model simplification.

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

Heintz, P; Heintz, B; Sandoval, D

Purpose: Computerized radiation therapy treatment planning is performed on almost all patients today. However it is seldom used for laboratory irradiations. The first objective is to assess whether modern radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP) systems accurately predict the subject dose by comparing in vivo and decedent dose measurements to calculated doses. The other objective is determine the importance of using a RTP system for laboratory irradiations. Methods: 5 MOSFET radiation dosimeters were placed enterically in each subject (2 sedated Rhesus Macaques) to measure the absorbed dose at 5 levels (carina, lung, heart, liver and rectum) during whole body irradiation. Themore » subjects were treated with large opposed lateral fields and extended distances to cover the entire subject using a Varian 600C linac. CT simulation was performed ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM). To compare AM and PM doses, calculation points were placed at the location of each dosimeter in the treatment plan. The measured results were compared to the results using Varian Eclipse and Prowess Panther RTP systems. Results: The Varian and Prowess treatment planning system agreed to within in +1.5% for both subjects. However there were significant differences between the measured and calculated doses. For both animals the calculated central axis dose was higher than prescribed by 3–5%. This was caused in part by inaccurate measurement of animal thickness at the time of irradiation. For one subject the doses ranged from 4% to 7% high and the other subject the doses ranged 7% to 14% high when compared to the RTP doses. Conclusions: Our results suggest that using proper CT RTP system can more accurately deliver the prescribed dose to laboratory subjects. It also shows that there is significant dose variation in such subjects when inhomogeneities are not considered in the planning process.« less

Intramuscular tendon involvement on MRI has limited value for predicting time to return to play following acute hamstring injury.

PubMed

van der Made, Anne D; Almusa, Emad; Whiteley, Rod; Hamilton, Bruce; Eirale, Cristiano; van Hellemondt, Frank; Tol, Johannes L

2018-01-01

Hamstring injury with intramuscular tendon involvement is regarded as a serious injury with a delay in return to play (RTP) of more than 50 days and reinjury rates up to 63%. However, this reputation is based on retrospective case series with high risk of bias. Determine whether intramuscular tendon involvement is associated with delayed RTP and elevated rates of reinjury. MRI of male athletes with an acute hamstring injury was obtained within 5 days of injury. Evaluation included standardised MRI scoring and scoring of intramuscular tendon involvement. Time to RTP and reinjury rate were prospectively recorded. Out of 70 included participants, intramuscular tendon disruption was present in 29 (41.4%) injuries. Injuries without intramuscular tendon disruption had a mean time to RTP of 22.2±7.4 days. Injuries with <50%, 50%-99% and 100% disruption of tendon cross-sectional area had a mean time to RTP of 24.0±9.7, 25.3±8.6 and 31.6±10.9 days, respectively. Injuries with full-thickness disruption took longer to RTP compared with injuries without disruption (p=0.025). Longitudinal intramuscular tendon disruption was not significantly associated with time to RTP. Waviness was present in 17 (24.3%) injuries. Mean time to RTP for injuries without and with waviness was 22.6±7.5 and 30.2±10.8 days (p=0.014). There were 11 (15.7%) reinjuries within 12 months, five (17.2%) in the group with intramuscular tendon disruption and six (14.6%) in the group without intramuscular tendon disruption. Time to RTP for injuries with full-thickness disruption of the intramuscular tendon and waviness is significantly longer (by slightly more than 1 week) compared with injuries without intramuscular tendon involvement. However, due to the considerable overlap in time to RTP between groups with and without intramuscular tendon involvement, its clinical significance for the individual athlete is limited. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Retrotransposition of Long Interspersed Element 1 Induced by Methamphetamine or Cocaine*

PubMed Central

Okudaira, Noriyuki; Ishizaka, Yukihito; Nishio, Hajime

2014-01-01

Long interspersed element 1 (L1) is a retroelement constituting ∼17% of the human genome. A single human cell has 80–100 copies of L1 capable of retrotransposition (L1-RTP), ∼10% of which are “hot L1” copies, meaning they are primed for “jumping” within the genome. Recent studies demonstrated induction of L1 activity by drugs of abuse or low molecular weight compounds, but little is known about the underlying mechanism. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism and effects of methamphetamine (METH) and cocaine on L1-RTP. Our results revealed that METH and cocaine induced L1-RTP in neuronal cell lines. This effect was found to be reverse transcriptase-dependent. However, METH and cocaine did not induce double-strand breaks. RNA interference experiments combined with add-back of siRNA-resistant cDNAs revealed that the induction of L1-RTP by METH or cocaine depends on the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). METH or cocaine recruited the L1-encoded open reading frame 1 (ORF1) to chromatin in a CREB-dependent manner. These data suggest that the cellular cascades underlying METH- and cocaine-induced L1-RTP are different from those behind L1-RTP triggered by DNA damage; CREB is involved in drug-induced L1-RTP. L1-RTP caused by drugs of abuse is a novel type of genomic instability, and analysis of this phenomenon might be a novel approach to studying substance-use disorders. PMID:25053411

Rough-and-tumble play and the regulation of aggression: an observational study of father-child play dyads.

PubMed

Flanders, Joseph L; Leo, Vanessa; Paquette, Daniel; Pihl, Robert O; Séguin, Jean R

2009-01-01

Rough-and-tumble play (RTP) is a common form of play between fathers and children. It has been suggested that RTP can contribute to the development of selfregulation. This study addressed the hypothesis that the frequency of father-child RTP is related to the frequency of physically aggressive behavior in early childhood. This relationship was expected to be moderated by the dominance relationship between father and son during play. Eighty-five children between the ages of 2 and 6 years were videotaped during a free-play session with their fathers in their homes and questionnaire data was collected about father-child RTP frequency during the past year. The play dyads were rated for the degree to which the father dominated play interactions. A significant statistical interaction revealed that RTP frequency was associated with higher levels of physical aggression in children whose fathers were less dominant. These results indicate that RTP is indeed related to physical aggression, though this relationship is moderated by the degree to which the father is a dominant playmate. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Rough-and-Tumble Play and the Regulation of Aggression: An Observational Study of Father–Child Play Dyads

PubMed Central

Flanders, Joseph L.; Leo, Vanessa; Paquette, Daniel; Pihl, Robert O.; Séguin, Jean R.

2012-01-01

Rough-and-tumble play (RTP) is a common form of play between fathers and children. It has been suggested that RTP can contribute to the development of selfregulation. This study addressed the hypothesis that the frequency of father–child RTP is related to the frequency of physically aggressive behavior in early childhood. This relationship was expected to be moderated by the dominance relationship between father and son during play. Eighty-five children between the ages of 2 and 6 years were videotaped during a free-play session with their fathers in their homes and questionnaire data was collected about father–child RTP frequency during the past year. The play dyads were rated for the degree to which the father dominated play interactions. A significant statistical interaction revealed that RTP frequency was associated with higher levels of physical aggression in children whose fathers were less dominant. These results indicate that RTP is indeed related to physical aggression, though this relationship is moderated by the degree to which the father is a dominant playmate. PMID:19431190

A thiourea-appended rhodamine chemodosimeter for mercury(II) and its bioimaging application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tantipanjaporn, Ajcharapan; Prabpai, Samran; Suksen, Kanoknetr; Kongsaeree, Palangpon

2018-03-01

A rhodamine-thiourea conjugate RTP with an o-phenylenediamine linker was developed as a fluorogenic chemodosimeter for Hg2+ detection. In the presence of Hg2+, a colorless solution of RTP turned pink with a maximum absorption band at 555 nm and with a 62-fold fluorescence enhancement at 578 nm (Φ = 0.34). RTP is highly selective to Hg2+ among other metal ions with a detection limit of 1.6 nM (0.3 ppb). A similar rhodamine analog with a flexible ethylenediamine spacer was less selective and less sensitive than RTP. Hg2+ induced cyclic guanylation to yield a benzimidazole moiety and a subsequent ring-opening of the spirolactam unit resulted in chromogenic and fluorogenic changes. The membrane-permeable RTP probe was successfully demonstrated in monitoring of Hg2+ in cultured HeLa cells.

An approach for estimating the magnetization direction of magnetic anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinpeng; Zhang, Yingtang; Yin, Gang; Fan, Hongbo; Li, Zhining

2017-02-01

An approach for estimating the magnetization direction of magnetic anomalies in the presence of remanent magnetization through correlation between normalized source strength (NSS) and reduced-to-the-pole (RTP) is proposed. The observation region was divided into several calculation areas and the RTP field was transformed using different assumed values of the magnetization directions. Following this, the cross-correlation between NSS and RTP field was calculated, and it was found that the correct magnetization direction was that corresponding to the maximum cross-correlation value. The approach was tested on both simulated and real magnetic data. The results showed that the approach was effective in a variety of situations and considerably reduced the effect of remanent magnetization. Thus, the method using NSS and RTP is more effective compared to other methods such as using the total magnitude anomaly and RTP.

Improvements in hand function in adults with chronic tetraplegia following a multi-day 10Hz rTMS intervention combined with repetitive task practice

PubMed Central

Gomes-Osman, Joyce; Field-Fote, Edelle C.

2014-01-01

Background and Purpose Evidence suggests the use of stimulation to increase corticomotor excitability improves hand function in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). We assessed effects of multi-day application of 10Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the corticomotor hand area combined with repetitive task practice (RTP) in participants with tetraplegia and neurologically healthy participants. Methods Using a double-blind randomized crossover design, 11 participants with chronic tetraplegia and 10 neurologically healthy participants received 3 sessions of 10Hz rTMS+RTP and 3 sessions of sham-rTMS+RTP to the corticomotor hand region controlling the weaker hand. RTMS was interleaved with RTP of a skilled motor task between pulse trains. Hand function (Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test [JTT], pinch, and grasp strength) and corticomotor excitability (amplitude of motor-evoked potential) were assessed prior to and following the rTMS+RTP and sham-rTMS+RTP phases. We assessed significance using paired t-tests on pre-post differences and effect sizes using standardized response mean (SRM). Results RTMS+RTP was associated with larger effect sizes compared to sham-rTMS+RTP for improvement in JTT for both the trained hand (SRM=0.85 and 0.42, respectively), non-trained hand (0.55, 0.31, respectively), and for grasp strength of the trained hand in the SCI group (0.67, 0.39, respectively) alone. Effect sizes for all other measures were small and there were no statistical between-condition differences in the outcomes assessed. Discussion and Conclusions RTMS may be a valuable adjunct to RTP for improving hand function in persons with tetraplegia. Higher stimulation dose (frequency, intensity, number of sessions) may be associated with larger effects. Video Abstract available (See Supplemental Digital Conent 1) for more insights from the authors. PMID:25415549

Materials and processing science: Limits for microelectronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, R.

1988-09-01

The theme of this talk will be to illustrate examples of technologies that will drive materials and processing sciences to the limit and to describe some of the research being pursued to understand materials interactions which are pervasive to projected structure fabrication. It is to be expected that the future will see a progression to nanostructures where scaling laws will be tested and quantum transport will become more in evidence, to low temperature operation for tighter control and improved performance, to complex vertical profiles where 3D stacking and superlattices will produce denser packing and device flexibility, to faster communication links with optoelectronics, and to compatible packaging technologies. New low temperature processing techniques, such as epitaxy of silicon, PECVD of dielectrics, low temperature high pressure oxidation, silicon-germanium heterostructures, etc., must be combined with shallow metallurgies, new lithographic technologies, maskless patterning, rapid thermal processing (RTP) to produce needed profile control, reduce process incompatibilities and develop new device geometries. Materials interactions are of special consequence for chip substrates and illustrations of work in metal-ceramic and metal-polymer adhesion will be offered.

Organization of cerebellar and area "y" projections to the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis in macaque monkeys.

PubMed

Stanton, G B

2001-04-02

Axonal projections to the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (RTP) were studied in 11 macaque monkeys by mapping axonal degeneration from lesions centered in the dentate and interpositus anterior (IA) nuclei and by mapping anterograde transport of tritiated amino acid precursors injected into the dentate nucleus. Projections from the dentate and IA nuclei overlap in central parts of the body of RTP, but the terminal field of dentate axons extends dorsomedial and rostral to the terminal field of IA axons, and IA terminal fields extend more ventrolaterally. A caudal to rostral topography of projections from each nucleus onto dorsal to ventral parts of RTP was seen. Projections from rostral parts of both nuclei terminate in a sublemniscal part of the nucleus. The topography of dentate and IA projections onto central to ventrolateral RTP appears to match somatotopic maps of these cerebellar nuclei with the somatotopic map of projections to RTP from primary motor cortex. Projections from caudal and ventral parts of the dentate nucleus appear to overlap oculomotor inputs to rostral, dorsal, and medial RTP from the frontal and supplementary eye fields, the superior colliculus, and the oculomotor region of the caudal fastigial nucleus. Projections to the paramedian part of RTP from vestibular area "y" were also found in two cases that correlated with projections to vertical oculomotor motoneurons. The maps of dentate and IA projections onto RTP correlate predictably with maps of dentate and IA projections to the ventrolateral thalamus and subnuclei of the red nucleus that were made from these same cases (Stanton [1980b] J. Comp. Neurol. 192:377-385). Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Return to play criteria after hamstring muscle injury in professional football: a Delphi consensus study.

PubMed

Zambaldi, Mattia; Beasley, Ian; Rushton, Alison

2017-08-01

Hamstring muscle injury (HMI) is the most common injury in professional football and has a high re-injury rate. Despite this, there are no validated criteria to support return to play (RTP) decisions. To use the Delphi method to reach expert consensus on RTP criteria after HMI in professional football. All professional football clubs in England (n=92) were invited to participate in a 3-round Delphi study. Round 1 requested a list of criteria used for RTP decisions after HMI. Responses were independently collated by 2 researchers under univocal definitions of RTP criteria. In round 2 participants rated their agreement for each RTP criterion on a 1-5 Likert Scale. In round 3 participants re-rated the criteria that had reached consensus in round 2. Descriptive statistics and Kendall's coefficient of concordance enabled interpretation of consensus. Participation rate was limited at 21.7% (n=20), while retention rate was high throughout the 3 rounds (90.0%, 85.0%, 90.0%). Round 1 identified 108 entries with varying definitions that were collated into a list of 14 RTP criteria. Rounds 2 and 3 identified 13 and 12 criteria reaching consensus, respectively. Five domains of RTP assessment were identified: functional performance, strength, flexibility, pain and player's confidence. The highest-rated criteria were in the functional performance domain, with particular importance given to sprint ability. This study defined a list of consensually agreed RTP criteria for HMI in professional football. Further work is now required to determine the validity of the identified criteria. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Organic Nanocrystals with Bright Red Persistent Room-Temperature Phosphorescence for Biological Applications.

PubMed

Fateminia, S M Ali; Mao, Zhu; Xu, Shidang; Yang, Zhiyong; Chi, Zhenguo; Liu, Bin

2017-09-25

Persistent room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in pure organic materials has attracted great attention because of their unique optical properties. The design of organic materials with bright red persistent RTP remains challenging. Herein, we report a new design strategy for realizing high brightness and long lifetime of red-emissive RTP molecules, which is based on introducing an alkoxy spacer between the hybrid units in the molecule. The spacer offers easy Br-H bond formation during crystallization, which also facilitates intermolecular electron coupling to favor persistent RTP. As the majority of RTP compounds have to be confined in a rigid environment to quench nonradiative relaxation pathways for bright phosphorescence emission, nanocrystallization is used to not only rigidify the molecules but also offer the desirable size and water-dispersity for biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hydrogen gas sensors using a thin Ta2O5 dielectric film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seongjeen

2014-12-01

A capacitive-type hydrogen gas sensor with a MIS (metal-insulator-semiconductor) structure was investigated for high-temperature applications. In this work, a tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) layer of tens of nanometers in thickness formed by oxidizing tantalum film in rapid thermal processing (RTP) was exploited with the purpose of sensitivity improvement. Silicon carbide (SiC), which is good even at high temperatures over 500 °C, was used as the substrate. We fabricated sensors composed of Pd/Ta2O5/SiC, and the dependences of the capacitance response properties and the I-V characteristics on the hydrogen concentration were analyzed from the temperature range of room temperature to 500 °C. As a result, our hydrogen sensor showed promising performance with respect to the sensitivity and the adaptability at high temperature.

Identification of magnetic anomalies based on ground magnetic data analysis using multifractal modelling: a case study in Qoja-Kandi, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansouri, E.; Feizi, F.; Karbalaei Ramezanali, A. A.

2015-10-01

Ground magnetic anomaly separation using the reduction-to-the-pole (RTP) technique and the fractal concentration-area (C-A) method has been applied to the Qoja-Kandi prospecting area in northwestern Iran. The geophysical survey resulting in the ground magnetic data was conducted for magnetic element exploration. Firstly, the RTP technique was applied to recognize underground magnetic anomalies. RTP anomalies were classified into different populations based on the current method. For this reason, drilling point area determination by the RTP technique was complicated for magnetic anomalies, which are in the center and north of the studied area. Next, the C-A method was applied to the RTP magnetic anomalies (RTP-MA) to demonstrate magnetic susceptibility concentrations. This identification was appropriate for increasing the resolution of the drilling point area determination and decreasing the drilling risk issue, due to the economic costs of underground prospecting. In this study, the results of C-A modelling on the RTP-MA are compared with 8 borehole data. The results show that there is a good correlation between anomalies derived via the C-A method and the log report of boreholes. Two boreholes were drilled in magnetic susceptibility concentrations, based on multifractal modelling data analyses, between 63 533.1 and 66 296 nT. Drilling results showed appropriate magnetite thickness with grades greater than 20 % Fe. The total associated with anomalies containing andesite units hosts iron mineralization.

Implementation of a model of robotic tele-presence (RTP) in the neuro-ICU: effect on critical care nursing team satisfaction.

PubMed

Rincon, Fred; Vibbert, Matthew; Childs, Valerie; Fry, Robin; Caliguri, Dennis; Urtecho, Jacqueline; Rosenwasser, Robert; Jallo, Jack

2012-08-01

Robotic tele-presence (RTP) is a form of mobile telemedicine, which enables a direct face-to-face rapid response by the physician, instead of the traditional telephonic paradigm. We hypothesized that a model of RTP for after-hour ICU rounds and emergencies would be associated with improved ICU nurse satisfaction. We implemented a prospective nighttime multidisciplinary ICU round time, using RTP at our neuro-ICU. To test for critical ICU nurse team satisfaction, a questionnaire was implemented. The primary outcome was nurse satisfaction measured through a questionnaire with answers trichotomized into: agreement, disagreement, and no opinion. The occurrence of outcomes was compared between the groups by χ2 or Fisher exact tests for the difference in proportions (PD) with Bonferroni correction for multiple pairwise comparisons. In total, 34 nurses completed the pre-survey and 40 nurses completed the post-survey. Night nurses were more likely to agree that RTP was associated with: ICU physicians being sufficiently available in the ICU (agreement 6-20%, PD 14%, p = 0.008), present during acute emergencies (agreement 44-65%, PD 21%, p = 0.007), and had enough time to get questions answered from the physician team (agreement 41-53%, PD 11%, p = NS). This data suggest improvement in critical care nursing team satisfaction with a model of RTP in the neuroscience ICU, particularly during nighttime hours. RTP is a tool that may enhance communication among components of the ICU team.

The Structure of the Metal Transporter Tp34 and its Affinity for Divalent Metal Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knutsen, Gregory; Deka, Ranjit; Brautigam, Chad; Tomchick, Diana; Machius, Mischa; Norgard, Michael

2007-10-01

Tp34 is periplasmic membrane protein of the nonculitvatable spirochete Treponema pallidum, the pathogen of syphillis. It was proposed that Tp34 is a divalent metal transporter, but the identity of the preferred metal ion(s) was unclear. In this study we investigated the ability of divalent metal ions to induce rTp34 dimerization using hydrodynamic techniques and determine the crystal structure of metal bound forms. Using analytical ultracentrifugation sedimentation velocity experiments, we determined that cobalt is superior to nickel at inducing the dimerization of rTp34. rTp34 was crystallized and selected crystals were incubated at a pH 7.5 with CuSO4 and NiSO4. Diffraction experiments were conducted and the processed electron density maps showed that copper was bound to the major metal binding site as well as to three additional minor binding sites. By contrast nickel was only bound to the major metal binding site in one monomer and to three additional minor sites. These results along with previous findings support evidence of Tp34 being involved with metal transport and/or iron utilization.

Automatic detection of larynx cancer from contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doshi, Trushali; Soraghan, John; Grose, Derek; MacKenzie, Kenneth; Petropoulakis, Lykourgos

2015-03-01

Detection of larynx cancer from medical imaging is important for the quantification and for the definition of target volumes in radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being increasingly used in RTP due to its high resolution and excellent soft tissue contrast. Manually detecting larynx cancer from sequential MRI is time consuming and subjective. The large diversity of cancer in terms of geometry, non-distinct boundaries combined with the presence of normal anatomical regions close to the cancer regions necessitates the development of automatic and robust algorithms for this task. A new automatic algorithm for the detection of larynx cancer from 2D gadoliniumenhanced T1-weighted (T1+Gd) MRI to assist clinicians in RTP is presented. The algorithm employs edge detection using spatial neighborhood information of pixels and incorporates this information in a fuzzy c-means clustering process to robustly separate different tissues types. Furthermore, it utilizes the information of the expected cancerous location for cancer regions labeling. Comparison of this automatic detection system with manual clinical detection on real T1+Gd axial MRI slices of 2 patients (24 MRI slices) with visible larynx cancer yields an average dice similarity coefficient of 0.78+/-0.04 and average root mean square error of 1.82+/-0.28 mm. Preliminary results show that this fully automatic system can assist clinicians in RTP by obtaining quantifiable and non-subjective repeatable detection results in a particular time-efficient and unbiased fashion.

NMOS contact resistance reduction with selenium implant into NiPt silicide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, K. V.; Khaja, F. A.; Ni, C. N.; Muthukrishnan, S.; Darlark, A.; Lei, J.; Peidous, I.; Brand, A.; Henry, T.; Variam, N.; Erokhin, Y.

2012-11-01

A 25% reduction in NMOS contact resistance (Rc) was achieved by Selenium implantation into NiPt silicide film in VIISta Trident high-current single-wafer implanter. The Trident implanter is designed for shallow high-dose implants with high beam currents to maintain high throughput (for low CoO), with improved micro-uniformity and no energy contamination. The integration of Se implant was realized using a test chip dedicated to investigating silicide/junction related electrical properties and testable after silicidation. The silicide module processes were optimized, including the pre-clean (prior to RF PVD NiPt dep) and pre- and post-implant anneals. A 270°C soak anneal was used for RTP1, whereas a msec laser anneal was employed for RTP2 with sufficient process window (800-850°C), while maintaining excellent junction characteristics without Rs degradation.

Phosphorescent quantum dots/ethidium bromide nanohybrids based on photoinduced electron transfer for DNA detection.

PubMed

Bi, Lin; Yu, Yuan-Hua

2015-04-05

Mercaptopropionic acid-capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots/ethidium bromide (EB) nanohybrids were constructed for photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) and then used as a room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) probe for DNA detection. EB could quench the RTP of Mn-doped ZnS QDs by PIET, thereby forming Mn-doped ZnS QDs/EB nanohybrids and storing RTP. Meanwhile, EB could be inserted into DNA and EB could be competitively desorbed from the surface of Mn-doped ZnS QDs by DNA, thereby releasing the RTP of Mn-doped ZnS QDs. Based on this mechanism, a RTP sensor for DNA detection was developed. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit for DNA was 0.045 mg L(-1), the relative standard deviation was 1.7%, and the method linear ranged from 0.2 to 20 mg L(-1). The proposed method was applied to biological fluids, in which satisfactory results were obtained. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phosphorescent quantum dots/doxorubicin nanohybrids based on photoinduced electron transfer for detection of DNA.

PubMed

Miao, Yanming; Zhang, Zhifeng; Gong, Yan; Yan, Guiqin

2014-09-15

MPA-capped Mn-doped ZnS QDs/DXR nanohybrids (MPA: 3-mercaptopropionic acid; QDs: quantum dots; DXR: cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) were constructed via photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) and then used as a room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) probe for detection of DNA. DXR as a quencher will quench the RTP of Mn-doped ZnS QDs via PIET, thereby forming Mn-doped ZnS QDs/DXR nanohybrids and storing RTP. With the addition of DNA, it will be inserted into DXR and thus DXR will be competitively desorbed from the surface of Mn-doped ZnS QDs, thereby releasing the RTP of Mn-doped ZnS QDs. Based on this, a new method for DNA detection was built. The sensor for DNA has a detection limit of 0.039 mg L(-1) and a linear range from 0.1 to 14 mg L(-1). The present QDs-based RTP method does not need deoxidants or other inducers as required by conventional RTP detection methods, and avoids interference from autofluorescence and the scattering light of the matrix that are encountered in spectrofluorometry. Therefore, this method can be used to detect the DNA content in body fluid. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxygen sensor via the quenching of room-temperature phosphorescence of perdeuterated phenanthrene adsorbed on Whatman 1PS filter paper.

PubMed

Ramasamy, S M; Hurtubise, R J

1998-11-01

Perdeuterated phenanthrene (d-phen) exhibits strong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) when adsorbed on Whatman 1PS filter paper. An oxygen sensor was developed that depends on oxygen quenching of RTP intensity of adsorbed d-phen. The system designed employed a continuous flow of nitrogen or nitrogen-air onto the adsorbed phosphor. The sensor is simple to prepare and needs no elaborate fabrication procedure, but did show a somewhat drifting baseline for successive determinations of oxygen. Nevertheless, very good reproducibility was achieved with the RTP quenching data by measuring the RTP intensities just before and at the end of each oxygen determination. The calibration plots gave a nonlinear relationship over the entire range of oxygen (0-21%). However, a linear range was obtained up to 1.10% oxygen. A detection limit of 0.09% oxygen in dry nitrogen was acquired. Also, carbon dioxide was found to have a minimal effect on the RTP quenching. Thus, oxygen could be measured accurately in relatively large amounts of carbon dioxide. The performance of the oxygen sensor was evaluated by comparing data obtained with a commercial electrochemical trace oxygen analyzer. Also, additional information on the quenching phenomena for this system was obtained from the RTP lifetime data acquired at various oxygen contents.

Cross-linking measurements of the Potato leafroll virus reveal protein interaction topologies required for virion stability, aphid transmission, and virus-plant interactions.

PubMed

Chavez, Juan D; Cilia, Michelle; Weisbrod, Chad R; Ju, Ho-Jong; Eng, Jimmy K; Gray, Stewart M; Bruce, James E

2012-05-04

Protein interactions are critical determinants of insect transmission for viruses in the family Luteoviridae. Two luteovirid structural proteins, the capsid protein (CP) and the readthrough protein (RTP), contain multiple functional domains that regulate virus transmission. There is no structural information available for these economically important viruses. We used Protein Interaction Reporter (PIR) technology, a strategy that uses chemical cross-linking and high resolution mass spectrometry, to discover topological features of the Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) CP and RTP that are required for the diverse biological functions of PLRV virions. Four cross-linked sites were repeatedly detected, one linking CP monomers, two within the RTP, and one linking the RTP and CP. Virus mutants with triple amino acid deletions immediately adjacent to or encompassing the cross-linked sites were defective in virion stability, RTP incorporation into the capsid, and aphid transmission. Plants infected with a new, infectious PLRV mutant lacking 26 amino acids encompassing a cross-linked site in the RTP exhibited a delay in the appearance of systemic infection symptoms. PIR technology provided the first structural insights into luteoviruses which are crucially lacking and are involved in vector-virus and plant-virus interactions. These are the first cross-linking measurements on any infectious, insect-transmitted virus.

Cross-linking measurements of the Potato leafroll virus reveal protein interaction topologies required for virion stability, aphid transmission, and virus-plant interactions

PubMed Central

Chavez, Juan D.; Cilia, Michelle; Weisbrod, Chad R.; Ju, Ho-Jong; Eng, Jimmy K.; Gray, Stewart M.; Bruce, James E.

2012-01-01

Protein interactions are critical determinants of insect-transmission for viruses in the family Luteoviridae. Two luteovirid structural proteins, the capsid protein (CP) and the readthrough protein (RTP), contain multiple functional domains that regulate virus transmission. There is no structural information available for these economically important viruses. We used Protein Interaction Reporter (PIR) technology, a strategy that uses chemical cross-linking and high resolution mass spectrometry, to discover topological features of the Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) CP and RTP that are required for the diverse biological functions of PLRV virions. Four cross-linked sites were repeatedly detected, one linking CP monomers, two within the RTP, and one linking the RTP and CP. Virus mutants with triple amino acid deletions immediately adjacent to or encompassing the cross-linked sites were defective in virion stability, RTP incorporation into the capsid, and aphid transmission. Plants infected with a new, infectious PLRV mutant lacking 26 amino acids encompassing a cross-linked site in the RTP exhibited a delay in the appearance of systemic infection symptoms. PIR technology provided the first structural insights into luteoviruses which are crucially lacking and that are involved in vector-virus and plant-virus interactions. These are the first cross-linking measurements on any infectious, insect-transmitted virus. PMID:22390342

Elastic instability of the nano-structured state as an intrinsic probe to study the early formation stages of sol gel derived (Pb1-xCax)TiO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bretos, I.; Ricote, J.; Jiménez-Riobóo, R. J.; Pardo, L.; Calzada, M. L.

2007-12-01

A novel method to investigate the early formation stages of polycrystalline (Pb1-xCax)TiO3 (PCT) perovskite films by means of traditional Brillouin and micro-Brillouin spectroscopy (BS, mBS) is described in the present work. The films were prepared by chemical solution deposition (CSD) onto oxidized (100)Si substrates and treated at temperatures between 350 650 °C by rapid thermal processing (RTP). The elastic instability observed by Brillouin spectroscopy at the nano-structured state of the PCT films was used here to determine their crystallization temperatures. Coexistence of different nanocrystalline phases (e.g., pyrochlore, perovskite) in the films could also be detected by this technique. The reliability of these results is demonstrated by complementary information obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning force microscopy (SFM). The effects of the annealing temperature and of the Ca2+ content on the crystallization process of these films are also discussed.

Return to play after treatment of superior labral tears in professional baseball players.

PubMed

Fedoriw, Wasyl W; Ramkumar, Prem; McCulloch, Patrick C; Lintner, David M

2014-05-01

The published return-to-play (RTP) rates for athletes who have undergone surgical repair of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears vary widely and are generally accepted to be lower in the subset of competitive throwers. The efficacy of nonsurgical treatment for this group is unknown. Nonsurgical treatment of SLAP tears in professional baseball players leads to RTP before consideration of surgical treatment. Incorporating performance statistics and level of competition will result in lower calculated RTP rates than have been previously reported. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. A retrospective review of 119 consecutive patients in a single professional baseball organization with persistent shoulder pain that limited the ability to compete was performed. Sixty-eight patients had magnetic resonance imaging-documented SLAP lesions. All patients had failed 1 attempt at rehabilitation but had continued with supervised physical therapy. Treatment was according to an algorithm focusing on the correction of scapular dyskinesia and posterior capsular contracture with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), followed by pain-free return to throwing. Those who failed 2 cycles of nonsurgical treatment were treated surgically. Success was defined by 2 different standards: (1) RTP, in accordance with previous studies; and (2) a more stringent standard of return to the same level/quality of professional competition (A, AA, AAA, etc) with the incorporation of a return to preinjury individual performance statistics (earned run average, walks plus hits per inning pitched), termed "return to prior performance" (RPP). Sixty-eight athletes were identified with SLAP lesions. Twenty-one pitchers successfully completed the nonsurgical algorithm and attempted a return. Their RTP rate was 40%, and their RPP rate was 22%. The RTP rate for 27 pitchers who underwent 30 procedures was 48%, and the RPP rate was 7%. For 10 position players treated nonsurgically, the RTP rate was 39%, and the RPP rate was 26%. The RTP rate for 13 position players who underwent 15 procedures was 85%, with an RPP rate of 54%. Nonsurgical treatment correcting scapular dyskinesia and GIRD had a reasonable success rate in professional baseball players with painful shoulders and documented SLAP lesions. The rate of return after surgical treatment of SLAP lesions was low for pitchers. The RTP and RPP rates were higher for position players than for pitchers. Nonsurgical treatment should be considered for professional baseball players with documented SLAP lesions, as it can lead to acceptable RTP and RPP rates.

Electrical characterization of amorphous Al2O3 dielectric films on n-type 4H-SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khosa, R. Y.; Thorsteinsson, E. B.; Winters, M.; Rorsman, N.; Karhu, R.; Hassan, J.; Sveinbjörnsson, E. Ö.

2018-02-01

We report on the electrical properties of Al2O3 films grown on 4H-SiC by successive thermal oxidation of thin Al layers at low temperatures (200°C - 300°C). MOS capacitors made using these films contain lower density of interface traps, are more immune to electron injection and exhibit higher breakdown field (5MV/cm) than Al2O3 films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) or rapid thermal processing (RTP). Furthermore, the interface state density is significantly lower than in MOS capacitors with nitrided thermal silicon dioxide, grown in N2O, serving as the gate dielectric. Deposition of an additional SiO2 film on the top of the Al2O3 layer increases the breakdown voltage of the MOS capacitors while maintaining low density of interface traps. We examine the origin of negative charges frequently encountered in Al2O3 films grown on SiC and find that these charges consist of trapped electrons which can be released from the Al2O3 layer by depletion bias stress and ultraviolet light exposure. This electron trapping needs to be reduced if Al2O3 is to be used as a gate dielectric in SiC MOS technology.

Conventional 3D staging PET/CT in CT simulation for lung cancer: impact of rigid and deformable target volume alignments for radiotherapy treatment planning.

PubMed

Hanna, G G; Van Sörnsen De Koste, J R; Carson, K J; O'Sullivan, J M; Hounsell, A R; Senan, S

2011-10-01

Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans can improve target definition in radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As staging PET/CT scans are increasingly available, we evaluated different methods for co-registration of staging PET/CT data to radiotherapy simulation (RTP) scans. 10 patients underwent staging PET/CT followed by RTP PET/CT. On both scans, gross tumour volumes (GTVs) were delineated using CT (GTV(CT)) and PET display settings. Four PET-based contours (manual delineation, two threshold methods and a source-to-background ratio method) were delineated. The CT component of the staging scan was co-registered using both rigid and deformable techniques to the CT component of RTP PET/CT. Subsequently rigid registration and deformation warps were used to transfer PET and CT contours from the staging scan to the RTP scan. Dice's similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to assess the registration accuracy of staging-based GTVs following both registration methods with the GTVs delineated on the RTP PET/CT scan. When the GTV(CT) delineated on the staging scan after both rigid registration and deformation was compared with the GTV(CT)on the RTP scan, a significant improvement in overlap (registration) using deformation was observed (mean DSC 0.66 for rigid registration and 0.82 for deformable registration, p = 0.008). A similar comparison for PET contours revealed no significant improvement in overlap with the use of deformable registration. No consistent improvements in similarity measures were observed when deformable registration was used for transferring PET-based contours from a staging PET/CT. This suggests that currently the use of rigid registration remains the most appropriate method for RTP in NSCLC.

Tank waste remediation system retrieval and disposal mission readiness-to-proceed responses to internal independent assessment

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

Schaus, P.S.

1998-01-06

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to make critical decisions during fiscal year (FY) 1998 regarding privatization contracts for the treatment of Hanford tank waste. Specifically, DOE, Richland Operations Office (RL), will make decisions related to proceeding with Phase 1 Privatization. In support of these decisions, the management and integration (M+I) contractor must be able to meet the requirements to support the Phase 1 privatization contractors. As part of the assessment of the Tank Waste Retrieval (TWR) Readiness-To-Proceed (RTP), an independent review of their process and products was required by the RL letter of August 8, 1997. Themore » Independent Review Team reviewed the adequacy of the planning that has been done by the M+I contractor to validate that, if the plans are carried out, there is reasonable assurance of success. Overall, the RTP Independent Review Team concluded that, if the planning by the M+I contractor team is carried out with adequate funding, there is reasonable assurance that the M+I contractor will be able to deliver waste to the privatization contractor for the duration of Phase 1. This conclusion was based on addressing the recommendations contained in the Independent Review Team`s Final Report and in the individual Criteria and Review Approach (CRA) forms completed during the assessment. The purpose of this report is to formally document the independent assessment and the RTP team responses to the Independent Review Team recommendations. It also provides closure logics for selected recommendations from a Lockheed Martin Hanford Corporation (LMHC) internal assessment of the Technical Basis Review (TBR) packages. This report contains the RTP recommendation closure process (Section 2.0); the closure tables (Section 3.0) which provide traceability between each review team recommendation and its corresponding Project Hanford Management Contract closure logic; and two attachments that formally document the Independent Review Team Final Report and the Internal Assessment Final Report.« less

Best practices in developing regional transportation plans

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-08-01

The purpose of this study is to compare Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) and planning processes in California with selected regions. A total of 17 MPOs were included to provide a balance of geographic locat...

[How to implement a unique triage system in the emergency departments of Latium, Italy].

PubMed

De Luca, A; Francia, C; Gabriele, S; Guasticchi, G

2008-01-01

Triage is an efficient system that emergency departments (EDs) use to sort out presenting patients on the basis of the speed with which they need treatment. Because triage is not used consistently in the EDs of Latium, a region in central Italy, the regional Public Health Agency (PHA) planned and implemented a regional model of triage in all EDs. This manuscript describe the regional implementation strategy. The PHA activated the "Regional Triage Program--RTP" including: development and testing of a "triage section" in the computerized EDs clinical chart; production of an operational handbook for the RTP for triage health professionals (HPs); implementation of an continuum educational program on the "RTP" in all EDs of Latium. The computerized triage section was tested and implemented in all EDs in the region. The handbook for triage HPs was produced. The educational program, has been ongoing since 2008 in all regional EDs. Selected HPs, identified as "facilitators", were trained on how to implement the RTP. They will organize, in their own EDs, small groups of nurses to conduct on-site training of the RTP. The RTP was received with enthusiasm by most HPs, however its introduction into current practice could be hampered by organizational/structural problems and conflicts between nurses and doctors. Next actions of the regional program will be to overcome the possible above mentioned troubles.

Return-to-play after concussion: state of knowledge, frequency of use and application barriers of guidelines among decision-makers in rugby.

PubMed

Niederer, Daniel; Engeroff, Tobias; Lange, Kevin; Vogt, Lutz; Banzer, Winfried

2018-06-05

Validated strategies and guidelines for a safe and individualized diagnosis and return-to-play (RTP) after concussion in rugby are needed. Little is known about the state of knowledge, frequency of use and application barriers of state-of-the-art guidelines among decision-makers in professional or semi-professional rugby teams. Participants (n = 195) from the coaching team (head coach, assistance coach, athletic coach), the medical team (physiotherapist, physician, rehabilitation therapist, neuropsychologist), or from the officials of a professional or semi-professional rugby team (top three major leagues in Germany), filled in a questionnaire on their knowledge, frequency of use and application barriers of evidence-based guidelines (Graduated RTP protocol and The 5R). Depending on their function in the team and on the league of play, the state of knowledge and application of the diagnostic tools and the RTP guidelines differ. A considerable number are aware of one or both guidelines, but do not apply these guidelines (up to 27% of respondants). The main reasons for the non-usage were not my decision (59%), use of concurrent guidelines (54%), each player must decide by his own (36%), never experienced a concussion in my players (30%), other (19%), the guideline is useless (18%) and a player may play despite a concussion (14%). Raising awareness of the state-of-the-art guidelines is important to educate further the coaching, medical and official team members in identifying symptoms and executing the RTP-process in accordance with evidence-based strategies.

Rapid thermal processing for production of chalcopyrite thin films for solar cells: Design, analysis, and experimental implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovelett, Robert J.

The direct conversion of solar energy to electricity, or photovoltaic energy conversion, has a number of environmental, social, and economic advantages over conventional electricity generation from fossil fuels. Currently, the most commonly-used material for photovoltaics is crystalline silicon, which is now produced at large scale and silicon-based devices have achieved power conversion efficiencies over 25% However, alternative materials, such as inorganic thin films, offer a number of advantages including the potential for lower manufacturing costs, higher theoretical efficiencies, and better performance in the field. One of these materials is the chalcopyrite Cu(InGa)(SeS) 2, which has demonstrated module efficiencies over 17% and cell efficiencies over 22%. Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 is now in the early stages of commercialization using a precursor reaction process referred to as a "selenization/sulfization" reaction. The precursor reaction process is promising because it has demonstrated high efficiency along with the large area (approximately 1 m2) uniformity that is required for modules. However, some challenges remain that limit the growth of the chalcopyrite solar cell industry including: slow reactions that limit process throughput, a limited understanding of complex reaction kinetics and transport phenomena that affect the through-film composition, and the use of highly toxic H2Se in the reaction process. In this work, I approach each of these challenges. First, to improve process throughput, I designed and implemented a rapid thermal processing (RTP) reactor, whereby the samples are heated by a 1000 W quartz-halogen lamp that is capable of fast temperature ramps and high temperature dwells. With the reactor in place, however, achieving effective temperature control in the thin film material system is complicated by two intrinsic process characteristics: (i) the temperature of the Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 film cannot be measured directly, which leaves the system without complete state feedback; and (ii), the process is significantly nonlinear due to the dominance of radiative heat transfer at high temperatures. Therefore, I developed a novel control system using a first principles-based observer and a specialized temperature controller. Next, to understand the complex kinetics governing the selenization/sulfization processes, a stochastic model of solid state reaction kinetics was developed and applied to the system. The model is capable of predicting several important phenomena observed experimentally, including steep through-film gradients in gallium mole fraction. Furthermore, the model is mathematically general and can be useful for understanding a number of solid state reaction systems. Finally, the RTP system was then used to produce and characterize chalcopyrite films using two general methods: (i) single stage and multi stage reactions in H2Se and H2S, and (ii), reaction of a selenium "capped" precursor in H2S, where selenium was deposited on the precursor by thermal evaporation and the use of toxic H2Se was avoided. It was found that the processing conditions could be used to control material properties including relative sulfur incorporation, crystallinity, and through-film gallium and sulfur profiles. Films produced using the selenium-capped precursor reaction process were used to fabricate solar cell devices using a Mo/Cu(InGa)(SeS)2/CdS/ZnO/ITO substrate device structure, and the devices were tested by measuring the current-voltage characteristic under standard conditions. Devices with approximately 10% efficiency were obtained over a range of compositions and the best device obtained in this work had an efficiency of 12.7%.

Development of the ageing management database of PUSPATI TRIGA reactor

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

Ramli, Nurhayati, E-mail: nurhayati@nm.gov.my; Tom, Phongsakorn Prak; Husain, Nurfazila

Since its first criticality in 1982, PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP) has been operated for more than 30 years. As RTP become older, ageing problems have been seen to be the prominent issues. In addressing the ageing issues, an Ageing Management (AgeM) database for managing related ageing matters was systematically developed. This paper presents the development of AgeM database taking into account all RTP major Systems, Structures and Components (SSCs) and ageing mechanism of these SSCs through the system surveillance program.

Spatial-attention and emotional evocation: line bisection performance and visual art emotional evocation.

PubMed

Drago, Valeria; Finney, Glen R; Foster, Paul S; Amengual, Alejandra; Jeong, Yong; Mizuno, Tomoiuki; Crucian, Gregory P; Heilman, Kenneth M

2008-03-01

Lesion studies demonstrate that the right temporal-parietal region (RTP) is important for mediating spatial attention. The RTP is also involved in emotional experiences that can be evoked by art. Normal people vary in their ability to allocate spatial attention, thus, people who can better allocate attention might also be more influenced by the emotional messages of the paintings (evocative impact). Seventeen healthy participants bisected an unlabeled 100mm line and their performance on this task was used to create two groups, individuals who were more (mALB) and less accurate (lALB). These participants also judged 10 paintings on five qualities, Evocative Impact, Aesthetics, Novelty, Technique, and Closure by marking a 100mm line from 1 (low degree) to 10 (high degree). An ANOVA indicated differences in accuracy on the line bisection (LB) between the two groups. Additional ANOVAs, using the quality ratings as the dependent measure, revealed that the mALB group scored the Evocative Impact greater than the lALB group. These results suggest that the differences in attentional bias between the two groups, as indicated by their LB performance, might influence their evocative impact or reactions and also be a 'barometer' of other RTP functions, including emotional processing.

Study on using I - as heavy atom perturber in cyclodextrin-induced room temperature phosphorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Longdi; Hai, Xuan; Tong, Aijun

2000-07-01

A cyclodextrin induced room temperature phosphorimetry (CD-RTP) for determine β-NOA, which using I- as a heavy atom perturber (HAP) and sodium sulfite as a deoxygenator, was developed. The phosphorescence peak wavelength maxima λex/λem=287/496 521 nm. The analytical curve of β-NOA gives a linear dynamic range of 2.0×10-7-6.0×10-6 mol/l and a detection limit of 4×10-8 mol/l. The relative standard deviation (RSD; n=7) was 3.2% for the 4.0×10-6 mol/l β-NOA in spiked apple samples. The influence of I- concentration on RTP lifetime of β-NOA was studied in detail, the static Stern-Volmer equation for phosphorescence was derived and the luminescence kinetic parameters were calculated. It is found that the relation between I- concentration (x) and RTP lifetime (τ) can be expressed as τ=1.047 e-0.354x and the rate constants of phosphorescence emission kp and non-radiation process ki from T1→S0 were 0.9551s-1 and 0.4276 s-1l-1mol, respectively.

830 nm light-emitting diode (led) phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study.

PubMed

Foley, John; Vasily, David B; Bradle, Jeanna; Rudio, Catharine; Calderhead, R Glen

2016-03-31

For any committed athlete, getting back to conditioning and participation post-injury (return to play [RTP]) needs to be as swift as possible. The effects of near-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) therapy on pain control, blood flow enhancement and relaxation of muscle spasm (all aspects in the treatment of musculoskeletal injury) have attracted attention. The present pilot study was undertaken to assess the role of 830 nm LED phototherapy in safely accelerating RTP in injured university athletes. Over a 15-month period, a total of 395 injuries including sprains, strains, ligament damage, tendonitis and contusions were treated with 1,669 sessions of 830 nm LED phototherapy (mean of 4.3 treatments per injury, range 2 - 6). Efficacy was measured with pain attenuation on a visual analog scale (VAS) and the RTP period compared with historically-based anticipated RTP with conventional therapeutic intervention. A full set of treatment sessions and follow-up data was able to be recorded in 65 informed and consenting subjects who achieved pain relief on the VAS of up to 6 points in from 2-6 sessions. The average LED-mediated RTP in the 65 subjects was significantly shorter at 9.6 days, compared with the mean anticipated RTP of 19.23 days (p = 0.0066, paired two-tailed Student's t-test). A subjective satisfaction survey was carried out among the 112 students with injuries incurred from January to May, 2015. Eighty-eight (78.5%) were either very satisfied or satisfied, and only 8 (7.2%) were dissatisfied. For any motivated athlete, RTP may be the most important factor postinjury based on the resolution of pain and inflammation and repair to tissue trauma. 830 nm LED phototherapy significantly and safely reduced the RTP in dedicated university athletes over a wide range of injuries with no adverse events. One limitation of the present study was the subjective nature of the assessments, and the lack of any control groups. However, further controlled studies are warranted to enable confirmation and generalization of the very good results in the present study.

830 nm light-emitting diode (led) phototherapy significantly reduced return-to-play in injured university athletes: a pilot study

PubMed Central

Vasily, David B; Bradle, Jeanna; Rudio, Catharine; Calderhead, R Glen

2016-01-01

Background and Aims: For any committed athlete, getting back to conditioning and participation post-injury (return to play [RTP]) needs to be as swift as possible. The effects of near-infrared light-emitting diode (LED) therapy on pain control, blood flow enhancement and relaxation of muscle spasm (all aspects in the treatment of musculoskeletal injury) have attracted attention. The present pilot study was undertaken to assess the role of 830 nm LED phototherapy in safely accelerating RTP in injured university athletes. Subjects and Methods: Over a 15-month period, a total of 395 injuries including sprains, strains, ligament damage, tendonitis and contusions were treated with 1,669 sessions of 830 nm LED phototherapy (mean of 4.3 treatments per injury, range 2 – 6). Efficacy was measured with pain attenuation on a visual analog scale (VAS) and the RTP period compared with historically-based anticipated RTP with conventional therapeutic intervention. Results: A full set of treatment sessions and follow-up data was able to be recorded in 65 informed and consenting subjects who achieved pain relief on the VAS of up to 6 points in from 2–6 sessions. The average LED-mediated RTP in the 65 subjects was significantly shorter at 9.6 days, compared with the mean anticipated RTP of 19.23 days (p = 0.0066, paired two-tailed Student's t-test). A subjective satisfaction survey was carried out among the 112 students with injuries incurred from January to May, 2015. Eighty-eight (78.5%) were either very satisfied or satisfied, and only 8 (7.2%) were dissatisfied. Conclusions: For any motivated athlete, RTP may be the most important factor postinjury based on the resolution of pain and inflammation and repair to tissue trauma. 830 nm LED phototherapy significantly and safely reduced the RTP in dedicated university athletes over a wide range of injuries with no adverse events. One limitation of the present study was the subjective nature of the assessments, and the lack of any control groups. However, further controlled studies are warranted to enable confirmation and generalization of the very good results in the present study. PMID:27141153

Positive and negative reinforcement underlying risk behavior in early adolescents.

PubMed

MacPherson, Laura; Reynolds, Elizabeth K; Daughters, Stacey B; Wang, Frances; Cassidy, Jude; Mayes, Linda C; Lejuez, C W

2010-09-01

The goal of the current study was to examine the combined influence of positive reinforcement processes using a behavioral task measuring risk taking propensity (RTP) and negative reinforcement processes using a behavioral task measuring deficits in distress tolerance (DT) on a range of risk taking behaviors among early adolescents. Participants included a community sample of 230 early adolescents (aged 9-13) who completed two behavioral tasks assessing reinforcement processes as well as reported on past year risk behavior involvement as assessed by items from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System at a baseline and a 1-year follow-up assessment. Data indicated that at the Wave 2 assessment, RTP was positively related to number of risk-taking behaviors in the past year but only for those with low DT, with this finding persisting after controlling for the significant influence of male gender and higher sensation seeking. Results of the present study highlight the importance of considering both positive and negative reinforcement processes in combination when investigating vulnerability factors for early risk behavior engagement in youth.

Room-temperature phosphorescence logic gates developed from nucleic acid functionalized carbon dots and graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gui, Rijun; Jin, Hui; Wang, Zonghua; Zhang, Feifei; Xia, Jianfei; Yang, Min; Bi, Sai; Xia, Yanzhi

2015-04-01

Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) logic gates were developed using capture ssDNA (cDNA) modified carbon dots and graphene oxide (GO). The experimental results suggested the feasibility of these developed RTP-based ``OR'', ``INHIBIT'' and ``OR-INHIBIT'' logic gate operations, using Hg2+, target ssDNA (tDNA) and doxorubicin (DOX) as inputs.Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) logic gates were developed using capture ssDNA (cDNA) modified carbon dots and graphene oxide (GO). The experimental results suggested the feasibility of these developed RTP-based ``OR'', ``INHIBIT'' and ``OR-INHIBIT'' logic gate operations, using Hg2+, target ssDNA (tDNA) and doxorubicin (DOX) as inputs. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: All experimental details, Part S1-3, Fig. S1-6 and Table S1. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr07620f

An asymmetric structure of the Bacillus subtilis replication terminator protein in complex with DNA.

PubMed

Vivian, J P; Porter, C J; Wilce, J A; Wilce, M C J

2007-07-13

In Bacillus subtilis, the termination of DNA replication via polar fork arrest is effected by a specific protein:DNA complex formed between the replication terminator protein (RTP) and DNA terminator sites. We report the crystal structure of a replication terminator protein homologue (RTP.C110S) of B. subtilis in complex with the high affinity component of one of its cognate DNA termination sites, known as the TerI B-site, refined at 2.5 A resolution. The 21 bp RTP:DNA complex displays marked structural asymmetry in both the homodimeric protein and the DNA. This is in contrast to the previously reported complex formed with a symmetrical TerI B-site homologue. The induced asymmetry is consistent with the complex's solution properties as determined using NMR spectroscopy. Concomitant with this asymmetry is variation in the protein:DNA binding pattern for each of the subunits of the RTP homodimer. It is proposed that the asymmetric "wing" positions, as well as other asymmetrical features of the RTP:DNA complex, are critical for the cooperative binding that underlies the mechanism of polar fork arrest at the complete terminator site.

Fishery Household (FH) database and cultivation areas in Indramayu regency to develop Shrimp and Milkfish farming based on GIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rostika, Rita; Purba, Noir P.; Iskandar; Paradhita Dewanti, Lantun; Mahdiana Apriliani, Izza

2018-05-01

With a coastline length of 114 km, the utilization of the coastline areas is potential for especially shrimp and milkfish cultivations, which have a higher economic value. However, appropriate development strategies are highly required. The purpose of this research is to examine the existing conditions and organize integrated information for fishery household as well as the areas utilized for shrimp and milkfish cultivations, especially in coastal areas. The methods used include an analysis from Landsat 8 imaginary, field survey, and interviews with various sources. This research conducted in June-November 2015. Data from remote sensing were digitized and utilized as mark point to survey area of cultivation. The results show that the distributions of RTP data cover Windu and Vaname shrimp polycultures by 1,727 RTP, milkfish by 1,551 RTP, Vaname shrimp by 2,953 RTP, and Windu Shrimp by 88 RTP. The area, which may be utilized as ponds, is 9,854.1 ha. The area for milkfish ponds is 12,065.08 ha, while the digitation result is 10,801.92 ha. It shows that Indramayu coastal areas still have numerous and various potentials, which may be utilized for shrimp and milkfish cultivations.

Real Time Pricing as a Default or Optional Service for C&ICustomers: A Comparative Analysis of Eight Case Studies

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

Barbose, Galen; Goldman, Charles; Bharvirkar, Ranjit

Demand response (DR) has been broadly recognized to be an integral component of well-functioning electricity markets, although currently underdeveloped in most regions. Among the various initiatives undertaken to remedy this deficiency, public utility commissions (PUC) and utilities have considered implementing dynamic pricing tariffs, such as real-time pricing (RTP), and other retail pricing mechanisms that communicate an incentive for electricity consumers to reduce their usage during periods of high generation supply costs or system reliability contingencies. Efforts to introduce DR into retail electricity markets confront a range of basic policy issues. First, a fundamental issue in any market context is howmore » to organize the process for developing and implementing DR mechanisms in a manner that facilitates productive participation by affected stakeholder groups. Second, in regions with retail choice, policymakers and stakeholders face the threshold question of whether it is appropriate for utilities to offer a range of dynamic pricing tariffs and DR programs, or just ''plain vanilla'' default service. Although positions on this issue may be based primarily on principle, two empirical questions may have some bearing--namely, what level of price response can be expected through the competitive retail market, and whether establishing RTP as the default service is likely to result in an appreciable level of DR? Third, if utilities are to have a direct role in developing DR, what types of retail pricing mechanisms are most appropriate and likely to have the desired policy impact (e.g., RTP, other dynamic pricing options, DR programs, or some combination)? Given a decision to develop utility RTP tariffs, three basic implementation issues require attention. First, should it be a default or optional tariff, and for which customer classes? Second, what types of tariff design is most appropriate, given prevailing policy objectives, wholesale market structure, ratemaking practices and standards, and customer preferences? Third, if a primary goal for RTP implementation is to induce DR, what types of supplemental activities are warranted to support customer participation and price response (e.g., interval metering deployment, customer education, and technical assistance)?« less

Recovery of Psychological Readiness May Differ Between Genders Following ACL Reconstruction in Adolescent Athletes

PubMed Central

Milewski, Matthew David; Kostyun, Regina; Iannicelli, Julie P.; Kostyun, Kyle J.; Solomito, Matthew; Nissen, Carl W.

2016-01-01

Objectives: Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a traumatic and emotional event for adolescent athletes. Preparation to return to play (RTP) and the potential risk of re-injury are often equally as emotional as the injury, and have been identified as possible limiting factors to a successful rehabilitation and RTP. In order to create a comprehensive rehabilitation model, further understanding of psychological readiness following surgical intervention is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine if clinical outcomes of subjective knee function and psychological readiness differ between genders following ACL reconstruction surgery in adolescent athletes, and if higher knee function and physiological readiness was associated with an earlier to RTP. Methods: Athletes who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery and were successfully returned back to unrestricted sport were included in the analysis. At approximately six months post surgery, knee function was assessed using the validated International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Form, and psychological readiness was assessed using the validated ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Formal clearance to resume unrestricted sport was obtained from clinic notes. A T-test was used to determine if demographics, IKDC and ACL-RSI scores between genders. A mixed effects random intercept regression model was used to determine the association of time to RTP with IKDC and ACL-RSI scores. Results: A total of 45 adolescent athletes (23 females) were included in this analysis. No significant differences were found between males and females for age (16.2±1.5 years, 16.3±2.2 years) and average time to RTP (7.3±2.0 months, 7.3±1.8 months). No significant differences in IKDC scores were found between males and females (88±10%, 87±10%). A trend was identified that males demonstrated higher ACL-RSI scores at six month post surgery than females (81±14%, 72±17%, p = 0.063). In females, higher IKDC scores (p=0.013, Ɓ =-0.09) and higher ACL-RSI scores (p = 0.002, Ɓ = -0.06) were associated with an earlier time to RTP. This association was not found in male athletes. Conclusion: Although both genders felt their knee would function well during sport at approximately six months following ACL reconstruction, male athletes seem to demonstrate an overall stronger psychological readiness to RTP. However, better scores on the ACL-RSI and IKDC were associated with an earlier RTP only in female athletes. The results of this study suggest a difference in the psychological readiness to RTP between male and female adolescent athletes approximately six months following ACL reconstruction. Further investigations are warranted to investigate the psychological hurdles that face each gender when trying to RTP following an ACL injury. A better understanding of these emotional limitations could help to clinically identify patients that may benefit from counseling.

Conformational changes induced in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E by a clinically relevant inhibitor, ribavirin triphosphate

PubMed Central

Volpon, Laurent; Osborne, Michael J.; Zahreddine, Hiba; Romeo, Andrea A.; Borden, Katherine L.B.

2013-01-01

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E is highly elevated in human cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A potential anticancer agent, ribavirin, targets eIF4E activity in AML patients corresponding to clinical responses. To date, ribavirin is the only direct inhibitor of eIF4E to reach clinical trials. We showed that ribavirin acts as a competitive inhibitor of the methyl 7-guanosine (m7G) cap, the natural ligand of eIF4E. Here we examine the conformational changes occurring in human eIF4E upon binding the active metabolite of ribavirin, ribavirin triphosphate (RTP). Our NMR data revealed an unexpected concentration dependence on RTP affinity for eIF4E. We observed NMR spectra characteristic of tight binding at low micromolar concentrations (2-5μM eIF4E) but much weaker affinity at more typical NMR concentrations (50-200μM). Comparison of chemical shift perturbation and line broadening suggest that the two eIF4E-RTP complexes differ in the precise positioning of RTP within the cap binding pocket, with the high affinity complex showing more extensive changes to the central β-sheet and dorsal surface of eIF4E, similar to m7G cap. The differences between high and low affinity complexes arise due to concentration dependent aggregation of eIF4E and RTP. Given the intracellular concentrations of eIF4E and RTP and the differential binding toward the W56A eIF4E mutant the high affinity complex is the most physiologically relevant. In summary, these findings demonstrate that RTP binds in the cap-binding site but also suggests new features of this pocket that should be considered in both drug design efforts and reveal new insights into ligand eIF4E recognition. PMID:23583375

Comprehensive MRI simulation methodology using a dedicated MRI scanner in radiation oncology for external beam radiation treatment planning

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

Paulson, Eric S., E-mail: epaulson@mcw.edu; Erickson, Beth; Schultz, Chris

Purpose: The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiation oncology is expanding rapidly, and more clinics are integrating MRI into their radiation therapy workflows. However, radiation therapy presents a new set of challenges and places additional constraints on MRI compared to diagnostic radiology that, if not properly addressed, can undermine the advantages MRI offers for radiation treatment planning (RTP). The authors introduce here strategies to manage several challenges of using MRI for virtual simulation in external beam RTP. Methods: A total of 810 clinical MRI simulation exams were performed using a dedicated MRI scanner for external beam RTP ofmore » brain, breast, cervix, head and neck, liver, pancreas, prostate, and sarcoma cancers. Patients were imaged in treatment position using MRI-optimal immobilization devices. Radiofrequency (RF) coil configurations and scan protocols were optimized based on RTP constraints. Off-resonance and gradient nonlinearity-induced geometric distortions were minimized or corrected prior to using images for RTP. A multidisciplinary MRI simulation guide, along with window width and level presets, was created to standardize use of MR images during RTP. A quality assurance program was implemented to maintain accuracy and repeatability of MRI simulation exams. Results: The combination of a large bore scanner, high field strength, and circumferentially wrapped, flexible phased array RF receive coils permitted acquisition of thin slice images with high contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and image intensity uniformity, while simultaneously accommodating patient setup and immobilization devices. Postprocessing corrections and alternative acquisition methods were required to reduce or correct off-resonance and gradient nonlinearity induced geometric distortions. Conclusions: The methodology described herein contains practical strategies the authors have implemented through lessons learned performing clinical MRI simulation exams. In their experience, these strategies provide robust, high fidelity, high contrast MR images suitable for external beam RTP.« less

Return to Play and Prior Performance in Major League Baseball Pitchers After Repair of Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior Tears.

PubMed

Smith, Ryan; Lombardo, Daniel J; Petersen-Fitts, Graysen R; Frank, Charles; Tenbrunsel, Troy; Curtis, Gannon; Whaley, James; Sabesan, Vani J

2016-12-01

The published return-to-play (RTP) rates for Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers who have undergone surgical repair of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears vary widely and are generally accepted to be lower in the subset of competitive throwers. The efficacy of surgical treatment for MLB players is largely unknown. To examine the RTP rate and performance of MLB pitchers who have undergone SLAP tear repair between 2003 and 2010. Descriptive epidemiological study. A retrospective review of MLB pitchers undergoing SLAP repair was performed using the MLB disabled list. Data collected included the following player statistics: earned run average (ERA), walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), and innings pitched (IP). The mean values for performance variables both before and after surgery were compared. A definition of return to prior performance (RTPP) was established as an ERA within 2.00 and WHIP within 0.500 of preoperative values. Twenty-four MLB players met inclusion criteria, of which 62.5% were able to RTP at the MLB level after SLAP repair surgery. Of those able to RTP, 86.7% were able to RTPP. However, the overall rate of RTPP, including those unable to RTP, was 54.2%. Mean performance analysis of the RTP group revealed a statistically significant decrease in IP for MLB pitchers throwing a mean 101.8 innings before injury and 65.53 innings after injury ( P = .004). Of those pitchers able to RTP, chances of a full recovery were good (86.7%). Our results indicate the need for future research aimed at proper surgical selection of who will return to play, as they will likely achieve full recovery. We believe this information can help surgeons advise high-level overhead-throwing athletes about expected outcomes for surgical treatment of SLAP tears.

A rapidly self-healing supramolecular polymer hydrogel with photostimulated room-temperature phosphorescence responsiveness.

PubMed

Chen, Hui; Ma, Xiang; Wu, Shuaifan; Tian, He

2014-12-15

Development of self-healing and photostimulated luminescent supramolecular polymeric materials is important for artificial soft materials. A supramolecular polymeric hydrogel is reported based on the host-guest recognition between a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) host polymer (poly-β-CD) and an α-bromonaphthalene (α-BrNp) polymer (poly-BrNp) without any additional gelator, which can self-heal within only about one minute under ambient atmosphere without any additive. This supramolecular polymer system can be excited to engender room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signals based on the fact that the inclusion of β-CD macrocycle with α-BrNp moiety is able to induce RTP emission (CD-RTP). The RTP signal can be adjusted reversibly by competitive complexation of β-CD with azobenzene moiety under specific irradiation by introducing another azobenzene guest polymer (poly-Azo). © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A complex mechanism determines polarity of DNA replication fork arrest by the replication terminator complex of Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Duggin, Iain G; Matthews, Jacqueline M; Dixon, Nicholas E; Wake, R Gerry; Mackay, Joel P

2005-04-01

Two dimers of the replication terminator protein (RTP) of Bacillus subtilis bind to a chromosomal DNA terminator site to effect polar replication fork arrest. Cooperative binding of the dimers to overlapping half-sites within the terminator is essential for arrest. It was suggested previously that polarity of fork arrest is the result of the RTP dimer at the blocking (proximal) side within the complex binding very tightly and the permissive-side RTP dimer binding relatively weakly. In order to investigate this "differential binding affinity" model, we have constructed a series of mutant terminators that contain half-sites of widely different RTP binding affinities in various combinations. Although there appeared to be a correlation between binding affinity at the proximal half-site and fork arrest efficiency in vivo for some terminators, several deviated significantly from this correlation. Some terminators exhibited greatly reduced binding cooperativity (and therefore have reduced affinity at each half-site) but were highly efficient in fork arrest, whereas one terminator had normal affinity over the proximal half-site, yet had low fork arrest efficiency. The results show clearly that there is no direct correlation between the RTP binding affinity (either within the full complex or at the proximal half-site within the full complex) and the efficiency of replication fork arrest in vivo. Thus, the differential binding affinity over the proximal and distal half-sites cannot be solely responsible for functional polarity of fork arrest. Furthermore, efficient fork arrest relies on features in addition to the tight binding of RTP to terminator DNA.

National Football League Skilled and Unskilled Positions Vary in Opportunity and Yield in Return to Play After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

PubMed Central

Yang, JaeWon; Hodax, Jonathan D.; Machan, Jason T.; Secrist, Eric S.; Durand, Wesley M.; Owens, Brett D.; Eltorai, Adam E.M.; Dodson, Christopher C.

2017-01-01

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries pose a significant risk to the careers of players in the National Football League (NFL). The relationships between draft round and position on return to play (RTP) among NFL players are not well understood, and the ability to return to preinjury performance levels remains unknown for most positions. Purpose: To test for differences in RTP rates and changes in performance after an ACL injury by position and draft round. We hypothesized that skilled positions would return at a lower rate compared to unskilled positions. We further hypothesized that early draft-round status would relate to a greater rate of RTP and that skilled positions and a lower draft round would correlate with decreased performance for players who return to sport. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Utilizing a previously established database of publicly available information regarding ACL tears among NFL players, athletes with ACL tears occurring between the 2010 and 2013 seasons were identified. Generalized linear models and Kaplan-Meier time-to-event models were used to test the study hypotheses. Results: The overall RTP rate was 61.7%, with skilled players and unskilled players returning at rates of 64.1% and 60.4%, respectively (P = .74). Early draft-round players and unskilled late draft-round players had greater rates of RTP compared to skilled late draft-round players and both unskilled and skilled undrafted free agents (UDFAs). Skilled early draft-round players constituted the only cohort that played significantly fewer games after an injury. Unskilled UDFAs constituted the only cohort to show a significant increase in the number of games started and ratio of games started to games played, starting more games in which they played, after an injury. Conclusion: Early draft-round and unskilled players were more likely to return compared to their later draft-round and skilled peers. Skilled early draft-round players, who displayed relatively high rates of RTP, constituted the only cohort to show a decline in performance. Unskilled UDFAs, who exhibited relatively low rates of RTP, constituted the only cohort to show an increase in performance. The significant effect of draft round and position type on RTP may be caused by a combination of differences in talent levels and in opportunities given to returning to play. PMID:28975136

HALOACETIC ACIDS PERTURB PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION IN MOUSE EMBRYOS IN VITRO

EPA Science Inventory

HALOACETIC ACIDS PERTURB PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION IN MOUSE EMBRYOS IN VITRO. MR Blanton and ES Hunter. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.
Sponsor: JM Rogers.
Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) formed during the disinfection process are present in drin...

Technical aspects of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in radiotherapy treatment planning.

PubMed

Scripes, Paola G; Yaparpalvi, Ravindra

2012-09-01

The usage of functional data in radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning (RTP) process is currently the focus of significant technical, scientific, and clinical development. Positron emission tomography (PET) using ((18)F) fluorodeoxyglucose is being increasingly used in RT planning in recent years. Fluorodeoxyglucose is the most commonly used radiotracer for diagnosis, staging, recurrent disease detection, and monitoring of tumor response to therapy (Lung Cancer 2012;76:344-349; Lung Cancer 2009;64:301-307; J Nucl Med 2008;49:532-540; J Nucl Med 2007;48:58S-67S). All the efforts to improve both PET and computed tomography (CT) image quality and, consequently, lesion detectability have a common objective to increase the accuracy in functional imaging and thus of coregistration into RT planning systems. In radiotherapy, improvement in target localization permits reduction of tumor margins, consequently reducing volume of normal tissue irradiated. Furthermore, smaller treated target volumes create the possibility of dose escalation, leading to increased chances of tumor cure and control. This article focuses on the technical aspects of PET/CT image acquisition, fusion, usage, and impact on the physics of RTP. The authors review the basic elements of RTP, modern radiation delivery, and the technical parameters of coregistration of PET/CT into RT computerized planning systems. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Potato leafroll virus structural proteins manipulate overlapping, yet distinct protein interaction networks during infection.

PubMed

DeBlasio, Stacy L; Johnson, Richard; Sweeney, Michelle M; Karasev, Alexander; Gray, Stewart M; MacCoss, Michael J; Cilia, Michelle

2015-06-01

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) produces a readthrough protein (RTP) via translational readthrough of the coat protein amber stop codon. The RTP functions as a structural component of the virion and as a nonincorporated protein in concert with numerous insect and plant proteins to regulate virus movement/transmission and tissue tropism. Affinity purification coupled to quantitative MS was used to generate protein interaction networks for a PLRV mutant that is unable to produce the read through domain (RTD) and compared to the known wild-type PLRV protein interaction network. By quantifying differences in the protein interaction networks, we identified four distinct classes of PLRV-plant interactions: those plant and nonstructural viral proteins interacting with assembled coat protein (category I); plant proteins in complex with both coat protein and RTD (category II); plant proteins in complex with the RTD (category III); and plant proteins that had higher affinity for virions lacking the RTD (category IV). Proteins identified as interacting with the RTD are potential candidates for regulating viral processes that are mediated by the RTP such as phloem retention and systemic movement and can potentially be useful targets for the development of strategies to prevent infection and/or viral transmission of Luteoviridae species that infect important crop species. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery in the National Football League.

PubMed

Nwachukwu, Benedict U; Bedi, Asheesh; Premkumar, Ajay; Draovitch, Pete; Kelly, Bryan T

2018-01-01

Previous studies have reported that hip abnormalities may account for 10% of injuries in professional football players. The effect of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and arthroscopic FAI surgery in National Football League (NFL) athletes has not been well studied. To investigate the effect of arthroscopic FAI surgery on return to play (RTP) and RTP performance in NFL players. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. NFL athletes undergoing arthroscopic FAI surgery at a single institution between 2006 and 2014 were identified. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and operative variables. RTP and RTP performance were assessed based on a review of publicly available NFL player statistics. RTP and RTP performance data included time to RTP; games played before and after the injury; yearly total yards and touchdowns for offensive players; and yearly total tackles, sacks, and interceptions for defensive players. The offensive power rating (OPR = [total yards/10] + [total touchdowns × 6]) and defensive power rating (DPR = total tackles + [total sacks × 2] + [total interceptions × 2]) were calculated. Paired t tests comparing preinjury and postinjury seasons were performed. A matched cohort of NFL players was created to compare trends for OPR, DPR, and career longevity. Forty-eight hips in 40 NFL players (mean age, 25.6 years) with symptomatic FAI were included; 8 players underwent staged bilateral hip arthroscopic procedures. The majority of players were offensive (n = 24; 60.0%), with offensive lineman (n = 11; 27.5%) being the most common of all positions. Of the 48 included hips, all had labral tears, and 41 (85.4%) underwent labral repair. Forty-two of the 48 hips (87.5%) underwent cam decompression, and 10 (20.8%) underwent rim decompression. Of the 40 included players, 37 (92.5%) achieved RTP to professional competition after their hip arthroscopic surgery at a mean of 6.0 months. Before the injury, included patients played in a mean of 11.0 games compared with 9.5 games in their postoperative season ( P = .26). The mean OPR and DPR demonstrated a nonsignificant decline in the postoperative season (preinjury OPR, 40.2; postinjury OPR, 32.3; P = .34) (preinjury DPR, 49.6; postinjury DPR, 36.4; P = .10). A similar decline in the OPR and DPR across seasons was observed in the control group. NFL athletes played, on average, 3.3 ± 1.5 seasons after undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery; this was not significantly different from the controls (2.5 ± 1.5 seasons; P = .47). There was no significant difference in mean annual salaries based on contracts negotiated before the injury and the first negotiated contract after surgery ($3.3 million vs $3.6 million, respectively; P = .58). There was a very high rate of RTP in the NFL after arthroscopic FAI surgery; this rate is higher than what has been previously reported for other orthopaedic procedures in NFL athletes. Additionally, these NFL athletes achieved RTP at a faster time frame (6 months) than previously reported for other procedures. These findings have important implications for counseling elite football players about the expected outcome of arthroscopic FAI surgery.

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM SELECT RESIDENCES PARTICIPATING IN THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Particle Size Distributions from Select Residences Participating in the NERL RTP PM Panel Study. Alan Vette, Ronald Williams, and Michael Riediker, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; Jonathan Thornburg...

Method Analysis of Microbial-Resistant Gypsum Products

EPA Science Inventory

Method Analysis of Microbial-Resistant Gypsum ProductsD.A. Betancourt1, T.R.Dean1, A. Evans2, and G.Byfield2 1. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory; RTP, NC 277112. RTI International, RTP, NCSeveral...

MASS CONCENTRATION RELATIONSHIPS FROM THE NERL RTP PARTICULATE MATTER PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

The National Exposure Research Laboratory's (NERL) Research Triangle Park (RTP) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Study has completed a one-year investigation of personal, residential and ambient PM-related mass concentrations in two potentially susceptible subpopulations. PM2.5, P...

MRI detection of soleus muscle injuries in professional football players.

PubMed

Pezzotta, G; Querques, G; Pecorelli, A; Nani, R; Sironi, S

2017-11-01

To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of soleus muscle injuries in symptomatic professional football players stratified according to both the Munich consensus statement and the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification (BAMIC), and to investigate the association between specific MRI features and the "return to play" (RTP). Professional football players with an episode of acute posterior calf pain and impaired function, subsequent to sports activity, underwent ultrasound followed by MRI examination reviewed by two different radiologists with more than 10 years of experience in the musculoskeletal system. MRI features and RTP outcome were evaluated for all types of injuries. During a 36-month period, a total of 20 professional football players were evaluated. According to the Munich consensus, 11 were type 3A, 8 were type 3B, and 1 was type 4, whereas according to the BAMIC, 11 lesions were considered grade 1, 4 grade 2, 4 grade 3, and 1 grade 4. RTP data were available for all patients (mean 3.3 ± 1.6 weeks). Both the Munich consensus and the BAMIC correlated with RTP (Spearman correlation = 0.982 and p < 0.0001 and 0.886 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Extension of edema was an independent prognostic factor for RTP in two different models of multivariate regression analysis (p = 0.044 model A; p = 0.031 model B). The Munich consensus and BAMIC grading systems are useful tools for defining the patient's prognosis and proper rehabilitation time after injury. The MRI feature that we should carefully look for is the extension of edema, as it seems to significantly affect the RTP.

Readiness to perform testing : a critical analysis of the concept and current practices.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-08-01

Readiness to Perform (RTP) testing has become an increasingly popular alternative to biochemical screening as a method for assessing risk factors (i.e., drug, alcohol, fatigue, etc.) in the workplace. The focus of RTP testing is on the assessment of ...

MRI findings and return to play in football: a prospective analysis of 255 hamstring injuries in the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study.

PubMed

Ekstrand, Jan; Lee, Justin C; Healy, Jeremiah C

2016-06-01

The present study evaluated whether the MRI parameters of hamstring injuries in male professional football players correlate with time to return to play (RTP). 46 elite European football teams were followed prospectively for hamstring injuries between 2007 and 2014. Club medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss after hamstring injury. MRI parameters were evaluated by two independent radiologists and correlated with the RTP data. A total of 255 grade 1 and 2 injuries were evaluated in this study. RTP was longer for grade 2 than grade 1 injuries (24±13, 95% CI 21 to 26 days vs 18±15, 95% CI 16 to 20 days; mean difference: 6, 95% CI 2 to 9 days, p=0.004, d=0.39). 84% of injuries affected the biceps femoris (BF) muscle, whereas 12% and 4% affected the semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST), respectively. No difference in lay-off time was found for injuries to the three different muscles (BF 20±15 days, SM 18±11 days, ST 23±14 days; p=0.83). The recurrence rate was higher for BF injuries than for SM and ST injuries combined (18% vs 2%, p=0.009). The size of the oedema weakly correlated with time to RTP (r(2)=6-12%). No correlation was found between location of injury and time to RTP. The majority of the intramuscular injuries affected the MT junction (56% in grade 1 and 2 injuries), but no difference in lay-off time was found between the different types of injuries. The radiological grade and size of the oedema correlate with time to RTP for both, grade 1 and 2 injuries. No correlations were found between time to RTP and the location and type of injury. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Long-Term Neurobehavioral Symptoms and Return to Productivity in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans With and Without Traumatic Brain Injury.

PubMed

Mortera, Marianne H; Kinirons, Stacy A; Simantov, Jessie; Klingbeil, Heidi

2018-02-01

To describe Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans who underwent the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE), differences between the traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-TBI subgroups, and factors associated with return to productivity (RTP). Retrospective medical record review. Medical center. Medical records of OEF/OIF veterans (N=236) who underwent the CTBIE between 2009 and 2013. Not applicable. Demographic characteristics, injury history, clinical presentation, and factors associated with RTP. Veteran sample included 90.7% men, was 45.3% white and 34.7% black, with half of Hispanic origin, and had a mean age of 33 years. The mean time since injury was approximately 4 years. Reported symptoms were high, with >90% reporting anxiousness, irritability, sleep difficulty, forgetfulness, and headaches. TBI diagnosis was found in 163 veterans (69%). The TBI subgroup was younger (TBI: 32.5y vs non-TBI: 34.9y; P=.02), reported a greater number of injuries (P<.001), and had significantly higher rates of half of the reported symptoms. Greatest differences were noted with forgetfulness (TBI: 95.7% vs non-TBI: 79.5%; P<.001), poor concentration (TBI: 90.2% vs non-TBI: 76.7%; P=.007), and headaches (TBI: 93.9% vs non-TBI: 83.6%; P=.014). RTP was 60.6% for the total veteran population. Factors associated with RTP were race (white) (odds ratio [OR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-3.55; P=.018), sensitivity to light (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.17-5.66; P=.018), and fatigue (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.51-8.95; P=.004). Veterans that did RTP were 3 times less likely to report depression (OR, .32; 95% CI, .12-.85; P=.022). Veterans reported a substantial number of lingering symptoms, with a higher prevalence in veterans with TBI. Veterans with reported depression were less likely to RTP. Future research should focus on the relation between depression and non-RTP and the effectiveness of Department of Veterans Affairs services. Copyright © 2017 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. All rights reserved.

MRI-Only Based Radiotherapy Treatment Planning for the Rat Brain on a Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP).

PubMed

Gutierrez, Shandra; Descamps, Benedicte; Vanhove, Christian

2015-01-01

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality in radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP). However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides superior soft tissue contrast, increasing the precision of target volume selection. We present MR-only based RTP for a rat brain on a small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) using probabilistic voxel classification with multiple MR sequences. Six rat heads were imaged, each with one CT and five MR sequences. The MR sequences were: T1-weighted, T2-weighted, zero-echo time (ZTE), and two ultra-short echo time sequences with 20 μs (UTE1) and 2 ms (UTE2) echo times. CT data were manually segmented into air, soft tissue, and bone to obtain the RTP reference. Bias field corrected MR images were automatically segmented into the same tissue classes using a fuzzy c-means segmentation algorithm with multiple images as input. Similarities between segmented CT and automatic segmented MR (ASMR) images were evaluated using Dice coefficient. Three ASMR images with high similarity index were used for further RTP. Three beam arrangements were investigated. Dose distributions were compared by analysing dose volume histograms. The highest Dice coefficients were obtained for the ZTE-UTE2 combination and for the T1-UTE1-T2 combination when ZTE was unavailable. Both combinations, along with UTE1-UTE2, often used to generate ASMR images, were used for further RTP. Using 1 beam, MR based RTP underestimated the dose to be delivered to the target (range: 1.4%-7.6%). When more complex beam configurations were used, the calculated dose using the ZTE-UTE2 combination was the most accurate, with 0.7% deviation from CT, compared to 0.8% for T1-UTE1-T2 and 1.7% for UTE1-UTE2. The presented MR-only based workflow for RTP on a SARRP enables both accurate organ delineation and dose calculations using multiple MR sequences. This method can be useful in longitudinal studies where CT's cumulative radiation dose might contribute to the total dose.

MRI-Only Based Radiotherapy Treatment Planning for the Rat Brain on a Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP)

PubMed Central

Gutierrez, Shandra; Descamps, Benedicte; Vanhove, Christian

2015-01-01

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality in radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP). However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides superior soft tissue contrast, increasing the precision of target volume selection. We present MR-only based RTP for a rat brain on a small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) using probabilistic voxel classification with multiple MR sequences. Six rat heads were imaged, each with one CT and five MR sequences. The MR sequences were: T1-weighted, T2-weighted, zero-echo time (ZTE), and two ultra-short echo time sequences with 20 μs (UTE1) and 2 ms (UTE2) echo times. CT data were manually segmented into air, soft tissue, and bone to obtain the RTP reference. Bias field corrected MR images were automatically segmented into the same tissue classes using a fuzzy c-means segmentation algorithm with multiple images as input. Similarities between segmented CT and automatic segmented MR (ASMR) images were evaluated using Dice coefficient. Three ASMR images with high similarity index were used for further RTP. Three beam arrangements were investigated. Dose distributions were compared by analysing dose volume histograms. The highest Dice coefficients were obtained for the ZTE-UTE2 combination and for the T1-UTE1-T2 combination when ZTE was unavailable. Both combinations, along with UTE1-UTE2, often used to generate ASMR images, were used for further RTP. Using 1 beam, MR based RTP underestimated the dose to be delivered to the target (range: 1.4%-7.6%). When more complex beam configurations were used, the calculated dose using the ZTE-UTE2 combination was the most accurate, with 0.7% deviation from CT, compared to 0.8% for T1-UTE1-T2 and 1.7% for UTE1-UTE2. The presented MR-only based workflow for RTP on a SARRP enables both accurate organ delineation and dose calculations using multiple MR sequences. This method can be useful in longitudinal studies where CT’s cumulative radiation dose might contribute to the total dose. PMID:26633302

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: MECHANISMS OF IMMUNOTOXICITY ACROSS PHYLA

EPA Science Inventory

Environmental pollution and the immune system: Mechanisms of immunotoxicity across phyla. Bob Luebke and Dori Germolec, US EPA, RTP, NC and NIEHS, RTP, NC

Our current understanding of immunotoxicology comes largely from studies done in rodents or using in vitro systems, a...

ORD INDOOR AIR QUALITY LIAISON FOR NEW EPA/RTP BUILDING

EPA Science Inventory

Construction on two new EPA buildings in RTP is nearing completion. Design and construction of a new Child Care Center has just begun. OARM has requested liason with the Office of Research and Development during the entire construction period. Duties of the liason include pr...

Return to Play in National Football League Players After Operative Jones Fracture Treatment.

PubMed

Lareau, Craig R; Hsu, Andrew R; Anderson, Robert B

2016-01-01

Jones fractures commonly occur in professional athletes and operative treatment remains the standard of care in this patient population. In our clinical experience, an aggressive postoperative rehabilitation protocol for National Football League (NFL) players with an average return to play (RTP) between 8 and 10 weeks can have successful outcomes with few complications. The purpose of this study was to quantify RTP and rate of complications, including nonunion, refracture, and reoperation among a cohort of NFL players with operatively treated Jones fractures. Between 2004 and 2014, 25 consecutive NFL players who underwent acute Jones fracture fixation by a single surgeon were reviewed. Operative treatment for the majority of patients involved fixation with a Jones-specific intramedullary screw and iliac crest bone marrow aspirate with demineralized bone matrix injected at the fracture site. Additionally, our protocol involved the use of noninvasive bone stimulators, application of customized orthoses, and an aggressive patient-specific rehabilitation protocol. Patient demographics were recorded along with position played, seasons played after surgery, RTP, and complications. RTP was defined as the ability to play in a single regular-season NFL game after surgery. At the time of surgery, average age for all patients was 24.0 years and BMI 31.0. Player positions included 8 wide receivers, 4 linebackers, 4 tight ends, 2 defensive tackles, 2 cornerbacks, 1 offensive tackle, 1 center, 1 tackle, 1 defensive end, and 1 quarterback. Seventy-six percent of players underwent operative fixation during their first 3 seasons. Forty-eight percent were diagnosed before or during their rookie (first) season.RTP was 100% for all players and 80% were still playing at time of publication. Three patients (12.0%) refractured and required revision surgery. Time until RTP was influenced by other variables and difficult to measure because many surgeries were performed early in the offseason. All 9 players who underwent surgery between July and October, and were therefore eligible to return to play in the same season, had an average RTP of 8.7 weeks (range 5.9-13.6). With an appropriately placed intramedullary screw and an aggressive rehabilitation protocol, early RTP was achievable with a low refracture rate in professional athletes. All NFL players in this series were able to return to play after surgery. We observed that these injuries were more likely to occur in the first 3 seasons of play and in wide receivers, linebackers, and tight ends. This at-risk subset of players may benefit from improved preventative measures. Level IV, retrospective case series. © The Author(s) 2015.

How the Molecular Packing Affects the Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Pure Organic Compounds: Ingenious Molecular Design, Detailed Crystal Analysis, and Rational Theoretical Calculations.

PubMed

Xie, Yujun; Ge, Yuwei; Peng, Qian; Li, Conggang; Li, Qianqian; Li, Zhen

2017-05-01

Long-lived phosphorescence at room temperature (RTP) from pure organic molecules is rare. Recent research reveals various crystalline organic molecules can realize RTP with lifetimes extending to the magnitude of second. There is little research on how molecular packing affecting RTP. Three compounds are designed with similar optical properties in solution, but tremendously different solid emission characteristics. By investigating the molecular packing arrangement in single crystals, it is found that the packing style of the compact face to face favors of long phosphorescence lifetime and high photoluminescence efficiency, with the lifetime up to 748 ms observed in the crystal of CPM ((9H-carbazol-9-yl)(phenyl)methanone). Theoretical calculation analysis also reveals this kind of packing style can remarkably reduce the singlet excited energy level and prompt electron communication between dimers. Surprisingly, CPM has two very similar single crystals, labeled as CPM and CPM-A, with almost identical crystal data, and the only difference is that molecules in CPM-A crystal take a little looser packing arrangement. X-ray diffraction and cross-polarization under magic spinning 13 C NMR spectra double confirm that they are different crystals. Interestingly, CPM-A crystal shows negligible RTP compared to the CPM crystal, once again proving that the packing style is critical to the RTP property. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Temporary targeted renal blood flow interruption using a reverse thermosensitive polymer to facilitate bloodless partial nephrectomy: a swine survival study.

PubMed

Harty, Niall J; Laskey, Daniel H; Moinzadeh, Alireza; Flacke, Sebastian; Benn, James A; Villani, Rosanna; Kalra, Aarti; Libertino, John A; Madras, Peter N

2012-09-01

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Lumagel™ is a reverse thermosensitive polymer (RTP) that has previously been described in the literature as providing temporary vascular occlusion to allow for bloodless partial nephrectomy (PN) while maintaining blood flow to the untargeted portion of the kidney. At body temperature, Lumagel™ has the consistency of a viscous gel but upon cooling rapidly converts to a liquid state and does not reconstitute thereafter. This property has allowed for it to be used in situations requiring temporary vascular occlusion. Previous experience with similar RTPs in coronary arteries proved successful, with no detectable adverse events. We have previously described our technique for temporary vascular occlusion of the main renal artery, as well as segmental and sub-segmental renal branches, to allow for bloodless PN in either an open or minimally invasive approach. These experiments were performed in the acute setting. This study is a two-armed survival trial to assess whether this RTP is as safe as hilar clamping for bloodless PN. Surviving animals showed normal growth after using the RTP, absence of toxicity, no organ dysfunction, and no pathological changes attributable to the RTP. We conclude that Lumagel™ is as safe as conventional PN with hilar clamping, while adding the advantage of uninterrupted perfusion during renal resection. To examine whether randomly selected regions of the kidney could undergo temporary flow interruption with a reverse thermosensitive polymer (RTP), Lumagel™ (Pluromed, Inc., Woburn, MA, USA), followed by partial nephrectomy (PN), without adding risks beyond those encountered in the same procedure with the use of hilar clamping. A two-armed (RTP vs hilar clamp), 6-week swine survival study was performed. Four swine underwent PN using hilar clamps, while six underwent PN with flow interruption using the RTP. The RTP, administered angiographically, was used for intraluminal occlusion of segmental or subsegmental arteries and was compared with main renal artery clamping with hilar clamps. The resection site was randomized for each swine. Laboratory studies were performed preoperatively, and at weeks 1, 3 and 6. Before killing the swine, repeat angiography was performed with emphasis on the site of previous flow interruption. Gross and microscopic examination of kidney, liver, lung, heart, skeletal muscle was later performed, and the vessel that had supported the previous plug was examined. All animals survived. No abnormal chemistry or haematology results were encountered over the 6 weeks. There were no surgical complications in either group. Using angiography we found 100% patency of vessels that had been occluded with the polymer 6 weeks previously for PN. The only gross or microscopic abnormalities were related to the renal resection and scar formation, and were similar in the two groups. Targeted flow interruption with the RTP added no additional risk to PN while allowing bloodless resection and uninterrupted flow to untargeted renal tissue. © 2012 THE AUTHORS. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2012 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Administrative Restructuring of a Residency Training Program for Improved Efficiency and Output

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Zyl, Louis T.; Finch, Susan J.; Davidson, Paul R.; Arboleda-Florez, Julio

2005-01-01

Objectives: Canadian residency training programs (RTP) have a program director (PD) and a residency program committee (RPC) overseeing program administration. Limited guidance is available about the ideal administrative structure of an RTP. This article describes administrative load in Canadian RTPs, presents a novel approach to delegating core…

Effects of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants on Spontaneous Activity in Neuronal Networks Grown on Microelectrode Arrays

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF ORGANOPHOSPHORUS FLAME RETARDANTS ON SPONTANEOUS ACTIVITY IN NEURONAL NETWORKS GROWN ON MICROELECTRODE ARRAYS TJ Shafer1, K Wallace1, WR Mundy1, M Behl2,. 1Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA, 2National Toxicology Program, NIEHS, RTP, NC...

Preoperative Short Form Health Survey Score Is Predictive of Return to Play and Minimal Clinically Important Difference at a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

PubMed

Nwachukwu, Benedict U; Chang, Brenda; Voleti, Pramod B; Berkanish, Patricia; Cohn, Matthew R; Altchek, David W; Allen, Answorth A; Williams, Riley J

2017-10-01

There is increased interest in understanding the preoperative determinants of postoperative outcomes. Return to play (RTP) and the patient-reported minimal clinically important difference (MCID) are useful measures of postoperative outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). To define the MCID after ACLR and to investigate the role of preoperative outcome scores for predicting the MCID and RTP after ACLR. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. There were 294 active athletes enrolled as part of an institutional ACL registry with a minimum 2-year follow-up who were eligible for inclusion. A questionnaire was administered to elicit factors associated with RTP. Patient demographic and clinical data as well as patient-reported outcome measures were captured as part of the registry. Outcome measures included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form, Lysholm scale, and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Preoperative outcome score thresholds predictive of RTP were determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) with area under the curve (AUC) analysis. The MCID was calculated using a distribution-based method. Multivariable logistic models were fitted to identify predictors for achieving the MCID and RTP. At a mean (±SD) follow-up of 3.7 ± 0.7 years, 231 patients were included from a total 294 eligible patients. The mean age and body mass index were 26.7 ± 12.5 years and 23.7 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 , respectively. Of the 231 patients, 201 (87.0%) returned to play at a mean time of 10.1 months. Two-year postoperative scores on all measures were significantly increased from preoperative scores (IKDC: 50.1 ± 15.6 to 87.4 ± 10.7; Lysholm: 61.2 ± 18.1 to 89.5 ± 10.4; SF-12 PCS: 41.5 ± 9.0 to 54.7 ± 4.6; SF-12 MCS: 53.6 ± 8.1 to 55.7 ± 5.7; P < .001 for all). The corresponding MCID values were 9.0 (IKDC), 10.0 (Lysholm), 5.1 (SF-12 PCS), and 4.3 (SF-12 MCS). Preoperative score thresholds predictive of RTP were the following: IKDC, 60.9; Lysholm, 57.0; SF-12 PCS, 42.3; and SF-12 MCS, 48.3. These thresholds were not independently predictive but achieved significance as part of the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis for RTP, preoperative SF-12 PCS scores above 42.3 (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% CI, 1.09-7.62) and SF-12 MCS scores above 48.3 (OR, 4.41; 95% CI, 1.80-10.98) were predictive for achieving RTP; an ACL allograft (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.06-1.00) was negatively predictive of RTP. In the multivariable analysis for the MCID, patients with higher preoperative scores were less likely to achieve the MCID ( P < .0001); however, a higher preoperative SF-12 MCS score was predictive of achieving the MCID on the IKDC form (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11-1.52) and Lysholm scale (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16). Medial meniscal injuries, older age, and white race were also associated with a decreased likelihood for achieving the MCID. Preoperative SF-12 MCS and PCS scores were predictive of RTP after ACLR; patients scoring above 42.3 on the SF-12 PCS and 48.3 on the SF-12 MCS were more likely to achieve RTP. Additionally, we defined the MCID after ACLR and found that higher SF-12 MCS scores were predictive of achieving the MCID on knee-specific questionnaires.

The Potato leafroll virus structural proteins manipulate overlapping, yet distinct protein interaction networks during infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) produces a readthrough protein (RTP) via translational readthrough of the coat protein amber stop codon. The RTP functions as a structural component of the virion and as a non-incorporated protein in concert with numerous insect and plant proteins to regulate virus movem...

DISPOSITION OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE IN HUMANS FOLLOWING ORAL AND DERMAL EXPOSURE

EPA Science Inventory

DISPOSITION OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE IN HUMANS FOLLOWING ORAL AND DERMAL EXPOSURE. TL Leavens1, MW Case1, RA Pegram1, BC Blount2, DM DeMarini1, MC Madden1, and JL Valentine3. 1NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA; 2CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA; 3RTI, RTP, NC, USA.
The disinfection byproduct ...

Manufacturing an advanced process characterization reticle incorporating halftone biasing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakagawa, Kent H.; Van Den Broeke, Douglas J.; Chen, J. Fung; Laidig, Thomas L.; Wampler, Kurt E.; Caldwell, Roger F.

1999-04-01

As the semiconductor roadmap continues to require imaging of smaller feature son wafers, we continue to explore new approaches in OPC strategies to extend the lifespan of existing technology. In this paper, we study a new OPC technology, called halftone biasing, and its application on an OPC characterization reticle, designed by MicroUnity Systems Engineering, Inc. The RTP9 test reticle is the latest in a series of 'LineSweeper' characterization reticles. Each reticle contains a wide range of line width sand pitches, each with several alternative OPC treatments, including references cases, scattering bars, and fine biasing. One of RTP9's design requirements was to support very fine, incremental biases for densely-pitched lines. Ordinarily, this would dictate a reduced address unit and with it the costly penalty of a square-law increase in e- beam write time. RTP9 incorporates a new OPC strategy, called halftone biasing, which has been proposed to address this problem. Taking advantage of optical reduction printing, this technique applies a sub-resolution halftone screen to the edges of figures to accomplish fine biasing equivalent to using an address unit one-fourth of the size of the actual e-beam writing grid. The resulting edge structure has some of the characteristics of aggressive OPC structures, but can be used in areas where traditional scattering bars cannot be placed. The trade-off between the faster write times achieved and the inflation of pattern file size is examined. The manufacturability and inspectability of halftone-biased lines on the RTP9 test reticle are explored. Pattern fidelity is examined using both optical and SEM tools. Printed 0.18 micrometers DUV resist line edge profiles are compared for both halftone and non- halftone feature edges. The CD uniformity of the OPC features, and result of die-to-database inspection are reported. The application of halftone biasing to real circuits, including the impact of data volume and saved write time, is also discussed.

Active Learning Strategies for Introductory Light and Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokoloff, David R.

2016-01-01

There is considerable evidence that traditional approaches are ineffective in teaching physics concepts, including light and optics concepts. A major focus of the work of the Activity Based Physics Group has been on the development of active learning curricula like RealTime Physics (RTP) labs and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs). Among the characteristics of these curricula are: (1) use of a learning cycle in which students are challenged to compare predictions—discussed with their peers in small groups—to observations of the physical world, (2) use of guided hands-on work to construct basic concepts from observations, and (3) use of computer-based tools. It has been possible to change the lecture and laboratory learning environments at a large number of universities, colleges, and high schools without changing the structure of the introductory course. For example, in the United States, nearly 200 physics departments have adopted RTP, and many others use pre-publication, open-source versions or have adopted the RTP approach to develop their own labs. Examples from RTP and ILDs (including optics magic tricks) are described in this paper.

Study of the heavy atom-induced room temperature phosphorescence properties of melatonin and its analytical application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amjadi, Mohammad; Manzoori, Jamshid L.; Miller, James N.

2006-02-01

Liquid phase room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties of melatonin were studied using heavy atom induced-room temperature phosphorescence (HAI-RTP) technique. 1.2 M potassium iodide was used as a heavy atom reagent together with 0.002 M sodium sulphite as deoxygenating agent to produce the RTP signal. The maximum phosphorescence emission and excitation wavelengths of melatonin were 290 and 457 nm, respectively. The effect of potassium iodide concentration on the RTP lifetime of melatonin was also investigated and based on the results, the rate constants for phosphorescence decay ( kp) and radiationless deactivation through reaction with heavy atom ( kh) were determined. Based on the obtained results, a simple and sensitive room temperature phosphorimetric method was developed for the determination of melatonin. The method allowed the determination of 10.0-200 ng ml -1 melatonin in aqueous solution with the limits of detection and quantification of 3.6 and 12 ng ml -1, respectively. The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of melatonin in commercial pharmaceutical formulations.

Layers: A molecular surface peeling algorithm and its applications to analyze protein structures

PubMed Central

Karampudi, Naga Bhushana Rao; Bahadur, Ranjit Prasad

2015-01-01

We present an algorithm ‘Layers’ to peel the atoms of proteins as layers. Using Layers we show an efficient way to transform protein structures into 2D pattern, named residue transition pattern (RTP), which is independent of molecular orientations. RTP explains the folding patterns of proteins and hence identification of similarity between proteins is simple and reliable using RTP than with the standard sequence or structure based methods. Moreover, Layers generates a fine-tunable coarse model for the molecular surface by using non-random sampling. The coarse model can be used for shape comparison, protein recognition and ligand design. Additionally, Layers can be used to develop biased initial configuration of molecules for protein folding simulations. We have developed a random forest classifier to predict the RTP of a given polypeptide sequence. Layers is a standalone application; however, it can be merged with other applications to reduce the computational load when working with large datasets of protein structures. Layers is available freely at http://www.csb.iitkgp.ernet.in/applications/mol_layers/main. PMID:26553411

Preparation, Processing, and Characterization of Oriented Polycrystalline Zeolite and Aluminophosphate Membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoeger, Jared Andrew

Since the advent of zeolite membranes, speculation on their industrial applicability has been closely monitored, although widespread commercialization has been hampered by limitations in fabrication and post-synthesis processing. Economical, energy-efficient technology breakthroughs require an evaluation of a range of material candidates which show robustness and reliability. Straightforward manufacturing techniques should be devised to generate thousands of square meters of membrane area; however, this demands control of structural characteristics on the scale of nanometers. As described in this dissertation, the path forward will be forged by exploiting the intrinsic crystalline properties of zeolites or aluminophosphates for the next advancement in membrane technology. A facile method is described for the preparation of silicalite-1 (MFI zeolite type) membranes using the secondary growth technique on symmetric porous stainless steel tubes. Activation through rapid thermal processing (RTP), a lamp-based heat-treatment process used as a critical fabrication step in silicon integrated circuit manufacturing, is proven to reduce the density of non-zeolitic transport pathways which are detrimental to high-resolution molecular sieving. RTP-treated membranes are shown to have enhanced performance in the binary separation of vapor-phase isomers (p-/o-xylene), gas-phase isomers (n-/i-butane), and alcohol/water when compared to membranes activated at a much slower heating rate but otherwise similarly-prepared. The performance is discussed in the context of the market potential for industrially-attractive separations: the recovery of p-xylene from an isomeric mixture or alcohol biofuels from aqueous post-fermentation streams. Hydrothermal growth techniques for the preparation and characterization of continuous aluminophosphate (AFI zeolite type) membranes with a preferential crystallographic alignment on porous alpha-Al2O3 disc supports are demonstrated. A mechanism is proposed for flake-like crystal formation in the early stages of in-plane crystalline intergrowth between oriented columnar crystals by electric heating. It is shown that elevated temperatures induce a phase transformation to a densified aluminophosphate phase despite framework metal substitution or alternative heat-treatment conditions. Additionally, stability and membrane characteristics following in situ microwave growth using a TiO2-coated support are examined. Indications of improved quality validate the candidacy of the microwave-grown membranes with regard to the potential for carbon nanotube synthesis in the aligned one-dimensional channels for high flux, high separation factor membrane fabrication.

Return to Play in Athletes Receiving Cervical Surgery: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Molinari, Robert W.; Pagarigan, Krystle; Dettori, Joseph R.; Molinari, Robert; Dehaven, Kenneth E.

2016-01-01

Study Design Systematic review. Clinical Questions Among athletes who undergo surgery of the cervical spine, (1) What proportion return to play (RTP) after their cervical surgery? (2) Does the proportion of those cleared for RTP depend on the type of surgical procedure (artificial disk replacement, fusion, nonfusion foraminotomies/laminoplasties), number of levels (1, 2, or more levels), or type of sport? (3) Among those who return to their presurgery sport, how long do they continue to play? (4) Among those who return to their presurgery sport, how does their postoperative performance compare with their preoperative performance? Objectives To evaluate the extent and quality of published literature on the topic of return to competitive athletic completion after cervical spinal surgery. Methods Electronic databases and reference lists of key articles published up to August 19, 2015, were searched to identify studies reporting the proportion of athletes who RTP after cervical spine surgery. Results Nine observational, retrospective series consisting of 175 patients were included. Seven reported on professional athletes and two on recreational athletes. Seventy-five percent (76/102) of professional athletes returned to their respective sport following surgery for mostly cervical herniated disks. Seventy-six percent of recreational athletes (51/67) age 10 to 42 years RTP in a variety of sports following surgery for mostly herniated disks. No snowboarder returned to snowboarding (0/6) following surgery for cervical fractures. Most professional football players and baseball pitchers returned to their respective sport at their presurgery performance level. Conclusions RTP decisions after cervical spine surgery remain controversial, and there is a paucity of existing literature on this topic. Successful return to competitive sports is well described after single-level anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion surgery for herniated disk. RTP outcomes involving other cervical spine diagnoses and surgical procedures remain unclear. Additional quality research is needed on this topic. PMID:26835207

The stability of arterial blood gases during transportation of patients using the RespirTech PRO.

PubMed

Romano, M; Raabe, O G; Walby, W; Albertson, T E

2000-05-01

The transportation of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation is recognized as a high-risk and expensive procedure. Approaches have included using manual bag-type valve resuscitators and expensive portable transport ventilators. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the inexpensive portable RespirTech PRO (RTP) gas-powered automatic resuscitator during intrahospital transport of critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. Twenty medical intensive care patients on stable mechanical ventilator settings had arterial blood gas and vital sign determination before routine transport out of the intensive care unit (ICU). Repeat measurements were made during transport approximately 30 minutes after being placed on the RTP portable pressure-cycled automatic resuscitator using an FiO2 of 100%. During use of the RTP for transport, there were no statistically significant variations observed in mean arterial blood pressure [82 +/- 11 SD (range 65 to 112) mm Hg before transport versus 85 +/- 14 SD (range 59 to 110) mm Hg during transport], heart rate [94 +/- 16 SD (range 74 to 127) beats/min) before versus 96 +/- 17 SD (range 69 to 132) beats/min during], arterial pH [7.41 +/- 0.07 SD (range 7.31 to 7.58) before versus 7.42 +/- 0.05 SD (range 7.37 to 7.52) during], and PaCO2 [43 +/- 10 SD (range 26 to 65) mm Hg before versus 43 +/- 10 SD (range 27 to 61 mm Hg) during]. Because the FiO2 before transport was 63 +/- 26 SD (range 30% to 100%) versus 100% during transport using the RTP, the mean PaO2 was significantly increased from 124 +/- 86 SD (range 57 to 367) mm Hg before transport to 297 +/- 168 SD (range 65 to 537) mm Hg during (P< .001). No transportation associated clinical adverse events were noted. Several previous investigations have shown that portable ventilators are safe and effective in intrahospital transport of mechanically ventilated patients. This study showed that the portable pressure-cycled RTP also allows safe transportation of mechanically ventilated ICU patients. By analogy, the RTP is potentially useful as an automatic resuscitator for emergency medical care. This RTP is a disposable resuscitator/ventilator device that provides an inexpensive alternative for transporting ventilator-dependent patients.

Return-to-Play Outcomes in Professional Baseball Players After Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries: Comparison of Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

PubMed

Ford, Gregory M; Genuario, James; Kinkartz, Jason; Githens, Thomas; Noonan, Thomas

2016-03-01

The medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary static stabilizer to valgus stress of the elbow. Injuries to the UCL are common in baseball pitchers. In the 1970s, reconstructive surgery was developed. Return-to-play (RTP) rates of 67% to 95% after reconstruction have been reported. There is a paucity of published studies among professional baseball players reporting RTP with nonoperative treatment. To identify professional baseball players' ability to RTP after the nonoperative treatment of UCL injuries based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grade. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. A review of elbow injuries among a professional baseball organization from 2006 to 2011 was performed. MRI was performed on all players. Forty-three UCL injuries were diagnosed. Treatment included rehabilitation, surgery, or both. Rates of RTP and return to the same level of play or higher (RTSP) were calculated and correlated with the MRI grade, location of injury, and player position. MRI grading was as follows: I, intact ligament with or without edema; IIA, partial tear; IIB, chronic healed injury; and III, complete tear. Forty-three UCL injuries in 43 players were diagnosed. Eight had complete tears (grade III), were treated operatively with UCL reconstruction, and had an RTP rate of 75% and RTSP rate of 63% (5/8 returned to the same level and 1 to a lower level). All 8 were pitchers. The remaining 35 players had incomplete injuries (4 grade I, 8 grade IIA, and 23 grade IIB), consisting of 24 pitchers and 11 positional players. Of these 35 players, 1 underwent surgery without attempted rehabilitation, 3 initiated rehabilitation until MRI was performed and then underwent surgery, and 3 underwent surgery after failed rehabilitation. The 7 players who underwent UCL reconstruction surgery had an RTP rate of 100% and RTSP rate of 86% (6/7 returned to the same level and 1 to a lower level). The remaining 28 with nonoperative treatment had both RTP and RTSP rates of 93% (26/28 returned to the same level and 0 to a lower level). Of these, 10 were positional players with an RTSP rate of 90%, and 18 were pitchers with an RTSP rate of 94%. Of all players with incomplete UCL injuries who completed nonoperative rehabilitative treatment (n = 31), 26 had a successful RTSP (84%). Incomplete UCL injuries in professional baseball players can be successfully treated nonoperatively in the majority of cases. Pitchers are more likely to have complete tears leading to surgery. MRI grading of UCL injuries can help predict RTP and the need for surgery. © 2016 The Author(s).

Assessment of phthalate-induced changes in fetal rat testis gene expression using an rt-PCR array

EPA Science Inventory

Lambright, CS’, Sampson, H2, Furr, i1, Evans, N’, Hannas, B’, Gray, LE, Jr.’, VS Wilson1. 1USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC, 2USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC, ORISE Fellow. Phthalate esters (PE) such as diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) produce reproductive malformations in male rodents by reduction o...

A ratiometric fluorescent molecular probe for visualization of mitochondrial temperature in living cells.

PubMed

Homma, Mitsumasa; Takei, Yoshiaki; Murata, Atsushi; Inoue, Takafumi; Takeoka, Shinji

2015-04-11

Mitochondrial thermodynamics is the key to understand cellular activities related to homeostasis and energy balance. Here, we report the first ratiometric fluorescent molecular probe (Mito-RTP) that is selectively localized in the mitochondria and visualize the temperature. We confirmed that Mito-RTP could work as a ratiometric thermometer in a cuvette and living cells.

Using the Euclid RTP11.13 Repository in the SEC Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

of wrong user, passwd combination. We found out that the user and password are hard coded in the FCT software. It uses defaultEditor@ rtp I I 13.INETI...The FCT will start, but when connecting to the Repository it fails because of wrong user, passwd combination: It uses defaultEditor@rtpl I 13.INETI

Making Sense of TV for Children: The Case of Portugal

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pereira, Sara; Pinto, Manuel

2011-01-01

Empowering children for a critical and judicious use and consumption of media is a main objective of media literacy. This paper aims to examine the range of television programs available for children in Portugal through a comparative analysis of the programming for children broadcast by the four Portuguese terrestrial channels (RTP1, RTP2, SIC and…

Cellular Stress Response to Engineered Nanoparticles: Effect of Size, Surface Coating, and Cellular Uptake

EPA Science Inventory

CELLULAR STRESS RESPONSE TO ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES: EFFECT OF SIZE, SURFACE COATING, AND CELLULAR UPTAKE RY Prasad 1, JK McGee2, MG Killius1 D Ackerman2, CF Blackman2 DM DeMarini2 , SO Simmons2 1 Student Services Contractor, US EPA, RTP, NC 2 US EPA, RTP, NC The num...

Plasma-Assisted Dry Etching of Ferroelectric Capacitor Modules and Application to a 32M Ferroelectric Random Access Memory Devices with Submicron Feature Sizes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sang-Woo; Joo, Suk-Ho; Cho, Sung Lae; Son, Yoon-Ho; Lee, Kyu-Mann; Nam, Sang-Don; Park, Kun-Sang; Lee, Yong-Tak; Seo, Jung-Suk; Kim, Young-Dae; An, Hyeong-Geun; Kim, Hyoung-Joon; Jung, Yong-Ju; Heo, Jang-Eun; Lee, Moon-Sook; Park, Soon-Oh; Chung, U-In; Moon, Joo-Tae

2002-11-01

In the manufacturing of a 32M ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device on the basis of 0.25 design rule (D/R), one of the most difficult processes is to pattern a submicron capacitor module while retaining good ferroelectric properties. In this paper, we report the ferroelectric property of patterned submicron capacitor modules with a stack height of 380 nm, where the 100 nm-thick Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT) films were prepared by the sol-gel method. After patterning, overall sidewall slope was approximately 70° and cell-to-cell node separation was made to be 80 nm to prevent possible twin-bit failure in the device. Finally, several heat treatment conditions were investigated to retain the ferroelectric property of the patterned capacitor. It was found that rapid thermal processing (RTP) treatment yields better properties than conventional furnace annealing. This result is directly related to the near-surface chemistry of the PZT films, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The resultant switching polarization value of the submicron capacitor was approximately 30 μC/cm2 measured at 3 V.

77 FR 17534 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-26

... Association (``SIFMA'') formed the MMI Blue-Sky Task Force (``Task Force'') to address systemic and unique... processing. The Task Force, along other money market industry members,\\8\\ determined that DTC's current MMI... amount or proceeds after the 3 p.m. E.T. deadline for RTP instructions.\\9\\ Accordingly, DTC is proposing...

Relationships to place in wildland resources management: Developing an effective research approach

Treesearch

Neal Christensen; Alan Watson; James Burchfield

2007-01-01

This paper describes an approach to understanding human relationships with public lands and considering those relationships in the decision making process. This understanding is based on segmentation analysis to identify groups of local residents that have similar relationships to place (RTP) with a public wildland. The research described in this paper uses a mix of...

EFFECTS OF DIESEL EXHAUST ON PULMONARY RESPONSES DURING ALLERGIC SENSITIZATION TO AEROSOLIZED OVALBUMIN IN BALB/C MICE

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Diesel Exhaust on Pulmonary Responses During Allergic Sensitization to Aerosolized Ovalbumin in BALB/c Mice. P. Singh1, M.J. Daniels1, D. Andrews1, E. Boykin1, W. P. Linak2 and M.I. Gilmour1. 1USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC. 2 USEPA, ORD, NRMRL, RTP, NC.

Inhala...

Room-Temperature Phosphorescence in Pure Organic Materials: Halogen Bonding Switching Effects.

PubMed

Xiao, Lu; Wu, Yishi; Yu, Zhenyi; Xu, Zhenzhen; Li, Jinbiao; Liu, Yanping; Yao, Jiannian; Fu, Hongbing

2018-02-06

Organic room-temperature phosphorescence (ORTP), when combined with external stimuli-responsive capability, is very attractive for sensors and bio-imaging devices, but remains challenging. Herein, by doping two β-iminoenamine-BF 2 derivatives (S-2CN and S-2I) into a 4-iodoaniline (I-Ph-NH 2 ) crystalline matrix, the formation of S-2CN⋅⋅⋅I-Ph-NH 2 and S-2I⋅⋅⋅I-Ph-NH 2 halogen bonds leads to bright-red RTP emissions from these two host-guest doped crystals (hgDCs) with quantum efficiencies up to 13.43 % and 15.96 %, respectively. Upon treatment with HCl, the competition of I-Ph-NH 2 ⋅HCl formation against S-2I⋅⋅⋅I-Ph-NH 2 halogen bonding switches off the red RTP from S-2I/I-Ph-NH 2 hgDCs, whereas the stable halogen-bonded S-2CN⋅⋅⋅I-Ph-NH 2 ensures red RTP from S-2CN/I-Ph-NH 2 hgDCs remains unchanged. A security protection luminescence pattern by using these different HCl-responsive RTP behaviors was designed. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evaluating the Impacts of Real-Time Pricing on the Cost and Value of Wind Generation

DOE PAGES

Siohansi, Ramteen

2010-05-01

One of the costs associated with integrating wind generation into a power system is the cost of redispatching the system in real-time due to day-ahead wind resource forecast errors. One possible way of reducing these redispatch costs is to introduce demand response in the form of real-time pricing (RTP), which could allow electricity demand to respond to actual real-time wind resource availability using price signals. A day-ahead unit commitment model with day-ahead wind forecasts and a real-time dispatch model with actual wind resource availability is used to estimate system operations in a high wind penetration scenario. System operations are comparedmore » to a perfect foresight benchmark, in which actual wind resource availability is known day-ahead. The results show that wind integration costs with fixed demands can be high, both due to real-time redispatch costs and lost load. It is demonstrated that introducing RTP can reduce redispatch costs and eliminate loss of load events. Finally, social surplus with wind generation and RTP is compared to a system with neither and the results demonstrate that introducing wind and RTP into a market can result in superadditive surplus gains.« less

Conjugation of glucose oxidase onto Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots for phosphorescent sensing of glucose in biological fluids.

PubMed

Wu, Peng; He, Yu; Wang, He-Fang; Yan, Xiu-Ping

2010-02-15

Integrating various enzymes with nanomaterials provides various nanohybrids with new possibilities in biosensor applications. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity and stability are also improved due to the large surface area of nanomaterials. Here we report the conjugation of glucose oxidase (GOD) onto phosphorescent Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropy)carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as coupling reagents for glucose biosensing based on the effective quenching of the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of Mn-doped ZnS QDs by the H(2)O(2) generated from GOD-catalyzed oxidation of glucose. The obtained bioconjugate not only provided improved enzymatic performance with Michaelis-Menten constant of 0.70 mM but also favored biological applications because the phosphorescent detection mode avoided the interference from autofluorescence and scattering light from the biological matrix. In addition, the GOD-conjugated Mn-doped ZnS QDs showed better thermal stability in the temperature range of 20-80 degrees C. The GOD-Mn-doped ZnS QDs based RTP sensor for glucose gave a detection limit of 3 microM and two linear ranges from 10 microM to 0.1 mM and from 0.1 to 1 mM. The developed biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in real serum samples without the need for any complicated sample pretreatments.

Neutron flux and power in RTP core-15

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

Rabir, Mohamad Hairie, E-mail: m-hairie@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my; Zin, Muhammad Rawi Md; Usang, Mark Dennis

PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor achieved initial criticality on June 28, 1982. The reactor is designed to effectively implement the various fields of basic nuclear research, manpower training, and production of radioisotopes. This paper describes the reactor parameters calculation for the PUSPATI TRIGA REACTOR (RTP); focusing on the application of the developed reactor 3D model for criticality calculation, analysis of power and neutron flux distribution of TRIGA core. The 3D continuous energy Monte Carlo code MCNP was used to develop a versatile and accurate full model of the TRIGA reactor. The model represents in detailed all important components of the core withmore » literally no physical approximation. The consistency and accuracy of the developed RTP MCNP model was established by comparing calculations to the available experimental results and TRIGLAV code calculation.« less

Rate of return to pitching and performance after Tommy John surgery in Major League Baseball pitchers.

PubMed

Erickson, Brandon J; Gupta, Anil K; Harris, Joshua D; Bush-Joseph, Charles; Bach, Bernard R; Abrams, Geoffrey D; San Juan, Angielyn M; Cole, Brian J; Romeo, Anthony A

2014-03-01

Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is a common procedure performed on Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers in the United States. To determine (1) the rate of return to pitching (RTP) in the MLB after UCL reconstruction, (2) the RTP rate in either the MLB and minor league combined, (3) performance after RTP, and (4) the difference in the RTP rate and performance between pitchers who underwent UCL reconstruction and matched controls without UCL injuries. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Major League Baseball pitchers with symptomatic medial UCL deficiency who underwent UCL reconstruction were evaluated. All player, elbow, and surgical demographic data were analyzed. Controls matched by age, body mass index, position, handedness, and MLB experience and performance were selected from the MLB during the same years as those undergoing UCL reconstruction. An "index year" was designated for controls, analogous to the UCL reconstruction year in cases. Return to pitching and performance measures in the MLB were compared between cases and controls. Student t tests were performed for analysis of within-group and between-group variables, respectively. A total of 179 pitchers with UCL tears who underwent reconstruction met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Of these, 148 pitchers (83%) were able to RTP in the MLB, and 174 pitchers were able to RTP in the MLB and minor league combined (97.2%), while only 5 pitchers (2.8%) were never able to RTP in either the MLB or minor league. Pitchers returned to the MLB at a mean 20.5 ± 9.72 months after UCL reconstruction. The length of career in the MLB after UCL reconstruction was 3.9 ± 2.84 years, although 56 of these patients were still currently actively pitching in the MLB at the start of the 2013 season. The revision rate was 3.9%. In the year before UCL reconstruction, pitching performance declined significantly in the cases versus controls in the number of innings pitched, games played, and wins and the winning percentage (P < .05). After surgery, pitchers showed significantly improved performance versus before surgery (fewer losses, a lower losing percentage, lower earned run average [ERA], threw fewer walks, and allowed fewer hits, runs, and home runs) (P < .05). Comparisons between cases and controls for the time frame after UCL reconstruction (cases) or the index year (controls) demonstrated that cases had significantly (P < .05) fewer losses per season and a lower losing percentage. In addition, cases had a significantly lower ERA and allowed fewer walks and hits per inning pitched. There is a high rate of RTP in professional baseball after UCL reconstruction. Performance declined before surgery and improved after surgery. When compared with demographic-matched controls, patients who underwent UCL reconstruction had better results in multiple performance measures. Reconstruction of the UCL allows for a predictable and successful return to the MLB.

Effect of a High-Intensity, Intermittent-Exercise Protocol on Neurocognitive Function in Healthy Adults: Implications for Return-to-Play Management After Sport-Related Concussion.

PubMed

Whyte, Enda F; Gibbons, Nicola; Kerr, Grainne; Moran, Kieran A

2015-12-03

Determination of return to play (RTP) after sport-related concussion (SRC) is critical given the potential consequences of premature RTP. Current RTP guidelines may not identify persistent exercise-induced neurocognitive deficits in asymptomatic athletes after SRC. Therefore, postexercise neurocognitive testing has been recommended to further inform RTP determination. To implement this recommendation, the effect of exercise on neurocognitive function in healthy athletes should be understood. To examine the acute effects of a high-intensity intermittent-exercise protocol (HIIP) on neurocognitive function assessed by the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT) and Stroop Interference Test. Cohort study. University laboratory. 40 healthy male athletes (age 21.25 ± 1.29 y, education 16.95 ± 1.37 y). Each participant completed the SDMT and Stroop Interference Test at baseline and after random allocation to a condition (HIIP vs control). A mixed between-within-subjects ANOVA assessed time- (pre- vs postcondition) -by-condition interaction effects. SDMT and Stroop Interference Test scores. There was a significant time-by-condition interaction effect (P < .001, η2 = .364) for the Stroop Interference Test scores, indicating that the HIIP group scored significantly lower (56.05 ± 9.34) postcondition than the control group (66.39 ± 19.6). There was no significant time-by-condition effect (P = .997, η2 < .001) for the SDMT, indicating that there was no difference between SDMT scores for the HIIP and control groups (59.95 ± 10.7 vs 58.56 ± 14.02). In healthy athletes, the HIIP results in a reduction in neurocognitive function as assessed by the Stroop Interference Test, with no effect on function as assessed by the SDMT. Testing should also be considered after high-intensity exercise in determining RTP decisions for athletes after SRC in conjunction with the existing recommended RTP protocol. These results may provide an initial reference point for future research investigating the effects of an HIIP on the neurocognitive function of athletes recovering from SRC.

A Functional Return-to-Play Progression After Exertional Heat Stroke in a High School Football Player.

PubMed

Lopez, Rebecca M; Tanner, Patrick; Irani, Sarah; Mularoni, P Patrick

2018-03-01

  To present a functional return-to-play (RTP) progression after exertional heat stroke (EHS) in a 17-year-old high school football defensive end (height = 185 cm, mass = 145.5 kg).   The patient had no pertinent medical history but moved to a warm climate several days before the EHS occurred. After completing an off-season conditioning test (14- × 110-yd [12.6- × 99.0-m] sprints) on a warm afternoon (temperature = approximately 34°C [93°F], relative humidity = 53%), the patient collapsed. An athletic trainer (AT) was called to the field, where he found the patient conscious but exhibiting central nervous system dysfunction. Emergency medical services were summoned and immediately transported the patient to the hospital.   Exertional heat stroke, heat exhaustion, exertional sickling, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiac arrhythmia.   The patient was immediately transported to a hospital, where his oral temperature was 39.6°C (103.3°F). He was transferred to a children's hospital and treated for rhabdomyolysis, transaminitis, and renal failure. He was hospitalized for 11 days. After a physician's clearance once the laboratory results normalized, an RTP progression was completed. The protocol began with light activity and progressed over 3 weeks to full football practice. During activity, an AT monitored the patient's gastrointestinal temperature, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, fluid consumption, and sweat losses.   Documentation of RTP guidelines for young athletes is lacking. We used a protocol intended for the football setting to ensure the athlete was heat tolerant, had adequate physical fitness, and could safely RTP. Despite his EHS, he recovered fully, with no lasting effects, and successfully returned to compete in the final 5 games of the season.   Using a gradual RTP progression and close monitoring, a high school defensive end successfully returned to football practice and games after EHS. This case demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a safe RTP protocol after EHS and may serve as a guide to ATs working in the high school setting. This case also highlights the need for more research in this area.

The Effect of Remnant Tissue Preservation in Anatomic Double-Bundle ACL Reconstruction on Knee Stability and Graft Maturation.

PubMed

Takahashi, Tsuneari; Kimura, Masashi; Hagiwara, Keiichi; Ohsawa, Takashi; Takeshita, Katsushi

2018-06-13

Several investigators have developed anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (ACLR) with remnant tissue preservation (RTP) and have reported better clinical outcomes. However, the effects of RTP remain controversial. To date, no reports have compared both clinical and radiological outcomes of anatomic double-bundle ACLR using the hamstring tendon and outside-in technique with/without RTP. This article evaluates the effectiveness of RTP in ACLR on knee stability and graft maturation. In total, 75 patients with unilateral ACL injury who had undergone anatomic double-bundle ACLR using autografted hamstring tendon either with RTP (Group P, n  = 43) or without (Group N, n  = 32) were enrolled. Clinical scores, pre- and postoperative side-to-side differences (SSDs) obtained using Telos, radiological evaluations of the grafted tendon using the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) measured using magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopic evaluations of the grafted tendon were retrospectively compared between the groups. Postoperative SSDs were smaller in the Group P (0.78 ± 1.90 mm) than in the Group N (1.29 ± 2.18 mm); however, this difference was not significant. Comparing two subgroups of the Group P, the SSD was significantly smaller in those with sufficient remnant coverage (-0.56 ± 1.38 mm) than in those without (1.48 ± 1.77 mm) ( p  = 0.019), as well as in the Group N patients ( p  = 0.019). The degree of synovial coverage of the anteromedial ( p  = 0.0064) and posterolateral ( p  = 0.032) bundle grafted tendon at the time of second-look arthroscopy was significantly better in the Group P than in the Group N. SNQ values of ACL grafted tendon at proximal ( p  = 0.049), middle, and distal ( p  = 0.039) one-third in Group P were better than those in Group N. RTP may enhance synovial coverage and maturation of the grafted tendon. Sufficient remnant tissue coverage may contribute to better knee stability. This is a Level III, retrospective comparative study. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Oxygen Sensing Difluoroboron β-Diketonate Polylactide Materials with Tunable Dynamic Ranges for Wound Imaging.

PubMed

DeRosa, Christopher A; Seaman, Scott A; Mathew, Alexander S; Gorick, Catherine M; Fan, Ziyi; Demas, James N; Peirce, Shayn M; Fraser, Cassandra L

2016-11-23

Difluoroboron β-diketonate poly(lactic acid) materials exhibit both fluorescence (F) and oxygen sensitive room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP). Introduction of halide heavy atoms (Br and I) is an effective strategy to control the oxygen sensitivity in these materials. A series of naphthyl-phenyl (nbm) dye derivatives with hydrogen, bromide and iodide substituents were prepared for comparison. As nanoparticles, the hydrogen derivative was hypersensitive to oxygen (0-0.3%), while the bromide analogue was suited for hypoxia detection (0-3% O 2 ). The iodo derivative, BF 2 nbm(I)PLA, showed excellent F to RTP peak separation and an 0-100% oxygen sensitivity range unprecedented for metal-free RTP emitting materials. Due to the dual emission and unconventionally long RTP lifetimes of these O 2 sensing materials, a portable, cost-effective camera was used to quantify oxygen levels via lifetime and red/green/blue (RGB) ratiometry. The hypersensitive H dye was well matched to lifetime detection, simultaneous lifetime and ratiometric imaging was possible for the bromide analogue, whereas the iodide material, with intense RTP emission and a shorter lifetime, was suited for RGB ratiometry. To demonstrate the prospects of this camera/material design combination for bioimaging, iodide boron dye-PLA nanoparticles were applied to a murine wound model to detect oxygen levels. Surprisingly, wound oxygen imaging was achieved without covering (i.e. without isolating from ambient conditions, air). Additionally, would healing was monitored via wound size reduction and associated oxygen recovery, from hypoxic to normoxic. These single-component materials provide a simple tunable platform for biological oxygen sensing that can be deployed to spatially resolve oxygen in a variety of environments.

Customer response to day-ahead wholesale market electricity prices: Case study of RTP program experience in New York

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

Goldman, C.; Hopper, N.; Sezgen, O.

2004-07-01

There is growing interest in policies, programs and tariffs that encourage customer loads to provide demand response (DR) to help discipline wholesale electricity markets. Proposals at the retail level range from eliminating fixed rate tariffs as the default service for some or all customer groups to reinstituting utility-sponsored load management programs with market-based inducements to curtail. Alternative rate designs include time-of-use (TOU), day-ahead real-time pricing (RTP), critical peak pricing, and even pricing usage at real-time market balancing prices. Some Independent System Operators (ISOs) have implemented their own DR programs whereby load curtailment capabilities are treated as a system resource andmore » are paid an equivalent value. The resulting load reductions from these tariffs and programs provide a variety of benefits, including limiting the ability of suppliers to increase spot and long-term market-clearing prices above competitive levels (Neenan et al., 2002; Boren stein, 2002; Ruff, 2002). Unfortunately, there is little information in the public domain to characterize and quantify how customers actually respond to these alternative dynamic pricing schemes. A few empirical studies of large customer RTP response have shown modest results for most customers, with a few very price-responsive customers providing most of the aggregate response (Herriges et al., 1993; Schwarz et al., 2002). However, these studies examined response to voluntary, two-part RTP programs implemented by utilities in states without retail competition.1 Furthermore, the researchers had limited information on customer characteristics so they were unable to identify the drivers to price response. In the absence of a compelling characterization of why customers join RTP programs and how they respond to prices, many initiatives to modernize retail electricity rates seem to be stymied.« less

Ascorbate attenuates pulmonary emphysema by inhibiting tobacco smoke and Rtp801-triggered lung protein modification and proteolysis.

PubMed

Gupta, Indranil; Ganguly, Souradipta; Rozanas, Christine R; Stuehr, Dennis J; Panda, Koustubh

2016-07-19

Cigarette smoking causes emphysema, a fatal disease involving extensive structural and functional damage of the lung. Using a guinea pig model and human lung cells, we show that oxidant(s) present in tobacco smoke not only cause direct oxidative damage of lung proteins, contributing to the major share of lung injury, but also activate Rtp801, a key proinflammatory cellular factor involved in tobacco smoke-induced lung damage. Rtp801 triggers nuclear factor κB and consequent inducible NOS (iNOS)-mediated overproduction of NO, which in combination with excess superoxide produced during Rtp801 activation, contribute to increased oxido-nitrosative stress and lung protein nitration. However, lung-specific inhibition of iNOS with a iNOS-specific inhibitor, N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine, dihydrochloride (L-NIL) solely restricts lung protein nitration but fails to prevent or reverse the major tobacco smoke-induced oxidative lung injury. In comparison, the dietary antioxidant, ascorbate or vitamin C, can substantially prevent such damage by inhibiting both tobacco smoke-induced lung protein oxidation as well as activation of pulmonary Rtp801 and consequent iNOS/NO-induced nitration of lung proteins, that otherwise lead to increased proteolysis of such oxidized or nitrated proteins by endogenous lung proteases, resulting in emphysematous lung damage. Vitamin C also restricts the up-regulation of matrix-metalloproteinase-9, the major lung protease involved in the proteolysis of such modified lung proteins during tobacco smoke-induced emphysema. Overall, our findings implicate tobacco-smoke oxidant(s) as the primary etiopathogenic factor behind both the noncellular and cellular damage mechanisms governing emphysematous lung injury and demonstrate the potential of vitamin C to accomplish holistic prevention of such damage.

Ascorbate attenuates pulmonary emphysema by inhibiting tobacco smoke and Rtp801-triggered lung protein modification and proteolysis

PubMed Central

Gupta, Indranil; Ganguly, Souradipta; Rozanas, Christine R.; Stuehr, Dennis J.

2016-01-01

Cigarette smoking causes emphysema, a fatal disease involving extensive structural and functional damage of the lung. Using a guinea pig model and human lung cells, we show that oxidant(s) present in tobacco smoke not only cause direct oxidative damage of lung proteins, contributing to the major share of lung injury, but also activate Rtp801, a key proinflammatory cellular factor involved in tobacco smoke-induced lung damage. Rtp801 triggers nuclear factor κB and consequent inducible NOS (iNOS)-mediated overproduction of NO, which in combination with excess superoxide produced during Rtp801 activation, contribute to increased oxido-nitrosative stress and lung protein nitration. However, lung-specific inhibition of iNOS with a iNOS-specific inhibitor, N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine, dihydrochloride (L-NIL) solely restricts lung protein nitration but fails to prevent or reverse the major tobacco smoke-induced oxidative lung injury. In comparison, the dietary antioxidant, ascorbate or vitamin C, can substantially prevent such damage by inhibiting both tobacco smoke-induced lung protein oxidation as well as activation of pulmonary Rtp801 and consequent iNOS/NO-induced nitration of lung proteins, that otherwise lead to increased proteolysis of such oxidized or nitrated proteins by endogenous lung proteases, resulting in emphysematous lung damage. Vitamin C also restricts the up-regulation of matrix-metalloproteinase-9, the major lung protease involved in the proteolysis of such modified lung proteins during tobacco smoke-induced emphysema. Overall, our findings implicate tobacco-smoke oxidant(s) as the primary etiopathogenic factor behind both the noncellular and cellular damage mechanisms governing emphysematous lung injury and demonstrate the potential of vitamin C to accomplish holistic prevention of such damage. PMID:27382160

Transition to Adulthood: Validation of the Rotterdam Transition Profile for Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy and Normal Intelligence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Donkervoort, Mireille; Wiegerink, Diana J. H. G.; van Meeteren, Jetty; Stam, Henk J.; Roebroeck, Marij E.

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the Rotterdam Transition Profile (RTP) to describe the transition process from childhood to adulthood in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were recruited from rehabilitation centres and hospital departments of rehabilitation. In total, 81 young adults (47 males, 34 females)…

Hamstring Muscle Injuries, a Rehabilitation Protocol Purpose.

PubMed

Valle, Xavier; L Tol, Johannes; Hamilton, Bruce; Rodas, Gil; Malliaras, Peter; Malliaropoulos, Nikos; Rizo, Vicenc; Moreno, Marcel; Jardi, Jaume

2015-12-01

Hamstring acute muscle injuries are prevalent in several sports including AFL football (Australian Football League), sprinting and soccer, and are often associated with prolonged time away from sport. In response to this, research into prevention and management of hamstring injury has increased, but epidemiological data shows no decline in injury and re-injury rates, suggesting that rehabilitation programs and return to play (RTP) criteria have to be improved. There continues to be a lack of consensus regarding how to assess performance, recovery and readiness to RTP, following hamstring strain injury. The aim of this paper was to propose rehabilitation protocol for hamstring muscle injuries based on current basic science and research knowledge regarding injury demographics and management options. Criteria-based (subjective and objective) progression through the rehabilitation program will be outlined along with exercises for each phase, from initial injury to RTP.

Geophysical Data (Gravity and Magnetic) from the Area Between Adana, Kahramanmaras and Hatay in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Tectonic Implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Over, Semir; Akin, Ugur; Sen, Rahime

2018-01-01

The gravity and magnetic maps of the area between Adana-Kahramanmaras-Hatay provinces were produced from a compilation of data gathered during the period between 1973 and 1989. Reduced to the pole (RTP) and pseudo-gravity transformation (PGT) methods were applied to the magnetic data, while derivative ratio (DR) processing was applied to both gravity and magnetic data, respectively. Bouguer, RTP and PGT maps show the image of a buried structure corresponding to ophiolites under undifferentiated Quaternary deposits in the Adana depression and Iskenderun Gulf. DR maps show two important faults which reflect the tectonic framework in the study area: (1) the Karatas-Osmaniye Fault extending from Osmaniye to Karatas in the south between Adana and Iskenderun depressions and (2) Amanos Fault (southern part of East Anatolian Fault) in the Hatay region running southward from Turkoglu to Amik Basin along Amanos Mountain forming the actual plate boundary between the Anatolian block (part of Eurasian plate) and Arabian plate.

Return to prelesional Tegner level after anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PubMed

Seijas, Roberto; Ares, Oscar; Sallent, Andrea; Alvarez, Pedro; Cusco, Xavier; Cugat, Ramón

2016-12-01

Injury and surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are very frequent within the sports environment. The purpose of the present study is to assess the level at which a group of athletes were able to return to play (RTP) after ACL reconstruction, and most importantly, the time for RTP. A prospective study with patients who presented an ACL injury and underwent ligament reconstruction surgery; a bone-tendon-bone reconstruction and a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The rates of RTP as well as correlations with IKDC and KT-1000 were collected. 42 patients were included (mean age 31.7 years old). Mean Tegner level was 6.7. 9.5 % of patients returned to sports 6 months after surgery, 52.3 % at 1 year, and 73.8 % at 2 years after ACL reconstruction. 11 patients did not achieve their preoperative Tegner level after 2 years of follow-up. Levels of KT-1000 of the operated side were normal, and IKDC levels reached 90 % of total. Fear to a new injury, psychological factors, personality, type of life, and sports level previous to the injury are factors that influence when it comes to RTP after an ACL surgery. Level of evidence Level II descriptive analysis.

Strategic Assessment of Risk and Risk Tolerance (StARRT) framework for return-to-play decision-making.

PubMed

Shrier, Ian

2015-10-01

The sport medicine clinician is faced with return-to-play (RTP) decisions for every patient who wants to return to activity. The complex interaction of factors related to history, physical examination, testing, activity and baseline characteristics can make RTP decision-making challenging. Further, when reasoning is not explicit, unnecessary conflict can arise among clinicians themselves, or among clinicians and patients. This conflict can have negative health consequences for the patient. In 2010, a transparent framework for RTP decisions was proposed. However, some have identified limitations to the framework and found difficulties in its implementation. This paper presents a revised framework that addresses the limitations, and provides concrete examples of how to apply it in simple and complex cases. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Analysis of Water Volume Changes and Temperature Measurement Location Effect to the Accuracy of RTP Power Calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanyau, T.; Hamzah, N. S.; Jalal Bayar, A. M.; Karim, J. Abdul; Phongsakorn, P. K.; Suhaimi, K. Mohammad; Hashim, Z.; Razi, H. Md; Fazli, Z. Mohd; Ligam, A. S.; Mustafa, M. K. A.

2018-01-01

Power calibration is one of the important aspect for safe operation of the reactor. In RTP, the calorimetric method has been applied in reactor power calibration. This method involves measurement of water temperature in the RTP tank. Water volume and location of the temperature measurement may play an important role to the accuracy of the measurement. In this study, the analysis of water volume changes and thermocouple location effect to the power calibration accuracy has been done. The changes of the water volume are controlled by the variation of water level in reactor tank. The water level is measured by the ultrasonic measurement device. Temperature measurement has been done by thermocouple placed at three different locations. The accuracy of the temperature trend from various condition of measurement has been determined and discussed in this paper.

Hamstring Muscle Injuries, a Rehabilitation Protocol Purpose

PubMed Central

Valle, Xavier; L.Tol, Johannes; Hamilton, Bruce; Rodas, Gil; Malliaras, Peter; Malliaropoulos, Nikos; Rizo, Vicenc; Moreno, Marcel; Jardi, Jaume

2015-01-01

Context: Hamstring acute muscle injuries are prevalent in several sports including AFL football (Australian Football League), sprinting and soccer, and are often associated with prolonged time away from sport. Evidence Acquisition: In response to this, research into prevention and management of hamstring injury has increased, but epidemiological data shows no decline in injury and re-injury rates, suggesting that rehabilitation programs and return to play (RTP) criteria have to be improved. There continues to be a lack of consensus regarding how to assess performance, recovery and readiness to RTP, following hamstring strain injury. Results: The aim of this paper was to propose rehabilitation protocol for hamstring muscle injuries based on current basic science and research knowledge regarding injury demographics and management options. Conclusions: Criteria-based (subjective and objective) progression through the rehabilitation program will be outlined along with exercises for each phase, from initial injury to RTP. PMID:26715969

Ab-initio investigation of Rb substitution in KTP single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghoohestani, Marzieh; Arab, Ali; Hashemifar, S. Javad; Sadeghi, Hossein

2018-01-01

The effects of rubidium doping on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of KTiOPO4 (KTP) are investigated in the framework of density functional theory. The equilibrium structural parameters of KTP and RbTiOPO4 (RTP) are calculated within the local density and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE), Wu-Cohen, and PBEsol formulation of generalized gradient approximations. We discuss that PBEsol predicts better equilibrium parameters for the KTP alloy. In addition, the variation of lattice constants and Ti-O-Ti bond angles are evaluated as a function of rubidium concentration. The modern modified Becke-Johnson functional is applied for more accurate band gap determination in the pure and alloyed KTP/RTP compounds. The phenomenological pseudoinversion parameter is calculated for a qualitative understanding of the effect of impurity on a non-linear optical response of KTP. We also analyze the behavior of the dielectric function, dispersive refractive indices, and birefringence of KTP/RTP alloys.

Peroxisomal lactate dehydrogenase is generated by translational readthrough in mammals

PubMed Central

Schueren, Fabian; Lingner, Thomas; George, Rosemol; Hofhuis, Julia; Dickel, Corinna; Gärtner, Jutta; Thoms, Sven

2014-01-01

Translational readthrough gives rise to low abundance proteins with C-terminal extensions beyond the stop codon. To identify functional translational readthrough, we estimated the readthrough propensity (RTP) of all stop codon contexts of the human genome by a new regression model in silico, identified a nucleotide consensus motif for high RTP by using this model, and analyzed all readthrough extensions in silico with a new predictor for peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1). Lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) showed the highest combined RTP and PTS1 probability. Experimentally we show that at least 1.6% of the total cellular LDHB is targeted to the peroxisome by a conserved hidden PTS1. The readthrough-extended lactate dehydrogenase subunit LDHBx can also co-import LDHA, the other LDH subunit, into peroxisomes. Peroxisomal LDH is conserved in mammals and likely contributes to redox equivalent regeneration in peroxisomes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03640.001 PMID:25247702

Return to play after chondroplasty of the knee in National Football League athletes.

PubMed

Scillia, Anthony J; Aune, Kyle T; Andrachuk, John S; Cain, E Lyle; Dugas, Jeffrey R; Fleisig, Glenn S; Andrews, James R

2015-03-01

Knee injuries, including articular cartilage damage, are common in football players and are potentially career threatening. The rate of return to play (RTP) as well as the factors affecting return after arthroscopic chondroplasty of the knee is performed in National Football League (NFL) athletes are not known. To determine the rate of return to regular season NFL competition after arthroscopic knee surgery including chondroplasty of articular cartilage lesions. In addition, identification of factors that influence successful return was investigated. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Athletes in the NFL who underwent arthroscopic chondroplasty at a single institution were identified. Retrospective chart review and review of the NFL online database were utilized to determine the rate of RTP and factors affecting an athlete's ability to return. Chi-square and Student t tests were used to assess differences among players who were and were not able to RTP, and logistic regression was employed to determine a player's odds of return. There were 52 patients (54 procedures) identified from the surgical database who met the inclusion criteria for the study operated on between August 1, 2001, and March 31, 2011. Of these players, 36 (67%) were able to return to regular season NFL game play at an average of 8.2 months, including 13 (24%) who were still active in the NFL. The average time to follow-up was 5.9 years, and all players were allowed at least 2 years of follow-up. There was no significant correlation of RTP to athlete age, lesion size, lesion location, position played, or round selected in the NFL draft. Players who underwent concomitant microfracture were 4.4 times less likely to return to the NFL than were those who did not undergo this procedure (95% CI, 1.3-15.5). Athletes who played more than 11.6 games per season were 4.7 times more likely to RTP than were those who played fewer games per season (95% CI, 1.4-16.6). Athletes who returned to play competed in 56 fewer games, 3.3 fewer seasons, and played in 3.2 fewer games per season compared with their level of competition before surgery. A majority (67%) of NFL players are able to RTP after arthroscopic knee surgery including chondroplasty of articular cartilage lesions. Athletes who play more games per season are more likely to RTP after chondroplasty of articular cartilage lesions of the knee, but those undergoing concomitant microfracture are less likely to return. No statistical significance was determined when comparing the athletes who returned to play with respect to age at surgery, lesion location, lesion size, lesion grade, position that the athlete played, or draft round. © 2015 The Author(s).

Al-implanted on-axis 4H-SiC MOSFETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florentin, M.; Cabello, M.; Rebollo, J.; Montserrat, J.; Brosselard, P.; Henry, A.; Godignon, P.

2017-03-01

In this paper, the impact of temperature and time stress on gate oxide stability of several multi-implanted and epitaxied 4H-SiC nMOSFET is presented. The oxide layer was processed under a rapid thermal process (RTP) furnace. The variation of the main electrical parameters is shown. We report the high quality and stability of such implanted MOSFETs, and point out the very low roughness effect of the on-axis-cut sample. Particularly, in the best case, effective channel mobility (μ fe) overcomes 20 cm2.V-1.s-1 at 300 °C for a channel length of 12 μm, which is very encouraging for implantation technology. Starting from 200 °C, the apparent increase of the μ fe peak of the MOSFET ceases and tends to saturate with further temperature increase. This is an indication of the potential of MOSFETs built on on-axis substrates. Thus, starting from the real case of an implanted MOSFET, the global purpose is to show that the electrical performance of such an on-axis-built device can tend to reach that of the ideal case, i.e. epitaxied MOSFET, and even overcome its electrical limitation, e.g. in terms of threshold voltage stability at high temperature.

Adaptive control method for core power control in TRIGA Mark II reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabri Minhat, Mohd; Selamat, Hazlina; Subha, Nurul Adilla Mohd

2018-01-01

The 1MWth Reactor TRIGA PUSPATI (RTP) Mark II type has undergone more than 35 years of operation. The existing core power control uses feedback control algorithm (FCA). It is challenging to keep the core power stable at the desired value within acceptable error bands to meet the safety demand of RTP due to the sensitivity of nuclear research reactor operation. Currently, the system is not satisfied with power tracking performance and can be improved. Therefore, a new design core power control is very important to improve the current performance in tracking and regulate reactor power by control the movement of control rods. In this paper, the adaptive controller and focus on Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) and Self-Tuning Control (STC) were applied to the control of the core power. The model for core power control was based on mathematical models of the reactor core, adaptive controller model, and control rods selection programming. The mathematical models of the reactor core were based on point kinetics model, thermal hydraulic models, and reactivity models. The adaptive control model was presented using Lyapunov method to ensure stable close loop system and STC Generalised Minimum Variance (GMV) Controller was not necessary to know the exact plant transfer function in designing the core power control. The performance between proposed adaptive control and FCA will be compared via computer simulation and analysed the simulation results manifest the effectiveness and the good performance of the proposed control method for core power control.

Hamstring Injuries in Professional Soccer Players: Extent of MRI-Detected Edema and the Time to Return to Play.

PubMed

Crema, Michel D; Godoy, Ivan R B; Abdalla, Rene J; de Aquino, Jose Sanchez; Ingham, Sheila J McNeill; Skaf, Abdalla Y

Discrepancies exist in the literature regarding the association of the extent of injuries assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with recovery times. MRI-detected edema in grade 1 hamstring injuries does not affect the return to play (RTP). Retrospective cohort study. Level 4. Grade 1 hamstring injuries from 22 professional soccer players were retrospectively reviewed. The extent of edema-like changes on fluid-sensitive sequences from 1.5-T MRI were evaluated using craniocaudal length, percentage of cross-sectional area, and volume. The time needed to RTP was the outcome. Negative binomial regression analysis tested the measurements of MRI-detected edema-like changes as prognostic factors. The mean craniocaudal length was 7.6 cm (SD, 4.9 cm; range, 0.9-19.1 cm), the mean percentage of cross-sectional area was 23.6% (SD, 20%; range, 4.4%-89.6%), and the mean volume was 33.1 cm 3 (SD, 42.6 cm 3 ; range, 1.1-161.3 cm 3 ). The mean time needed to RTP was 13.6 days (SD, 8.9 days; range, 3-32 days). None of the parameters of extent was associated with RTP. The extent of MRI edema in hamstring injuries does not have prognostic value. Measuring the extent of edema in hamstring injuries using MRI does not add prognostic value in clinical practice.

Catalytic solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry for the determination of trace rhamnose based on its condensation reaction with calcein

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jia-Ming; Lin, Li-Ping; Wang, Hong-Xin; Lin, Shao-Qin; Zhang, Li-Hong; Cai, Wen-Lian; Lin, Xuan; Pan, You-Zhu; Wang, Xin-Xing; Li, Zhi-Ming; Jiao, Li; Cui, Ma-Lin

2011-12-01

Calcein (R) could not only emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on filter paper using I - as perturber, but also could be oxidized by H 2O 2 to form a non-phosphorescence compound (R'), resulting in the quenching of RTP signal of R. Moreover, the ortho-hydrogen of phenolic hydroxyl in R took condensation reaction with rhamnose (Rha) to produce non-phosphorescence compound (R-Rha) causing the RTP signal of R to further quench, and R-Rha was oxidized by H 2O 2 to form R' and Rha, bringing about the sharp RTP signal quenching of R. Thus, a new solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for the determination of trace Rha based on its strong catalytic effect on H 2O 2 oxidizing R has been established, with the detection limit (LD) of 7.8 zg spot -1 (corresponding concentration: 2.0 × 10 -17 g ml -1, sample volume: 0.40 μl spot -1). This method has been applied to determine trace Rha in cigarettes and jujubes, with the results coinciding well with those determined by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The component of R-Rha also was analyzed by means of HPLC, mass spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The mechanism of catalytic SSRTP for the determination of trace Rha was discussed.

Determination of trace alkaline phosphatase by solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorimetry based on Triticum vulgare lectin labeled with fullerenol.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Ming; Gao, Fei; Huang, Hong-Hua; Zeng, Li-Qing; Huang, Xiao-Mei; Zhu, Guo-Hui; Li, Zhi-Ming

2008-04-01

Fullerenol (F) shows a strong and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on the surface of nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) at lambda ex max/ lambda em max =542.0/709.4 nm. When modified by dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (DBS), fullerenol emits a stronger signal. It was also found that quantitative specific affinity-adsorption reaction can be carried out between Triticum vulgare lectin (WGA) labeled with DBS-F and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on the surface of NCM, and the product obtained (WGA-ALP-WGA-F-DBS) emits a strong and stable RTP signal. Furthermore, the content of ALP was proportional to the DeltaI(p) value. Based on the facts above, a new method for the determination of trace amounts of ALP by affinity-adsorption solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) was established, using fullerenol modified with DBS to label WGA. The detection limit was 0.011 fg spot(-1) (corresponding concentration: 2.8x10(-14) g ml(-1), namely 2.8x10(-16) mol l(-1)). This method with high sensitivity, accuracy, and precision has been successfully applied to the determination of the content of ALP in human serum survey and forecast human disease, and the results are tallied with those using alkaline phosphatase kits. The mechanism for the determination of ALP using AA-SS-RTP was also discussed.

Thermal neutron flux measurement using self-powered neutron detector (SPND) at out-core locations of TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor (RTP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Nur Syazwani Mohd; Hamzah, Khaidzir; Mohamad Idris, Faridah; Hairie Rabir, Mohamad

2018-01-01

The thermal neutron flux measurement has been conducted at the out-core location using self-powered neutron detectors (SPNDs). This work represents the first attempt to study SPNDs as neutron flux sensor for developing the fault detection system (FDS) focusing on neutron flux parameters. The study was conducted to test the reliability of the SPND’s signal by measuring the neutron flux through the interaction between neutrons and emitter materials of the SPNDs. Three SPNDs were used to measure the flux at four different radial locations which located at the fission chamber cylinder, 10cm above graphite reflector, between graphite reflector and tank liner and fuel rack. The measurements were conducted at 750 kW reactor power. The outputs from SPNDs were collected through data acquisition system and were corrected to obtain the actual neutron flux due to delayed responses from SPNDs. The measurements showed that thermal neutron flux between fission chamber location near to the tank liner and fuel rack were between 5.18 × 1011 nv to 8.45 × 109 nv. The average thermal neutron flux showed a good agreement with those from previous studies that has been made using simulation at the same core configuration at the nearest irradiation facilities with detector locations.

Strength Measurements in Acute Hamstring Injuries: Intertester Reliability and Prognostic Value of Handheld Dynamometry.

PubMed

Reurink, Gustaaf; Goudswaard, Gert Jan; Moen, Maarten H; Tol, Johannes L; Verhaar, Jan A N; Weir, Adam

2016-08-01

Study Design Cohort study, repeated measures. Background Although hamstring strength measurements are used for assessing prognosis and monitoring recovery after hamstring injury, their actual clinical relevance has not been established. Handheld dynamometry (HHD) is a commonly used method of measuring muscle strength. The reliability of HHD has not been determined in athletes with acute hamstring injuries. Objectives To determine the intertester reliability and the prognostic value of hamstring HHD strength measurement in acute hamstring injuries. Methods We measured knee flexion strength with HHD in 75 athletes at 2 visits, at baseline (within 5 days of hamstring injury) and follow-up (5 to 7 days after the baseline measurement). We assessed isometric hamstring strength in 15° and 90° of knee flexion. Reliability analysis testing was performed by 2 testers independently at the follow-up visit. We recorded the time needed to return to play (RTP) up to 6 months following baseline. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients of the strength measurements in injured hamstrings were between 0.75 and 0.83. There was a statistically significant but weak correlation between the time to RTP and the strength deficit at 15° of knee flexion measured at baseline (Spearman r = 0.25, P = .045) and at the follow-up visit (Spearman r = 0.26, P = .034). Up to 7% of the variance in time to RTP is explained by this strength deficit. None of the other strength variables were significantly correlated with time to RTP. Conclusion Hamstring strength can be reliably measured with HHD in athletes with acute hamstring injuries. The prognostic value of strength measurements is limited, as there is only a weak association between the time to RTP and hamstring strength deficit after acute injury. Level of Evidence Prognosis, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(8):689-696. Epub 12 May 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6363.

Interactive contour delineation of organs at risk in radiotherapy: Clinical evaluation on NSCLC patients.

PubMed

Dolz, J; Kirişli, H A; Fechter, T; Karnitzki, S; Oehlke, O; Nestle, U; Vermandel, M; Massoptier, L

2016-05-01

Accurate delineation of organs at risk (OARs) on computed tomography (CT) image is required for radiation treatment planning (RTP). Manual delineation of OARs being time consuming and prone to high interobserver variability, many (semi-) automatic methods have been proposed. However, most of them are specific to a particular OAR. Here, an interactive computer-assisted system able to segment various OARs required for thoracic radiation therapy is introduced. Segmentation information (foreground and background seeds) is interactively added by the user in any of the three main orthogonal views of the CT volume and is subsequently propagated within the whole volume. The proposed method is based on the combination of watershed transformation and graph-cuts algorithm, which is used as a powerful optimization technique to minimize the energy function. The OARs considered for thoracic radiation therapy are the lungs, spinal cord, trachea, proximal bronchus tree, heart, and esophagus. The method was evaluated on multivendor CT datasets of 30 patients. Two radiation oncologists participated in the study and manual delineations from the original RTP were used as ground truth for evaluation. Delineation of the OARs obtained with the minimally interactive approach was approved to be usable for RTP in nearly 90% of the cases, excluding the esophagus, which segmentation was mostly rejected, thus leading to a gain of time ranging from 50% to 80% in RTP. Considering exclusively accepted cases, overall OARs, a Dice similarity coefficient higher than 0.7 and a Hausdorff distance below 10 mm with respect to the ground truth were achieved. In addition, the interobserver analysis did not highlight any statistically significant difference, at the exception of the segmentation of the heart, in terms of Hausdorff distance and volume difference. An interactive, accurate, fast, and easy-to-use computer-assisted system able to segment various OARs required for thoracic radiation therapy has been presented and clinically evaluated. The introduction of the proposed system in clinical routine may offer valuable new option to radiation oncologists in performing RTP.

Biochemical Evaluation of the Inhibition Properties of Favipiravir and 2′-C-Methyl-Cytidine Triphosphates against Human and Mouse Norovirus RNA Polymerases

PubMed Central

Tucker, Kathryn; Lin, Xiaoyan; Kao, C. Cheng; Shaw, Ken; Tan, Hua; Symons, Julian; Behera, Ishani; Rajwanshi, Vivek K.; Dyatkina, Natalia; Wang, Guangyi; Beigelman, Leo

2015-01-01

Norovirus (NoV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes acute gastroenteritis and is responsible for 200,000 deaths per year worldwide. No effective vaccine or treatment is available. Recent studies have shown that the nucleoside analogs favipiravir (T-705) and 2′-C-methyl-cytidine (2CM-C) inhibit NoV replication in vitro and in animal models, but their precise mechanism of action is unknown. We evaluated the molecular interactions between nucleoside triphosphates and NoV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NoVpol), the enzyme responsible for replication and transcription of NoV genomic RNA. We found that T-705 ribonucleoside triphosphate (RTP) and 2CM-C triphosphate (2CM-CTP) equally inhibited human and mouse NoVpol activities at concentrations resulting in 50% of maximum inhibition (IC50s) in the low micromolar range. 2CM-CTP inhibited the viral polymerases by competing directly with natural CTP during primer elongation, whereas T-705 RTP competed mostly with ATP and GTP at the initiation and elongation steps. Incorporation of 2CM-CTP into viral RNA blocked subsequent RNA synthesis, whereas T-705 RTP did not cause immediate chain termination of NoVpol. 2CM-CTP and T-705 RTP displayed low levels of enzyme selectivity, as they were both recognized as substrates by human mitochondrial RNA polymerase. The level of discrimination by the human enzyme was increased with a novel analog of T-705 RTP containing a 2′-C-methyl substitution. Collectively, our data suggest that 2CM-C inhibits replication of NoV by acting as a classic chain terminator, while T-705 may inhibit the virus by multiple mechanisms of action. Understanding the precise mechanism of action of anti-NoV compounds could provide a rational basis for optimizing their inhibition potencies and selectivities. PMID:26392512

A Stem-Loop Structure in Potato Leafroll Virus Open Reading Frame 5 (ORF5) Is Essential for Readthrough Translation of the Coat Protein ORF Stop Codon 700 Bases Upstream.

PubMed

Xu, Yi; Ju, Ho-Jong; DeBlasio, Stacy; Carino, Elizabeth J; Johnson, Richard; MacCoss, Michael J; Heck, Michelle; Miller, W Allen; Gray, Stewart M

2018-06-01

Translational readthrough of the stop codon of the capsid protein (CP) open reading frame (ORF) is used by members of the Luteoviridae to produce their minor capsid protein as a readthrough protein (RTP). The elements regulating RTP expression are not well understood, but they involve long-distance interactions between RNA domains. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, glutamine and tyrosine were identified as the primary amino acids inserted at the stop codon of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) CP ORF. We characterized the contributions of a cytidine-rich domain immediately downstream and a branched stem-loop structure 600 to 700 nucleotides downstream of the CP stop codon. Mutations predicted to disrupt and restore the base of the distal stem-loop structure prevented and restored stop codon readthrough. Motifs in the downstream readthrough element (DRTE) are predicted to base pair to a site within 27 nucleotides (nt) of the CP ORF stop codon. Consistent with a requirement for this base pairing, the DRTE of Cereal yellow dwarf virus was not compatible with the stop codon-proximal element of PLRV in facilitating readthrough. Moreover, deletion of the complementary tract of bases from the stop codon-proximal region or the DRTE of PLRV prevented readthrough. In contrast, the distance and sequence composition between the two domains was flexible. Mutants deficient in RTP translation moved long distances in plants, but fewer infection foci developed in systemically infected leaves. Selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation and primer extension (SHAPE) probing to determine the secondary structure of the mutant DRTEs revealed that the functional mutants were more likely to have bases accessible for long-distance base pairing than the nonfunctional mutants. This study reveals a heretofore unknown combination of RNA structure and sequence that reduces stop codon efficiency, allowing translation of a key viral protein. IMPORTANCE Programmed stop codon readthrough is used by many animal and plant viruses to produce key viral proteins. Moreover, such "leaky" stop codons are used in host mRNAs or can arise from mutations that cause genetic disease. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanism(s) of stop codon readthrough. Here, we shed light on the mechanism of readthrough of the stop codon of the coat protein ORFs of viruses in the Luteoviridae by identifying the amino acids inserted at the stop codon and RNA structures that facilitate this "leakiness" of the stop codon. Members of the Luteoviridae encode a C-terminal extension to the capsid protein known as the readthrough protein (RTP). We characterized two RNA domains in Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), located 600 to 700 nucleotides apart, that are essential for efficient RTP translation. We further determined that the PLRV readthrough process involves both local structures and long-range RNA-RNA interactions. Genetic manipulation of the RNA structure altered the ability of PLRV to translate RTP and systemically infect the plant. This demonstrates that plant virus RNA contains multiple layers of information beyond the primary sequence and extends our understanding of stop codon readthrough. Strategic targets that can be exploited to disrupt the virus life cycle and reduce its ability to move within and between plant hosts were revealed. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Study on relationship of performance shaping factor in human error probability with prevalent stress of PUSPATI TRIGA reactor operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahim, Ahmad Nabil Bin Ab; Mohamed, Faizal; Farid, Mohd Fairus Abdul; Fazli Zakaria, Mohd; Sangau Ligam, Alfred; Ramli, Nurhayati Binti

2018-01-01

Human factor can be affected by prevalence stress measured using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). From the respondents feedback can be summarized that the main factor causes the highest prevalence stress is due to the working conditions that require operators to handle critical situation and make a prompt critical decisions. The relationship between the prevalence stress and performance shaping factors found that PSFFitness and PSFWork Process showed positive Pearson’s Correlation with the score of .763 and .826 while the level of significance, p = .028 and p = .012. These positive correlations with good significant values between prevalence stress and human performance shaping factor (PSF) related to fitness, work processes and procedures. The higher the stress level of the respondents, the higher the score of selected for the PSFs. This is due to the higher levels of stress lead to deteriorating physical health and cognitive also worsened. In addition, the lack of understanding in the work procedures can also be a factor that causes a growing stress. The higher these values will lead to the higher the probabilities of human error occur. Thus, monitoring the level of stress among operators RTP is important to ensure the safety of RTP.

Improvement of heavy dopant doped Ni-silicide using ytterbium interlayer for nano-scale MOSFETS with an ultra shallow junction.

PubMed

Shin, Hong-Sik; Oh, Se-Kyung; Kang, Min-Ho; Li, Shi-Guang; Lee, Ga-Won; Lee, Hi-Deok

2011-07-01

In this paper, a novel Ni silicide with Yb interlayer (Yb/Ni/TiN) on a boron cluster (B18H22) implanted source/drain junction is proposed for the first time, and its thermal stability characteristics are analyzed in depth. The proposed Ni-silicide exhibits a wider RTP temperature window for uniform sheet resistance, surface roughness and better thermal stability than the conventional structure (Ni/TiN). In addition, the cross-sectional profile of the proposed Ni-silicide showed less agglomeration despite the high temperature post-silicidation annealing, and it can be said that the proposed structure was little dependence on the temperature post-silicidation annealing. The improvement of Ni silicide properties is analyzed and found to be due to the formation of the rare earth metal--NiSi (YbNi2Si2), whose peaks were confirmed by XRD. The junction leakage current of the p + -n junction with Yb/Ni/TiN and B18H22 implantation is smaller than that with Ni/TiN by almost one order of magnitude as well as improving the thermal stability of ultra shallow junction.

Free-Piston Shock Tunnel Test Technique Development: An AEDC/DLR Cooperative Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-01

Calibration Data." AIAA-95-6039, April 1995. 15. Molvik, G. A., and Merkle , C. L. "A Set of Strongly Coupled, Upwind Algorithms for Com- puting Flows in...April 1997. h. Date of Termination: 28 April 2002. i. All Signing Officials, Title/Offices Represented, and Countries: (1) Herr Rolf Schreiber, Chief...agreement by the RTP MOU Executive Agents. The US RTP/EA Signature Signature Clinton V. Hom, Maj Gen. USAF Rolf Schreiber Name Name Principal Assistant

Insights into the polerovirus-plant interactome revealed by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry.

PubMed

DeBlasio, Stacy L; Johnson, Richard; Mahoney, Jaclyn; Karasev, Alexander; Gray, Stewart M; MacCoss, Michael J; Cilia, Michelle

2015-04-01

Identification of host proteins interacting with the aphidborne Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) from the genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae, is a critical step toward understanding how PLRV and related viruses infect plants. However, the tight spatial distribution of PLRV to phloem tissues poses challenges. A polyclonal antibody raised against purified PLRV virions was used to coimmunoprecipitate virus-host protein complexes from Nicotiana benthamiana tissue inoculated with an infectious PLRV cDNA clone using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A. tumefaciens-mediated delivery of PLRV enabled infection and production of assembled, insect-transmissible virus in most leaf cells, overcoming the dynamic range constraint posed by a systemically infected host. Isolated protein complexes were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry and consisted of host proteins interacting directly or indirectly with virions, as well as the nonincorporated readthrough protein (RTP) and three phosphorylated positional isomers of the RTP. A bioinformatics analysis using ClueGO and STRING showed that plant proteins in the PLRV protein interaction network regulate key biochemical processes, including carbon fixation, amino acid biosynthesis, ion transport, protein folding, and trafficking.

Dynamic Price Vector Formation Model-Based Automatic Demand Response Strategy for PV-Assisted EV Charging Stations

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

Chen, Qifang; Wang, Fei; Hodge, Bri-Mathias

A real-time price (RTP)-based automatic demand response (ADR) strategy for PV-assisted electric vehicle (EV) Charging Station (PVCS) without vehicle to grid is proposed. The charging process is modeled as a dynamic linear program instead of the normal day-ahead and real-time regulation strategy, to capture the advantages of both global and real-time optimization. Different from conventional price forecasting algorithms, a dynamic price vector formation model is proposed based on a clustering algorithm to form an RTP vector for a particular day. A dynamic feasible energy demand region (DFEDR) model considering grid voltage profiles is designed to calculate the lower and uppermore » bounds. A deduction method is proposed to deal with the unknown information of future intervals, such as the actual stochastic arrival and departure times of EVs, which make the DFEDR model suitable for global optimization. Finally, both the comparative cases articulate the advantages of the developed methods and the validity in reducing electricity costs, mitigating peak charging demand, and improving PV self-consumption of the proposed strategy are verified through simulation scenarios.« less

Determination of trace tin by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry using sodium dodecyl sulfate as sensitizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiaming, Liu; Guohui, Zhu; Tianlong, Yang; Aihong, Wu; Yan, Fu; Longdi, Li

2003-07-01

The effects of different surfactants on solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) properties of Sn4+-morin systems were investigated. It was found that the SS-RTP intensity of luminescence system was increased greatly in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). A new highly sensitive method for the determination of trace tin has been proposed based on sensitization of SDS on SS-RTP intensity of morin-tin system on the filter paper substrate. The linear dynamic range of this method is 8.0-112 ag per spot (with the volume of 0.4 μl per spot) with a detection limit of 4.0 ag per spot, and the regression equation is ΔIp=199.7+3.456mSn(IV) (ag per spot), with the correlation coefficient r=0.9998 (n=7). This simple, rapid and reproducible method has been applied to determine the amount of tin in real samples with satisfactory results.

Customer Engagement in AEP gridSMART Residential Transactive System

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

Widergren, Steven E.; Marinovici, Maria C.; Fuller, Jason C.

— In 2013, AEP Ohio (AEP) operated a 5-minute real-time price (RTP) electricity market system on 4 distribution feeders as part of their gridSMART® demonstration project. The RTP households were billed for their electricity usage according to an RTP tariff approved by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. They were given the incentive that their annual bill would be no greater than if they were on the flat-rate tariff, but they had financial incentives to shift consumption from high price periods to low price periods. Incentives were also available for response under high prices from local events, such as reachingmore » the distribution feeder capacity or a critical peak pricing event. An analysis of this transactive system experiment was completed in early 2014. This paper describes the incentive provided to the customer, the nature of their interaction with the smart thermostat that provided automated response to the transactive signal, and their level of satisfaction with the program.« less

Picture Archiving And Communications Systems (PACS) And Radiation Therapy Planning: Data And Workstation Requirements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reavis, R. J.; Zielonka, Jason S.

1986-06-01

PACS literature to date has emphasized the needs of diagnostic imaging; however, the ability to acquire, manipulate, and display data derived from multiple imaging modalities is also vital in the practice of radiation oncology and radiation therapy planning (RTP). Radiographic or scintigraphic images for RTP must include specific spatial calibration data, as well as data relating image acquisition to anatomic localization within the patient. The digital nature of PACS images and displays allows the radiation oncologist to interactively assist in evaluating whether or not near-by structures are tumor-free. The radiation oncologist may also need to review nonradiographic diagnostic images (e.g., endoscopic images or pathology tissue specimens). Finally, it must be possible to take data such as isodose lines and superimpose them onto images relating the proposed therapy field to patient anatomy. Not only would this be useful for the radiation oncologist, but it would also provide information currently not easily available to the diagnostician and useful in subsequent diagnostic efforts. The three-dimensional (volumetric) data creation for RTP is not currently widespread because of the difficulties in converting images into a coherent, reliable and registered data set; this is the unique contribution of PACS. Software must be developed to permit creation of volumetric models based on data derived from both planar images and various tomographic modalities, including calibration and localizaton data for accurate image registration and scaling. This will permit positive definition of tumor volume by diagnosticians and the radiation oncologists as an initial portion of the therapy planning process. As a part of the underlying data structure for such systems, there must be some uniformity of image format between modalities and vendors; this has been adequately addressed by the Digital Imaging and Communications Interface Standard recently adopted by the American College of Radiology and the National Electrical Manufacturers' Association (ACR-NEMA). In addition, such standardization efforts must also incorporate the necessary calibration and coordinate data. This paper will examine some of the unique requirements for PACS (and PACS workstations)optimized for RTP. The assumption is made here that these are not independent, self-sufficient devices; rather, they are subsystems of a PACS network, capable of sharing certain resources.

Personal protective equipment for the Ebola virus disease: A comparison of 2 training programs.

PubMed

Casalino, Enrique; Astocondor, Eugenio; Sanchez, Juan Carlos; Díaz-Santana, David Enrique; Del Aguila, Carlos; Carrillo, Juan Pablo

2015-12-01

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for preventing Ebola virus disease (EVD) includes basic PPE (B-PPE) and enhanced PPE (E-PPE). Our aim was to compare conventional training programs (CTPs) and reinforced training programs (RTPs) on the use of B-PPE and E-PPE. Four groups were created, designated CTP-B, CTP-E, RTP-B, and RTP-E. All groups received the same theoretical training, followed by 3 practical training sessions. A total of 120 students were included (30 per group). In all 4 groups, the frequency and number of total errors and critical errors decreased significantly over the course of the training sessions (P < .01). The RTP was associated with a greater reduction in the number of total errors and critical errors (P < .0001). During the third training session, we noted an error frequency of 7%-43%, a critical error frequency of 3%-40%, 0.3-1.5 total errors, and 0.1-0.8 critical errors per student. The B-PPE groups had the fewest errors and critical errors (P < .0001). Our results indicate that both training methods improved the student's proficiency, that B-PPE appears to be easier to use than E-PPE, that the RTP achieved better proficiency for both PPE types, and that a number of students are still potentially at risk for EVD contamination despite the improvements observed during the training. Copyright © 2015 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrated luminometer for the determination of trace metals in seawater using fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence detection

PubMed Central

Achterberg, E. P.; Bowie, A. R.; Cannizzaro, V.; Charles, S.; Costa, J. M.; Dubois, F.; Pereiro, R.; San Vicente, B.; Sanz-Medel, A.; Vandeloise, R.; Donckt, E. Vander; Wollast, P.; Yunus, S.

2002-01-01

The paper describes an integrated luminometer able to perform fluorescence (FL), room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and chemiluminescence (CL) measurements on seawater samples. The technical details of the instrumentation are presented together with flow injection (FI) manifolds for the determination of cadmium and zinc (by FL), lead (RTP) and cobalt (CL). The analytical figures of merit are given for each manifold and results are presented for the determination of the four trace metals in seawater reference materials (NASS-5, SLEW-2) and Scheldt estuarine water samples. PMID:18924742

Metal Based Synthetic Strategies and the Examination of Structure Determining Factors in Alkaline Earth Metal Compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Yuriko

Last decades have witnessed a large expansion of the organometallic heavier alkaline earth metal species. However, continued growth of this promising area of chemistry has been slowed by severe restrictions and limitations in viable synthetic methodologies leading to difficulties in preparing and characterizing the target compounds. There is clearly a need for the further development of synthetic methodologies and detailed structure function analysis that will promote the further advancement of organoalkaline earth metal chemistry in applications as diverse as materials chemistry and catalysis. This thesis work greatly extends the synthetic options currently available towards organoalkaline earth metal species by introducing redox transmetallation protolysis (RTP), a reaction based on the readily available Ph3Bi as a non-toxic transmetallation agent. Based on a straightforward one-pot procedure and work-up, Ph3Bi based RTP presents a powerful synthetic alternative for the facile preparation of a large variety of heavy alkaline earth metal compounds. The second part of the thesis explores the effect of secondary non covalent interactions on the coordination chemistry as well as thermal properties of a series of novel alkali, alkaline earth, rare earth as well as heterobimetallic alkali/alkaline earth fluoroalkoxides. These compounds showcase the significance of non-covalent M···F-C and agostic interactions on metal stabilization and structural features, providing critical input on ligand design for the design of advanced metal organic vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursor materials. This work also showcases the impact of M···F-C interactions over M---co-ligand coordination, a critical precursor design element as well.

Athletic pubalgia: Return to play after targeted surgery.

PubMed

Kajetanek, C; Benoît, O; Granger, B; Menegaux, F; Chereau, N; Pascal-Mousselard, H; Khiami, F

2018-03-13

Surgery for athletic pubalgia usually consists in abdominal wall repair combined with routine bilateral adductor tenotomy. We currently confine the surgical procedure to the injured structure(s) (abdominal wall only, adductor tendon only, or both) to limit morbidity and expedite recovery. Outcomes of this à la carte approach are unclear. The objectives of this retrospective study were to determine the return to play (RTP) time, evaluate the potential influence of injury location, and assess the frequency of recurrence or contralateral involvement. À la carte surgery for athletic pubalgia is associated with similar RTP times as the conventional procedure and is not followed by recurrence. Consecutive adults younger than 40 years of age who underwent surgery for athletic pubalgia with injury to the abdominal wall and/or adductor attachment sites between 2009 and 2015 were included. Patients with intra-articular hip disorders, isolated pubic symphysis involvement, or herniation were not eligible. The diagnosis was established clinically then confirmed by at least one imaging technique (ultrasonography plus either a radiograph of the pelvis or magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis). The criterion for performing surgery was failure of appropriate conservative therapy followed for at least 3 months. Of the 27 included patients, eight had abdominal wall involvement only, seven adductor tendon involvement only, and 12 both. Overall, 25 (92.6%) patients returned to play at their previous level, after a mean of 112±38 days (range, 53-223 days), and experienced no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. Mean RTP time was significantly shorter in the group with abdominal wall injury only (91.1±21.0 days) compared to the groups with adductor tendon injury only (101.7±42.0 days) or combined injuries (132.5±39.0) (p=0.02). In patients with athletic pubalgia, à la carte surgery confined to the injured structure(s) produces excellent RTP outcomes. RTP time is shortest in patients with isolated lower abdominal wall injuries. IV, retrospective study with no control group. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Can Competitive Athletes Return to High-Level Play After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Knee?

PubMed

McCarthy, Mark A; Meyer, Maximilian A; Weber, Alexander E; Levy, David M; Tilton, Annemarie K; Yanke, Adam B; Cole, Brian J

2017-09-01

To investigate functional outcomes among competitive athletes undergoing osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation of the knee, including rates of return to play (RTP), and factors preventing RTP. A retrospective review identified all competitive athletes (high school, intercollegiate, professional) undergoing isolated femoral condyle OCA from 2004 to 2013. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC], 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], Tegner, and Marx) and custom RTP surveys were administered. All subsequent reoperations were documented. Thirteen athletes (4 intercollegiate, 9 high-school) were identified with an average follow-up of 5.9 ± 2.5 years. Seven athletes (54%) returned to competitive sport at an average of 7.9 ± 3.5 months, 5 of whom returned to preinjury functional levels. Of the 8 athletes who either did not return to competitive sport or failed to sustain their high level of play, the most common reasons cited were graduation from high school or college (4 patients, 50%) or fear of reinjury (3 patients, 38%). All 4 patients citing graduation as the primary factor preventing return to preinjury level of competitive sport resumed recreational sport without limitations, yielding an adjusted RTP rate of 10 patients (77%) who either returned to competitive play or believed they could return if they had not graduated. At final follow-up, athletes reported significant improvements in all PRO scores except for KOOS-Sport, WOMAC-Stiffness, and SF-12 Mental subscales. There were 3 reoperations at an average of 3.8 ± 3.3 years after the index OCA. There were no instances of graft failure. OCAs provide an adjusted RTP rate of 77% for high-level adolescent athletes. Social factors may be more likely than persistent pain to prevent return to sport. Level IV, therapeutic case series. Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interactive contour delineation of organs at risk in radiotherapy: Clinical evaluation on NSCLC patients

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

Dolz, J., E-mail: jose.dolz.upv@gmail.com; Kirişli, H. A.; Massoptier, L.

2016-05-15

Purpose: Accurate delineation of organs at risk (OARs) on computed tomography (CT) image is required for radiation treatment planning (RTP). Manual delineation of OARs being time consuming and prone to high interobserver variability, many (semi-) automatic methods have been proposed. However, most of them are specific to a particular OAR. Here, an interactive computer-assisted system able to segment various OARs required for thoracic radiation therapy is introduced. Methods: Segmentation information (foreground and background seeds) is interactively added by the user in any of the three main orthogonal views of the CT volume and is subsequently propagated within the whole volume.more » The proposed method is based on the combination of watershed transformation and graph-cuts algorithm, which is used as a powerful optimization technique to minimize the energy function. The OARs considered for thoracic radiation therapy are the lungs, spinal cord, trachea, proximal bronchus tree, heart, and esophagus. The method was evaluated on multivendor CT datasets of 30 patients. Two radiation oncologists participated in the study and manual delineations from the original RTP were used as ground truth for evaluation. Results: Delineation of the OARs obtained with the minimally interactive approach was approved to be usable for RTP in nearly 90% of the cases, excluding the esophagus, which segmentation was mostly rejected, thus leading to a gain of time ranging from 50% to 80% in RTP. Considering exclusively accepted cases, overall OARs, a Dice similarity coefficient higher than 0.7 and a Hausdorff distance below 10 mm with respect to the ground truth were achieved. In addition, the interobserver analysis did not highlight any statistically significant difference, at the exception of the segmentation of the heart, in terms of Hausdorff distance and volume difference. Conclusions: An interactive, accurate, fast, and easy-to-use computer-assisted system able to segment various OARs required for thoracic radiation therapy has been presented and clinically evaluated. The introduction of the proposed system in clinical routine may offer valuable new option to radiation oncologists in performing RTP.« less

Phosphorescence Tuning through Heavy Atom Placement in Unsymmetrical Difluoroboron β-Diketonate Materials.

PubMed

Liu, Tiandong; Zhang, Guoqing; Evans, Ruffin E; Trindle, Carl O; Altun, Zikri; DeRosa, Christopher A; Wang, Fang; Zhuang, Meng; Fraser, Cassandra L

2018-02-06

Difluoroboron β-diketonates (BF 2 bdks) show both fluorescence (F) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) when confined to a rigid matrix, such as poly(lactic acid). These materials have been utilized as optical oxygen sensors (e.g., in tumors, wounds, and cells). Spectral features include charge transfer (CT) from the major aromatic donor to the dioxaborine acceptor. A series of naphthyl-phenyl dyes (BF 2 nbm) (1-6) were prepared to test heavy-atom placement effects. The BF 2 nbm dye (1) was substituted with Br on naphthyl (2), phenyl (3), or both rings (4) to tailor the fluorescence/phosphorescence ratio and RTP lifetime-important features for designing O 2 sensing dyes by means of the heavy atom effect. Computational studies identify the naphthyl ring as the major donor. Thus, Br substitution on the naphthyl ring produced greater effects on the optical properties, such as increased RTP intensity and decreased RTP lifetime compared to phenyl substitution. However, for electron-donating piperidyl-phenyl dyes (5), the phenyl aromatic is the major donor. As a result, Br substitution on the naphthyl ring (6) did not alter the optical properties significantly. Experimental data and computational modeling show the importance of Br position. The S 1 and T 1 states are described by two singly occupied MOs (SOMOs). When both of these SOMOs have substantial amplitude on the heavy atom, passage from S 1 to T 1 and emission from T 1 to S 0 are both favored. This shortens the excited-state lifetimes and enhances phosphorescence. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Determination of trace glucose and forecast of human diseases by affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry based on Triticum valgaris lectin labeled with 4.0-generation dendrimers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhiming; Zhu, Guohui; Liu, Jiaming; Lu, Qiaomei; Yang, Minlan; Wu, Hong; Shi, Xiumei; Chen, Xinhua

2007-08-01

A new phosphorescence labeling reagent Triton-100X-4.0G-D (4.0G-D refers to 4.0-generation dendrimers) was found. Quantitative specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between Triton-100X-4.0G-D-WGA and glucose (G) was carried out on the surface of nitrocellulose membrane (NCM), and the Δ Ip of the product of AA reaction was linear correlation to the content of G. Based on the facts above, a new method for the determination of trace G was established by WGA labeled with Triton-100X-4.0G-D affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (Triton-100X-4.0G-D-WGA-AA-SS-RTP). This research showed that AA-SS-RTP for either direct method or sandwich method could combine very well the characteristics of both the high sensitivity of SS-RTP and the specificity of the AA reaction. Detection limits (LD) were 0.24 fg spot -1 for direct method and 0.18 fg spot -1 for sandwich method, indicating both of them were of high sensitivity. The method has been applied to the determination of the content of G in human serum, and the results were coincided with those obtained by glucose oxidize enzyme method. It can also be applied to forecast accurately some human diseases, such as primary hepatic carcinoma, cirrhosis, acute and chronic hepatitis, transfer hepatocellular, etc. Meanwhile, the mechanism for the determination of G with AA-SS-RTP was discussed.

Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) as a treatment for high ankle sprain in elite athletes: a randomized control trial.

PubMed

Laver, Lior; Carmont, Michael R; McConkey, Mark O; Palmanovich, Ezequiel; Yaacobi, Eyal; Mann, Gideon; Nyska, Meir; Kots, Eugene; Mei-Dan, Omer

2015-11-01

Syndesmotic sprains are uncommon injuries that require prolonged recovery. The influence of ultrasound-guided injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the injured antero-inferior tibio-fibular ligaments (AITFL) in athletes on return to play (RTP) and dynamic stability was studied. Sixteen elite athletes with AITFL tears were randomized to a treatment group receiving injections of PRP or to a control group. All patients followed an identical rehabilitation protocol and RTP criteria. Patients were prospectively evaluated for clinical ability to return to full activity and residual pain. Dynamic ultrasound examinations were performed at initial examination and at 6 weeks post-injury to demonstrate re-stabilization of the syndesmosis joint and correlation with subjective outcome. All patients presented with a tear to the AITFL with dynamic syndesmosis instability in dorsiflexion-external rotation, and larger neutral tibia-fibula distance on ultrasound. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to shorter RTP, with 40.8 (±8.9) and 59.6 (±12.0) days for the PRP and control groups, respectively (p = 0.006). Significantly less residual pain upon return to activity was found in the PRP group; five patients (62.5 %) in the control group returned to play with minor discomfort versus one patient in the treatment group (12.5 %). One patient in the control group had continuous pain and disability and subsequently underwent syndesmosis reconstruction. Athletes suffering from high ankle sprains benefit from ultrasound-guided PRP injections with a shorter RTP, re-stabilization of the syndesmosis joint and less long-term residual pain. II.

Common mechanisms regulating dark noise and quantum bump amplification in Drosophila photoreceptors

PubMed Central

Chu, Brian; Liu, Che-Hsiung; Sengupta, Sukanya; Gupta, Amit; Raghu, Padinjat

2013-01-01

Absolute visual thresholds are limited by “dark noise,” which in Drosophila photoreceptors is dominated by brief (∼10 ms), small (∼2 pA) inward current events, occurring at ∼2/s, believed to reflect spontaneous G protein activations. These dark events were increased in rate and amplitude by a point mutation in myosin III (NINAC), which disrupts its interaction with the scaffolding protein, INAD. This phenotype mimics that previously described in null mutants of ninaC (no inactivation no afterpotential; encoding myosin III) and an associated protein, retinophilin (rtp). Dark noise was similarly increased in heterozygote mutants of diacylglycerol kinase (rdgA/+). Dark noise in ninaC, rtp, and rdgA/+ mutants was greatly suppressed by mutations of the Gq α-subunit (Gαq) and the major light-sensitive channel (trp) but not rhodopsin. ninaC, rtp, and rdgA/+ mutations also all facilitated residual light responses in Gαq and PLC hypomorphs. Raising cytosolic Ca2+ in the submicromolar range increased dark noise, facilitated activation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by exogenous agonist, and again facilitated light responses in Gαq hypomorphs. Our results indicate that RTP, NINAC, INAD, and diacylglycerol kinase, together with a Ca2+-dependent threshold, share common roles in suppressing dark noise and regulating quantum bump generation; consequently, most spontaneous G protein activations fail to generate dark events under normal conditions. By contrast, quantum bump generation is reliable but delayed until sufficient G proteins and PLC are activated to overcome threshold, thereby ensuring generation of full-size bumps with high quantum efficiency. PMID:23365183

Improving Primary Care Provider Practices in Youth Concussion Management.

PubMed

Arbogast, Kristy B; Curry, Allison E; Metzger, Kristina B; Kessler, Ronni S; Bell, Jeneita M; Haarbauer-Krupa, Juliet; Zonfrillo, Mark R; Breiding, Matthew J; Master, Christina L

2017-08-01

Primary care providers are increasingly providing youth concussion care but report insufficient time and training, limiting adoption of best practices. We implemented a primary care-based intervention including an electronic health record-based clinical decision support tool ("SmartSet") and in-person training. We evaluated consequent improvement in 2 key concussion management practices: (1) performance of a vestibular oculomotor examination and (2) discussion of return-to-learn/return-to-play (RTL/RTP) guidelines. Data were included from 7284 primary care patients aged 0 to 17 years with initial concussion visits between July 2010 and June 2014. We compared proportions of visits pre- and post-intervention in which the examination was performed or RTL/RTP guidelines provided. Examinations and RTL/RTP were documented for 1.8% and 19.0% of visits pre-intervention, respectively, compared with 71.1% and 72.9% post-intervention. A total of 95% of post-intervention examinations were documented within the SmartSet. An electronic clinical decision support tool, plus in-person training, may be key to changing primary care provider behavior around concussion care.

George E. Pake Prize: A Few Challenges in the Evolution of Semiconductor Device/Manufacturing Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doering, Robert

In the early 1980s, the semiconductor industry faced the related challenges of ``scaling through the one-micron barrier'' and converting single-level-metal NMOS integrated circuits to multi-level-metal CMOS. Multiple advances in lithography technology and device materials/process integration led the way toward the deep-sub-micron transistors and interconnects that characterize today's electronic chips. In the 1990s, CMOS scaling advanced at an accelerated pace enabled by rapid advances in many aspects of optical lithography. However, the industry also needed to continue the progress in manufacturing on ever-larger silicon wafers to maintain economy-of-scale trends. Simultaneously, the increasing complexity and absolute-precision requirements of manufacturing compounded the necessity for new processes, tools, and control methodologies. This talk presents a personal perspective on some of the approaches that addressed the aforementioned challenges. In particular, early work on integrating silicides, lightly-doped-drain FETs, shallow recessed isolation, and double-level metal will be discussed. In addition, some pioneering efforts in deep-UV lithography and single-wafer processing will be covered. The latter will be mainly based on results from the MMST Program - a 100 M +, 5-year R&D effort, funded by DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, and Texas Instruments, that developed a wide range of new technologies for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The major highlight of the program was the demonstration of sub-3-day cycle time for manufacturing 350-nm CMOS integrated circuits in 1993. This was principally enabled by the development of: (1) 100% single-wafer processing, including rapid-thermal processing (RTP), and (2) computer-integrated-manufacturing (CIM), including real-time, in-situ process control.

High-Bandwidth Tactical-Network Data Analysis in a High-Performance-Computing (HPC) Environment: Voice Call Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

Gateway 2 4. Voice Packet Flow: SIP , Session Description Protocol (SDP), and RTP 3 5. Voice Data Analysis 5 6. Call Analysis 6 7. Call Metrics 6...analysis processing is designed for a general VoIP system architecture based on Session Initiation Protocol ( SIP ) for negotiating call sessions and...employs Skinny Client Control Protocol for network communication between the phone and the local CallManager (e.g., for each dialed digit), SIP

Characteristics and Outcome of Arthroscopic Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery in the National Football League

PubMed Central

Nwachukwu, Benedict U.; Premkumar, Ajay; Fader, Ryan; Bedi, Asheesh; Kelly, Bryan T.

2017-01-01

Objectives: There is an increased understanding of hip injury and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in elite athlete. Previous evidence suggests that hip pathology accounts for 10% of injuries in football players. The impact of FAI and arthroscopic FAI surgery has not been previously studied for National Football League (NFL) players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of arthroscopic FAI surgery on return to play (RTP) and RTP performance in NFL players. Methods: NFL players undergoing arthroscopic FAI surgery between 2006 and 2014 by two surgeons were identified. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, clinical and operative variables. RTP and RTP performance was assessed based on a review of publically available NFL player statistics. RTP and RTP performance data included time to return to play, games played pre and post season of injury, yearly total yards and touchdowns for offensive players, and yearly total tackles, sacks, and interceptions for defensive players. Offensive power ratings (OPR = [total yards/10] + [total touchdowns × 6]) and defensive power ratings (DPR = total tackles + [total sacks × 2] + [total interceptions × 2]) were calculated for the pre-injury season and the post injury season. Paired t-tests comparing pre and post injury seasons were performed. Results: Forty-eight hips in 40 NFL players were included; eight players underwent bilateral hip arthroscopies. Included players underwent surgery at mean 25.6 years (SD+4.6) and had a mean body mass index of 31.3 (SD+4.6). The majority of players were offensive (N=24; 60%) with the offensive line (N=11; 27.5%) being the most common of all positions. Of the 48 included hips, all had labral tears and 41 (85.4%) underwent labral repair while the remainder had a debridement. Forty-two of the 48 hips (87.5%) underwent CAM decompression, 28 (58.3%) received Subspine decompression and ten (20.8%) underwent rim decompression. The capsule was repaired in 35 of the 48 (72.9%) hip surgeries. Of the 40 included players, 37 (92.5%) achieved RTP after their arthroscopic hip surgeries at mean of 6.0 months. Prior to injury, included patients played in a mean of 11.0 games compared to 9.5 games in their post surgery season (p=0.26). Mean offensive and defensive power ratings (OPR, DPR) demonstrated a non-significant decline in the post surgical season (OPR Pre-injury 40.2, OPR Post-Injury 32.3; p=0.34) (DPR Pre-Injury 49.6, DPR Post-Injury 36.4; p=0.10). There was no significant difference in mean annual salaries based on contracts negotiated pre-injury and the first negotiated contract after surgery (Pre-Injury: $3.3M; Post-Injury: $3.6M; p=0.58) Conclusion: There is a very high rate (92.5%) of return to play in the NFL after arthroscopic FAI surgery; this rate is higher than what has been previously reported for other orthopaedic procedures. Additionally, NFL players are able to achieve a return to sport at a faster time frame (6 months) than previously reported for other procedures. There does appear to be a non-significant decline in both offensive and defensive performance with defensive performance experiencing a greater magnitude of decline. It is unclear whether the decreased on-field statistics are attributable to the surgical procedure or an expected age related decline in performance. Undergoing surgery does not appear to have a financial impact however. These findings have important implications for counseling elite athletes about the expected impact of arthroscopic FAI surgery.

Detection of muscle gap by L-BIA in muscle injuries: clinical prognosis.

PubMed

Nescolarde, L; Yanguas, J; Terricabras, J; Lukaski, H; Alomar, X; Rosell-Ferrer, J; Rodas, G

2017-06-21

Sport-related muscle injury classifications are based basically on imaging criteria such as ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without consensus because of a lack of clinical prognostics for return-to-play (RTP), which is conditioned upon the severity of the injury, and this in turn with the muscle gap (muscular fibers retraction). Recently, Futbol Club Barcelona's medical department proposed a new muscle injury classification in which muscle gap plays an important role, with the drawback that it is not always possible to identify by MRI. Localized bioimpedance measurement (L-BIA) has emerged as a non-invasive technique for supporting US and MRI to quantify the disrupted soft tissue structure in injured muscles. To correlate the severity of the injury according to the gap with the RTP, through the percent of change in resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase-angle (PA) by L-BIA measurements in 22 muscle injuries. After grouping the data according to the muscle gap (by MRI exam), there were significant differences in R between grade 1 and grade 2f (myotendinous or myofascial muscle injury with feather-like appearance), as well as between grade 2f and grade 2g (myotendinous or myofascial muscle injury with feather and gap). The Xc and PA values decrease significantly between each grade (i.e. 1 versus 2f, 1 versus 2g and 2f versus 2g). In addition, the severity of the muscle gap adversely affected the RTP with significant differences observed between 1 and 2g as well as between 2f and 2g. These results show that L-BIA could aid MRI and US in identifying the severity of an injured muscle according to muscle gap and therefore to accurately predict the RTP.

Rasch Validation of a Measure of Reform-Oriented Science Teaching Practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Hye Sun

2016-06-01

Growing evidence from recent curriculum documents and previous research suggests that reform-oriented science teaching practices promote students' conceptual understanding, levels of achievement, and motivation to learn, especially when students are actively engaged in constructing their ideas through scientific inquiries. However, it is difficult to identify to what extent science teachers engage students in reform-oriented teaching practices (RTPs) in their science classrooms. In order to exactly diagnose the current status of science teachers' implementation of the RTPs, a valid and reliable instrument tool is needed. The principles of validity and reliability are fundamental cornerstones in developing a robust measurement tool. As such, this study was motivated by the desire to point out the limitations of the existing statistical and psychometric analyses and to further examine the validation of the RTP survey instrument. This paper thus aims at calibrating the items of the RTPs for science teachers using the Rasch model. The survey instrument scale was adapted from the 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education (NSSME) data. A total of 3701 science teachers from 1403 schools from across the USA participated in the NSSME survey. After calibrating the RTP items and persons on the same scale, the RTP instrument well represented the population of US science teachers. Model-data fit determined by Infit and Outfit statistics was within an appropriate range (0.5-1.5), supporting the unidimensional structure of the RTPs. The ordered category thresholds and the probability of the thresholds showed that the five-point rating scale functioned well. The results of this study support the use of the RTP measure from the 2012 NSSME in assessing usage of RTPs.

Return to Play and Future ACL Injury Risk Following ACL Reconstruction In Soccer Athletes From the MOON Group

PubMed Central

Brophy, Robert H.; Schmitz, Leah; Wright, Rick W.; Dunn, Warren R.; Parker, Richard D.; Andrish, Jack T.; McCarty, Eric C.; Spindler, Kurt P.

2013-01-01

Background There is limited information on outcomes and return to play (RTP) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in soccer athletes. Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to (i) test the hypotheses that player sex, side of injury and graft choice do not influence RTP, and (ii) define the risk for future ACL injury in soccer players after ACLR. Study design Retrospective cohort study, Level II. Methods Soccer players in a prospective cohort were contacted to determine RTP following ACLR. Information regarding if and when they returned to play, their current playing status, the primary reason they stopped playing soccer (if relevant) and incidence of subsequent ACL surgery was recorded. Results Initially, 72% of 100 soccer athletes (55 male, 45 female) with a mean age of 24.2 years at the time of ACL reconstruction returned to soccer. At average follow up of 7.0 years, 36% were still playing, a significant decrease compared to initial RTP (p<0.0001). Based on multivariate analysis, older athletes (p=0.006) and females (p=0.037) were less likely to return to play. Twelve soccer athletes had undergone further ACL surgery, including 9 on the contralateral knee and 3 on the ipsilateral knee. In a univariate analysis, females were more likely to have future ACL surgery (20% v. 5.5%, p=0.03). Soccer athletes who underwent ACLR on their non-dominant limb had a higher future rate of contra-lateral ACLR (16%) than soccer athletes who underwent ACLR on their dominant limb (3.5%) (p=0.03). Conclusion Younger and male soccer players are more likely to return to play after ACL reconstruction. Return to soccer following ACLR declines over time. PMID:23002201

Determination of alkaline phosphatase based on affinity adsorption solid-substrate room temperature phosphorimetry using rhodamine 6G-dibromoluciferin luminescent nanoparticle to label lectin and prediction of diseases.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Ming; Liu, Zhen-Bo; Hu, Li-Xiang; He, Hang-Xia; Yang, Min-Lan; Zhou, Ping; Chen, Xin-Hua; Zheng, Min-Min; Zeng, Xiao-Yi; Xu, Yue-Long

2006-10-15

In the presence of heavy atom perturber LiAc, the silicon dioxide nanoparticle containing rhodamine 6G (R) and dibromoluciferin (D) (R-D-SiO(2)) can emit strong and stable solid-substrate room temperature phosphorescence signal of R (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)=481/648 nm) and D (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)=457/622 nm) on the surface of acetyl cellulose membrane (ACM). R-D-SiO(2) is used to label triticum vulgare lectin (WGA). Then two types of affinity adsorption reactions, R-D-SiO(2)-WGA- alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (direct method) and WGA-ALP-WGA-R-D-SiO(2) (sandwich method), are carried out on ACM. The conditions and the analytical characteristics for the determination of ALP using affinity adsorption solid-substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) were studied. For a 0.40-microl drop of sample, results show that the detection limits of the sandwich method are 0.16 ag spot(-1)(457/622 nm) and 0.17 ag spot(-1)(481/648 nm), and the detection limits of the direct method are 0.41 ag spot(-1) (457/622 nm) and 0.44 ag spot(-1) (481/648 nm). The contents of ALP in human serum correlated well with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunoassay. This study shows that AA-SS-RTP whether by the sandwich method or the direct method, can combine very well the characteristics of both high sensitivity of SS-RTP and specificity of the immunoreaction. Simultaneously, whether the phosphorescence excitation/emission wavelength of either R or D in R-D-SiO(2) is chosen to determine ALP, this can promote the agility and widen the adaptability of AA-SS-RTP.

Stimulated polariton scattering in an intracavity RbTiOPO₄ crystal generating frequency-tunable THz output.

PubMed

Ortega, Tiago A; Pask, Helen M; Spence, David J; Lee, Andrew J

2016-05-16

A high power, frequency-tunable THz source based on intracavity stimulated polariton scattering (SPS) in RbTiOPO₄ (RTP) is demonstrated for the first time. Frequency tunable THz output was obtained from 3.10 to 4.15 THz, with a gap at 3.17 to 3.49 THz, arising from the 104 cm^-1 A₁ mode in RTP. A maximum average output power of 16.2 µW was detected at 3.8 THz. This is the highest average output power ever reported for an intracavity polariton laser.

Interaction of the replication terminator protein of Bacillus subtilis with DNA probed by NMR spectroscopy

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

Hastings, Adam F.; Otting, Gottfried; Folmer, Rutger H.A.

2005-09-23

Termination of DNA replication in Bacillus subtilis involves the polar arrest of replication forks by a specific complex formed between the dimeric 29 kDa replication terminator protein (RTP) and DNA terminator sites. We have used NMR spectroscopy to probe the changes in {sup 1}H-{sup 15}N correlation spectra of a {sup 15}N-labelled RTP.C110S mutant upon the addition of a 21 base pair symmetrical DNA binding site. Assignment of the {sup 1}H-{sup 15}N correlations was achieved using a suite of triple resonance NMR experiments with {sup 15}N,{sup 13}C,70% {sup 2}H enriched protein recorded at 800 MHz and using TROSY pulse sequences. Perturbationsmore » to {sup 1}H-{sup 15}N spectra revealed that the N-termini, {alpha}3-helices and several loops are affected by the binding interaction. An analysis of this data in light of the crystallographically determined apo- and DNA-bound forms of RTP.C110S revealed that the NMR spectral perturbations correlate more closely to protein structural changes upon complex formation rather than to interactions at the protein-DNA interface.« less

Continuous table acquisition MRI for radiotherapy treatment planning: Distortion assessment with a new extended 3D volumetric phantom

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

Walker, Amy, E-mail: aw554@uowmail.edu.au; Metcalfe, Peter; Liney, Gary

2015-04-15

Purpose: Accurate geometry is required for radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP). When considering the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for RTP, geometric distortions observed in the acquired images should be considered. While scanner technology and vendor supplied correction algorithms provide some correction, large distortions are still present in images, even when considering considerably smaller scan lengths than those typically acquired with CT in conventional RTP. This study investigates MRI acquisition with a moving table compared with static scans for potential geometric benefits for RTP. Methods: A full field of view (FOV) phantom (diameter 500 mm; length 513 mm) was developedmore » for measuring geometric distortions in MR images over volumes pertinent to RTP. The phantom consisted of layers of refined plastic within which vitamin E capsules were inserted. The phantom was scanned on CT to provide the geometric gold standard and on MRI, with differences in capsule location determining the distortion. MRI images were acquired with two techniques. For the first method, standard static table acquisitions were considered. Both 2D and 3D acquisition techniques were investigated. With the second technique, images were acquired with a moving table. The same sequence was acquired with a static table and then with table speeds of 1.1 mm/s and 2 mm/s. All of the MR images acquired were registered to the CT dataset using a deformable B-spline registration with the resulting deformation fields providing the distortion information for each acquisition. Results: MR images acquired with the moving table enabled imaging of the whole phantom length while images acquired with a static table were only able to image 50%–70% of the phantom length of 513 mm. Maximum distortion values were reduced across a larger volume when imaging with a moving table. Increased table speed resulted in a larger contribution of distortion from gradient nonlinearities in the through-plane direction and an increased blurring of capsule images, resulting in an apparent capsule volume increase by up to 170% in extreme axial FOV regions. Blurring increased with table speed and in the central regions of the phantom, geometric distortion was less for static table acquisitions compared to a table speed of 2 mm/s over the same volume. Overall, the best geometric accuracy was achieved with a table speed of 1.1 mm/s. Conclusions: The phantom designed enables full FOV imaging for distortion assessment for the purposes of RTP. MRI acquisition with a moving table extends the imaging volume in the z direction with reduced distortions which could be useful particularly if considering MR-only planning. If utilizing MR images to provide additional soft tissue information to the planning CT, standard acquisition sequences over a smaller volume would avoid introducing additional blurring or distortions from the through-plane table movement.« less

Return to Play After Partial Lateral Meniscectomy in National Football League Athletes.

PubMed

Aune, Kyle T; Andrews, James R; Dugas, Jeffrey R; Cain, E Lyle

2014-08-01

Lateral meniscal injury is a common and possibly career-threatening injury among players in the National Football League (NFL). The rate of return to play (RTP) and factors that affect RTP after lateral meniscal injury in NFL players are currently not defined. The aims of this study were to determine the rate of RTP to regular-season NFL game play of NFL players after arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy and to identify factors that can predict the ability to return to play. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Seventy-two patients undergoing 77 arthroscopic lateral partial meniscectomies were followed to determine the rate of RTP (defined as successful RTP in at least 1 regular-season NFL game after meniscectomy) and factors predicting players' ability to return to play. Perioperative variables were recorded using retrospective chart review. Players' heights and weights, dates of return, draft rounds, and counts of games, starts, and seasons both before and after meniscectomy were all collected from statistical databases maintained by the NFL. Chi-square and Student t tests were performed to assess differences among covariates with respect to an athlete's ability to return to play, and odds ratios were calculated as appropriate. All percentages were calculated as percent of total procedures performed (n = 77). Of the 77 partial lateral meniscectomies performed, 61% (n = 47) resulted in the athlete returning to play at his previous level of competition with an average length of time to RTP of 8.5 months; 19 (40%) of those who returned were still active in the NFL at the time of follow-up. Age at time of surgery, games and seasons played before surgery, and individual position were not significantly different between those who did and did not return to play. Undergoing a concomitant procedure did not affect an athlete's ability to return to play, nor did concurrent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction affect a player's likelihood to return to play. Players drafted in the first 4 rounds of the NFL draft were 3.7 times more likely to return to play than players drafted after the fourth round, and players who started more than 46.2% of their games played (the mean value for this population) were 2.8 times more likely to return to play. Speed-position players (running backs, receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs) were 4.0 times less likely to return to play than non-speed position players (linemen and tight ends). The majority of NFL players undergoing arthroscopic lateral meniscectomy are able to return to play. Players selected earlier in the NFL draft and who are listed as starters in more of their games are more likely to return to play, as are linemen and tight ends. It is significantly more difficult for running backs, receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs to return to play. © 2014 The Author(s).

TRAMP; The next generation data acquisition for RTP

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

van Haren, P.C.; Wijnoltz, F.

1992-04-01

The Rijnhuizen Tokamak Project RTP is a medium-sized tokamak experiment, which requires a very reliable data-acquisition system, due to its pulsed nature. Analyzing the limitations of an existing CAMAC-based data-acquisition system showed, that substantial increase of performance and flexibility could best be obtained by the construction of an entirely new system. This paper discusses this system, CALLED TRAMP (Transient Recorder and Amoeba Multi Processor), based on tailor-made transient recorders with a multiprocessor computer system in VME running Amoeba. The performance of TRAMP exceeds the performance of the CAMAC system by a factor of four. The plans to increase the flexibilitymore » and for a further increase of performance are presented.« less

Determination of Trace Deoxyribonucleic Acid by Using Fluorescein Isothiocyanate-Phenosafranine as a Double-Luminescent Phosphorescence Probe

PubMed Central

Huang, Xiao-Mei; Liu, Zhen-Bo; Li, Fei-Ming; Lin, Li-Ping; Wang, Xin-Xing; Lin, Chang-Qing; Huang, Ya-Hong; Li, Zhi-Ming; Lin, Shao-Qin

2010-01-01

Using Pb2+ as ion perturber, phenosafranine (PF) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on the filter paper, respectively. When they were mixed, the phenomenon that the RTP signal of PF and FITC enhanced significantly was found. And 1.12 ag DNA spot−1 (sample volume was 0.40 μL, corresponding concentration was 2.8 × 10–15 g mL–1) could cause the RTP signal of both PF and FITC to enhance sharply. The content of DNA was proportional to the ΔIp of PF and FITC in the system at 634 and 659 nm. Thus, a new solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for the determination of trace DNA was established by using FITC-PF as double-luminescent phosphorescence probe. The detection limit (LD) of this method calculated by 3Sb/k was 14 zg DNA spot–1 for PF and 18 zg DNA spot–1 for FITC, respectively, showing high sensitivity. It has been applied to the determination of trace DNA in practical samples and the analysis results were in accordance with those of fluorescence probe. The reaction mechanism of SSRTP for the determination of trace DNA was also discussed. PMID:20665096

Utility of high-resolution accurate MS to eliminate interferences in the bioanalysis of ribavirin and its phosphate metabolites.

PubMed

Wei, Cong; Grace, James E; Zvyaga, Tatyana A; Drexler, Dieter M

2012-08-01

The polar nucleoside drug ribavirin (RBV) combined with IFN-α is a front-line treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. RBV acts as a prodrug and exerts its broad antiviral activity primarily through its active phosphorylated metabolite ribavirin 5´-triphosphate (RTP), and also possibly through ribavirin 5´-monophosphate (RMP). To study RBV transport, diffusion, metabolic clearance and its impact on drug-metabolizing enzymes, a LC-MS method is needed to simultaneously quantify RBV and its phosphorylated metabolites (RTP, ribavirin 5´-diphosphate and RMP). In a recombinant human UGT1A1 assay, the assay buffer components uridine and its phosphorylated derivatives are isobaric with RBV and its phosphorylated metabolites, leading to significant interference when analyzed by LC-MS with the nominal mass resolution mode. Presented here is a LC-MS method employing LC coupled with full-scan high-resolution accurate MS analysis for the simultaneous quantitative determination of RBV, RMP, ribavirin 5´-diphosphate and RTP by differentiating RBV and its phosphorylated metabolites from uridine and its phosphorylated derivatives by accurate mass, thus avoiding interference. The developed LC-high-resolution accurate MS method allows for quantitation of RBV and its phosphorylated metabolites, eliminating the interferences from uridine and its phosphorylated derivatives in recombinant human UGT1A1 assays.

Assessment and mitigation of power quality problems for PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakaria, Mohd Fazli; Ramachandaramurthy, Vigna K.

2017-01-01

An electrical power systems are exposed to different types of power quality disturbances. Investigation and monitoring of power quality are necessary to maintain accurate operation of sensitive equipment especially for nuclear installations. This paper will discuss the power quality problems observed at the electrical sources of PUSPATI TRIGA Reactor (RTP). Assessment of power quality requires the identification of any anomalous behavior on a power system, which adversely affects the normal operation of electrical or electronic equipment. A power quality assessment involves gathering data resources; analyzing the data (with reference to power quality standards) then, if problems exist, recommendation of mitigation techniques must be considered. Field power quality data is collected by power quality recorder and analyzed with reference to power quality standards. Normally the electrical power is supplied to the RTP via two sources in order to keep a good reliability where each of them is designed to carry the full load. The assessment of power quality during reactor operation was performed for both electrical sources. There were several disturbances such as voltage harmonics and flicker that exceeded the thresholds. To reduce these disturbances, mitigation techniques have been proposed, such as to install passive harmonic filters to reduce harmonic distortion, dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) to reduce voltage disturbances and isolate all sensitive and critical loads.

National Football League athletes' return to play after surgical reattachment of complete proximal hamstring ruptures.

PubMed

Mansour, Alfred A; Genuario, James W; Young, Jason P; Murphy, Todd P; Boublik, Martin; Schlegel, Theodore F

2013-06-01

Although hamstring strains are common among professional football players, proximal tendon avulsions are relatively rare. Surgical repair is recommended, but there is no evidence on professional football players return to play (RTP). We hypothesized that surgical reattachment of complete proximal hamstring ruptures in these athletes would enable successful RTP. Ten proximal hamstring avulsions were identified in 10 National Football League (NFL) players between 1990 and 2008. Participating team physicians retrospectively reviewed each player's training room and clinical records, operative notes, and imaging studies. The ruptures were identified and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Of the 10 injuries, 9 had palpable defects. Each of the ruptures was managed with surgical fixation within 10 days of injury. All of the players reported full return of strength and attempted to resume play at the beginning of the following season, with 9 of the 10 actually returning to play. However, despite having no limitations related to the surgical repair, only 5 of the 10 athletes played in more than 1 game. Most NFL players who undergo acute surgical repair of complete proximal hamstring ruptures are able to RTP, but results are mixed regarding long-term participation. This finding may indicate that this injury is a marker for elite-level physical deterioration.

A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating an integrated treatment of rivastigmine transdermal patch and cognitive stimulation in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

D'Onofrio, Grazia; Sancarlo, Daniele; Addante, Filomena; Ciccone, Filomena; Cascavilla, Leandro; Paris, Francesco; Elia, Anna Chiara; Nuzzaci, Claudia; Picoco, Michele; Greco, Antonio; Panza, Francesco; Pilotto, Alberto

2015-09-01

To evaluate in a pilot single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial the efficacy of an integrated treatment with rivastigmine transdermal patch (RTP) and cognitive stimulation (CS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients at 6-month follow-up. We enrolled 90 patients with an age ≥65 years admitted to the outpatient Alzheimer's Evaluation Unit with diagnosis of AD. Patients were randomized to enter in the Group-1 (RTP + CS) or in the Group-2 (RTP). All patients at baseline and after 6 months were evaluated with the following tools: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress (NPI-D), and a standardized Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, including also activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Mortality risk was assessed using the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI). At baseline no significant difference was shown between the two groups. After 6 months of follow-up, there were significant differences between Group-1 and Group-2 in: MMSE: +6.39% vs. +2.69%, CDR: +6.92% vs. +1.54%, HDRS-D = -60.7% vs. -45.8%, GDS: -60.9% vs. -7.3%, NPI: -55.2% vs. -32.7%%, NPI-D: -55.1% vs. -18.6%, ADL: +13.88% vs. +5.95%, IADL: +67.59% vs. +18.28%, MNA: +12.02% vs. +5.91%, and MPI: -29.03% vs. -12.90%. The integrated treatment of RTP with CS in AD patients for 6 months improved significantly cognition, depressive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, functional status, and mortality risk in comparison with a group of AD patients receiving only RTP. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cortical Plasticity Following Motor Skill Learning During Mental Practice in Stroke1

PubMed Central

Page, Stephen J.; Szaflarski, Jerzy P.; Eliassen, James C.; Pan, Hai; Cramer, Steven C

2012-01-01

Background and Purpose Mental practice (MP), which involves cognitive rehearsal of physical movements, is a non-invasive, inexpensive method of enabling repetitive, task specific practice (RTP). Recent, randomized controlled data suggest that MP, when combined with a RTP therapy program, increases affected arm use and function significantly more than RTP only. As a next step, this 10-subject case series examined the possibility that cortical plasticity is a mechanism underlying the treatment effect of MP when combined with RTP. Method 10 chronic stroke patients (mean = 36.7 months) exhibiting stable, moderate motor deficits received ½ hour therapy sessions for their affected arms, occurring 3 days/week for 10 weeks, and emphasizing valued activities of daily living (ADLs). Directly after therapy, subjects received 30-minute MP sessions, which required MP of the ADLs performed during therapy. Behavioral outcomes were blindly evaluated using the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was administered before and after intervention to assess cortical changes. Results Before intervention, subjects exhibited stable motor deficits. After intervention, subjects exhibited marked ARAT and FM score increases (+ 5.3 and + 4.2, respectively), and clinically significant, new abilities to perform valued ADLs. Post-intervention fMRI revealed significant increases in activation to wrist flexion and extension of the affected hand in the premotor area and primary motor cortex ipsi- and contralaterally to the affected hand, and superior parietal cortex ipsilateral to the affected hand. Decreased activations were noted in parietal cortex of the hemisphere ipsilateral to the affected hand. These changes correlated with anatomical regions in which behavioral changes were observed via the ARAT and FM. Conclusions MP is an easy to use, cost effective strategy that was again shown to improve affected arm outcomes after stroke. This is the first study suggesting alteration in the cortical map as a possible MP mechanism for the affected arm. PMID:19155350

Riding the Electricity Market as an Energy Management Strategy: Savings from Real-Time Pricing

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

Chiles, Thomas; Shutika, Kenneth; Coleman, Philip

Dynamic pricing of electricity, in which retail prices facing customers are responsive to changes in the underlying wholesale markets, represents a step towards economic efficiency in that customers get exposed to some or all of the costs facing wholesale market players. But what do customers who opt for this greater exposure – available in the roughly 15 “de-regulated” states, as well as, to some extent, from some regulated utilities – get in return for their risks? The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) took a retrospective eight-year look at what the savings would have been had they let the loads formore » which they purchase electricity in the Washington, DC area buy electricity on the real-time pricing (RTP) market – the dynamic pricing option with the highest risk – as opposed to the strategy they chose in actuality, which was fixing flat prices with 3rd-party providers. We found that opting for RTP for the eight years of the study (2005 through 2012) would have resulted in 17% savings, or almost a quarter of a billion dollars, relative to GSA’s actual prices from the 3rd-party suppliers. This is particularly astonishing given that GSA appeared to have timed the market well during the study period, consistently beating the standard offer products provided by the distribution utilities. The issue of budgetary predictability poses an obstacle for customers (especially government ones) considering RTP and, to a lesser extent, other dynamic pricing options. Indeed, GSA would have lost money with RTP in two of the eight years, one of them substantially. But the magnitude of the savings is indisputably compelling and, even if it may be somewhat aberrational due to high congestion in the DC market, begs consideration by large electricity users currently paying to “lock in” fixed flat prices.« less

Epidemiology of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major and Minor League Baseball Pitchers: Comprehensive Report on 1,313 Cases

PubMed Central

Camp, Christopher L.; Conte, Stan; D’Angelo, John; Fealy, Stephen

2017-01-01

Objectives: Although much as been done to better understand and characterize the epidemic of UCL reconstruction in pitchers, a comprehensive review of all UCL reconstructions performed in professional baseball pitchers is surprisingly lacking. Accordingly, the purpose of this work was to provide an epidemiologic report on every UCL reconstruction ever performed in professional baseball with a special focus on outcomes (return to play rates and time) and overall survivorship. Methods: Three resources (including the Major League Baseball [MLB] injury tracking system) were combined and cross-referenced to identify all professional baseball players who had ever undergone primary UCL reconstruction (1974 to 2015). Variables analyzed included the date of injury, date of surgery, time out of play, geographical region, and revision status. Trends over time were analyzed collectively and based on level of play at the time of surgery. A minimum of 2 years of follow up was required to determine return to play status. Revision free Kaplan-Meier survivor analysis was performed. Results: A total of 1,313 UCL reconstructions were identified. The annual rate of primary and revision UCL reconstructions rose significantly for all levels of play from 1974 to 2015 and from (p<0.001). The overall mean time to return to play (RTP) was 436 days (range 98 to 1,643). The rate of RTP to any level was 93.9% for MLB pitchers vs. 76.3% for MiLB pitchers (p<0.001), and MLB pitchers RTP at the MLB level in 73.1% of cases. The time to RTP was longer (by 54 days) for revisions (p=0.025) compared to primaries, and MLB pitchers RTP from primary surgery 95.6% of the time but only 81.8% for revision surgery (p=0.008). The revision rate was 10.7%, and the percentage of players free of revision and still playing professional baseball was 92% at 2 years, 53% at 5 years, and 17% at 10 years. Survivorship was improved for players undergoing UCL reconstruction before age 25 opposed to after 25. Conclusion: This study represents the most robust epidemiologic report of UCL reconstruction in baseball to date, and a number of novel findings are reported. A number of key differences in MLB and MiLB, as well as primary and revision surgeries, were identified. Although the revision rate (10.7%) is higher than prior reports, 75% of players who had surgery before age of 25 are revision free and still playing professional baseball four years post operative.

Low-level liquid radioactive waste treatment at Murmansk, Russia: Technical design and review of facility upgrade and expansion

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

Dyer, R.S.; Diamante, J.M.; Duffey, R.B.

1996-07-01

The governments of Norway and the US have committed their mutual cooperation and support the Murmansk Shipping Company (MSCo) to expand and upgrade the Low-Level Liquid Radioactive Waste (LLRW) treatment system located at the facilities of the Russian company RTP Atomflot, in Murmansk, Russia. RTP Atomflot provides support services to the Russian icebreaker fleet operated by the MSCo. The objective is to enable Russia to permanently cease disposing of this waste in Arctic waters. The proposed modifications will increase the facility`s capacity from 1,200 m{sup 3} per year to 5,000 m{sup 3} per year, will permit the facility to processmore » high-salt wastes from the Russian Navy`s Northern fleet, and will improve the stabilization and interim storage of the processed wastes. The three countries set up a cooperative review of the evolving design information, conducted by a joint US and Norwegian technical team from April through December, 1995. To ensure that US and Norwegian funds produce a final facility which will meet the objectives, this report documents the design as described by Atomflot and the Russian business organization, ASPECT, both in design documents and orally. During the detailed review process, many questions were generated, and many design details developed which are outlined here. The design is based on the adsorption of radionuclides on selected inorganic resins, and desalination and concentration using electromembranes. The US/Norwegian technical team reviewed the available information and recommended that the construction commence; they also recommended that a monitoring program for facility performance be instituted.« less

Baseline neurocognitive testing in sports-related concussions: the importance of a prior night's sleep.

PubMed

McClure, D Jake; Zuckerman, Scott L; Kutscher, Scott J; Gregory, Andrew J; Solomon, Gary S

2014-02-01

The management of sports-related concussions (SRCs) utilizes serial neurocognitive assessments and self-reported symptom inventories to assess recovery and safety for return to play (RTP). Because postconcussive RTP goals include symptom resolution and a return to neurocognitive baseline levels, clinical decisions rest in part on understanding modifiers of this baseline. Several studies have reported age and sex to influence baseline neurocognitive performance, but few have assessed the potential effect of sleep. We chose to investigate the effect of reported sleep duration on baseline Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) performance and the number of patient-reported symptoms. We hypothesized that athletes receiving less sleep before baseline testing would perform worse on neurocognitive metrics and report more symptoms. Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. We retrospectively reviewed 3686 nonconcussed athletes (2371 male, 1315 female; 3305 high school, 381 college) with baseline symptom and ImPACT neurocognitive scores. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on self-reported sleep duration the night before testing: (1) short, <7 hours; (2) intermediate, 7-9 hours; and (3) long, ≥9 hours. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with an α level of .05 was used to assess the influence of sleep duration on baseline ImPACT performance. A univariate ANCOVA was performed to investigate the influence of sleep on total self-reported symptoms. When controlling for age and sex as covariates, the MANCOVA revealed significant group differences on ImPACT reaction time, verbal memory, and visual memory scores but not visual-motor (processing) speed scores. An ANCOVA also revealed significant group differences in total reported symptoms. For baseline symptoms and ImPACT scores, subsequent pairwise comparisons revealed these associations to be most significant when comparing the short and intermediate sleep groups. Our results indicate that athletes sleeping fewer than 7 hours before baseline testing perform worse on 3 of 4 ImPACT scores and report more symptoms. Because SRC management and RTP decisions hinge on the comparison with a reliable baseline evaluation, clinicians should consider sleep duration before baseline neurocognitive testing as a potential factor in the assessment of athletes' recovery.

Synthesis and characterization of spray deposited CZTS thin films for photo-electrochemical application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chavda, Arvind; Patel, Biren; Mukhopadhyay, Priyanka Marathey Indrajit; Ray, Abhijit

2018-05-01

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is one of the most promising light absorber materials for photovoltaic and photo-electrochemical applications. We synthesized CZTS thin films on a F:SnO2 and soda lime glass substrates by very simple, cost effective and highly scalable spray pyrolysis technique. The films were post treated by rapid thermal processing route of sulfurization to enhance the stoichiometry and crystallinity of the film. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of RTP sulfurized films were studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the formation of tetragonal CZTS phase, which confirmed by Raman analysis with a major peak at 336 cm-1 without the presence of the principle vibration mode of any other secondary phases, such as Cu2SnS3, CuxS(x=1.8,2) etc. The sulfurized film exhibited increased crystallinity and better stoichiometry. The optical and electrical data reveal the direct optical band gap, bulk carrier concentration and resistivity of 1.5 eV, 2.28×1018 cm-3 and 1.21 Ω/cm2, respectively. Finally the photoactivity of CZTS thin films was tested by forming photoelectrochemical cell in 0.1M Na2S2O3 electrolyte (pH=7.72), showing a cathodic photocurrent of nearly 20 µA/cm2 at 0V RHE.

Interactive approach to segment organs at risk in radiotherapy treatment planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolz, Jose; Kirisli, Hortense A.; Viard, Romain; Massoptier, Laurent

2014-03-01

Accurate delineation of organs at risk (OAR) is required for radiation treatment planning (RTP). However, it is a very time consuming and tedious task. The use in clinic of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) becomes more and more popular, thus increasing the need of (semi-)automatic methods for delineation of the OAR. In this work, an interactive segmentation approach to delineate OAR is proposed and validated. The method is based on the combination of watershed transformation, which groups small areas of similar intensities in homogeneous labels, and graph cuts approach, which uses these labels to create the graph. Segmentation information can be added in any view - axial, sagittal or coronal -, making the interaction with the algorithm easy and fast. Subsequently, this information is propagated within the whole volume, providing a spatially coherent result. Manual delineations made by experts of 6 OAR - lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, heart and aorta - over a set of 9 computed tomography (CT) scans were used as reference standard to validate the proposed approach. With a maximum of 4 interactions, a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) higher than 0.87 was obtained, which demonstrates that, with the proposed segmentation approach, only few interactions are required to achieve similar results as the ones obtained manually. The integration of this method in the RTP process may save a considerable amount of time, and reduce the annotation complexity.

The Rectangle Target Plot: A New Approach to the Graphical Presentation of Accuracy of Systems for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose.

PubMed

Stephan, Peter; Schmid, Christina; Freckmann, Guido; Pleus, Stefan; Haug, Cornelia; Müller, Peter

2015-10-09

The measurement accuracy of systems for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is usually analyzed by a method comparison in which the analysis results are displayed using difference plots or similar graphs. However, such plots become difficult to comprehend as the number of data points displayed increases. This article introduces a new approach, the rectangle target plot (RTP), which aims to provide a simplified and comprehensible visualization of accuracy data. The RTP is based on ISO 15197 accuracy evaluations of SMBG systems. Two-sided tolerance intervals for normally distributed data are calculated for absolute and relative differences at glucose concentrations <100 mg/dL and ≥100 mg/dL. These tolerance intervals provide an estimator of where a 90% proportion of results is found with a confidence level of 95%. Plotting these tolerance intervals generates a rectangle whose center indicates the systematic measurement difference of the investigated system relative to the comparison method. The size of the rectangle depends on the measurement variability. The RTP provides a means of displaying measurement accuracy data in a simple and comprehensible manner. The visualization is simplified by reducing the displayed information from typically 200 data points to just 1 rectangle. Furthermore, this allows data for several systems or several lots from 1 system to be displayed clearly and concisely in a single graph. © 2015 Diabetes Technology Society.

Developing guidelines for return to play: consensus and evidence-based approaches.

PubMed

Echemendia, Ruben J; Giza, Christopher C; Kutcher, Jeffrey S

2015-01-01

Sports-related concussions are commonplace at all levels of play and across all age groups. The dynamic, evolving nature of this injury coupled with a lack of objective biomarkers creates a challenging management issue for the sports medicine team. Athletes who return to play following a concussion are known to be at higher risk for an additional brain injury, which necessitates a careful, informed return to play (RTP) process. The goal of this paper is to outline historical attempts at developing RTP guidelines and trace their evolution over time, culminating in a discussion of the process and outcomes of the most recent consensus statements/guidelines published by the international Concussion In Sport Group (CISG), the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and the 2013 Team Physician Consensus Statement Update. An evaluation of the pros and cons of these guidelines is presented along with suggestions for future directions. In addition, the Institute of Medicine recently conducted a comprehensive report outlining the current state of evidence regarding youth concussions, which provides specific recommendations for future research. The different methodologies utilized in the development of consensus statements have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and both approaches add value to the everyday management of sports concussions. Importantly, the overall approach for management of sports concussion is remarkably similar using either consensus-based or formal evidence-based methods, which adds confidence to the current guidelines and allows practitioners to focus on accepted standards of clinical care. Moving forward, careful study designs need to be utilized to avoid bias in selection of research subjects, collection of data, and interpretation of results. Although useful, clinicians must venture beyond consensus statements to examine reviews of the literature that are published in much greater frequency than consensus statements.

Lauren Bamford

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

As the Director of EPA-RTP's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Outreach Program, Kelly collaborates with schools and the community to develop and implement educational outreach programs, particularly in minority and low-income K-12 schools.

Kelly Witter

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

As the Director of EPA-RTP's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Outreach Program, Kelly collaborates with schools and the community to develop and implement educational outreach programs, particularly in minority and low-income K-12 schools.

RTP Speakers Bureau

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Research Triangle Park Speakers Bureau page is a free resource that schools, universities, and community groups in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C. area can use to request speakers and find educational resources.

Development of a patient-specific 3D dose evaluation program for QA in radiation therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Suk; Chang, Kyung Hwan; Cao, Yuan Jie; Shim, Jang Bo; Yang, Dae Sik; Park, Young Je; Yoon, Won Sup; Kim, Chul Yong

2015-03-01

We present preliminary results for a 3-dimensional dose evaluation software system ( P DRESS, patient-specific 3-dimensional dose real evaluation system). Scanned computed tomography (CT) images obtained by using dosimetry were transferred to the radiation treatment planning system (ECLIPSE, VARIAN, Palo Alto, CA) where the intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) nasopharynx plan was designed. We used a 10 MV photon beam (CLiX, VARIAN, Palo Alto, CA) to deliver the nasopharynx treatment plan. After irradiation, the TENOMAG dosimeter was scanned using a VISTA ™ scanner. The scanned data were reconstructed using VistaRecon software to obtain a 3D dose distribution of the optical density. An optical-CT scanner was used to readout the dose distribution in the gel dosimeter. Moreover, we developed the P DRESS by using Flatform, which were developed by our group, to display the 3D dose distribution by loading the DICOM RT data which are exported from the radiotherapy treatment plan (RTP) and the optical-CT reconstructed VFF file, into the independent P DRESS with an ioniz ation chamber and EBT film was used to compare the dose distribution calculated from the RTP with that measured by using a gel dosimeter. The agreement between the normalized EBT, the gel dosimeter and RTP data was evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as the isodose distribution, dose difference, point value, and profile. The profiles showed good agreement between the RTP data and the gel dosimeter data, and the precision of the dose distribution was within ±3%. The results from this study showed significantly discrepancies between the dose distribution calculated from the treatment plan and the dose distribution measured by a TENOMAG gel and by scanning with an optical CT scanner. The 3D dose evaluation software system ( P DRESS, patient specific dose real evaluation system), which were developed in this study evaluates the accuracies of the three-dimensional dose distributions. Further applications of the system utility are expected to result from future studies.

Return to Play After Shoulder Instability Surgery in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Intercollegiate Football Athletes.

PubMed

Robins, R Judd; Daruwalla, Jimmy H; Gamradt, Seth C; McCarty, Eric C; Dragoo, Jason L; Hancock, Robert E; Guy, Jeffrey A; Cotsonis, George A; Xerogeanes, John W; Tuman, Jeffrey M; Tibone, James E; Javernick, Matthew A; Yochem, Eric M; Boden, Stephanie A; Pilato, Alexis; Miley, Jennifer H; Greis, Patrick E

2017-08-01

Recent attention has focused on the optimal surgical treatment for recurrent shoulder instability in young athletes. Collision athletes are at a higher risk for recurrent instability after surgery. To evaluate variables affecting return-to-play (RTP) rates in Division I intercollegiate football athletes after shoulder instability surgery. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Invitations to participate were made to select sports medicine programs that care for athletes in Division I football conferences (Pac-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference [SEC], Atlantic Coast Conference [ACC]). After gaining institutional review board approval, 7 programs qualified and participated. Data on direction of instability, type of surgery, time to resume participation, and quality and level of play before and after surgery were collected. There were 168 of 177 procedures that were arthroscopic surgery, with a mean 3.3-year follow-up. Overall, 85.4% of players who underwent arthroscopic surgery without concomitant procedures returned to play. Moreover, 15.6% of athletes who returned to play sustained subsequent shoulder injuries, and 10.3% sustained recurrent instability, resulting in reduction/revision surgery. No differences were noted in RTP rates in athletes who underwent anterior labral repair (82.4%), posterior labral repair (92.9%), combined anterior-posterior repair (84.8%; P = .2945), or open repair (88.9%; P = .9362). Also, 93.3% of starters, 95.4% of utilized players, and 75.7% of rarely used players returned to play. The percentage of games played before the injury was 49.9% and rose to 71.5% after surgery ( P < .0001). Athletes who played in a higher percentage of games before the injury were more likely to return to play; 91% of athletes who were starters before the injury returned as starters after surgery. Scholarship status significantly correlated with RTP after surgery ( P = .0003). The majority of surgical interventions were isolated arthroscopic stabilization procedures, with no statistically significant difference in RTP rates when concomitant arthroscopic procedures or open stabilization procedures were performed. Athletes who returned to play often played in a higher percentage of games after surgery than before the injury, and many played at the same or a higher level after surgery.

[Reliability and reproducibility of introcular pressure (IOP) measurement with the Icare® Home rebound tonometer (model TA022) and comparison with Goldmann applanation tonometer in glaucoma patients].

PubMed

Valero, B; Fénolland, J-R; Rosenberg, R; Sendon, D; Mesnard, C; Sigaux, M; Giraud, J-M; Renard, J-P

2017-12-01

The Icare ® Home tonometer is a new rebound tonometer, developed for intraocular pressure (IOP) self-monitoring. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of measurements taken with the Icare ® Home tonometer in glaucoma patients compared to the Goldmann applanation tonometer. A secondary objective was to investigate factors that could influence the reproducibility of these measurements. Fifty-two glaucoma patients were included in this prospective, non-randomized, monocentric study. IOP measurements were performed on the right eye and then on the left eye in the following order (3 measurements of IOP for each method): air tonometer (T-Air), Icare ® Home tonometer by the patient (RT-P), Icare ® Home tonometer by an ophthalmologist (RT-O), Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). Forty-four patients (85%) managed to take their IOP on both eyes with the Icare ® Home tonometer. Mean IOPs were 14.35±3.93mmHg (T-Air), 13.43±4.65mmHg (RT-P), 14.13±4.29mmHg (RT-O), 14.74±3.84mmHg (GAT). The intraclass correlation indices (ICC) on the 3 repeated IOP measurements were 0.924, 0.872, 0.947 and 0.957, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis found a mean difference (bias) between GAT and RT-P, between GAT and RT-O, and between RT-O and RT-P, respectively, of 1.31, 0.61 and 0.70mmHg, with a 95% confidence interval of -3.34 to 5.96, -3.91 to 5.14 and -3.44 to 4.84mmHg, respectively. The reproducibility of the measurements taken with the Icare ® Home tonometer did not vary according to corneal thickness or age of the patients. The Icare ® Home tonometer provides reliable and reproducible IOP values in glaucoma patients, although it appears to slightly underestimate the IOP measurements compared to the Goldmann applanation tonometer. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Systematic Review of Synthetic Computed Tomography Generation Methodologies for Use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Only Radiation Therapy.

PubMed

Johnstone, Emily; Wyatt, Jonathan J; Henry, Ann M; Short, Susan C; Sebag-Montefiore, David; Murray, Louise; Kelly, Charles G; McCallum, Hazel M; Speight, Richard

2018-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior soft-tissue contrast as compared with computed tomography (CT), which is conventionally used for radiation therapy treatment planning (RTP) and patient positioning verification, resulting in improved target definition. The 2 modalities are co-registered for RTP; however, this introduces a systematic error. Implementing an MRI-only radiation therapy workflow would be advantageous because this error would be eliminated, the patient pathway simplified, and patient dose reduced. Unlike CT, in MRI there is no direct relationship between signal intensity and electron density; however, various methodologies for MRI-only RTP have been reported. A systematic review of these methods was undertaken. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Embase and Medline databases were searched (1996 to March, 2017) for studies that generated synthetic CT scans (sCT)s for MRI-only radiation therapy. Sixty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. This review showed that MRI-only RTP techniques could be grouped into 3 categories: (1) bulk density override; (2) atlas-based; and (3) voxel-based techniques, which all produce an sCT scan from MR images. Bulk density override techniques either used a single homogeneous or multiple tissue override. The former produced large dosimetric errors (>2%) in some cases and the latter frequently required manual bone contouring. Atlas-based techniques used both single and multiple atlases and included methods incorporating pattern recognition techniques. Clinically acceptable sCTs were reported, but atypical anatomy led to erroneous results in some cases. Voxel-based techniques included methods using routine and specialized MRI sequences, namely ultra-short echo time imaging. High-quality sCTs were produced; however, use of multiple sequences led to long scanning times increasing the chances of patient movement. Using nonroutine sequences would currently be problematic in most radiation therapy centers. Atlas-based and voxel-based techniques were found to be the most clinically useful methods, with some studies reporting dosimetric differences of <1% between planning on the sCT and CT and <1-mm deviations when using sCTs for positional verification. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A multivariate assessment of the effect of the laboratory homework component of a microcomputer-based laboratory for a college freshman physics course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramlo, Susan E.

Microcomputer-based laboratories (MBLs) have been defined as software that uses an electronic probe to collect information about a physical system and then converts that information into graphical systems in real-time. Realtime Physics Laboratories (RTP) are an example of laboratories that combine the use of MBLs with collaboration and guided-inquiry. RTP Mechanics Laboratories include both laboratory activities and laboratory homework for the first semester of college freshman physics courses. Prior research has investigated the effectiveness of the RTP laboratories as a package (laboratory activities with laboratory homework). In this study, an experimental-treatment had students complete both the RTP laboratory activity and the associated laboratory homework during the same laboratory period. Observations of this treatment indicated that students primarily consulted the laboratory instructor and referred to their completed laboratory activity while completing the homework in their collaborative groups. In the control-treatment, students completed the laboratory homework outside the laboratory period. Measures of force and motion conceptual understanding included the Force and Motion Conceptual Understanding (FMCE), a 47 multiple-choice question test. Analyses of the FMCE indicated that it is both a reliable and a valid measure of force and motion conceptual understanding. A distinct, five-factor structure for the FMCE post-test answers reflected specific concepts related to force and motion. However, the three FMCE pretest factors were less distinct. Analysis of the experimental-treatment, compared to a control-treatment, included multiple regression analysis with covariates of age, prior physics-classroom experience, and the three FMCE pretest factors. Criterion variables included each of the five post-test factors, the total laboratory homework score, and a group of seven exam questions. The results were all positive, in favor of the experimental-treatment. However, the results were significant only with the criterions of the FMCE post-test factor "Concepts Regarding Newton's First and Second Laws" and the laboratory homework score. The interaction between the treatments and prior physics-classroom experience was not significant. Implications of the qualitative and quantitative findings are discussed.

Communications Stylebook: Touchpoints

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A clearly visible EPA logo is the identifier for all forms of media or communications products. Logos and templates for various products can be found on the EPA Graphics Workgroup QuickPlace http://epaquickplace1.rtp.epa.gov/

Development and evaluation of multi-energy PbO dosimeter for quality assurance of image-guide radiation therapy devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyo-Tae; Heo, Ye-Ji; Han, Moo-Jae; Oh, Kyung-Min; Lee, Young-Kyu; Kim, Shin-Wook; Park, Sung-Kwang

2017-04-01

In radiation therapy, accurate radiotherapy treatment plan (RTP) reproduction is necessary to optimize the clinical results. Thus, attempts have recently been made to ensure high RTP reproducibility using image-guide radiation therapy (IGRT) technology. However, the clinical use of digital X-ray equipment requires extended quality assurance (QA) for those devices, since the IGRT device quality determines the precision of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The study described in this paper was focused on developing a multi-energy PbO dosimeter for IGRT device QA. The Schottky-type polycrystalline PbO dosimeter with a Au/PbO/ITO structure was evaluated by comparing its response coincidence, dose linearity, measurement reproducibility, linear attenuation coefficient, and percent depth dose with those of Si diode and standard ionization chamber dosimeters.

Child gender influences paternal behavior, language, and brain function

PubMed Central

Mascaro, Jennifer S.; Rentscher, Kelly E.; Hackett, Patrick D.; Mehl, Matthias R.; Rilling, James K.

2017-01-01

Multiple lines of research indicate that fathers often treat boys and girls differently in ways that impact child outcomes. The complex picture that has emerged, however, is obscured by methodological challenges inherent to the study of parental caregiving, and no studies to date have examined the possibility that gender differences in observed real-world paternal behavior are related to differential paternal brain responses to male and female children. Here we compare fathers of daughters and fathers of sons in terms of naturalistically observed everyday caregiving behavior and neural responses to child picture stimuli. Compared to fathers of sons, fathers of daughters were more attentively engaged with their daughters, sang more to their daughters, used more analytical language and language related to sadness and the body with their daughters, and had a stronger neural response to their daughter’s happy facial expressions in areas of the brain important for reward and emotion regulation (medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortex [OFC]). In contrast, fathers of sons engaged in more rough and tumble play (RTP), used more achievement language with their sons, and had a stronger neural response to their son’s neutral facial expressions in the medial OFC (mOFC). Whereas the mOFC response to happy faces was negatively related to RTP, the mOFC response to neutral faces was positively related to RTP, specifically for fathers of boys. These results indicate that real world paternal behavior and brain function differ as a function of child gender. PMID:28541079

Sport Concussion Management Using Facebook: A Feasibility Study of an Innovative Adjunct "iCon".

PubMed

Ahmed, Osman Hassan; Schneiders, Anthony G; McCrory, Paul R; Sullivan, S John

2017-04-01

  Sport concussion is currently the focus of much international attention. Innovative methods to assist athletic trainers in facilitating management after this injury need to be investigated.   To investigate the feasibility of using a Facebook concussion-management program termed iCon (interactive concussion management) to facilitate the safe return to play (RTP) of young persons after sport concussion.   Observational study.   Facebook group containing interactive elements, with moderation and support from trained health care professionals.   Eleven participants (n = 9 men, n = 2 women; range, 18 to 28 years old) completed the study.   The study was conducted over a 3-month period, with participant questionnaires administered preintervention and postintervention. The primary focus was on the qualitative experiences of the participants and the effect of iCon on their RTP. Usage data were also collected.   At the completion of the study, all participants (100%) stated that they would recommend an intervention such as iCon to others. Their supporting quotes all indicated that iCon has the potential to improve the management of concussion among this cohort. Most participants (n = 9, 82%) stated they were better informed with regard to their RTP due to participating in iCon.   This interactive adjunct to traditional concussion management was appreciated among this participant group, which indicates the feasibility of a future, larger study of iCon. Athletic trainers should consider the role that multimedia technologies may play in assisting with the management of sport concussion.

Child gender influences paternal behavior, language, and brain function.

PubMed

Mascaro, Jennifer S; Rentscher, Kelly E; Hackett, Patrick D; Mehl, Matthias R; Rilling, James K

2017-06-01

Multiple lines of research indicate that fathers often treat boys and girls differently in ways that impact child outcomes. The complex picture that has emerged, however, is obscured by methodological challenges inherent to the study of parental caregiving, and no studies to date have examined the possibility that gender differences in observed real-world paternal behavior are related to differential paternal brain responses to male and female children. Here we compare fathers of daughters and fathers of sons in terms of naturalistically observed everyday caregiving behavior and neural responses to child picture stimuli. Compared with fathers of sons, fathers of daughters were more attentively engaged with their daughters, sang more to their daughters, used more analytical language and language related to sadness and the body with their daughters, and had a stronger neural response to their daughter's happy facial expressions in areas of the brain important for reward and emotion regulation (medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortex [OFC]). In contrast, fathers of sons engaged in more rough and tumble play (RTP), used more achievement language with their sons, and had a stronger neural response to their son's neutral facial expressions in the medial OFC (mOFC). Whereas the mOFC response to happy faces was negatively related to RTP, the mOFC response to neutral faces was positively related to RTP, specifically for fathers of boys. These results indicate that real-world paternal behavior and brain function differ as a function of child gender. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Rivastigmine transdermal patch and physical exercises for Alzheimer's disease: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Aguiar, Paula; Monteiro, Larissa; Feres, Ana; Gomes, Irênio; Melo, Ailton

2014-01-01

To determine the effects of rivastigmine patch associated with physical exercise versus rivastigmine patch alone in quality of life (QOL), cognition, activities of daily living (ADL) and functional mobility in Alzheimer's disease (AD)subjects. A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial was conducted in 40 patients with mild to moderate stages of AD. All patients were daily treated with rivastigmine transdermal patch at a stable dose of 4.6 mg and randomized into two groups: physical exercises or control. The exercise program consisted of aerobic, flexibility, strength and balance movements, twice a week for 6 months. Main outcomes were Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease scale (QOL), Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and "Time Up and Go Test". Thirty-four patients completed the study. After 6 months, there was a significant improvement in QOL of patients randomized to physical exercise group (P< 0.05). In both groups, there was an improvement on caregivers QOL (P>0.05). When considering cognitive functions, there was no difference between groups. The ability to perform ADL worsened in the group enrolled to RTP alone. There was an improvement in functional mobility in the group treated with RTP. Our results suggest that the association between physical exercises and RTP improves QOL in patients with AD. Cognition remained unchanged in both groups. Regarding the effect of physical exercises in ADL, further trials are necessary to confirm these results.

Combining watershed and graph cuts methods to segment organs at risk in radiotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolz, Jose; Kirisli, Hortense A.; Viard, Romain; Massoptier, Laurent

2014-03-01

Computer-aided segmentation of anatomical structures in medical images is a valuable tool for efficient radiation therapy planning (RTP). As delineation errors highly affect the radiation oncology treatment, it is crucial to delineate geometric structures accurately. In this paper, a semi-automatic segmentation approach for computed tomography (CT) images, based on watershed and graph-cuts methods, is presented. The watershed pre-segmentation groups small areas of similar intensities in homogeneous labels, which are subsequently used as input for the graph-cuts algorithm. This methodology does not require of prior knowledge of the structure to be segmented; even so, it performs well with complex shapes and low intensity. The presented method also allows the user to add foreground and background strokes in any of the three standard orthogonal views - axial, sagittal or coronal - making the interaction with the algorithm easy and fast. Hence, the segmentation information is propagated within the whole volume, providing a spatially coherent result. The proposed algorithm has been evaluated using 9 CT volumes, by comparing its segmentation performance over several organs - lungs, liver, spleen, heart and aorta - to those of manual delineation from experts. A Dicés coefficient higher than 0.89 was achieved in every case. That demonstrates that the proposed approach works well for all the anatomical structures analyzed. Due to the quality of the results, the introduction of the proposed approach in the RTP process will be a helpful tool for organs at risk (OARs) segmentation.

3D modeling inversion calculation of magnetic data using iterative reweighted least squares at the Lau basin, Southwest Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, S.; Kim, C.; Kim, H. R.; Park, C.; Park, H. Y.

2015-12-01

We performed the marine magnetic and the bathymetry survey in the Lau basin for finding the submarine hydrothermal deposits in October 2009. We acquired magnetic and bathymetry datasets by using Overhouser Proton Magnetometer SeaSPY(Marine Magnetics Co.) and Multi-Beam Echo Sounder EM120(Kongsberg Co.). We conducted the data processing to obtain detailed seabed topography, magnetic anomaly and reduction to the pole(RTP). The Lau basin is one of the youngest back-arc basins in the Southwest Pacific. This region was a lot of hydrothermal activities and hydrothermal deposits. In particular, Tofua Arc(TA) in the Lau basin consists of various and complex stratovolcanos(from Massoth et al., 2007).), We calculated the magnetic susceptibility distribution of the TA19-1 seamount(longitude:176°23.5'W, latitude: 22°42.5'W)area using the RTP data by 3-D magnetic inversion from Jung's previous study(2013). Based on 2D 'compact gravity inversion' by Last & Kubik(1983), we expend it to the 3D algorithm using iterative reweighted least squares method with some weight matrices. The used weight matrices are two types: 1) the minimum gradient support(MGS) that controls the spatial distribution of the solution from Porniaguine and Zhdanov(1999); 2) the depth weight that are used according to the shape of subsurface structures. From the modeling, we derived the appropriate scale factor for the use of depth weight and setting magnetic susceptibility. Furthermore, we have to enter a very small error value to control the computation of the singular point of the inversion model that was able to be easily calculated for modeling. In addition, we applied separately weighted value for the correct shape and depth of the magnetic source. We selected the best results model by change to converge of RMS. Compared between the final modeled result and RTP values in this study, they are generally similar to the each other. But the input values and the modeled values have slightly little difference. This difference is expected to have been caused by various and complex stratovolcanos, misunderstanding of regional geology distribution, modeling design, limited vertical resolution from non-uniqueness in potential field and etc. We can expect to have the better results of advanced modeling design with more geological survey data.

AIR POLLUTION AND HUMMINGBIRDS

EPA Science Inventory

A multidisciplinary team of EPA-RTP ORD pulmonary toxicologists, engineers, ecologists, and statisticians have designed a study of how ground-level ozone and other air pollutants may influence feeding activity of the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Be...

National University Rail Transportation Center : Tier 1 : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-10-17

This project was a collaborative effort between Michigan Techs Rail Transportation Program (RTP), a member of the National University Rail Center (NURail) and the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT), Office of Rail to advance rail transportatio...

Cyclic Triimidazole Derivatives: Intriguing Examples of Multiple Emissions and Ultralong Phosphorescence at Room Temperature.

PubMed

Lucenti, Elena; Forni, Alessandra; Botta, Chiara; Carlucci, Lucia; Giannini, Clelia; Marinotto, Daniele; Pavanello, Alessandro; Previtali, Andrea; Righetto, Stefania; Cariati, Elena

2017-12-18

The performance of solid luminogens depends on both their inherent electronic properties and their packing status. Intermolecular interactions have been exploited to achieve persistent room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) from organic molecules. However, the design of organic materials with bright RTP and the rationalization of the role of interchromophoric electronic coupling remain challenging tasks. Cyclic triimidazole has been shown to be a promising scaffold for such purposes owing to its crystallization-induced room-temperature ultralong phosphorescence (RTUP), which has been associated with H-aggregation. Herein, we report three triimidazole derivatives as significant examples of multifaceted emission. In particular, dual fluorescence, RTUP, and phosphorescence from the molecular and supramolecular units were observed. H-aggregation is responsible for the red RTUP, and Br substituents favor yellow molecular phosphorescence while halogen-bonded Br⋅⋅⋅Br tetrameric units are involved in the blue-green phosphorescence. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Steady state, relaxation and first-passage properties of a run-and-tumble particle in one-dimension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malakar, Kanaya; Jemseena, V.; Kundu, Anupam; Vijay Kumar, K.; Sabhapandit, Sanjib; Majumdar, Satya N.; Redner, S.; Dhar, Abhishek

2018-04-01

We investigate the motion of a run-and-tumble particle (RTP) in one dimension. We find the exact probability distribution of the particle with and without diffusion on the infinite line, as well as in a finite interval. In the infinite domain, this probability distribution approaches a Gaussian form in the long-time limit, as in the case of a regular Brownian particle. At intermediate times, this distribution exhibits unexpected multi-modal forms. In a finite domain, the probability distribution reaches a steady-state form with peaks at the boundaries, in contrast to a Brownian particle. We also study the relaxation to the steady-state analytically. Finally we compute the survival probability of the RTP in a semi-infinite domain with an absorbing boundary condition at the origin. In the finite interval, we compute the exit probability and the associated exit times. We provide numerical verification of our analytical results.

Thinned crustal structure and tectonic boundary of the Nansha Block, southern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Miao; Wu, Shi-Guo; Zhang, Jian

2016-12-01

The southern South China Sea margin consists of the thinned crustal Nansha Block and a compressional collision zone. The Nansha Block's deep structure and tectonic evolution contains critical information about the South China Sea's rifting. Multiple geophysical data sets, including regional magnetic, gravity and reflection seismic data, reveal the deep structure and rifting processes. Curie point depth (CPD), estimated from magnetic anomalies using a windowed wavenumber-domain algorithm, enables us to image thermal structures. To derive a 3D Moho topography and crustal thickness model, we apply Oldenburg algorithm to the gravity anomaly, which was extracted from the observed free air gravity anomaly data after removing the gravity effect of density variations of sediments, and temperature and pressure variations of the lithospheric mantle. We found that the Moho depth (20 km) is shallower than the CPD (24 km) in the Northwest Borneo Trough, possibly caused by thinned crust, low heat flow and a low vertical geothermal gradient. The Nansha Block's northern boundary is a narrow continent-ocean transition zone constrained by magnetic anomalies, reflection seismic data, gravity anomalies and an interpretation of Moho depth (about 13 km). The block extends southward beneath a gravity-driven deformed sediment wedge caused by uplift on land after a collision, with a contribution from deep crustal flow. Its southwestern boundary is close to the Lupar Line defined by a significant negative reduction to the pole (RTP) of magnetic anomaly and short-length-scale variation in crustal thickness, increasing from 18 to 26 km.

Deep Transcriptomic Analysis of Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) Provides New Insights on Responses to Acute Temperature Stress.

PubMed

Lyu, Likang; Wen, Haishen; Li, Yun; Li, Jifang; Zhao, Ji; Zhang, Simin; Song, Min; Wang, Xiaojie

2018-06-14

In the present study, we conducted an RNA-Seq analysis to characterize the genes and pathways involved in acute thermal and cold stress responses in the liver of black rockfish, a viviparous teleost that has the ability to cope with a wide range of temperature changes. A total of 584 annotated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in all three comparisons (HT vs NT, HT vs LT and LT vs NT). Based on an enrichment analysis, DEGs with a potential role in stress accommodation were classified into several categories, including protein folding, metabolism, immune response, signal transduction, molecule transport, membrane, and cell proliferation/apoptosis. Considering that thermal stress has a greater effect than cold stress in black rockfish, 24 shared DEGs in the intersection of the HT vs LT and HT vs NT groups were enriched in 2 oxidation-related gene ontology (GO) terms. Nine important heat-stress-reducing pathways were significantly identified and classified into 3 classes: immune and infectious diseases, organismal immune system and endocrine system. Eight DEGs (early growth response protein 1, bile salt export pump, abcb11, hsp70a, rtp3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin d(3) 24-hydroxylase, apoa4, transcription factor jun-b-like and an uncharacterized gene) were observed among all three comparisons, strongly implying their potentially important roles in temperature stress responses.

Return to Play after Cervical Spine Injuries: A Consensus of Opinion

PubMed Central

France, John C.; Karsy, Michael; Harrop, James S.; Dailey, Andrew T.

2016-01-01

Study Design Survey. Objective Sports-related spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a growing proportion of total SCIs but lacks evidence or guidelines to guide clinical decision-making on return to play (RTP). Our objective is to offer the treating physician a consensus analysis of expert opinion regarding RTP that can be incorporated with the unique factors of a case for clinical decision-making. Methods Ten common clinical scenarios involving neurapraxia and stenosis, atlantoaxial injury, subaxial injury, and general cervical spine injury were presented to 25 spine surgeons from level 1 trauma centers for whom spine trauma is a significant component of their practice. We evaluated responses to questions about patient RTP, level of contact, imaging required for a clinical decision, and time to return for each scenario. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results Evaluation of the surgeons' responses to these cases showed significant consensus regarding return to high-contact sports in cases of cervical cord neurapraxia without symptoms or stenosis, surgically repaired herniated disks, and nonoperatively healed C1 ring or C2 hangman's fractures. Greater variability was found in recommendations for patients showing persistent clinical symptomatology. Conclusion This survey suggests a consensus among surgeons for allowing patients with relatively normal imaging and resolution of symptoms to return to high-contact activities; however, patients with cervical stenosis or clinical symptoms continue to be a challenge for management. This survey may serve as a basis for future clinical trials and consensus guidelines. PMID:27853664

Factors associated with delayed recovery in athletes with concussion treated at a pediatric neurology concussion clinic.

PubMed

Bock, Suzanne; Grim, Rod; Barron, Todd F; Wagenheim, Andrew; Hu, Yaowen Eliot; Hendell, Matthew; Deitch, John; Deibert, Ellen

2015-11-01

With the increase in knowledge and management of sport-related concussion over the last 15 years, there has been a shift from a grading scale approach to an individualized management approach. As a result, there is an increased need to better understand the factors involved in delayed recovery of concussion. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine factors that may be associated with recovery from sport-related concussion in student athletes aged 11 to 18 years old. Of the 366 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 361 were included in our analysis. The primary dependent variable included days until athlete was able to return to play (RTP). Independent variables of interest included age, gender, academic performance, comorbid factors, sports, on-field markers, days until initial neurological evaluation, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT®) scores, acute headache rescue medications, chronic headache medication, sleep medication, and referral to concussion rehabilitation program. Variables associated with longer median RTP were being female (35 days), having a referral to concussion rehabilitation program (53 days), being prescribed acute headache rescue therapy (34 days), and having chronic headache treatment (53 days) (all p < 0.05). Variables associated with shorter RTP were on-field marker of headache (23 days) and evaluation within 1 week of concussion by a concussion specialist (16 days) (Both p < 0.05). This study supports the need for a concussed athlete to have access to a provider trained in concussion management in a timely fashion in order to prevent delayed recovery and return to play.

Bridging the Gap: Supporting Translational Research Careers Through an Integrated Research Track Within Residency Training

PubMed Central

Arbuckle, Melissa R.; Gordon, Joshua A.; Pincus, Harold A.; Oquendo, Maria A.

2013-01-01

In the setting of traditional residency training programs, physician–scientists are often limited in their ability to pursue research training goals while meeting clinical training requirements. This creates a gap in research training at a critical developmental stage. In response, Columbia University Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, in partnership with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, has created a formal Research Track Program (RTP) for psychiatry residents so that interested individuals can maintain their attention on research training during formative residency years. Clinical and research training are integrated through core clinical rotations on research units. With protected research time and clear developmental milestones for each year of training, the RTP allows research track residents to meet both clinical and research training goals while maintaining a healthy work–life balance. In coordination with existing postdoctoral research fellowship programs, research track residents can effectively jump-start fellowship training with advanced course work and consistent, continuous mentorship bridging residency and fellowship years. A key element of the program is its provision of core training in research literacy and extensive research opportunities for all residents, stimulating research interest across the whole residency program. Supported by the National Institutes of Health and a private foundation, this RTP capitalizes on a unique academic–private partnership to address many of the challenges facing physician–scientists. By integrating clinical and research exposures and offering protected research time, careful mentoring, and financial resources, the program aims to further the development of those most poised to establish careers in translational research. PMID:23619070

Porcelain thickness and cement shade effects on the colour and translucency of porcelain veneering materials.

PubMed

Kürklü, Duygu; Azer, Shereen S; Yilmaz, Burak; Johnston, William M

2013-11-01

Purposes of this in vitro study include evaluating colour changes in combinations of feldspathic porcelain and cement resulting from different thicknesses of porcelain and different shades of composite luting agent, and evaluating relative translucency parameter (RTP) values. Porcelain discs of shade A1 at nominal thicknesses of 0.5 and 1.0mm were bonded to cements of three shades in a factorial design. Colours were calculated for CIE D65 Illuminant and Standard Human Observer on black, grey and white backings. A colour difference (CD) was calculated of each possible pair of different porcelain thickness values for the same cement shade and each possible pair of different cement shades for the same porcelain thickness. RTP was analyzed by ANOVA and selected pairwise comparisons. All mean CDs studied were perceptible and most were at or greater than the clinical acceptability threshold, with the notable exception that the mean CDs and their confidence limits were below the clinical acceptability threshold for a change in porcelain thickness when utilizing the Clear cement shade. Variation in the shade of the resin luting cement will result in CDs which are near or beyond clinical acceptability. A decrease in porcelain thickness did significantly increase RTP when bonded to the resin cement shades studied. Changes in porcelain thickness or cement shade may adversely affect basic aesthetic properties of these materials. Development of methods for analyzing aesthetic effects over greater ranges of thickness for these materials would improve the prognosis for using these materials. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reward system and temporal pole contributions to affective evaluation during a first person shooter video game.

PubMed

Mathiak, Krystyna A; Klasen, Martin; Weber, René; Ackermann, Hermann; Shergill, Sukhwinder S; Mathiak, Klaus

2011-07-12

Violent content in video games evokes many concerns but there is little research concerning its rewarding aspects. It was demonstrated that playing a video game leads to striatal dopamine release. It is unclear, however, which aspects of the game cause this reward system activation and if violent content contributes to it. We combined functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with individual affect measures to address the neuronal correlates of violence in a video game. Thirteen male German volunteers played a first-person shooter game (Tactical Ops: Assault on Terror) during fMRI measurement. We defined success as eliminating opponents, and failure as being eliminated themselves. Affect was measured directly before and after game play using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Failure and success events evoked increased activity in visual cortex but only failure decreased activity in orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nucleus. A negative correlation between negative affect and responses to failure was evident in the right temporal pole (rTP). The deactivation of the caudate nucleus during failure is in accordance with its role in reward-prediction error: it occurred whenever subject missed an expected reward (being eliminated rather than eliminating the opponent). We found no indication that violence events were directly rewarding for the players. We addressed subjective evaluations of affect change due to gameplay to study the reward system. Subjects reporting greater negative affect after playing the game had less rTP activity associated with failure. The rTP may therefore be involved in evaluating the failure events in a social context, to regulate the players' mood.

Assessment of image quality of a radiotherapy-specific hardware solution for PET/MRI in head and neck cancer patients.

PubMed

Winter, René M; Leibfarth, Sara; Schmidt, Holger; Zwirner, Kerstin; Mönnich, David; Welz, Stefan; Schwenzer, Nina F; la Fougère, Christian; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Gatidis, Sergios; Zips, Daniel; Thorwarth, Daniela

2018-05-07

Functional PET/MRI has great potential to improve radiotherapy planning (RTP). However, data integration requires imaging with radiotherapy-specific patient positioning. Here, we investigated the feasibility and image quality of radiotherapy-customized PET/MRI in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients using a dedicated hardware setup. Ten HNC patients were examined with simultaneous PET/MRI before treatment, with radiotherapy and diagnostic scan setup, respectively. We tested feasibility of radiotherapy-specific patient positioning and compared the image quality between both setups by pairwise image analysis of 18 F-FDG-PET, T1/T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI. For image quality assessment, similarity measures including average symmetric surface distance (ASSD) of PET and MR-based tumor contours, MR signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were used. PET/MRI in radiotherapy position was feasible - all patients were successfully examined. ASSD (median/range) of PET and MR contours was 0.6 (0.4-1.2) and 0.9 (0.5-1.3) mm, respectively. For T2-weighted MRI, a reduced SNR of -26.2% (-39.0--11.7) was observed with radiotherapy setup. No significant difference in mean ADC was found. Simultaneous PET/MRI in HNC patients using radiotherapy positioning aids is clinically feasible. Though SNR was reduced, the image quality obtained with a radiotherapy setup meets RTP requirements and the data can thus be used for personalized RTP. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Texture analysis of aeromagnetic data for enhancing geologic features using co-occurrence matrices in Elallaqi area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eldosouky, Ahmed M.; Elkhateeb, Sayed O.

2018-06-01

Enhancement of aeromagnetic data for qualitative purposes depends on the variations of texture and amplitude to outline various geologic features within the data. The texture of aeromagnetic data consists continuity of adjacent anomalies, size, and pattern. Variations in geology, or particularly rock magnetization, in a study area cause fluctuations in texture. In the present study, the anomalous features of Elallaqi area were extracted from aeromagnetic data. In order to delineate textures from the aeromagnetic data, the Red, Green, and Blue Co-occurrence Matrices (RGBCM) were applied to the reduced to the pole (RTP) grid of Elallaqi district in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt. The RGBCM are fashioned of sets of spatial analytical parameters that transform magnetic data into texture forms. Six texture features (parameters), i.e. Correlation, Contrast, Entropy, Homogeneity, Second Moment, and Variance, of RGB Co-occurrence Matrices (RGBCM) are used for analyzing the texture of the RTP grid in this study. These six RGBCM texture characteristics were mixed into a single image using principal component analysis. The calculated texture images present geologic characteristics and structures with much greater sidelong resolution than the original RTP grid. The estimated texture images enabled us to distinguish multiple geologic regions and structures within Elallaqi area including geologic terranes, lithologic boundaries, cracks, and faults. The faults of RGBCM maps were more represented than those of magnetic derivatives providing enhancement of the fine structures of Elallaqi area like the NE direction which scattered WNW metavolcanics and metasediments trending in the northwestern division of Elallaqi area.

Sport Concussion Management Using Facebook: A Feasibility Study of an Innovative Adjunct “iCon”

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Osman Hassan; Schneiders, Anthony G.; McCrory, Paul R.; Sullivan, S. John

2017-01-01

Context: Sport concussion is currently the focus of much international attention. Innovative methods to assist athletic trainers in facilitating management after this injury need to be investigated. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of using a Facebook concussion-management program termed iCon (interactive concussion management) to facilitate the safe return to play (RTP) of young persons after sport concussion. Design: Observational study. Setting: Facebook group containing interactive elements, with moderation and support from trained health care professionals. Patients or Other Participants: Eleven participants (n = 9 men, n = 2 women; range, 18 to 28 years old) completed the study. Data Collection and Analysis: The study was conducted over a 3-month period, with participant questionnaires administered preintervention and postintervention. The primary focus was on the qualitative experiences of the participants and the effect of iCon on their RTP. Usage data were also collected. Results: At the completion of the study, all participants (100%) stated that they would recommend an intervention such as iCon to others. Their supporting quotes all indicated that iCon has the potential to improve the management of concussion among this cohort. Most participants (n = 9, 82%) stated they were better informed with regard to their RTP due to participating in iCon. Conclusions: This interactive adjunct to traditional concussion management was appreciated among this participant group, which indicates the feasibility of a future, larger study of iCon. Athletic trainers should consider the role that multimedia technologies may play in assisting with the management of sport concussion. PMID:28430553

EPA-RTP STEM Outreach Program recognized for Excellence in Volunteer Experience and Mobilization

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA-RTP’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Outreach Program was recently awarded two US2020 STEM Mentoring Awards – one for Excellence in Volunteer Experience, and a second for Volunteer Mobilization.

ANTIOXIDANTS AMELIORATION OF ARSENICAL-INDUCED EFFECTS IN VIVO

EPA Science Inventory

Antioxidant amelioration of arsenical-induced effects in vivo. ES Hunter and EH Rogers. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC.

Antioxidants have been reported to ameliorate the effects of many developmental toxicants. We tested the hypothesis that oxi...

Frequently Asked Questions from EPA's Community Air Monitoring Training Event, July 2015

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA's Community Air Monitoring Training Event on July 9, 2015 in RTP, NC. Forty citizen scientists attended in person while over 500 others attended the live webinar. Several attendees posted questions, which EPA scientists have addressed here.

Fact Sheet on EPA's Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Outreach Program in Research Triangle Park

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Employees from EPA’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) campus serve as guest speakers at local schools and in the community. Hands-on activities and interactive discussions supplement classroom instruction and promote environmental awareness

Development of Advanced Modeling Tools for Hotpot Analysis of Transportation Emissions

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-07-29

Hot-spot analysis, also known as project-level analysis, assesses impacts of transportation emissions on local air pollution of carbon monoxide (CO), air toxics and particulate matter (PM). It is required for regional transportation plans (RTP), tran...

EARLY CRANIOFACIAL DEVELOPMENT: LIFE AMONG THE SIGNALS

EPA Science Inventory

Early Craniofacial Development: Life Among the Signals. Sid Hunter and Keith Ward. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711

Haloacetic acids (HAA) are chemicals formed during drinking water disinfection and present in finished tap water. Exposure o...

GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND EXPERIMENTAL INDUCTION OF PULMONARY DISEASE

EPA Science Inventory

Genetic Susceptibility and Experimental Induction of Pulmonary Disease. UP Kodavanti, MC Schladweiler, AD Ledbetter, PS Gilmour, P Evansky, KR Smith*, WP Watkinson, DL Costa, KE Pinkerton*. ETD, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC; *Univ California, Davis, CA, USA.
Conventional la...

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF DI- AND TETRACHLOROETHANE AND DICHLOROPROPANE IN EMBRYO CULTURE

EPA Science Inventory

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF DI- AND TETRACHLOROETHANE AND DICHLOROPROPANE IN EMBRYO CULTURE. JE Andrews, H Nichols, and ES Hunter. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC.

Disinfection of drinking water with chlorine results in numerous chlorinated byprodu...

Combined analysis of magnetic and gravity anomalies using normalized source strength (NSS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L.; Wu, Y.

2017-12-01

Gravity field and magnetic field belong to potential fields which lead inherent multi-solution. Combined analysis of magnetic and gravity anomalies based on Poisson's relation is used to determinate homology gravity and magnetic anomalies and decrease the ambiguity. The traditional combined analysis uses the linear regression of the reduction to pole (RTP) magnetic anomaly to the first order vertical derivative of the gravity anomaly, and provides the quantitative or semi-quantitative interpretation by calculating the correlation coefficient, slope and intercept. In the calculation process, due to the effect of remanent magnetization, the RTP anomaly still contains the effect of oblique magnetization. In this case the homology gravity and magnetic anomalies display irrelevant results in the linear regression calculation. The normalized source strength (NSS) can be transformed from the magnetic tensor matrix, which is insensitive to the remanence. Here we present a new combined analysis using NSS. Based on the Poisson's relation, the gravity tensor matrix can be transformed into the pseudomagnetic tensor matrix of the direction of geomagnetic field magnetization under the homologous condition. The NSS of pseudomagnetic tensor matrix and original magnetic tensor matrix are calculated and linear regression analysis is carried out. The calculated correlation coefficient, slope and intercept indicate the homology level, Poisson's ratio and the distribution of remanent respectively. We test the approach using synthetic model under complex magnetization, the results show that it can still distinguish the same source under the condition of strong remanence, and establish the Poisson's ratio. Finally, this approach is applied in China. The results demonstrated that our approach is feasible.

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

Korhonen, Juha, E-mail: juha.p.korhonen@hus.fi; Kapanen, Mika; Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, POB-180, 00029 HUS

Purpose: The lack of electron density information in magnetic resonance images (MRI) poses a major challenge for MRI-based radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP). In this study the authors convert MRI intensity values into Hounsfield units (HUs) in the male pelvis and thus enable accurate MRI-based RTP for prostate cancer patients with varying tissue anatomy and body fat contents. Methods: T{sub 1}/T{sub 2}*-weighted MRI intensity values and standard computed tomography (CT) image HUs in the male pelvis were analyzed using image data of 10 prostate cancer patients. The collected data were utilized to generate a dual model HU conversion technique from MRImore » intensity values of the single image set separately within and outside of contoured pelvic bones. Within the bone segment local MRI intensity values were converted to HUs by applying a second-order polynomial model. This model was tuned for each patient by two patient-specific adjustments: MR signal normalization to correct shifts in absolute intensity level and application of a cutoff value to accurately represent low density bony tissue HUs. For soft tissues, such as fat and muscle, located outside of the bone contours, a threshold-based segmentation method without requirements for any patient-specific adjustments was introduced to convert MRI intensity values into HUs. The dual model HU conversion technique was implemented by constructing pseudo-CT images for 10 other prostate cancer patients. The feasibility of these images for RTP was evaluated by comparing HUs in the generated pseudo-CT images with those in standard CT images, and by determining deviations in MRI-based dose distributions compared to those in CT images with 7-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with the anisotropic analytical algorithm and 360° volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with the Voxel Monte Carlo algorithm. Results: The average HU differences between the constructed pseudo-CT images and standard CT images of each test patient ranged from −2 to 5 HUs and from 22 to 78 HUs in soft and bony tissues, respectively. The average local absolute value differences were 11 HUs in soft tissues and 99 HUs in bones. The planning target volume doses (volumes 95%, 50%, 5%) in the pseudo-CT images were within 0.8% compared to those in CT images in all of the 20 treatment plans. The average deviation was 0.3%. With all the test patients over 94% (IMRT) and 92% (VMAT) of dose points within body (lower than 10% of maximum dose suppressed) passed the 1 mm and 1% 2D gamma index criterion. The statistical tests (t- and F-tests) showed significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) HU and dose calculation accuracies with the soft tissue conversion method instead of homogeneous representation of these tissues in MRI-based RTP images. Conclusions: This study indicates that it is possible to construct high quality pseudo-CT images by converting the intensity values of a single MRI series into HUs in the male pelvis, and to use these images for accurate MRI-based prostate RTP dose calculations.« less

A dual model HU conversion from MRI intensity values within and outside of bone segment for MRI-based radiotherapy treatment planning of prostate cancer

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

Korhonen, Juha, E-mail: juha.p.korhonen@hus.fi; Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, POB-180, 00029 HUS; Kapanen, Mika

2014-01-15

Purpose: The lack of electron density information in magnetic resonance images (MRI) poses a major challenge for MRI-based radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP). In this study the authors convert MRI intensity values into Hounsfield units (HUs) in the male pelvis and thus enable accurate MRI-based RTP for prostate cancer patients with varying tissue anatomy and body fat contents. Methods: T{sub 1}/T{sub 2}*-weighted MRI intensity values and standard computed tomography (CT) image HUs in the male pelvis were analyzed using image data of 10 prostate cancer patients. The collected data were utilized to generate a dual model HU conversion technique from MRImore » intensity values of the single image set separately within and outside of contoured pelvic bones. Within the bone segment local MRI intensity values were converted to HUs by applying a second-order polynomial model. This model was tuned for each patient by two patient-specific adjustments: MR signal normalization to correct shifts in absolute intensity level and application of a cutoff value to accurately represent low density bony tissue HUs. For soft tissues, such as fat and muscle, located outside of the bone contours, a threshold-based segmentation method without requirements for any patient-specific adjustments was introduced to convert MRI intensity values into HUs. The dual model HU conversion technique was implemented by constructing pseudo-CT images for 10 other prostate cancer patients. The feasibility of these images for RTP was evaluated by comparing HUs in the generated pseudo-CT images with those in standard CT images, and by determining deviations in MRI-based dose distributions compared to those in CT images with 7-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with the anisotropic analytical algorithm and 360° volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with the Voxel Monte Carlo algorithm. Results: The average HU differences between the constructed pseudo-CT images and standard CT images of each test patient ranged from −2 to 5 HUs and from 22 to 78 HUs in soft and bony tissues, respectively. The average local absolute value differences were 11 HUs in soft tissues and 99 HUs in bones. The planning target volume doses (volumes 95%, 50%, 5%) in the pseudo-CT images were within 0.8% compared to those in CT images in all of the 20 treatment plans. The average deviation was 0.3%. With all the test patients over 94% (IMRT) and 92% (VMAT) of dose points within body (lower than 10% of maximum dose suppressed) passed the 1 mm and 1% 2D gamma index criterion. The statistical tests (t- and F-tests) showed significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) HU and dose calculation accuracies with the soft tissue conversion method instead of homogeneous representation of these tissues in MRI-based RTP images. Conclusions: This study indicates that it is possible to construct high quality pseudo-CT images by converting the intensity values of a single MRI series into HUs in the male pelvis, and to use these images for accurate MRI-based prostate RTP dose calculations.« less

Performance Evaluation of a Lower-Cost, Real-Time Community Air Monitoring Station

EPA Science Inventory

These slides describe the Village Green Project prototype and how the measurements compare wtih nearby FEMs, including the OAQPS data collected at the AIRS site on the EPA-RTP campus and the NCDENR FEMs in the Triangle area.

NITROTYROSINE ATTENUATES RSV-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

Nitrotyrosine attenuates RSV-induced inflammation in airway epithelial cells. Joleen Soukup, Zuowei Li, Susanne Becker and Yuh-Chin Huang. NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, North Carolina, CEMALB, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Nitrotyrosine (NO2Tyr) is a...

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES IN RURAL IOWA HOMES WITH ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

EPA Science Inventory

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES IN RURAL IOWA HOMES WITH ASTHMATIC CHILDREN
Erik R. Svendsen*?, Stephen J. Reynolds*?, James A. Merchant*, Ann M. Stromquist*, Peter S. Thorne*. * The University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA ?Current: USEPA,RTP, NC ?Current: Colorado...

Identifying developmental vascular disruptor compounds using a predictive signature and alternative toxicity models

EPA Science Inventory

Identifying Developmental Vascular Disruptor Compounds Using a Predictive Signature and Alternative Toxicity Models Presenting Author: Tamara Tal Affiliation: U.S. EPA/ORD/ISTD, RTP, NC, USA Chemically induced vascular toxicity during embryonic development can result in a wide...

STATUS OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S ENCODRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM

EPA Science Inventory

Status of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Susan Laws. Endocrinology Branch, Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC.

In response to emergi...

CUMULATIVE RISK ANALYSIS FOR ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDES

EPA Science Inventory

Cumulative Risk Analysis for Organophosphorus Pesticides
R. Woodrow Setzer, Jr. NHEERL MD-74, USEPA, RTP, NC 27711

The US EPA has recently completed a risk assessment of the effects of exposure to 33 organophosphorous pesticides (OPs) through the diet, water, and resi...

Development of Financial Plans for Regional Transportation Plans - Methods, Data and Issues

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

This paper focuses on the portion of the Financial Plan for the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) dealing with the road system in Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) metropolitan planning region under the jurisdiction of county road a...

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ETD SURVEILLANCE CHECKLIST FOR MONITORING EPA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

EPA Science Inventory

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ETD SURVEILLANCE CHECKLIST FOR MONITORING EPA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, Thomas J. Hughes, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, Experimental Toxicology Division (ETD), MD 66, RTP, NC 27711

Research studies condu...

Reducing False Alarms of Annual Forecast in the Central China North-South Seismic Belt by Reverse Tracing of Precursors (RTP) Using the Pattern Informatics (PI) `Hotspots'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shengfeng; Wu, Zhongliang; Jiang, Changsheng

2017-06-01

The annual consultation on the likelihood of earthquakes in the next year, the `Annual Consultation Meeting', has been one of the most important forward forecast experiments organized by the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) since the 1970s, in which annual alarm regions are identified by an expert panel considering multi-disciplinary `anomalies'. In such annual forecasts, one of the problems in need of further technical solution is its false alarms. To tackle this problem, the concept of `reverse tracing of precursors (RTP)' is used to the annual consultation, as a temporal continuation and spatial extension of the work of Z hao et al. (Pure Appl Geophys 167:783-800, 2010). The central China north-south seismic belt (in connection to the CSEP testing region) is selected as the testing region of such an approach. Applying the concept of RTP, for an annual alarm region delineated by the Annual Consultation Meeting, the distribution of `hotspots' of the pattern informatics (PI), which targets the 5-year-scale seismic hazard, is considered. The `hit', or successful forecast, of the annual seismic hazard is shown to be related to the sufficient coverage of the `hotspots' within the annual alarm region. The ratio of the areas of the `hotspots' over the whole area of the annual alarm region is thus used to identify the false alarms which have few `hotspots'. The results of the years 2004-2012 show that using a threshold of 17 % can reduce 34 % (13 among 38) of the false alarms without losing the successful hit (being 6 in that period).

Development of a medical academic degree system in China.

PubMed

Wu, Lijuan; Wang, Youxin; Peng, Xiaoxia; Song, Manshu; Guo, Xiuhua; Nelson, Hugh; Wang, Wei

2014-01-01

Context The Chinese government launched a comprehensive healthcare reform to tackle challenges to health equities. Medical education will become the key for successful healthcare reform. Purpose We describe the current status of the Chinese medical degree system and its evolution over the last 80 years. Content Progress has been uneven, historically punctuated most dramatically by the Cultural Revolution. There is a great regional disparity. Doctors with limited tertiary education may be licensed to practice, whereas medical graduates with advanced doctorates may have limited clinical skills. There are undefined relationships between competing tertiary training streams, the academic professional degree, and the clinical residency training programme (RTP). The perceived quality of training in both streams varies widely across China. As the degrees of master or doctor of academic medicine is seen as instrumental in career advancement, including employability in urban hospitals, attainment of this degree is sought after, yet is often unrelated to a role in health care, or is seen as superior to clinical experience. Meanwhile, the practical experience gained in some prestigious academic institutions is deprecated by the RTP and must be repeated before accreditation for clinical practice. This complexity is confusing both for students seeking the most appropriate training, and also for clinics, hospitals and universities seeking to recruit the most appropriate applicants. Conclusion The future education reforms might include: 1) a domestic system of 'credits' that gives weight to quality clinical experience vs. academic publications in career advancement, enhanced harmonisation between the competing streams of the professional degree and the RTP, and promotion of mobility of staff between areas of excellence and areas of need; 2) International - a mutual professional and academic recognition between China and other countries by reference to the Bologna Accord, setting up a system of easily comparable and well-understood medical degrees.

Development of a medical academic degree system in China.

PubMed

Wu, Lijuan; Wang, Youxin; Peng, Xiaoxia; Song, Manshu; Guo, Xiuhua; Nelson, Hugh; Wang, Wei

2014-01-01

The Chinese government launched a comprehensive healthcare reform to tackle challenges to health equities. Medical education will become the key for successful healthcare reform. We describe the current status of the Chinese medical degree system and its evolution over the last 80 years. Progress has been uneven, historically punctuated most dramatically by the Cultural Revolution. There is a great regional disparity. Doctors with limited tertiary education may be licensed to practice, whereas medical graduates with advanced doctorates may have limited clinical skills. There are undefined relationships between competing tertiary training streams, the academic professional degree, and the clinical residency training programme (RTP). The perceived quality of training in both streams varies widely across China. As the degrees of master or doctor of academic medicine is seen as instrumental in career advancement, including employability in urban hospitals, attainment of this degree is sought after, yet is often unrelated to a role in health care, or is seen as superior to clinical experience. Meanwhile, the practical experience gained in some prestigious academic institutions is deprecated by the RTP and must be repeated before accreditation for clinical practice. This complexity is confusing both for students seeking the most appropriate training, and also for clinics, hospitals and universities seeking to recruit the most appropriate applicants. The future education reforms might include: 1) a domestic system of 'credits' that gives weight to quality clinical experience vs. academic publications in career advancement, enhanced harmonisation between the competing streams of the professional degree and the RTP, and promotion of mobility of staff between areas of excellence and areas of need; 2) International - a mutual professional and academic recognition between China and other countries by reference to the Bologna Accord, setting up a system of easily comparable and well-understood medical degrees.

Evaluation of a novel Dot-ELISA assay utilizing a recombinant protein for the effective diagnosis of Taenia pisiformis larval infections.

PubMed

Chen, Lin; Yang, Deying; Gu, Xiaobin; Peng, Xuerong; Yang, Guangyou

2014-08-29

Cysticercosis, caused by the larvae of Taenia pisiformis, is a common disease in domestic breeds of the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus that results in economic losses. At present, there is no convenient and effective method for the rapid detection of T. pisiformis larvae. Here, we developed and tested the efficacy of a Dot-ELISA assay for the diagnosis of T. pisiformis larval infections in rabbits, based on the expression of the recombinant fusion protein (rTp1) from the Tp1 gene. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used to amplify the 3' ends of the Tp1 gene, based on the unigene similar to Ts1 gene (EU009656.1) which comes from transcriptome sequencing of T. pisiformis. The Tp1 gene was successfully amplified, cloned and expressed in BL21 (DE3). Western blot analysis revealed that the recombinant Tp1 protein is specifically recognized by rabbit T. pisiformis cysticercosis antisera. This purified recombinant fusion protein, rTp1, was probed by Dot-ELISA with sera from rabbits infected with T. pisiformis larvae and with other parasitic infections. Results showed that this Dot-ELISA assay had both high sensitivity (92.9-97.6%) and specificity (95.2-98.4%) to detect T. pisiformis larval infections. We also found very low levels of cross-reaction with other parasitic infections. This study has revealed that our novel Dot-ELISA assay utilizing the recombinant fusion protein, rTp1, has a strong potential for the effective diagnosis of T. pisiformis infections in rabbits. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultrasound contrast and real-time perfusion in conjunction with supine bicycle stress echocardiography for comprehensive evaluation of surgically corrected congenital heart disease.

PubMed

Kutty, Shelby; Olson, Joan; Danford, Christopher J; Sandene, Erin K; Xie, Feng; Fletcher, Scott E; Erickson, Christopher C; Kugler, John D; Danford, David A; Porter, Thomas R

2012-06-01

We sought to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound contrast (UC) and low mechanical index real-time perfusion (RTP) in the haemodynamic and anatomic assessment of repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) at rest and during supine bicycle stress echocardiography (BSE). Patients with CHD (n = 51, median age 21.5 years) were prospectively studied. All had compromised image quality, 20 (39%) had arrhythmias, and 10 (20%) had pacemakers. RTP was performed at rest and during BSE using Definity and Contrast Pulse Sequencing, with assessment of Doppler pressure gradients. Diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot (n = 27), transposition of the great arteries (TGA) atrial switch (n = 10), TGA arterial switch (n = 2), aortic valve disease (n = 4), Fontan (n = 4), and Kawasaki disease (n = 4). UC with RTP improved endocardial border definition, with increased number of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) segments visualized at rest (P < 0.0001) and during stress. LV ejection fraction (EF) and RV fractional area change (FAC) were measurable at rest and peak stress, RV FAC correlating closely with same-day magnetic resonance EFs (r = 0.72; P < 0.001). UC enhanced Doppler signals, enabling subpulmonary ventricular systolic pressure measurements at rest and stress. In six patients, marked elevations of subpulmonary ventricular systolic pressure were detected with UC during BSE, and quantifiable ventricular dysfunction. No adverse events occurred, other than transient low back pain in one patient. UC at rest and with supine BSE enables safe and comprehensive assessment of anatomy, haemodynamics, and biventricular functional and perfusion reserve in adolescents and young adults with surgically modified CHD.

Development of a medical academic degree system in China

PubMed Central

Wu, Lijuan; Wang, Youxin; Peng, Xiaoxia; Song, Manshu; Guo, Xiuhua; Nelson, Hugh; Wang, Wei

2014-01-01

Context The Chinese government launched a comprehensive healthcare reform to tackle challenges to health equities. Medical education will become the key for successful healthcare reform. Purpose We describe the current status of the Chinese medical degree system and its evolution over the last 80 years. Content Progress has been uneven, historically punctuated most dramatically by the Cultural Revolution. There is a great regional disparity. Doctors with limited tertiary education may be licensed to practice, whereas medical graduates with advanced doctorates may have limited clinical skills. There are undefined relationships between competing tertiary training streams, the academic professional degree, and the clinical residency training programme (RTP). The perceived quality of training in both streams varies widely across China. As the degrees of master or doctor of academic medicine is seen as instrumental in career advancement, including employability in urban hospitals, attainment of this degree is sought after, yet is often unrelated to a role in health care, or is seen as superior to clinical experience. Meanwhile, the practical experience gained in some prestigious academic institutions is deprecated by the RTP and must be repeated before accreditation for clinical practice. This complexity is confusing both for students seeking the most appropriate training, and also for clinics, hospitals and universities seeking to recruit the most appropriate applicants. Conclusion The future education reforms might include: 1) a domestic system of ‘credits’ that gives weight to quality clinical experience vs. academic publications in career advancement, enhanced harmonisation between the competing streams of the professional degree and the RTP, and promotion of mobility of staff between areas of excellence and areas of need; 2) International – a mutual professional and academic recognition between China and other countries by reference to the Bologna Accord, setting up a system of easily comparable and well-understood medical degrees. PMID:24434025

The Effect of an Orthopaedic Surgical Procedure in the National Basketball Association.

PubMed

Minhas, Shobhit V; Kester, Benjamin S; Larkin, Kevin E; Hsu, Wellington K

2016-04-01

Professional basketball players have a high incidence of injuries requiring surgical intervention. However, no studies in the current literature have compared postoperative performance outcomes among common injuries to determine high- and low-risk procedures to these athletes' careers. To compare return-to-play (RTP) rates and performance-based outcomes after different orthopaedic procedures in National Basketball Association (NBA) players and to determine which surgeries are associated with the worst postoperative change in performance. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Athletes in the NBA undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Achilles tendon repair, lumbar discectomy, microfracture, meniscus surgery, hand/wrist or foot fracture fixation, and shoulder stabilization were identified through team injury reports and archives on public record. The RTP rate, games played per season, and player efficiency rating (PER) were determined before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was used to compare the change between pre- and postsurgical performance among the different injuries. A total of 348 players were included. The RTP rates were highest in patients with hand/wrist fractures (98.1%; mean age, 27.0 years) and lowest for those with Achilles tears (70.8%; mean age, 28.4 years) (P = .005). Age ≥30 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.85; 95% CI, 1.24-11.91) and body mass index ≥27 kg/m(2) (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.05-11.40) were predictors of not returning to play. Players undergoing Achilles tendon repair and arthroscopic knee surgery had a significantly greater decline in postoperative performance outcomes at the 1- and 3-year time points and had shorter career lengths compared with the other procedures. NBA players undergoing Achilles tendon rupture repair or arthroscopic knee surgery had significantly worse performance postoperatively compared with other orthopaedic procedures. © 2016 The Author(s).

Outcomes After Lumbar Disc Herniation in the National Basketball Association.

PubMed

Minhas, Shobhit V; Kester, Benjamin S; Hsu, Wellington K

2016-01-01

Professional basketball players are at risk for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), yet the evidence guiding treatment after operative or nonoperative management of this condition in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is limited. NBA players with LDH will have different performance outcomes based on treatment type. Case-control study. Level 4. Athletes in the NBA with an LDH were identified through team injury reports, transaction records, and public sports archives. A 1:2 case-control study was performed in which LDH players and players without LDH were matched for player variables. Statistical analysis was employed to compare pre- and postindex season performance (games played and player efficiency rating [PER]) and career longevity between test subjects and controls in the operatively treated (OT) and nonoperatively treated (NOT) cohorts. A total of 61 NBA players with LDH were included, of whom 34 underwent discectomy and 27 were managed nonoperatively. Return-to-play (RTP) rates did not differ between NOT and OT players (77.8% vs. 79.4%). When compared with controls, OT players played significantly fewer games and had a lower PER than controls during the first postoperative season, but no difference was seen 2 and 3 years after surgery, with no difference in postoperative career length. In contrast, no difference in games played or PER was seen between NOT players and controls, although NOT players played significantly fewer postindex seasons. NBA players have a high RTP rate regardless of type of treatment for LDH; however, postindex performance differs between surgically and nonoperatively managed patients when compared with players without an LDH. However, further studies with a larger sample size are required for more definitive recommendations. There is a high RTP rate after LDH in the NBA, although postindex performance may differ based on operative versus nonoperative treatment. © 2015 The Author(s).

Reward system and temporal pole contributions to affective evaluation during a first person shooter video game

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Violent content in video games evokes many concerns but there is little research concerning its rewarding aspects. It was demonstrated that playing a video game leads to striatal dopamine release. It is unclear, however, which aspects of the game cause this reward system activation and if violent content contributes to it. We combined functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with individual affect measures to address the neuronal correlates of violence in a video game. Results Thirteen male German volunteers played a first-person shooter game (Tactical Ops: Assault on Terror) during fMRI measurement. We defined success as eliminating opponents, and failure as being eliminated themselves. Affect was measured directly before and after game play using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Failure and success events evoked increased activity in visual cortex but only failure decreased activity in orbitofrontal cortex and caudate nucleus. A negative correlation between negative affect and responses to failure was evident in the right temporal pole (rTP). Conclusions The deactivation of the caudate nucleus during failure is in accordance with its role in reward-prediction error: it occurred whenever subject missed an expected reward (being eliminated rather than eliminating the opponent). We found no indication that violence events were directly rewarding for the players. We addressed subjective evaluations of affect change due to gameplay to study the reward system. Subjects reporting greater negative affect after playing the game had less rTP activity associated with failure. The rTP may therefore be involved in evaluating the failure events in a social context, to regulate the players' mood. PMID:21749711

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM THE NERL RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK PARTICULATE MATTER PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) Research Triangle Park (RTP) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Study. This study represents a one year investigation of PM and related co-pollutants involving two dist...

Thyroid insufficiency in developing rat brain: A genomic analysis.

EPA Science Inventory

Thyroid Insufficiency in the Developing Rat Brain: A Genomic Analysis. JE Royland and ME Gilbert, Neurotox. Div., U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, USA. Endocrine disruption (ED) is an area of major concern in environmental neurotoxicity. Severe deficits in thyroid hormone (TH) levels have bee...

MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF PARTICLE TRANSPORT AND DEPOSITION IN HUMAN LUNGS

EPA Science Inventory

MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF PARTICLE TRANSPORT AND DEPOSITION IN HUMAN LUNGS. Jung-il Choi*, Center for Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; C. S. Kim, USEPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab. RTP, NC 27711

Partic...

DEPOSITION DISTRICUTION AMONG THE PARALLEL PATHWAYS IN THE HUMAN LUNG CONDUCTING AIRWAY STRUCTURE.

EPA Science Inventory

DEPOSITION DISTRIBUTION AMONG THE PARALLEL PATHWAYS IN THE HUMAN LUNG CONDUCTING AIRWAY STRUCTURE. Chong S. Kim*, USEPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab. RTP, NC 27711; Z. Zhang and C. Kleinstreuer, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North C...

MYOCARDIAL AND CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS FOLLOWING PULMONARY EXPOSURE TO ZINC

EPA Science Inventory

CARDIOVASCULAR INJURY FOLLOWING PULMONARY EXPOSURE TO ZINC
PS Gilmour, A Nyska, MC Schladweiler, AD Ledbetter, CF Moyer, JM Samet, and UP Kodavanti, CEMALB, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC; NIEHS, RTP, NC; US EPA/ORD/NHEERL/HSD, Chapel Hill, NC; Pathology Associates, Inc., Raleigh, NC; ...

DEVELOPMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF EXPOSURE TO DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS IN ANIMAL MODELS

EPA Science Inventory

Developmental consequences of exposure to disinfection by-products in animal models
Sid Hunter, Michael Narotsky, James Andrews
Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed by the reaction of disinf...

IERL-RTP PROCEDURES MANUAL: LEVEL 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BIOLOGICAL TESTS

EPA Science Inventory

The manual gives revised procedures for Level 1 environmental assessment biological tests, and supersedes the first edition, EPA-600/7-77-043 (NTIS No. PB 268484), published in April 1977. The revised biological procedures complement the Level 1 chemical and physical procedures p...

EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT FROM THE NERL RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK PARTICULATE MATTER PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency performed a particulate matter (PM) exposure assessment based on data from the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) Research Triangle Park (RTP) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Study. This study was a one-year investigation of PM ...

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS ON FETAL TESTES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Environmental Chemicals on Fetal Testes Testosterone Production

Lambright, CS , Wilson, VS , Furr, J, Wolf, CJ, Noriega, N, Gray, LE, Jr.
US EPA, ORD/NHEERL/RTD, RTP, NC

Exposure of pregnant rodents to certain environmental chemicals during criti...

RESPIRATORY DOSE TO SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATIONS ASSESSED BY EXPOSURE AND DOSIMETRY STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

Respiratory Dose to Susceptible Populations Assessed by Exposure and Dosimetry Studies

Chong Kim1 and Ronald Williams2, 1USEPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory and 2USEPA National Exposure Research Laboratory, RTP, NC.

Rationale: Parti...

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

Wang, J.; Hurtubise, R.J.

A new kind of solid matrix, glasses from sugars, was developed for trace organic analysis. Clear glasses of glucose and trehalose were prepared by evaporating the sugar solutions onto solid supports. It was determined that the ratio of methanol to water was very important in forming a clear glass. Also, glasses made from pure trehalose often cracked. However, with the addition of 8{endash}10{percent} NaCl to the trehalose, no cracks were formed. Clear and rigid glasses of both glucose and trehalose/NaCl were obtained on quartz plates. Strong room-temperature fluorescence (RTF) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) were obtained from benzo[{ital f}]quinoline ({ital B}[{italmore » f}]{ital Q}), 4-phenylphenol (4-PP), B[{ital a}]P-{ital r}-7,{ital t}-8,9,{ital c}-10-tetrahydrotetrol (tetrol I-1), triphenylene, and phenanthrene. The limits of detection (LODs) of both the RTF and RTP for 4-PP and B[{ital f}]Q in the glasses were in the subnanogram/milligram range. {copyright} {ital 1996 Society for Applied Spectroscopy.}« less

End-to-end QoS bounds for RTP-based service subnetworks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitts, Jonathan M.; Schormans, John A.

1999-11-01

With the increasing focus on traffic prioritization to support voice-data integration in corporate intranets, practical methods are needed to dimension and manage cost efficient service partitions. This is particularly important for the provisioning of real time, delay sensitive services such as telephony and voice/video conferencing applications. Typically these can be provided over RTP/UDP/IP or ATM DBR/SBR bearers but, irrespective of the specific networking technology, the switches or routers need to implement some form of virtual buffer management with queue scheduling mechanisms to provide partitioning. The key requirement is for operators of such networks to be able to dimension the partitions and virtual buffer sizes for efficient resource utilization, instead of simply over-dimensioning. This paper draws on recent work at Queen Mary, University of London, supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, to investigate approximate analytical methods for assessing end to end delay variation bounds in cell based and packet based networks.

SCTP as scalable video coding transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, Jordi; Graciá, Eduardo Martínez; Skarmeta, Antonio F.

2013-12-01

This study presents an evaluation of the Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP) for the transport of the scalable video codec (SVC), proposed by MPEG as an extension to H.264/AVC. Both technologies fit together properly. On the one hand, SVC permits to split easily the bitstream into substreams carrying different video layers, each with different importance for the reconstruction of the complete video sequence at the receiver end. On the other hand, SCTP includes features, such as the multi-streaming and multi-homing capabilities, that permit to transport robustly and efficiently the SVC layers. Several transmission strategies supported on baseline SCTP and its concurrent multipath transfer (CMT) extension are compared with the classical solutions based on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Realtime Transmission Protocol (RTP). Using ns-2 simulations, it is shown that CMT-SCTP outperforms TCP and RTP in error-prone networking environments. The comparison is established according to several performance measurements, including delay, throughput, packet loss, and peak signal-to-noise ratio of the received video.

Study on the paper substrate room temperature phosphorescence of theobromine, caffeine and theophylline and analytical application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuan, Dong; Yan-Li, Wei; Shao-Min, Shuang

2003-05-01

Paper substrate room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of theobromine (TB), caffeine (CF) and theophylline (TP) were investigated. The method is based on fast speed quantitative filter paper as substrate and KI-NaAc as heavy atom perturber. Various factors affecting their RTP were discussed in detail. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear dynamic range, limit of detection (LOD), and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) were 14.41˜576.54 ng per spot, 1.14 ng per spot, 4.8% for TB, 5.44˜699.08 ng per spot, 0.78 ng per spot, 1.56% for CF, 7.21˜360.34 ng per spot, 1.80 ng per spot, 3.80% for TP, respectively. The first analytical application for the determination of these compounds was developed. The recovery of standard samples added to commercial products chocolate, tea, coffee and aminophylline is in the range 92.80-106.08%. The proposed method was successfully applied to real sample analysis without separation.

AIR PARTICULATE POLLUTION EXPOSURE INDUCES SYSTEMIC OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HEALTHY MICE

EPA Science Inventory

Air particulate pollution exposure induces systemic oxidative stress in healthy mice

Elizabeth S Roberts1 and Kevin L Dreher2. 1 College or Veterinary Medicine, NC State University, Raleigh, NC , 2US Environmental Protection Agency, NHEERL, RTP, NC

Epidemiological s...

Engaging Historically Black Colleges and Universities through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education and Community Engagement

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA’s STEM Outreach Program in RTP began in 2004, with the aim of supporting EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment by increasing awareness, providing education, and inspiring the public, especially K-12 students.

THE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK PARTICULATE MATTER PANEL STUDY: PM MASS CONCENTRATION RELATIONSHIPS

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently performed the Research Triangle Park Particulate Matter Panel Study. This was a one-year investigation of PM and related co-pollutants involving participants living within the RTP area of North Carolina. Primary goals were t...

EFFECTS OF METAL COMPONENTS IN CONCENTRATED AMBIENT AIR PARTICLES ON PULMONARY INJURY

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF METAL COMPONENTS IN CONCENTRATED AMBIENT AIR PARTICLES ON PULMONARY INJURY. Yuh-Chin Huang, Jackie Stonehuerner, Jackie Carter, Andrew J. Ghio, Robert B. Devlin. NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC.
The mechanisms for cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with exposure to air po...

HOME ENVIRONMENT AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN A RURAL IOWA COUNTY

EPA Science Inventory

HOME ENVIRONMENT AND CHILDHOOD ASTHMA IN A RURAL IOWA COUNTY
Erik R. Svendsen*?, Stephen J. Reynolds*?, James A. Merchant*, Allison L. Naleway*?, Ann M. Stromquist*, Peter S. Thorne*.
*University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA ?Current: USEPA RTP, NC ?Curre...

Health Consequences of the Interaction of Our Genome with Our Environment

EPA Science Inventory

Health Consequences Of The Interaction Of Our Genome With Our Environment DM DeMarini, US EPA, RTP, NC 27711 Our primary exposures to potentially mutagenic agents are via the air, water, soil, combustion emissions, and food. Thus, characterizing the mutations induced by these...

INCREASED APOPTOSIS IN ORGANOGENESIS-STAGED MOUSE EMBRYOS INDUCED BY DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS

EPA Science Inventory

Increased apoptosis in organogenesis-staged mouse embryos induced by disinfection by-products. Sid Hunter1,2, Ellen Rogers1 and Keith Ward2, 1 Developmental Biology Branch, Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC; 2 Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC Chapel Hill, Cha...

DEVELOPMENT OF ADME DATA IN AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL SAFETY ASSESSMENTS

EPA Science Inventory

DEVELOPMENT OF ADME DATA IN AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL SAFETY ASSESSMENTS
Pastoor, Timothy1, Barton, Hugh2
1 Syngenta Crop Protection, Greensboro, NC, USA.
2 EPA, Office of Research and Development-NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA.

A multi-stakeholder series of discussions d...

ASSESSMENT OF INSTRUMENTATION FOR MONITORING COAL FLOWRATE AND COMPOSITION

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of an assessment of instrumentation for the measurement of coal flowrate (either as a dry solid or in a coal/water slurry) and composition. Also investigated was the appropriateness of EPA/IERL-RTP involvement in the development or evaluation of such devi...

ETD QA CORE TEAM: AN ELOQUENT SOLUTION TO A COMPLEX PROBLEM

EPA Science Inventory

ETD QA CORE TEAM: AN ELOQUENT SOLUTION TO A COMPLEX PROBLEMThomas J. Hughes, QA and Records Manager, Experimental Toxicology Division (ETD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC 27709

ETD is the largest health divis...

The effect of alcohol and fatigue on an FAA readiness-to-perform test.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-08-01

Readiness to perform (RTP) testing is considered by some to be a broad-based alternative or supplement to biochemical testing for drugs and alcohol. Since it is also thought to detect impairment due to other sources (e.g., fatigue, illness, depressio...

RNA PROFILES IN RAT AND MOUSE EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA

EPA Science Inventory

RNA PROFILES IN RAT AND MOUSE EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA
Kary E. Thompson1, Hongzu Ren1, Judith E. Schmid1 and David J. Dix1
1Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC.

Mature spermatozoa are transcriptionally inactive...

CHRONIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEAD EXPOSURE REDUCES NEUROGENESIS IN ADULT HIPPOCAMPUS.

EPA Science Inventory

CHRONIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEAD EXPOSURE REDUCES NEUROGENESIS IN ADULT HIPPOCAMPUS. ME Gilbert1, ME Kelly2, S. Salant3, T Shafer1, J Goodman3 1Neurotoxicology Div, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711, 2Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, 3Helen Hayes Hospital, Haverstraw, NY, 10993.
...

INFLUENCE OF RESIDENTIAL HVAC DUTY CYCLE ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY

EPA Science Inventory

Measurements of duty cycle, the fraction of time the heating and cooling (HVAC) system was operating, were made in homes during the spring season of the RTP Particulate Matter Panel Study and the Tampa Asthmatic Children's Study. A temperature sensor/logger placed on an outlet...

OXIDATIVE STRESS PARTICIPATES IN PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) INDUCED LUNG INJURY

EPA Science Inventory

Oxidative stress participates in particulate matter (PM) induced acute lung injury.
Elizabeth S. Roberts1, Judy L. Richards2, Kevin L. Dreher2. 1College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 2US Environmental Protection Agency, NHEERL, RTP, NC.
Epidemiol...

76 FR 80430 - Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited; Notice of Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-23

... SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. 29889; 812-13777] Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited; Notice of Application December 19, 2011. AGENCY: Securities and Exchange... Company Act of 1940 (the ``Act''). SUMMARY: Summary of Application: Rio Tinto plc (``RTP'') and Rio Tinto...

CYTOKINE PROFILING FOR CHEMICAL RESPIRATORY SENSITIZERS

EPA Science Inventory

CYTOKINE PROFILING FOR CHEMICAL RESPIRATORY SENSITIZERS. LM Plitnick1, SE Loveless2, GS Ladics2, MP Holsapple3, MJ Selgrade4, DM Sailstad4 & RJ Smialowicz4. 1UNC, Chapel Hill, NC; 2DuPont Co., Haskell Laboratory, Newark, DE; 3Dow Chemical, Midland, MI & 4USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC.

THYROID INSUFFICIENCY AND GENE EXPRESSION IN DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN: A DOSE RESPONSE STUDY.

EPA Science Inventory

Thyroid Insufficiency and Gene Expression in Developing Rat Brain: A Dose Response Study. JE Royland and ME Gilbert, Neurotox. Div., U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, USA. Endocrine disruption is an area of major concern in environmental neurotoxicity. Deficits in thyroid hormone (TH) levels h...

REAL-TIME PERSONAL NEPHELOMETER AND TIME ACTIVITY DATA FROM THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

A longitudinal particulate matter (PM) exposure study was conducted in the Research Triangle Park, NC, area between June 2000 and June 2001. Participants were selected from two groups of potentially susceptible sub-populations: a group of African-Americans living in an environm...

( RTP, NC ) IMPROVING EMISSION INVENTORIES FOR EFFECTIVE AIR-QUALITY MANAGEMENT ACROSS NORTH AMERICA - A NARSTO ASSESSMENT

EPA Science Inventory

The NARSTO Ozone and Particulate Matter Assessments emphasized that emission inventories are critical to the success of air quality management programs and that emissions inventories in Canada, Mexico, and the United States need improvement to meet expectations for quality, timel...

Package of online Teacher Resources for Generate, the EPA Energy Game

EPA Science Inventory

These materials will enable teachers to make and utilize their own copy of the energy board game, called Generate, that has been developed in ORD and used in local EPA-RTP STEM outreach. The teacher resource package includes: (1) Webinar presentation for National Science Teach...

PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ALLERGENS IN EXTRACTS OF STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM

EPA Science Inventory

PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ALLERGENS IN EXTRACTS OF Stachybotrys chartarum. M E Viana1, MJ Selgrade2, and M D Ward2. 1NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA. 2NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.

Exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum has been associated with the development of serious health ...

Validation of Ray Tracing Code Refraction Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heath, Stephanie L.; McAninch, Gerry L.; Smith, Charles D.; Conner, David A.

2008-01-01

NASA's current predictive capabilities using the ray tracing program (RTP) are validated using helicopter noise data taken at Eglin Air Force Base in 2007. By including refractive propagation effects due to wind and temperature, the ray tracing code is able to explain large variations in the data observed during the flight test.

Evaluation of autophagy as a mechanism involved in air pollutant-induced pulmonary injury

EPA Science Inventory

Evaluation of autophagy as a mechanism involved in air pollutant-induced pulmonary injuryHenriquez, A.1, Snow, S.2, Miller, D1.,Schladweiler, M.2 and Kodavanti, U2.1 Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC. 2 EPHD/NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, Durham, NC. ...

ASSESSMENT OF IN VITRO ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY IN KRAFT MILL EFFLUENT

EPA Science Inventory

Detection of In Vitro Androgenic Activity in Feedlot Effluent. Lambright, CS 1 , Guillette, LJ, Jr.2, Gray, LE, Jr.1 , 1USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC, 2 University of Florida, Dept. of Zoology, Gainesville FL

Recent studies have shown the presence of androgenic activity in water...

THE EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE METABOLITES ON PUBERTY IN THE MALE WISTAR RAT

EPA Science Inventory

The Effects of Atrazine Metabolites on Puberty in the Male Wistar Rat. D L Guidici, R L Cooper and T E Stoker. Endocrinology Branch, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC.
Sponsor: R J Kavlock.
Atrazine (ATR), a chlorotriazine herbicide, alters pubertal pr...

OPEN PATH AMBIENT MEASUREMENTS OF POLLUTANTS WITH A DOAS SYSTEM

EPA Science Inventory

A differential optical absorption spectrometer (DOAS) has been in operation since August 1991 at the U.S. EPA in RTP, NC. he analyzer unit is located in an environmentally-controlled shelter in the EPA parking lot. our separate open optical paths have been established, ranging fr...

AIR QUALITY CRITERIA FOR PARTICULATE MATTER DOCUMENT

EPA Science Inventory

A Planning Document was produced by NCEA/RTP and reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) (62 FR 55201, October 23, 1997). In FY99, a workshop draft of the PM AQCD was completed, a peer input workshop held, and an External Review Draft released for public ...

PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FOR THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) completed a 12 month Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Study in the Research Triangle Park, NC area in May 2001. A primary goal of the study was to compare PM levels measured at an ambient and residential sites with those from per...

Sport-Related Concussions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brady, Don; Brady, Flo

2011-01-01

Sport-related concussions (SRC) are not limited to specific age ranges, professional athletes, or gender. The primary focus of much of SRC research pertains to the assessment, management, and return to play (RTP) of the concussed athlete. This article highlights some major issues of SRC along with some controversies that presently exist within the…

DIBROMOACETIC ACID ATTENUATES A DIMETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE-INDUCED SUPPRESSION OF THE RAT LH SURGE

EPA Science Inventory

DIBROMOACETIC ACID ATTENUATES A DITHIOCARBAMATE-INDUCED SUPPRESSION OF THE LH SURGE IN THE RAT. Jerome M. Goldman, Ashley S. Murr, Angela R. Buckelew, W. Keith McElroy and Janet M. Ferrell. Repro. Toxicol. Div., NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC

At elevated concentrations, the ...

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HVAC SYSTEM OPERATION, AIR EXCHANGE RATE, AND INDOOR-OUTDOOR PARTICULATE MATTER RATIOS

EPA Science Inventory

Measurements of duty cycle , the fraction of time the heating and cooling (HVAC) system was operating, were made in each participant's home during the spring season of the RTP Particulate Matter Panel Study. A miniature temperature sensor/data logger combination placed on the ...

CARDIOVASCULAR INJURY FROM ACUTE AND REPEATED EXPOSURE TO PARTICULATE MATTER (PM): POTENTIAL ROLE OF ZINC

EPA Science Inventory

CARDIOVASCULAR INJURY FROM ACUTE AND REPEATED EXPOSURE TO PARTICULATE MATTER (PM): POTENTIAL ROLE OF ZINC. UP Kodavanti, MC Schladweiler, AD Ledbetter, RH Jaskot, PS Gilmour, DC Christiani, WP Watkinson, DL Costa, JK McGee, A Nyska. NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC; CEMALB, UNC, Chapel Hil...

INHIBITION OF NEURAL CREST CELL MIGRATION BY THE WATER DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS DICHLORO-, DIBROMO-, AND BROMOCHLORO-ACETIC ACID.

EPA Science Inventory

INHIBITION OF NEURAL CREST CELL MIGRATION BY THE WATER DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS DICHLORO-, DIBROMO- AND BROMOCHLORO-ACETIC ACID. JE Andrews, H Nichols, J Schmid 1, and ES Hunter. Reproductive Toxicology Division, 1Research Support Division, NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA.

...

PFOA INDUCES DYSMORPHOGENESIS IN MOUSE WHOLE EMBRYO CULTURE

EPA Science Inventory

PFOA Induces Dysmorphogenesis In Mouse Whole Embryo Culture.

MR Blanton1, JM Padowski2, ES Hunter1, JM Rogers1, and C Lau1. 1Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA. 2Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Perfluorooctanoa...

Development of Quality Control Parameters and Electronic Data Recording for an Ambient Air Particle Inhalation Exposure System

EPA Science Inventory

Ambient air particle concentrating systems were installed by the US EPA in RTP, NC. These systems, designed by Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (Boston, MA), concentrated ambient fine and ultra-fine mode particulate matter (P...

COMPARATIVE TOXICITY OF DIFFERENT EMISSION PARTICLES IN MURINE PULMONARY EPITHELIAL CELLS AND MACROPHAGES

EPA Science Inventory

Comparative Toxicity of Different Emission Particles in Murine Pulmonary Epithelial Cells and Macrophages. T Stevens1, M Daniels2, P Singh2, M I Gilmour2. 1 UNC, Chapel Hill 27599 2Experimental Toxicology Division, NHEERL, RTP, NC 27711

Epidemiological studies have shown ...

TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE-INDUCED EOSINOPHILIA IN A MURINE MODEL OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA

EPA Science Inventory

TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE-INDUCED EOSINOPHILIA IN A MURINE MODEL OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA. J F Regal, ME Mohrman, E Boykin and D Sailstad. Dept. of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN, USA and NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.
Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is a small m...

EFFECTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCS) ON FETAL TESTES HORMONE PRODUCTION

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) on Fetal Testes Hormone Production
CS Lambright, VS Wilson, JR Furr, CJ Wolf, N Noriega, LE Gray, Jr
US EPA, ORD/NHEERL/RTD, RTP, NC 27711

Exposure to EDCs during critical periods of fetal sexual development can have...

GENETIC INFLUENCES ON IN VTIRO PARTICULATE MATTER-INDUCED AIRWAY EPITHELIAL INJURY AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATOR RELEASE

EPA Science Inventory

GENETIC INFLUENCES ON IN VITRO PARTICULATE MATTER-INDUCED AIRWAY EPITHELIAL INJURY AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATOR RELEASE.
JA Dye, JH Richards, DA Andrews, UP Kodavanti. US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is capable of damaging the airway epitheli...

GASEOUS CO-POLLUTANTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICULATE MATTER-RESULTS FROM THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) conducted a longitudinal particulate matter (PM) panel study in Research Triangle Park, NC between June 2000 and June 2001. Participants were selected from two potentially susceptible sub-populations: a multi-racial grou...

PULMONARY TOXICOLOGY OF SYNTHETIC AIR POLLUTION PARTICLES CONTAINING METAL SULFATES COMPARED TO CARBON BLACK AND DIESEL

EPA Science Inventory

PULMONARY TOXICITY OF SYNTHETIC AIR POLLUTION PARTICLES CONTAINING METAL SULFATES COMPARED TO CARBON BLACK AND DIESEL.

M Daniels, A Ranade* & MJ Selgrade & MI Gilmour.
Experimental Toxicology Division, ORD/NHEERL, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC. * Particle Technology, College Par...

Perchlorate exposure and association with iron homeostasis and other biological functions among NHANES 2005-2008 subjects

EPA Science Inventory

Perchlorate exposure and association with iron homeostasis and other biological functions among NHANES 2005-2008 subjects Schreinemachers DM, Ghio AJ, Cascio WE, Sobus JR. U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, USA Perchlorate (ClO4-), an environmental pollutant, is a known thyroid toxicant and...

LATE GESTATIONAL ATRAZINE EXPOSURE DECREASES MATERNAL BEHAVIOR IN LONG-EVANS RATS

EPA Science Inventory

Late Gestational Atrazine Exposure Alters Maternal Nursing Behavior in Rats

Jennifer L. Rayner1 and Suzanne E. Fenton2

1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, DESE, Chapel Hill, NC, and 2 USEPA/ ORD/NHEERL/Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC.

At...

Active Learning Strategies for Introductory Light and Optics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sokoloff, David R.

2016-01-01

There is considerable evidence that traditional approaches are ineffective in teaching physics concepts, including light and optics concepts. A major focus of the work of the Activity Based Physics Group has been on the development of active learning curricula like RealTime Physics (RTP) labs and Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs). Among…

Enabling IP Header Compression in COTS Routers via Frame Relay on a Simplex Link

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Sam P.; Pang, Jackson; Clare, Loren P.; Cheng, Michael K.

2010-01-01

NASA is moving toward a networkcentric communications architecture and, in particular, is building toward use of Internet Protocol (IP) in space. The use of IP is motivated by its ubiquitous application in many communications networks and in available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. The Constellation Program intends to fit two or more voice (over IP) channels on both the forward link to, and the return link from, the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) during all mission phases. Efficient bandwidth utilization of the links is key for voice applications. In Voice over IP (VoIP), the IP packets are limited to small sizes to keep voice latency at a minimum. The common voice codec used in VoIP is G.729. This new algorithm produces voice audio at 8 kbps and in packets of 10-milliseconds duration. Constellation has designed the VoIP communications stack to use the combination of IP/UDP/RTP protocols where IP carries a 20-byte header, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) carries an 8-byte header, and RTP (Real Time Transport Protocol) carries a 12-byte header. The protocol headers total 40 bytes and are equal in length to a 40-byte G.729 payload, doubling the VoIP latency. Since much of the IP/UDP/RTP header information does not change from IP packet to IP packet, IP/UDP/RTP header compression can avoid transmission of much redundant data as well as reduce VoIP latency. The benefits of IP header compression are more pronounced at low data rate links such as the forward and return links during CEV launch. IP/UDP/RTP header compression codecs are well supported by many COTS routers. A common interface to the COTS routers is through frame relay. However, enabling IP header compression over frame relay, according to industry standard (Frame Relay IP Header Compression Agreement FRF.20), requires a duplex link and negotiations between the compressor router and the decompressor router. In Constellation, each forward to and return link from the CEV in space is treated independently as a simplex link. Without negotiation, the COTS routers are prevented from entering into the IP header compression mode, and no IP header compression would be performed. An algorithm is proposed to enable IP header compression in COTS routers on a simplex link with no negotiation or with a one-way messaging. In doing so, COTS routers can enter IP header compression mode without the need to handshake through a bidirectional link as required by FRF.20. This technique would spoof the routers locally and thereby allow the routers to enter into IP header compression mode without having the negotiations between routers actually occur. The spoofing function is conducted by a frame relay adapter (also COTS) with the capability to generate control messages according to the FRF.20 descriptions. Therefore, negotiation is actually performed between the FRF.20 adapter and the connecting COTS router locally and never occurs over the space link. Through understanding of the handshaking protocol described by FRF.20, the necessary FRF.20 negotiations messages can be generated to control the connecting router, not only to turn on IP header compression but also to adjust the compression parameters. The FRF.20 negotiation (or control) message is composed in the FRF.20 adapter by interpreting the incoming router request message. Many of the fields are simply transcribed from request to response while the control field indicating response and type are modified.

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

Brewer, M; Gordon, C; Tien, C

Purpose: To follow the Integrating Healthcare Enterprise - Radiation Oncology (IHE-RO) initiative of proper cross-vendor technology integration, an automated chart checker (ACC) was developed. ACC compares extracted data from an approved patient plan in the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) against data existing in the Mosaiq treatment management system (TMS). ACC automatically analyzes these parameters using built-in quality checklists to provide further aid in chart review. Methods: Eclipse TPS data are obtained using Eclipse scripting API (ESAPI) while Mosaiq TMS data are obtained from a radiotherapy-treatment-planning (RTP) file. Using this information, ACC identifies TPS-TMS discrepancies in 18 primary beam parametersmore » including MU, energy, jaw positions, gantry angle, table angle, accessories, and bolus for up to 31 beams. Next, approximately 40 items from traditional quality checklists are evaluated such as prescription consistency, DRR graticule placement, plan approval status, global max dose, and dose tracking coefficients. Parameters were artificially modified to determine if ACC would detect an error in data transfer and to test each component of quality checklists. Results: Using ESAPI scripting and RTP file-processing, ACC was able to properly aggregate data from TPS and TMS for up to 31 beams. Errors were artificially introduced into each plan parameter, and ACC was able to successfully detect all of them within seconds. Next, ACC was able to successfully detect mistakes in the chart by identifying deviations with its quality checklists, within seconds. Conclusion: ACC effectively addresses the potential issue of faulty cross-vendor data transfer, as described by IHE-RO. In addition, ACC was also able to detect deviations from its built-in quality checklists. ACC is already an invaluable tool for efficient and standardized chart review and will continue to improve as its incorporated checklists become more comprehensive.« less

PERINATAL EXPOSURE TO ATRAZINE SUPPRESSES JUVENILE IMMUNE FUNCTION IN MALE, BUT NOT FEMALE SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

EPA Science Inventory

PERINATAL EXPOSURE TO ATRAZINE SUPPRESSES JUVENILE IMMUNE FUNCTION IN MALE, BUT NOT FEMALE SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS. AA Rooney1 and RW Luebke2. 1NCSU/USEPA CVM, Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences, and Radiology, Raleigh, NC;2USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC.
The ability of the ...

THE INFLUENCE OF ADVANCED AGE ON THE HEPATIC AND RENAL TOXICITY OF CHLOROFORM

EPA Science Inventory

THE INFLUENCE OF ADVANCED AGE ON THE HEPATIC AND RENAL TOXICITY OF CHLOROFORM (CHC13). A McDonald, Y M Sey and J E Simmons. NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC.
Disinfection, by chlorination or by ozonation followed by treatment with either chlorine or chloramine, of water containi...

Comparative Analysis of Predictive Models for Liver Toxicity Using ToxCast Assays and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (MCBIOS)

EPA Science Inventory

Comparative Analysis of Predictive Models for Liver Toxicity Using ToxCast Assays and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships Jie Liu1,2, Richard Judson1, Matthew T. Martin1, Huixiao Hong3, Imran Shah1 1National Center for Computational Toxicology (NCCT), US EPA, RTP, NC...

PERSONAL PARTICULATE MATTER EXPOSURE MONITORING: IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT SOURCES, ACTIVITIES, AND LOCATIONS BASED ON DATA FROM THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

A longitudinal particulate matter (PM) exposure study was conducted in the Research Triangle Park, NC area between June 2000 and June 2001. Participants were selected from two groups of potentially susceptible sub-populations: a group of African-Americans living in an environme...

PM CONCENTRATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL ACTIVITIES BASED ON REAL-TIME PERSONAL NEPHELOMETRY DATA FROM THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

A longitudinal particulate matter (PM) exposure study sponsored by EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) was conducted in the Research Triangle Park, NC area between June 2000 and June 2001. Participants were selected from two groups of potentially susceptible sub-...

INHIBITION OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV)-INDUCED INFLAMMATION BY 3-NITROTYROSINE IN HUMAN BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

Inhibition of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-Induced Inflammation by 3-Nitrotyrosine in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells. J. M. Soukup, MPH 1, ZW. Li, MD 2 and YC. T. Huang, MD 1. 1 NHEERL, US Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC and 2 CEMALB, University of North Carolina,...

USE OF THE RIBONUCLEASE PROTECTION ASSAY FOR IDENTIFYING CHEMICALS WHICH ELLICIT HYPERSENSITIVITY RESPONSES

EPA Science Inventory

Use of the Ribonuclease Protection Assay (RPA) for Identifying Chemicals that Elicit Hypersensitivity Responses. L.M. Plitnick, 1, D.M. Sailstad, 2, and R.J. Smialowicz, 2 1UNC, Curriculum in Toxicology, Chapel Hill, NC and 2USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC.

The incidence of aller...

Advantages and Challenges of Electronic Records for Scientific Data at the US EPA

EPA Science Inventory

Paper, hard-bound notebooks have been the traditional method of collecting data for research studies at the US EPA, RTP, NC. Indeed, ORD recently issued an operating procedure for data collection in paper notebooks, ORD Policy and Procedures Manual Chapter 13.2 (ORD PPM 13.2) th...

STANDARDIZATION AND STRUCTURAL ANNOTATION OF PUBLIC TOXICITY DATABASES: IMPROVING SAR CAPABILITIES AND LINKAGE TO 'OMICS DATA

EPA Science Inventory

Standardization and structural annotation of public toxicity databases: Improving SAR capabilities and linkage to 'omics data
Ann M. Richard', ClarLynda Williams', Jamie Burch2
'Nat Health & Environ Res Lab, US EPA, RTP, NC 27711; 2EPA/NC Central Univ Student COOP Trainee<...

The Long and Winding Road: Duties of an NHEERL QA Manager from 1999 to 2008

EPA Science Inventory

My career as a US EPA Quality Assurance Manager (QAM) started on September 26, 1999 when I was appointed the QA and Records Manager for the Experimental Toxicology Division (ETD) in NHEERL, in the Office of Research and Development (ORD), on the Research Triangle Campus in RTP, N...

U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, , 07/17/2001

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2011-04-21

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POSTNATAL DISPOSITION OF TCDD IN LONG EVANS RATS FOLLOWING GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE

EPA Science Inventory

POSTNATAL DISPOSITION OF TCDD IN LONG EVANS RATS FOLLOWING GESTATIONAL EXPOSURE.
J J Diliberto', J T Hamm'.2, F McQuaid', and L S Birnbaum'. 'US EPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD, RTP, NC; 2Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenz...

STANDARDIZATION AND VALIDATION OF ADENOVIRAL TRANSDUCTION OF AN ANDROGEN RECEPTOR POSITIVE CELL LINE WITH AN MMTV-LUC REPORTER FOR ENDOCRINE SCREENING

EPA Science Inventory

Standardization and Validation of Adenoviral Transduction of an Androgen Receptor Positive Cell Line with an MMTV-Luc Reporter for Endocrine Screening P. Hartig, K . Bobseine,
M. Cardon, C. Lambright and L. E. Gray, Jr. USEPA, Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, RTP, NC...

EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATES IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATES IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS. WP Watkinson1, LB Wichers2, JP Nolan1, DW Winsett1, UP Kodavanti1, MCJ Schladweiler1, and DL Costa1 1US EPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD/PTB, RTP, NC; 2UNC SPH and Curriculum in Toxic...

QA Activities on Two Large RARE Projects at the US EPA, RTP, NC ─ from Fish to Humans

EPA Science Inventory

Two RARE (Regional Applied Research Effort) projects are being managed by Janet Diliberto, Linda Birnbaum, and Thomas Hughes. Janet is the Project Officer, Linda is the science advisor and Thomas is the QA and Records Manager for these two RARE projects. These are high visibili...

ACTIVATION OF AP-1 IN UROTSA CELLS BY METHYLATED ARSENICALS

EPA Science Inventory

ACTIVATION OF AP-1 IN UROTSA CELLS BY METHYLATED TRIVALENT ARSENICALS. Z Drobna1, I Jaspers2, D J Thomas3 and M Styblo1. 1Department of Pediatrics; 2Center for Environmental Medicine and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 3US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.

MEETING AT RTP, NC - COMPARATIVE CYTOTOXICITY OF TRIHALOMETHANES (THMs) AND TRIHALONITROMETHANES (THNMs) IN CULTURED NORMAL HUMAN COLON CELLS

EPA Science Inventory

Epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of chlorinated surface waters to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The THMs [trichloromethane, TCM, bromo'dichloromethane, BDCM, dibromochloromethane, DBCM, and tribromomethane, TBM] comprise a major class of by-products (...

GENE ARRAY ANALYSIS OF THE VENTRAL PROSTATE IN RATS EXPOSED TO EITHER VINCLOZOLIN OR PROCYMIDONE

EPA Science Inventory

GENE ARRAY ANALYSIS OF THE VENTRAL PROSTATE IN RATS EXPOSED TO EITHER VINCLOZOLIN OR PROCYMIDONE. MB Rosen, VS Wilson, JE Schmid, and LE Gray Jr. US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC.

Vinclozolin (Vi) and procymidone (Pr) are antiandrogenic fungicides. While changes in gene expr...

Enhancement of RNA from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Samples

EPA Science Inventory

Enhancement of RNA from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Samples Susan Hester1, Leah Wehmas1, Carole Yauk2, Marc Roy3, Mark M. Gosink3, Deidre D. Wilk4, Thomas Hill III5, Charles E. Wood11Office of Research and Development, US EPA, RTP, NC 27709, USA, 2Environmental Health...

CHARACTERIZATION OF AMBIENT PM2.5 AEROSOL AT A SOUTHEASTERN US SITE: FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED ANALYSIS OR PARTICLE PHASE

EPA Science Inventory

During a field study in the summer of 2000 in the Research Triangle Park (RTP), aerosol samples were collected using a five stage cascade impactor and subsequently analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The impaction surfaces were stainless steel disks....

PHOSGENE AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE C X T TOXICITY PRINCIPLE: THE ROLE OF ADAPTATION

EPA Science Inventory

Phosgene as an example of the C x T toxicity principle: the role of adaptation

Name/Title : Dr. Gary E. Hatch
Organization: Pulmonary Toxicology Branch, Experimental Toxicology Division, NHEERL, EPA, RTP
Mailing Address: Mail Drop 82, US EPA, Res. Tri. Park, NC 27...

IN VITRO METABOLISM OF PYRETHROIDS IN RAT LIVER MICROSOMES

EPA Science Inventory

IN VITRO METABOLISM OF PYRETHROIDS IN RAT LIVER MICROSOMES

SJ Godin1, RA Harrison2 MF. Hughes 2, MJ DeVito2; 1Curriculum In Toxicology, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill NC, USA; 2ETD, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711, USA.

Pyrethroids are neurotoxic pesticides that bin...

THE INFLUENCE OF PARTICULATE MATTER OF AMBIENT ORIGIN UPON INDOOR RESIDENTIAL MASS CONCENTRATIONS INVOLVING SENSITIVE SUBPOPULATIONS-RESULTS FROM LONGITUDINAL PANEL STUDIES

EPA Science Inventory

The US EPA has completed field data collections from a series of longitudinal particulate matter (PM) exposure panel field studies. These studies were conducted in Baltimore, Maryland (1998), Fresno, California (1999), and Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina (2000-2001) ...

HEPATOTOXIC EVALUATION OF THE BINARY INTERACTIONS OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE WITH CHLOROFORM, CHLORODIBROMOMETHANE AND BROMOFORM

EPA Science Inventory

HEPATOTOXIC EVALUATION OF THE BINARY INTERACTIONS OF BROMODICHLOROMETHANE (BDCM) WITH CHLOROFORM (CHC13), CHLORODIBROMOMETHANE (CDBM) AND BROMOFORM (CHBr3). Y M Se'', C Gennings2, A McDonald', L K Teuschler3, A Hamm2and J E Simmons .'NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC; 2MCV, VCU, Ric...

METABOLISM OF VINCLOZOLIN AND ITS METABOLITES IN RATS

EPA Science Inventory

ETD-04-008

METABOLISM OF VINCLOZOLIN AND ITS METABOLITES IN RAT. A Sierra-Santoyo1, R Harrison2, H A Barton2 and M F Hughes2. 1Toxicology Section, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico; 2USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC.

Vinclozolin (V) is a fungicide used in agricultural...

COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS FOR COUNTING HUMAN SPERMATOZOA

EPA Science Inventory

COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS FOR COUNTING HUMAN SPERMATOZOA SC Jeffay1, LF Strader1, RA Morris1, JE Schmid1, AF Olshan2, LW Lansdell2, SD Perreault1. 1US EPA/ORD, RTP, NC; 2UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC.
The IDENT feature of the HTM-IVOS semen analyzer (Hamilton Thorne Research, Bev...

GENETIC DIFFERENCES IN IN VIVO/IN VITRO AIRWAY INJURY AND INFLAMMATION AFTER OIL FLY ASH EXPOSURE

EPA Science Inventory

GENETIC DIFFERENCES IN IN VIVO/ IN VITRO AIRWAY INJURY/ INFLAMMATION AFTER OIL FLY ASH EXPOSURE

Janice Dye, Debora Andrews, Judy Richards, Annette King*, Urmila Kodavanti. US EPA & *SEE Program, RTP, NC.

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and progres...

HPLC ANALYSIS OF VINCLOZOLIN AND ITS METABOLITES IN SERUM

EPA Science Inventory

HPLC ANALYSIS OF VINCLOZOLIN AND ITS METABOLITES IN SERUM. A Sierra-Santoyo1,2, H A Barton1 and M F Hughes1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, RTP, NC; 2Toxicology Section, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.

The fungicide vinclozolin (V) is used predominantly for treatment...

THE EFFECT OF SIZE FRACTIONED PARTICULATE MATTER ON HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS IN VITRO

EPA Science Inventory

THE EFFECT OF SIZE FRACTIONATED PARTICULATE MATTER ON HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS IN VITRO. LA Dailey1, C Sioutas2, JM Soukup1, S Becker1, RB Devlin1. 1National Health & Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, USEPA, RTP, NC,USA; 2USC, Civil & Environmental Engineering, LA, ...

IMPACT OF BODY WEIGHT CHANGE ON THE EDSTAC TIER 1 MALE AND FEMALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOLS

EPA Science Inventory

IMPACT OF BODY WEIGHT CHANGE ON THE EDSTAC TIER I MALE AND FEMALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOLS. R.L. Cooper, T.E. Stoker, K. McElroy, J. Ferrell, K. Leffler, K. Bremser and S.C. Laws. Endocrinology Branch, Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC. Sponsor: R.J. Kavl...

INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIAL ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF SEALANTS USED IN HVAC SYSTEMS: JOURNAL ARTICLE

EPA Science Inventory

NRMRL-RTP-P- 530a Foarde, K.K., VanOsdell, D.W., and Menetrez*, M.Y. Investigation of the Potential Antimicrobial Efficacy of Sealants Used in HVAC Systems. Published in: Journal of Air and Waste Management Association 51 (8):1219-1226 (2001). 07/06/2000 The paper gives result...

ANTIANDROGENIC EFFECTS OF VINCLOZOLIN ON MALE RATS ARE PARTIALLY ATTENUATED BY TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE

EPA Science Inventory

ANTIANDROGENIC EFFECTS OF VINCLOZOLIN ON MALE RATS ARE PARTIALLY ATTENUATED BY TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE

Cynthia Wolf1,2 , Joe Ostby1, Jonathan Furr 1, Gerald A. LeBlanc2, and L. Earl Gray, Jr.1
1 US Environmental Protection Agency, NHEERL, RTD, RTP, NC 27711, 2 Departmen...

DOSE-RESPONSE BEHAVIOR OF ANDROGENIC AND ANTIANDROGENIC CHEMICALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR LOW-DOSE EXTRAPOLATION AND CUMULATIVE TOXICITY

EPA Science Inventory

DOSE-RESPONSE BEHAVIOR OF ANDROGENIC AND ANTIANDROGENIC CHEMICALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR LOW-DOSE EXTRAPOLATION AND CUMULATIVE TOXICITY. LE Gray Jr, C Wolf, J Furr, M Price, C Lambright, VS Wilson and J Ostby. USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, EB, RTD, RTP, NC, USA.
Dose-response behavior of a...

MASCULINIZATION OF FEMALE RATS BY PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE IS PARTIALLY ATTENUATED BY VINCLOZOLIN

EPA Science Inventory

MASCULINIZATION OF FEMALE RATS BY PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE IS PARTIALLY ATTENUATED BY VINCLOZOLIN
Cynthia Wolf1,2, Gerald LeBlanc2, Andrew Hotchkiss3, Jonathan Furr1, L Earl Gray, Jr.1
1USEPA, Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC 27711, 2Dept. Molecular and En...

Fourteen Years of Assessment: Regents' Testing Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridges, Jean Bolen

In 1972, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia instituted the Regents' Testing Program (RTP) to provide systemwide information on the status of student competence in reading and writing and to provide a uniform means of identifying those students who fail to attain minimum levels of competence in these areas. Since 1972, some…

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUOTOXICITY EVALUATION OF MIXTURES OF MONO- AND DIMETHYL TIN IN DRINKING WATER OF RATS.

EPA Science Inventory

Developmental Neurotoxicity Evaluation of Mixtures of Mono- and Dimethyl Tin in Drinking Water of Rats

V.C. Moser, K.L. McDaniel, P.M. Phillips

Neurotoxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA

Organotins, especially monomethyl (MMT) and dimethyl (D...

DEVELOPMENT OF 3-D COMPUTER MODELS OF HUMAN LUNG MORPHOLOGY FOR IMPROOVED RISK ASSESSMENT OF INHALED PARTICULATE MATTER

EPA Science Inventory

DEVELOPMENT OF 3-D COMPUTER MODELS OF HUMAN LUNG MORPHOLOGY FOR IMPROVED RISK ASSESSMENT OF INHALED PARTICULATE MATTER

Jeffry D. Schroeter, Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; Ted B. Martonen, ETD, NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC 27711; Do...

COMPARISON OF PBPK MODELING SOFTWARE FEATURES AND APPROACHES TO MODELING IMPORTNAT PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL BEHAVIORS

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract for 40th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, March 25-29, 2001

COMPARISON OF PBPK MODELING SOFTWARE FEATURES AND APPROACHES TO MODELING IMPORTANT PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL BEHAVIORS. R S DeWoskin and R W Setzer. USEPA/ORD/NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA.

...

RELTIVE POTENCIES OF SELECTED DIHALOACETATES AND THEIR MAJOR METABOLITES IN RODENT WHOLE EMBRYO CULTURE

EPA Science Inventory

Relative potencies of selected dihaloacetic acids and their major metabolites in rodent whole embryo culture.

S. Hunter, M. Blanton, E. Rogers
RTD, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711

Haloacetic acids (HAA) are produced by disinfection and present in tap water. S...

COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGY: FRAMEWORK, PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. SEPTEMBER 29-30, 2003, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract

The EPA sponsored a workshop held September 29-30, 2003 at the EPA in RTP that was focused on a proposal entitled "A Framework for a Computational Toxicology Research Program in ORD" (www.epa.gov/computox). Computational toxicology is a new research ini...

IN VITRO ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY OF KRAFT MILL EFFLUENT IS ASSOCIATED WITH MASCULINIZATION OF FEMALE FISH

EPA Science Inventory

In Vitro Androgenic Activity of Kraft Mill Effluent is Associated with Masculinization of Female Fish. Lambright, CS 1 , Parks, LG 1, Orlando, E 2, Guillette, LJ, Jr.2, Ankley, G 3, Gray, LE, Jr.1 , 1USEPA, NHEERL, RTP, NC, 2 University of Florida, Dept. of Zoology, Gainesville ...

Nonmonotonic dose response curves (NMDRCs) are common after Estrogen or Androgen signaling pathway disruption. Fact or Falderal?##

EPA Science Inventory

Nonmonotonic dose response curves (NMDRCs) are common after Estrogen or Androgen signaling pathway disruption. Fact or Falderal? Leon Earl Gray Jr, USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, TAD, RTB. RTP, NC, USA The shape of the dose response curve in the low dose region has been debated since th...

THE ENDOCRINE PROFILE OF INTACT FEMALE RATS ON THE DAY OF PROESTRUS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO ATRAZINE

EPA Science Inventory

The Endocrine Profile of Intact Female Rats on the Day of Proestrus Following Exposure to Atrazine.
RL Cooper, A Buckalew, SC Laws and TE Stoker
Endocrinology Branch, RTD, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, 27711.

The chlorotriazine herbicide, atrazine, has been sho...

PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO PROPAZINE AND ATRAZINE METABOLITES, DIAMINO-S-CHLOROTRIAZINE AND HYDROXYATRAZINE

EPA Science Inventory

PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO PROPAZINE AND ATRAZINE METABOLITES, DIAMINO-S-CHLOROTRIAZINE AND HYDROXYATRAZINE. S C Laws, J M Ferrell, T E Stoker, and R L Cooper. Endocrinology Branch, RTD, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA. Sponser: R J K...

A NOVEL PNYSIOLOGICALLY BASED PHARMACOKINETIC (PBPK) MODEL FOR DIMETHYLARSINIC ACID (DMA): THE LUNG AS A STORAGE COMPARTMENT

EPA Science Inventory

A NOVEL PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED PHARMACOKINETIC (PBPK) MODEL FOR DIMETHYLARSINIC ACID (DMA): THE LUNG AS A STORAGE COMPARTMENT. Evans, M.V., Hughes, M.F., and Kenyon, E.M. USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC 27711

DMA is the major methylated metabolite of inorganic arsenic, a kno...

PERIPUBERTAL DEHP EXPOSURE INHIBITS ANDROGEN-DEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

EPA Science Inventory

Peripubertal DEHP exposure inhibits androgen-dependent development in Sprague-Dawley rats.

N.C. Noriega, J. Furr, C. Lambright, V.S. Wilson and L.E. Gray.

noriega.nigel@epa.gov

US EPA, MD-72 RTD, NHEERL, ORD, RTP, NC 27711

The plasticizer Di (2-ethylhe...

EFFECT OF ARSENICALS ON THE EXPRESSION OF CELL CYCLE PROTEINS AND EARLY SIGNALING EVENTS IN PRIMARY HUMAN KERATINOCYTES.

EPA Science Inventory

Effect of Arsenicals on the Expression of Cell Cycle Proteins and Early Signaling Events in Primary Human Keratinocytes.

Mudipalli, A, Owen R. D. and R. J. Preston, Environmental Carcinogenesis Division, USEPA, RTP, NC 27711.

Environmental exposure to arsenic is a m...

COMPARING ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT PCBS TO TCDD

EPA Science Inventory

COMPARING ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT PCBS TO TCDD. D E Burgin1, J J Diliberto2 and L S Birnbaum3.1UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2USEPA/ORD/NHEERL, ETD, RTP, NC, USA

Environmental exposures to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) always occur as part of a complex mixture. ...

Evaluating the impacts of real-time pricing on the usage of wind generation

DOE PAGES

Sioshansi, Ramteen; Short, Walter

2009-02-13

One of the impediments to large-scale use of wind generation within power systems is its nondispatchability and variable and uncertain real-time availability. Operating constraints on conventional generators such as minimum generation points, forbidden zones, and ramping limits as well as system constraints such as power flow limits and ancillary service requirements may force a system operator to curtail wind generation in order to ensure feasibility. Furthermore, the pattern of wind availability and electricity demand may not allow wind generation to be fully utilized in all hours. One solution to these issues, which could reduce these inflexibilities, is the use ofmore » real-time pricing (RTP) tariffs which can both smooth-out the diurnal load pattern in order to reduce the impact of binding unit operating and system constraints on wind utilization, and allow demand to increase in response to the availability of costless wind generation. As a result, we use and analyze a detailed unit commitment model of the Texas power system with different estimates of demand elasticities to demonstrate the potential increases in wind generation from implementing RTP.« less

Geomagnetic Survey to Explore High-Temperature Geothermal System in Blawan-Ijen, East Java, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daud, Yunus; Rosid, Syamsu; Fahmi, Fikri; Yunus, Faris Maulana; Muflihendri, Reza

2018-02-01

Ijen geothermal area is high-temperature geothermal system located in Bondowoso regency, East Java. It is categorized as caldera-hosted geothermal system which is covered by quaternary andesitic volcanic rocks with steep topography at the surrounding. Several surface thermal manifestations are found, such as altered rocks near Mt. Kukusan and a group of Blawan hotsprings in the northern part of the caldera. Geomagnetic survey was conducted at 72 stations which is distributed inside the caldera to delineate the existence of hydrothermal activity. Magnetic anomaly was obtained by reducing total magnetic measured on the field by IGRF and diurnal variation. Reduction to pole (RTP) method was applied with geomagnetic inclination of about -32°. In general, the result shows that high magnetic anomaly is distributed at the boundary of study area, while low magnetic anomaly is observed in the centre. The low anomaly indicates demagnetized rock that probably caused by hydrothermal activity. It has a good correlation with surface alteration observed close to Mt. Kukusan as well as high temperature reservoir drilled in the centre of caldera. Accordingly, the low magnetic anomaly also presents the possibility of geothermal reservoir in Ijen geothermal area.

Compact sources for eyesafe illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranova, N.; Pu, R.; Stebbins, K.; Bystryak, I.; Rayno, M.; Ezzo, K.; DePriest, C.

2017-02-01

Q-Peak has demonstrated a novel, compact, pulsed eyesafe laser architecture operating with <10 mJ pulse energies at repetition rates as high as 160 Hz. The design leverages an end-pumped solid-state laser geometry to produce adequate eyesafe beam quality (M2 4), while also providing a path towards higher-density laser architectures for pulsed eyesafe applications. The baseline discussed in this paper has shown a unique capability for high pulse repetition rates in a compact package, and offers additional potential for power scaling based on birefringence compensation. The laser consists of an actively Q-switched oscillator cavity producing pulse-widths <30 ns, and utilizing an end-pumped Nd: YAG gain medium with a Rubidium Titanyl Phosphate (RTP) electro-optical crystal. The oscillator provides an effective front-end-seed for an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), which utilizes Potassium Titanyl Arsenate (KTA) in a linear OPO geometry. This laser efficiently operates in the eyesafe band, and has been designed to fit within a volume of 3760 cm3. We will discuss details of the optical system design, modeled thermal effects and stress-induced birefringence, as well as experimental advantages of the end-pumped laser geometry, along with proposed paths to higher eyesafe pulse energies.

Patients presenting to an outpatient sport medicine clinic with concussion

PubMed Central

Ouellet, Jérôme; Boisvert, Leslie; Fischer, Lisa

2016-01-01

Abstract Objective To describe the characteristics of patients who presented to outpatient sport and exercise medicine clinics with concussion. Design Retrospective chart review of electronic medical records. Setting Three specialized sport and exercise medicine clinics in London, Ont. Participants A total of 283 patients presenting with concussion. Main outcome measures Data collected included demographic variables (age and sex), sport participation at the time of injury, previous medical history (including history of concussion), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) scores, and return-to-play (RTP) variables (delay and outcome). Results The mean age of patients presenting for care was 17.6 years; 70.9% of patients were younger than 18 years of age (considered pediatric patients); 58.8% of patients were male; and 31.7% of patients had a previous history of concussion. The main sports associated with injury were hockey (40.0%), soccer (12.6%), and football (11.7%). Return to play was granted to 50.9% of patients before the 3-week mark and 80.2% of patients before 8 weeks. Total PCSS scores (maximum score was 132) and neck scores (part of the PCSS, maximum score was 6) were significantly higher in adults compared with pediatric patients (36.2 vs 27.6, P = .02, and 1.8 vs 1.2, P = .02, respectively). A significant difference was seen in RTP, with pediatric patients returning earlier than adults did (P = .04). This difference was not seen when comparing males with females (P = .07). Longer duration of follow-up did not influence RTP outcomes. Previous history of concussion was associated with restriction from contact or collision sports (P < .001). Conclusion Given the age and sex variability found in this study, as well as in previous published reports, it is important to manage each patient individually using current best available practice strategies to optimize long-term outcomes.

Zero TE-based pseudo-CT image conversion in the head and its application in PET/MR attenuation correction and MR-guided radiation therapy planning.

PubMed

Wiesinger, Florian; Bylund, Mikael; Yang, Jaewon; Kaushik, Sandeep; Shanbhag, Dattesh; Ahn, Sangtae; Jonsson, Joakim H; Lundman, Josef A; Hope, Thomas; Nyholm, Tufve; Larson, Peder; Cozzini, Cristina

2018-02-18

To describe a method for converting Zero TE (ZTE) MR images into X-ray attenuation information in the form of pseudo-CT images and demonstrate its performance for (1) attenuation correction (AC) in PET/MR and (2) dose planning in MR-guided radiation therapy planning (RTP). Proton density-weighted ZTE images were acquired as input for MR-based pseudo-CT conversion, providing (1) efficient capture of short-lived bone signals, (2) flat soft-tissue contrast, and (3) fast and robust 3D MR imaging. After bias correction and normalization, the images were segmented into bone, soft-tissue, and air by means of thresholding and morphological refinements. Fixed Hounsfield replacement values were assigned for air (-1000 HU) and soft-tissue (+42 HU), whereas continuous linear mapping was used for bone. The obtained ZTE-derived pseudo-CT images accurately resembled the true CT images (i.e., Dice coefficient for bone overlap of 0.73 ± 0.08 and mean absolute error of 123 ± 25 HU evaluated over the whole head, including errors from residual registration mismatches in the neck and mouth regions). The linear bone mapping accounted for bone density variations. Averaged across five patients, ZTE-based AC demonstrated a PET error of -0.04 ± 1.68% relative to CT-based AC. Similarly, for RTP assessed in eight patients, the absolute dose difference over the target volume was found to be 0.23 ± 0.42%. The described method enables MR to pseudo-CT image conversion for the head in an accurate, robust, and fast manner without relying on anatomical prior knowledge. Potential applications include PET/MR-AC, and MR-guided RTP. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Outcomes After Lumbar Disc Herniation in the National Basketball Association

PubMed Central

Minhas, Shobhit V.; Kester, Benjamin S.; Hsu, Wellington K.

2016-01-01

Background: Professional basketball players are at risk for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), yet the evidence guiding treatment after operative or nonoperative management of this condition in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is limited. Hypothesis: NBA players with LDH will have different performance outcomes based on treatment type. Study Design: Case-control study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Athletes in the NBA with an LDH were identified through team injury reports, transaction records, and public sports archives. A 1:2 case-control study was performed in which LDH players and players without LDH were matched for player variables. Statistical analysis was employed to compare pre- and postindex season performance (games played and player efficiency rating [PER]) and career longevity between test subjects and controls in the operatively treated (OT) and nonoperatively treated (NOT) cohorts. Results: A total of 61 NBA players with LDH were included, of whom 34 underwent discectomy and 27 were managed nonoperatively. Return-to-play (RTP) rates did not differ between NOT and OT players (77.8% vs 79.4%). When compared with controls, OT players played significantly fewer games and had a lower PER than controls during the first postoperative season, but no difference was seen 2 and 3 years after surgery, with no difference in postoperative career length. In contrast, no difference in games played or PER was seen between NOT players and controls, although NOT players played significantly fewer postindex seasons. Conclusion: NBA players have a high RTP rate regardless of type of treatment for LDH; however, postindex performance differs between surgically and nonoperatively managed patients when compared with players without an LDH. However, further studies with a larger sample size are required for more definitive recommendations. Clinical Relevance: There is a high RTP rate after LDH in the NBA, although postindex performance may differ based on operative versus nonoperative treatment. PMID:26502185

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography-based radiotherapy target volume definition in non-small-cell lung cancer: delineation by radiation oncologists vs. joint outlining with a PET radiologist?

PubMed

Hanna, Gerard G; Carson, Kathryn J; Lynch, Tom; McAleese, Jonathan; Cosgrove, Vivian P; Eakin, Ruth L; Stewart, David P; Zatari, Ashraf; O'Sullivan, Joe M; Hounsell, Alan R

2010-11-15

(18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has benefits in target volume (TV) definition in radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, an optimal protocol for TV delineation has not been determined. We investigate volumetric and positional variation in gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation using a planning PET/CT among three radiation oncologists and a PET radiologist. RTP PET/CT scans were performed on 28 NSCLC patients (Stage IA-IIIB) of which 14 patients received prior induction chemotherapy. Three radiation oncologists and one PET radiologist working with a fourth radiation oncologist independently delineated the GTV on CT alone (GTV(CT)) and on fused PET/CT images (GTV(PETCT)). The mean percentage volume change (PVC) between GTV(CT) and GTV(PETCT) for the radiation oncologists and the PVC between GTV(CT) and GTV(PETCT) for the PET radiologist were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Concordance index (CI) was used to assess both positional and volume change between GTV(CT) and GTV(PETCT) in a single measurement. For all patients, a significant difference in PVC from GTV(CT) to GTV(PETCT) exists between the radiation oncologist (median, 5.9%), and the PET radiologist (median, -0.4%, p = 0.001). However, no significant difference in median concordance index (comparing GTV(CT) and GTV(FUSED) for individual cases) was observed (PET radiologist = 0.73; radiation oncologists = 0.66; p = 0.088). Percentage volume changes from GTV(CT) to GTV(PETCT) were lower for the PET radiologist than for the radiation oncologists, suggesting a lower impact of PET/CT in TV delineation for the PET radiologist than for the oncologists. Guidelines are needed to standardize the use of PET/CT for TV delineation in RTP. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Determination of trace selenium by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence enhancing method based on potassium chlorate oxidizing phenyl hydrazine-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid system.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Ming; Cui, Xiao-Jie; Li, Lai-Ming; Fu, Geng-Min; Lin, Shao-Xian; Yang, Min-Lan; Xu, Mei-Ying; Wu, Zhi-Qun

2007-04-01

A new method for the determination of trace selenium based on solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) has been established. This method was based on the fact that in HCl-KCl buffer solution, potassium chlorate could oxidize phenyl hydrazine to form chloridize diazo-ion after being heated at 100 degrees C for 20 min, and then the diazo-ion reacted with 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid to form red azo-compound which could emit strong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on filter paper. Selenium could catalyze potassium chlorate oxidizing the reaction between phenyl hydrazine and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid, which caused the sharp enhancement of SS-RTP. Under the optimum condition, the relationship between the phosphorescence emission intensity (DeltaIp) and the content of selenium obeyed Beer's law when the concentration of selenium is within the range of 1.60-320 fg spot-1 (or 0.0040-0.80 ng ml-1 with a sample volume of 0.4 microl). The regression equation of working curve can be expressed as DeltaIp=13.12+0.4839CSe(IV) (fg spot-1) (n=6), with correlation coefficient r=0.9991 and a detection limit of 0.28 fg spot-1 (corresponding to a concentration range of 7.0x10(-13) g ml-1 Se(IV), n=11). After 11-fold measurement, R.S.D. were 2.8 and 3.5% for the samples containing 0.0040 and 0.80 ng ml-1 of Se(IV), respectively. This accurate and sensitive method with good repeatability has been successfully applied to the determination of trace selenium in Chinese wolfberry and egg yolk with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the enhancement of phosphorescence was also discussed.

Geological analysis of aeromagnetic data from southwestern Alaska: implications for exploration in the area of the Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, Eric D.; Hitzman, Murray W.; Monecke, Thomas; Bedrosian, Paul A.; Shah, Anjana K.; Kelley, Karen D.

2013-01-01

Aeromagnetic data are used to better understand the geology and mineral resources near the Late Cretaceous Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit in southwestern Alaska. The reduced-to-pole (RTP) transformation of regional-scale aeromagnetic data shows that the Pebble deposit is within a cluster of magnetic anomaly highs. Similar to Pebble, the Iliamna, Kijik, and Neacola porphyry copper occurrences are in magnetic highs that trend northeast along the crustal-scale Lake Clark fault. A high-amplitude, short- to moderate-wavelength anomaly is centered over the Kemuk occurrence, an Alaska-type ultramafic complex. Similar anomalies are found west and north of Kemuk. A moderate-amplitude, moderate-wavelength magnetic low surrounded by a moderate-amplitude, short-wavelength magnetic high is associated with the gold-bearing Shotgun intrusive complex. The RTP transformation of the district-scale aeromagnetic data acquired over Pebble permits differentiation of a variety of Jurassic to Tertiary magmatic rock suites. Jurassic-Cretaceous basalt and gabbro units and Late Cretaceous biotite pyroxenite and granodiorite rocks produce magnetic highs. Tertiary basalt units also produce magnetic highs, but appear to be volumetrically minor. Eocene monzonite units have associated magnetic lows. The RTP data do not suggest a magnetite-rich hydrothermal system at the Pebble deposit. The 10-km upward continuation transformation of the regional-scale data shows a linear northeast trend of magnetic anomaly highs. These anomalies are spatially correlated with Late Cretaceous igneous rocks and in the Pebble district are centered over the granodiorite rocks genetically related to porphyry copper systems. The spacing of these anomalies is similar to patterns shown by the numerous porphyry copper deposits in northern Chile. These anomalies are interpreted to reflect a Late Cretaceous magmatic arc that is favorable for additional discoveries of Late Cretaceous porphyry copper systems in southwestern Alaska.

Determination of trace selenium by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorescence enhancing method based on potassium chlorate oxidizing phenyl hydrazine-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jia-Ming; Cui, Xiao-Jie; Li, Lai-Ming; Fu, Geng-Min; Lin, Shao-Xian; Yang, Min-Lan; Xu, Mei-Ying; Wu, Zhi-Qun

2007-04-01

A new method for the determination of trace selenium based on solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) has been established. This method was based on the fact that in HCl-KCl buffer solution, potassium chlorate could oxidize phenyl hydrazine to form chloridize diazo-ion after being heated at 100 °C for 20 min, and then the diazo-ion reacted with 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid to form red azo-compound which could emit strong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on filter paper. Selenium could catalyze potassium chlorate oxidizing the reaction between phenyl hydrazine and 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid, which caused the sharp enhancement of SS-RTP. Under the optimum condition, the relationship between the phosphorescence emission intensity (Δ Ip) and the content of selenium obeyed Beer's law when the concentration of selenium is within the range of 1.60-320 fg spot -1 (or 0.0040-0.80 ng ml -1 with a sample volume of 0.4 μl). The regression equation of working curve can be expressed as Δ Ip = 13.12 + 0.4839 CSe(IV) (fg spot -1) ( n = 6), with correlation coefficient r = 0.9991 and a detection limit of 0.28 fg spot -1 (corresponding to a concentration range of 7.0 × 10 -13 g ml -1 Se(IV), n = 11). After 11-fold measurement, R.S.D. were 2.8 and 3.5% for the samples containing 0.0040 and 0.80 ng ml -1 of Se(IV), respectively. This accurate and sensitive method with good repeatability has been successfully applied to the determination of trace selenium in Chinese wolfberry and egg yolk with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the enhancement of phosphorescence was also discussed.

EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE AND AN ATRAZINE METABOLITE MIXTURE ON DIFFERENTIATED MAMMARY EPITHELIAL CELL MILK PROTEIN PRODUCTION IN CULTURE

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Atrazine and an Atrazine Metabolite Mixture on Differentiated Mammary Epithelial Cell Milk Protein Production in Culture

E.P. Hines, R. Barbee, M. Blanton, M.S. Pooler, and S.E. Fenton. US EPA, ORD/NHEERL, RTD, RTP, NC, 27711, USA.

Previous studies have ...

CYTOTOXICITY AND CELL SIGNALING IN MH-S CELLS: RELATIVE POTENCY OF DIESEL AND COAL COMBUSTION PARTICLES

EPA Science Inventory

Cytotoxicity and Cell Signaling in MH-S Cells: Relative Potency of Diesel and Coal Combustion Particles P. Singh1, Y. Kostetski2, M. Daniels1, T. Stevens3 and MI Gilmour 1USEPA, RTP, NC, 2National University of Singapore, Singapore, 3University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC<...

ASSESSING THE ALLERGIC POTENTIAL OF INDOOR AIR FUNGAL CONTAMINANTS

EPA Science Inventory

Assessing the Allergic Potential of Indoor Air Fungal Contaminants
Marsha D W Ward1, Michael E Viana2, Yonjoo Chung3, Najwa Haykal-Coates1, Lisa B Copeland1, Steven H Gavett1, and MaryJane K Selgrade1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA. 2NCSU, CVM, Raleigh, NC, USA, 3 UNC, S...

THE IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN IGE-INDUCING PROTEIN IN METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE EXTRACT

EPA Science Inventory

The Identification and Characterization of an IgE-Inducing Protein in Metarhizium anisopliae Extract

Marsha D.W. Ward1, Lisa B. Copeland1, Maura J. Donahue2, and Jody A. Shoemaker3
1ORD, NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC; 2Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Cincinnati...

ASSESSMENT OF A CRUDE FUNGAL (METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE) EXTRACT AND IT'S COMPONENTS FOR ALLERGENICITY

EPA Science Inventory

ASSESSMENT OF A CRUDE FUNGAL (METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE) EXTRACT AND IT'S COMPONENTS FOR ALLERGENICITY. M D W Ward1, M E Viana2, L B Copeland1, and MJ K Selgrade1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA. 2NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Metarhizium anisopli...

ASSESSING ALLERGENICITY OF INDOOR AIR FUNGAL CONTAMINANTS

EPA Science Inventory

Assessing Allergenicity of Indoor Air Fungal Contaminants
M D W Ward1, M E Viana2, N Haykal-Coates1, L B Copeland1, S H Gavett1, and MJ K Selgrade1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA. 2NCSU, CVM, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Rationale: The indoor environment has increased in impor...

THE ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL OF INDOOR AIR FUNGAL CONTAMINANTS

EPA Science Inventory

The Allergenic Potential of Indoor Air Fungal Contaminants
Marsha D W Ward1, Michael E Viana2, Yongjoo Chung3, Najwa Haykal-Coates1, Lisa B Copeland1, Steven H Gavett1, and MaryJane K Selgrade1. 1US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC, USA. 2NCSU, CVM, Raleigh, NC, USA, 3 UNC, SPH,...

ASSESSMENT OF IMMUNE RESPONSES TO PENICILLIUM CHRYSOGENUM AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS ALLERGENS

EPA Science Inventory

Assessment of immune responses to Penicillium chrysogenum and characterization of its allergens

Yongjoo Chung1, Michael E Viana2, Lisa B Copeland3, and MaryJane K Selgrade3, Marsha D W Ward3. 1 UNC, SPH, Chapel Hill, NC, 2NCSU, CVM, Raleigh, NC, 3US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP,...

Inorganic arsenic in starchy roots, tubers, and plantain and assessment of cancer risk of sub-Saharan African populations

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Starchy roots, tubers, and plantain (RTP) are the staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, and also important energy sources in Asia, Europe, and America. In this work, inorganic arsenic (iAs) in these crops was quantified by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) after solid phase e...

EFFECT OF AN ACUTE EXPOSURE TO MOLINATE ON OVULATION IN THE LONG-EVANS HOODED RAT

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECT OF AN ACUTE EXPOSURE TO MOLINATE ON OVULATION IN THE LONG-EVANS HOODED RAT. T E Stoker, D L Guidici, S C Jeffay, W K McElroy, S D Perreault and R L Cooper. Reproductive Toxicology Division, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC. Sponsor: RJ Kavlock.
Molinate, a thiocarbamate ...

EAST VERSUS WEST IN THE US: CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PM 2.5 DURING THE WINTER OF 1999

EPA Science Inventory

The chemical composition of PM2.5 was investigated at four sites (Rubidoux, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Philadelphia, PA, and RTP, NC) in January and February of 1999. Three samplers were used to determine both the overall mass and the chemical composition of the aerosol. Teflon filters wer...

Examining Equity in Texas Public School Funding

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bingham, Wayne; Jones, Timothy B.; Jackson, Sherion H.

2007-01-01

This research examined the level of equity of the public school funding system in Texas that in September of 2004 was held to be unconstitutional by a state district judge. The study also introduces a mechanism, referred to as the Revenue-to-Population Index or RTP Index, which compares funding equity within the unconstitutional system among 1031…

ALTERED RA SIGNALING IN THE GENESIS OF ETHANOL-INDUCED LIMB DEFECTS

EPA Science Inventory

Altered RA Signaling in the Genesis of Ethanol-Induced Limb Defects

Johnson CS(1), Sulik KK(1,2) Hunter, ES III(3)
(1) Dept of Cell and Developmental Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill (2) Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, UNC-CH (3) NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC

Administr...

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEPATIC MICROSOMAL THYROXINE GLUCURONIDATION AND TOTAL SERUM THYROXINE CONCENTRATIONS IN RATS TREATED WITH PCDDS, PCDFS AND PCBS

EPA Science Inventory

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEPATIC MICROSOMAL THYROXINE GLUCURONIDATION AND TOTAL SERUM THYROXINE CONCENTRATIONS IN RATS TREATED WITH PCDDs, PCDFs AND PCBs. D G Ross, K M Crofton, M J DeVito, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC.
Many PHAHs decrease thyroxine (T4), possibly due to inducti...

CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBONS' PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN RELATION TO THEIR MERCURY ADSORPTION: SYMPOSIUM/CONFERENCE

EPA Science Inventory

SYMPOS/CONF NRMRL-RTP-P-597 Li*, Y.H., Lee*, C.W., and Gullett*, B.K. Characterization of Activated Carbons' Physical and Chemical Properties in Relation to their Mercury Adsorption. Carbon '01, Lexington, KY, 7/14-19/01. 2001. EPA/600/A-01/075 (NTIS PB2002- 100291). 04/05/200...

XFAS SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS OF SELECTED HAP ELEMENTS IN FINE PM DERIVED FROM COAL COMBUSTION: JOURNAL ARTICLE

EPA Science Inventory

NRMRL-RTP-P-646 Shoji, T., Huggins, F.E., Huffman, G.P., Linak*, W.P., and Miller*, C.A. XFAS Spectroscopy Analysis of Selected HAP Elements in Fine PM Derived from Coal Combustion. Energy and Fuels 16 (2): (2002). 11/30/2001 X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscop...

40 CFR 62.15130 - What types of operator certification must the chief facility operator and shift supervisor obtain...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Requirements for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Good Combustion Practices: Operator Certification § 62.15130 What types of operator certification must the chief....W. Alexander Drive, Room C521C, RTP, NC 27709 or at the National Archives and Records Administration...

40 CFR 62.15130 - What types of operator certification must the chief facility operator and shift supervisor obtain...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Requirements for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Good Combustion Practices: Operator Certification § 62.15130 What types of operator certification must the chief....W. Alexander Drive, Room C521C, RTP, NC 27709 or at the National Archives and Records Administration...

40 CFR 62.15130 - What types of operator certification must the chief facility operator and shift supervisor obtain...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Requirements for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Good Combustion Practices: Operator Certification § 62.15130 What types of operator certification must the chief....W. Alexander Drive, Room C521C, RTP, NC 27709 or at the National Archives and Records Administration...

40 CFR 62.15130 - What types of operator certification must the chief facility operator and shift supervisor obtain...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Requirements for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Good Combustion Practices: Operator Certification § 62.15130 What types of operator certification must the chief....W. Alexander Drive, Room C521C, RTP, NC 27709 or at the National Archives and Records Administration...

40 CFR 62.15130 - What types of operator certification must the chief facility operator and shift supervisor obtain...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Requirements for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units Constructed on or Before August 30, 1999 Good Combustion Practices: Operator Certification § 62.15130 What types of operator certification must the chief....W. Alexander Drive, Room C521C, RTP, NC 27709 or at the National Archives and Records Administration...

Rough and Tumble Play Quality: Theoretical Foundations for a New Measure of Father-Child Interaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fletcher, Richard; StGeorge, Jennifer; Freeman, Emily

2013-01-01

Energetic, competitive, body-contact play (rough and tumble play (RTP)) is commonly observed among young children and is reported as an important feature of father-child relationships. Animal studies have demonstrated positive developmental effects of peer-peer play-wrestling, influencing cognitive and social outcomes. The purpose of this paper is…

THE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK PARTICULATE MATTER PANEL STUDY: MODELING AMBIENT SOURCE CONTRIBUTION TO PERSONAL AND RESIDENTIAL PM MASS CONCENTRATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

The Research Triangle Park (RTP) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel Study represented a one-year investigation of personal, residential and ambient PM mass concentrations across distances as large as 70 km in central North Carolina. One of the primary goals of this effort was to est...

EVIDENCE FOR EGFR PATHWAY MEDIATION OF CLEFT PALATE INDUCTION BY TCDD

EPA Science Inventory

EVIDENCE FOR EGFR PATHWAY MEDIATION OF CLEFT PALATE INDUCTION BY TCDD. B D Abbott, A R Buckalew, and K E Leffler. RTD, NHEERL, ORD,US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is teratogenic in C57BL/6J mice, producing cleft palate (CP) after exposure...

ANALYSIS OF ANDROGEN- AND EGF-RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN THE FETAL RAT PHALLUS AFTER EXPOSURE TO VINCLOZOLIN

EPA Science Inventory

Analysis of Androgen- and EGF-Receptor Expression in the Fetal Rat Phallus After Exposure to Vinclozolin
Cynthia Wolf1,2, Barbara Abbott1, Gerald A. LeBlanc2, and L. Earl Gray, Jr.1
1USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTD, RTP, NC 27711, 2NCSU, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Ral...

REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS OF THE WATER DISINFECTANT BYPRODUCT BROMOCHLOROACETIC ACID (BCA) IN ADULT AND JUVENILE MALE C57BL/6 MICE

EPA Science Inventory

REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS OF THE WATER DISINFECTANT BYPRODUCT BROMOCHLOROACETIC ACID (BCA) IN ADULT AND JUVENILE MALE C57BL/6 MICE.
JC Rockett, JC Luft, JB Garges and DJ Dix. Reproductive Toxicology Division, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA.
Sponsor: G Klinefelter
The development of wate...

CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATE STUDIES IN HEALTHY AND COMPROMISED RODENTS

EPA Science Inventory

CONCENTRATED AMBIENT PARTICULATE STUDIES IN HEALTHY AND COMPROMISED RODENTS. WP Watkinson1, LB Wichers2, JP Nolan1, DW Winsett1, UP Kodavanti1, MCJ Schladweiler1, LC Walsh1, ER Lappi1, D Terrell1, R Slade1, AD Ledbetter1, and DL Costa1. 1USEPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD/PTB, RTP, NC, US...

LOCALIZATION, FERTILITY INHIBITION, AND EPITOPE MAPS USING ANTIBODIES TO THE SPERM PROTEIN SP22

EPA Science Inventory

LOCALIZATION, FERTILITY INHIBITION, AND EPITOPE MAPS USING ANTIBODIES TO THE SPERM PROTEIN SP22. GR Klinefelter1, JE Welch*1, HDM Moore*2, K Bobseine*1, J Suarez*1 ,N Roberts*1 ,R Zucker *1 1U.S. EPA, NHEERL, Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC and 2University of Sheffield...

NANOMETER DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICLES ARE NEUROTOXIC TO DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS THROUGH MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION.

EPA Science Inventory

NANOMETER DIESEL EXHAUST PARTICLES ARE NEUROTOXIC TO DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS THROUGH MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION. M.L. Block1,2, X. Wu1, P. Zhong1, G. Li1, T. Wang1, J.S. Hong1 & B.Veronesi.2
1The Laboratory of Pharmacology and Chemistry, NIEHS, RTP, NC and 2 National Health and Envi...

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS AND CLEARANCE ON THE COMPARATIVE RECEPTOR BINDING POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS

EPA Science Inventory

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS AND CLEARANCE ON THE COMPARATIVE RECEPTOR BINDING POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS. JG Teeguarden1 and HA Barton2. 1ENVIRON International, Ruston LA; 2US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, Pharmacokinetics Branch, RTP, NC.

One measure of th...

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS AND FEEDBACK CONTROL OF SERUM ESTRADIOL LEVELS ON THE COMPARATIVE POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS

EPA Science Inventory

THE INFLUENCE OF SERUM BINDING PROTEINS ON THE COMPARATIVE RECEPTOR BINDING POTENCY OF ENDOCRINE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS. JG Teeguarden1 and HA Barton2. 1ICF Consulting, Research Triangle Park NC; 2US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, Pharmacokinetics Branch, RTP, NC.

Accurate comparison of...

ABILITY OF THE MALE RAT PUBERTAL ASSAY TO DETECT ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS THAT ALTER THYROID HORMONE HOMEOSTASIS

EPA Science Inventory

ABILITY OF THE MALE RAT PUBERTAL ASSAY TO DETECT ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICALS THAT ALTER THYROID HORMONE HOMEOSTASIS

Stoker, Tammy E.1; Laws, Susan C.1; Ferrell, Janet M.1; Cooper, Ralph L.1.

Endocrinology Branch, RTD, NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC, 27711.

The...

INHIBITION OF TOBACCO SMOKE-INDUCED LUNG INFLAMMATION BY A CATALYTIC ANTIOXIDANT

EPA Science Inventory

AMathematical Model for the Kinetics of the Male Reproductive Endocrine System

Laura K. Potter1,2, H.A. Barton2 and R.W. Setzer2
1Curriculum in Toxicology, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC; 2US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, RTP, NC

In this presentation a model for the hormonal regul...

Virtual Reality Transfer Protocol (VRTP): Implementing a Monitor Application for the Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) Using the JAVA Media Framework (JMF)

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-01

application, a complete specification will require one or more companion documents, as follows. 1. Profile Specification Documents A Profile...Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil 21. Diretoria de Sistemas de Armas da Marinha Rua Primeiro de Marco, 118 Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil CEP 20010 22

AMBIENT PARTICULATE MATTER EXPOSURES: A COMPARISON OF SHEDS-PM EXPOSURE MODEL PREDICTIONS AND ESTIMATES DERIVED FROM MEASUREMENTS COLLECTED DURING NERL'S RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

The US EPA National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) is currently refining and evaluating a population exposure model for particulate matter (PM), called the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation (SHEDS-PM) model. The SHEDS-PM model estimates the population distribu...

INFLUENCE OF TYPE II DIABETES AND OBESITY ON THE DISPOSITION AND ELIMINATION OF TCDD IN MICE

EPA Science Inventory

INFLUENCE OF TYPE II DIABETES AND OBESITY ON THE DISPOSTION AND ELIMINATION OF TCDD IN MICE. MJ DeVito', JJ Diliberto', DG Ross', C Emond2, VM Richardson', and LS Birnbaum', 'ETD, NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, 27711, USA, 2National Research Council.
One possible explanation fo...

DETERMINING COARSE PARTICULATE MATTER CONCENTRATIONS: A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATE METHODOLOGIES - STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS FROM THE RTP EQUIPMENT SHAKEDOWN

EPA Science Inventory

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of candidate sampling methods for potential use as a Federal Reference Method (FRM) capable of providing an estimate of coarse particle (PMc: particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 um and 10 um...

AN IP3 RECEPTOR-SENSITIVE CALCIUM STORE MEDIATES DISTURBANCES IN INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM UPON EXPOSURE TO AROCLOR 1254 AND ORTHO-SUBSTITUTED PCBS.

EPA Science Inventory

An IP3 Receptor-Sensitive Ca2+ Store Mediates Disturbances In Intracellular Ca2+ Upon Exposure To Aroclor 1254 And Ortho-Substituted PCBs JR Inglefield, WR Mundy, and TJ Shafer. Neurotoxicol. Div., NHEERL, US EPA, RTP, NC. Sponsor: L Birnbaum

Polychlorinated biphenyls (...

A DYNAMIC NONLINEAR MODEL OF OZONE-INDUCED FEV1 RESPONSE UNDER CHANGING EXPOSURE CONDITIONS

EPA Science Inventory

A Dynamic Nonlinear Model of Ozone-induced FEV1 Response under Changing Exposure Conditions. 1WF McDonnell, 2PW Stewart, 3MV Smith. 1Human Studies Division, NHEERL, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC. 2University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. 3ASI, Durham, NC.

Ozone exposure result...

GENERATION OF TWO NOVEL CELL LINES THAT STABLY EXPRESS HAR AND FIREFLY LUCIFERASE GENES FOR ENDOCRINE SCREENING

EPA Science Inventory

Generation of Two Novel Cell Lines that Stably Express hAR and Firefly Luciferase Genes for Endocrine Screening
K.L. Bobseine*1, W.R. Kelce2, P.C. Hartig*1, and L.E. Gray, Jr.1
1USEPA, NHEERL, Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC, 2Searle, Reproductive Toxicology Divi...

RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR BRACE - PROVIDING NO AND SPECIFIC NO2 MEASUREMENTS FOR THE BRACE DATABASE DURING THE MAY '02 FIELD STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Three scientists from the EPA, RTP facility in Research Triangle Park, N.C. worked with the State of Florida and BRACE scientists to provide accurate and precise NO and specific NO2 measurements at two monitoring sites, the rural Sydney site and the near-bay, suburban Gandy sit...

EFFECTS OF HEAT AND BROMOCHLOROACETIC ACID ON MALE REPRODUCTION IN HEAT SHOCK FACTOR-1 GENE KNOCKOUT MICE

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of heat and bromochloroacetic acid on male reproduction in heat shock factor-1 gene knockout mice.
Luft JC1, IJ Benjamin2, JB Garges1 and DJ Dix1. 1Reproductive Toxicology Division, USEPA, RTP, NC, 27711 and 2Dept of Internal Medicine, Univ.of Texas Southwestern Med C...

TISSUE REMODELING IN THE HUMAN LUNG IN RELATION TO PARTICLE CONCENTRATION AND METAL CONTENT

EPA Science Inventory

TISSUE REMODELING IN THE HUMAN LUNG IN RELATION TO PARTICLE CONCENTRATION AND METAL CONTENT. J Gallagher1, J Inmon1, S Schlaegle2, A Levine2, T Rogers3, J Scott1, F Green4, M Schenker5, K Pinkerton5 1NHEERL, US-EPA, RTP, NC, USA; 2RJ Lee Group Inc, Monroeville, Pa, USA; ...

EFFECTS OF INDUCED RESPIRATORY CHANGES ON CARDIAC, VENTILATORY, AND THERMOREGULATORY PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF INDUCED RESPIRATORY CHANGES ON CARDIAC, VENTILATORY, AND THERMOREGULATORY PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS. LB Wichers1, WH Rowan2, DL Costa2, MJ Campen3 and WP Watkinson2 1UNC SPH, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2USEPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD/PTB, RTP, NC, USA; 3LRRI, A...

EFFECTS OF ALLERGIC AIRWAYS DISEASE ON INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION IN BROWN NORWAY RATS

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF ALLERGIC AIRWAYS DISEASE ON INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION IN BROWN NORWAY RATS (P. Singhl, D.W. Winsett2, M.J. Daniels2,
C.A.J. Dick', K.B. Adlerl and M.I. Gilmour2, INCSU, Raleigh, N.C., 2NHEERL/ORD/ USEPA, RTP, N.C. and 3UNC, Chapel Hill, N.C.)The interaction between ...

THE EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE METABOLITES ON PUBERTY AND THYROID FUNCTION IN THE MALE WISTAR RATS: AN EVALUATION IN THE MALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOL

EPA Science Inventory

The Effects of Atrazine Metabolites on Puberty in the Male Wistar Rat. D L Guidici, R L Cooper and T E Stoker. Endocrinology Branch, NHEERL, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC.
Sponsor: R J Kavlock.
Atrazine (ATR), a chlorotriazine herbicide, alters pubertal pr...

TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC (AS) AND ITS METHYLATED METABOLITES IN MICE FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ARSENATE (ASV)

EPA Science Inventory

TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC (iAs) AND ITS METHYLATED METABOLITES IN MICE FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ARSENATE (AsV). E M Kenyon1, L M Del Razo2, and M F Hughes1. 1NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA; 2CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.

The relationship o...

Human Ozone (O3) Exposure Alters Serum Profile of Lipid Metabolites

EPA Science Inventory

HUMAN OZONE (O3) EXPOSURE ALTERS SERUM PROFILE OF LIPID METABOLITES Miller, D B.1; Kodavanti, U P.2 Karoly, E D.3; Cascio W.E2, Ghio, A J. 21. UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., United States. 2. NHEERL, U.S. EPA, RTP, N.C., United States. 3. METABOLON INC., Durham, N.C., United...

PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO THE FUNGICIDE PROCHLORAZ ALTERS THE ONSET OF PARTURITION IN THE DAM AND SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION IN MALE RAT OFFSPRING

EPA Science Inventory

Prenatal Exposure to the Fungicide Prochloraz alters the onset of Parturition in
the Dam and Sexual Differentiation in Male Rat Offspring.
N. Noriega1; E. Gray1; J. Ostby1; C. Lambright1; V. Wilson1
1. RTD, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA;

Prochloraz...

ESTIMATING CHLOROFORM BIOTRANSFORMATION IN F-344 RAT LIVER USING IN VITRO TECHNIQUES AND PHARMACOKINETIC MODELING

EPA Science Inventory

ESTIMATING CHLOROFORM BIOTRANSFORMATION IN F-344 RAT LIVER USING IN VITRO TECHNIQUES AND PHARMACOKINETIC MODELING

Linskey, C.F.1, Harrison, R.A.2., Zhao, G.3., Barton, H.A., Lipscomb, J.C4., and Evans, M.V2., 1UNC, ESE, Chapel Hill, NC ; 2USEPA, ORD, NHEERL, RTP, NC; 3 UN...

INCREASED IL-8 AND IL-6 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS EXPOSED TO CARBON ULTRAFINE PARTICLES

EPA Science Inventory

INCREASED IL-6 AND IL-8 EXPRESSION IN HUMAN AIRWAY EPITHELIAL CELLS EXPOSED TO CARBON ULTRAFINE PARTICLES.
R Silbajoris1, A G Lenz2, I Jaspers3, J M Samet1. 1NHEERL, USEPA, RTP, NC, USA; 2GSF-Institute for Inhalation Biology, Neuherberg, Germany; 3 CEMLB, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, ...

EFFECT OF OIL COMBUSTION PARTICLE BIOAVAILABLE CONSTITUENTS ON EX VIVO VASCULAR FUNCTION OF AORTAS RECOVERED FROM NORMAL AND TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS

EPA Science Inventory

Effect of Oil Combustion Particle Bioavailable Constituents on Ex Vivo Vascular Function of Aortae Recovered from Healthy and Early Type 2 Diabetic Rats
KL Dreher1, SE Kelly2, SD Proctor2, and JC Russell2. 1National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, US EPA, RTP, NC;...

EVALUATION OF CHROMOMYCIN A3 ASSAY IN HUMAN SPERM AFTER SIMULATED OVERNIGHT SHIPMENT

EPA Science Inventory

EVALUATION OF CHROMOMYCIN A3ASSAY IN HUMAN SPERM AFTER SIMULATED OVERNIGHT SHIPMENT.
SC Jeffay1, R Morris Buus1, LF Strader1, AF Olshan2, DP Evenson3, SD Perreault1. 1US EPA/ORD, RTP, NC;2UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC;3SDSU, Brookings, SD.

Semen collection kits that allow ...

EFFECTS OF PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE AND VINCLOZOLIN ON PERINATAL AND INFANTILE DEVELOPMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE RATS

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Prenatal Testosterone Propionate and Vinclozolin on Perinatal and Infantile Development of Male and Female Rats
Cynthia Wolf1,2, Jonathan Furr1, Gerald A. LeBlanc2, and L. Earl Gray, Jr.1
1USEPA, NHEERL, RTD, EB, RTP, NC 27711, 2Dept. of Environmental and Molecu...

EFFECTS OF PRENATAL TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE RATS: A DOSE-RESPONSE STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Effects of Prenatal Testosterone Propionate on Sexual Development of Male and Female Rats: A Dose-Response Study
Cynthia Wolf1,2, Joe Ostby1*, Andrew Hotchkiss3, Gerald LeBlanc2, and L. Earl Gray, Jr.1
1USEPA, NHEERL, Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC; 2Dept. of To...

IN VITRO LUNG ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELL INJURY AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO PARTICULATE MATTER-ASSOCIATED METALS - MODULATION BY EXPOSURE TO TNF-ALPHA, IL-BETA, OR IFN-GAMMA

EPA Science Inventory

IN VITRO LUNG ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELL INJURY AND INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO PARTICULATE MATTER-ASSOCIATED METALS - MODULATION BY EXPOSURE TO TNF , IL-1 , OR IFN .

JA Dye, KE Peoples*, CL Hayes?. US EPA, ORD, Pulmonary Toxicology Branch, RTP, NC, *HHMI-SRI, NCSU, Raleigh, NC...

Racial Differences in Risk-Taking Propensity on the Youth Version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART-Y)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collado, Anahi; Risco, Cristina M.; Banducci, Anne N.; Chen, Kevin W.; MacPherson, Laura; Lejuez, Carl W.

2017-01-01

Research indicates that White adolescents tend to engage in greater levels of risk behavior relative to Black adolescents. To better understand these differences, the current study examined real-time changes in risk-taking propensity (RTP). The study utilized the Balloon Analogue Risk Task-Youth Version (BART-Y), a well-validated real-time,…

USING IN VIVO GAS UPDATE STUDIES TO ESTIMATE METABOLIC RATE CONSTANTS FOR CCL CHEMICALS: 1,1-DICHLOROPROPANE AND 2,2-DICHLOROPROPANE

EPA Science Inventory

USING IN VIVO GAS UPTAKE STUDIES TO ESTIMATE METABOLIC RATE CONSTANTS FOR CCL CHEMICALS: 1,1-DICHLOROPROPENE AND 2,2-DICHLOROPROPANE.
Mitchell, C T, Evans, M V, Kenyon, E M. NHEERL, U.S. EPA, ORD, ETD, RTP, NC

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 required ...

A DYNAMIC PHYSIOLOGICALLY-BASED TOXICOKINETIC (DPBTK) MODEL FOR SIMULATION OF COMPLEX TOLUENE EXPOSURE SCENARIOS IN HUMANS

EPA Science Inventory

A GENERAL PHYSIOLOGICAL AND TOXICOKINETIC (GPAT) MODEL FOR SIMULATION OF COMPLEX TOLUENE EXPOSURE SCENARIOS IN HUMANS. E M Kenyon1, T Colemen2, C R Eklund1 and V A Benignus3. 1U.S. EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, PKB, RTP, NC, USA; 2Biological Simulators, Inc., Jackson MS, USA, 3U.S. EP...

EXPOSURE PARAMETERS FOR DELAYED PUBERTY AND MAMMARY GLAND DEVELOPMENT IN LONG-EVANS RATS EXPOSED IN UTERO TO ATRAZINE

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure Parameters For Delayed Puberty And Mammary Gland Development In Long-Evans Rats Exposed In Utero To Atrazine

Jennifer L. Rayner1 and Suzanne E. Fenton2

1 UNC-Chapel Hill, DESE, Chapel Hill, NC, and 2 RTD, USEPA, NHEERL/ORD, RTP,NC

Prenatal exposure ...

DO BODY WEIGHT CHANGES IMPACT AGE OF PUBERTY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDPOINTS IN THE EDSP TIER 1 MALE AND FEMALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOLS?

EPA Science Inventory

DO BODY WEIGHT CHANGES IMPACT AGE OF PUBERTY AND REPRODUCTIVE ENDPOINTS IN THE EDSP TIER 1 MALE AND FEMALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOLS? T.E. Stoker, K. McElroy, J. Ferrell, K. Bremser, R. Cooper and S.C. Laws. Endocrinology Branch, RTD, NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC.

The relations...

ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE LUNG INJURY INDUCED BY PM 2.5 SAMPLES FROM TWO CITIES IN GERMANY WITH DIFFERING INCIDENCE OF ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA

EPA Science Inventory

ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE LUNG INJURY INDUCED BY PM 2.5 SAMPLES FROM TWO CITIES IN GERMANY WITH DIFFERING INCIDENCE OF ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA.

LR Bishop, J Heinrich*, MK Selgrade & MI Gilmour.
Experimental Toxicology Division, ORD/ NHEERL, U.S. EPA, RTP, NC. *GSF, Neuherberg,...

Purity Determination by Capillary Electrophoresis Sodium Hexadecyl Sulfate (CE-SHS): A Novel Application For Therapeutic Protein Characterization.

PubMed

Beckman, Jeff; Song, Yuanli; Gu, Yan; Voronov, Sergey; Chennamsetty, Naresh; Krystek, Stanley; Mussa, Nesredin; Li, Zheng Jian

2018-02-20

Capillary gel electrophoresis using sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE-SDS) is used commercially to provide quantitative purity data for therapeutic protein characterization and release. In CE-SDS, proteins are denatured under reducing or nonreducing conditions in the presence of SDS and electrophoretically separated by molecular weight and hydrodynamic radius through a sieving polymer matrix. Acceptable performance of this method would yield protein peaks that are baseline resolved and symmetrical. Nominal CE-SDS conditions and parameters are not optimal for all therapeutic proteins, specifically for Recombinant Therapeutic Protein-1 (RTP-1), where acceptable resolution and peak symmetry were not achieved. The application of longer alkyl chain detergents in the running buffer matrix substantially improved assay performance. Matrix running buffer containing sodium hexadecyl sulfate (SHS) increased peak resolution and plate count 3- and 8-fold, respectively, compared to a traditional SDS-based running gel matrix. At Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), we developed and qualified a viable method for the characterization and release of RTP-1 using an SHS-containing running buffer matrix. This work underscores the potential of detergents other than SDS to enhance the resolution and separation power of CE-based separation methods.

A highly sensitive solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry for carbaryl detection based on its activating effect on NaIO4 oxidizing fluorescein.

PubMed

Liu, Jiaming; Huang, Qitong; Liu, Zhen-bo; Lin, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Li-Hong; Lin, Chang-Qing; Zheng, Zhi-Yong

2014-11-01

Fluorescein (HFin) could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal on polyamide membrane (PAM) using Pb(2+) as the ion perturber. Carbaryl could activate effect on NaIO4 oxidating HFin, which caused the RTP signal of the system to quench sharply. The phosphorescence intensity (ΔI p) of activating system higher 3.3 times (119.4/36.0) than that of non-activating system, and is directly proportional to the content of carbaryl. Thus, an activating solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for carbaryl detection has been established. This sensitive (the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 2.0 × 10(-13) g mL(-1)), selective, simple and rapid method has been applied to determine trace carbaryl in water samples with the results consisting with those obtained by fluorimetry, showing its high accuracy. The apparent activation energy (E) and rate constant (k) of this activating reaction were 20.77 kJ mol(-1) and 1.85 × 10(-4) s(-1), respectively. Meanwhile, the mechanism of activating SSRTP for carbaryl detection was also discussed using infrared spectra (IR).

EFFECTS OF 2,2',4,4'-TETRABROMODIPHENYL ETHER ON CAR AND PXR REGULATED GENE EXPRESSION IN WEANLING FEMALE RATS

EPA Science Inventory

EFFECTS OF 2,2',4,4,'-TETRABROMODIPHENYL ETHER ON CAR AND PXR REGULATED GENE EXPRESSION IN WEANLING FEMALE RATS. V M RICHARDSON1, K M CROFTON2, AND M J DEVITO1. USEPA, ORD/NHEERL/ETD1/NTD2,RTP, NC, USA. The polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) mixture DE-71 (PBDEs) cause endo...

RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ALLERGIC-TYPE RESPONSES TO AN EXTRACT OF STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM IN BALB/C MICE

EPA Science Inventory

RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ALLERGIC-TYPE RESPONSES TO AN EXTRACT OF Stachybotrys chartarum IN BALB/C MICE. ME Viana1, N Haykal-Coates2, S H Gavett2, MJ Selgrade2, and M D W Ward2. 1APR/CVM, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA. 2NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA.
Rationale: assess the ab...

Two-Tiered-Testing Decision Tree for Assays in the USEPA-EDSP Screening Battery: Using 15 years of experience to improve screening and testing for endocrine active chemicals.

EPA Science Inventory

no abstract will be distributed, this is a local EDC forum presentation, identical to the talk and slides presented at recent meeting in RTP. The abstract for that meeting which has been cleared was as follows.In 1996 the Food Quality Protection and Safe Drinking Water Acts instr...

Temporal and Modal Characterization of DoD Source Air Toxic Emission Factors

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

Deviation RTP Research Triangle Park RWS Roadway Simulator S/N Signal Noise SDA Spray Dryer Catwalk Area STP Standard Pressure SVOC Semi...shutdown, and stationary idle conditions. A journal paper detailing the performance of REMPI-TOFMS in characterizing real-time air toxic emissions...the whole (benzene) dataset. The results are currently (July, 2009) being written into a paper prime- authored by Battelle. xvii

CONTRIBUTION OF INSPIRATORY FLOW TO ACTIVATION OF EGFR, RAS, MAPK, ATF-2 AND C-JUN DURING LUNG STRETCH

EPA Science Inventory

Contribution of Inspiratory Flow to Activation of EGFR, Ras, MAPK, ATF-2 and c-Jun during Lung Stretch

R. Silbajoris 1, Z. Li 2, J. M. Samet 1 and Y. C. Huang 1. 1 NHEERL, ORD, US EPA, RTP, NC and 2 CEMALB, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC .

Mechanical ventilation with larg...

CYP1A2 DOES NOT PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN 2, 3 7, 8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN-INDUCED IMMUNOSUPRESSION

EPA Science Inventory

CYP1A2 IS NOT REQUIRED FOR 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN-INDUCED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION Smialowicz, Ralph J1; Burgin, Deborah E2; Williams, Wanda C1; Diliberto, Janet J1; Birnbaum, Linda S1
1 Experimental Toxicology Division, US EPA, RTP, NC, USA; 2Curriculum in Toxicology, U...

Puerto Rican Bilingual Professionals Parents: Their Expectations, Motivations, and Practices in Support of Their Children's Education and Their Perceptions of Their Children's School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quinones, Norma Victoria Cordova Escalera de

2010-01-01

This research was designed as a qualitative study as it sought to address Puerto Rican bilingual professional parents' perceptions of their children's school experiences based in North Carolina. In this study, 6 Puerto Rican bilingual professional parents who live in the North Carolina Research Triangle Park (RTP) area were interviewed about their…

COMPARATIVE TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND URINARY EXCRETION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC (IAS) AND ITS METHYLATED METABOLITES IN MICE FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ARSENATE (ASV) AND ARSENITE (ASIII)

EPA Science Inventory

COMPARATIVE TISSUE DISTRIBUTION AND URINARY EXCRETION OF INORGANIC ARSENIC (iAs) AND ITS METHYLATED METABOLITES IN MICE FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF ARSENATE (AsV) AND ARSENITE (AsIII). E M Kenyon, L M Del Razo and M F Hughes. U.S. EPA, ORD, NHEERL, ETD, PKB, RTP, NC, USA; ...

DESIGNING STUDIES AND COLLECTING DATA USEFUL FOR CUMULATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT

EPA Science Inventory

DESIGNING STUDIES AND COLLECTING DATA USEFUL FOR CUMULATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT. J E Simmons1, C Gennings2, M Casey2, M J Plewa3, E D Wagner3, W H Carter, Jr.2, A McDonald1,Y M Sey1, L K Teuschler3 1NHEERL, ORD, U.S. EPA, RTP NC, USA; 2VCU, Richmond, VA, USA;3Univ. Illinois, Urba...

ASSESSMENT OF DE-71, A COMMERCIAL POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYLETHER (PBDE) MIXTURE, IN THE EDSP MALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOL

EPA Science Inventory

ASSESSMENT OF DE-71, A COMMERCIAL POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE) MIXTURE, IN THE EDSP MALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOL. T.E. Stoker1, J. Ferrell1, J.M. Hedge2, K. M. Crofton2, R.L. Cooper1 and S.C. Laws1. 1 Reprod. Tox. Div., 2 Neurotox. Div., NHEERL, ORD, USEPA, RTP, NC.

P...

Performance-Based Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Athletes Differ Between Sports.

PubMed

Mai, Harry T; Chun, Danielle S; Schneider, Andrew D; Erickson, Brandon J; Freshman, Ryan D; Kester, Benjamin; Verma, Nikhil N; Hsu, Wellington K

2017-08-01

Excellent outcomes have been reported for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in professional athletes in a number of different sports. However, no study has directly compared these outcomes between sports. To determine if differences in performance-based outcomes exist after ACLR between professional athletes of each sport. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes undergoing primary ACLR for an acute rupture were identified through an established protocol of injury reports and public archives. Sport-specific performance statistics were collected before and after surgery for each athlete. Return to play (RTP) was defined as a successful return to the active roster for at least 1 regular-season game after ACLR. Of 344 professional athletes who met the inclusion criteria, a total of 298 (86.6%) returned to play. NHL players had a significantly higher rate of RTP (95.8% vs 83.4%, respectively; P = .04) and a shorter recovery time (258 ± 110 days vs 367 ± 268 days, respectively; P < .001) than athletes in all the other sports. NFL athletes experienced significantly shorter careers postoperatively than players in all the other sports (2.1 vs 3.2 years, respectively; P < .001). All athletes played fewer games ( P ≤ .02) 1 season postoperatively, while those in the NFL had the lowest rate of active players 2 and 3 seasons postoperatively (60%; P = .002). NBA and NFL players showed decreased performance at season 1 after ACLR ( P ≤ .001). NFL players continued to have lower performance at seasons 2 and 3 ( P = .002), while NBA players recovered to baseline performance. The data indicate that NFL athletes fare the worst after ACLR with the lowest survival rate, shortest postoperative career length, and sustained decreases in performance. NHL athletes fare the best with the highest rates of RTP, highest survival rates, longest postoperative career lengths, and no significant changes in performance. The unique physical demand that each sport requires is likely one of the explanations for these differences in outcomes.

Evaluating metrics of local topographic position for multiscale geomorphometric analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newman, D. R.; Lindsay, J. B.; Cockburn, J. M. H.

2018-07-01

The field of geomorphometry has increasingly moved towards the use of multiscale analytical techniques, due to the availability of fine-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and the inherent scale-dependency of many DEM-derived attributes such as local topographic position (LTP). LTP is useful for landform and soils mapping and numerous other environmental applications. Multiple LTP metrics have been proposed and applied in the literature; however, elevation percentile (EP) is notable for its robustness to elevation error and applicability to non-Gaussian local elevation distributions, both of which are common characteristics of DEM data sets. Multiscale LTP analysis involves the estimation of spatial patterns using a range of neighborhood sizes, traditionally achieved by applying spatial filtering techniques with varying kernel sizes. While EP can be demonstrated to provide accurate estimates of LTP, the computationally intensive method of its calculation makes it unsuited to multiscale LTP analysis, particularly at large neighborhood sizes or with fine-resolution DEMs. This research assessed the suitability of three LTP metrics for multiscale terrain characterization by quantifying their computational efficiency and by comparing their ability to approximate EP spatial patterns under varying topographic conditions. The tested LTP metrics included: deviation from mean elevation (DEV), percent elevation range (PER), and the novel relative topographic position (RTP) index. The results demonstrated that DEV, calculated using the integral image technique, offers fast and scale-invariant computation. DEV spatial patterns were strongly correlated with EP (r2 range of 0.699 to 0.967) under all tested topographic conditions. RTP was also a strong predictor of EP (r2 range of 0.594 to 0.917). PER was the weakest predictor of EP (r2 range of 0.031 to 0.801) without offering a substantial improvement in computational efficiency over RTP. PER was therefore determined to be unsuitable for most multiscale applications. It was concluded that the scale-invariant property offered by the integral image used by the DEV method counters the minor losses in robustness compared to EP, making DEV the optimal LTP metric for multiscale applications.

Neural Patterns of Reorganization after Intensive Robot-Assisted Virtual Reality Therapy and Repetitive Task Practice in Patients with Chronic Stroke

PubMed Central

Saleh, Soha; Fluet, Gerard; Qiu, Qinyin; Merians, Alma; Adamovich, Sergei V.; Tunik, Eugene

2017-01-01

Several approaches to rehabilitation of the hand following a stroke have emerged over the last two decades. These treatments, including repetitive task practice (RTP), robotically assisted rehabilitation and virtual rehabilitation activities, produce improvements in hand function but have yet to reinstate function to pre-stroke levels—which likely depends on developing the therapies to impact cortical reorganization in a manner that favors or supports recovery. Understanding cortical reorganization that underlies the above interventions is therefore critical to inform how such therapies can be utilized and improved and is the focus of the current investigation. Specifically, we compare neural reorganization elicited in stroke patients participating in two interventions: a hybrid of robot-assisted virtual reality (RAVR) rehabilitation training and a program of RTP training. Ten chronic stroke subjects participated in eight 3-h sessions of RAVR therapy. Another group of nine stroke subjects participated in eight sessions of matched RTP therapy. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired during paretic hand movement, before and after training. We compared the difference between groups and sessions (before and after training) in terms of BOLD intensity, laterality index of activation in sensorimotor areas, and the effective connectivity between ipsilesional motor cortex (iMC), contralesional motor cortex, ipsilesional primary somatosensory cortex (iS1), ipsilesional ventral premotor area (iPMv), and ipsilesional supplementary motor area. Last, we analyzed the relationship between changes in fMRI data and functional improvement measured by the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), in an attempt to identify how neurophysiological changes are related to motor improvement. Subjects in both groups demonstrated motor recovery after training, but fMRI data revealed RAVR-specific changes in neural reorganization patterns. First, BOLD signal in multiple regions of interest was reduced and re-lateralized to the ipsilesional side. Second, these changes correlated with improvement in JTHFT scores. Our findings suggest that RAVR training may lead to different neurophysiological changes when compared with traditional therapy. This effect may be attributed to the influence that augmented visual and haptic feedback during RAVR training exerts over higher-order somatosensory and visuomotor areas. PMID:28928708

Determination of trace alkaline phosphatase by affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry based on wheat germ agglutinin labeled with 8-quinolineboronic acid phosphorescent molecular switch and prediction of diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jia-Ming; Gao, Hui; Li, Fei-Ming; Shi, Xiu-Mei; Lin, Chang-Qing; Lin, Li-Ping; Wang, Xin-Xing; Li, Zhi-Ming

2010-09-01

The 8-quinolineboronic acid phosphorescent molecular switch (abbreviated as PMS-8-QBA. Thereinto, 8-QBA is 8-quinolineboronic acid, and PMS is phosphorescent molecular switch) was found for the first time. PMS-8-QBA, which was in the "off" state, could only emit weak room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on the acetyl cellulose membrane (ACM). However, PMS-8-QBA turned "on" automatically for its changed structure, causing that the RTP of 8-QBA in the system increased, after PMS-8-QBA-WGA (WGA is wheat germ agglutinin) was formed by reaction between -OH of PMS-8-QBA and -COOH of WGA. More interesting is that the -NH 2 of PMS-8-QBA-WGA could react with the -COOH of alkaline phosphatase (AP) to form the affinity adsorption (AA) product WGA-AP-WGA-8-QBA-PMS (containing -NH-CO- bond), which caused RTP of the system to greatly increase. Thus, affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry using PMS-8-QBA as labelling reagent (PMS-8-QBA-AA-SSRTP) for the determination of trace AP was established. The method had many advantages, such as high sensitivity (the detection limit (LD) was 2.5 zg spot -1. For sample volume of 0.40 μl spot -1, corresponding concentration was 6.2 × 10 -18 g ml -1), good selectivity (the allowed concentration of coexisting material was higher, when the relative error was ±5%), high accuracy (applied to detection of AP content in serum samples, the result was coincided with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunoassay), which was suitable for the detection of trace AP content in serum samples and the forecast of human diseases. Meanwhile, the mechanism of PMS-8-QBA-AASSRTP was discussed. The new field of analytical application and clinic diagnosis technique of molecule switch are exploited, based on the phosphorescence characteristic of PMS-8-QBA, the AA reaction between WGA and AP, as well as the relation between AP content and human diseases. The research results promote the development and interpenetrate among molecule switch technique, lectin science and SSRTP.

Determination of trace alkaline phosphatase by affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry based on wheat germ agglutinin labeled with 8-quinolineboronic acid phosphorescent molecular switch and prediction of diseases.

PubMed

Liu, Jia-Ming; Gao, Hui; Li, Fei-Ming; Shi, Xiu-Mei; Lin, Chang-Qing; Lin, Li-Ping; Wang, Xin-Xing; Li, Zhi-Ming

2010-09-01

The 8-quinolineboronic acid phosphorescent molecular switch (abbreviated as PMS-8-QBA. Thereinto, 8-QBA is 8-quinolineboronic acid, and PMS is phosphorescent molecular switch) was found for the first time. PMS-8-QBA, which was in the "off" state, could only emit weak room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on the acetyl cellulose membrane (ACM). However, PMS-8-QBA turned "on" automatically for its changed structure, causing that the RTP of 8-QBA in the system increased, after PMS-8-QBA-WGA (WGA is wheat germ agglutinin) was formed by reaction between -OH of PMS-8-QBA and -COOH of WGA. More interesting is that the -NH(2) of PMS-8-QBA-WGA could react with the -COOH of alkaline phosphatase (AP) to form the affinity adsorption (AA) product WGA-AP-WGA-8-QBA-PMS (containing -NH-CO- bond), which caused RTP of the system to greatly increase. Thus, affinity adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry using PMS-8-QBA as labelling reagent (PMS-8-QBA-AA-SSRTP) for the determination of trace AP was established. The method had many advantages, such as high sensitivity (the detection limit (LD) was 2.5zgspot(-1). For sample volume of 0.40mulspot(-1), corresponding concentration was 6.2x10(-18)gml(-1)), good selectivity (the allowed concentration of coexisting material was higher, when the relative error was +/-5%), high accuracy (applied to detection of AP content in serum samples, the result was coincided with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunoassay), which was suitable for the detection of trace AP content in serum samples and the forecast of human diseases. Meanwhile, the mechanism of PMS-8-QBA-AASSRTP was discussed. The new field of analytical application and clinic diagnosis technique of molecule switch are exploited, based on the phosphorescence characteristic of PMS-8-QBA, the AA reaction between WGA and AP, as well as the relation between AP content and human diseases. The research results promote the development and interpenetrate among molecule switch technique, lectin science and SSRTP. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimized Diffusion of Run-and-Tumble Particles in Crowded Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertrand, Thibault; Zhao, Yongfeng; Bénichou, Olivier; Tailleur, Julien; Voituriez, Raphaël

2018-05-01

We study the transport of self-propelled particles in dynamic complex environments. To obtain exact results, we introduce a model of run-and-tumble particles (RTPs) moving in discrete time on a d -dimensional cubic lattice in the presence of diffusing hard-core obstacles. We derive an explicit expression for the diffusivity of the RTP, which is exact in the limit of low density of fixed obstacles. To do so, we introduce a generalization of Kac's theorem on the mean return times of Markov processes, which we expect to be relevant for a large class of lattice gas problems. Our results show the diffusivity of RTPs to be nonmonotonic in the tumbling probability for low enough obstacle mobility. These results prove the potential for the optimization of the transport of RTPs in crowded and disordered environments with applications to motile artificial and biological systems.

GENERATION OF TWO STABLE CELL LINES THAT EXPRESS HER-ALPHA OR HER-ALPHA AND -BETA AND FIREFLY LUCIFERASE GENES FOR ENDOCRINE SCREENING

EPA Science Inventory

Generation of Two Stable Cell Lines that Express hERa or
hERa and b and Firefly Luciferase Genes for Endocrine Screening

K.L. Bobseine*1, W.R. Kelce2, P.C. Hartig*1, and L.E. Gray, Jr.1

1USEPA, NHEERL, Reproductive Toxicology Division, RTP, NC, 2Searle, Reprod...

UTILIZATION OF A PBPK MODEL TO PREDICT THE DISTRIBUTION OF 2, 3, 7-8 TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN (TCDD) IN HUMANS DURING CRITICAL WINDOWS OF DEVELOPMENT

EPA Science Inventory

Utilization of A PBPK model to predict the distribution of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in humans during critical windows of development.
C Emond1, MJ DeVito2 and LS Birnbaum2
1National Research Council, US EPA, ORD, NHEERL, (ETD, PK), RTP, NC, 27711, USA 2 US...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE USE OF ORIMULSION (R): REPORT TO CONGRESS ON PHASE I OF THE ORIMULSION TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM, VOLUME 2: PROJECT REPORT/SUMMARY

EPA Science Inventory

NRMRL-RTP-193b Miller*, C.A., Dreher, KL, Wentsel*, R., and Nadeau*, R.J. Environmental Impacts of the Use of Orimulsion (R): Report to Congress on Phase I of the Orimulsion Technology Assessment Program, Volume 2. 2001. EPA/600/R-01/056b (NTIS PB2002-109040). 05/15/2000 The rep...