Pleasant music as a countermeasure against visually induced motion sickness.

PubMed

Keshavarz, Behrang; Hecht, Heiko

2014-05-01

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a well-known side-effect in virtual environments or simulators. However, effective behavioral countermeasures against VIMS are still sparse. In this study, we tested whether music can reduce the severity of VIMS. Ninety-three volunteers were immersed in an approximately 14-minute-long video taken during a bicycle ride. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups, either including relaxing music, neutral music, stressful music, or no music. Sickness scores were collected using the Fast Motion Sickness Scale and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Results showed an overall trend for relaxing music to reduce the severity of VIMS. When factoring in the subjective pleasantness of the music, a significant reduction of VIMS occurred only when the presented music was perceived as pleasant, regardless of the music type. In addition, we found a gender effect with women reporting more sickness than men. We assume that the presentation of pleasant music can be an effective, low-cost, and easy-to-administer method to reduce VIMS. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Sources of diversity of carbapenem resistance levels in Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying blaVIM-1.

PubMed

Loli, A; Tzouvelekis, L S; Tzelepi, E; Carattoli, A; Vatopoulos, A C; Tassios, P T; Miriagou, V

2006-09-01

To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the diversity of beta-lactam resistance phenotypes among isolates of a VIM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (VPKP) strain that is endemic in Greek hospitals. Five VPKP clinical isolates were studied. MICs of beta-lactams were determined by agar dilution. PFGE of XbaI-digested genomic DNA was used for typing. Profiles of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were determined by SDS-PAGE. Selected isolates were transformed with a plasmid encoding the Omp36K porin. beta-Lactamase activities were analysed by IEF and imipenem hydrolysis was assessed by spectrophotometry. VIM-1-encoding, self-transmissible plasmids were characterized by replicon typing, RFLP and hybridization with bla(VIM)- and IS26-specific probes. Characterization of integrons was performed by PCR, cloning and sequencing. Isolates exhibited highly similar PFGE patterns. Imipenem MICs were 2, 4, 16, 32 and 64 mg/L. The isolate with the highest imipenem MIC (Vipm-64) lacked a 36 kDa OMP. Expression of a cloned OmpK36 in this isolate reduced the imipenem MIC to susceptibility levels. Imipenem-hydrolysing activity was significantly higher in Vipm-16 as compared with the other isolates that expressed similar amounts of VIM-1. All isolates transferred beta-lactam resistance to Escherichia coli through conjugative, IncN plasmids that exhibited differences in the RFLP and hybridization patterns with bla(VIM)- and IS26-specific probes. The Vipm-16 plasmid, mediating the higher imipenem MICs among transconjugants, carried two copies of bla(VIM-1). Cloning and sequencing showed In-e541-like integrons truncated at the 5'CS by insertion of IS26 elements at two different positions. A VIM-1-producing strain of K. pneumoniae has evolved through OMP alterations and rearrangements in the bla(VIM-1)-carrying plasmid probably mediated by IS26, generating isolates with imipenem MICs ranging from susceptibility to resistance.

Developing Breast Cancer Program at Xavier; Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Signaling Pathways Involved in Xenohormone and MEK5 Regulation of Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

that upregulations of Vimentin (VIM), Heat shock 70 kDa protein 4 (HSPA4), Glutathione S-transferase P ( GSTP1 ), and Creatine kinase B-type (CKB), and...MEK5 versus MCF-7-VEC cells, vimentin (VIM), glutathione-S-transferase P ( GSTP1 ), and creatine kinase B-type (CKB) were upregulated, and keratin 8...with distinct proteomic changes (upregulation of VIM/vim, GSTP1 / gstp1 , and CKB/ckb; and downregulation of KRT8/krt8, KRT19/krt19, and GSTM3/gstm3). We

Right Brodmann area 18 predicts tremor arrest after Vim radiosurgery: a voxel-based morphometry study.

PubMed

Tuleasca, Constantin; Witjas, Tatiana; Van de Ville, Dimitri; Najdenovska, Elena; Verger, Antoine; Girard, Nadine; Champoudry, Jerome; Thiran, Jean-Philippe; Cuadra, Meritxell Bach; Levivier, Marc; Guedj, Eric; Régis, Jean

2018-03-01

Drug-resistant essential tremor (ET) can benefit from open standard stereotactic procedures, such as deep-brain stimulation or radiofrequency thalamotomy. Non-surgical candidates can be offered either high-focused ultrasound (HIFU) or radiosurgery (RS). All procedures aim to target the same thalamic site, the ventro-intermediate nucleus (e.g., Vim). The mechanisms by which tremor stops after Vim RS or HIFU remain unknown. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) on pretherapeutic neuroimaging data and assessed which anatomical site would best correlate with tremor arrest 1 year after Vim RS. Fifty-two patients (30 male, 22 female; mean age 71.6 years, range 49-82) with right-sided ET benefited from left unilateral Vim RS in Marseille, France. Targeting was performed in a uniform manner, using 130 Gy and a single 4-mm collimator. Neurological (pretherapeutic and 1 year after) and neuroimaging (baseline) assessments were completed. Tremor score on the treated hand (TSTH) at 1 year after Vim RS was included in a statistical parametric mapping analysis of variance (ANOVA) model as a continuous variable with pretherapeutic neuroimaging data. Pretherapeutic gray matter density (GMD) was further correlated with TSTH improvement. No a priori hypothesis was used in the statistical model. The only statistically significant region was right Brodmann area (BA) 18 (visual association area V2, p = 0.05, cluster size K c  = 71). Higher baseline GMD correlated with better TSTH improvement at 1 year after Vim RS (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.002). Routine baseline structural neuroimaging predicts TSTH improvement 1 year after Vim RS. The relevant anatomical area is the right visual association cortex (BA 18, V2). The question whether visual areas should be included in the targeting remains open.

Emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with class 1 integron carrying blaVIM-2 and blaVIM-4 in the University Clinical Hospital of Bialystok (northeastern Poland).

PubMed

Michalska-Falkowska, Anna; Sacha, Paweł Tomasz; Grześ, Henryk; Hauschild, Tomasz; Wieczorek, Piotr; Ojdana, Dominika; Tryniszewska, Elżbieta Anna

2017-07-11

The effectiveness of carbapenems, considered as last-resort antimicrobials in severe infections, becomes compromised by bacterial resistance. The production of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) is the most significant threat to carbapenems activity among Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and type of MBLs genes in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical strains, to identify the location of MBLs genes and to determine genetic relatedness between MBL-producers using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The first identified MBL-positive (with blaVIM genes) P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from patients hospitalized in the University Clinical Hospital of Bialystok in the period from September 2012 to December 2013. Variants of MBLs genes and variable integron regions were characterized by PCR and sequencing. PFGE was performed after digesting of bacterial genomes by XbaI enzyme. By MLST seven housekeeping genes were analyzed for the determination of sequence type (ST). Three strains carried the blaVIM-2 gene and one harbored the blaVIM-4 gene. The blaVIM genes resided within class 1 integrons. PCR mapping of integrons revealed the presence of four different cassette arrays. Genetic relatedness analysis by PFGE classified VIM-positive strains into four unrelated pulsotypes (A-D). MLST demonstrated the presence of four (ST 111, ST27, and ST17) different sequence type including one previously undescribed new type of ST 2342. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that VIM-positive strains were resistant to carbapenems, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and quinolones, intermediate to aztreonam, and susceptible only to colistin. Integrons mapping, PFGE, and MLST results may point to different origin of these strains and independent introduction into hospitalized patients.

VIM-1, VIM-2, and GES-5 Carbapenemases Among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates at a Tertiary Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

PubMed

Malkoçoğlu, Gülşah; Aktaş, Elif; Bayraktar, Banu; Otlu, Bariş; Bulut, Mehmet Emin

2017-04-01

Worldwide increase in carbapenem resistance and transferable carbapenemases are significant challenges in treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. In this study, investigation of carbapenemase production in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from clinical specimens in a tertiary hospital was aimed. A total of 84 carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were examined. "Carbapenem inactivation method" (CIM) was used for phenotypic detection of carbapenemase production. The existence of bla KPC , bla NDM , bla IMP , bla VIM , bla OXA-48 , and bla GES genes was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subtypes of the detected genes were identified by sequence analysis. Arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) was performed to evaluate the clonal relationship among the isolates. The presence of high-risk clones in carbapenemase producers was investigated by Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Three isolates (3.5%) were identified as carbapenemase producers by CIM tests, while PCR tests demonstrated three isolates carrying carbapenemase genes as well. bla VIM gene was found in two isolates and bla GES gene was found in one isolate. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the carbapenemases were VIM-1, VIM-2, and GES-5. AP-PCR yielded high clonal diversity among the isolates. According to MALDI-TOF MS analysis, none of the carbapenemase-producing strains belonged to the high-risk clones. In conclusion, the presence of VIM-1, VIM-2, and GES-5 type carbapenemases in P. aeruginosa isolates was demonstrated for the first time in our hospital, GES-5 being reported for the second time in Turkey. Our results will lead strategies for controlling the spread of carbapenemases and contribute to epidemiological data from Turkey.

VIMS spectral mapping observations of Titan during the Cassini prime mission

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Soderblom, J.M.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Sotin, Christophe; Baines, K.H.; Clark, R.N.; Jaumann, R.; McCord, T.B.; Nelson, R.; Le, Mouelic S.; Rodriguez, S.; Griffith, C.; Penteado, P.; Tosi, F.; Pitman, K.M.; Soderblom, L.; Stephan, K.; Hayne, P.; Vixie, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Bellucci, G.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Formisano, V.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.

2009-01-01

This is a data paper designed to facilitate the use of and comparisons to Cassini/visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) spectral mapping data of Saturn's moon Titan. We present thumbnail orthographic projections of flyby mosaics from each Titan encounter during the Cassini prime mission, 2004 July 1 through 2008 June 30. For each flyby we also describe the encounter geometry, and we discuss the studies that have previously been published using the VIMS dataset. The resulting compliation of metadata provides a complementary big-picture overview of the VIMS data in the public archive, and should be a useful reference for future Titan studies. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd.

Dissemination of VIM-2 producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST233 at tertiary care hospitals in Egypt.

PubMed

Zafer, Mai Mahmoud; Al-Agamy, Mohamed Hamed; El-Mahallawy, Hadir Ahmed; Amin, Magdy Aly; El Din Ashour, Seif

2015-03-12

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen, commonly causing infections in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic relatedness of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates collected from 2 tertiary hospitals in Cairo, Egypt using Multi Locus sequence typing (MLST). Phenotypic and genotypic detection of metallo-beta-lactamase for forty eight non-duplicate carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were carried out. DNA sequencing and MLST were done. The bla VIM-2 gene was highly prevalent (28/33 strains, 85%) among 33 MBL-positive P.aeruginosa isolates. MLST revealed eleven distinct Sequence Types (STs). A unique ST233 clone producing VIM-2 was documented by MLST in P.aeruginosa strains isolated from Cairo university hospitals. The high prevalence of VIM-2 producers was not due to the spread of a single clone. The findings of the present study clearly demonstrate that clones of VIM-2 positive in our hospitals are different from those reported from European studies. Prevalence of VIM-2 producers of the same clone was detected from surgical specimens whereas oncology related specimens were showing diverse clones.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: The KepVIM catalog (Makarov+, 2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarov, V. V.; Goldin, A.

2016-07-01

The algorithm described in section 4 was applied to the entire collection of "long-cadence" files archived in the MAST for the principal Kepler mission. A single variability-induced motion (VIM) detection corresponds to a complete data set for a given target collected during one quarter. Therefore, a single target can generate up to 17 VIM detections in the catalog. (2 data files).

Saturn ring spokes: an overview of their near-infrared spectral properties from Cassini/VIMS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Aversa, E.; Bellucci, G.; Nicholson, P. D.; Brown, R. H.; Altieri, F.; Carrozzo, F. G.

2013-09-01

The B ring of Saturn is known to periodically host weak elongated features called spokes. They have been clearly detected by the Voyagers, by the Hubble Space Telescope and by Cassini instruments ISS and VIMS. These observations were conducted during three different Saturn equinoxes in 1980, 1995, and 2009 respectively, bringing to the current view of the spoke's physical nature: thin clouds of fine electrically-charged grains levitating over the larger ring boulders. In respect to the previous available datasets, the VIMS one has widened our view of spokes outside the visible spectral range for the first time (longward of 1 micron). On the other hand, the VIMS spatial resolution is often comparable with the typical sizes of spokes, and considerable image processing is needed in order to enhance the spoke images and for the spectra extraction. Here we will report about advances in the spoke spectral analysis with VIMS data and will discuss the possible physical interpretations under the assumption of low spoke optical thickness.

IMP-1 and a Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase, VIM-6, in Fluorescent Pseudomonads Isolated in Singapore

PubMed Central

Koh, Tse Hsien; Wang, Grace Chee Yeng; Sng, Li-Hwei

2004-01-01

Four carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from patients in Singapore. One Pseudomonas putida isolate contained a blaIMP-1 identical to that first described in Japan. The sequence of a variant blaIMP-1 in Pseudomonas fluorescens contained four silent mutations compared with the original sequence. The remaining P. putida isolates contained blaVIM-6, a novel VIM gene variant. PMID:15155248

Impaired flow-induced dilation in mesenteric resistance arteries from mice lacking vimentin.

PubMed Central

Henrion, D; Terzi, F; Matrougui, K; Duriez, M; Boulanger, C M; Colucci-Guyon, E; Babinet, C; Briand, P; Friedlander, G; Poitevin, P; Lévy, B I

1997-01-01

The intermediate filament vimentin might play a key role in vascular resistance to mechanical stress. We investigated the responses to pressure (tensile stress) and flow (shear stress) of mesenteric resistance arteries perfused in vitro from vimentin knockout mice. Arteries were isolated from homozygous (Vim-/-, n = 14) or heterozygous vimentin-null mice (Vim+/-, n = 5) and from wild-type littermates (Vim+/+, n = 9). Passive arterial diameter (175+/-15 micron in Vim+/+ at 100 mmHg) and myogenic tone were not affected by the absence of vimentin. Flow-induced (0-150 microl/min) dilation (e. g., 19+/-3 micron dilation at 150 mmHg in Vim+/+) was significantly attenuated in Vim-/- mice (13+/-2 micron dilation, P < 0.01). Acute blockade of nitric oxide synthesis (NG-nitro- L-arginine, 10 microM) significantly decreased flow-induced dilation in both groups, whereas acute blockade of prostaglandin synthesis (indomethacin, 10 microM) had no significant effect. Mean blood pressure, in vivo mesenteric blood flow and diameter, and mesenteric artery media thickness or media to lumen ratio were not affected by the absence of vimentin. Thus, the absence of vimentin decreased selectively the response of resistance arteries to flow, suggesting a role for vimentin in the mechanotransduction of shear stress. PMID:9389758

Metal ion promoted hydrogels for bovine serum albumin adsorption: Cu(II) and Co(II) chelated poly[(N-vinylimidazole)-maleic acid].

PubMed

Pekel, Nursel; Salih, Bekir; Güven, Olgun

2005-05-10

Poly[(N-vinylimidazole)-maleic acid] (poly(VIm-MA)), copolymeric hydrogels were prepared by gamma-irradiating ternary mixtures of N-vinylimidazole-maleic acid-water in a (60)Co-gamma source. Cu(II) and Co(II) ions were chelated within the gels at pH=5.0. The maximum adsorption capacity of the gels were 3.71 mmol/g dry gel for Cu(II) and 1.25 mmol/g dry gel for Co(II) at pH=5.0. The swelling ratios of the gels were 1200% for poly(VIm-MA), 60 and 45% for Cu(II) and Co(II)-chelated poly(VIm-MA) gels at pH=5.0 in acetate buffer solution. These affinity gels with different swelling ratios for plain poly(VIm-MA), Cu(II)-, and Co(II)-chelated poly(VIm-MA), in acetate and phosphate buffers were used in the bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption/desorption studies in batch reactor. The maximum BSA adsorption capacities of the gels were 0.38 g/g dry gel for plain, 0.88 g/g dry gel for Cu(II)-chelated poly(VIm-MA) and 1.05 g/g dry gel for Co(II)-chelated poly(VIm-MA) gels. Adsorption capacity of BSA by the gels was reduced dramatically by increasing the ionic strength adjusted with NaCl. More than 95% of BSA were desorbed in 10 h in desorption medium containing 0.1M of EDTA for metal ion-chelated gels at pH=4.7.

First outbreak of VIM-2 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in The Netherlands: microbiology, epidemiology and clinical outcomes.

PubMed

Van der Bij, A K; Van Mansfeld, R; Peirano, G; Goessens, W H F; Severin, J A; Pitout, J D D; Willems, R; Van Westreenen, M

2011-06-01

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a tertiary care centre in The Netherlands, a country that is considered to have a low prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates cultured from clinical specimens during 2008-2009 were analysed phenotypically and molecularly by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequencing. Genotyping was performed by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA). Clinical information was obtained by electronic chart review for all patients infected or colonised with an imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolate that was included in the study. In total, 106 imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were included. The bla(VIM-2) gene was detected in 35/106 isolates (33%) and was associated with integrons. Compared with non-MBL-producing imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, VIM-2 MBL-producing isolates showed higher rates of multidrug resistance. Patients with VIM-2 MBL-producing isolates were more likely to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and had a higher risk of invasive infection, including development of bacteraemia. MLVA identified two separate VIM-2 MBL-producing clones, responsible for outbreaks in the ICU but also affecting 10 other departments. This is the first reported outbreak of VIM-2 MBL-producing P. aeruginosa in The Netherlands. Once introduced, VIM-2 MBL-producing P. aeruginosa cause significant infections and are easily spread within the hospital setting. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Patterns of glaucomatous visual field loss in sita fields automatically identified using independent component analysis.

PubMed

Goldbaum, Michael H; Jang, Gil-Jin; Bowd, Chris; Hao, Jiucang; Zangwill, Linda M; Liebmann, Jeffrey; Girkin, Christopher; Jung, Tzyy-Ping; Weinreb, Robert N; Sample, Pamela A

2009-12-01

To determine if the patterns uncovered with variational Bayesian-independent component analysis-mixture model (VIM) applied to a large set of normal and glaucomatous fields obtained with the Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) are distinct, recognizable, and useful for modeling the severity of the field loss. SITA fields were obtained with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, California) on 1,146 normal eyes and 939 glaucoma eyes from subjects followed by the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study. VIM modifies independent component analysis (ICA) to develop separate sets of ICA axes in the cluster of normal fields and the 2 clusters of abnormal fields. Of 360 models, the model with the best separation of normal and glaucomatous fields was chosen for creating the maximally independent axes. Grayscale displays of fields generated by VIM on each axis were compared. SITA fields most closely associated with each axis and displayed in grayscale were evaluated for consistency of pattern at all severities. The best VIM model had 3 clusters. Cluster 1 (1,193) was mostly normal (1,089, 95% specificity) and had 2 axes. Cluster 2 (596) contained mildly abnormal fields (513) and 2 axes; cluster 3 (323) held mostly moderately to severely abnormal fields (322) and 5 axes. Sensitivity for clusters 2 and 3 combined was 88.9%. The VIM-generated field patterns differed from each other and resembled glaucomatous defects (eg, nasal step, arcuate, temporal wedge). SITA fields assigned to an axis resembled each other and the VIM-generated patterns for that axis. Pattern severity increased in the positive direction of each axis by expansion or deepening of the axis pattern. VIM worked well on SITA fields, separating them into distinctly different yet recognizable patterns of glaucomatous field defects. The axis and pattern properties make VIM a good candidate as a preliminary process for detecting progression.

Carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter spp. isolated in Spain from 2013 to 2015 produced a variety of carbapenemases including VIM-1, OXA-48, KPC-2, NDM-1 and VIM-2.

PubMed

Arana, David M; Ortega, Adriana; González-Barberá, Eva; Lara, Noelia; Bautista, Verónica; Gómez-Ruíz, Dolores; Sáez, David; Fernández-Romero, Sara; Aracil, Belén; Pérez-Vázquez, María; Campos, José; Oteo, Jesús

2017-12-01

There is little information about carbapenemase-producing (CP) Citrobacter spp. We studied the molecular epidemiology and microbiological features of CP Citrobacter spp. isolates collected in Spain (2013-15). In total, 119 isolates suspected of being CP by the EUCAST screening cut-off values were analysed. Carbapenemases and ESBLs were characterized using PCR and sequencing. The genetic relationship among Citrobacter freundii isolates was studied by PFGE. Of the 119 isolates, 63 (52.9%) produced carbapenemases, of which 37 (58.7%) produced VIM-1, 20 (31.7%) produced OXA-48, 12 (19%) produced KPC-2, 2 (3.2%) produced NDM-1 and 1 (1.6%) produced VIM-2; 9 C. freundii isolates co-produced VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Fourteen isolates (22.2%) also carried ESBLs: 8 CTX-M-9 plus SHV-12, 2 CTX-M-9, 2 SHV-12 and 2 CTX-M-15. Fifty-seven isolates (90.5%) were C. freundii, 4 (6.3%) were Citrobacter koseri, 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter amalonaticus and 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter braakii. By EUCAST breakpoints, eight (12.7%) of the CP isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested. In the 53 CP C. freundii analysed by PFGE, a total of 44 different band patterns were observed. Four PFGE clusters were identified: cluster 1 included eight isolates co-producing VIM-1 and OXA-48; blaVIM-1 was carried in a class 1 integron (intI-blaVIM-1-aacA4-dfrB1-aadA1-catB2-qacEΔ1/sul1) and blaOXA-48 was carried in a Tn1999.2 transposon. We observed the clonal and polyclonal spread of CP Citrobacter spp. across several Spanish geographical areas. Four species of Citrobacter spp. produced up to five carbapenemase types, including co-production of VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Some CP Citrobacter spp. isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested, a finding with potential clinical implications. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Antibiotic resistance pattern and evaluation of metallo-beta lactamase genes (VIM and IMP) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains producing MBL enzyme, isolated from patients with secondary immunodeficiency

PubMed Central

Shirani, Kiana; Ataei, Behrouz; Roshandel, Fardad

2016-01-01

Background: One of the most common causes of hospital-acquired secondary infections in hospitalized patients is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of IMP and VIM in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (carbapenem resistant and producer MBL enzyme) in patients with secondary immunodeficiency. Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study, 96 patients with secondary immunodeficiency hospitalized in the Al-Zahra hospital were selected. Carbapenem resistant strains isolated and modified Hodge test was performed in order to confirm the presence of the metallo carbapenemase enzyme. Under the standard conditions they were sent to the central laboratory for investigating nosocomial infection Multiplex PCR. Results: Of 96 samples 28.1% were IMP positive, 5.2% VIM positive and 3.1% both VIM and IMP positive. The prevalence of multidrug resistance in the IMP and/or VIM negative samples was 29%, while all 5 VIM positive samples have had multidrug resistance. Also the prevalence of multi-drug resistance in IMP positive samples were 96.3% and in IMP and VIM positive samples were 100%. According to Fisher’s test, the prevalence of multi-drug resistance based on gene expression has significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that, a significant percentage of patients with secondary immunodeficiency that suffer nosocomial infections with multidrug resistance, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are probably MBL-producing gene positive. Therefore the cause of infection should be considered in the hospital care system to identify their features, the presence of genes involved in the development of multi-drug resistance and antibiotic therapy. PMID:27563634

Unsupervised Gaussian Mixture-Model With Expectation Maximization for Detecting Glaucomatous Progression in Standard Automated Perimetry Visual Fields.

PubMed

Yousefi, Siamak; Balasubramanian, Madhusudhanan; Goldbaum, Michael H; Medeiros, Felipe A; Zangwill, Linda M; Weinreb, Robert N; Liebmann, Jeffrey M; Girkin, Christopher A; Bowd, Christopher

2016-05-01

To validate Gaussian mixture-model with expectation maximization (GEM) and variational Bayesian independent component analysis mixture-models (VIM) for detecting glaucomatous progression along visual field (VF) defect patterns (GEM-progression of patterns (POP) and VIM-POP). To compare GEM-POP and VIM-POP with other methods. GEM and VIM models separated cross-sectional abnormal VFs from 859 eyes and normal VFs from 1117 eyes into abnormal and normal clusters. Clusters were decomposed into independent axes. The confidence limit (CL) of stability was established for each axis with a set of 84 stable eyes. Sensitivity for detecting progression was assessed in a sample of 83 eyes with known progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy (PGON). Eyes were classified as progressed if any defect pattern progressed beyond the CL of stability. Performance of GEM-POP and VIM-POP was compared to point-wise linear regression (PLR), permutation analysis of PLR (PoPLR), and linear regression (LR) of mean deviation (MD), and visual field index (VFI). Sensitivity and specificity for detecting glaucomatous VFs were 89.9% and 93.8%, respectively, for GEM and 93.0% and 97.0%, respectively, for VIM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for classifying progressed eyes were 0.82 for VIM-POP, 0.86 for GEM-POP, 0.81 for PoPLR, 0.69 for LR of MD, and 0.76 for LR of VFI. GEM-POP was significantly more sensitive to PGON than PoPLR and linear regression of MD and VFI in our sample, while providing localized progression information. Detection of glaucomatous progression can be improved by assessing longitudinal changes in localized patterns of glaucomatous defect identified by unsupervised machine learning.

Antibiotic resistance pattern and evaluation of metallo-beta lactamase genes (VIM and IMP) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains producing MBL enzyme, isolated from patients with secondary immunodeficiency.

PubMed

Shirani, Kiana; Ataei, Behrouz; Roshandel, Fardad

2016-01-01

One of the most common causes of hospital-acquired secondary infections in hospitalized patients is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of IMP and VIM in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (carbapenem resistant and producer MBL enzyme) in patients with secondary immunodeficiency. In a cross sectional study, 96 patients with secondary immunodeficiency hospitalized in the Al-Zahra hospital were selected. Carbapenem resistant strains isolated and modified Hodge test was performed in order to confirm the presence of the metallo carbapenemase enzyme. Under the standard conditions they were sent to the central laboratory for investigating nosocomial infection Multiplex PCR. Of 96 samples 28.1% were IMP positive, 5.2% VIM positive and 3.1% both VIM and IMP positive. The prevalence of multidrug resistance in the IMP and/or VIM negative samples was 29%, while all 5 VIM positive samples have had multidrug resistance. Also the prevalence of multi-drug resistance in IMP positive samples were 96.3% and in IMP and VIM positive samples were 100%. According to Fisher's test, the prevalence of multi-drug resistance based on gene expression has significant difference (P < 0.001). Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that, a significant percentage of patients with secondary immunodeficiency that suffer nosocomial infections with multidrug resistance, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are probably MBL-producing gene positive. Therefore the cause of infection should be considered in the hospital care system to identify their features, the presence of genes involved in the development of multi-drug resistance and antibiotic therapy.

The VIMS Data Explorer: A tool for locating and visualizing hyperspectral data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasek, V. D.; Lytle, D. M.; Brown, R. H.

2016-12-01

Since successfully entering Saturn's orbit during Summer 2004 there have been over 300,000 hyperspectral data cubes returned from the visible and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) instrument onboard the Cassini spacecraft. The VIMS Science Investigation is a multidisciplinary effort that uses these hyperspectral data to study a variety of scientific problems, including surface characterizations of the icy satellites and atmospheric analyses of Titan and Saturn. Such investigations may need to identify thousands of exemplary data cubes for analysis and can span many years in scope. Here we describe the VIMS data explorer (VDE) application, currently employed by the VIMS Investigation to search for and visualize data. The VDE application facilitates real-time inspection of the entire VIMS hyperspectral dataset, the construction of in situ maps, and markers to save and recall work. The application relies on two databases to provide comprehensive search capabilities. The first database contains metadata for every cube. These metadata searches are used to identify records based on parameters such as target, observation name, or date taken; they fall short in utility for some investigations. The cube metadata contains no target geometry information. Through the introduction of a post-calibration pixel database, the VDE tool enables users to greatly expand their searching capabilities. Users can select favorable cubes for further processing into 2-D and 3-D interactive maps, aiding in the data interpretation and selection process. The VDE application enables efficient search, visualization, and access to VIMS hyperspectral data. It is simple to use, requiring nothing more than a browser for access. Hyperspectral bands can be individually selected or combined to create real-time color images, a technique commonly employed by hyperspectral researchers to highlight compositional differences.

Evaluation of Etest MBL for Detection of blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-2 Allele-Positive Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp.

PubMed Central

Lee, Kyungwon; Yong, Dongeun; Yum, Jong Hwa; Lim, Yong Sik; Bolmström, Anne; Qwärnström, Anette; Karlsson, Åsa; Chong, Yunsop

2005-01-01

The Etest MBL (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) correctly differentiated all 57 isolates of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the blaIMP-1 allele and 135 of 137 (98.5%) Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. isolates with the blaVIM-2 allele. The Etest MBL was reliable for detecting the IMP-1- and VIM-2-producing Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates. PMID:15695713

Inactivation of vimF, a Putative Glycosyltransferase Gene Downstream of vimE, Alters Glycosylation and Activation of the Gingipains in Porphyromonas gingivalis W83

PubMed Central

Vanterpool, Elaine; Roy, Francis; Fletcher, Hansel M.

2005-01-01

Regulation/activation of the Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipains is poorly understood. A 1.2-kb open reading frame, a putative glycosyltransferase, downstream of vimE, was cloned, insertionally inactivated using the ermF-ermAM antibiotic resistance cassette, and used to create a defective mutant by allelic exchange. In contrast to the wild-type W83 strain, this mutant, designated P. gingivalis FLL95, was nonpigmented and nonhemolytic when plated on Brucella blood agar. Arginine- and lysine-specific gingipain activities were reduced by approximately 97% and 96%, respectively, relative to that of the parent strain. These activities were unaffected by the growth phase, in contrast to the vimA-defective mutant P. gingivalis FLL92. Expression of the rgpA, rgpB, and kgp gingipain genes was unaffected in P. gingivalis FLL95 in comparison to the wild-type strain. In nonactive gingipain extracellular protein fractions, multiple high-molecular-weight proteins immunoreacted with gingipain-specific antibodies. The specific gingipain-associated sugar moiety recognized by monoclonal antibody 1B5 was absent in FLL95. Taken together, these results suggest that the vimE downstream gene, designated vimF (virulence modulating gene F), which is a putative glycosyltransferase group 1, is involved in the regulation of the major virulence factors of P. gingivalis. PMID:15972484

Teratocarcinomas induced by embryonic stem (ES) cells lacking vimentin: an approach to study the role of vimentin in tumorigenesis.

PubMed

Langa, F; Kress, C; Colucci-Guyon, E; Khun, H; Vandormael-Pournin, S; Huerre, M; Babinet, C

2000-10-01

Vimentin is a class III intermediate filament protein widely expressed in the developing embryo and in cells of mesenchymal origin in the adult. Vimentin knock-out mice develop and reproduce without any obvious defect. This is an unexpected finding in view of the high degree of conservation of the vimentin gene among vertebrates. However, it does not exclude the possibility of a role for vimentin in pathological conditions, like tumorigenesis. To address this question directly, we have used a teratocarcinoma model involving the injection of ES cells into syngeneic mice. ES cells lacking vimentin were generated from 129/Sv Vim-/- mice with high efficiency. The absence of vimentin did not affect ES cell morphology, viability or growth rate in vitro. Tumours were induced by subcutaneous injection of either Vim-/- or Vim+/+ ES cells into Vim+/+ and Vim-/- mice, in order to analyse the effect of the absence of vimentin in either the tumorigenic cells or the host mice. No significant differences were found in either tumour incidence, size or vascularization of teratocarcinomas obtained with all possible combinations. Vim-/- ES-derived tumours showed the same cellular composition typical of teratocarcinomas induced by wild-type ES cells together with a very similar apoptotic pattern. Taken together, these results demonstrate that in this model vimentin is not essential for efficient tumour growth and differentiation in vivo.

Technical Case Report of Deep Brain Stimulation: Is it Possible Single Electrode Reach to Both of Subthalamic Nucleus and Ventral Intermediate Nucleus in One Stage?

PubMed

Kaptan, Hülagu; Çakmur, Raif

2018-04-15

The primary target of this operation is Ventral Intermediate Nucleus (VIM); however VIM - Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) were tried to be reached with one electrode, adjusting the angle well, the coronal section; medial of VIM can partially reach the STN. Using the properties of the electrode; we believe we could act on a wide area. An analysis was performed on one patient who underwent VIM Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in 3 periods (pre - peri - post-operation). A 53 - year - old woman diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 8 years earlier including symptoms of severe tremor on the right than left underwent bilateral DBS VIM. Obtaining a satisfactory improvement of tremor, the patient did well, and postoperative complications were not observed. The patient was discharged from hospital on postoperative thirty day. It is certain that more research and experience are needed. However, we believe that the two targets can reach the same point and the second operations for another target can be avoided.We believe that this initiative is advantageous and promising regarding patient and cost.

Detection of VIM- and IMP-type Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from Patients in Two Hospitals in Tehran

PubMed Central

Davoodi, Saba; Boroumand, Mohammad Ali; Sepehriseresht, Saeed; Pourgholi, Leila

2015-01-01

Background Acinetobacter baumannii, is an opportunistic pathogen and is responsible for numerous nosocomial infections. In recent years, this microorganism has been resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. One of the most important mechanisms of resistance in this microorganism is production of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs). Objectives The aim of this study was to detect VIM- and IMP-type metallo-beta-lactamase genes in Acinetobacter baumanniiisolates from patients in two Hospitals in Tehran. Materials and Methods 104 isolates were tested using the PCR method for the identification of VIM- and IMP-type genes. Results vim1, vim2, imp1 and imp2 genes were detected in 6.7%, 41.7%, 50% and 1.7% of the isolates from Tehran Heart Center, and in 29.5%, 38.6%, 4.5% and 4.5% of the isolates from Shahid Mutahhari Hospital respectively. Discussions Our analysis revealed that the majority of the isolates had at least one of these genes, indicating that MBLs production is an important resistance mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii. PMID:28959283

VIM-D salvage chemotherapy in Hodgkin's disease.

PubMed

Phillips, J K; Spearing, R L; Davies, J M; Hay, C R; Parry, H; Nash, J R; Cawley, J C

1990-01-01

A total of 15 patients with relapsed or resistant Hodgkin's disease were treated with a combination of etoposide (VP16), ifosfamide, mitozantrone and dexamethasone (VIM-D). The regime was well tolerated, the only major toxicity being myelosuppression. Complete remissions (CRs) were obtained in 4 patients and were maintained for 2, 4, 10 and 14 months. 10 subjects subsequently received an autologous bone marrow transplant with high-dose chemotherapy (ABMT). Previous exposure to VIM-D did not appear to predict for or prejudice the response to subsequent ABMT.

Dissemination of metallo-β-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in Egypt: mutation in blaVIM-4.

PubMed

Hashem, Hany; Hanora, Amro; Abdalla, Salah; Shaeky, Alaa; Saad, Alaa

2017-05-01

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and phenotypic and genotypic screening for MBLs were performed on 147 isolates of P. aeruginosa. MICs were determined by agar dilution method for carbapenem that was ≥2 μg/mL for meropenem. MBL genes were detected by multiplex and monoplex PCR for P. aeruginosa-harbored plasmids. Mutation profile of sequenced MBL genes was screened using online software Clustal Omega. Out of 147 P. aeruginosa, 39 (26.5%) were carbapenem-resistant isolates and 25 (64%) were confirmed to be positive for MBLs. The susceptibility rate of P. aeruginosa toward polymyxin B and norfloxacin was 99% and 88%, respectively. Identification of collected isolates by API analysis and constructed phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA showed that the isolates were related to P. aeruginosa species. The frequency of blaGIM-1, blaSIM-1, and blaSPM-1 was 52%, 48%, and 24%, respectively. BlaVIM and blaIMP-like genes were 20% and 4% and the sequences confirm the isolate to be blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaVIM-4, and blaIMP-1. Three mutations were identified in blaVIM-4 gene. Our study emphasizes the high occurrence of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa-producing MBL enzymes. © 2017 APMIS. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Assessing the clinical outcome of Vim radiosurgery with voxel-based morphometry: visual areas are linked with tremor arrest!

PubMed

Tuleasca, Constantin; Witjas, Tatiana; Najdenovska, Elena; Verger, Antoine; Girard, Nadine; Champoudry, Jerome; Thiran, Jean-Philippe; Van de Ville, Dimitri; Cuadra, Meritxell Bach; Levivier, Marc; Guedj, Eric; Régis, Jean

2017-11-01

Radiosurgery (RS) is an alternative to open standard stereotactic procedures (deep-brain stimulation or radiofrequency thalamotomy) for drug-resistant essential tremor (ET), aiming at the same target (ventro-intermediate nucleus, Vim). We investigated the Vim RS outcome using voxel-based morphometry by evaluating the interaction between clinical response and time. Thirty-eight patients with right-sided ET benefited from left unilateral Vim RS. Targeting was performed using 130 Gy and a single 4-mm collimator. Neurological and neuroimaging assessment was completed at baseline and 1 year. Clinical responders were considered those with at least 50% improvement in tremor score on the treated hand (TSTH). Interaction between clinical response and time showed the left temporal pole and occipital cortex (Brodmann area 19, including V4, V5 and the parahippocampal place area) as statistically significant. A decrease in gray matter density (GMD) 1 year after Vim RS correlated with higher TSTH improvement (Spearman = 0.01) for both anatomical areas. Higher baseline GMD within the left temporal pole correlated with better TSTH improvement (Spearman = 0.004). Statistically significant structural changes in the relationship to clinical response after Vim RS are present in remote areas, advocating a distant neurobiological effect. The former regions are mainly involved in locomotor monitoring toward the local and distant environment, suggesting the recruiting requirement in targeting of the specific visuomotor networks.

Synthesis of Metallo-β-Lactamase VIM-2 Is Associated with a Fitness Reduction in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

PubMed Central

Cordeiro, Nicolás F.; Chabalgoity, José A.; Yim, Lucía

2014-01-01

Antibiotic resistance, especially due to β-lactamases, has become one of the main obstacles in the correct treatment of Salmonella infections; furthermore, antibiotic resistance determines a gain of function that may encompass a biological cost, or fitness reduction, to the resistant bacteria. The aim of this work was to determine in vitro if the production of the class B β-lactamase VIM-2 determined a fitness cost for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. To that end the gene blaVIM-2 was cloned into the virulent strain S. Typhimurium SL1344, using both the tightly regulated pBAD22 vector and the natural plasmid pST12, for inducible and constitutive expression, respectively. Fitness studies were performed by means of motility, growth rate, invasiveness in epithelial cells, and plasmid stability. The expression of blaVIM-2 was accompanied by alterations in micro- and macroscopic morphology and reduced growth rate and motility, as well as diminished invasiveness in epithelial cells. These results suggest that VIM-2 production entails a substantial fitness cost for S. Typhimurium, which in turn may account for the extremely low number of reports of metallo-β-lactamase-producing Salmonella spp. PMID:25136026

El uso de la neuromodulación para el tratamiento del temblor

PubMed Central

Bendersky, Damián; Ajler, Pablo; Yampolsky, Claudio

2014-01-01

Introducción: El temblor puede ser un desorden incapacitante y el tratamiento de primera línea para estos pacientes es farmacológico. Sin embargo, este tratamiento puede llevar a una reducción satisfactoria del temblor en sólo el 50% de los pacientes con temblor esencial. La talamotomía era el tratamiento de elección para el temblor refractario al tratamiento médico hasta que comenzó a utilizarse la estimulación cerebral profunda (ECP) del núcleo ventral intermedio (Vim) del tálamo. En la actualidad, raramente se realiza la talamotomía. Métodos: Este artículo es una revisión no sistemática de las indicaciones, resultados, parámetros de programación y técnica quirúrgica de la ECP del Vim para el tratamiento del temblor. Resultados: Aunque los resultados clínicos son similares usando la talamotomía o la ECP del Vim, la primera causa más efectos adversos que la última. Además, la ECP puede ser usada bilateralmente, mientras que la talamotomía tiene un alto riesgo de causar disartria cuando se realiza de ambos lados. La ECP del Vim logró una adecuada mejoría del temblor en varias series de pacientes con temblor causado por temblor esencial, enfermedad de Parkinson o esclerosis múltiple. Además del Vim, hay otros blancos que están siendo usados por varios autores, tales como la zona incerta y las radiaciones prelemniscales. Conclusión: La ECP del Vim es un tratamiento útil para el temblor incapacitante refractario al tratamiento médico. Es esencial realizar una precisa selección de pacientes, así como utilizar una técnica quirúrgica correcta. Aún se desconoce el mejor blanco estereotáctico para el temblor, aunque el Vim es el más usado. PMID:25165613

Emergence of VIM-4 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST15 clone in the Clinical Centre University of Pécs, Hungary.

PubMed

Melegh, S; Kovács, K; Gám, T; Nyul, A; Patkó, B; Tóth, A; Damjanova, I; Mestyán, G

2014-01-01

Since November 2009 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates have been detected in increasing numbers at the Clinical Centre University of Pécs. Molecular typing was performed for 102 clinical isolates originating from different time periods and various departments of the Clinical Centre. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the predominance of a single clone (101/102), identified as sequence type ST15. PCR and sequencing showed the presence of blaCTX-M-15 and blaVIM-4 genes. The blaVIM-4 was located on a class 1 integron designated In238b. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a blaVIM-4 gene in the predominant CTX-M-15 extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Hungarian Epidemic Clone/ST15. © 2013 The Authors Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2013 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and Their Beta-Lactamase Encoding Genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Cancer Patients

PubMed Central

Zafer, Mai M.; Al-Agamy, Mohamed H.; El-Mahallawy, Hadir A.; Amin, Magdy A.; Ashour, Mohammed Seif El-Din

2014-01-01

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) in P. aeruginosa isolates collected from two different hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and phenotypic screening for ESBLs and MBLs were performed on 122 P. aeruginosa isolates collected in the period from January 2011 to March 2012. MICs were determined. ESBLs and MBLs genes were sought by PCR. The resistant rate to imipenem was 39.34%. The resistance rates for P. aeruginosa to cefuroxime, cefoperazone, ceftazidime, aztreonam, and piperacillin/tazobactam were 87.7%, 80.3%, 60.6%, 45.1%, and 25.4%, respectively. Out of 122 P. aeruginosa, 27% and 7.4% were MBL and ESBL, respectively. The prevalence of bla VIM-2, bla OXA-10-, bla VEB-1, bla NDM-, and bla IMP-1-like genes were found in 58.3%, 41.7%, 10.4%, 4.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. GIM-, SPM-, SIM-, and OXA-2-like genes were not detected in this study. OXA-10-like gene was concomitant with VIM-2 and/or VEB. Twelve isolates harbored both OXA-10 and VIM-2; two isolates carried both OXA-10 and VEB. Only one strain contained OXA-10, VIM-2, and VEB. In conclusion, bla VIM-2- and bla OXA-10-like genes were the most prevalent genes in P. aeruginosa in Egypt. To our knowledge, this is the first report of bla VIM-2, bla IMP-1, bla NDM, and bla OXA-10 in P. aeruginosa in Egypt. PMID:24707471

Deep brain stimulation in uncommon tremor disorders: indications, targets, and programming.

PubMed

Artusi, Carlo Alberto; Farooqi, Ashar; Romagnolo, Alberto; Marsili, Luca; Balestrino, Roberta; Sokol, Leonard L; Wang, Lily L; Zibetti, Maurizio; Duker, Andrew P; Mandybur, George T; Lopiano, Leonardo; Merola, Aristide

2018-03-06

In uncommon tremor disorders, clinical efficacy and optimal anatomical targets for deep brain stimulation (DBS) remain inadequately studied and insufficiently quantified. We performed a systematic review of PubMed.gov and ClinicalTrials.gov. Relevant articles were identified using the following keywords: "tremor", "Holmes tremor", "orthostatic tremor", "multiple sclerosis", "multiple sclerosis tremor", "neuropathy", "neuropathic tremor", "fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome", and "fragile X." We identified a total of 263 cases treated with DBS for uncommon tremor disorders. Of these, 44 had Holmes tremor (HT), 18 orthostatic tremor (OT), 177 multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated tremor, 14 neuropathy-associated tremor, and 10 fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). DBS resulted in favorable, albeit partial, clinical improvements in HT cases receiving Vim-DBS alone or in combination with additional targets. A sustained improvement was reported in OT cases treated with bilateral Vim-DBS, while the two cases treated with unilateral Vim-DBS demonstrated only a transient effect. MS-associated tremor responded to dual-target Vim-/VO-DBS, but the inability to account for the progression of MS-associated disability impeded the assessment of its long-term clinical efficacy. Neuropathy-associated tremor substantially improved with Vim-DBS. In FXTAS patients, while Vim-DBS was effective in improving tremor, equivocal results were observed in those with ataxia. DBS of select targets may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for uncommon tremor disorders, although the level of evidence is currently in its incipient form and based on single cases or limited case series. An international registry is, therefore, warranted to clarify selection criteria, long-term results, and optimal surgical targets.

The influence of carbon content on cyclic fatigue of NiTi SMA wires.

PubMed

Matheus, T C U; Menezes, W M M; Rigo, O D; Kabayama, L K; Viana, C S C; Otubo, J

2011-06-01

To evaluate two NiTi wires with different carbon and oxygen contents in terms of mechanical resistance to rotary bending fatigue (RBF) under varied parameters of strain amplitude and rotational speed. The wires produced from two vacuum induction melting (VIM) processed NiTi ingots were tested, Ti-49.81 at%Ni and Ti-50.33 at%Ni, named VIM 1 and VIM 2. A brief analysis related to wire fabrication is also presented, as well as chemical and microstructural analysis by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and optical microscope, respectively. A computer controlled RBF machine was specially constructed for the tests. Three radii of curvature were used: 50.0, 62.5 and 75.0 mm, respectively, R(1), R(2) and R(3), resulting in three strain amplitudes ε(a) : 1.00%, 0.80% and 0.67%. The selected rotational speeds were 250 and 455 rpm. The VIM 1 wire had a high carbon content of 0.188 wt% and a low oxygen content of 0.036 wt%. The oxygen and carbon contents of wire VIM 2 did not exceed their maximum, of 0.070 and 0.050 wt%, according to ASTM standard (ASTM F-2063-00 2001). The wire with lower carbon content performed better when compared to the one with higher carbon content, withstanding 29,441 and 12,895 cycles, respectively, to fracture. The surface quality of the wire was associated with resistance to cyclic fatigue. Surface defects acted as stress concentrators points. Overall, the number of cycles to failure was higher for VIM 2 wires with lower carbon content. © 2011 International Endodontic Journal.

Morfología de la Coma del Cometa Hale - Bopp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil-Hutton, R.; Caballero, M.; Coldwell, G.; Cañada, M.; Godoy, G.; Trozzo, C.; Gómez, G.

Para lograr comprender plenamente los procesos físicos que se desarrollan en los núcleos cometarios y obtener un modelo que explique, no sólo su actividad, sino también sus efectos sobre la coma, es necesario obtener información detallada para el mayor número de cometas posible, siendo las características más interesantes para estudiar la ubicación de las regiones activas, la presencia de jets, las tasas de producción de gas y polvo y la interacción de la coma con el viento solar. En la actualidad, con técnicas de procesamiento de imágenes y tecnología CCD se pueden obtener este tipo de datos para cometas que ingresan al sistema solar interior y estudiar, de esta manera, la morfología de sus comas, tratando de correlacionar la actividad detectada con algún modelo teórico. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio parcial de la actividad desarrollada por el cometa Hale-Bopp, y sus efectos sobre la morfología de su coma, desde agosto de 1995 hasta la fecha en base a imágenes adquiridas con el telescopio de 0.76 m. de la Estación Astronómica Dr. Carlos Ulrrico Cesco.

Developing Breast Cancer Program at Xavier; Genomic and Proteomic Analysis of Signaling Pathways Involved in Xenohormone and MEK5 Regulation of Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

Heat shock 70 kDa protein 4 (HSPA4), Glutathione S-transferase P ( GSTP1 ), and Creatine kinase B-type (CKB), and downregulations of Keratin 8 (KRT8...VIM), glutathione-S-transferase P ( GSTP1 ), and creatine kinase B-type (CKB) were upregulated, and keratin 8 (KRT8), keratin 19 (KRT19) and...upregulation of VIM/vim, GSTP1 / gstp1 , and CKB/ckb; and downregulation of KRT8/krt8, KRT19/krt19, and GSTM3/gstm3). We further demonstrate that MEK5

The geology of Hotei Regio, Titan: Correlation of Cassini VIMS and RADAR

USGS Publications Warehouse

Soderblom, L.A.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, J.M.; Barnes, J.W.; Kirk, R.L.; Sotin, Christophe; Jaumann, R.; MacKinnon, D.J.; Mackowski, D.W.; Baines, K.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2009-01-01

Joint Cassini VIMS and RADAR SAR data of ???700-km-wide Hotei Regio reveal a rich collection of geological features that correlate between the two sets of images. The degree of correlation is greater than anywhere else seen on Titan. Central to Hotei Regio is a basin filled with cryovolcanic flows that are anomalously bright in VIMS data (in particular at 5 ??m) and quite variable in roughness in SAR. The edges of the flows are dark in SAR data and appear to overrun a VIMS-bright substrate. SAR-stereo topography shows the flows to be viscous, 100-200 m thick. On its southern edge the basin is ringed by higher (???1 km) mountainous terrain. The mountains show mixed texture in SAR data: some regions are extremely rough, exhibit low and spectrally neutral albedo in VIMS data and may be partly coated with darker hydrocarbons. Around the southern margin of Hotei Regio, the SAR image shows several large, dendritic, radar-bright channels that flow down from the mountainous terrain and terminate in dark blue patches, seen in VIMS images, whose infrared color is consistent with enrichment in water ice. The patches are in depressions that we interpret to be filled with fluvial deposits eroded and transported by liquid methane in the channels. In the VIMS images the dark blue patches are encased in a latticework of lighter bands that we suggest to demark a set of circumferential and radial fault systems bounding structural depressions. Conceivably the circular features are tectonic structures that are remnant from an ancient impact structure. We suggest that impact-generated structures may have simply served as zones of weakness; no direct causal connection, such as impact-induced volcanism, is implied. We also speculate that two large dark features lying on the northern margin of Hotei Regio could be calderas. In summary the preservation of such a broad suite of VIMS infrared color variations and the detailed correlation with features in the SAR image and SAR topography evidence a complex set of geological processes (pluvial, fluvial, tectonic, cryovolcanic, impact) that have likely remained active up to very recent geological time (<104 year). That the cryovolcanic flows are excessively bright in the infrared, particularly at 5 ??m, might signal ongoing geological activity. One study [Nelson, R.M., and 28 colleagues, 2009. Icarus 199, 429-441] reported significant 2-??m albedo changes in VIMS data for Hotei Arcus acquired between 2004 and 2006, that were interpreted as evidence for such activity. However in our review of that work, we do not agree that such evidence has yet been found.

Astronomía Gamma desde El Leoncito

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rovero, A. C.; Colombo, E.; Sahade, J.; Weekes, T. C.

La astronomía gamma, en el extremo de energías detectadas hasta el presente, se encuentra en desarrollo en muchas partes del mundo y proporciona resultados sorprendentes a medida que la tecnología avanza en el desarrollo de nuevos detectores. La técnica Cherenkov Atmosférica es la utilizada para la detección, mediante telescopios en tierra, del efecto secundario causado por la radiación gamma de muy altas energías (E ≈ TeV). Por medio de telescopios o arreglos de detectores y utilizando la técnica mencionada, se han podido detectar algunas fuentes puntuales de mucha importancia astrofísica como la Nebulosa del Cangrejo y la galaxia de núcleo activo Markarian 421. El sistema instalado en San Juan, en cooperación con el grupo de Radiación Gamma del Observatorio Whipple, está constituído por tres colectores de 1.5m que registran pulsos de luz generados por las cascadas de partículas producidas por rayos cósmicos de todo tipo al entrar en la atmósfera terrestre. El sistema opera por barrido en ascención recta de la fuente observada que, para esta etapa del experimento, es el Centro Galáctico. Esta fuente extensa es conocida como emisor gamma de energías inferiores al TeV y ha sido observada anteriormente en este rango de energía desde el hemisferio norte pero con elevaciones bajas, situación no óptima para este tipo de técnica. Se presentan los primeros resultados del análisis de los datos obtenidos observando la región del Centro Galáctico, luego de dos años de observaciones, así como una descripción de la técnica Cherenkov Atmosférica y del equipo utilizado en la experiencia.

Molecular detection of metallo-β-lactamase gene blaVIM-1 in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients in the hospitals of Isfahan.

PubMed

Sedighi, Mansour; Vaez, Hamid; Moghoofeie, Mohsen; Hadifar, Shima; Oryan, Golfam; Faghri, Jamshid

2015-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes serious problems, especially in people, who have immunodeficiency. In recent times, metallo-β-lactamase (MBLs) resistance in this bacterium has led to some difficulties in treating bacterial infections. The metallo-beta-lactamase family of genes, including blaVIM-1, is being reported with increasing frequency worldwide. The aim of this study is the detection of the metallo-β-lactamase gene blaVIM-1 in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (IRPA) strains isolated from hospitalized patients. In this study, 106 P. aeruginosa samples were isolated from various nosocomial infections. The isolates were identified, tested for susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and all the imipenem-resistant isolates were screened for the presence of MBLs by using the combined disk (IMP-EDTA). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of imipenem was determined by E-test on the Mueller-Hinton agar. To detect the blaVIM-1 gene, the isolates were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of all the P. aeruginosa isolates, 62 (58.5%) were found to be imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (MIC ≥32 μg/ml). Twenty-six (42%) of the imipenem-resistant isolates were MBL positive. None of these isolates carried the blaVIM-1 gene using the PCR assay. The results demonstrated the serious therapeutic threat of the MBL-producing P. aeruginosa populations. The rate of imipenem resistance due to MBL was increased dramatically. Early detection and infection-control practices are the best antimicrobial strategies for this organism. None of MBL-producing isolates in this study carry the blaVIM-1 gene; therefore, another gene in the MBL family should be investigated.

Comparative immunohistochemical characterization of interstitial cells in the urinary bladder of human, guinea pig and pig.

PubMed

Steiner, Clara; Gevaert, Thomas; Ganzer, Roman; De Ridder, Dirk; Neuhaus, Jochen

2018-05-01

Interstitial cells (ICs) are thought to play a functional role in urinary bladder. Animal models are commonly used to elucidate bladder physiology and pathophysiology. However, inter-species comparative studies on ICs are rare. We therefore analyzed ICs and their distribution in the upper lamina propria (ULP), the deeper lamina propria (DLP) and the detrusor muscular layer (DET) of human, guinea pig (GP) and pig. Paraffin slices were examined by immunohistochemistry and 3D confocal immunofluorescence of the mesenchymal intermediate filament vimentin (VIM), alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) and transient receptor potential cation channel A1 (TRPA1). Image stacks were processed for analysis using Huygens software; quantitative analysis was performed with Fiji macros. ICs were identified by immunoreactivity for VIM (excluding blood vessels). In all species ≥ 75% of ULP ICs were VIM + /PDGFRα + and ≥ 90% were VIM + /TRPA1 + . In human and pig ≥ 74% of ULP ICs were VIM + /αSMA + , while in GP the percentage differed significantly with only 37% VIM + /αSMA + ICs. Additionally, over 90% of αSMA + ICs were also TRPA1 + and PDGFRα + in human, GP and pig. In all three species, TRPA1 + and PDGFRα + ICs point to an active role for these cells in bladder physiology, regarding afferent signaling processes and signal modification. We hypothesize that decline in αSMA-positivity in GP reflects adaptation of bladder histology to smaller bladder size. In our experiments, pig bladder proved to be highly comparable to human urinary bladder and seems to provide safer interpretation of experimental findings than GP.

Rolling-element fatigue life of AMS 5749 corrosion resistant, high temperature bearing steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, R. J.; Hodder, R. S.

1977-01-01

The rolling element fatigue lives of AMS 5749 and AISI M-50 were compared in tests run in the five ball fatigue tester and the rolling contact fatigue tester. The effects of double vacuum melting and retained austenite on the life of AMS 5749 were determined in five ball fatigue tests. The double vacuum melting process consisted of induction vacuum melting followed by vacuum arc remelting (VIM-VAR). In the five ball tests, VIM-VAR AMS 5749 gave lives at least six times that of VIM-VAR AISI M-50. Similar tests in the rolling contact fatigue tester showed no significant difference in the lives of the two materials. The rolling element fatigue life of VIM-VAR AMS 5749 was at least 14 times that of vacuum induction melted AMS 5749. A trend toward increased rolling element fatigue life with decreased retained austenite is apparent, but the confidence that all experimental differences are significant is not great.

Coherent Backscattering Effect in Saturnian vs. Uranian Satellites: Observations and Enhanced MSTM Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitman, Karly M.; Kolokolova, Ludmilla; Verbiscer, Anne J.; Joseph, Emily C.; Mackowski, Daniel W.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Momary, Thomas W.

2014-11-01

We continue our campaign to extract spectra and measure absorption band parameters from Cassini Visual & Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and ground-based near-infrared observations of saturnian and uranian icy satellites. We compare these spectra to numerical models to study the coherent backscattering effect (CBE; constructive interference of radiation) that should significantly alter the interpretation of spacecraft spectra obtained at solar phase angles α < 2 degrees. To quantify CBE, we extract VIMS spectra for different α from the same location on the icy satellite surface, ideally within +/- 1-2 degrees in subspacecraft latitude and longitude. Using 2013-2014 calibration updates for VIMS, we present groups of VIMS spectra (pairs or trios) for 3 saturnian moons that most closely fit these ideal criteria. We also show models of the light-scattering characteristics of icy surfaces using a new version of the Multiple Sphere T-Matrix (MSTM) code (Mackowski, D., 2014, in Proceedings of the Workshop “Scattering by aggregates (on surfaces)”, Bremen, Germany, 24 - 25. March 2014, p. 6-9). This code, called MSTM4, allows users to build large, thick slabs of dozens of thousands of spheres to model planetary regolith more accurately. The results clearly indicate the influence of CBE on the spectra and show significant dependence on the size of particles and their packing. To extend the low phase angle coverage of Cassini VIMS data and examine CBE on darker surfaces, we also compare to spectra of several uranian satellites (Titania, Oberon Ariel) acquired using Triplespec ( 3500) at Apache Point Observatory, New Mexico. Synthesizing such results will ultimately place limits on the size and packing fraction of icy satellite regolith particles and aid in interpretations of the structure, composition, and evolution of icy satellites.This work is supported by NASA’s Outer Planets Research program (NNX12AM76G; PI Pitman), Planetary Astronomy program (NNX09AD06G; PI Verbiscer), and NASA’s Advanced Supercomputing Division. Calibrated Cassini VIMS data cubes appear courtesy of the Cassini VIMS team and the PDS.

Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Producing VIM-8, a Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase, in a Tertiary Care Center in Cali, Colombia

PubMed Central

Crespo, M. P.; Woodford, N.; Sinclair, A.; Kaufmann, M. E.; Turton, J; Glover, J.; Velez, J. D.; Castañeda, C. R.; Recalde, M.; Livermore, D. M.

2004-01-01

The prevalence of imipenem resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates at a 195-bed tertiary care medical center in Cali, Colombia, rose from 2% in 1996 to 28% in 1997 and to over 40% in 2003. Many isolates showed high-level multiresistance, and phenotypic characterization suggested the spread of a predominant strain with minor variants. Sixty-six resistant isolates collected between February 1999 and July 2003 from hospitalized patients (n = 54) and environmental samples (n = 12) were subjected to a fuller analysis. Genetic fingerprints were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of SpeI-digested genomic DNA, and blaIMP and blaVIM genes were sought by PCR. PFGE and serotyping indicated that 52 of the 66 isolates belonged to a single strain, with 82% similarity; the PFGE pattern for this organism was designated pattern A. Two further pairs of isolates represented single strains; the remaining nine isolates were unique, and in the case of one isolate, no satisfactory PFGE profile could be obtained. The pattern A isolates were mostly of serotype O12 and were highly resistant to imipenem (MICs, 32 to >256 μg/ml), with this resistance decreased eightfold or more in the presence of EDTA. They yielded amplicons with blaVIM-specific primers, and sequencing of DNA from a representative isolate revealed blaVIM-8, a novel allele with three polymorphisms compared with the sequence of blaVIM-2. Two of these nucleotide changes were silent, but the third determined a Thr139Ala substitution. Only 4 of 13 resistant isolates (2 clinical isolates and 2 environmental isolates) assigned to other PFGE types carried blaVIM alleles, whereas the others were less multiresistant and mostly had lower levels of imipenem resistance (MICs, ≤32 μg/ml) which was not significantly reduced by EDTA. No blaIMP alleles were detected. During 2003, when the environmental study was undertaken, serotype O12 isolates with blaVIM were recovered from sinks and stethoscopes in the most-affected units, although not from the hands of staff; the problem declined once these reservoirs were disinfected and hygienic precautions were reinforced. PMID:15528701

A prospective examination of circulating tumor cell profiles in non-small-cell lung cancer molecular subgroups.

PubMed

Lindsay, C R; Faugeroux, V; Michiels, S; Pailler, E; Facchinetti, F; Ou, D; Bluthgen, M V; Pannet, C; Ngo-Camus, M; Bescher, G; Caramella, C; Billiot, F; Remon, J; Planchard, D; Soria, J-C; Besse, B; Farace, F

2017-07-01

We report the first study examining the clinical, numerical and biological properties of circulating tumor cells according to molecular subtypes of non-small-cell lung cancer. 125 patients with treatment-naïve stage IIIb-IV NSCLC were prospectively recruited for CellSearch analysis. Anti-vimentin antibody was included for examination of CTCs to assess their mesenchymal character. Associations of total CTCs and vimentin-positive (vim +) CTCs with clinical characteristics, tumor genotype, and survival were assessed. 51/125 patients (40.8%) were total CTC+ and 26/125 (20.8%) were vim CTC+ at baseline. Multivariate analysis showed patients with ≥5 total CTCs had significantly reduced OS (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92, P = 0.022) but not PFS (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.42-1.1, P = 0.118) compared to patients with <5 total CTCs. No OS difference was evident between vim+ CTC and vim-negative CTC patients overall (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.67-2.28, P = 0.494), but after subdivision according to NSCLC driver mutation, we found an increase of vim+ CTCs in the EGFR-mutated subgroup (N = 21/94 patients; mean 1.24 vs 1.22 vim+ CTCs, P = 0.013), a reduction of total CTCs in the ALK-rearranged subgroup (N = 13/90 patients; mean 1.69 vs 5.82 total CTCs, P = 0.029), and a total absence of vim+ CTCs in KRAS-mutated adenocarcinomas (N = 19/78 patients; mean 0 vs 1.4 vim+ CTCs, P = 0.006). We validate that the baseline presence of ≥5 total CTCs in advanced NSCLC confers a poor prognosis. CTCs from EGFR-mutant NSCLC express epithelial-mesenchymal transition characteristics, not seen in CTCs from patients with KRAS-mutant adenocarcinoma. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Compositional Variations of Titan's Impact Craters Indicates Active Surface Erosion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werynski, Alyssa; Neish, Catherine; Le Gall, Alice; Janssen, Michael A.

2017-10-01

Titan’s crust is assumed to be mostly water-ice. However, the surface composition is not well constrained due to its thick atmosphere. Based on infrared and radiometry data, the surface appears enriched in organics, with only few areas showing evidence of exposed water-ice. Regions of water-ice enrichment include the rims and ejecta blankets of impact craters. This study utilizes these geologic features to examine compositional variations across Titan’s surface, and their subsequent modification due to erosional processes.Sixteen craters and their ejecta blankets were mapped on a Cassini RADAR mosaic. These features were selected because they are some of the best preserved craters on Titan. Composition was inferred from Cassini’s Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and 2-cm emissivity data from the Cassini radiometer. With VIMS, different compositional units were inferred from their reflectivity at specific wavelengths. With the emissivity data, high values suggest more organic-rich material, while lower values indicate strong volume scattering. Areas with low emissivity have been interpreted to be water-ice rich, as water-ice is a favorable medium for volume scattering.Results show fresher, well-preserved craters in the dunes regions have a low emissivity indicative of water-ice, and a VIMS spectrum consistent with an unknown material, possibly a mixture of water-ice and organics. As these craters erode over time, the VIMS spectra remain the same but the emissivity increases. Well-preserved craters in the mid-latitude plains show VIMS spectra and emissivity values consistent with water-ice. As these plain craters degrade, the VIMS spectra remain the same, but the emissivity increases. The differing VIMS signatures suggest more mixing with organics during the cratering event in the organic-rich dunes than the plains. The changes in emissivity over time are consistent with organic infilling of subsurface fractures in both regions, with limited surficial alteration. These results support the idea that compositional variations in Titan’s impact craters are related primarily to erosion and infilling, and to a lesser extent, local variations in the overlying organic material of the pre-impact substrate.

Vection and visually induced motion sickness: how are they related?

PubMed Central

Keshavarz, Behrang; Riecke, Bernhard E.; Hettinger, Lawrence J.; Campos, Jennifer L.

2015-01-01

The occurrence of visually induced motion sickness has been frequently linked to the sensation of illusory self-motion (vection), however, the precise nature of this relationship is still not fully understood. To date, it is still a matter of debate as to whether vection is a necessary prerequisite for visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). That is, can there be VIMS without any sensation of self-motion? In this paper, we will describe the possible nature of this relationship, review the literature that addresses this relationship (including theoretical accounts of vection and VIMS), and offer suggestions with respect to operationally defining and reporting these phenomena in future. PMID:25941509

Sequence of pNL194, a 79.3-Kilobase IncN Plasmid Carrying the blaVIM-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae▿

PubMed Central

Miriagou, V.; Papagiannitsis, C. C.; Kotsakis, S. D.; Loli, A.; Tzelepi, E.; Legakis, N. J.; Tzouvelekis, L. S.

2010-01-01

The nucleotide sequence of pNL194, a VIM-1-encoding plasmid, is described in this study. pNL194 (79,307 bp) comprised an IncN-characteristic segment (38,940 bp) and a mosaic structure (40,367 bp) including blaVIM-1, aacA7, aadA1, aadA2, dfrA1, dfrA12, aphA1, strA, strB, and sul1. Tn1000 or Tn5501 insertion within fipA probably facilitated recruitment of additional mobile elements carrying resistance genes. PMID:20660690

Investigation of Titan's surface and atmosphere photometric functions using the Cassini/VIMS instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornet, Thomas; Altobelli, Nicolas; Rodriguez, Sébastien; Maltagliati, Luca; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Sotin, Christophe; Brown, Robert; Barnes, Jason; Buratti, Bonnie; Baines, Kevin; Clark, Roger; Nicholson, Phillip

2015-04-01

After 106 flybys spread over 10 years, the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument acquired 33151 hyperspectral cubes pointing at the surface of Titan on the dayside. Despite this huge amount of data available for surface studies, and due to the strong influence of the atmosphere (methane absorption and haze scattering), Titan's surface is only visible with VIMS in 7 spectral atmospheric windows centred at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.01, 2.7-2.8 and 5 microns. Atmospheric scattering and absorption effects dominate Titan's spectrum at wavelengths shorter than 3 microns, while the 5 micron window, almost insensitive to the haze scattering, only presents a reduced atmospheric absorption contribution to the signal recorded by VIMS. In all cases, the recorded I/F represents an apparent albedo, which depends on the atmospheric contributions and the surface photometry at each wavelength. We therefore aim to determine real albedo values for Titan's surface by finding photometric functions for the surface and the atmosphere that could be used as a basis for empirical corrections or Radiative Transfer calculations. After updating the navigation of the VIMS archive, we decomposed the entire VIMS data set into a MySQL relational database gathering the viewing geometry, location, time (season) and I/F (for pure atmosphere and surface-atmosphere images) for each pixel of the 33151 individual VIMS cubes. We then isolated all the VIMS pixels where Titan's surface has been repeatedly imaged at low phase angles (< 20 degrees) in order to characterize phase curves for the surface at 5 microns and for the atmosphere. Among these, the T88 flyby appears noteworthy, with a "Emergence-Phase Function (EPF)"-type observation: 25 cubes acquired during the same flyby, over the same area (close to Tortola Facula, in relatively dark terrains), at a constant incidence and with varying emergence and phase (from 0 to 60 degrees) angles. The data clearly exhibit an increase of I/F at 5 microns at very low phase angles, which is indicative of an opposition effect for the surface, and kinks in the I/F at low and high emergence/phase angles, increasing with decreasing wavelength (and thus with increasing atmospheric scattering). The latter dependency is present in both pure atmosphere and surface-atmosphere images, which clearly indicates that it is of atmospheric origin. We are currently investigating these dependencies with angles and try to determine best fit models that would describe the phase curves for the surface at 5 microns and for the atmosphere at lower wavelengths in this particular area.

High-resolution CASSINI-VIMS mosaics of Titan and the icy Saturnian satellites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; McCord, T.B.; Coradini, A.; Capaccioni, F.; Filacchione, G.; Cerroni, P.; Baines, K.H.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Combes, M.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Formisano, V.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Soderbloom, L.A.; Griffith, C.; Matz, K.-D.; Roatsch, Th.; Scholten, F.; Porco, C.C.

2006-01-01

The Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the CASSINI spacecraft obtained new spectral data of the icy satellites of Saturn after its arrival at Saturn in June 2004. VIMS operates in a spectral range from 0.35 to 5.2 ??m, generating image cubes in which each pixel represents a spectrum consisting of 352 contiguous wavebands. As an imaging spectrometer VIMS combines the characteristics of both a spectrometer and an imaging instrument. This makes it possible to analyze the spectrum of each pixel separately and to map the spectral characteristics spatially, which is important to study the relationships between spectral information and geological and geomorphologic surface features. The spatial analysis of the spectral data requires the determination of the exact geographic position of each pixel on the specific surface and that all 352 spectral elements of each pixel show the same region of the target. We developed a method to reproject each pixel geometrically and to convert the spectral data into map projected image cubes. This method can also be applied to mosaic different VIMS observations. Based on these mosaics, maps of the spectral properties for each Saturnian satellite can be derived and attributed to geographic positions as well as to geological and geomorphologic surface features. These map-projected mosaics are the basis for all further investigations. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reduction of renal mass is lethal in mice lacking vimentin. Role of endothelin-nitric oxide imbalance.

PubMed Central

Terzi, F; Henrion, D; Colucci-Guyon, E; Federici, P; Babinet, C; Levy, B I; Briand, P; Friedlander, G

1997-01-01

Modulation of vascular tone by chemical and mechanical stimuli is a crucial adaptive phenomenon which involves cytoskeleton elements. Disruption, by homologous recombination, of the gene encoding vimentin, a class III intermediate filament protein mainly expressed in vascular cells, was reported to result in apparently normal phenotype under physiological conditions. In this study, we evaluated whether the lack of vimentin affects vascular adaptation to pathological situations, such as reduction of renal mass, a pathological condition which usually results in immediate and sustained vasodilation of the renal vascular bed. Ablation of 3/4 of renal mass was constantly lethal within 72 h in mice lacking vimentin (Vim-/-), whereas no lethality was observed in wild-type littermates. Death in Vim-/- mice resulted from end-stage renal failure. Kidneys from Vim-/- mice synthesized more endothelin, but less nitric oxide (NO), than kidneys from normal animals. In vitro, renal resistance arteries from Vim-/- mice were selectively more sensitive to endothelin, less responsive to NO-dependent vasodilators, and exhibited an impaired flow (shear stress)- induced vasodilation, which is NO dependent, as compared with those from normal littermates. Finally, in vivo administration of bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, totally prevented lethality in Vim-/- mice. These results suggest that vimentin plays a key role in the modulation of vascular tone, possibly via the tuning of endothelin-nitric oxide balance. PMID:9294120

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Czech Republic in 2011.

PubMed

Hrabák, J; Papagiannitsis, C C; Študentová, V; Jakubu, V; Fridrichová, M; Zemlickova, H

2013-11-07

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. are increasingly reported in many countries all over the world. Due to the resistance of those bacteria to almost all antibiotics (e.g.beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones),treatment options are seriously limited. In the Czech Republic, the incidence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae seems to be low, restricted to only three cases detected between 2009 and 2010.Here, we describe molecular typing of 15 carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates identified in the Czech Republic during 2011. Five VIM-1-producing isolates belonging to sequence type (ST)11 and one VIM-4-producing isolate of ST1029 have been detected. blaVIM-1 and blaVIM-4 as a part of class 1 integrons were chromosomally located or carried by a plasmid belonging to A/C replicon type (blaVIM-4). KPC-3-producing isolates of ST512, recovered from six patients, caused an outbreak. Three more isolates producing KPC-2 enzyme belonged to ST258. Both blaKPCgenes were part of the Tn4401a transposon carried on plasmids of the pKpQIL type. The isolates were resistant to all antibiotics tested except colistin and/or gentamicin.Four of these 15 strains were recovered from patients repatriated to the Czech Republic from Greece and Italy. This is the first report of outbreaks caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the Czech Republic.

Predominance of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates carrying blaIMP and blaVIM metallo-β-lactamases in a major hospital in Costa Rica.

PubMed

Toval, Francisco; Guzmán-Marte, Anel; Madriz, Vivian; Somogyi, Teresita; Rodríguez, César; García, Fernando

2015-01-01

This study aimed to assess the molecular basis of the resistance to carbapenems in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from a tertiary-level health facility in San José, Costa Rica. A total of 198 non-duplicated isolates were evaluated for their susceptibility to β-lactams, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. The production of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), the presence of MBL encoding genes (blaIMP, blaVIM and blaGIM-1) and the occurrence of these genes within class 1 integrons were investigated. In addition, an ERIC2 PCR fingerprinting method was used to elucidate the distribution of the detected MBL genes within the strain collection. Of the 198 isolates tested, 125 (63.1 %) were categorized as carbapenem-resistant. The majority (88.8 %) of the carbapemen-resistant isolates also showed resistance to ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin and gatifloxacin. Among the carbapenem-resistant isolates, 102 (81.6 %) showed MBL activity. Strikingly, both blaIMP and blaVIM genes were simultaneously detected in most (94.1 %) of the 102 MBL producers. Five carbapenem-resistant MBL producers were positive only for blaIMP genes. Almost 70 % of the isolates examined harboured the intI1 gene, accompanied by the sul1 and qacEΔ1 genes in 136 (99 %) and 122 (89 %) isolates, respectively. The majority (94.4 %) of the carbapenem-resistant isolates carried the intI1 gene, in contrast to 26 % of the carbapenem-susceptible isolates. Ninety-three out of 96 (96.9 %) isolates carrying both blaIMP and blaVIM genes also harboured the intI1, sul1 and qacEΔ1 genes. Gene cassettes from carbapenem-susceptible and MBL-negative carbapenem-resistant isolates encoded aminoglycoside-resistance enzymes (aadA2, aadA4 and aadA6) as well as orfD and qacF genes. RAPD analysis distributed 126 of the isolates in 29 clusters. Eighty of the 90 blaIMP (+) blaVIM (+) isolates were sorted into 16 different clusters, suggesting that the blaIMP and blaVIM genes detected were located within a genetic element capable of lateral transfer. Carbapenem-resistant MBL-positive isolates were recovered from almost all hospital wards and were over-represented in samples obtained from the surgical emergency and intensive care therapy units. Remarkably, three carbapenem-resistant isolates, exhibiting MBL activity and carrying both blaIMP and blaVIM genes, were recovered from outpatients. Sequence analysis of both bla genes in various isolates revealed that they correspond to the alleles blaIMP-18 and blaVIM-2. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the combination of two metallo-β-lactamases encoded by the blaIMP-18 and blaVIM-2 genes in P. aeruginosa. © 2015 The Authors.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Spain in 2012

PubMed Central

Saez, David; Bautista, Verónica; Fernández-Romero, Sara; Hernández-Molina, Juan Manuel; Pérez-Vázquez, María; Aracil, Belén; Campos, José

2013-01-01

We report the epidemiological impact of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in Spain in 2012. Of the 237 carbapenemases detected, 163 were from the OXA-48 group, 60 were from VIM-1, 8 were from KPC-2, 5 were from IMP, and 1 was from NDM-1. Interhospital spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was due to a limited number of multilocus sequence types (MLST) and carbapenemase types, including ST15–VIM-1, ST11–OXA-48, ST405–OXA-48, ST101–KPC-2, and ST11–VIM-1. The number of CPE cases in Spain has increased sharply in recent years, due mainly to the emergence of OXA-48. PMID:24041898

Monte Carol-based validation of neutronic methodology for EBR-II analyses

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

Liaw, J.R.; Finck, P.J.

1993-01-01

The continuous-energy Monte Carlo code VIM (Ref. 1) has been validated extensively over the years against fast critical experiments and other neutronic analysis codes. A high degree of confidence in VIM for predicting reactor physics parameters has been firmly established. This paper presents a numerical validation of two conventional multigroup neutronic analysis codes, DIF3D (Ref. 4) and VARIANT (Ref. 5), against VIM for two Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) core loadings in detailed three-dimensional hexagonal-z geometry. The DIF3D code is based on nodal diffusion theory, and it is used in calculations for day-today reactor operations, whereas the VARIANT code ismore » based on nodal transport theory and is used with increasing frequency for specific applications. Both DIF3D and VARIANT rely on multigroup cross sections generated from ENDF/B-V by the ETOE-2/MC[sup 2]-II/SDX (Ref. 6) code package. Hence, this study also validates the multigroup cross-section processing methodology against the continuous-energy approach used in VIM.« less

Thalamic deep brain stimulation decelerates automatic lexical activation.

PubMed

Ehlen, Felicitas; Vonberg, Isabelle; Tiedt, Hannes O; Horn, Andreas; Fromm, Ortwin; Kühn, Andrea A; Klostermann, Fabian

2017-02-01

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is a therapeutic option for patients with essential tremor. Despite a generally low risk of side effects, declines in verbal fluency (VF) have previously been reported. We aimed to specify effects of VIM-DBS on major cognitive operations needed for VF task performance, represented by clusters and switches. Clusters are word production spurts, thought to arise from automatic activation of associated information pertaining to a given lexical field. Switches are slow word-to-word transitions, presumed to indicate controlled operations for stepping from one lexical field to another. Thirteen essential tremor patients with VIM-DBS performed verbal fluency tasks in their VIM-DBS ON and OFF conditions. Clusters and switches were formally defined by mathematical criteria. All results were compared to those of fifteen healthy control subjects, and significant OFF-ON-change scores were correlated to stimulation parameters. Patients produced fewer words than healthy controls. DBS ON compared to DBS OFF aggravated this deficit by prolonging the intervals between words within clusters, whereas switches remained unaffected. This stimulation effect correlated with more anterior electrode positions. VIM-DBS seems to influence word output dynamics during verbal fluency tasks on the level of word clustering. This suggests a perturbation of automatic lexical co-activation by thalamic stimulation, particularly if delivered relatively anteriorly. The findings are discussed in the context of the hypothesized role of the thalamus in lexical processing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emergence of Imipenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates from Egypt Coharboring VIM and IMP Carbapenemases.

PubMed

El-Domany, Ramadan Ahmed; Emara, Mohamed; El-Magd, Mohammed A; Moustafa, Walaa H; Abdeltwab, Nesma M

2017-09-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important human pathogen and the leading cause of nosocomial infections. P. aeruginosa is characterized by massive intrinsic resistance to a multiple classes of antibiotics with carbapenems being the most potent inhibitor of P. aeruginosa and considered the first choice for its treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate novel mechanisms of resistance of P. aeruginosa to carbapenems for achieving successful therapy. A total of 114 P. aeruginosa isolates from two university hospitals in Egypt were recruited in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 50 isolates (43.8%) exhibited multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype, of them 14 isolates (12.2%) were imipenem (IPM)-resistant. Of these 14 isolates, 13 isolates (11.4%) exhibited the metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) phenotype. MBLs encoding genes, VIM and IMP, were identified by PCR. PCR results revealed that four isolates harbored the VIM gene alone, one isolate harbored IMP gene alone, and four isolates harbored both genes. The correct size of PCR products of VIM and IMP genes (390 and 188 bp, respectively) were sequenced to confirm results of PCR and to look for any possible polymorphism among MBL genes of tested isolates. Data analysis of these sequences showed 100% identity of nucleotide sequences of MBL genes among tested Egyptian patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IMP carbapenemase-encoding gene in Africa and the first detection of the emergence of P. aeruginosa coproducing VIM and IMP genes in Egypt.

Vimentin affects localization and activity of sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 in membrane rafts.

PubMed

Runembert, Isabelle; Queffeulou, Guillaume; Federici, Pierre; Vrtovsnik, François; Colucci-Guyon, Emma; Babinet, Charles; Briand, Pascale; Trugnan, Germain; Friedlander, Gérard; Terzi, Fabiola

2002-02-15

It has been reported that vimentin, a cytoskeleton filament that is expressed only in mesenchymal cells after birth, is re-expressed in epithelial cells in vivo under pathological conditions and in vitro in primary culture. Whether vimentin re-expression is only a marker of cellular dedifferentiation or is instrumental in the maintenance of cell structure and/or function is a matter of debate. To address this issue, we used renal proximal tubular cells in primary culture from vimentin-null mice (Vim(-/-)) and from wild-type littermates (Vim(+/+)). The absence of vimentin did not affect cell morphology, proliferation and activity of hydrolases, but dramatically decreased Na-glucose cotransport activity. This phenotype was associated with a specific reduction of SGLT1 protein in the detergent-resistant membrane microdomains (DRM). In Vim(+/+) cells, disruption of these microdomains by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin decreased SGLT1 protein abundance in DRM, a change that was paralleled by a decrease of Na-glucose transport activity. Importantly, we showed that vimentin is located to DRM, but it disappeared after methyl-beta-cyclodextrin treatment. In Vim(-/-) cells, supplementation of cholesterol with cholesterol-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin complexes completely restored Na-glucose transport activity. Interestingly, neither cholesterol content nor cholesterol metabolism changed in Vim(-/-) cells. Our results are consistent with the view that re-expression of vimentin in epithelial cells could be instrumental to maintain the physical state of rafts and, thus, the function of DRM-associated proteins.

Cassini ISS and VIMS observations of Titan's north polar region during the T120 and T121 flybys: The Curious Case of the Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turtle, E. P.; Barnes, J. W.; Perry, J.; Barbara, J.; Hayes, A.; Corlies, P.; Kelland, J.; West, R. A.; Del Genio, A. D.; Soderblom, J. M.; McEwen, A. S.; Sotin, C.

2016-12-01

As northern summer approaches, atmospheric circulation models predict storm activity will pick up at Titan's high northern latitudes, as was observed at high southern latitudes upon Cassini's arrival during late southern summer in 2004. Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) teams have been targeting Titan to document changes in weather patterns over the course of the mission, and there is particular interest in following the onset of clouds in the north polar region where Titan's lakes and seas are concentrated. The T120 and T121 flybys of Titan, on 7 June and 25 July 2016, respectively, provided views of high northern latitudes, and each instrument performed a series of observations over more than 24 hours during both flybys. Intriguingly, at first look the ISS and VIMS observations appear strikingly different from each other: in the ISS observations made during each flyby, surface features are apparent and only a few isolated clouds are detected; however, the VIMS observations suggest widespread cloud cover at high northern latitudes during both flybys. Although the instruments achieve different resolutions, that alone cannot explain the differences. The observations were made over the same time periods, so differences in illumination geometry or changes in the clouds themselves are also unlikely to be the cause for the apparent discrepancy; VIMS shows persistent atmospheric features over the entire observation period and ISS consistently detects surface features with just a few localized clouds. Clouds with low optical depth (lower than the optical depth of Titan's atmospheric haze at the same wavelength) might be more easily apparent at the longer wavelengths of the VIMS observations, which extend out to 5 µm (haze optical depth 0.2), compared to the ISS observations at 938 nm (haze optical depth 2). However, the lack of any apparent change in the visibility of lakes and seas in the ISS images compared to previous flybys where no clouds were observed is still difficult to explain. We will present our analyses of the sequences of observations made by ISS and VIMS during T120 and T121, as well as an ongoing ground-based observing campaign (including data from 8 June and 23 July), and the implications for the behavior of Titan's atmosphere leading up to northern summer.

Cassini VIMS-V observations of a giant dynamical structure in the Saturn's northern hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriconi, M. L.; D'Aversa, E.; Adriani, A.; Filacchione, G.

2012-12-01

Vortices have been observed on Saturn since the years of the Voyager's missions. Successively high resolution Cassini's images, provided by the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) cameras, permitted longer periods of observation of the Saturn's dynamical structures, included a long-lived cyclone in the southern hemisphere (del Río-Gaztelurrutia et al., 2010). The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard Cassini spacecraft on January 4th 2012 has observed an oval structure, about 8000 km in diameter size and 0.87 eccentricity in the Saturn's north hemisphere. The vortex is centered at an average planetocentric latitude of 37.5 °North, inside the storm system detected at the end of 2010 (Fletcher et al, 2011). To find the first occurrence of this vortex we started the examination of the VIMS and ISS databases from the 2010 fall until the end of January 2012. We searched also in the archive of ISS narrow angle (NAC) and wide angle (WAC) cameras, publicly available from the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS) Imaging Node, for those images both in concomitance and time shifted with respect to the VIMS ones. We adopted the same identification criterion used by del Río-Gaztelurrutia et al. (2010), by searching for an oval of analogous dimension in the same zonal region. ISS data helped us in checking the existence of the oval in time periods not covered by VIMS data and in resolving oval's details that we cannot appreciate in the VIMS spectral frames, less spatially resolved than the cameras' corresponding filters. This vortex has been observed at different distances and viewing geometries at least 6 and 5 times by VIMS and ISS, respectively, in the examined time period. We estimate that the first vortex's detection occurred in the first half of January 2011 (ISS) while the last one in January 2012 (VIMS). In this study we aim to determine the oval identity in a univocal way, on the basis of its position and size, in order to monitor both the structure living cycle and its evolution. We describe the position and size of the vortex for each image with the greatest detail by means of different processing and mapping techniques. Our results show that there were some zonal drift and size and shape evolution in the time period of our survey. In a second abstract (Oliva et al., 2012) the results of this study, finalized to check the altitude variation and the optical depth of the cloud at the top of the dynamical structure, are reported. Reference Fletcher et al., Thermal Structure and Dynamics of Saturn's Northern Springtime Disturbance, Science, 332, 6036, 1413-1417, 2011. Oliva F., A. Adriani, M.L. Moriconi. Cloud-Top evaluation of a Saturn's giant vortex by Cassini-VIMS-V observations. Submitted as poster to this meeting, 2012. T. del Río-Gaztelurrutia, J. Legarreta, R. Hueso, S. Pérez-Hoyos, A. Sánchez-Lavega. A long-lived cyclone in Saturn's atmosphere: Observations and models. Icarus, 209, 665-681, 2010.

ARN II Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-05-26

QAR drives the decision to convert from WInS to WAWF-RA. VIM-SAP Production Companies CAGE WAWF-RA 1. AC Inc. 9Y595 X 2. Action Embroidery Corp 75556 3...Status 5/26/2004 VIM-SAP Production Companies CAGE WAWF-RA 35. Equa Industries Division Of Propper 8W919 X 36. Eveready Embroidery Inc. 7A611 X 37

KPC and VIM producing Enterobacter cloacae strain from a hospital in northeastern Venezuela.

PubMed

Martínez, Dianny; Marcano, Daniel; Rodulfo, Hectorina; Salgado, Nurys; Cuaical, Nirvia; Rodriguez, Lucy; Caña, Luisa; Medina, Belkis; Guzman, Militza; De Donato, Marcos

2015-06-01

An 83-year-old male patient is admitted to the central hospital in Cumana, Venezuela with severe urinary infection, history of hospitalizaions and prolonged antimicrobial treatments. A strain of Enterobacter cloacae was isolated showing resistance to multiple types of antibiotics (only sensitive to gentamicin), with phenotype of serine- and metallo-carbapenemases. Both, bla(VIM-2) and bla(KPC) genes were detected in the isolate. This is the first report of an Enterobacteriaceae species producing both KPC carbapenemase and VIM metallo carbapenemase in Venezuela. This finding has a great clinical and epidemiological impact in the region, because of the feasibility of transferring these genes, through mobile elements to other strains of Enterobacter and to other infection-causing species of bacteria.

Plasmid Profile Analysis and bla VIM Gene Detection of Metalo β-lactamase (MBL) Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Clinical Samples

PubMed Central

M, Jeya

2014-01-01

Introduction:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent colonizer of hospitalized patients. They are responsible for serious infections such as meningitis, urological infections, septicemia and pneumonia. Carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is currently increasingly reported which is often mediated by production of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL). Multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates may involve reduced cell wall permeability, production of chromosomal and plasmid mediated β lactamases, aminoglycosides modifying enzymes and an active multidrug efflux mechanism. Objective: This study is aimed to detect the presence and the nature of plasmids among metallo-β-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Also to detect the presence of bla VIM gene from these isolates. Materials and Methods: Clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showing the metalo-β-lactamase enzyme (MBL) production were isolated. The MBL production was confirmed by three different methods. From the MBL producing isolates plasmid extraction was done by alkaline lysis method. Plasmid positive isolates were subjected for blaVIM gene detection by PCR method. Results: Two thousand seventy six clinical samples yielded 316 (15.22%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, out of which 141 (44.62%) were multidrug resistant. Among them 25 (17.73%) were metallo-β-lactamase enzyme producers. Plasmids were extracted from 18 out of 25 isolates tested. Five out of 18 isolates were positive for the blaVIM gene detection by the PCR amplification. Conclusion: The MBL producers were susceptible to polymyxin /colistin with MIC ranging from 0.5 – 2μg/ml. Molecular detection of specific genes bla VIM were positive among the carbapenem resistant isolates. PMID:25120980

Plasmid Profile Analysis and bla VIM Gene Detection of Metalo β-lactamase (MBL) Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Clinical Samples.

PubMed

S, Jayanthi; M, Jeya

2014-06-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent colonizer of hospitalized patients. They are responsible for serious infections such as meningitis, urological infections, septicemia and pneumonia. Carbapenem resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is currently increasingly reported which is often mediated by production of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL). Multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates may involve reduced cell wall permeability, production of chromosomal and plasmid mediated β lactamases, aminoglycosides modifying enzymes and an active multidrug efflux mechanism. This study is aimed to detect the presence and the nature of plasmids among metallo-β-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Also to detect the presence of bla VIM gene from these isolates. Clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showing the metalo-β-lactamase enzyme (MBL) production were isolated. The MBL production was confirmed by three different methods. From the MBL producing isolates plasmid extraction was done by alkaline lysis method. Plasmid positive isolates were subjected for blaVIM gene detection by PCR method. Two thousand seventy six clinical samples yielded 316 (15.22%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, out of which 141 (44.62%) were multidrug resistant. Among them 25 (17.73%) were metallo-β-lactamase enzyme producers. Plasmids were extracted from 18 out of 25 isolates tested. Five out of 18 isolates were positive for the blaVIM gene detection by the PCR amplification. The MBL producers were susceptible to polymyxin /colistin with MIC ranging from 0.5 - 2μg/ml. Molecular detection of specific genes bla VIM were positive among the carbapenem resistant isolates.

Molecular analysis of carbapenem-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients hospitalized in various transplantation wards between 2008 and 2011.

PubMed

Kosykowska, E; Szymanek-Majchrzak, K; Walter de Walthoffen, S; Izdebski, R; Mlynarczyk, A; Ciszek, M; Chmura, A; Durlik, M; Paczek, L; Deborska-Materkowska, D; Sawicka-Grzelak, A; Mlynarczyk, G

2014-10-01

Recent years have seen a concerning increase in the number of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. P aeruginosa is one of the most dangerous factors causing nosocomial infections, and immunosuppressed patients constitute a special risk group. The purpose of our study was to conduct a molecular analysis of 22 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant P aeruginosa obtained between 2008 and 2011. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) phenotype tests were conducted. A polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect VIM, IMP, NDM, and GIM carbapenemase-encoding genes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem. Molecular typing was conducted with the use of restriction fragment length polymorphism/pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (RFLP-PFGE). Of the 22 strains initially resistant to at least one carbapenem, we selected 18 that exhibited the MBL phenotype. Of those 18, we identified 15 strains expressing VIM carbapenemase-encoding genes. None of the other evaluated genes were detected. VIM-positive isolates exhibited higher levels of resistance than the other ones. The RFLP technique revealed 10 different PFGE types and 6 epidemic foci. Identical strains were isolated over the period of up to 3 years. The reason for resistance to carbapenems in the majority (68%) of P aeruginosa strains isolated at the evaluated hospital was the presence of VIM carbapenemase. It is safe to say that the VIM carbapenemase is responsible for a higher level of resistance than unidentified mechanisms. Carbapenem-resistant strains of P aeruginosa spread clonally within individual wards and are likely to be of hospital origin.

Lakes and ponds recreation management: a state-wide application of the visitor impact management process

Treesearch

Jerry J. Vaske; Rodney R. Zwick; Maureen P. Donnelly

1992-01-01

The Visitor Impact Management (VIM) process is designed to identify unacceptable changes occurring as a result of visitor use and to develop management strategies to keep visitor impacts within acceptable levels. All previous attempts to apply the VIM planning framework have concentrated on specific resources. This paper expands this focus to an entire state. Based on...

Audiovisual Aids and Publications Available from the VIMS/Sea Grant Marine Education Center.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gammisch, Sue, Comp.

This catalog contains an inventory of 16mm films, filmstrips, film loops, slide programs, records, and publications about the marine sciences and sea life that are available from VIMS/Sea Grant Marine Education Center; information on the borrowing of the AV materials is included, as well as prices for books and leaflets. The entries are listed…

Prevalence of blaIMP, and blaVIM gene carriage in metallo-β-lactamase-producing burn isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Tehran.

PubMed

Salimi, Fatemeh; Eftekhar, Fereshteh

2014-01-01

To study the prevalence of blaVIM and blaIMP genes in metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing burn isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in relation with AmpC and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Thirty-two carbapenem-resistant MBL-producing P aeruginosa burn isolates from Shahid Motahari Burn Hospital in Tehran were employed. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined to 13 antibiotics including imipenem and meropenem by disk diffusion. AmpC and ESBL production was detected by the AmpC disk test and combined disk diffusion assay, respectively, blaIMP and blaVIM gene carriage was shown by polymerase chain reaction and type-specific primers. AmpC production was observed in 81% and ESBL production was detected in 12.5% of the isolates. blalMP carriage was observed in 56.25% and blaVIM gene in 46.8% of the isolates. Surprisingly, 43.5% of the isolates carried both blalMP and blaviM genes. We think that this is the first report on the cocarriage of blalMP and blavIM in P aeruginosa. There was also a strong association between MBL gene carriage and AmpC β-lactamase production.

Principal components analysis of Jupiter VIMS spectra

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bellucci, G.; Formisano, V.; D'Aversa, E.; Brown, R.H.; Baines, K.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Chamberlain, M.C.; Hansen, G.; Hibbits, K.; Showalter, M.; Filacchione, G.

2004-01-01

During Cassini - Jupiter flyby occurred in December 2000, Visual-Infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) instrument took several image cubes of Jupiter at different phase angles and distances. We have analysed the spectral images acquired by the VIMS visual channel by means of a principal component analysis technique (PCA). The original data set consists of 96 spectral images in the 0.35-1.05 ??m wavelength range. The product of the analysis are new PC bands, which contain all the spectral variance of the original data. These new components have been used to produce a map of Jupiter made of seven coherent spectral classes. The map confirms previously published work done on the Great Red Spot by using NIMS data. Some other new findings, presently under investigation, are presented. ?? 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

Titan Mystery Clouds

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-21

This comparison of two views from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, taken fairly close together in time, illustrates a peculiar mystery: Why would clouds on Saturn's moon Titan be visible in some images, but not in others? In the top view, a near-infrared image from Cassini's imaging cameras, the skies above Saturn's moon Titan look relatively cloud free. But in the bottom view, at longer infrared wavelengths, Cassini sees a large field of bright clouds. Even though these views were taken at different wavelengths, researchers would expect at least a hint of the clouds to show up in the upper image. Thus they have been trying to understand what's behind the difference. As northern summer approaches on Titan, atmospheric models have predicted that clouds will become more common at high northern latitudes, similar to what was observed at high southern latitudes during Titan's late southern summer in 2004. Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) teams have been observing Titan to document changes in weather patterns as the seasons change, and there is particular interest in following the onset of clouds in the north polar region where Titan's lakes and seas are concentrated. Cassini's "T120" and "T121" flybys of Titan, on June 7 and July 25, 2016, respectively, provided views of high northern latitudes over extended time periods -- more than 24 hours during both flybys. Intriguingly, the ISS and VIMS observations appear strikingly different from each other. In the ISS observations (monochrome image at top), surface features are easily identifiable and only a few small, isolated clouds were detected. In contrast, the VIMS observations (color image at bottom) suggest widespread cloud cover during both flybys. The observations were made over the same time period, so differences in illumination geometry or changes in the clouds themselves are unlikely to be the cause for the apparent discrepancy: VIMS shows persistent atmospheric features over the entire observation period and ISS consistently detects surface features with just a few localized clouds. The answer to what could be causing the discrepancy appears to lie with Titan's hazy atmosphere, which is much easier to see through at the longer infrared wavelengths that VIMS is sensitive to (up to 5 microns) than at the shorter, near-infrared wavelength used by ISS to image Titan's surface and lower atmosphere (0.94 microns). High, thin cirrus clouds that are optically thicker than the atmospheric haze at longer wavelengths, but optically thinner than the haze at the shorter wavelength of the ISS observations, could be detected by VIMS and simultaneously lost in the haze to ISS -- similar to trying to see a thin cloud layer on a hazy day on Earth. This phenomenon has not been seen again since July 2016, but Cassini has several more opportunities to observe Titan over the last months of the mission in 2017, and scientists will be watching to see if and how the weather changes. These two images were taken as part of the T120 flyby on June 7 (VIMS) and 8 (ISS), 2016. The distance to Titan was about 28,000 miles (45,000 kilometers) for the VIMS image and about 398,000 miles (640,000 kilometers) for the ISS image. The VIMS image has been processed to enhance the visibility of the clouds; in this false-color view, clouds appear nearly white, atmospheric haze is pink, and surface areas would appear green. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21054

Saturn's icy satellites investigated by Cassini-VIMS. IV. Daytime temperature maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filacchione, Gianrico; D'Aversa, Emiliano; Capaccioni, Fabrizio; Clark, Roger N.; Cruikshank, Dale P.; Ciarniello, Mauro; Cerroni, Priscilla; Bellucci, Giancarlo; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Nicholson, Phillip D.; Jaumann, Ralf; McCord, Thomas B.; Sotin, Christophe; Stephan, Katrin; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.

2016-06-01

The spectral position of the 3.6 μm continuum peak measured on Cassini-VIMS I/F spectra is used as a marker to infer the temperature of the regolith particles covering the surfaces of Saturn's icy satellites. This feature is characterizing the crystalline water ice spectrum which is the dominant compositional endmember of the satellites' surfaces. Laboratory measurements indicate that the position of the 3.6 μm peak of pure water ice is temperature-dependent, shifting towards shorter wavelengths when the sample is cooled, from about 3.65 μm at T=123 K to about 3.55 μm at T=88 K. A similar method was already applied to VIMS Saturn's rings mosaics to retrieve ring particles temperature (Filacchione, G., Ciarniello, M., Capaccioni, F., et al., 2014. Icarus, 241, 45-65). We report here about the daytime temperature variations observed on the icy satellites as derived from three different VIMS observation types: (a) a sample of 240 disk-integrated I/F observations of Saturn's regular satellites collected by VIMS during years 2004-2011 with solar phase in the 20°-40° range, corresponding to late morning-early afternoon local times. This dataset is suitable to exploit the temperature variations at hemispherical scale, resulting in average temperature T <88 K for Mimas, T ≪88 K for Enceladus, T <88 K for Tethys, T=98-118 K for Dione, T=108-128 K for Rhea, T=118-128 K for Hyperion, T=128-148 and T > 168 K for Iapetus' trailing and leading hemispheres, respectively. A typical ±5 K uncertainty is associated to the temperature retrieval. On Tethys and Dione, for which observations on both leading and trailing hemispheres are available, in average daytime temperatures higher of about 10 K on the trailing than on the leading hemisphere are inferred. (b) Satellites disk-resolved observations taken at 20-40 km pixel-1 resolution are suitable to map daytime temperature variations across surfaces' features, such as Enceladus' tiger stripes and Tethys' equatorial dark lens. These datasets allow to disentangle solar illumination conditions from temperature distribution when observing surface's features with strong thermal contrast. (c) Daytime average maps covering large regions of the surfaces are used to compare the inferred temperature with geomorphological features (impact craters, chasmatae, equatorial radiation lenses and active areas) and albedo variations. Temperature maps are built by mining the complete VIMS dataset collected in years 2004-2009 (pre-equinox) and in 2009-2012 (post equinox) by selecting pixels with max 150 km pixel-1 resolution. VIMS-derived temperature maps allow to identify thermal anomalies across the equatorial lens of Mimas and Tethys. A temperature T > 115K is measured above Enceladus' Damascus and Alexandria sulci in the south pole region. VIMS has the sensitivity to follow seasonal temperature changes: on Tethys, Dione and Rhea higher temperature are measured above the south hemisphere during pre-equinox and above the north hemisphere during post-equinox epochs. The measured temperature distribution appears correlated with surface albedo features: in fact temperature increases on low albedo units located on Tethys, Dione and Rhea trailing hemispheres. The thermal anomaly region on Rhea's Inktomi crater detected by CIRS (Howett, C. J. A., Spencer, J. R., Hurford, T., et al., 2014. Icarus, 241, 239-247) is confirmed by VIMS: this area appears colder with respect to surrounding terrains when observed at the same local solar time.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Nonfermentative Bacteria, the Philippines, 2013-2016.

PubMed

Velasco, John Mark; Valderama, Maria Theresa; Peacock, Trent; Warawadee, Nirdnoy; Nogrado, Kathyleen; Navarro, Fatima Claire; Chua, Domingo; Apichai, Srijan; Sirigade, Ruekit; Macareo, Louis R; Swierczewski, Brett

2017-09-01

During 2013-2016, we isolated bla NDM - and bla VIM -harboring Enterobacteriaceae and nonfermentative bacteria from patients in the Philippines. Of 130 carbapenem-resistant isolates tested, 45 were Carba NP-positive; 43 harbored bla NDM , and 2 harbored bla VIM . Multidrug-resistant microbial pathogen surveillance and antimicrobial drug stewardship are needed to prevent further spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variants.

Galilean Satellite Surface Non-Ice Constituents: New Results from the Cassini/Huygens VIMS Jupiter Flyby in the Context of the Galileo NIMS Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McCord, T. B.; Brown, R.; Baines, K.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.; Coradini, A.

2001-01-01

The Cassini mission Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) is currently returning data for the Galilean satellites. Examples of the new satellite data and the initial interpretations will be presented in the context of the Galileo NIMS data and results. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Fecal Carriage of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: a Hidden Reservoir in Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Patients

PubMed Central

Gijón, Desirèe; Curiao, Tânia; Baquero, Fernando; Coque, Teresa M.

2012-01-01

Fecal carriage of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has not been extensively investigated, except in the cases of selected patients at risk, mostly during outbreaks. A total of 1,100 fecal samples randomly collected in our institution in two different periods in 2006 (n = 600) and 2009–2010 (n = 500) from hospitalized (26.8%) and nonhospitalized (73.2%) patients were screened for CPE. The first period coincided with an outbreak of VIM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and the second one coincided with the emergence of KPC enzymes in our hospital. Diluted samples in saline were cultured in Luria-Bertani broth with 1 μg/ml imipenem and subcultured in MacConkey agar plates with 4 μg/ml ceftazidime. Growing colonies were screened for CPE (modified Hodge test and EDTA and boronic acid synergy tests). Carbapenemase genes, plasmids in which they are located, and clonal relatedness were determined. Individuals who exhibited fecal carriage of CPE (11/1,043, 1.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53 to 1.88) included 8 hospitalized (carriage rate, 2.9%; 95% CI, 1.24 to 5.55) and 3 nonhospitalized patients (carriage rate, 0.4%; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.14), the latter being identified in 2009. Eighty-two percent of colonized patients were not infected with CPE. Isolates harboring blaVIM-1 with or without blaSHV-12 were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8; ST39, ST688, ST253, and ST163), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 3; two pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE] types), Escherichia coli (n = 2; ST155 and ST2441), and Citrobacter freundii (n = 1). Some of these lineages had previously been detected in our institution. The blaVIM-1 gene was a member of the class 1 integrons In110 (blaVIM-1-aacA4-aadA1) and In113 (blaVIM-1-aacA4-dhfrII) located on plasmids IncN (n = 11; 30 to 50 kb) and IncHI2 (n = 3; 300 kb), respectively. Dissemination of blaVIM-1 class-1 integrons within highly transferable plasmids in a polyclonal population has potentially contributed to the maintenance and spread of CPE. PMID:22403422

Glaucomatous patterns in Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) perimetry data identified by unsupervised machine learning classifiers.

PubMed

Bowd, Christopher; Weinreb, Robert N; Balasubramanian, Madhusudhanan; Lee, Intae; Jang, Giljin; Yousefi, Siamak; Zangwill, Linda M; Medeiros, Felipe A; Girkin, Christopher A; Liebmann, Jeffrey M; Goldbaum, Michael H

2014-01-01

The variational Bayesian independent component analysis-mixture model (VIM), an unsupervised machine-learning classifier, was used to automatically separate Matrix Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) perimetry data into clusters of healthy and glaucomatous eyes, and to identify axes representing statistically independent patterns of defect in the glaucoma clusters. FDT measurements were obtained from 1,190 eyes with normal FDT results and 786 eyes with abnormal FDT results from the UCSD-based Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS) and African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES). For all eyes, VIM input was 52 threshold test points from the 24-2 test pattern, plus age. FDT mean deviation was -1.00 dB (S.D. = 2.80 dB) and -5.57 dB (S.D. = 5.09 dB) in FDT-normal eyes and FDT-abnormal eyes, respectively (p<0.001). VIM identified meaningful clusters of FDT data and positioned a set of statistically independent axes through the mean of each cluster. The optimal VIM model separated the FDT fields into 3 clusters. Cluster N contained primarily normal fields (1109/1190, specificity 93.1%) and clusters G1 and G2 combined, contained primarily abnormal fields (651/786, sensitivity 82.8%). For clusters G1 and G2 the optimal number of axes were 2 and 5, respectively. Patterns automatically generated along axes within the glaucoma clusters were similar to those known to be indicative of glaucoma. Fields located farther from the normal mean on each glaucoma axis showed increasing field defect severity. VIM successfully separated FDT fields from healthy and glaucoma eyes without a priori information about class membership, and identified familiar glaucomatous patterns of loss.

Carbamylation of vimentin is inducible by smoking and represents an independent autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

Ospelt, Caroline; Bang, Holger; Feist, Eugen; Camici, Giovanni; Keller, Stephan; Detert, Jacqueline; Krämer, Anette; Gay, Steffen; Ghannam, Khetam; Burmester, Gerd R

2017-01-01

Objectives Smoking has been connected to citrullination of antigens and formation of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since smoking can modify proteins by carbamylation (formation of homocitrulline), this study was conducted to investigate these effects on vimentin in animal models and RA. Methods The efficiency of enzymatic carbamylation of vimentin was characterised. B-cell response was investigated after immunisation of rabbits with different vimentin isoforms. Effects of tobacco smoke exposure on carbamylation of vimentin and formation of autoantibodies were analysed in mice. The antibody responses against isoforms of vimentin were characterised with respect to disease duration and smoking status of patients with RA. Results Enzymatic carbamylation of vimentin was efficiently achieved. Subsequent citrullination of vimentin was not disturbed by homocitrullination. Sera from rabbits immunised with carbamylated vimentin (carbVim), in addition to carbVim also recognised human IgG-Fc showing rheumatoid factor-like reactivity. Smoke-exposed mice contained detectable amounts of carbVim and developed a broad immune response against carbamylated antigens. Although the prevalence of anti-carbamylated antibodies in smokers and non-smokers was similar, the titres of carbamylated antibodies were significantly increased in sera of smoking compared with non-smoking RA. CarbVim antibodies were observed independently of ACPAs in early phases of disease and double-positive patients for anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV) and anti-carbVim antibodies showed an extended epitope recognition pattern towards MCV. Conclusions Carbamylation of vimentin is inducible by cigarette smoke exposure. The polyclonal immune response against modified antigens in patients with RA is not exclusively citrulline-specific and carbamylation of antigens could be involved in the pathogenesis of disease. Trial registration number ISRCTN36745608; EudraCT Number: 2006-003146-41. PMID:28183721

Postnatal neurogenesis in the cow pineal gland: an immunohistochemical study.

PubMed

Gómez Esteban, M B; Muñoz Mosqueira, M I; Arroyo, A A; Muñoz Barragán, L

2013-03-01

In the pineal gland of cows and rats structures designated rosettes have been described both during embryonic development and in adult animals. In order to investigate the possible nature of the cells comprising such structures, in the present work we studied the pineal glands from 10 cows of one- or four-years-old using conventional immunocytochemical and confocal microscopy techniques. As markers of glial cells, we used anti-vimentin (Vim) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and anti-S-100 sera, and the pinealocytes were labelled with β-III tubulin. As a marker of stem cells, we used an antinestin serum, while an anti-PCNA serum was employed to label proliferating cells. To explore the neuronal nature of some cells of the rosettes, we used an anti-SRIF serum. The rosettes were seen to be present throughout the glandular parenchyma and displayed a central cavity surrounded by cells, most of which expressed all or just some of the above glial labels and nestin, although there were also some rosettes with cells that expressed β-III tubulin and other cells that expressed SRIF. Likewise, in the cells of the rosettes the cell nucleus showed strong expression of PCNA. Confocal microscopy revealed that the walls of the rosettes contained cells that coexpressed Vim/S-100, Vim/GFAP and Vim/nestin. The number of rosettes was significantly greater in the animals of one year of age with respect to the four-year-old cows. The present findings allow us to suggest that rosettes are evolving structures and that most of the cells present in their walls should be considered stem cells, and hence responsible for the postnatal neurogenesis occurring in the pineal gland of cows.

High-Resolution Analysis by Whole-Genome Sequencing of an International Lineage (Sequence Type 111) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Metallo-Carbapenemases in the United Kingdom.

PubMed

Turton, Jane F; Wright, Laura; Underwood, Anthony; Witney, Adam A; Chan, Yuen-Ting; Al-Shahib, Ali; Arnold, Catherine; Doumith, Michel; Patel, Bharat; Planche, Timothy D; Green, Jonathan; Holliman, Richard; Woodford, Neil

2015-08-01

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was carried out on 87 isolates of sequence type 111 (ST-111) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa collected between 2005 and 2014 from 65 patients and 12 environmental isolates from 24 hospital laboratories across the United Kingdom on an Illumina HiSeq instrument. Most isolates (73) carried VIM-2, but others carried IMP-1 or IMP-13 (5) or NDM-1 (1); one isolate had VIM-2 and IMP-18, and 7 carried no metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) gene. Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis divided the isolates into distinct clusters; the NDM-1 isolate was an outlier, and the IMP isolates and 6/7 MBL-negative isolates clustered separately from the main set of 73 VIM-2 isolates. Within the VIM-2 set, there were at least 3 distinct clusters, including a tightly clustered set of isolates from 3 hospital laboratories consistent with an outbreak from a single introduction that was quickly brought under control and a much broader set dominated by isolates from a long-running outbreak in a London hospital likely seeded from an environmental source, requiring different control measures; isolates from 7 other hospital laboratories in London and southeast England were also included. Bayesian evolutionary analysis indicated that all the isolates shared a common ancestor dating back ∼50 years (1960s), with the main VIM-2 set separating approximately 20 to 30 years ago. Accessory gene profiling revealed blocks of genes associated with particular clusters, with some having high similarity (≥95%) to bacteriophage genes. WGS of widely found international lineages such as ST-111 provides the necessary resolution to inform epidemiological investigations and intervention policies. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Saturn's Regional and Global Cloud Properties from Cassini/VIMS 4.5-5.1 Micron Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fletcher, Leigh N.; Baines, K. H.; Momary, T. W.; Orton, G. S.; Roos-Serote, M.; Irwin, P. G. J.

2009-09-01

Exploiting a region of Saturn's thermal-IR spectrum between 4.5-5.1 microns where there is a dearth of opacity sources, Cassini/VIMS has revealed a wealth of dynamical phenomena in the 1-4 bar region that are transforming our understanding of the gas giant. Narrow dark lanes and discrete cloud features are observed in silhouette against the 5-micron background thermal glow of Saturn's deep atmosphere. The NEMESIS optimal-estimation retrieval algorithm (Irwin et al., JSQRT, 2008) is used to model the 4.5-5.1 micron region using the correlated-k approximation. We determine (a) the sensitivity and correlations associated with determinations of cloud properties and gaseous composition from the Cassini/VIMS dataset; (b) the meridional variation in opacity sources (a multi-layer cloud model, the abundances of phosphine and arsine); (c) the contribution of the thermal and reflected components to VIMS spectra and (d) the spatial variability of opacity sources associated with Saturn's string of pearls and ribbon wave features in the northern hemisphere. The meridional gradients in composition are compared to the Cassini/CIRS derivations of phosphine at higher altitudes (pressures less than 1 bar; Fletcher et al., Icarus, 2009). The seasonal origin of the north-south asymmetry in 5-micron opacity (Baines et al., BAAS, 2006) and the dynamical motions associated with Saturn's complex zonal wave activity will be discussed. The vertical distribution of cloud opacity demonstrates the necessity for aerosols at the 2-3 bar level to successfully replicate the VIMS data. Finally, we search Cassini/CIRS mapping observations at 15.0 cm-1 resolution for mid-IR counterparts (0.1-0.5 bar) to the zonal wave activity in the deeper troposphere (1-4 bars) to investigate the vertical coupling in Saturn's troposphere.

Clouds and Hazes in Saturn's Troposphere and Stratosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merlet, Cecile; Irwin, P.; Fletcher, L.

2012-10-01

We present new results from the analysis of Saturn's near-infrared spectra measured with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on the Cassini orbiter. VIMS near-infrared data are particularly relevant for the study of clouds and hazes in the troposphere and stratosphere of Saturn. Thermal emission in the 4.5-5.1 wavelength range is absorbed and scattered mainly by tropospheric clouds and radiatively active gases. The vertical structure as well as the optical and physical properties of tropospheric aerosols are obtained from Saturn's thermal emission spectra by using the retrieval algorithm Nemesis. The distribution of tropospheric phosphine and ammonia in gas phase will also be presented here. We managed to break the degeneracies inherent to the retrieval problem by analysing Saturn's thermal emission simultaneously at various viewing geometries. By using this method, we found that VIMS spectra at 4.5-5.1 microns are also sensitive to the hazes formed above the cloud layers. Saturn's reflected sunlight spectra at 0.8-3.5 microns measured with VIMS were also analysed in order to constrain the haze properties in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere of the planet. Results from both the 0.8-3.5 and 4.5-5.1 wavelength ranges were combined to determine the cloud and haze model most consistent with VIMS spectroscopy over a wide range of viewing geometries and lighting conditions. An increase of temperature below the tropopause, often referred to as the temperature knee, was retrieved from Cassini/CIRS spectra. Seasonal variations of the knee and haze structure are compared, and as a result the assumption of local heating by the hazes to explain this feature will be discussed.

Superselective Thalamotomy in the Most Lateral Part of the Ventralis Intermedius Nucleus for Controlling Essential and Parkinsonian Tremor.

PubMed

Hirato, Masafumi; Miyagishima, Takaaki; Takahashi, Akio; Yoshimoto, Yuhei

2018-01-01

The minimum and essential thalamic areas for reducing tremor were investigated in cases treated by superselective thalamotomy in the most lateral part of the ventralis intermedius nucleus (mlp-VIM). Stereotactic superselective VIM thalamotomy with depth microrecording was performed in 21 patients with essential tremor (ET) and 15 patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson disease (PD). A very small and narrow (axial plane) therapeutic lesion was formed as a square on the sagittal plane and inverse V on the axial plane in the mlp-VIM, which covered the kinesthetic response area topographically related to tremor. Patients with ET were followed up for 4.7 ± 3.0 years and patients with PD for 7.9 ± 3.9 years. Almost complete tremor control was achieved in all patients immediately after surgery and continued for up to 8 years. A few adverse events were recognized but disappeared within 1 month without 1 patient with thalamic hemorrhage. The medial border of the therapeutic lesion was significantly more lateral in both patients with ET and patients with PD than the calculated standard target point and was in patients with PD than in patients with ET. The mean width was only about 2.4 mm. The individual differences of the adequate location of the therapeutic lesion were significantly greater in the ET than in the PD group. The important area for reducing tremor was small and narrow and was located in the mlp-VIM, where the proprioceptive ascending signals from the tremor-dominant body part are conducted. Superselective thalamotomy in the mlp-VIM was safe and effective for the long-term in patients with ET and PD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detection of NDM-2-producing Acinetobacter baumannii and VIM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Palestine.

PubMed

Sjölander, Isabella; Hansen, Frank; Elmanama, Abdelraouf; Khayyat, Rasha; Abu-Zant, Alaeddin; Hussein, Ayman; Taha, Adham Abu; Hammerum, Anette M; Ciofu, Oana

2014-06-01

The aim of this study was to screen for carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in Palestine and subsequently to identify and investigate the mechanisms of resistance. For a period of 6 weeks, all Gram-negative isolates were collected from six Palestinian hospital laboratories and were tested for susceptibility using 10μg meropenem disks. Isolates showing resistance to meropenem were further investigated. The presence of carbapenemases was assessed by PCR. In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, an efflux pump inhibitor assay and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed. Isolates producing carbapenemases were further investigated by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). In total, 248 Gram-negative isolates were collected from the six laboratories. Among the 248 tested isolates, 15 Acinetobacter baumannii and 6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to meropenem. One A. baumannii from Gaza produced NDM-2 and belonged to ST103. Thirteen of the carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates possessed the intrinsic upregulated bla OXA-66 gene and one isolate carried bla OXA-51 . All but one of the OXA-66-producing A. baumannii belonged to ST2; the remaining isolate belonged to ST183. One of the carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa was classified as VIM-4-producing and three were VIM-2-producing isolates. The three VIM-2-producing isolates belonged to three new sequences types (ST1562, ST1563 and ST1564). All of the carbapenemase-producing isolates were multiresistant non-fermenters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on NDM-producing A. baumannii and VIM-producing P. aeruginosa from Palestine. Copyright © 2013 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of double vacuum melting and retained austenite on rolling-element fatigue life of AMS 5749 bearing steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, R. J.; Hodder, R. S.

1977-01-01

AMS 5749 steel combines the tempering, hot hardness, and hardness retention characteristics of AISI M-50 steel with the corrosion and oxidation resistance of AISI 440C stainless steel. The five-ball fatigue tester was used to evaluate the rolling-element fatigue life of AMS 5749. Double vacuum melting (vacuum induction melting plus vacuum arc remelting, VIM-VAR) produced AMS 5749 material with a rolling-element fatigue life at least 14 times that of vacuum induction melting alone. The VIM-VAR AMS 5749 steel balls gave lives from 6 to 12 times greater than VIM-VAR AISI M-50 steel balls. The highest level of retained austenite, 14.6 percent, was significantly detrimental to rolling-element fatigue life relative to the intermediate level of 11.1 percent.

Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Nonfermentative Bacteria, the Philippines, 2013–2016

PubMed Central

Valderama, Maria Theresa; Peacock, Trent; Warawadee, Nirdnoy; Nogrado, Kathyleen; Navarro, Fatima Claire; Chua, Domingo; Apichai, Srijan; Sirigade, Ruekit; Macareo, Louis R.; Swierczewski, Brett

2017-01-01

During 2013–2016, we isolated blaNDM- and blaVIM-harboring Enterobacteriaceae and nonfermentative bacteria from patients in the Philippines. Of 130 carbapenem-resistant isolates tested, 45 were Carba NP–positive; 43 harbored blaNDM, and 2 harbored blaVIM. Multidrug-resistant microbial pathogen surveillance and antimicrobial drug stewardship are needed to prevent further spread of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variants. PMID:28820383

The Use of Withaferin A to Study Intermediate Filaments.

PubMed

Mohan, Royce; Bargagna-Mohan, Paola

2016-01-01

Withaferin A (WFA), initially identified as a compound that inhibits experimental angiogenesis, has been shown to bind to soluble vimentin (sVim) and other type III intermediate filament (IF) proteins. We review WFA's dose-related activities (Section 1), examining nanomolar concentrations effects on sVim in cell proliferation and submicromolar effects on lamellipodia and focal adhesion formation. WFA effects on polymeric IFs are especially interesting to the study of cell migration and invasion that depend on IF mechanical contractile properties. WFA interferes with NF-κB signaling, though this anti-inflammatory mechanism may occur via perturbation of sVim-protein complexes, and possibly also via targeting IκB kinase β directly. However, micromolar concentrations that induce vimentin cleavage to promote apoptosis may increasingly show off-target effects via targeting other IFs (neurofilaments and keratin) and non-IFs (tubulin, heat-shock proteins, proteasome). Thus, in Section 2, we describe our studies combining cell cultures with animal models of injury to validate relevant type III IF-targeting mechanisms of WFA. In Section 3, we illuminate from investigating myofibroblast differentiation how sVim phosphorylation may govern cell type-selective sensitivity to WFA, offering impetus for exploring vimentin phosphorylation isoforms as targets and biomarkers of fibrosis. These different WFA targets and activities are listed in a summary table. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dissemination of metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa of sequence type 235 in Asian countries.

PubMed

Kim, Moon Jung; Bae, Il Kwon; Jeong, Seok Hoon; Kim, So Hyun; Song, Jae Hoon; Choi, Jae Young; Yoon, Sang Sun; Thamlikitkul, Visanu; Hsueh, Po-Ren; Yasin, Rohani Md; Lalitha, M K; Lee, Kyungwon

2013-12-01

To investigate the epidemiological traits of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MPPA) clinical isolates collected by the Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP). A total of 16 MPPA clinical isolates were collected from six Asian countries in 2000 to 2009 by ANSORP. The MBL gene was detected by PCR amplification. The genetic organization of the class 1 integron carrying the MBL gene cassette was investigated by PCR mapping and sequencing. Southern blotting, repetitive sequence-based PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) experiments were performed to characterize the isolates. PCR and sequencing experiments detected the blaVIM-2 (n = 12), blaVIM-3 (n = 1), blaIMP-6 (n = 2) and blaIMP-26 (n = 1) genes. The MBL genes were located on the chromosome in all isolates except one. Furthermore, all the MBL genes were located in a class 1 integron. All the MPPA isolates from Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Korea were identified as sequence type (ST) 235 by MLST. Three VIM-2-producing isolates from India were identified as ST773, and one isolate harbouring VIM-3 from Taiwan was identified as ST298. P. aeruginosa ST235 might play a role in dissemination of MBL genes in Asian countries.

An Examination of Drag Reduction Mechanisms in Marine Animals, with Potential Applications to Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Musick, John A.; Patterson, Mark R.; Dowd, Wesley W.

2002-01-01

Previous engineering research and development has documented the plausibility of applying biomimetic approaches to aerospace engineering. Past cooperation between the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and NASA focused on the drag reduction qualities of the microscale dermal denticles of shark skin. This technology has subsequently been applied to submarines and aircraft. The present study aims to identify and document the three-dimensional geometry of additional macroscale morphologies that potentially confer drag reducing hydrodynamic qualities upon marine animals and which could be applied to enhance the range and endurance of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Such morphologies have evolved over eons to maximize organismal energetic efficiency by reducing the energetic input required to maintain cruising speeds in the viscous marine environment. These drag reduction qualities are manifested in several groups of active marine animals commonly encountered by ongoing VIMS research programs: namely sharks, bony fishes such as tunas, and sea turtles. Through spatial data acquired by molding and digital imagery analysis of marine specimens provided by VIMS, NASA aims to construct scale models of these features and to test these potential drag reduction morphologies for application to aircraft design. This report addresses the efforts of VIMS and NASA personnel on this project between January and November 2001.

Inhibiting the VIM-2 Metallo-β-Lactamase by Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes.

PubMed

Huang, Po-Jung Jimmy; Pautler, Rachel; Shanmugaraj, Jenitta; Labbé, Geneviève; Liu, Juewen

2015-05-13

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) degrade a broad spectrum of antibiotics including the latest carbapenems. So far, limited success has been achieved in developing its inhibitors using small organic molecules. VIM-2 is one of the most studied and important MBLs. In this work, we screened 10 nanomaterials, covering a diverse range of surface properties including charge, hydrophobicity, and specific chemical bonding. Among these, graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes are the most potent inhibitors, while most other materials do not show much inhibition effect. The inhibition is noncompetitive and is attributed to the hydrophobic interaction with the enzyme. Adsorption of VIM-2 was further probed using protein displacement assays where it cannot displace or be displaced by bovine serum albumin (BSA). This information is useful for rational design inhibitors for MBLs and more specific inhibition might be achieved by further surface modifications on these nanocarbons.

Bearing and gear steels for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaretsky, Erwin V.

1990-01-01

Research in metallurgy and processing for bearing and gear steels has resulted in improvements in rolling-element bearing and gear life for aerospace application by a factor of approximately 200 over that obtained in the early 1940's. The selection and specification of a bearing or gear steel is dependent on the integration of multiple metallurgical and physical variables. For most aerospace bearings, through-hardened VIM-VAR AISI M-50 steel is the material of preference. For gears, the preferential material is case-carburized VAR AISI 9310. However, the VAR processing for this material is being replaced by VIM-VAR processing. Since case-carburized VIM-VAR M-50NiL incorporates the desirable qualities of both the AISI M-50 and AISI 9310 materials, optimal life and reliability can be achieved in both bearings and gears with a single steel. Hence, this material offers the promise of a common steel for both bearings and gears for future aerospace applications.

Global-scale surface spectral variations on Titan seen from Cassini/VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.; Buratti, B.J.; Sotin, Christophe; Rodriguez, S.; Le, Mouelic S.; Baines, K.H.; Clark, R.; Nicholson, P.

2007-01-01

We present global-scale maps of Titan from the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on Cassini. We map at 64 near-infrared wavelengths simultaneously, covering the atmospheric windows at 0.94, 1.08, 1.28, 1.6, 2.0, 2.8, and 5 ??m with a typical resolution of 50 km/pixel or a typical total integration time of 1 s. Our maps have five to ten times the resolution of ground-based maps, better spectral resolution across most windows, coverage in multiple atmospheric windows, and represent the first spatially resolved maps of Titan at 5 ??m. The VIMS maps provide context and surface spectral information in support of other Cassini instruments. We note a strong latitudinal dependence in the spectral character of Titan's surface, and partition the surface into 9 spectral units that we describe in terms of spectral and spatial characteristics. ?? 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of form in potential functions while maintaining upright posture during exposure to stereoscopic video clips.

PubMed

Kutsuna, Kenichiro; Matsuura, Yasuyuki; Fujikake, Kazuhiro; Miyao, Masaru; Takada, Hiroki

2013-01-01

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is caused by sensory conflict, the disagreement between vergence and visual accommodation while observing stereoscopic images. VIMS can be measured by psychological and physiological methods. We propose a mathematical methodology to measure the effect of three-dimensional (3D) images on the equilibrium function. In this study, body sway in the resting state is compared with that during exposure to 3D video clips on a liquid crystal display (LCD) and on a head mounted display (HMD). In addition, the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was completed immediately afterward. Based on the statistical analysis of the SSQ subscores and each index for stabilograms, we succeeded in determining the quantity of the VIMS during exposure to the stereoscopic images. Moreover, we discuss the metamorphism in the potential functions to control the standing posture during the exposure to stereoscopic video clips.

Differential effects of deep brain stimulation on verbal fluency.

PubMed

Ehlen, Felicitas; Schoenecker, Thomas; Kühn, Andrea A; Klostermann, Fabian

2014-07-01

We aimed at gaining insights into principles of subcortical lexical processing. Therefore, effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in different target structures on verbal fluency (VF) were tested. VF was assessed with active vs. inactivated DBS in 13 and 14 patients with DBS in the vicinity of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) and, respectively, of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Results were correlated to electrode localizations in postoperative MRI, and compared to those of 12 age-matched healthy controls. Patients' VF performance was generally below normal. However, while activation of DBS in the vicinity of VIM provoked marked VF decline, it induced subtle phonemic VF enhancement in the vicinity of STN. The effects correlated with electrode localizations in left hemispheric stimulation sites. The results show distinct dependencies of VF on DBS in the vicinity of VIM vs. STN. Particular risks for deterioration occur in patients with relatively ventromedial thalamic electrodes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation on the vocal dysfunction in a patient with spasmodic dysphonia: interrogating cerebellar and pallidal neural circuits.

PubMed

Poologaindran, Anujan; Ivanishvili, Zurab; Morrison, Murray D; Rammage, Linda A; Sandhu, Mini K; Polyhronopoulos, Nancy E; Honey, Christopher R

2018-02-01

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a neurological disorder of the voice where a patient's ability to speak is compromised due to involuntary contractions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Since the 1980s, SD has been treated with botulinum toxin A (BTX) injections into the throat. This therapy is limited by the delayed-onset of benefits, wearing-off effects, and repeated injections required every 3 months. In a patient with essential tremor (ET) and coincident SD, the authors set out to quantify the effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on vocal function while investigating the underlying motor thalamic circuitry. A 79-year-old right-handed woman with ET and coincident adductor SD was referred to our neurosurgical team. While primarily treating her limb tremor, the authors studied the effects of unilateral, thalamic DBS on vocal function using the Unified Spasmodic Dysphonia Rating Scale (USDRS) and voice-related quality of life (VRQOL). Since dystonia is increasingly being considered a multinodal network disorder, an anterior trajectory into the left thalamus was deliberately chosen such that the proximal contacts of the electrode were in the ventral oralis anterior (Voa) nucleus (pallidal outflow) and the distal contacts were in the ventral intermediate (Vim) nucleus (cerebellar outflow). In addition to assessing on/off unilateral thalamic Vim stimulation on voice, the authors experimentally assessed low-voltage unilateral Vim, Voa, or multitarget stimulation in a prospective, randomized, doubled-blinded manner. The evaluators were experienced at rating SD and were familiar with the vocal tremor of ET. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to study the pre- and posttreatment effect of DBS on voice. Unilateral left thalamic Vim stimulation (DBS on) significantly improved SD vocal dysfunction compared with no stimulation (DBS off), as measured by the USDRS (p < 0.01) and VRQOL (p < 0.01). In the experimental interrogation, both low-voltage Vim (p < 0.01) and multitarget Vim + Voa (p < 0.01) stimulation were significantly superior to low-voltage Voa stimulation. For the first time, the effects of high-frequency stimulation of different neural circuits in SD have been quantified. Unexpectedly, focused Voa (pallidal outflow) stimulation was inferior to Vim (cerebellar outflow) stimulation despite the classification of SD as a dystonia. While only a single case, scattered reports exist on the positive effects of thalamic DBS on dysphonia. A Phase 1 pilot trial (DEBUSSY; clinical trial no. NCT02558634, clinicaltrials.gov) is underway at the authors' center to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of DBS in SD. The authors hope that this current report stimulates neurosurgeons to investigate this new indication for DBS.

VIM-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a large tertiary care hospital: matched case-control studies and a network analysis.

PubMed

Voor In 't Holt, Anne F; Severin, Juliëtte A; Hagenaars, Margot B H; de Goeij, Inge; Gommers, Diederik; Vos, Margreet C

2018-01-01

Emergence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of global concern. We aimed to identify epidemiological relationships, the most common way of transmission, and risk factors for presence of Verona Integron-encoded Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM)-positive P. aeruginosa (VIM-PA). We conducted a network analysis and matched case-control studies (1:2:2). Controls were hospital-based and matched with cases for ward, day of admission (control group 1 and 2) and time between admission and the identification of VIM-PA (control group 1). The network was visualized using Cytoscape, and risk factors were determined using conditional logistic regression. Between August 2003 and April 2015, 144 case patients and 576 control patients were recruited. We identified 307 relationships in 114 out of these 144 patients, with most relationships (84.7%) identified at the same department < 3 months after a previous case patient was discharged. In the multivariable model, having undergone ≥1 gastroscopy (odds ratio [OR] = 4.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.00 to 9.65 and OR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.12 to 5.49), > 10 day use of selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD) (OR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.02 to 8.68 and OR = 4.61; 95% CI = 1.22 to 17.37), and use of quinolones (OR = 3.29; 95% CI = 1.34 to 8.10 and OR = 3.95; 95% CI = 1.13 to 13.83 and OR = 4.47; 95% CI = 1.75 to 11.43) were identified as risk factors when using both control groups. The network analysis indicated that the majority of transmissions occurred on the wards, but through unidentified and presumably persistent sources, which are most likely in the innate hospital environment. Previous use of certain antibiotic regimens made patients prone to VIM-PA carriage. Additionally, gastroscopy could be considered as a high-risk procedure in patients with risk factors. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that infection control measures targeting VIM-PA should be focused on reducing antibiotics and eliminating sources in the environment.

Surface Fatigue Tests Of M50NiL Gears And Bars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, Dennis P.; Bamberger, Eric N.

1994-01-01

Report presents results of tests of steels for use in gears and bearings of advanced aircraft. Spur-gear endurance tests and rolling-element surface fatigue tests performed on gear and bar specimens of M50NiL steel processed by vacuum induction melting and vacuum arc remelting (VIM-VAR). Compares results of tests with similar tests of specimens of VIM-VAR AISI 9310 steel and of AISI 9310 steel subjected to VAR only.

Dissemination of a Multidrug-Resistant VIM-1- and CMY-99-Producing Proteus mirabilis Clone in Bulgaria.

PubMed

Markovska, Rumyana; Schneider, Ines; Keuleyan, Emma; Ivanova, Dobrinka; Lesseva, Magdalena; Stoeva, Temenuga; Sredkova, Mariya; Bauernfeind, Adolf; Mitov, Ivan

2017-04-01

The aim of this study was to analyze the beta-lactamases and the molecular epidemiology of 19 clinically significant isolates of Proteus mirabilis with decreased susceptibility to imipenem, which have been collected from seven hospitals, located in different Bulgarian towns (Sofia, Varna, and Pleven). The isolates were obtained from blood, urine, tracheal and wound specimens. One additional isolate from hospital environment was included. Susceptibility testing, conjugation experiments, and plasmid replicon typing were carried out. Beta-lactamases were characterized by isoelectric focusing, PCR, and sequencing. Clonal relatedness was investigated by RAPD and PFGE. Integron mapping was performed by PCR and sequencing. All isolates showed a multidrug-resistance profile, but remained susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, meropenem, and fosfomycin. They produced identical beta-lactamases, namely: TEM-1, VIM-1, and CMY-99. PCR mapping revealed that the bla VIM-1 gene was part of a class 1 integron that additionally included the aac(6')-I, dhfrA1, and ant(3″)-Ia genes. In addition, 17 of the isolates carried the armA gene. Conjugation experiments and plasmid replicon typing were unsuccessful. The isolates were clonally related according to RAPD and PFGE typing. This study reveals the nationwide distribution of a multidrug-resistant P. mirabilis clone producing VIM-1 and CMY-99 along with the presence of different aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms.

Retrospective Analysis of Bacterial Cultures Sampled in German Chicken-Fattening Farms During the Years 2011-2012 Revealed Additional VIM-1 Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli and a Serologically Rough Salmonella enterica Serovar Infantis.

PubMed

Roschanski, Nicole; Fischer, Jennie; Falgenhauer, Linda; Pietsch, Michael; Guenther, Sebastian; Kreienbrock, Lothar; Chakraborty, Trinad; Pfeifer, Yvonne; Guerra, Beatriz; Roesler, Uwe H

2018-01-01

Carbapenems are last-resort antibiotics used in human medicine. The increased detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is therefore worrying. In 2011 we reported the first livestock-associated VIM-1-producing Salmonella ( S .) enterica serovar Infantis (R3) isolate from dust, sampled in a German chicken fattening farm. Due to this observation we retrospectively investigated more than 536 stored bacterial cultures, isolated from 45 chicken fattening farms during the years 2011 and 2012. After a non-selective overnight incubation, the bacteria were transferred to selective media. Escherichia (E.) coli and Salmonella growing on these media were further investigated, including antibiotic susceptibility testing, carbapenemase gene screening and whole genome sequencing (WGS). In total, four CRE were found in three out of 45 investigated farms: Besides R3, one additional Salmonella (G-336-1a) as well as two E. coli isolates (G-336-2, G-268-2). All but G-268-2 harbored the bla VIM-1 gene. Salmonella isolates R3 and G-336-1 were closely related although derived from two different farms. All three bla VIM-1 -encoding isolates possessed identical plasmids and the bla VIM-1- containing transposon showed mobility at least in vitro . In isolate G-268-2, the AmpC beta-lactamase gene bla CMY-2 but no known carbapenemase gene was identified. However, a transfer of the phenotypic resistance was possible. Furthermore, G-268-2 contained the mcr-1 gene, combining phenotypical carbapenem- as well as colistin resistance in one isolate. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have been found in three out of 45 investigated chicken flocks. This finding is alarming and emphasizes the importance of intervention strategies to contain the environmental spread of resistant bacteria in animals and humans.

Retrospective Analysis of Bacterial Cultures Sampled in German Chicken-Fattening Farms During the Years 2011–2012 Revealed Additional VIM-1 Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli and a Serologically Rough Salmonella enterica Serovar Infantis

PubMed Central

Roschanski, Nicole; Fischer, Jennie; Falgenhauer, Linda; Pietsch, Michael; Guenther, Sebastian; Kreienbrock, Lothar; Chakraborty, Trinad; Pfeifer, Yvonne; Guerra, Beatriz; Roesler, Uwe H.

2018-01-01

Carbapenems are last-resort antibiotics used in human medicine. The increased detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is therefore worrying. In 2011 we reported the first livestock-associated VIM-1-producing Salmonella (S.) enterica serovar Infantis (R3) isolate from dust, sampled in a German chicken fattening farm. Due to this observation we retrospectively investigated more than 536 stored bacterial cultures, isolated from 45 chicken fattening farms during the years 2011 and 2012. After a non-selective overnight incubation, the bacteria were transferred to selective media. Escherichia (E.) coli and Salmonella growing on these media were further investigated, including antibiotic susceptibility testing, carbapenemase gene screening and whole genome sequencing (WGS). In total, four CRE were found in three out of 45 investigated farms: Besides R3, one additional Salmonella (G-336-1a) as well as two E. coli isolates (G-336-2, G-268-2). All but G-268-2 harbored the blaVIM-1 gene. Salmonella isolates R3 and G-336-1 were closely related although derived from two different farms. All three blaVIM-1-encoding isolates possessed identical plasmids and the blaVIM-1- containing transposon showed mobility at least in vitro. In isolate G-268-2, the AmpC beta-lactamase gene blaCMY-2 but no known carbapenemase gene was identified. However, a transfer of the phenotypic resistance was possible. Furthermore, G-268-2 contained the mcr-1 gene, combining phenotypical carbapenem- as well as colistin resistance in one isolate. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have been found in three out of 45 investigated chicken flocks. This finding is alarming and emphasizes the importance of intervention strategies to contain the environmental spread of resistant bacteria in animals and humans. PMID:29636734

EEG based time and frequency dynamics analysis of visually induced motion sickness (VIMS).

PubMed

Arsalan Naqvi, Syed Ali; Badruddin, Nasreen; Jatoi, Munsif Ali; Malik, Aamir Saeed; Hazabbah, Wan; Abdullah, Baharudin

2015-12-01

3D movies are attracting the viewers as they can see the objects flying out of the screen. However, many viewers have reported various problems which are usually faced after watching 3D movies. These problems include visual fatigue, eye strain, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision or collectively may be termed as visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). This research focuses on the comparison between 3D passive technology with a conventional 2D technology to find that whether 3D is causing trouble in the viewers or not. For this purpose, an experiment was designed in which participants were randomly assigned to watch 2D or a 3D movie. The movie was specially designed to induce VIMS. The movie was shown for the duration of 10 min to every participant. The electroencephalogram (EEG) data was recorded throughout the session. At the end of the session, participants rated their feelings using simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ). The SSQ data was analyzed and the ratings of 2D and 3D participants were compared statistically by using a two tailed t test. From the SSQ results, it was found that participants watching 3D movies reported significantly higher symptoms of VIMS (p value <0.05). EEG data was analyzed by using MATLAB and topographic plots are created from the data. A significant difference has been observed in the frontal-theta power which increases with the passage of time in 2D condition while decreases with time in 3D condition. Also, a decrease in beta power has been found in the temporal lobe of 3D group. Therefore, it is concluded that there are negative effects of 3D movies causing significant changes in the brain activity in terms of band powers. This condition leads to produce symptoms of VIMS in the viewers.

Day-by-Day Variability of Home Blood Pressure and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Clinical Practice: The J-HOP Study (Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure).

PubMed

Hoshide, Satoshi; Yano, Yuichiro; Mizuno, Hiroyuki; Kanegae, Hiroshi; Kario, Kazuomi

2018-01-01

We assessed the relationship between day-by-day home blood pressure (BP) variability and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in clinical practice. J-HOP study (Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure) participants underwent home BP monitoring in the morning and evening for a 14-day period, and their BP levels and BP variability independent of the mean (VIM) were assessed. Incident CVD events included coronary heart disease and stroke. Cox models were fitted to assess the home BP variability-CVD risk association. Among 4231 participants (mean±SD age, 64.9±10.9 years; 53.3% women; 79.1% taking antihypertensive medication), mean (SD) home systolic BP (SBP) levels over time and VIM SBP were 134.2 (14.3) and 6.8 (2.5) mm Hg, respectively. During a 4-year follow-up period (16 750.3 person-years), 148 CVD events occurred. VIM SBP was associated with CVD risk (hazard ratio per 1-SD increase, 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.52), independently of mean home SBP levels over time and circulating B-type natriuretic peptide levels or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Adding VIM SBP to the CVD prediction model improved the discrimination (C statistic, 0.785 versus 0.770; C statistic difference, 0.015; 95% CI, 0.003-0.028). Changes in continuous net reclassification improvement (0.259; 95% CI, 0.052-0.537), absolute integrated discrimination improvement (0.010; 95% CI, 0.003-0.016), and relative integrated discrimination improvement (0.104; 95% CI, 0.037-0.166) were also observed with the addition of VIM SBP to the CVD prediction models. In addition to the assessments of mean home SBP levels and cardiovascular end-organ damage, home BP variability measurements may provide a clinically useful distinction between high- and low-risk groups among Japanese outpatients. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Regional mapping of aerosol population and surface albedo of Titan by the massive inversion of the Cassini/VIMS dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, S.; Cornet, T.; Maltagliati, L.; Appéré, T.; Le Mouelic, S.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.

2017-12-01

Mapping Titan's surface albedo is a necessary step to give reliable constraints on its composition. However, even after the end of the Cassini mission, surface albedo maps of Titan, especially over large regions, are still very rare, the surface windows being strongly affected by atmospheric contributions (absorption, scattering). A full radiative transfer model is an essential tool to remove these effects, but too time-consuming to treat systematically the 50000 hyperspectral images VIMS acquired since the beginning of the mission. We developed a massive inversion of VIMS data based on lookup tables computed from a state-of-the-art radiative transfer model in pseudo-spherical geometry, updated with new aerosol properties coming from our analysis of observations acquired recently by VIMS (solar occultations and emission phase curves). Once the physical properties of gases, aerosols and surface are fixed, the lookup tables are built for the remaining free parameters: the incidence, emergence and azimuth angles, given by navigation; and two products (the aerosol opacity and the surface albedo at all wavelengths). The lookup table grid was carefully selected after thorough testing. The data inversion on these pre-computed spectra (opportunely interpolated) is more than 1000 times faster than recalling the full radiative transfer at each minimization step. We present here the results from selected flybys. We invert mosaics composed by couples of flybys observing the same area at two different times. The composite albedo maps do not show significant discontinuities in any of the surface windows, suggesting a robust correction of the effects of the geometry (and thus the aerosols) on the observations. Maps of aerosol and albedo uncertainties are also provided, along with absolute errors. We are thus able to provide reliable surface albedo maps at pixel scale for entire regions of Titan and for the whole VIMS spectral range.

Titan's surface and atmosphere from Cassini/VIMS data with updated methane opacity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirtzig, M.; Bézard, B.; Coustenis, A.; Lellouch, E.; Drossart, P.; deBergh, C.; Campargue, A.; Boudon, V.; Tyuterev, V.; Rannou, P.; Cours, T.; Kassi, S.; Nikitin, A.; Wang, L.; Solomonidou, A.; Schmitt, B.; Rodriguez, S.

2012-04-01

In this paper we present an updated analysis of VIMS data in view of recent developments on the methane opacity in the 1.3-5.2 µm region, a very important parameter in simulating Titan's spectrum. We use a multi-stream radiative transfer model, benefitting from the latest methane absorption coefficients available [1], which allows us to determine more accurately the haze and surface contributions. This code is applied to Cassini/VIMS spectro-imaging data of various regions with very different spectral responses to extract information on the content of the lower atmosphere (0-200 km) as well as on the surface properties. In particular, we update the DISR aerosol model [2] for the Huygens landing site that we then adjust to fit the data for other locations on Titan's disk. Fitting VIMS data taken from 2004 to 2010 (TA to T70), around Titan's mid-latitudes (40°S-40°N), we determine the latitudinal and temporal evolution of the aerosol population, monitoring the North-South Asymmetry. While around the equinox [3] witnessed the collapse of the detached haze layer, we measure a continuous depletion of the aerosols throughout the atmosphere, although the NSA remains with a brighter northern hemisphere. Using this improved atmospheric model, we also retrieve surface albedos simultaneously for all the seven windows in the whole VIMS range for these regions, also recovering the shape of the surface albedo within each window. Eventually, we look for Titan's surface probable chemical composition, using mixtures of dark and complex hydrocarbons like bitumens and tholins, as well as bright CH4, CO2, NH3 and H2O ices of various grain sizes. [4] [1] Campargue, A. et al., (2012) Icarus, submitted. [2] Tomasko, M. et al., (2008) Planetary and Space Science, 56, 669. [3] West, R.A. et al., (2011) Geophysical Research Letters, 38, L06204. [4] Hirtzig, M. et al., (2012) Planetary and Space Science, submitted.

Cassini/VIMS observations of the moon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Belluci, G.; Brown, R.H.; Formisano, V.; Baines, K.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Miller, E.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe

2002-01-01

In this paper, we present preliminary scientific results obtained from the analysis of VIMS (Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) lunar images and spectra. These data were obtained during the Cassini Earth flyby in August 1999. Spectral ratios have been produced in order to derive lunar mineralogical maps. Some spectra observed at the north-east lunar limb, show few unusual absorption features located at 0.357, 0.430 and 0.452 ??m, the origin of which is presently unknown. ?? 2002 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Job Samples as Tank Gunnery Performance Predictors

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

previously been obtained ( Maitland , Eaton, and Neff, 1980). Table VI-M. The Table VI-M order of firing and engagement techniques used in Phase III were the... Maitland , Eaton, and Neff (1980) *** <.001 22 Sen 21 ’ )a. datz obtained from ch4 sensing cask was quanti:ied. as in Phase It, by Coti.purtirg the vie.i...of four test weighting methods in multiple regression. Educational and Psychological Measure- ment, 1959, 19, 103-114. Maitland , A. J., Eaton, N. K

Titan's Surface Composition from Cassini VIMS Solar Occultation Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCord, Thomas; Hayne, Paul; Sotin, Christophe

2013-04-01

Titan's surface is obscured by a thick absorbing and scattering atmosphere, allowing direct observation of the surface within only a few spectral win-dows in the near-infrared, complicating efforts to identify and map geologi-cally important materials using remote sensing IR spectroscopy. We there-fore investigate the atmosphere's infrared transmission with direct measure-ments using Titan's occultation of the Sun as well as Titan's reflectance measured at differing illumination and observation angles observed by Cas-sini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). We use two im-portant spectral windows: the 2.7-2.8-mm "double window" and the broad 5-mm window. By estimating atmospheric attenuation within these windows, we seek an empirical correction factor that can be applied to VIMS meas-urements to estimate the true surface reflectance and map inferred composi-tional variations. Applying the empirical corrections, we correct the VIMS data for the viewing geometry-dependent atmospheric effects to derive the 5-µm reflectance and 2.8/2.7-µm reflectance ratio. We then compare the cor-rected reflectances to compounds proposed to exist on Titan's surface. We propose a simple correction to VIMS Titan data to account for atmospheric attenuation and diffuse scattering in the 5-mm and 2.7-2.8 mm windows, generally applicable for airmass < 3.0. We propose a simple correction to VIMS Titan data to account for atmospheric attenuation and diffuse scatter-ing in the 5-mm and 2.7-2.8 mm windows, generally applicable for airmass < 3.0. The narrow 2.75-mm absorption feature, dividing the window into two sub-windows, present in all on-planet measurements is not present in the occultation data, and its strength is reduced at the cloud tops, suggesting the responsible molecule is concentrated in the lower troposphere or on the sur-face. Our empirical correction to Titan's surface reflectance yields properties shifted closer to water ice for the majority of the low-to-mid latitude area covered by VIMS measurements. Four compositional units are defined and mapped on Titan's surface based on the positions of data clusters in 5-mm vs. 2.8/2.7-mm scatter plots; a simple ternary mixture of H2O, hydrocarbons and CO2 might explain the reflectance properties of these surface units. The vast equatorial "dune seas" are compositionally very homogeneous, perhaps suggesting transport and mixing of particles over very large distances and/or and very consistent formation process and source material. The composi-tional branch characterizing Tui Regio and Hotei Regio is consistent with a mixture of typical Titan hydrocarbons and CO2, or possibly methane/ethane; the concentration mechanism proposed is something similar to a terrestrial playa lake evaporate deposit, based on the fact that river channels are known to feed into at least Hotei Regio.

Effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation on spontaneous language production.

PubMed

Ehlen, Felicitas; Vonberg, Isabelle; Kühn, Andrea A; Klostermann, Fabian

2016-08-01

The thalamus is thought to contribute to language-related processing, but specifications of this notion remain vague. An assessment of potential effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on spontaneous language may help to delineate respective functions. For this purpose, we analyzed spontaneous language samples from thirteen (six female / seven male) patients with essential tremor treated with DBS of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) in their respective ON vs. OFF conditions. Samples were obtained from semi-structured interviews and examined on multidimensional linguistic levels. In the VIM-DBS ON condition, participants used a significantly higher proportion of paratactic as opposed to hypotactic sentence structures. This increase correlated negatively with the change in the more global cognitive score, which in itself did not change significantly. In conclusion, VIM-DBS appears to induce the use of a simplified syntactic structure. The findings are discussed in relation to concepts of thalamic roles in language-related cognitive behavior. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Endurance and failure characteristics of main-shaft jet engine bearings at 3x10 to the 6th power DN

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bamberger, E. N.; Zaretsky, E. V.; Signer, H.

1976-01-01

Groups of thirty 120-mm bore angular contact ball bearings were endurance tested at a speed of 12,000 and 25,000 rpm and a thrust load of 66 721 N. The bearings were manufactured from a single heat of VIM-VAR AISI M-50 steel. At 1.44X1 million and 3.0x1 million DN, 84 483 and 74 800 bearing test hours were accumulated, respectively. Test results were compared with similar bearings made from CVM AISI M-50 steel run under the same conditions. Bearing lives at speeds of 3x1 million DN with the VIM-VAR AISI M-50 steel were nearly equivalent to those obtained at lower speeds. A combined processing and material life factor of 44 was found for VIM-VAR AISI M-50 steel. Continuous running after a spall has occurred at 3.0x1 million DN can result in a destructive fracture of the bearing inner race.

Clonal Transmission of Gram-Negative Bacteria with Carbapenemases NDM-1, VIM-1, and OXA-23/72 in a Bulgarian Hospital.

PubMed

Pfeifer, Yvonne; Trifonova, Angelina; Pietsch, Michael; Brunner, Magdalena; Todorova, Iva; Gergova, Ivanka; Wilharm, Gottfried; Werner, Guido; Savov, Encho

2017-04-01

We characterized 72 isolates with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (50 Acinetobacter spp., 13 Proteus mirabilis, five Escherichia coli, one Morganella morganii, one Enterobacter cloacae, one Providencia rettgeri, and one Pseudomonas aeruginosa) from a hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria. Different β-lactamase genes were identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Bacterial strain typing was performed by enzymatic macrorestriction and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing as well as multilocus sequence typing for selected isolates. The majority of Acinetobacter baumannii (46/50) and one Acinetobacter pittii isolate harbored carbapenemase genes bla OXA-23 or bla OXA-72 ; two A. baumannii contained both genes. PFGE typing of all A. baumannii showed the presence of nine different clones belonging to eight sequence types ST350, ST208, ST436, ST437, ST449, ST231, ST502, and ST579. Molecular characterization of the remaining isolates confirmed the presence of one NDM-1-producing E. coli-ST101 clone (five isolates) and one P. mirabilis clone (13 isolates) with VIM-1 and CMY-99. Furthermore, NDM-1 was identified in P. rettgeri and M. morganii and VIM-2 in the P. aeruginosa isolate. The permanent introduction of OXA-23/72 carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii clones into the hospital and the repeated occurrence of one VIM-1-producing P. mirabilis and one NDM-1-producing E. coli-ST101 clone over a period of more than 1 year is of concern and requires intensified investigations.

Epidemiology and virulence of VIM-4 metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn patients in eastern Algeria.

PubMed

Meradji, Samah; Barguigua, Abouddihaj; Bentakouk, Mohamed Cherif; Nayme, Kaotar; Zerouali, Khalid; Mazouz, Dekhil; Chettibi, Houria; Timinouni, Mohammed

2016-06-01

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) in burn patients from eastern Algeria, CRPA virulence factors and the molecular epidemiology of CRPA. The overall prevalence of CRPA was 48.38%. Seven (46.66%) isolates were metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) producers and contained the MBL genes blaVIM-4 (n=6) and blaVIM-2 (n=1). Risk factors for CRPA infection were urinary catheter use and intubation (p=0.008). A high percentage of virulence factors (86.6% of these isolates were able to produce protease; 73.3% of isolates has DNase; and 66.6% were haemolysin positive) was observed in CRPA isolates. Among the seven MBL-producing isolates, four had the same clonal profile. The class 1 integrons, which contained the aadA7 gene cassette, were detected in six isolates. The 16SrRNA methylase gene, rmtB, was detected in one strain. All CRPA isolates were biofilm formers. A study on the kinetics of biofilm production revealed that biofilm production increased when the concentration of imipenem or ciprofloxacin and the incubation time increased. This is the first study to report the presence of VIM-4-producing P. aeruginosa from North Africa and also of the high prevalence of CRPA isolates. Based on our study of burn unit patients, the high percentage of P. aeruginosa with virulence factors and multi-drug resistance is alarming. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Mapping and interpretation of Sinlap crater on Titan using Cassini VIMS and RADAR data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Le, Mouelic S.; Paillou, P.; Janssen, M.A.; Barnes, J.W.; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, Christophe; Brown, R.H.; Baines, K.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Crapeau, M.; Encrenaz, P.J.; Jaumann, R.; Geudtner, D.; Paganelli, F.; Soderblom, L.; Tobie, G.; Wall, S.

2008-01-01

Only a few impact craters have been unambiguously detected on Titan by the Cassini-Huygens mission. Among these, Sinlap is the only one that has been observed both by the RADAR and VIMS instruments. This paper describes observations at centimeter and infrared wavelengths which provide complementary information about the composition, topography, and surface roughness. Several units appear in VIMS false color composites of band ratios in the Sinlap area, suggesting compositional heterogeneities. A bright pixel possibly related to a central peak does not show significant spectral variations, indicating either that the impact site was vertically homogeneous, or that this area has been recovered by homogeneous deposits. Both VIMS ratio images and dielectric constant measurements suggest the presence of an area enriched in water ice around the main ejecta blanket. Since the Ku-band SAR may see subsurface structures at the meter scale, the difference between infrared and SAR observations can be explained by the presence of a thin layer transparent to the radar. An analogy with terrestrial craters in Libya supports this interpretation. Finally, a tentative model describes the geological history of this area prior, during, and after the impact. It involves mainly the creation of ballistic ejecta and an expanding plume of vapor triggered by the impact, followed by the redeposition of icy spherules recondensed from this vapor plume blown downwind. Subsequent evolution is then driven by erosional processes and aeolian deposition. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

Poster 13: Large-scale simultaneous mapping of Titan's aerosol opacity and surface albedo by a new massive inversion method of Cassini/VIMS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maltagliati, Luca; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Sotin, Christophe; Rannou, Pascal; Bezard, Bruno; Solomonidou, Anezina; Coustenis, Athena; Appere, Thomas; Cornet, Thomas; Le Mouelic, Stephane

2016-06-01

We have still limited information on Titan's surface albedo in the near-infrared. Only few spectral windows exist in between the intense methane bands, and even those windows are strongly affected by atmospheric contributions (absorption, scattering). Yet, this part of the spectrum is important to determine the surface composition thanks to the wealth of absorption bands by minerals and ices present there. A radiative transfer model is an effective tool to take the atmospheric effects into consideration in the analysis (e.g. Rannou et al. 2010, Griffith et al 2012, Solomonidou et al. 2016,...), but it is too time-consuming to process the whole VIMS hyperspectral dataset (millions of spectra) and create large-scale maps of the surface albedo. To overcome this problem, we developed an inversion method of VIMS data that employs lookup tables of synthetic spectra produced by a state-of-the-art radiative transfer model (described in its original form in Hirtzig et al. 2013). The heavy computational part (calling the radiative transfer model) is thus done only once for all during the creation of the modeled spectra. We updated the model with new methane spectroscopy and the new aerosol parameters we found in our analysis of the VIMS Emission Phase Function (see the other Maltagliati et al. abstract in this workshop). We analyzed in detail the behavior of the spectra as a function of the free parameters of the model (three inputs, the incidence, emergence and azimuth angles; and two products: the aerosol opacity and the surface albedo) in order to create an optimized grid for the lookup table. The lookup tables were then grafted onto an ad-hoc inversion model. Our method can process a whole 64x64 VIMS datacube in few minutes, with a gain in computational time of a factor of more than one thousand with respect to the standard method. This will consent for the first time a truly massive inversion of VIMS data and large-scale acquisition of Titan's surface albedo, paving the way for global maps of mineralogical composition (and related temporal variations). Results of simultaneous maps of aerosol opacity and surface albedo for the various surface windows are shown for some selected flybys observing the same area with different geometries, to highlight the robustness of the method to correct seamlessly the atmospheric effects.

Differences in the Spectrum of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody Fine Specificities Between Malaysian and Swedish Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications for Disease Pathogenesis.

PubMed

Too, Chun Lai; Murad, Shahnaz; Hansson, Monika; Alm, Linda Mathsson; Dhaliwal, Jasbir Singh; Holmdahl, Rikard; Jakobsson, Per-Johan; Alfredsson, Lars; Klareskog, Lars; Rönnelid, Johan; Padyukov, Leonid

2017-01-01

Antibodies to the citrullinated protein antigens (ACPAs) are important in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the prevalence of ACPAs with different fine specificities in different populations is unclear. This study sought to examine the fine specificity of the antibody responses toward citrullinated proteins in RA patients from Malaysia, an area where genetic and environmental determinants of RA are different from those in more frequently studied cohorts of Caucasian subjects. A multiplex analytic microarray system was used to analyze the occurrence of antibodies to 10 different citrullinated peptides (filaggrin [fil307-324], vimentin [Vim2-17, Vim60-75], fibrinogen [Fibα563-583, Fibα580-600, Fibβ36-52, Fibβ62-81a, Fibβ62-81b], enolase [Eno5-21], and type II collagen [CitCII355-378]) in serum samples from 4,089 RA patients (1,231 Malaysian and 2,858 Swedish) and 827 healthy control subjects (249 Malaysian and 578 Swedish). The positive reaction threshold for each peptide was set separately for each population based on a specificity of 98%. Distinct differences in the frequencies of 5 ACPA fine specificities (Vim60-75, Vim2-17, Fibβ62-81b, Eno5-21, and CitCII355-378) were found between the Malaysian and Swedish RA populations, despite a nearly identical percentage of patients in each population who were positive for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 antibodies. In Malaysian RA patients compared with Swedish RA patients, the frequencies of antibodies to Vim60-75 (54% versus 44%, corrected P [P corr ] = 1.06 × 10 -8 ) and CitCII355-378 (17% versus 13%, P corr  = 0.02) were significantly higher, while the frequencies of antibodies to Vim2-17 (25% versus 32%, P corr  = 1.91 × 10 -4 ), Fibβ62-81b (15% versus 30%, P corr  = 2.47 × 10 -22 ), and Eno5-21 (23% versus 50%, P corr  = 3.64 × 10 -57 ) were significantly lower. Serum ACPA fine specificities differ between RA patients in different populations, although the total proportions of individuals positive for ACPAs are similar. Differing patterns of ACPA fine specificity could be attributed to variations in genetic and/or environmental factors. © 2016 The Authors. Arthritis & Rheumatology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology.

Remote sensing applications in marine science programs at VIMS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, H. H.; Penney, M. E.; Byrne, R. J.

1974-01-01

Scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) utilized remote sensing in three programs: (1) tonal variations in imagery of wetlands; (2) use of the thermal infrared to delineate the discharge cooling water at the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) nuclear power station on the James River; and (3) the use of aerial photography to determine the volume storage function for water in the marsh-bay complex fed by Wachapreague Inlet on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Details of the investigations are given, along with significant results.

Studying Titan's surface photometry in the 5 microns atmospheric window with the Cassini/VIMS instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornet, T.; Altobelli, N.; Sotin, C.; Le Mouelic, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Philippe, S.; Brown, R. H.; Barnes, J. W.; Buratti, B. J.; Baines, K. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2014-12-01

Due to the influence of methane gas and a thick aerosols haze in the atmosphere, Titan's surface is only visible in 7 spectral atmospheric windows centered at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.01, 2.7-2.8 and 5 microns with the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). The 5 microns atmospheric window constitutes the only one being almost insensitive to the haze scattering and which presents only a reduced atmospheric absorption contribution to the signal recorded by the instrument. Despite these advantages leading to the almost direct view of the surface, the 5 microns window is also the noisiest spectral window of the entire VIMS spectrum (an effect highly dependent on the time exposure used for the observations), and it is not totally free from atmospheric contributions, enough to keep "artefacts" in mosaics of several thousands of cubes due to atmospheric and surface photometric effects amplified by the very heterogeneous viewing conditions between each Titan flyby. At first order, a lambertian surface photometry at 5 microns has been used as an initial parameter in order to estimate atmospheric opacity and surface photometry in all VIMS atmospheric windows and to determine the albedo of the surface, yet unknown, both using radiative transfer codes on single cubes or empirical techniques on global hyperspectral mosaics. Other studies suggested that Titan's surface photometry would not be uniquely lambertian but would also contain anisotropic lunar-like contributions. In the present work, we aim at constraining accurately the surface photometry of Titan and residual atmospheric absorption effects in this 5 microns window using a comprehensive study of relevant sites located at various latitudes. Those include bright and dark (dunes) terrains, 5-microns bright terrains (Hotei Regio and Tui Regio), the Huygens Landing Site and high latitudes polar lakes and seas. The VIMS 2004 to 2014 database, composed of more than 40,000 hyperspectral cubes acquired on Titan, has been decomposed into a MySQL relational database in order to perform the present study looking at both spatial and temporal (seasonal) aspects.

Coexistence of metallo-beta-lactamase-encoding genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Mohanam, Lavanya; Menon, Thangam

2017-07-01

The emergence and rapid spread of carbapenem resistance mediated by metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of major concern due to limited therapeutic options. This study was aimed at detecting the presence of MBL and its association with integrons in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates and to determine their genetic relatedness. A total of 213 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from two tertiary care centres and tested against anti-pseudomonal antibiotics by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, followed by the detection of MBL production by combined disk method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of meropenem was determined by E-test. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for the detection of blaSPM, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaGIM and blaSIM. PCR was carried out to characterize the variable region of class 1 integron. Transcongujation assay was carried out for the confirmation of plasmid-mediated resistance. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence (ERIC)-PCR was performed for determining the genetic relatedness among P. aeruginosa isolates. Of the 213 P. aeruginosa isolates, 22 (10%) were found to be carbapenem resistant and these were from pus 18 (82%), urine 2 (9%), sputum 1 (5%) and tracheal wash 1 (5%). Among 22 isolates, 18 (81.8%) were found to be MBL producers by phenotypic method and MIC range of meropenem was 8 to >32 μg/ml. PCR amplification showed that 20 (91%) isolates carried any one of the MBL genes tested: blaVIM and blaNDM in seven (32%) and six (27%) isolates, respectively; blaVIM and blaNDMin three (14%); blaIMP and blaNDM in two (9%); blaVIM and blaIMP in one (5%) isolate. The blaVIM, blaIMP and blaNDM were found to co-exist in one isolate. None of the isolates were positive for blaSPM, blaSIM and blaGIM. All 22 isolates carried class I integron. Of the 20 MBL-positive isolates, transconjugants were obtained for 15 isolates. ERIC-PCR analysis showed all isolates to be clonally independent. Our results showed 10.3 per cent of carbapenem resistance among P. aeruginosa isolates, and the coexistence of MBL-encoding genes among P. aeruginosa mediated by class I integron.

Dark Areas on Equatorial Regions of Titan: Implication in Particles Size of Water-Ice and Combination with Tholins.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brossier, J. F.; Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Le Mouelic, S.; Brown, R. H.

2015-12-01

Since the equatorial regions of Titan have been fully observed by the Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) [1], the analysis of false-color composite allows distinguishing three mains units: bright, bluish and brownish units [2-4]. This distinction can be enhanced by using ratios of VIMS channels that allow emphasizing subtle difference of spectral behavior of the units, especially at short wavelengths (below 2 µm). The VIMS - bluish unit is mostly enriched in water-ice particles, which consist of particles exposition derived from the high standing water-ice substrate and deposited on the lowlands after fluvial/pluvial processes [5] and impact [6]. This spectral unit is mainly located at the frontier of the large bright plateaus, and hence considered as a transition zone to the VIMS - brownish unit corresponding to the Radar dune-fields [7]. Whereas these brownish dunes consist on atmospheric aerosols, named tholins [4] contaminated with particles of water ice. High resolution observations of VIMS (less than 1 km per pixel), show local transition zones between the bright material and the brownish dunes, suggesting weathering and erosional processes (e.g. Bohai Sinus and the Huygens Landing site). The reason of these spectral variations in this bluish unit might be due to physical properties variations related to erosional processes occurring on the bright plateaus [5,8], such as particles sizes and the degree of mixture with tholins. Our approach enables a better understanding of the distribution of the water-ice grains in terms of particles-size and mixtures with tholins at local and global scale. Reference: [1] Brown, R. H. et al. (2005) SSR. [2] Barnes, J. W. et al. (2007) Icarus, 186 (1). [3] Soderblom, L. A. et al. (2007) PSS, 55 (13). [4] Langhans, M. H. et al. (2011) PSS, 60. [5] Jaumann, R. et al. (2008) Icarus, 197. [6] Le Mouelic, S. et al. (2008) JGR, 113 (E04003). [7] Rodriguez, S. et al. (2013) Icarus. [8] Jaumann, R. et al. (2009) LPSC.

Seasonal Evolution of the North and South Polar Vortex on Titan From 2004 to 2017 as Seen by Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouelic, S.; Robidel, R.; Rousseau, B.; Rodriguez, S.; Cornet, T.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Baines, K. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2017-12-01

Cassini entered in Saturn's orbit in July 2004. In thirteen years, 127 targeted flybys of Titan have been performed. We focus our study on the analysis of the complete Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data set, with a particular emphasis on the evolving features on both poles. We have computed individual global maps of the north and south poles for each of the 127 targeted flybys, using VIMS wavelengths sensitive both to clouds and surface features. First evidences for a vast ethane cloud covering the North Pole is seen as soon as the first and second targeted flyby in October 2004 and December 2005 [1]. The first detailed imaging of this north polar feature with VIMS was obtained in December 2006, thanks to a change in inclination of the spacecraft orbit [2]. At this time, the northern lakes and seas of Titan were totally masked to the optical instruments by the haze and clouds, whereas the southern pole was well illuminated and mostly clear of haze and vast clouds. The vast north polar feature progressively vanished around the equinox in 2009 [2,3,4], in agreement with the predictions of Global Circulation Models [5]. It revealed progressively the underlying lakes to the ISS and VIMS instruments, which show up very nicely in VIMS in a series of flybys between T90 and T100. First evidences of an atmospheric vortex growing over the south pole occurred in May 2012 (T82), with a high altitude feature being detected consistently at each flyby up to the last T126 targeted flyby, and also appearing in more distant observations up to the end of the Cassini mission. Cassini has covered almost half a titanian year, corresponding to two seasons. The situation observed at the South Pole in the last images may correspond to what was observed in the north as Cassini just arrived. [1] Griffith et al., Science, 2006. [2] Le Mouélic et al., PSS, 2012. [3] Rodriguez et al., Nature, 2009. [4] Rodriguez et al., Icarus 2011. [4] Hirtzig et al., Icarus, 2013. [5] Rannou et al., Science 2005

Vimentin, a Novel NF-κB Regulator, Is Required for Meningitic Escherichia coli K1-Induced Pathogen Invasion and PMN Transmigration across the Blood-Brain Barrier.

PubMed

Huang, Sheng-He; Chi, Feng; Peng, Liang; Bo, Tao; Zhang, Bao; Liu, Li-Qun; Wu, Xuedong; Mor-Vaknin, Nirit; Markovitz, David M; Cao, Hong; Zhou, Yan-Hong

NF-κB activation, pathogen invasion, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) transmigration (PMNT) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are the pathogenic triad hallmark features of bacterial meningitis, but the mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown. Vimentin, which is a novel NF-κB regulator, is the primary receptor for the major Escherichia coli K1 virulence factor IbeA that contributes to the pathogenesis of neonatal bacterial sepsis and meningitis (NSM). We have previously shown that IbeA-induced NF-κB signaling through its primary receptor vimentin as well as its co-receptor PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) is required for pathogen penetration and leukocyte transmigration across the BBB. This is the first in vivo study to demonstrate how vimentin and related factors contributed to the pathogenic triad of bacterial meningitis. The role of vimentin in IbeA+ E. coli K1-induced NF-κB activation, pathogen invasion, leukocyte transmigration across the BBB has now been demonstrated by using vimentin knockout (KO) mice. In the in vivo studies presented here, IbeA-induced NF-κB activation, E. coli K1 invasion and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transmigration across the BBB were significantly reduced in Vim-/- mice. Decreased neuronal injury in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was observed in Vim-/- mice with meningitis. The major inflammatory regulator α7 nAChR and several signaling molecules contributing to NF-κB activation (p65 and p-CamKII) were significantly reduced in the brain tissues of the Vim-/- mice with E. coli meningitis. Furthermore, Vim KO resulted in significant reduction in neuronal injury and in α7 nAChR-mediated calcium signaling. Vimentin, a novel NF-κB regulator, plays a detrimental role in the host defense against meningitic infection by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway to increase pathogen invasion, PMN recruitment, BBB permeability and neuronal inflammation. Our findings provide the first evidence for Vim-dependent mechanisms underlying the pathogenic triad of bacterial meningitis.

Vimentin, a Novel NF-κB Regulator, Is Required for Meningitic Escherichia coli K1-Induced Pathogen Invasion and PMN Transmigration across the Blood-Brain Barrier

PubMed Central

Zhang, Bao; Liu, Li-Qun; Wu, Xuedong; Mor-Vaknin, Nirit; Markovitz, David M.; Cao, Hong; Zhou, Yan-Hong

2016-01-01

Background NF-κB activation, pathogen invasion, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) transmigration (PMNT) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are the pathogenic triad hallmark features of bacterial meningitis, but the mechanisms underlying these events remain largely unknown. Vimentin, which is a novel NF-κB regulator, is the primary receptor for the major Escherichia coli K1 virulence factor IbeA that contributes to the pathogenesis of neonatal bacterial sepsis and meningitis (NSM). We have previously shown that IbeA-induced NF-κB signaling through its primary receptor vimentin as well as its co-receptor PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) is required for pathogen penetration and leukocyte transmigration across the BBB. This is the first in vivo study to demonstrate how vimentin and related factors contributed to the pathogenic triad of bacterial meningitis. Methodology/Principal Findings The role of vimentin in IbeA+ E. coli K1-induced NF-κB activation, pathogen invasion, leukocyte transmigration across the BBB has now been demonstrated by using vimentin knockout (KO) mice. In the in vivo studies presented here, IbeA-induced NF-κB activation, E. coli K1 invasion and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transmigration across the BBB were significantly reduced in Vim-/- mice. Decreased neuronal injury in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was observed in Vim-/- mice with meningitis. The major inflammatory regulator α7 nAChR and several signaling molecules contributing to NF-κB activation (p65 and p-CamKII) were significantly reduced in the brain tissues of the Vim-/- mice with E. coli meningitis. Furthermore, Vim KO resulted in significant reduction in neuronal injury and in α7 nAChR-mediated calcium signaling. Conclusion/Significance Vimentin, a novel NF-κB regulator, plays a detrimental role in the host defense against meningitic infection by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway to increase pathogen invasion, PMN recruitment, BBB permeability and neuronal inflammation. Our findings provide the first evidence for Vim-dependent mechanisms underlying the pathogenic triad of bacterial meningitis. PMID:27657497

Identification and characterization of metallo-β-lactamases producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in University Hospital from Zanjan Province, Iran.

PubMed

Doosti, Masoumeh; Ramazani, Ali; Garshasbi, Maryam

2013-01-01

Infectious by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has spread worldwide and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) are being reported with increasing frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility and distribution of blaVIM and blaIMP genes in P. aeruginosa isolates from Zanjan Province of Iran. A total of 70 P. aeruginosa isolates were identified from patients admitted at intensive care units. The antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) method and for production of MBL using double-disk synergy test (DDST). After DNA extraction, the presence of blaVIM and blaIMP genes and class 1 integron were detected by PCR. Most of the isolates were resistant to meropenem, cefotaxime and imipenem (IPM). Also, 44/70 (62.85%) IPM resistant isolates were confirmed by DDST. Of the 44 clinical isolates, 41 (93%) isolates showed MIC≥4 µg/ml for IPM. Based on the DDST results, 36 (87.8%) were confirmed to be MBL producers. PCR amplification showed that 23/41 (56%) carried blaVIM and 10/41 (24.3%) possessed blaIMP gene. Also, 31/44 (70.5%) isolates contained class 1 integron gene. Our results highlight that the genes for Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase, IPM β-lactamases and class 1 integrons were predominantly present among the IPM-resistant P. aeruginosa tested in our province and also the frequency of blaVIM type is higher than blaIMP. This is the first report of P. aeruginosa strains producing blaIMP with high frequency from Zanjan province of Iran.

Conceptual Model of Quantities, Units, Dimensions, and Values

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rouquette, Nicolas F.; DeKoenig, Hans-Peter; Burkhart, Roger; Espinoza, Huascar

2011-01-01

JPL collaborated with experts from industry and other organizations to develop a conceptual model of quantities, units, dimensions, and values based on the current work of the ISO 80000 committee revising the International System of Units & Quantities based on the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM). By providing support for ISO 80000 in SysML via the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), this conceptual model provides, for the first time, a standard-based approach for addressing issues of unit coherence and dimensional analysis into the practice of systems engineering with SysML-based tools. This conceptual model provides support for two kinds of analyses specified in the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM): coherence of units as well as of systems of units, and dimension analysis of systems of quantities. To provide a solid and stable foundation, the model for defining quantities, units, dimensions, and values in SysML is explicitly based on the concepts defined in VIM. At the same time, the model library is designed in such a way that extensions to the ISQ (International System of Quantities) and SI Units (Systeme International d Unites) can be represented, as well as any alternative systems of quantities and units. The model library can be used to support SysML user models in various ways. A simple approach is to define and document libraries of reusable systems of units and quantities for reuse across multiple projects, and to link units and quantity kinds from these libraries to Unit and QuantityKind stereotypes defined in SysML user models.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor: Aligning Thalamic and Posterior Subthalamic Targets in 1 Surgical Trajectory.

PubMed

Bot, Maarten; van Rootselaar, Fleur; Contarino, Maria Fiorella; Odekerken, Vincent; Dijk, Joke; de Bie, Rob; Schuurman, Richard; van den Munckhof, Pepijn

2017-12-21

Ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) deep brain stimulation (DBS) and posterior subthalamic area (PSA) DBS suppress tremor in essential tremor (ET) patients, but it is not clear which target is optimal. Aligning both targets in 1 surgical trajectory would facilitate exploring stimulation of either target in a single patient. To evaluate aligning VIM and PSA in 1 surgical trajectory for DBS in ET. Technical aspects of trajectories, intraoperative stimulation findings, final electrode placement, target used for chronic stimulation, and adverse and beneficial effects were evaluated. In 17 patients representing 33 trajectories, we successfully aligned VIM and PSA targets in 26 trajectories. Trajectory distance between targets averaged 7.2 (range 6-10) mm. In all but 4 aligned trajectories, optimal intraoperative tremor suppression was obtained in the PSA. During follow-up, active electrode contacts were located in PSA in the majority of cases. Overall, successful tremor control was achieved in 69% of patients. Stimulation-induced dysarthria or gait ataxia occurred in, respectively, 56% and 44% of patients. Neither difference in tremor suppression or side effects was noted between aligned and nonaligned leads nor between the different locations of chronic stimulation. Alignment of VIM and PSA for DBS in ET is feasible and enables intraoperative exploration of both targets in 1 trajectory. This facilitates positioning of electrode contacts in both areas, where multiple effective points of stimulation can be found. In the majority of aligned leads, optimal intraoperative and chronic stimulation were located in the PSA. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Unexpected mechanisms of resistance in Dutch Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected during fourteen years of surveillance.

PubMed

Croughs, P D; Klaassen, C H W; van Rosmalen, J; Maghdid, D M; Boers, S A; Hays, J P; Goessens, W H F

2018-05-14

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important causes of infection in the intensive care unit. It is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics and easily acquires additional resistance genes via horizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements. In the present study, 1,528 P. aeruginosa isolates, obtained from a Dutch national surveillance program between the years 1998 and 2011, were analyzed for the presence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) genes bla CTX-M , bla SHV , bla TEM , bla BEL , bla PER , bla VEB , bla OXA-10 and metallo-β-Lactamase (MBL) genes bla IMP , bla VIM and bla NDM . Six percent of ceftazidime-resistant isolates tested positive for ESBL and a Verona Integron-Encoded Metallo-β-Lactamase (VIM) gene was found in 3% of the isolates that were phenotypically resistant to imipenem, and/or meropenem. Genotyping of ESBL-positive isolates indicated ST1216, ST111, and ST622 genotypes, with all VIM-positive isolates belonging to the ST111 clone. Although the prevalence of ESBL and MBL phenotypes in this Dutch national surveillance collection of over 1500 ICU P. aeruginosa isolates was very low, all VIM-producing isolates belonged to the high risk-associated, international, clonal complex CC111 and most ESBL-producing isolates belonged to clonal complexes known for their successful spread e.g. CC111 and CC235. The current data indicates that high risk clones of P. aeruginosa were present in the Netherlands between 1998-2011 and probably spread unnoticed throughout Dutch hospitals. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

VIMS Observations of Titan During the First Two Close Flybys by the Cassini-Huygens Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodriquez, S.; LeMouelic, S.; Sotin, C.; Buratti, B. J.; Brown, R. H.

2005-01-01

The joint NASA-ESA-ASI Cassini-Huygens mission reached the saturnian system on July 1st 2004. It started the observations of Saturn s environment including its atmosphere, rings, and satellites (Phoebe, Iapetus and Titan). Titan, one of the primary scientific interests of the mission, is veiled by an ubiquitous thick haze. Its surface cannot be seen in the visible but as the haze effects decrease with increasing wavelength, there is signal in the infrared atmospheric windows if no clouds are present. Onboard the Cassini spacecraft, the VIMS instrument (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) is expected to pierce the veil of the hazy moon and successfully image its surface in the infrared wavelengths, taking hyperspectral images in the range 0.4 to 5.2 micron. On 26 October (TA) and 13 December 2004 (TB), the Cassini-Huygens mission flew over Titan at an altitude lower than 1200 km at closest approach. VIMS acquired several tens of image cubes with spatial resolution ranging from a few tens of kilometers down to 1.5 kilometer per pixel, demonstrating its capability for studying Titan s geology.

A Life Study of Ausforged, Standard Forged and Standard Machined AISI M-50 Spur Gears

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, D. P.; Bamberger, E. N.; Zaretsky, E. V.

1975-01-01

Tests were conducted at 350 K (170 F) with three groups of 8.9 cm (3.5 in.) pitch diameter spur gears made of vacuum induction melted (VIM) consumable-electrode vacuum-arc melted (VAR), AISI M-50 steel and one group of vacuum-arc remelted (VAR) AISI 9310 steel. The pitting fatigue life of the standard forged and ausforged gears was approximately five times that of the VAR AISI 9310 gears and ten times that of the bending fatigue life of the standard machined VIM-VAR AISI M-50 gears run under identical conditions. There was a slight decrease in the 10-percent life of the ausforged gears from that for the standard forged gears, but the difference is not statistically significant. The standard machined gears failed primarily by gear tooth fracture while the forged and ausforged VIM-VAR AISI M-50 and the VAR AISI 9310 gears failed primarily by surface pitting fatigue. The ausforged gears had a slightly greater tendency to fail by tooth fracture than the standard forged gears.

Imipenem resistance in clinical Escherichia coli from Qom, Iran.

PubMed

Shams, Saeed; Hashemi, Ali; Esmkhani, Mohammad; Kermani, Somaye; Shams, Elham; Piccirillo, Alessandra

2018-05-18

The emergence of metallo-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is a worldwide health concern. In this study, the first evaluation of MBL genes, bla IMP and bla VIM , in Escherichia coli resistant to imipenem isolated from urine and blood specimens in Qom, Iran is described. Three hundred urine and blood specimens were analysed to detect the presence of E. coli. Resistance to imipenem and other antimicrobials was determined by disk diffusion and MIC. MBL production was screened using CDDT. PCR was also carried out to determine the presence of bla IMP and bla VIM genes in imipenem-resistant isolates. In total, 160 E. coli isolates were collected from March to May 2016. According to disk diffusion, high-level of resistance (20%) to cefotaxime was observed, whereas the lowest (1%) was detected for tetracycline. In addition, five isolates showed resistance to imipenem with a MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL. CDDT test confirmed that five isolates were MBL-producing strains, but no bla IMP and bla VIM genes were detected. Results of this study show a very low level of resistance to imipenem in our geographical area.

Recovery of Na-glucose cotransport activity after renal ischemia is impaired in mice lacking vimentin.

PubMed

Runembert, Isabelle; Couette, Sylviane; Federici, Pierre; Colucci-Guyon, Emma; Babinet, Charles; Briand, Pascale; Friedlander, Gérard; Terzi, Fabiola

2004-11-01

Vimentin, an intermediate filament protein mainly expressed in mesenchyma-derived cells, is reexpressed in renal tubular epithelial cells under many pathological conditions, characterized by intense cell proliferation. Whether vimentin reexpression is only a marker of cell dedifferentiation or is instrumental in the maintenance of cell structure and/or function is still unknown. Here, we used vimentin knockout mice (Vim(-/-)) and an experimental model of acute renal injury (30-min bilateral renal ischemia) to explore the role of vimentin. Bilateral renal ischemia induced an initial phase of acute tubular necrosis that did not require vimentin and was similar, in terms of morphological and functional changes, in Vim(+/+) and Vim(-/-) mice. However, vimentin was essential to favor Na-glucose cotransporter 1 localization to brush-border membranes and to restore Na-glucose cotransport activity in regenerating tubular cells. We show that the effect of vimentin inactivation is specific and results in persistent glucosuria. We propose that vimentin is part of a structural network that favors carrier localization to plasma membranes to restore transport activity in injured kidneys.

High resolution VIMS images of Titan's surface: implications for its composition, internal structure and dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotin, C.; Le Mouelic, S.; Le Corre, L.; Barnes, J.; Brown, R. H.; Jaumann, R.; Buratti, B.; Baines, K.; Clark, R.; Nicholson, P.; Soderblom, L.

2008-12-01

With a field of view of 0.5 mrad per pixel, the VIMS (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) onboard the Cassini spacecraft can acquire images with a resolution of 500 m per pixel at closest approach during a typical Titan flyby. This resolution is comparable to the resolution of the radar instrument and allows comparisons between the radar images and optical images in the six infrared windows where the surface can be observed. Such opportunities were not set up for the nominal tour before Saturn insertion. The opportunity was offered during the TA flyby [Sotin et al., Nature, 2005] and the results lead the Cassini program to give VIMS the prime observations during closest approach at the T24 and T38 flybys. Two different implementations were experienced. During the T24 flyby (01/29/2007), we used a push-broom mode allowing VIMS to image a long path before pointing to a specific site at the limit between the light and dark terrains. This observation allowed us to see the dunes and to infer some information on their composition [Barnes et al., Icarus, 2008], to image channels and to infer information of erosion processes of the bright equatorial regions [Jaumann et al., Icarus, in press] and to observe the strong correlation between radar images and the VIMS images over a bright area interpreted as a flow feature [Lopes et al., Icarus, 2007]. During the T38 flyby over Ontario Lacus (12/05/2007), it was decided to point to the lake and get different images which provide us with a set of observations obtained with different emergence angles. This observation allowed us to infer the liquid nature of the lake and the composition of the lake [Brown et al., Nature, 2008]. In addition, this mode gives good information on the atmospheric component and will help us remove that component to get better spectra of Titan's surface. During the extended mission, two observations are forecasted at the beginning and at the end of the Cassini Equinox Mission. The first one will happen on November 19, 2008. The VIMS has been programmed to observe the Huygens landing site area at a resolution of 1 km/pixel. Before and after this observation, the push-broom mode will be used in order to cross-cut some of the radar paths. Because Titan's spin rate may be different from synchronous [Stiles et al., 2007; Lorenz et al., 2008], there is some uncertainty on the pointing. This study will report on the results of this flyby. This work has been carried out at the JPL, Caltech, under contract with NASA.

Connectivity derived thalamic segmentation in deep brain stimulation for tremor.

PubMed

Akram, Harith; Dayal, Viswas; Mahlknecht, Philipp; Georgiev, Dejan; Hyam, Jonathan; Foltynie, Thomas; Limousin, Patricia; De Vita, Enrico; Jahanshahi, Marjan; Ashburner, John; Behrens, Tim; Hariz, Marwan; Zrinzo, Ludvic

2018-01-01

The ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus is an established surgical target for stereotactic ablation and deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of tremor in Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). It is centrally placed on a cerebello-thalamo-cortical network connecting the primary motor cortex, to the dentate nucleus of the contralateral cerebellum through the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT). The VIM is not readily visible on conventional MR imaging, so identifying the surgical target traditionally involved indirect targeting that relies on atlas-defined coordinates. Unfortunately, this approach does not fully account for individual variability and requires surgery to be performed with the patient awake to allow for intraoperative targeting confirmation. The aim of this study is to identify the VIM and the DRT using probabilistic tractography in patients that will undergo thalamic DBS for tremor. Four male patients with tremor dominant PD and five patients (three female) with ET underwent high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) (128 diffusion directions, 1.5 mm isotropic voxels and b value = 1500) preoperatively. Patients received VIM-DBS using an MR image guided and MR image verified approach with indirect targeting. Postoperatively, using parallel Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) processing, thalamic areas with the highest diffusion connectivity to the primary motor area (M1), supplementary motor area (SMA), primary sensory area (S1) and contralateral dentate nucleus were identified. Additionally, volume of tissue activation (VTA) corresponding to active DBS contacts were modelled. Response to treatment was defined as 40% reduction in the total Fahn-Tolosa-Martin Tremor Rating Score (FTMTRS) with DBS-ON, one year from surgery. Three out of nine patients had a suboptimal, long-term response to treatment. The segmented thalamic areas corresponded well to anatomically known counterparts in the ventrolateral (VL) and ventroposterior (VP) thalamus. The dentate-thalamic area, lay within the M1-thalamic area in a ventral and lateral location. Streamlines corresponding to the DRT connected M1 to the contralateral dentate nucleus via the dentate-thalamic area, clearly crossing the midline in the mesencephalon. Good response was seen when the active contact VTA was in the thalamic area with highest connectivity to the contralateral dentate nucleus. Non-responders had active contact VTAs outside the dentate-thalamic area. We conclude that probabilistic tractography techniques can be used to segment the VL and VP thalamus based on cortical and cerebellar connectivity. The thalamic area, best representing the VIM, is connected to the contralateral dentate cerebellar nucleus. Connectivity based segmentation of the VIM can be achieved in individual patients in a clinically feasible timescale, using HARDI and high performance computing with parallel GPU processing. This same technique can map out the DRT tract with clear mesencephalic crossing.

[Characterization of isolates of carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from seven Colombian provinces].

PubMed

Saavedra, Sandra Yamile; Duarte, Carolina; González, María Nilse; Realpe, María Elena

2014-04-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes multiple infections in hospitalized patients. This microorganism has developed resistance to several antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, which are considered to be the last therapeutic option against these infections. Carbapenem resistance of P. aeruginosa is mediated by different mechanisms: Carbapenemases class B (MBL) and A, alterations in the OprD expression and overexpression of the Mex efflux pump. To describe the presence of carbapenemases in P. aeruginosa isolates from seven Colombian provinces. A total of 57 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected between September 2012 and March 2013 from national surveillance in Colombia and were sent to the Grupo de Microbiología at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) for evaluation. Iidentification and antimicrobial susceptibility were confirmed through automated method (Vitek ® 2) and disk diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, CLSI, 2013. Phenotypic and genotypic confirmation was determined using the modified Hodge test (MHT), a synergism test using imipenem, EDTA-SMA and meropenem, and conventional PCR to detect the bla KPC, bla VIM, bla IMP and bla NDM genes. Of the 57 isolates, two showed sensitivity to carbapenems. Forty-three isolates were positive for carbapenemases with a high percentage of sensitivity to colistin (76.4%, n=42). The 43 isolates producing carbapenemases showed multiple drug resistance: 72.1% were positive in the MHT and 79.1% showed MBL synergism. PCR amplification confirmed that 33 isolates were positive for bla VIM, nine were positive for bla KPC and one isolate expressed both KPC and VIM carbapenemases. No isolates showed amplified products with bla IMP and bla NDM primers. The most frequent carbapenemase was VIM, followed by KPC in an approximate ratio of 3:1.

Differentially expressed proteins in glioblastoma multiforme identified with a nanobody-based anti-proteome approach and confirmed by OncoFinder as possible tumor-class predictive biomarker candidates

PubMed Central

Jovčevska, Ivana; Zupanec, Neja; Urlep, Žiga; Vranič, Andrej; Matos, Boštjan; Stokin, Clara Limbaeck; Muyldermans, Serge; Myers, Michael P.; Buzdin, Anton A.; Petrov, Ivan; Komel, Radovan

2017-01-01

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most frequent primary malignancy of the central nervous system. Despite remarkable progress towards an understanding of tumor biology, there is no efficient treatment and patient outcome remains poor. Here, we present a unique anti-proteomic approach for selection of nanobodies specific for overexpressed glioblastoma proteins. A phage-displayed nanobody library was enriched in protein extracts from NCH644 and NCH421K glioblastoma cell lines. Differential ELISA screenings revealed seven nanobodies that target the following antigens: the ACTB/NUCL complex, VIM, NAP1L1, TUFM, DPYSL2, CRMP1, and ALYREF. Western blots showed highest protein up-regulation for ALYREF, CRMP1, and VIM. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis with the OncoFinder software against the complete “Cancer Genome Atlas” brain tumor gene expression dataset suggests the involvement of different proteins in the WNT and ATM pathways, and in Aurora B, Sem3A, and E-cadherin signaling. We demonstrate the potential use of NAP1L1, NUCL, CRMP1, ACTB, and VIM for differentiation between glioblastoma and lower grade gliomas, with DPYSL2 as a promising “glioma versus reference” biomarker. A small scale validation study confirmed significant changes in mRNA expression levels of VIM, DPYSL2, ACTB and TRIM28. This work helps to fill the information gap in this field by defining novel differences in biochemical profiles between gliomas and reference samples. Thus, selected genes can be used to distinguish glioblastoma from lower grade gliomas, and from reference samples. These findings should be valuable for glioblastoma patients once they are validated on a larger sample size. PMID:28498803

Vection is the main contributor to motion sickness induced by visual yaw rotation: Implications for conflict and eye movement theories

PubMed Central

Pretto, Paolo; Oberfeld, Daniel; Hecht, Heiko; Bülthoff, Heinrich H.

2017-01-01

This study investigated the role of vection (i.e., a visually induced sense of self-motion), optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), and inadvertent head movements in visually induced motion sickness (VIMS), evoked by yaw rotation of the visual surround. These three elements have all been proposed as contributing factors in VIMS, as they can be linked to different motion sickness theories. However, a full understanding of the role of each factor is still lacking because independent manipulation has proven difficult in the past. We adopted an integrative approach to the problem by obtaining measures of potentially relevant parameters in four experimental conditions and subsequently combining them in a linear mixed regression model. To that end, participants were exposed to visual yaw rotation in four separate sessions. Using a full factorial design, the OKN was manipulated by a fixation target (present/absent), and vection strength by introducing a conflict in the motion direction of the central and peripheral field of view (present/absent). In all conditions, head movements were minimized as much as possible. Measured parameters included vection strength, vection variability, OKN slow phase velocity, OKN frequency, the number of inadvertent head movements, and inadvertent head tilt. Results show that VIMS increases with vection strength, but that this relation varies among participants (R2 = 0.48). Regression parameters for vection variability, head and eye movement parameters were not significant. These results may seem to be in line with the Sensory Conflict theory on motion sickness, but we argue that a more detailed definition of the exact nature of the conflict is required to fully appreciate the relationship between vection and VIMS. PMID:28380077

Attenuating astrocyte activation accelerates plaque pathogenesis in APP/PS1 mice

PubMed Central

Kraft, Andrew W.; Hu, Xiaoyan; Yoon, Hyejin; Yan, Ping; Xiao, Qingli; Wang, Yan; Gil, So Chon; Brown, Jennifer; Wilhelmsson, Ulrika; Restivo, Jessica L.; Cirrito, John R.; Holtzman, David M.; Kim, Jungsu; Pekny, Milos; Lee, Jin-Moo

2013-01-01

The accumulation of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) in amyloid plaques is a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reactive astrocytes are intimately associated with amyloid plaques; however, their role in AD pathogenesis is unclear. We deleted the genes encoding two intermediate filament proteins required for astrocyte activation—glial fibrillary acid protein (Gfap) and vimentin (Vim)—in transgenic mice expressing mutant human amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 (APP/PS1). The gene deletions increased amyloid plaque load: APP/PS1 Gfap−/−Vim−/− mice had twice the plaque load of APP/PS1 Gfap+/+Vim+/+ mice at 8 and 12 mo of age. APP expression and soluble and interstitial fluid Aβ levels were unchanged, suggesting that the deletions had no effect on APP processing or Aβ generation. Astrocyte morphology was markedly altered by the deletions: wild-type astrocytes had hypertrophied processes that surrounded and infiltrated plaques, whereas Gfap−/−Vim−/− astrocytes had little process hypertrophy and lacked contact with adjacent plaques. Moreover, Gfap and Vim gene deletion resulted in a marked increase in dystrophic neurites (2- to 3-fold higher than APP/PS1 Gfap+/+Vim+/+ mice), even after normalization for amyloid load. These results suggest that astrocyte activation limits plaque growth and attenuates plaque-related dystrophic neurites. These activities may require intimate contact between astrocyte and plaque.—Kraft, A. W., Hu, X., Yoon, H., Yan, P., Xiao, Q., Wang, Y., Gil, S. C., Brown, J., Wilhelmsson, U., Restivo, J. L., Cirrito, J. R., Holtzman, D. M., Kim, J., Pekny, M., Lee, J.-M. Attenuating astrocyte activation accelerates plaque pathogenesis in APP/PS1 mice. PMID:23038755

Evolution of a Dark Anti-Cyclone on Saturn Associated with the Great Lightning Storm of 2010/2011 Through the Eyes of Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momary, Thomas W.; Baines, K. H.; Brown, R. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.; Sotin, C.

2012-10-01

A massive dark anti-cyclonic storm system on Saturn spanning some 7∘ of longitude and 2∘ of latitude was observed by Cassini/VIMS at a planetocentric latitude of 37∘ on 4 January 2012 and 26 January 2012. During this time, it drifted some 54∘ of longitude at a speed of 23.1 ± 0.2 m/s prograde, a drift speed which correlates well with the canonical Voyager (and VIMS) wind profiles for Saturn at this latitude. The spot also drifted northward during this time by 1∘ and became noticeably "squished" in morphology. Using this drift rate and extrapolating backward, we find that the position corresponds to the large (> 5,000 km) anti-cyclone observed by VIMS on 11 May 2011 at 35.4∘ latitude (pc) and 49.4∘ W. longitude. This would represent 8 months of observation of this titanic feature, which was associated with the major lightning storm of 2010-2011, following the spot as it changed in size and morphology and drifted northward. The spot underwent a dramatic shift in shape in the 3 weeks of January, changing from roughly oval to a highly elongated pancake shape as it apparently bumped up against the dark band at 40∘ latitude and experienced a powerful shear. The evolution suggests that we are watching the death throes of this feature in our most recent observations. Finally, the dark spot was darker than surrounding regions in May 2011 and maintained its dark color across all pseudo-continua from 1.0 to 4.0 μm between May 2011 and early January 2012.

Parametric study on the vortex-induced motions of semi-submersibles: Effect of rounded ratios of the column and pontoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Mingyue; Xiao, Longfei; Yang, Jianmin; Tian, Xinliang

2017-05-01

The vortex-induced motions (VIMs) of semi-submersibles have emerged as an important issue in offshore engineering, as they pose a threat to safe and reliable operations and severely affect the fatigue lives of risers and mooring systems. The VIM response depends on the shape of the submerged structure and thus is significantly influenced by the design parameters related to the columns and pontoons. Numerical simulations by the detached Eddy simulation method are validated by experimental data and then used for parametric analysis of the VIM performance of various semi-submersibles with different column rounded ratios (Rc/L ) and pontoon rounded ratios (Rp/Lp ). The results show that the transverse amplitudes of a semi-submersible with circular columns at a 0° current heading are twice as large as those at a 45° current heading. However, the semi-submersible with rounded square columns shows more significant transverse motions at a 45° current heading than at a 0° current heading. Furthermore, at the 45° current heading, the transverse amplitudes of the semi-submersibles show a rapid increase as the column radius increases in the range of Rc/L <0.1 . The peak values remain roughly the same for 0.1 ≤Rc/L ≤0.2 and then decrease as the column radius increases (Rc/L ≥0.3 ). In addition, the effect of the pontoon shape on the transverse response is negligible for semi-submersibles with sharp square columns, while for semi-submersibles with rounded square columns or circular columns, the sharp rectangular pontoons greatly mitigate the VIM response.

Search for and limits on plume activity on Mimas, Tethys, and Dione with the Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buratti, B.J.; Faulk, S.P.; Mosher, J.; Baines, K.H.; Brown, R.H.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2011-01-01

Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations of Mimas, Tethys, and Dione obtained during the nominal and extended missions at large solar phase angles were analyzed to search for plume activity. No forward scattered peaks in the solar phase curves of these satellites were detected. The upper limit on water vapor production for Mimas and Tethys is one order of magnitude less than the production for Enceladus. For Dione, the upper limit is two orders of magnitude less, suggesting this world is as inert as Rhea (Pitman, K.M., Buratti, B.J., Mosher, J.A., Bauer, J.M., Momary, T., Brown, R.H., Nicholson, P.D., Hedman, M.M. [2008]. Astrophys. J. Lett. 680, L65-L68). Although the plumes are best seen at ???2.0. ??m, Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) Narrow Angle Camera images obtained at the same time as the VIMS data were also inspected for these features. None of the Cassini ISS images shows evidence for plumes. The absence of evidence for any Enceladus-like plumes on the medium-sized saturnian satellites cannot absolutely rule out current geologic activity. The activity may below our threshold of detection, or it may be occurring but not captured on the handful of observations at large solar phase angles obtained for each moon. Many VIMS and ISS images of Enceladus at large solar phase angles, for example, do not contain plumes, as the active "tiger stripes" in the south pole region are pointed away from the spacecraft at these times. The 7-year Cassini Solstice Mission is scheduled to gather additional measurements at large solar phase angles that are capable of revealing activity on the saturnian moons. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

The Saturnian satellite Rhea as seen by Cassini VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Wagner, R.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Giese, B.; Hibbitts, C.A.; Roatsch, T.; Matz, K.-D.; Brown, R.H.; Filacchione, G.; Cappacioni, F.; Scholten, F.; Buratti, B.J.; Hansen, G.B.; Nicholson, P.D.; Baines, K.H.; Nelson, R.M.; Matson, D.L.

2012-01-01

Since the arrival of the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn in June 2004, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer has obtained new spectral data of the icy satellites of Saturn in the spectral range from 0.35 to 5.2 ??m. Numerous flybys were performed at Saturn's second largest satellite Rhea, providing a nearly complete coverage with pixel-ground resolutions sufficient to analyze variations of spectral properties across Rhea's surface in detail. We present an overview of the VIMS observations obtained so far, as well as the analysis of the spectral properties identified in the VIMS spectra and their variations across its surface compared with spatially highly resolved Cassini ISS images and digital elevation models. Spectral variations measured across Rhea's surface are similar to the variations observed in the VIMS observations of its neighbor Dione, implying similar processes causing or at least inducing their occurrence. Thus, magnetospheric particles and dust impacting onto the trailing hemisphere appear to be responsible for the concentration of dark rocky/organic material and minor amounts of CO 2 in the cratered terrain on the trailing hemisphere. Despite the prominent spectral signatures of Rhea's fresh impact crater Inktomi, radiation effects were identified that also affect the H 2O ice-rich cratered terrain of the leading hemisphere. The concentration of H 2O ice in the vicinity of steep tectonic scarps near 270??W and geologically fresh impact craters implies that Rhea exhibits an icy crust at least in the upper few kilometers. Despite the evidence for past tectonic events, no indications of recent endogenically powered processes could be identified in the Cassini data. ?? 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Titan's Surface Composition from the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) Investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCord, T. B.; Griffith, C. A.; Hansen, G. B.; Lunine, J. I.; Baines, K. H.; Brown, R. H.; Buratti, B.; Clark, R. N.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Filacchione, G.; Jaumann, R.; Hibbitts, C. A.; Sotine, C.; Cassini VIMS

2004-11-01

Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, has a thick atmosphere containing methane with high altitude haze that obscures the surface except for windows in the methane absorption bands at some IR wavelengths where scattering also is reduced. Chemistry models of the atmosphere suggest deep deposits of organic liquids and solids (1). Groundbased telescopic observations of Titan's integral disk suggest the presence of water ice (2). The Cassini VIMS obtained spectra in the 0.35 to 5.1 μm range that include narrow windows in the methane spectrum near 1.6, 2.0, 2.8, and 5.0 μm where the surface might have been observed with spatial resolution up to about 100 x 200 km during the Saturn orbit insertion phase on June 30 2004. Surface albedo features seem to appear in these windows. We have analyzed Titan's spectra in an attempt to identity the surface material(s). The VIMS spectra were averaged for several pixels for each of six regions on Titan corresponding to apparent bright and dark surface features. The spectra were calibrated to I/F as seen by VIMS and then were analyzed using radiative transfer models to remove the effects of the atmosphere (2) to estimate surface I/F values. These were then compared with candidate material reflectance at each of the spectral windows. Preliminary analysis suggests that the average results will agree with previous groundbased data analyses (2) and there is the suggestion of differences in reflectance among the surface regions analyzed so far. This work was supported by the NASA Cassini Project. (1) Lunine et al., Science, 222, 1229, 1983. (2) Coustenis et al., Icarus 118, 87, 1995; Griffith et al., Science 300, 628, 2003.

Global mapping of the surface of Titan through the haze with VIMS onboard Cassini

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Cornet, Thomas; Rodriguez, Sébastien; Sotin, Christophe; Barnes, Jason W.; Brown, Robert H.; Lasue, Jérémie; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, Bonnie; Clark, Roger Nelson; Nicholson, Philip D.

2016-10-01

The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard Cassini observes the surface of Titan through the atmosphere in seven narrow spectral windows in the infrared at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.01, 2.68-2.78, and 4.9-5.1 microns. We have produced a global hyperspectral mosaic at 32 pixels per degrees of the complete VIMS data set of Titan between T0 (July 2004) and T120 (June 2016) flybys. We merged all the data cubes sorted by increasing spatial resolution, with the high resolution images on top of the mosaic and the low resolution images used as background. One of the main challenge in producing global spectral composition maps is to remove the seams between individual frames taken throughout the entire mission. These seams are mainly due to the widely varying viewing angles between data acquired during the different Titan flybys. These angles induce significant surface photometric effects and a strongly varying atmospheric (absorption and scattering) contribution, the scattering of the atmosphere being all the more present than the wavelength is short. We have implemented a series of empirical corrections to homogenize the maps, by correcting at first order for photometric and atmospheric scattering effects. Recently, the VIMS' IR wavelength calibration has been observed to be drifting from a total of a few nm toward longer wavelengths, the drift being almost continuously present over the course of the mission. Whereas minor at first order, this drift has implications on the homogeneity of the maps when trying to fit images taken at the beginning of the mission with images taken near the end, in particular when using channels in the narrowest atmospheric spectral windows. A correction scheme has been implemented to account for this subtle effect.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-producing Metallo-β-lactamases (VIM, IMP, SME, and AIM) in the Clinical Isolates of Intensive Care Units, a University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran.

PubMed

Khorvash, Farzin; Yazdani, Mohammadreza; Shabani, Shiva; Soudi, Aliasghar

2017-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a severe challenge for antimicrobial therapy, due to the chromosomal mutations or exhibition of intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents such as most β-lactams. We undertook this study to evaluate the existence of SME, IMP, AIM, and VIM metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) encoding genes among P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients in Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. In a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted between March 2012 and April 2013, a total of 48 strains of P. aeruginosa were collected from clinical specimens of bedridden patients in ICU wards. Susceptibility test was performed by disc diffusion method. All of the meropenem-resistant strains were subjected to modified Hodge test for detection of carbapenemases. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of blaVIM, blaIMP, blaAIM, and blaSME genes. In disk diffusion method, imipenem and meropenem showed the most and colistin the least resistant antimicrobial agents against P. aeruginosa strains. Of the 48 isolates, 36 (75%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Amplification of β-lactamase genes showed the presence of blaVIM genes in 7 (%14.6) strains and blaIMP genes in 15 (31.3%) strains. All of the isolates were negative for blaSME and blaAIM genes. We could not find any statistically significant difference among the presence of this gene and MDR positive, age, or source of the specimen. As patients with infections caused by MBL-producing bacteria are at an intensified risk of treatment failure, fast determination of these organisms is necessary. Our findings may provide useful insights in replace of the appropriate antibiotics and may also prevent MBLs mediated resistance problem.

Improved spatial targeting with directionally segmented deep brain stimulation leads for treating essential tremor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keane, Maureen; Deyo, Steve; Abosch, Aviva; Bajwa, Jawad A.; Johnson, Matthew D.

2012-08-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the ventral intermediate nucleus of thalamus (Vim) is known to exert a therapeutic effect on postural and kinetic tremor in patients with essential tremor (ET). For DBS leads implanted near the caudal border of Vim, however, there is an increased likelihood that one will also induce paresthesia side-effects by stimulating neurons within the sensory pathway of the ventral caudal (Vc) nucleus of thalamus. The aim of this computational study was to (1) investigate the neuronal pathways modulated by therapeutic, sub-therapeutic and paresthesia-inducing DBS settings in three patients with ET and (2) determine how much better an outcome could have been achieved had these patients been implanted with a DBS lead containing directionally segmented electrodes (dDBS). Multi-compartment neuron models of the thalamocortical, cerebellothalamic and medial lemniscal pathways were first simulated in the context of patient-specific anatomies, lead placements and programming parameters from three ET patients who had been implanted with Medtronic 3389 DBS leads. The models showed that in these patients, complete suppression of tremor was associated most closely with activating an average of 62% of the cerebellothalamic afferent input into Vim (n = 10), while persistent paresthesias were associated with activating 35% of the medial lemniscal tract input into Vc thalamus (n = 12). The dDBS lead design demonstrated superior targeting of the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway, especially in cases of misaligned DBS leads. Given the close proximity of Vim to Vc thalamus, the models suggest that dDBS will enable clinicians to more effectively sculpt current through and around thalamus in order to achieve a more consistent therapeutic effect without inducing side-effects.

Mapping the Methane and Aerosol Distributions within Titan's Troposphere: Complementing The Cassini/VIMS T90 Flyby of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Eliot

2012-10-01

Titan's atmosphere is mainly nitrogen gas with several trace constituents, including methane at the few percent level. The presence of methane has been a puzzle for decades, since the CH4 in Titan's atmosphere is expected to be destroyed by UV photolysis in ten million years or so. The source of Titan's atmospheric methane continues to be a major question. We propose a set of three STIS image cubes with the G750M grating at 0.62, 0.72 and 0.89 |*|m methane bands. These bands probe altitudes from the surface to 70 km; unlike CH4 bands at 1.6 or 2.3 |*|m, these cubes will provide a 3-D picture of Titan's troposphere {below 40 km}. The Cassini/VIMS visible channel has not been useful for this purpose for two reasons: its spectral resolution {about R=100} is coarse and its inconsistent background subtraction scheme that can lead to "stripes." HST/STIS resolves Titan's 1" disk into over 80 spatially resolved spectra, each with a spectral resolution greater than R=5000. STIS is a unique tool for mapping the 3-D distributions of CH4 and aerosols in Titan's troposphere.We request observations within a day of the Cassini flyby of Titan on April 5, 2013 around 21:40 UT in order to combine Cassini/VIMS and STIS mage cubes. Together, the visible {STIS} and IR {VIMS} image cubes will probe altitudes from the surface to the stratosphere {several hundred km}. The proposed STIS image cubes will provide the best tropospheric map of CH4 to date, relevant to surface/atmospheric coupling of CH4, latitudinal inhomogeneity of CH4 or aerosols, or the presence of condensates at low altitudes.

Thalamic DBS with a constant-current device in essential tremor: A controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Wharen, Robert E; Okun, Michael S; Guthrie, Barton L; Uitti, Ryan J; Larson, Paul; Foote, Kelly; Walker, Harrison; Marshall, Frederick J; Schwalb, Jason; Ford, Blair; Jankovic, Joseph; Simpson, Richard; Dashtipour, Khashayar; Phibbs, Fenna; Neimat, Joseph S; Stewart, R Malcolm; Peichel, DeLea; Pahwa, Rajesh; Ostrem, Jill L

2017-07-01

This study of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) investigated whether a novel constant-current device improves tremor and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with essential tremor (ET). A prospective, controlled, multicenter study was conducted at 12 academic centers. We investigated the safety and efficacy of unilateral and bilateral constant-current DBS of the ventralis intermedius (VIM) nucleus of the thalamus in patients with essential tremor whose tremor was inadequately controlled by medications. The primary outcome measure was a rater-blinded assessment of the change in the target limb tremor score in the stimulation-on versus stimulation-off state six months following surgery. Multiple secondary outcomes were assessed at one-year follow-up, including motor, mood, and quality-of-life measures. 127 patients were implanted with VIM DBS. The blinded, primary outcome variable (n = 76) revealed a mean improvement of 1.25 ± 1.26 points in the target limb tremor rating scale (TRS) score in the arm contralateral to DBS (p < 0.001). Secondary outcome variables at one year revealed significant improvements (p ≤ 0.001) in quality of life, depression symptoms, and ADL scores. Forty-seven patients had a second contralateral VIM-DBS, and this group demonstrated reduction in second-sided tremor at 180 days (p < 0.001). Serious adverse events related to the surgery included infection (n = 3), intracranial hemorrhage (n = 3), and device explantation (n = 3). Unilateral and bilateral constant-current VIM DBS significantly improves upper extremity tremor, ADL, quality of life, and depression in patients with severe ET. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for tremor in Parkinson disease, essential tremor, and dystonia.

PubMed

Cury, Rubens Gisbert; Fraix, Valerie; Castrioto, Anna; Pérez Fernández, Maricely Ambar; Krack, Paul; Chabardes, Stephan; Seigneuret, Eric; Alho, Eduardo Joaquim Lopes; Benabid, Alim-Louis; Moro, Elena

2017-09-26

To report on the long-term outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) in Parkinson disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and dystonic tremor. One hundred fifty-nine patients with PD, ET, and dystonia underwent VIM DBS due to refractory tremor at the Grenoble University Hospital. The primary outcome was a change in the tremor scores at 1 year after surgery and at the latest follow-up (21 years). Secondary outcomes included the relationship between tremor score reduction over time and the active contact position. Tremor scores (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III, items 20 and 21; Fahn, Tolosa, Marin Tremor Rating Scale) and the coordinates of the active contacts were recorded. Ninety-eight patients were included. Patients with PD and ET had sustained improvement in tremor with VIM stimulation (mean improvement, 70% and 66% at 1 year; 63% and 48% beyond 10 years, respectively; p < 0.05). There was no significant loss of stimulation benefit over time ( p > 0.05). Patients with dystonia exhibited a moderate response at 1-year follow-up (41% tremor improvement, p = 0.027), which was not sustained after 5 years (30% improvement, p = 0.109). The more dorsal active contacts' coordinates in the right lead were related to a better outcome 1 year after surgery ( p = 0.029). During the whole follow-up, forty-eight patients (49%) experienced minor side effects, whereas 2 (2.0%) had serious events (brain hemorrhage and infection). VIM DBS is an effective long-term (beyond 10 years) treatment for tremor in PD and ET. Effects on dystonic tremor were modest and transient. This provides Class IV evidence. It is an observational study. © 2017 American Academy of Neurology.

Calculated criticality for sup 235 U/graphite systems using the VIM Monte Carlo code

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

Collins, P.J.; Grasseschi, G.L.; Olsen, D.N.

1992-01-01

Calculations for highly enriched uranium and graphite systems gained renewed interest recently for the new production modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (MHTGR). Experiments to validate the physics calculations for these systems are being prepared for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) reactor at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL-West) and in the Compact Nuclear Power Source facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The continuous-energy Monte Carlo code VIM, or equivalently the MCNP code, can utilize fully detailed models of the MHTGR and serve as benchmarks for the approximate multigroup methods necessary in full reactor calculations. Validation of these codes and their associated nuclearmore » data did not exist for highly enriched {sup 235}U/graphite systems. Experimental data, used in development of more approximate methods, dates back to the 1960s. The authors have selected two independent sets of experiments for calculation with the VIM code. The carbon-to-uranium (C/U) ratios encompass the range of 2,000, representative of the new production MHTGR, to the ratio of 10,000 in the fuel of TREAT. Calculations used the ENDF/B-V data.« less

Singular regional brightening events on Titan as seen by Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, S.; Le Mouélic, S.; Barnes, J. W.; Rannou, P.; Sotin, C.; Brown, R. H.; Bow, J.; Vixie, G.; Cornet, T.; Bourgeois, O.; Narteau, C.; Courrech Du Pont, S.; Griffith, C. A.; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Baines, K. H.; Nicholson, P. D.

2011-10-01

We present here the observation of intense brightening at Titan's tropics, very close to the equinox. These detections were conducted with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer [8] (VIMS) onboard Cassini. Figure 1 presents the VIMS color composite images of the three individual events detected so far, observed during the Titan's flybys T56 (22 May 2009), T65 (13 January 2010) and T70 (21 June 2010). T56, T65 and T70 observations show an intense and transient brightening of large regions very close to the equator, which all appear spectrally and morphologically different from all previous observed surface features or atmospheric phenomena. These events share in particular a strong brightening at wavelengths greater than 2 μm (especially at 5 μm), making them spectrally distinct from the few large storms observed near the equator. We will discuss the possibility that these singular events may have occurred very close to the surface, having a very local origin. We will also discuss the possible implication of the equinoctial occurrence of such events for Titan's tropical climatology and their probable link with particular geological features at Titan's surface.

[Metallo-beta-lactamase-mediated resistance among carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates].

PubMed

Mereuţă, Ana Irina; Tuchiluş, Cristina; Bădescu, Aida Corina; Iancu, Luminiţa Smaranda

2011-01-01

The aim of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and the presence of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) among carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. A total of 84 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates collected between January 2007- February 2011 from four university hospitals in Iasi (North-East region of Romania) were randomly selected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI 2010 (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) guidelines. The isolates were tested for MBLs using EPI (EDTA-phenanthroline-imipenem) phenotypic test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bla(VIM) and bla(IMP). Fifty-eight carbapenem resistant strains were identified, from which 24 (41,3%) were positive for VIM-type MBLs. No IMP - type MBL was detected. All MBL-producing isolates displayed a MDR (multidrug resistant) phenotype, two of them were XDR (extensively drug-resistant). Colistin remained the most effective antibiotic. The high proportion of MBL producing P. aeruginosa clinical isolates urges the need for a better use of antibiotics and for efficient infection control measures to prevent dissemination of MBL producers. This is the first report of VIM-like enzymes in P. aeruginosa isolates from the Iasi area.

Cytokinetic Failure-induced Tetraploidy Develops into Aneuploidy, Triggering Skin Aging in Phosphovimentin-deficient Mice.

PubMed

Tanaka, Hiroki; Goto, Hidemasa; Inoko, Akihito; Makihara, Hiroyuki; Enomoto, Atsushi; Horimoto, Katsuhisa; Matsuyama, Makoto; Kurita, Kenichi; Izawa, Ichiro; Inagaki, Masaki

2015-05-22

Tetraploidy, a state in which cells have doubled chromosomal sets, is observed in ∼20% of solid tumors and is considered to frequently precede aneuploidy in carcinogenesis. Tetraploidy is also detected during terminal differentiation and represents a hallmark of aging. Most tetraploid cultured cells are arrested by p53 stabilization. However, the fate of tetraploid cells in vivo remains largely unknown. Here, we analyze the ability to repair wounds in the skin of phosphovimentin-deficient (VIM(SA/SA)) mice. Early into wound healing, subcutaneous fibroblasts failed to undergo cytokinesis, resulting in binucleate tetraploidy. Accordingly, the mRNA level of p21 (a p53-responsive gene) was elevated in a VIM(SA/SA)-specific manner. Disappearance of tetraploidy coincided with an increase in aneuploidy. Thereafter, senescence-related markers were significantly elevated in VIM(SA/SA) mice. Because our tetraploidy-prone mouse model also exhibited subcutaneous fat loss at the age of 14 months, another premature aging phenotype, our data suggest that following cytokinetic failure, a subset of tetraploid cells enters a new cell cycle and develops into aneuploid cells in vivo, which promote premature aging. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Saturn's depths in a new light: Novel views of meteorology, circulation and dynamics by Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baines, Kevin; Momary, Thomas; Roos-Serote, Maarten; Showman, Adam; Atreya, Sushil K.; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie; Clark, Roger; Nicholson, Phillip

The depths of Saturn below the ubiquitous covering of ammonia hazes have been revealed in detail by the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini orbiter. Using Saturn's own indigenous glow produced by warm air at depth to back-light deep clouds, a diverse array of cloud features have been discovered near the 3-bar level, some 75 km underneath the ammonia clouds. Likely comprised of ammonia hydrosulfide, perhaps with a complement of water, the menagerie of deep cloud structures - including dozens of surprisingly narrow axisymmetric "zones", "smoke rings", a long-lived "string of pearls" spanning 1/4 of the planet, large plume-like and cyclonic features, and a deep-seated hexagonal feature circumscribing the north pole - reveal Saturn at depth to be a dynamic, meteorologically active planet much more like frenetic Jupiter than the classically serene face Saturn shows in sunlight. Additional information on Saturn's dynamically active nature is provided by daytime imagery of discrete clouds observed at the southpole - revealing two compositional types of clouds, suggesting a variety of upwelling phenomena - and the latitudinal variability of the trace disequilibrium gases arsine and phosphine observed in VIMS spectra.

Cassini/VIMS observation of an Io post-eclipse brightening event

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bellucci, G.; D'Aversa, E.; Formisano, V.; Cruikshank, D.; Nelson, R.M.; Clark, R.N.; Baines, K.H.; Matson, D.; Brown, R.H.; McCord, T.B.; Buratti, B.J.; Nicholson, P.D.

2004-01-01

During the Cassini-Jupiter flyby, VIMS observed Io at different phase angles, both in full sunlight and in eclipse. By using the sunlight measurements, we were able to produce phase curves in the visual through all the near infrared wavelengths covered by the VIMS instrument (0.85-5.1 ??m). The phase angle spanned from ???2?? to ???120??. The measurements, done just after Io emerged from Jupiter's shadow, show an increase of about 15% in Io's reflectance with respect to what would be predicted by the phase curve. This behavior is observed at wavelengths >1.2 ??m. Moreover, just after emergence from eclipse an increase of about 25% is observed in the depth of SO2 frost bands at 4.07 and 4.35 ??m. At 0.879

Saturn's tropospheric composition and clouds from Cassini/VIMS 4.6-5.1 μm nightside spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fletcher, Leigh N.; Baines, Kevin H.; Momary, Thomas W.; Showman, Adam P.; Irwin, Patrick G. J.; Orton, Glenn S.; Roos-Serote, Maarten; Merlet, C.

2011-08-01

The latitudinal variation of Saturn's tropospheric composition (NH 3, PH 3 and AsH 3) and aerosol properties (cloud altitudes and opacities) are derived from Cassini/VIMS 4.6-5.1 μm thermal emission spectroscopy on the planet's nightside (April 22, 2006). The gaseous and aerosol distributions are used to trace atmospheric circulation and chemistry within and below Saturn's cloud decks (in the 1- to 4-bar region). Extensive testing of VIMS spectral models is used to assess and minimise the effects of degeneracies between retrieved variables and sensitivity to the choice of aerosol properties. Best fits indicate cloud opacity in two regimes: (a) a compact cloud deck centred in the 2.5-2.8 bar region, symmetric between the northern and southern hemispheres, with small-scale opacity variations responsible for numerous narrow light/dark axisymmetric lanes; and (b) a hemispherically asymmetric population of aerosols at pressures less than 1.4 bar (whose exact altitude and vertical structure is not constrained by nightside spectra) which is 1.5-2.0× more opaque in the summer hemisphere than in the north and shows an equatorial maximum between ±10° (planetocentric). Saturn's NH 3 spatial variability shows significant enhancement by vertical advection within ±5° of the equator and in axisymmetric bands at 23-25°S and 42-47°N. The latter is consistent with extratropical upwelling in a dark band on the poleward side of the prograde jet at 41°N (planetocentric). PH 3 dominates the morphology of the VIMS spectrum, and high-altitude PH 3 at p < 1.3 bar has an equatorial maximum and a mid-latitude asymmetry (elevated in the summer hemisphere), whereas deep PH 3 is latitudinally-uniform with off-equatorial maxima near ±10°. The spatial distribution of AsH 3 shows similar off-equatorial maxima at ±7° with a global abundance of 2-3 ppb. VIMS appears to be sensitive to both (i) an upper tropospheric circulation (sensed by NH 3 and upper-tropospheric PH 3 and hazes) and (ii) a lower tropospheric circulation (sensed by deep PH 3, AsH 3 and the lower cloud deck).

The Case for Cryovolcanism on Saturns Moon Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, R. M.

2009-04-01

Two regions on the surface of Saturn's satellite Titan have been observed to change reflectance during the Cassini spacecraft's four-year, orbital tour of the Saturnian system. These changes were documented by Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer. Titan's atmosphere is opaque at visual wavelengths due to methane, but VIMS is able to image the surface through "windows" at infrared wavelengths where the methane is relatively transparent[1,2]. Cassini RADAR images show that at least one of these regions, Hotei Arcus (26S,78W), exhibits lobate "flow" forms, consistent with the morphology of volcanic terrain [3]. Here we report the discovery of additional lobate "flow" patterns on Titan's surface at Hotei Arcus, based on VIMS images recently obtained during close flybys by Cassini. This new evidence, combined with the previous evidence from RADAR images, together with the earlier brightness variability seen at these same locations by VIMS, supports the hypothesis of volcanic eruptions. If so, then Titan is presently geologically active on the surface, and in its interior. Cassini encountered Titan at very close range on 2008-11-19-13:58 and again on 2008-12-05-12:38. These epochs are called T47 and T48. The slant distance from the spacecraft to Hotei Arcus was 27,051 and 31,787 km. for T47 and T48 respectively. We report changes that occurred since the T5 flyby (2005-04-16-13:17; range 117042 km). Previously, VIMS was able to see brightness changes but not morphological change. Now, comparison of earlier higher-resolution data (T5) with the recent T47 and T48 data reveal changes of the surface reflectance and morphology in the Hotei region. This is the first evidence from VIMS that shows that Hotei Arcus is morphology consistent with volcanic terrain. If Titan is currently active then these results raise for discussion the following questions: What is the full extent of current geologic activity? What are the ongoing processes? Are Titan's chemical processes today supporting a prebiotic chemistry similar to that under which life evolved on Earth? References: [1]R. M. Nelson et al., 2008a accepted in Icarus [2]R. M. Nelson et al., 2008b accepted in GRL. [3]S. D. Wall et al. 2009 accepted in GRL. This work performed at JPL under contract with NASA.

The Particle Size Distribution in Saturn’s C Ring from UVIS and VIMS Stellar Occultations and RSS Radio Occultations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jerousek, Richard Gregory; Colwell, Josh; Hedman, Matthew M.; French, Richard G.; Marouf, Essam A.; Esposito, Larry; Nicholson, Philip D.

2017-10-01

The Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) have measured ring optical depths over a wide range of viewing geometries at effective wavelengths of 0.15 μm and 2.9 μm respectively. Using Voyager S and X band radio occultations and the direct inversion of the forward scattered S band signal, Marouf et al. (1982), (1983), and Zebker et al. (1985) determined the power-law size distribution parameters assuming a minimum particle radius of 1 mm. Many further studies have also constrained aspects of the particle size distribution throughout the main rings. Marouf et al. (2008a) determined the smallest ring particles to have radii of 4-5 mm using Cassini RSS data. Harbison et al. (2013) used VIMS solar occultations and also found minimum particle sizes of 4-5 mm in the C ring with q ~ 3.1, where n(a)da=Ca^(-q)da is the assumed differential power-law size distribution for particles of radius a. Recent studies of excess variance in stellar signal by Colwell et al. (2017, submitted) constrain the cross-section-weighted effective particle radius to 1 m to several meters. Using the wide range of viewing geometries available to VIMS and UVIS stellar occultations we find that normal optical depth does not strongly depend on viewing geometry at 10km resolution (which would be the case if self-gravity wakes were present). Throughout the C ring, we fit power-law derived optical depths to those measured by UVIS, VIMS, and by the Cassini Radio Science Subsystem (RSS) at 0.94 and 3.6 cm wavelengths to constrain the four parameters of the size distribution at 10km radial resolution. We find significant amounts of particle size sorting throughout the region with a positive correlation between maximum particles size (amax) and normal optical depth with a mean value of amax ~ 3 m in the background C ring. This correlation is negative in the C ring plateaus. We find an inverse correlation in minimum particle radius with normal optical depth and a mean value of amin ~ 4 mm in the background C ring with slightly larger smallest particles in the C ring plateaus.

A new description of Titan's aerosol optical properties from the analysis of VIMS Emission Phase Function observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maltagliati, Luca; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Sotin, Christophe; Rannou, Pascal; Bezard, Bruno; Cornet, Thomas

2016-06-01

The Huygens probe gave unprecedented information on the properties of Titan's aerosols (vertical distribution, opacity as a function of wavelength, phase function, single scattering albedo) by in-situ measurements (Tomasko et al. 2008). Being the only existing in-situ atmospheric probing for Titan, this aerosol model currently is the reference for many Titan studies (e.g. by being applied as physical input in radiative transfer models of the atmosphere). Recently a reanalysis of the DISR dataset, corroborated by data from the Downward-Looking Visible Spectrometer (DLVS), was carried out by the same group (Doose et al. 2016), leading to significant changes to the indications given by Tomasko et al. (2008). Here we present the analysis of the Emission Phase Function observation (EPF) performed by VIMS during the Cassini flyby T88 (November 2012). An EPF observes the same spot on the surface (and thus the same atmosphere) with the same emergence angle but with different incidence angles. In this way, our EPF allows, for the first time, to have direct information on the phase function of Titan's aerosols, as well as on other important physical parameters of the aerosols as the behavior of their extinction as a function of wavelength and the single scattering albedo (also as a function of wavelength) for the whole VIMS range (0.8-5.2 µm). The T88 EPF is composed of 25 VIMS datacubes spanning a scattering angle range approximately from 0°to 70°. We used the radiative transfer model described in Hirtzig et al. (2013) as baseline, updated with improved methane (+ related isotopes) spectroscopy. By changing the aerosol description in the model, we found the combination of aerosol optical parameters that fits best a constant aerosol column density over the whole set of the VIMS datacubes. We confirmed that the new results from Doose et al. (2016) do improve the fit for what concerns the vertical profile and the extinction as a function of wavelength. However, a different phase function with respect to what they propose must be employed, especially in the trend towards the backscattering peak. We also find that darker aerosols are needed in order to reproduce the value of the column opacity measured in-situ by Huygens.

A new description of Titan's aerosol optical properties from the analysis of VIMS Emission Phase Function observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, Sebastien; Maltagliati, Luca; Sotin, Christophe; Rannou, Pascal; Bézard, Bruno; Cornet, Thomas

2016-10-01

The Huygens probe gave unprecedented information on the properties of Titan's aerosols (vertical distribution, opacity as a function of wavelength, phase function, single scattering albedo) by in-situ measurements (Tomasko et al. 2008). Being the only existing in-situ atmospheric probing for Titan, this aerosol model currently is the reference for many Titan studies (e.g. by being applied as physical input in radiative transfer models of the atmosphere). Recently a reanalysis of the DISR dataset, corroborated by data from the Downward-Looking Visible Spectrometer (DLVS), was carried out by the same group (Doose et al. 2016), leading to significant changes to the indications given by Tomasko et al. (2008).Here we present the analysis of the Emission Phase Function observation (EPF) performed by VIMS during the Cassini flyby T88 (November 2012). An EPF observes the same spot on the surface (and thus the same atmosphere) with the same emergence angle but with different incidence angles. In this way, our EPF allows, for the first time, to have direct information on the phase function of Titan's aerosols, as well as on other important physical parameters of the aerosols as the behavior of their extinction as a function of wavelength and the single scattering albedo (also as a function of wavelength) for the whole VIMS range (0.8-5.2 μm). The T88 EPF is composed of 25 VIMS datacubes spanning a scattering angle range approximately from 0°to 70°.We used the radiative transfer model described in Hirtzig et al. (2013) as baseline, updated with improved methane (+ related isotopes) spectroscopy. By changing the aerosol description in the model, we found the combination of aerosol optical parameters that fits best a constant aerosol column density over the whole set of the VIMS datacubes. We confirmed that the new results from Doose et al. (2016) do improve the fit for what concerns the vertical profile and the extinction as a function of wavelength. However, a different phase function with respect to what they propose must be employed, especially in the trend towards the backscattering peak. We also find that darker aerosols are needed in order to reproduce the value of the column opacity measured in-situ by Huygens.

Analogous detection of circulating tumor cells using the AccuCyte® -CyteFinder® system and ISET system in patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer.

PubMed

van der Toom, Emma E; Groot, Vincent P; Glavaris, Stephanie A; Gemenetzis, Georgios; Chalfin, Heather J; Wood, Laura D; Wolfgang, Christopher L; de la Rosette, Jean J M C H; de Reijke, Theo M; Pienta, Kenneth J

2018-03-01

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can provide important information on patient's prognosis and treatment efficacy. Currently, a plethora of methods is available for the detection of these rare cells. We compared the outcomes of two of those methods to enumerate and characterize CTCs in patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). First, the selection-free AccuCyte ® - CyteFinder ® system (RareCyte ® , Inc., Seattle, WA) and second, the ISET system (Rarecells Diagnostics, France), a CTC detection method based on cell size-exclusion. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 15 patients with metastatic PCa and processed in parallel, using both methods according to manufacturer's protocol. CTCs were identified by immunofluorescence, using commercially available antibodies to pancytokeratin (PanCK), EpCAM, CD45/CD66b/CD34/CD11b/CD14 (AccuCyte ® - CyteFinder ® system), and pancytokeratin, vimentin (Vim) and CD45 (ISET system). The median CTC count was 5 CTCs/7.5 mL (range, 0-20) for the AccuCyte ® - CyteFinder ® system and 37 CTCs/7.5 mL (range, 8-139) for the ISET system (P < 0.001). Total CTC counts obtained for the two methods were correlated (r = 0.750, P = 0.001). When separating the total CTC count obtained with the ISET system in PanCK+/Vim- and PanCK+/Vim+ CTCs, the total CTC count obtained with the AccuCyte ® - CyteFinder ® system was moderately correlated with the PanCK+/Vim- CTCs, and strongly correlated with the PanCK+/Vim+ CTCs (r = 0.700, P = 0.004 and r = 0.810, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results highlight significant disparities in the enumeration and phenotype of CTCs detected by both techniques. Although the median amount of CTCs/7.5 mL differed significantly, total CTC counts of both methods were strongly correlated. For future studies, a more uniform approach to the isolation and definition of CTCs based on immunofluorescent stains is needed to provide reproducible results that can be correlated with clinical outcomes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-Resolution Enceladus Atlas and Compositional Maps derived from Cassini ISS and VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roatsch, Thomas; Kersten, Elke; Wählisch, Marita; Hoffmeister, Angelika; Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf

2010-05-01

The first version of the high-resolution Enceladus atlas was released in 2006 [1]. The Cassini Imaging Science Sub-system (ISS) acquired more high-resolution images (< 1 km/pixel) during five close flybys of Enceladus in 2008 and 2009. We combined these images with lower-resolution coverage taken between 2007 and 2009 to improve the high-resolution global mosaic of Enceladus. The whole mosaic was shifted by 3.5° to the West to be consistent with the IAU definition of the prime meridian location. This new global mosaic is the baseline for the second release of the high-resolution Enceladus atlas that consists again of 15 tiles mapped at a scale of 1:500,000. We proposed 29 additional names for features which will be used as nomenclature in the atlas. We are awaiting validation of the new nomenclature by the IAU. The new release of the atlas will be made available to the public through CICLOPS (http://ciclops.org) and PDS (http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov). The Cassini Visual and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VIMS) observed Enceladus during a couple of flybys between 2005 and 2009. This gave us the possibility to combine these data into a global VIMS mosaic. Based on this mosaic maps of Enceladus' spectral properties could be derived. Thus, global maps illustrating the spatial variations of the absorption band depth of water ice were calculated, which are indicative of varying sizes of the water ice particles [2]. The authors gratefully acknowledge the planning and operation work of their colleagues from the Cassini-ISS team lead by Carolyn Porco and from the Cassini-VIMS team lead by Robert Brown. [1] Roatsch, Th. et al., High-resolution Enceladus atlas derived from Cassini-ISS images. Planetary Space Sciences 56, 109-116, 2008. [2] Jaumann, R., Stephan, K., Hansen, G.B., Clark, R.N., Buratti, B.J., Brown, R.H., Baines, K.H., Newman, S.F., Bellucci, G., Filacchione, G., Coradini, A., Cruikshank, D.P., Griffith, C.A., Hibbitts, C.A., McCord, T.B., Nelson, R.M., Nicholson, P.D., Sotin, C., and Wagner, R., 2008: Distribution of icy particles across Enceladus' surface as derived from Cassini-VIMS measurements. Icarus 193.

Enceladus' Geysers and Small-scale Thermal Hot Spots: Spatial Correlations and Implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Porco, C.; Helfenstein, P.; Goguen, J.

2016-12-01

The geysering south polar terrain (SPT) of Enceladus has been a major focus of the Cassini mission ever since Cassini's first sighting of it in images taken in early 2005 (1). A high resolution imaging survey of the region conducted over the course of seven years resulted in the identification of 100 geysers erupting from the four main fractures crossing the SPT (2). The Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) detected enhanced thermal emission arising from these fractures and taking the form of small-scale ( ≤ 10 meter) discrete spots (3,4). Four of these hot spot observations have already been spatially associated with four geysers on the Baghdad Sulcus fracture (2). The inferred spatial correlation and small size of each hot spot eliminated shear heating along the near-surface walls of the fractures as the source of the heat and erupting materials. Instead, it was concluded that condensation of vapor (and liquid), and the deposition of latent heat, on the near-surface vent walls, and the subsequent conduction of that heat to the surface, was the source of the observed thermal emission. This indicated that the hot spots are the secondary signature of a geyser eruption process deeply rooted in the moon's sub-surface liquid water reservoir (2). We extend the examination of these relationships to include seven additional VIMS observations of hot spots. At the present time, we have associated a total of 11 VIMS hot spot observations with 13 (maybe 14) geysers distributed over all four tiger stripe fractures. It's not uncommon for the locations of multiple (often two but sometimes three) surveyed geysers to overlap within estimated uncertainties. This can occur when they have different 3D orientations, making them identifiable in our 2014 survey as distinct features; However, the raw, thermally unmodeled VIMS maps, with their (relatively) coarse resolution, may register at that location only one corresponding hot spot. It is also possible that closely overlapping clusters of geysers in the survey represent a single geyser that changes its direction over the course of an Enceladus orbit as its vent widens and narrows with the diurnally varying normal stresses. Nonetheless, future thermal modeling of these VIMS hot spots should help constrain the conditions in the near-surface vents from which the geysers erupt.

Reactive stroma in the prostate during late life: The role of microvasculature and antiangiogenic therapy influences.

PubMed

Montico, Fabio; Kido, Larissa Akemi; San Martin, Rebeca; Rowley, David R; Cagnon, Valéria H A

2015-10-01

Prostate cancer is associated to a reactive stroma microenvironment characterized by angiogenic processes that are favorable for tumor progression. Senescence has been identified as a predisposing factor for prostate malignancies. In turn, the relationships between aging, reactive stroma, and the mechanisms that induce this phenotype are largely unknown. Thus, we investigated the occurrence of reactive stroma in the mouse prostate during advanced age as well as the effects of antiangiogenic and androgen ablation therapies on reactive stroma recruitment. Male mice (52-week-old FVB) were treated with two classes of angiogenesis inhibitors: direct (TNP-470; 15 mg/kg; s.c.) and/or indirect (SU5416; 6 mg/kg; i.p.). Androgen ablation was carried out by finasteride administration (20 mg/kg; s.c.), alone or in association to both inhibitors. The Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model was used as a paradigm of cancer-associated reactive stroma. The dorsolateral prostate was collected for α-actin (αSMA), vimentin (VIM), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses as well as for CD34/αSMA and CD34/VIM colocalization. Senescence was associated with increased αSMA, VIM, and TGF-β expression as well as with the recruitment of CD34/αSMA and CD34/VIM dual-positive fibroblasts. These observations were similar to those verified in TRAMP mice. Antiangiogenic treatment promoted the recovery of senescence-associated stromal changes. Hormonal ablation, despite having led to impaired CD34/αSMA and CD34/VIM dual-positive cell recruitment, did not result in decreased stimulus to reactive stroma development, due to enhanced TGF-β expression in relation to the aged controls. Reactive stroma develops in the prostate of non-transgenic mice as a result of aging. The periacinar microvasculature is a candidate source for the recruitment of reactive stroma-associated cells, which may be derived either from perivascular-resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or from an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process. Thus, antiangiogenic therapy is a promising approach for preventing age-associated prostate malignancies by means of its negative interference in the development of reactive stroma phenotype from the vascular wall. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Titan's lakes and Mare observed by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, R. H.; Soderblom, L. A.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Hayes, A. G.; Lawrence, K. J.; Le Mouelic, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Soderblom, J. M.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Jaumann, R.; Nicholson, P. D.; Stephan, K.

2012-04-01

Titan is the only place, besides Earth, that holds stable liquid bodies at its surface. The large Kraken Mare, first seen by ISS [1], was then observed by the radar instrument that discovered a large number of small lakes as well as two other Mare [2]. The liquid nature of these radar-dark features was later confirmed by the specular reflection observed by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) over Kraken Mare [3] and by the very low albedo at 5-micron over Ontario Lacus [4]. The three largest lakes are called Mare and are all located in the North Pole area. It is remarkable that most of these lakes have been observed on the North Pole with only one large lake, Ontario lacus, located in the South Pole area. This observation suggests the influence of orbital parameters on the meteorology and the occurrence of rainfalls to refill the depressions [5]. Ethane was detected by the VIMS instrument as one component of Ontario lacus [4]. These lakes and Mare play a key role in Titan's meteorology as demonstrated by recent global circulation models [6]. Determining the composition and the evolution of those lakes has become a primary science objective of the Cassini extended mission. Since Titan entered northern spring in August 2009, the North Pole has been illuminated allowing observations at optical wavelengths. On June 5, 2010 the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft observed the northern pole area with a pixel size from 3 to 7 km. These observations demonstrate that little of the solar flux at 5-micron is scattered by the atmosphere, which allowed us to build a mosaic covering an area of more than 500,000 km2 that overlaps and complements observations made by the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in 2007. We find that there is an excellent correlation between the shape of the radar dark area, known as Ligeia Mare and the VIMS 5-micron dark unit. Matching most of the radar shoreline, the 2010 VIMS observations suggest that the 125,000-km2 surface area of Ligeia Mare measured by RADAR in 2007 has not significantly changed [7]. The analysis of the 2-micron spectral window confirms the presence of ethane [8]. Because its saturation vapor pressure is several orders of magnitude smaller than that of methane, liquid ethane is expected to be very stable at Titan's surface conditions, which could explain the stability of the shorelines if ethane is the major compound of the lakes. VIMS observations of Ontario Lacus are planned in 2012 before it disappears in the polar night. Several observations of the northern lakes are planned in 2012 as well as observations of the Mare later in the mission. This work has been performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA. Government sponsorship acknowledged.

[Prevalence of cytotoxicity effectors in nosocomial Pseudomonas Aeruginosa strains].

PubMed

Kuznetsova, M V; Maksimova, A V; Karpunina, T I; Demakov, V A

2014-01-01

Analysis of occurrence of the third type secretory system (TTSS) effectors in clinical P. aeruginosa strains. Intra-hospital (n = 164) and extra-hospital (n = 30) strains of P. aeruginosa were studied. Detection of exoS and exoU genes was carried out by PCR in DNA Engine Dyad Thermal Cycler ("Bio-Rad", USA). Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producers were detected by the presence of blaVIM-2 gene. Screening of intra- and extra-hospital strains for the presence of genes coding ExoS and ExoU showed, that exoS is detected in genome of clinical isolates in 59.8% and exoU--31.1% of cases. At the same time, strains with exoS-/exoU+ genotype predominated in lCU (Φ = 0.466; p = 0.0000). A significant association between the presence of the respective effectors and material of strain isolation was not detected. exoU gene was more frequently detected in genome of MBL producers (Φ = 0.784; p = 0.0004). A significant association between exoU and blaVIM-2 could be explained by clonal prevalence of P. aeruginosa ST235 VIM-2, circulation of those is noted on all the territory of Russia. As a rule, ExoU is produced by highly virulent poly-antibiotic resistant hospital isolates that determine unfavorable outcomes of pseudomonas infection.

Dione's spectral and geological properties

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Wagner, R.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Hibbitts, C.A.; Roatsch, T.; Hoffmann, H.; Brown, R.H.; Filiacchione, G.; Buratti, B.J.; Hansen, G.B.; McCord, T.B.; Nicholson, P.D.; Baines, K.H.

2010-01-01

We present a detailed analysis of the variations in spectral properties across the surface of Saturn's satellite Dione using Cassini/VIMS data and their relationships to geological and/or morphological characteristics as seen in the Cassini/ISS images. This analysis focuses on a local region on Dione's anti-saturnian hemisphere that was observed by VIMS with high spatial resolution during orbit 16 in October 2005. The results are incorporated into a global context provided by VIMS data acquired within Cassini's first 50 orbits. Our results show that Dione's surface is dominated by at least one global process. Bombardment by magnetospheric particles is consistent with the concentration of dark material and enhanced CO2 absorption on the trailing hemisphere of Dione independent of the geology. Local regions within this terrain indicate a special kind of resurfacing that probably is related to large-scale impact process. In contrast, the enhanced ice signature on the leading side is associated with the extended ejecta of the fresh impact crater Creusa (???49??N/76??W). Although no geologically active regions could be identified, Dione's tectonized regions observed with high spatial resolution partly show some clean H2O ice implying that tectonic processes could have continued into more recent times. ?? 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Organic Molecules On the Surfaces of Iapetus and Phoebe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pendleton, Yvonne J.; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.; Clark, Roger N.; Cruikshank, Dale P.

2017-01-01

Absorption bands of both aliphatic and aromatic organic molecules are found in the reflectance spectra of Saturn satellites Iapetus, Phoebe, and Hyperion obtained with the Cassini Visible-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). The VIMS data do not fully resolve the individual bands of C-H functional groups specific to particular molecules, but instead show absorption envelopes representing blended clusters of the bands of aromatic (approximately 3.28 microns) and aliphatic (approximately 3.4 microns) hydrocarbons known in spectra of interstellar dust. In Cruikshank et al. (2014), we matched components of the unresolved hydrocarbon band envelopes with clusters of bands of a range of functional groups in specific types of organic compounds (e.g., normal and N-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, olefins, cycloalkanes, and molecules with lone-pair interactions of N and O with CH3+). In the work reported here, we revisit the spectra of Iapetus and Phoebe using VIMS data processed with improved radiometric and wavelength calibration (denoted RC19). The band envelopes of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons are now more clearly defined, corroborating the provisional assignment of specific classes of molecules in Cruikshank et al. 2014, but permitting a more reliable quantitative assessment of the relative contributions of those classes, and a revision to the earlier estimate of the ratio of the abundances of aromatic to aliphatic molecules.

A RT-based Technique for the Analysis and the Removal of Titan's Atmosphere by Cassini/VIMS-IR data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sindoni, G.; Tosi, F.; Adriani, A.; Moriconi, M. L.; D'Aversa, E.; Grassi, D.; Oliva, F.; Dinelli, B. M.; Castelli, E.

2015-12-01

Since 2004, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), together with the CIRS and UVIS spectrometers, aboard the Cassini spacecraft has provided insight on Saturn and Titan atmospheres through remote sensing observations. The presence of clouds and aerosols in Titan's dense atmosphere makes the analysis of the surface radiation a difficult task. For this purpose, an atmospheric radiative transfer (RT) model is required. The implementation of a RT code, which includes multiple scattering, in an inversion algorithm based on the Bayesian approach, can provide strong constraints about both the surface albedo and the atmospheric composition. The application of this retrieval procedure we have developed to VIMS-IR spectra acquired in nadir or slant geometries allows us to retrieve the equivalent opacity of Titan's atmosphere in terms of variable aerosols and gaseous content. Thus, the separation of the atmospheric and surface contributions in the observed spectrum is possible. The atmospheric removal procedure was tested on the spectral range 1-2.2μm of publicly available VIMS data covering the Ontario Lacus and Ligeia Mare regions. The retrieval of the accurate composition of Titan's atmosphere is a much more complex task. So far, the information about the vertical structure of the atmosphere by limb spectra was mostly derived under conditions where the scattering could be neglected [1,2]. Indeed, since the very high aerosol load in the middle-low atmosphere produces strong scattering effects on the measured spectra, the analysis requires a RT modeling taking into account multiple scattering in a spherical-shell geometry. Therefore the use of an innovative method we are developing based on the Monte-Carlo approach, can provide important information about the vertical distribution of the aerosols and the gases composing Titan's atmosphere.[1]Bellucci et al., (2009). Icarus, 201, Issue 1, p. 198-216.[2]de Kok et al., (2007). Icarus, 191, Issue 1, p. 223-235.

Mapping polar atmospheric features on Titan with VIMS: From the dissipation of the northern cloud to the onset of a southern polar vortex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouélic, S.; Rodriguez, S.; Robidel, R.; Rousseau, B.; Seignovert, B.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.; Rannou, P.; Cornet, T.

2018-09-01

We have analyzed the complete archive of the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data in order to monitor and analyze the evolution of the clouds and haze coverage at both poles of Titan during the entire Cassini mission. Our objective is to give a cartographic synopsis from a VIMS perspective, to provide a global view of the seasonal evolution of Titan's atmosphere over the poles. We leave the detailed comparison with the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) data sets to further studies. We have computed global hyperspectral mosaics for each of the 127 targeted flybys of Titan to produce synthetic color maps emphasizing the main atmospheric features. The north pole appears fully covered by a huge cloud as soon as the first observations in 2004 and up to the equinox in 2009 (Le Mouélic et al., 2012). The northern skies then became progressively clearer, after the circulation turnover in 2009, revealing the underlying lakes and seas to the optical instruments up to 2017. The reverse situation is observed over the south pole, which was mostly clear of such a high obscuring cloud during the first years of the mission, but started to develop a polar cloud in 2012. This feature grew up month after month until the end of the mission in 2017, with a poleward latitudinal extent of 75 °S in 2013 up to 58 °S in April 2017. Thanks to the spectral capabilities of VIMS, we have detected HCN spectral signatures over the north pole in almost all flybys between 2004 and 2008. These HCN signatures started then to show up over the south pole in almost all flybys between 2012 and 2017, so perfectly matching the timing and spatial extent of the northern and southern polar atmospheric features.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-producing Metallo-β-lactamases (VIM, IMP, SME, and AIM) in the Clinical Isolates of Intensive Care Units, a University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran

PubMed Central

Khorvash, Farzin; Yazdani, Mohammadreza; Shabani, Shiva; Soudi, Aliasghar

2017-01-01

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a severe challenge for antimicrobial therapy, due to the chromosomal mutations or exhibition of intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobial agents such as most β-lactams. We undertook this study to evaluate the existence of SME, IMP, AIM, and VIM metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) encoding genes among P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients in Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted between March 2012 and April 2013, a total of 48 strains of P. aeruginosa were collected from clinical specimens of bedridden patients in ICU wards. Susceptibility test was performed by disc diffusion method. All of the meropenem-resistant strains were subjected to modified Hodge test for detection of carbapenemases. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of blaVIM, blaIMP, blaAIM, and blaSME genes. Results: In disk diffusion method, imipenem and meropenem showed the most and colistin the least resistant antimicrobial agents against P. aeruginosa strains. Of the 48 isolates, 36 (75%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Amplification of β-lactamase genes showed the presence of blaVIM genes in 7 (%14.6) strains and blaIMP genes in 15 (31.3%) strains. All of the isolates were negative for blaSME and blaAIM genes. We could not find any statistically significant difference among the presence of this gene and MDR positive, age, or source of the specimen. Conclusion: As patients with infections caused by MBL-producing bacteria are at an intensified risk of treatment failure, fast determination of these organisms is necessary. Our findings may provide useful insights in replace of the appropriate antibiotics and may also prevent MBLs mediated resistance problem. PMID:29285477

Statistical Clustering and Compositional Modeling of Iapetus VIMS Spectral Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinilla-Alonso, N.; Roush, T. L.; Marzo, G.; Dalle Ore, C. M.; Cruikshank, D. P.

2009-12-01

It has long been known that the surfaces of Saturn's major satellites are predominantly icy objects [e.g. 1 and references therein]. Since 2004, these bodies have been the subject of observations by the Cassini-VIMS (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) experiment [2]. Iapetus has the unique property that the hemisphere centered on the apex of its locked synchronous orbital motion around Saturn has a very low geometrical albedo of 2-6%, while the opposite hemisphere is about 10 times more reflective. The nature and origin of the dark material of Iapetus has remained a question since its discovery [3 and references therein]. The nature of this material and how it is distributed on the surface of this body, can shed new light into the knowledge of the Saturnian system. We apply statistical clustering [4] and theoretical modeling [5,6] to address the surface composition of Iapetus. The VIMS data evaluated were obtained during the second flyby of Iapetus, in September 2007. This close approach allowed VIMS to obtain spectra at relatively high spatial resolution, ~1-22 km/pixel. The data we study sampled the trailing hemisphere and part of the dark leading one. The statistical clustering [4] is used to identify statistically distinct spectra on Iapetus. The composition of these distinct spectra are evaluated using theoretical models [5,6]. We thank Allan Meyer for his help. This research was supported by an appointment to the NASA Postdoctoral Program at the Ames Research Center, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities through a contract with NASA. [1] A, Coradini et al., 2009, Earth, Moon & Planets, 105, 289-310. [2] Brown et al., 2004, Space Science Reviews, 115, 111-168. [3] Cruikshank, D. et al Icarus, 2008, 193, 334-343. [4] Marzo, G. et al. 2008, Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, E12, CiteID E12009. [5] Hapke, B. 1993, Theory of reflectance and emittance spectroscopy, Cambridge University Press. [6] Shkuratov, Y. et al. 1999, Icarus, 137, 235-246.

Monitoring the Seasonal Evolution of the North and South Polar Vortex on Titan during 10 Years with Cassini/Vims

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouelic, S.; Rousseau, B.; Rodriguez, S.; Cornet, T.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Baines, K. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2014-12-01

Cassini entered in Saturn's orbit in July 2004. In ten years, more than 100 targeted flybys of Titan have been performed. We focus our study on the comprehensive analysis of the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data set acquired between 2004 and 2014, with a particular emphasis on the atmospheric polar features. First evidences for a vast ethane cloud covering the North Pole have been detected as soon as the second targeted flyby in December 2005 [1]. The first detailed imaging of this north polar feature with VIMS was obtained in December 2006, thanks to a change in inclination of the spacecraft orbit [2]. At this time, the northern lakes and seas of Titan were totally masked to the optical instruments by the haze and clouds, whereas the southern pole was well illuminated and mostly clear of haze and vast clouds. Subsequent flybys revealed that the vast north polar feature was progressively vanishing around the equinox in 2009 [2,3,4], in agreement with the predictions of Global Circulation Models [5]. It revealed progressively the underlying lakes to the ISS and VIMS instruments. First evidences of an atmospheric vortex growing over the South Pole occurred in May 2012, with a high altitude feature detected at each flybys since then. In this study, we have computed individual global maps of the north and south poles for each of the 100 targeted flybys, using VIMS wavelengths sensitive both to clouds and surface features. This allows a more complete monitoring of the evolution of the north polar cloud than was previously done before using a selection of individual flybys only. It also provides a detailed investigation of what is currently acting over the South Pole. [1] Griffith et al., Science, 2006. [2] Le Mouélic et al., PSS, 2012. [3] Rodriguez et al., Nature, 2009. [4] Rodriguez et al., Icarus 2011. [5] Rannou et al., Science 2005

Distribution of Ambler class A, B and D β-lactamases among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

PubMed

Tawfik, Abdulkader F; Shibl, Atef M; Aljohi, Mohamed A; Altammami, Musaad A; Al-Agamy, Mohamed H

2012-09-01

We determined the prevalence rate of classes A, B and D β-lactamases among extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-non-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from burned patients. Disc susceptibility testing was performed on 156 P. aeruginosa isolates collected during 2010 at Prince Salman Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Phenotypic screening of ESBLs and MBLs in the isolates resistant to ceftazidime (MIC>8 mg/L) was carried out. Genes encoding ESBLs and MBL were sought by PCR in ESBL- and MBL-producing isolates. The resistance rate to ceftazidime was 22.43%. The resistance rates for ESC-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates to piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, amikacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were 100%, 71.14%, 88.57%, 48.57%, 70.0%, 82.5%, 87.5%, and 90.0% respectively. No resistance was detected to polymyxine B. The prevalence of ESBL and MBL in ESC-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa was 69.44% and 42.85%, respectively. The prevalence of structural genes for VEB-1, OXA-10 and GES ESBLs in P. aeruginosa was 68%, 56% and 20%, respectively. VIM gene was detected in 15 (100%) of MBL-producing isolates. OXA-10 like gene was concomitant with VEB, GES and/or VIM. Eight isolates harbored OXA-10 with VEB (imipenem MIC 6-8 mg/L), while five isolates harbored OXA-10 with VIM (imipenem MIC ≥ 32 mg/L) and one isolate contained OXA-10, VEB and GES (imipenem MIC 8 mg/L). PER was not detected in this study. VEB-1 and OXA-10 are the predominant ESBL genes and bla(VIM) is the dominate MBL gene in ESC-non-sensitive P. aeruginosa isolates in Saudi Arabia. VEB, OXA-10 and GES ESBLs have not been reported previously in Saudi Arabia and GES has not been reported previously in Middle East and North Africa. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Carbon dioxide on the satellites of Saturn: Results from the Cassini VIMS investigation and revisions to the VIMS wavelength scale

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cruikshank, D.P.; Meyer, A.W.; Brown, R.H.; Clark, R.N.; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Hibbitts, C.A.; Sandford, S.A.; Mastrapa, R.M.E.; Filacchione, G.; Ore, C.M.D.; Nicholson, P.D.; Buratti, B.J.; McCord, T.B.; Nelson, R.M.; Dalton, J.B.; Baines, K.H.; Matson, D.L.

2010-01-01

Several of the icy satellites of Saturn show the spectroscopic signature of the asymmetric stretching mode of C-O in carbon dioxide (CO2) at or near the nominal solid-phase laboratory wavelength of 4.2675 ??m (2343.3 cm-1), discovered with the Visible-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on the Cassini spacecraft. We report here on an analysis of the variation in wavelength and width of the CO2 absorption band in the spectra of Phoebe, Iapetus, Hyperion, and Dione. Comparisons are made to laboratory spectra of pure CO2, CO2 clathrates, ternary mixtures of CO2 with other volatiles, implanted and adsorbed CO2 in non-volatile materials, and ab initio theoretical calculations of CO2 * nH2O. At the wavelength resolution of VIMS, the CO2 on Phoebe is indistinguishable from pure CO2 ice (each molecule's nearby neighbors are also CO2) or type II clathrate of CO2 in H2O. In contrast, the CO2 band on Iapetus, Hyperion, and Dione is shifted to shorter wavelengths (typically ???4.255 ??m (???2350.2 cm-1)) and broadened. These wavelengths are characteristic of complexes of CO2 with different near-neighbor molecules that are encountered in other volatile mixtures such as with H2O and CH3OH, and non-volatile host materials like silicates, some clays, and zeolites. We suggest that Phoebe's CO2 is native to the body as part of the initial inventory of condensates and now exposed on the surface, while CO2 on the other three satellites results at least in part from particle or UV irradiation of native H2O plus a source of C, implantation or accretion from external sources, or redistribution of native CO2 from the interior. The analysis presented here depends on an accurate VIMS wavelength scale. In preparation for this work, the baseline wavelength calibration for the Cassini VIMS was found to be distorted around 4.3 ??m, apparently as a consequence of telluric CO2 gas absorption in the pre-launch calibration. The effect can be reproduced by convolving a sequence of model detector response profiles with a deep atmospheric CO2 absorption profile, producing distorted detector profile shapes and shifted central positions. In a laboratory blackbody spectrum used for radiance calibration, close examination of the CO2 absorption profile shows a similar deviation from that expected from a model. These modeled effects appear to be sufficient to explain the distortion in the existing wavelength calibration now in use. A modification to the wavelength calibration for 13 adjacent bands is provided. The affected channels span about 0.2 ??m centered on 4.28 ??m. The maximum wavelength change is about 10 nm toward longer wavelength. This adjustment has implications for interpretation of some of the spectral features observed in the affected wavelength interval, such as from CO2, as discussed in this paper.

Beach Changes at Nauset Inlet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts 1670-1981.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

1962 23 Mar USCGS NOS V 53080, 3082 1:18,746 1965 21 April LKBI LKBI V 5520; 52 - 624 1:40,060 1965 11 June VIMS (RJB) V 1:5540 1965 25 Aug. VIMS (RJB) V...STATION SLOPE INTERCEPT R 2 (m y r) (m) 1 -2.5 412 0.61 2 -1.7 405 0.25 3 -1.7 416 n.28 4 -2.3 480 0.35 5 -3.6 553 0.42 6 -5.3 624 0.18 7 -4.7 457 0.15...8 -2.0 504 0.02 9 -3.3 605 0.42 10 -2.0 502 0.57 -22- 1962 to 1967, the shoreline moved seaward 160 m. The period 1967 to May 1979 has seen a

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Electroslag Refined Fe-12Ni Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhat, G. K.

1978-01-01

Three Fe-12Ni alloys, individually alloyed with small amounts of V, Ti, and Al, were manufactured through different melting techniques, with special emphasis on electroslag remelting, in order to achieve different levels of metal purity and associated costs. The relative effectiveness of these melting techniques was evaluated from tensile and slow bend fracture toughness behavior at 25 C and -196 C after tempering the test specimens at various temperatures. The best melting procedure was vacuum induction melting (VIM) with or without electroslag remelting (ESR). VIM+ESR is the recommended procedure since ESR provides increased yield of plate product, a reduction of overall manufacturing costs and, depending on the alloy composition, improved tensile and fracture toughness properties.

CO concentration in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere of Titan from VIMS dayside limb observations at 4.7 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabiano, F.; López Puertas, M.; Adriani, A.; Moriconi, M. L.; D'Aversa, E.; Funke, B.; López-Valverde, M. A.; Ridolfi, M.; Dinelli, B. M.

2017-09-01

During the last 30 years, many works have focused on the determination of the CO abundance in Titan's atmosphere, but no measurement above 300 km has been done yet due to the faint signal of CO. Nevertheless, such measurements are particularly awaited as a confirmation of photochemical models predictions that CO is uniformly mixed in the whole atmosphere. Moreover, since CO is the main atmospheric reservoir of oxygen, its actual abundance has implications on the origins of Titan's atmosphere. In this work, we analyse a set of Cassini VIMS daytime limb observations of Titan at 4.7 μm, which is dominated by solar-pumped non-LTE (non-local thermodynamic equilibrium) emission of CO ro-vibrational bands. In order to retrieve the CO abundance from these observations, we developed a non-LTE model for the CO vibrational levels. The retrieval of the CO concentration is performed following a bayesian approach and using the calculated non-LTE populations. The data set analysed consists of 47 limb scanning sequences -about 1500 spectra- acquired by VIMS in 2006 and 2007. CO relative abundance profiles from 200 to 500 km are obtained, for each set analysed. The mean result shows no significant variations with altitude and is consistent with the prediction of a well-mixed vertical profile. However, if compared with Earth-based mm measurements, a small vertical gradient is plausible.

Power of data mining methods to detect genetic associations and interactions.

PubMed

Molinaro, Annette M; Carriero, Nicholas; Bjornson, Robert; Hartge, Patricia; Rothman, Nathaniel; Chatterjee, Nilanjan

2011-01-01

Genetic association studies, thus far, have focused on the analysis of individual main effects of SNP markers. Nonetheless, there is a clear need for modeling epistasis or gene-gene interactions to better understand the biologic basis of existing associations. Tree-based methods have been widely studied as tools for building prediction models based on complex variable interactions. An understanding of the power of such methods for the discovery of genetic associations in the presence of complex interactions is of great importance. Here, we systematically evaluate the power of three leading algorithms: random forests (RF), Monte Carlo logic regression (MCLR), and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR). We use the algorithm-specific variable importance measures (VIMs) as statistics and employ permutation-based resampling to generate the null distribution and associated p values. The power of the three is assessed via simulation studies. Additionally, in a data analysis, we evaluate the associations between individual SNPs in pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory genes and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The power of RF is highest in all simulation models, that of MCLR is similar to RF in half, and that of MDR is consistently the lowest. Our study indicates that the power of RF VIMs is most reliable. However, in addition to tuning parameters, the power of RF is notably influenced by the type of variable (continuous vs. categorical) and the chosen VIM. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

First Detection of VIM-4-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and OXA-48-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Northeastern (Annaba, Skikda) Algeria.

PubMed

Mellouk, Fatma Zohra; Bakour, Sofiane; Meradji, Sameh; Al-Bayssari, Charbel; Bentakouk, Mohamed Cherif; Zouyed, Fatiha; Djahoudi, Abdelghani; Boutefnouchet, Nafissa; Rolain, Jean Marc

2017-04-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and molecular support of carbapenem resistance in gram-negative bacilli clinical isolates collected between March 2013 and March 2015 in three cities (Annaba, Skikda, and Guelma) in northeastern Algeria. One hundred eighty-six isolates were identified as Enterobacteriaceae (161), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18), and Acinetobacter baumannii (7). Thirty-six of 186 (19.3%) were resistant to carbapenems. Among them, 11 harbored carbapenemase genes, including bla OXA-48 (2 Klebsiella pneumoniae), bla VIM-4 (2 P. aeruginosa), bla NDM-1 (2 A. baumannii), and bla OXA-23 (5 A. baumannii). In addition, other β-lactamases were detected: bla CTX-M-(15/66/139) , bla SHV-(28/85/1/133) , and bla TEM-1 . All imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa displayed OprD mutations. Multilocus sequence typing demonstrated the presence of ST 404 and ST 219 in K. pneumoniae, ST 2 and ST 85 in A. baumannii, and ST (244, 1076, 241, 227, and 233) in P. aeruginosa. In this study, we report the first detection of P. aeruginosa ST 1076 harboring the bla VIM-4 gene in African countries in two cities (Annaba and Skikda) in northeastern Algeria. Additionally, we report the first detection of bla OXA-48 in K. pneumoniae ST 404 and ST 219 in Algerian cities (Annaba and Skikda).

Spatial variations in the dust-to-gas ratio of Enceladus' plume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedman, M. M.; Dhingra, D.; Nicholson, P. D.; Hansen, C. J.; Portyankina, G.; Ye, S.; Dong, Y.

2018-05-01

On day 138 of 2010, the plume of dust and gas emerging from Enceladus' South Polar Terrain passed between the Sun and the Cassini spacecraft. This solar occultation enabled Cassini's Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) and the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) to obtain simultaneous measurements of the plume's gas and dust components along the same lines of sight. The UVIS measurements of the plume's gas content are described in Hansen et al. (2011, GRL 38:11202) , while this paper describes the VIMS data and the information they provide about the plume's particle content. Together, the VIMS and UVIS measurements reveal that the plume material above Baghdad and Damascus sulci has a dust-to-gas mass ratio that is roughly an order of magnitude higher than the material above Alexandria and Cairo sulci. Similar trends in the plume's dust-to-gas ratio are also found in data obtained when Cassini flew through the plume in 2009, during which time the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS), Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument (RPWS) and Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) instruments made in-situ measurements of the plume's gas and dust densities (Dong et al. 2015 JGR 120:915-937). These and other previously-published systematic differences in the material erupting from different fissures likely reflect variations in subsurface conditions across Encealdus' South Polar Terrain.

Saturn's Titan: Searching for Surface Change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, R. M.; Kamp, L.; Matson, D. L.; Boryta, M. D.; Leader, F.; Baines, K. H.; Lopes, R.; Smythe, W. D.; Jauman, R.; Sotin, C.; Clark, R. N.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Drosart, P.; Hapke, B. W.; Buratti, B. J.; Brown, R. H.; Sicardy, B.; Lunine, J. I.; Combes, M.; Belucci, G.; Biebring, J.; Capaccioni, M.; Cerroni, P.; Corodini, A.; Formisano, V.; Filacchione, G.; Langevin, Y.; McCord, T.; Mennella, V.; Nicholson, P.

2007-12-01

The VIMS instrument on the Cassini spacecraft observes the surface of Titan through spectral 'windows' in its atmosphere where methane, the principal absorbing gas is transmitting. We previously have used VIMS to document changes in spectral reflectance and that have occurred on Titan's surface during Cassini's orbital tour at (latitude 26S, longitude 78W), (AGU spring meeting 2007). Having removed the possibility that the observed changes are either an atmospheric phenomenon or are the result of viewing angle (phase) effects, we conclude that physical changes in the chemistry or structure of the surface must be occurring. The size of the region suggests it may exceed the size of the largest active volcanic areas in the solar system. We now have explored additional sections of Titan's surface and have developed new techniques for locating surface changes over time. While some additional candidate areas for surface activity are suggested, confirmation is possible with the support of additional instruments on the Cassini Orbiter, particularly the radar instrument. The principal difficulty in implementing a coordinated program of observations with both instruments is due to the radar instrument's higher spatial resolution but small footprint on the surface relative to VIMS. In addition, the two instruments can not be used simultaneously on the same pass. Overlapping coverage will only be available after repeated flybys during Cassini's extended mission. This work done at JPL/CALTECH under contract with NASA

Subcortical roles in lexical task processing: Inferences from thalamic and subthalamic event-related potentials.

PubMed

Tiedt, Hannes O; Ehlen, Felicitas; Krugel, Lea K; Horn, Andreas; Kühn, Andrea A; Klostermann, Fabian

2017-01-01

Subcortical functions for language capacities are poorly defined, but may be investigated in the context of deep brain stimulation. Here, we studied event-related potentials recorded from electrodes in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) together with surface-EEG. Participants completed a lexical decision task (LDT), which required the differentiation of acoustically presented words from pseudo-words by button press. Target stimuli were preceded by prime-words. In recordings from VIM, a slow potential shift apparent at the lower electrode contacts persisted during target stimulus presentation (equally for words and pseudo-words). In contrast, recordings from STN electrodes showed a short local activation on prime-words but not target-stimuli. In both depth-recording regions, further components related to contralateral motor responses to target words were evident. On scalp level, mid-central activations on (pseudo)lexical stimuli were obtained, in line with the expression of N400 potentials. The prolonged activity recorded from VIM, exclusively accompanying the relevant LDT phase, is in line with the idea of thalamic "selective engagement" for supporting the realization of the behavioral focus demanded by the task. In contrast, the phasic prime related activity rather indicates "procedural" STN functions, for example, for trial sequencing or readiness inhibition of prepared target reactions. Hum Brain Mapp 38:370-383, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MRI-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy in non-ET tremor syndromes.

PubMed

Fasano, Alfonso; Llinas, Maheleth; Munhoz, Renato P; Hlasny, Eugen; Kucharczyk, Walter; Lozano, Andres M

2017-08-22

To report the 6-month single-blinded results of unilateral thalamotomy with MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) in patients with tremors other than essential tremor. Three patients with tremor due to Parkinson disease, 2 with dystonic tremor in the context of cervicobrachial dystonia and writer's cramp, and 1 with dystonia gene-associated tremor underwent MRgFUS targeting the ventro-intermedius nucleus (Vim) of the dominant hemisphere. The primary endpoint was the reduction of lateralized items of the Tremor Rating Scale of contralateral hemibody assessed by a blinded rater. All patients achieved a statistically significant, immediate, and sustained improvement of the contralateral tremor score by 42.2%, 52.0%, 55.9%, and 52.9% at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure, respectively. All patients experienced transient side effects and 2 patients experienced persistent side effects at the time of last evaluation: hemitongue numbness and hemiparesis with hemihypoesthesia. Vim MRgFUS is a promising, incision-free, but nevertheless invasive technique to effectively treat tremors other than essential tremor. Future studies on larger samples and longer follow-up will further define its effectiveness and safety. NCT02252380. This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with tremor not caused by essential tremor, MRgFUS of the Vim improves the tremor of the contralateral hemibody at 6 months. © 2017 American Academy of Neurology.

[Prevalence of metallo-beta-lactamase in carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a university hospital of Buenos Aires City].

PubMed

Pagniez, G; Radice, M; Cuirolo, A; Rodríguez, O; Rodríguez, H; Vay, C; Famiglietti, A; Gutkind, G

2006-01-01

The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of metallo-beta-lactamases in 91 consecutive carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, recovered from inpatients at Hospital de Clínicas in Buenos Aires. Both, phenotypic and genotypic methods detected the presence of carbapenemases in 10 (11%) isolates, corresponding to VIM-11 in 7/10 and VIM-2 in the others. Codifying genes were all included in class 1 integrons, upstream genes coding for aminoglycoside modifying enzymes. One hundred percent sensitivity and specificity was achieved by the metallo-beta-lactamases phenotypic screening method using EDTA (1 micromol) disks in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates included in this study. Sensitivity to aztreonam in carbapenem resistant isolates was suspicious of the presence of these enzymes.

Fast forward modeling of Titan's infrared spectra to invert VIMS/Cassini hyperspectral images

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodriguez, S.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Rannou, P.; Combe, J.-P.; Corre, L.L.; Tobie, G.; Barnes, J.W.; Sotin, Christophe; Brown, R.H.; Baines, K.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2009-01-01

The surface of Titan, the largest icy moon of Saturn, is veiled by a very thick and hazy atmosphere. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer onboard the Cassini spacecraft, in orbit around Saturn since July 2004, conduct an intensive survey of Titan with the objective to understand the complex nature of the atmosphere and surface of the mysterious moon and the way they interact. Accurate radiative transfer modeling is necessary to analyze Titan's infrared spectra, but are often very computer resources demanding. As Cassini has gathered hitherto millions of spectra of Titan and will still observe it until at least 2010, we report here on the development of a new rapid, simple and versatile radiative transfer model specially designed to invert VIMS datacubes. ?? 2009 IEEE.

Long-Term Effective Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Neuropathic Tremor in Two Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

PubMed

Cabañes-Martínez, Lidia; Del Álamo de Pedro, Marta; de Blas Beorlegui, Gema; Bailly-Bailliere, Ignacio Regidor

2017-01-01

It has been described that many Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome type 2 patients are affected by a very disabling type of tremor syndrome, the pathophysiology of which remains unclear. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been successfully applied to treat most types of tremors by implanting electrodes in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim). We used DBS applied to the Vim in 2 patients with severe axonal inherited polyneuropathies who developed a disabling tremor. Both patients responded positively to stimulation, with a marked reduction of the tremor and with an improvement of their quality of life. We report 2 cases of tremor associated with a hereditary neuropathy with a good response to DBS. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Global characterization of Titan's dune fields by RADAR and VIMS observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

garcia, A.; Rodriguez, S.; Lucas, A.; Appéré, T.; Le Gall, A.; Reffet, E.; Le Corre, L.; Le Mouélic, S.; Cornet, T.; Courrech Du Pont, S.; Narteau, C.; Bourgeois, O.; Radebaugh, J.; Arnold, K.; Barnes, J. W.; Sotin, C.; Brown, R. H.; Lorenz, R. D.; Turtle, E. P.

2013-12-01

Cassini/RADAR high-resolution images of Titan's surface revealed linear features, geomorphologically similar to longitudinal dunes. Those dunes cover a large portion of the whole surface of Titan, i.e 7.8%, and 13.4% are present on the 58.4% of the surface imaged by the RADAR/SAR from July 2004 to July 2013 (fig.1). 99.6% of the dunes are confined at the equatorial regions (30°N-30°S). Formed and sculpted by the wind, those features represent clues for the understanding of the climatic history on the satellite. By using the joint analysis between RADAR/SAR observations and the infrared VIMS mosaic corrected for atmospheric contributions acquired through July 2013 and June 2010 respectively, we found a very high degree of correlation at global scale (more than 70%) between the RADAR dunes and a specific infrared VIMS spectral unit, the 'dark brown unit'. Some RADAR dunes, less than 2%, also belong in a commonly referenced unit, the 'dark blue unit'. These two units have been delimited by defining for each a specific set of spectral criteria. We have shown that those two units present a spectral behavior different, especially at short wavelengths (below 2 μm) allowing to say that the 'dark brown unit' is dominated by organic sediment, similar to atmospheric aerosols, namely tholins, and the 'dark blue' is most likely enriched in water ice compared to the rest of Titan's surface. Given the strong correlation between RADAR dunes and the infrared 'dark brown unit' we are now able to extrapolate the total surface area of the dunes material to the total surface area of the 'dark brown unit' which correspond to 17% of the Titan's surface. This permits to estimate the volume of sediment of 360,000 km3 (total mass ≈ 290,000 GT). Thus, these estimates based on the RADAR dunes/VIMS units correlation make the dune fields the largest organic reservoir on Titan's surface and characterize more precisely the composition of the dune material over the total extend of the dune regions.

Prevalence of Clinically Isolated Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Coding Genes, and Possible Risk Factors in Iran

PubMed Central

Ghasemian, Abdolmajid; Salimian Rizi, Kobra; Rajabi Vardanjani, Hassan; Nojoomi, Farshad

2018-01-01

Background & Objective: The spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a global concern. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) enzymes cause extensive drug resistance among Gram-negative bacteria. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa in Iran. Data extraction: A total of 43 studies were found out of which 36 were adopted. Data were collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Sciverse. The terms “Pseudomonas aeruginosa”, “metallo-beta-lactamase”, “prevalence”, “carbapenems”, and “Iran” were searched. Data from the isolates not producing MBLs were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6, meta-analysis section. Results: According to the results of the current study, 36 surveys indicated that 55% of the clinically isolated P. aeruginosa in Iran were resistant to imipenem and meropenem, among which 37.72% were the MBL producers. Among genes encoding MBLs, blaVIM and blaIMP were predominant with the prevalence of 12.91%±11.01% and 12.50%±23.56%, respectively. No report of harboring blaNDM1 and blaSPM1 by P. aeruginosa was found, similar to most of the other countries in Asia. The prevalence of blaVIM and blaIMP from burn settings were 11.50%±3.5% and 24.65%±23%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of these genes was not significantly different among burn and non-burn isolates (P=0.942 and P=0.597, respectively). Moreover, no relationship was observed between the MBL production and patients’ age range. Conclusion: Approximately half of P. aeruginosa isolates were carbapenem-resistant in Iran, and approximately half were the MBL producers. The blaVIM and blaIMP were the predominant MBLs among P. aeruginosa strains, while other genes were not found in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, there was no significant difference between blaVIM and blaIMP among burn and non-burn isolates. Due to the multiple drug resistance conferred by MBLs, detection and control of their spread alongside proper therapeutic regimens in hospitals and community settings are essential to prevent infection acquisition. PMID:29731790

Prevalence of Clinically Isolated Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Coding Genes, and Possible Risk Factors in Iran.

PubMed

Ghasemian, Abdolmajid; Salimian Rizi, Kobra; Rajabi Vardanjani, Hassan; Nojoomi, Farshad

2018-01-01

The spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a global concern. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) enzymes cause extensive drug resistance among Gram-negative bacteria. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa in Iran. A total of 43 studies were found out of which 36 were adopted. Data were collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Sciverse. The terms " Pseudomonas aeruginosa ", "metallo-beta-lactamase", "prevalence", "carbapenems", and "Iran" were searched. Data from the isolates not producing MBLs were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6, meta-analysis section. According to the results of the current study, 36 surveys indicated that 55% of the clinically isolated P. aeruginosa in Iran were resistant to imipenem and meropenem, among which 37.72% were the MBL producers. Among genes encoding MBLs, bla VIM and bla IMP were predominant with the prevalence of 12.91%±11.01% and 12.50%±23.56%, respectively. No report of harboring bla NDM1 and bla SPM1 by P. aeruginosa was found, similar to most of the other countries in Asia. The prevalence of bla VIM and bla IMP from burn settings were 11.50%±3.5% and 24.65%±23%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of these genes was not significantly different among burn and non-burn isolates (P=0.942 and P=0.597, respectively). Moreover, no relationship was observed between the MBL production and patients' age range. Approximately half of P. aeruginosa isolates were carbapenem-resistant in Iran, and approximately half were the MBL producers. The bla VIM and bla IMP were the predominant MBLs among P . aeruginosa strains, while other genes were not found in P. aeruginosa . Moreover, there was no significant difference between bla VIM and bla IMP among burn and non-burn isolates. Due to the multiple drug resistance conferred by MBLs, detection and control of their spread alongside proper therapeutic regimens in hospitals and community settings are essential to prevent infection acquisition.

Computing Global Mosaics of Titan With the VIMS Imaging Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouelic, S.; Cornet, T.; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2015-12-01

The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard Cassini observes the surface of Titan in seven narrow atmospheric windows in the infrared at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.01, 2.68-2.78, and 4.9-5.1 microns. We have produced a global hyperspectral mosaic of the complete VIMS data set of Titan between T0 (July 2004) and T112 flyby (July 2015), by merging all the data cubes sorted by increasing spatial resolution, with the high resolution images on top of the mosaic and the low resolution images used as background. We filtered out the observing geometry in order to remove the pixels acquired in too extreme illuminating and viewing conditions, which systematically produce atmospheric artifacts. We used thresholds of 80° both on the incidence and emission angles, 100° on the phase angle, and 7 on the airmass. These thresholds corresponds to a trade-off between surface coverage and data quality. The viewing geometry is normalized at first order using a surface photometric function derived from the observation at 5 μm, where the atmospheric scattering is almost negligible. We also use the wings of the atmospheric windows as a proxy to correct for the amount of additive scattering present in the center of these windows, where the surface is seen by VIMS. Various color composites can then be produced using combinations of different wavelengths to emphasize surface heterogeneities. Among these, a RGB composite with red controlled by the 5 μm image, the green by the 2 μm image and the blue by the 1.27 μm, reveals the extent of equatorial dune fields appearing in brownish tones. Bluish areas corresponds to regions possibly enriched in water ice or other organic compounds. Composite of band ratios such as 1.59/1.27 μm, 2.03/1.27 μm and 1.27/1.08 also prove to be more useful to better emphasize surface variations, even if they are also more sensitive to residual artefacts due to atmospheric and geometric effects or calibration residuals.

WCK 5107 (Zidebactam) and WCK 5153 Are Novel Inhibitors of PBP2 Showing Potent “β-Lactam Enhancer” Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Including Multidrug-Resistant Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing High-Risk Clones

PubMed Central

Barcelo, Isabel M.; Bhagwat, Sachin; Patel, Mahesh; Bou, German; Papp-Wallace, Krisztina M.; Bonomo, Robert A.; Oliver, Antonio

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Zidebactam and WCK 5153 are novel β-lactam enhancers that are bicyclo-acyl hydrazides (BCH), derivatives of the diazabicyclooctane (DBO) scaffold, targeted for the treatment of serious infections caused by highly drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. In this study, we determined the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) inhibition profiles and the antimicrobial activities of zidebactam and WCK 5153 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing high-risk clones. MIC determinations and time-kill assays were conducted for zidebactam, WCK 5153, and antipseudomonal β-lactams using wild-type PAO1, MexAB-OprM-hyperproducing (mexR), porin-deficient (oprD), and AmpC-hyperproducing (dacB) derivatives of PAO1, and MBL-expressing clinical strains ST175 (blaVIM-2) and ST111 (blaVIM-1). Furthermore, steady-state kinetics was used to assess the inhibitory potential of these compounds against the purified VIM-2 MBL. Zidebactam and WCK 5153 showed specific PBP2 inhibition and did not inhibit VIM-2 (apparent Ki [Ki app] > 100 μM). MICs for zidebactam and WCK 5153 ranged from 2 to 32 μg/ml (amdinocillin MICs > 32 μg/ml). Time-kill assays revealed bactericidal activity of zidebactam and WCK 5153. LIVE-DEAD staining further supported the bactericidal activity of both compounds, showing spheroplast formation. Fixed concentrations (4 or 8 μg/ml) of zidebactam and WCK 5153 restored susceptibility to all of the tested β-lactams for each of the P. aeruginosa mutant strains. Likewise, antipseudomonal β-lactams (CLSI breakpoints), in combination with 4 or 8 μg/ml of zidebactam or WCK 5153, resulted in enhanced killing. Certain combinations determined full bacterial eradication, even with MDR MBL-producing high-risk clones. β-Lactam–WCK enhancer combinations represent a promising β-lactam “enhancer-based” approach to treat MDR P. aeruginosa infections, bypassing the need for MBL inhibition. PMID:28289035

WCK 5107 (Zidebactam) and WCK 5153 Are Novel Inhibitors of PBP2 Showing Potent "β-Lactam Enhancer" Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Including Multidrug-Resistant Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing High-Risk Clones.

PubMed

Moya, Bartolome; Barcelo, Isabel M; Bhagwat, Sachin; Patel, Mahesh; Bou, German; Papp-Wallace, Krisztina M; Bonomo, Robert A; Oliver, Antonio

2017-06-01

Zidebactam and WCK 5153 are novel β-lactam enhancers that are bicyclo-acyl hydrazides (BCH), derivatives of the diazabicyclooctane (DBO) scaffold, targeted for the treatment of serious infections caused by highly drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. In this study, we determined the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) inhibition profiles and the antimicrobial activities of zidebactam and WCK 5153 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , including multidrug-resistant (MDR) metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing high-risk clones. MIC determinations and time-kill assays were conducted for zidebactam, WCK 5153, and antipseudomonal β-lactams using wild-type PAO1, MexAB-OprM-hyperproducing ( mexR ), porin-deficient ( oprD ), and AmpC-hyperproducing ( dacB ) derivatives of PAO1, and MBL-expressing clinical strains ST175 ( bla VIM-2 ) and ST111 ( bla VIM-1 ). Furthermore, steady-state kinetics was used to assess the inhibitory potential of these compounds against the purified VIM-2 MBL. Zidebactam and WCK 5153 showed specific PBP2 inhibition and did not inhibit VIM-2 (apparent K i [ K i app ] > 100 μM). MICs for zidebactam and WCK 5153 ranged from 2 to 32 μg/ml (amdinocillin MICs > 32 μg/ml). Time-kill assays revealed bactericidal activity of zidebactam and WCK 5153. LIVE-DEAD staining further supported the bactericidal activity of both compounds, showing spheroplast formation. Fixed concentrations (4 or 8 μg/ml) of zidebactam and WCK 5153 restored susceptibility to all of the tested β-lactams for each of the P. aeruginosa mutant strains. Likewise, antipseudomonal β-lactams (CLSI breakpoints), in combination with 4 or 8 μg/ml of zidebactam or WCK 5153, resulted in enhanced killing. Certain combinations determined full bacterial eradication, even with MDR MBL-producing high-risk clones. β-Lactam-WCK enhancer combinations represent a promising β-lactam "enhancer-based" approach to treat MDR P. aeruginosa infections, bypassing the need for MBL inhibition. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan's Punga Mare in specular reflection.

PubMed

Barnes, Jason W; Sotin, Christophe; Soderblom, Jason M; Brown, Robert H; Hayes, Alexander G; Donelan, Mark; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Mouélic, Stéphane Le; Baines, Kevin H; McCord, Thomas B

Cassini /VIMS high-phase specular observations of Titan's north pole during the T85 flyby show evidence for isolated patches of rough liquid surface within the boundaries of the sea Punga Mare. The roughness shows typical slopes of 6°±1°. These rough areas could be either wet mudflats or a wavy sea. Because of their large areal extent, patchy geographic distribution, and uniform appearance at low phase, we prefer a waves interpretation. Applying theoretical wave calculations based on Titan conditions our slope determination allows us to infer winds of 0.76±0.09 m/s and significant wave heights of [Formula: see text] cm at the time and locations of the observation. If correct, these would represent the first waves seen on Titan's seas, and also the first extraterrestrial sea-surface waves in general.

Metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Netherlands: the nationwide emergence of a single sequence type.

PubMed

Van der Bij, A K; Van der Zwan, D; Peirano, G; Severin, J A; Pitout, J D D; Van Westreenen, M; Goessens, W H F

2012-09-01

Recently, the first outbreak of clonally related VIM-2 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Dutch tertiary-care centre was described. Subsequently, a nationwide surveillance study was performed in 2010-2011, which identified the presence of VIM-2 MBL-producing P. aeruginosa in 11 different hospitals. Genotyping by multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) showed that the majority of the 82 MBL-producing isolates found belonged to a single MLVA type (n = 70, 85%), identified as ST111 by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). As MBL-producing isolates cause serious infections that are difficult to treat, the presence of clonally related isolates in various hospitals throughout the Netherlands is of nationwide concern. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2012 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Missing data exploration: highlighting graphical presentation of missing pattern.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhongheng

2015-12-01

Functions shipped with R base can fulfill many tasks of missing data handling. However, because the data volume of electronic medical record (EMR) system is always very large, more sophisticated methods may be helpful in data management. The article focuses on missing data handling by using advanced techniques. There are three types of missing data, that is, missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR) and not missing at random (NMAR). This classification system depends on how missing values are generated. Two packages, Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE) and Visualization and Imputation of Missing Values (VIM), provide sophisticated functions to explore missing data pattern. In particular, the VIM package is especially helpful in visual inspection of missing data. Finally, correlation analysis provides information on the dependence of missing data on other variables. Such information is useful in subsequent imputations.

Internal epithelia in Drosophila display rudimentary competence to form cytoplasmic networks of transgenic human vimentin.

PubMed

Gullmets, Josef; Torvaldson, Elin; Lindqvist, Julia; Imanishi, Susumu Y; Taimen, Pekka; Meinander, Annika; Eriksson, John E

2017-12-01

Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (cIFs) are found in all eumetazoans, except arthropods. To investigate the compatibility of cIFs in arthropods, we expressed human vimentin (hVim), a cIF with filament-forming capacity in vertebrate cells and tissues, transgenically in Drosophila Transgenic hVim could be recovered from whole-fly lysates by using a standard procedure for intermediate filament (IF) extraction. When this procedure was used to test for the possible presence of IF-like proteins in flies, only lamins and tropomyosin were observed in IF-enriched extracts, thereby providing biochemical reinforcement to the paradigm that arthropods lack cIFs. In Drosophila , transgenic hVim was unable to form filament networks in S2 cells and mesenchymal tissues; however, cage-like vimentin structures could be observed around the nuclei in internal epithelia, which suggests that Drosophila retains selective competence for filament formation. Taken together, our results imply that although the filament network formation competence is partially lost in Drosophila , a rudimentary filament network formation ability remains in epithelial cells. As a result of the observed selective competence for cIF assembly in Drosophila , we hypothesize that internal epithelial cIFs were the last cIFs to disappear from arthropods.-Gullmets, J., Torvaldson, E., Lindqvist, J., Imanishi, S. Y., Taimen, P., Meinander, A., Eriksson, J. E. Internal epithelia in Drosophila display rudimentary competence to form cytoplasmic networks of transgenic human vimentin. © FASEB.

Differential expression of intermediate filaments in the process of developing hepatic steatosis.

PubMed

Park, Jung-Eun; Kim, Hyun Tae; Lee, Sujin; Lee, Ye-Suk; Choi, Ung-Kyu; Kang, Jeong Han; Choi, Soo Young; Kang, Tae-Cheon; Choi, Myung-Sook; Kwon, Oh-Shin

2011-07-01

Obesity causes changes in fatty acid metabolism that consequently leads to fatty liver. To identify the possible proteins involved in the processes of obesity, we performed a proteomic analysis of obesity-induced mouse liver. Male C57BL/6J mice that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 wk, developed hepatic steatosis characterized by considerable increase in free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride levels. Body weights were measured weekly and other measurements at weeks 2, 6, 12, 16, and 24. 2-D-based proteomic analysis revealed that, compared with the normal diet (ND) (n=50), high-fat diet (n=50) changed the expression of 12 protein (8 up and 4 downregulated, by a 1.5× fold change and more, p<0.05). The most pronounced difference was observed in intermediate microfilament (IF) cytoskeleton proteins. In particular, vimentin (vim) as well as cytokeratins (CK-8 and CK-18) were significantly upregulated in obese animals. Moreover, the level of caspase-generated IF fragment was also positively correlated with the degree of steatosis. The results suggest a significant alteration in IF organization during the development of hepatic steatosis leading to inflammation. The expression profile of selected proteins including vim was validated by Western blot, microarray analysis, and hepatocyte morphology by immunohistochemistry. Our results suggest that vim, like CK-18, may be a useful marker for predicting obesity and liver disease. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Adolescent social isolation affects schizophrenia-like behavior and astrocyte biomarkers in the PFC of adult rats.

PubMed

Sun, Lan; Min, Li; Zhou, Hao; Li, Man; Shao, Feng; Wang, Weiwen

2017-08-30

Social isolation is regarded as a cause of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Animal models of schizophrenia are constructed by repeated early environment deprivation as an important paradigm to reveal its pathological mechanism. Male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to either social-rearing (SR) or isolated-rearing (IR) groups during postnatal days (PNDs) 21-34. On PND 56, all rats underwent behavioral testing including locomotor activity, anxiety-related behaviors in an open field and prepulse inhibition (PPI). Then, the rats were sacrificed and prefrontal cortex (PFC) tissues were separated for high-throughput proteomics analysis and Western blot validation. Rats of the IR group showed increased spontaneous locomotion, increased anxiety-like behavior and disrupted PPI compared with rats of the SR group. Based on proteomics analysis, a total of 124 PFC proteins were found to be significantly differentially expressed between the SR group and the IR group, the most remarkable of which were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Annexin A2 (ANXA2) and vimentin (VIM), three astrocyte biomarkers. Further Western blot measurement confirmed that the levels of GFAP, ANXA2 and VIM were increased significantly in IR rats. Adolescent social isolation induced schizophrenia-like behaviors and significantly different expression of 124 PFC proteins in adult rats, especially GFAP, ANXA2 and VIM, which suggests that astrocyte development might be involved in the neural mechanism of schizophrenia. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Investigation of yeast invertase immobilization onto cupric ion-chelated, porous, and biocompatible poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-n-vinyl imidazole) microspheres.

PubMed

Sari, Müfrettin Murat

2011-04-01

Cupric ion-chelated poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-n-vinyl imidazole) (poly(HEMA-VIM)) microspheres prepared by suspension polymerization were investigated as a specific adsorbent for immobilization of yeast invertase in a batch system. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, surface area, and pore size measurements. They have spherical shape and porous structure. The specific surface area of the p(HEMA-VIM) spheres was found to be 81.2 m²/g with a size range of 70-120 μm in diameter, and the swelling ratio was 86.9%. Then, Cu(II) ion chelated on the microspheres (546 μmol Cu(II)/g), and they were used in the invertase adsorption. Maximum invertase adsorption was 51.2 mg/g at pH 4.5. Cu(II) chelation increases the tendency from Freundlich-type to Langmuir-type adsorption model. The optimum activity for both free and adsorbed invertase was observed at pH 4.5. The optimum temperature for the poly(HEMA-VIM)/Cu(II)-invertase system was found to be at 55 °C, 10 °C higher than that of the free enzyme at 45 °C. V(max) values were determined as 342 and 304 U/mg enzyme, for free and adsorbed invertase, respectively. K(m) values were found to be same for free and adsorbed invertase (20 mM). Thermal and pH stability and reusability of invertase increased with immobilization.

Resistance to antibiotics in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Sevillano, E; Valderrey, C; Canduela, M J; Umaran, A; Calvo, F; Gallego, L

2006-01-01

To analyse the global resistance to some antibiotics used to treat nosocomial infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, specially to carbapenems, and its relationship with the presence of carbapenemases, OXA, VIM and IMP. The study included 229 P. aeruginosa isolates from a Hospital in Northern Spain (year 2002). Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined by the analysis of the MIC. Genetic typing was carried out by RAPD-PCR fingerprinting with primer ERIC-2. Genetic experiments to detect class-1 integrons were performed by PCR with primers 5'CS and 3'CS. Detection of carbapenemases was done by phenotypic (Hodge test and DDST) and genotypic methods (PCR with primers for imp, vim1, vim2 and oxa40 genes). 23.9% of isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, 35.9% to cefotaxime, 5.3% to amikacin, 54.9% to gentamicin, 14.6% to imipenem and 6.6% to meropenem. Isolates resistant to imipenem (33) were furtherly tested. Genetic typing didn't show clonal relatedness among the most of the isolates. Class-1 integrons were present in most isolates (sizes 600-1700 bp). Phenotypic methods for carbapenemases showed 5 positive isolates. Genotypic methods showed the presence of two isolates with the oxa40 gene. Meropenem, amikacin and imipenem were the most active agents to treat infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In our study, the presence of carbapenemase enzymes wasn't high. Phenotypic tests cannot be considered as accurate screening tool to detect carbapenemases. This is the fist report of the oxa40 gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

Distribution of icy particles across Enceladus' surface as derived from Cassini-VIMS measurements

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Hansen, G.B.; Clark, R.N.; Buratti, B.J.; Brown, R.H.; Baines, K.H.; Newman, S.F.; Bellucci, G.; Filacchione, G.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Griffith, C.A.; Hibbitts, C.A.; McCord, T.B.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sotin, Christophe; Wagner, R.

2008-01-01

The surface of Enceladus consists almost completely of water ice. As the band depths of water ice absorptions are sensitive to the size of particles, absorptions can be used to map variations of icy particles across the surface. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observed Enceladus with a high spatial resolution during three Cassini flybys in 2005 (orbits EN 003, EN 004 and EN 011). Based on these data we measured the band depths of water ice absorptions at 1.04, 1.25, 1.5, and 2 ??m. These band depths were compared to water ice models that represent theoretically calculated reflectance spectra for a range of particle diameters between 2 ??m and 1 mm. The agreement between the experimental (VIMS) and model values supports the assumption that pure water ice characterizes the surface of Enceladus and therefore that variations in band depth correspond to variations in water ice particle diameters. Our measurements show that the particle diameter of water ice increases toward younger tectonically altered surface units with the largest particles exposed in relatively "fresh" surface material. The smallest particles were generally found in old densely cratered terrains. The largest particles (???0.2 mm) are concentrated in the so called "tiger stripes" at the south pole. In general, the particle diameters are strongly correlated with geologic features and surface ages, indicating a stratigraphic evolution of the surface that is caused by cryovolcanic resurfacing and impact gardening. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Analysis of resistant genes of beta-lactam antibiotics from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in pediatric patients].

PubMed

Dong, Fang; Xu, Xi-wei; Song, Wen-qi; Lü, Ping; Yang, Yong-hong; Shen, Xu-zhuang

2008-11-18

To analyze the antibiotic resistance of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolated from pediatric patients and the resistant genes of beta-lactam antibiotics thereof. 146 PA strains were isolated from pediatric patients. Agar dilution method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute was used to examine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 12 antimicrobial agents, including the penicillins, third and fourth genet ration cephalosporins, carbapenemase, Aztreonam, beta-lactamase inhibitors, quinolones, and aminoglycosides. PCR was used to detect the expression of the genes TEM, SHV, OXA, PER, GES, CTX-M, IMP, VIM, DHA, MIR, FOX, and oprD2. The multi-drug resistance rates against different antibiotic were high among the 146 PA strains. The rates of imipenem and meropenem resistance were 41.1% and 35.6% respectively. Among the 146 PA strains, 46 (31.5%) were positive for the MBL genotype; 38 (82.6%) carried the blaIMP gene, 8 (17.4%) carried the blaVIM gene, and 114 (78.1%) were oprD2 negative. The genes TEM, SHV, OXA, CTX-M, PER, VEB, GES, FOX, MIR, and DHA were not found in all strains. Many PA isolated from pediatric patients carry the genes IMP or VIM and losses oprD2 gene related to the expression of the outer membrane porin OprD2. The loss of the gene oprD2 is essential mechanism of beta-lactam antibiotics resistance in PA.

Probing Saturn's tropospheric cloud with Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barstow, J. K.; Irwin, P. G. J.; Fletcher, L. N.; Giles, R. S.; Merlet, C.

2016-06-01

In its decade of operation the Cassini mission has allowed us to look deep into Saturn's atmosphere and investigate the processes occurring below its enshrouding haze. We use Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) 4.6-5.2 μm data from early in the mission to investigate the location and properties of Saturn's cloud structure between 0.6 and 5 bar. We average nightside spectra from 2006 over latitude circles and model the spectral limb darkening using the NEMESIS radiative transfer and retrieval tool. We present our best-fit deep cloud model for latitudes -40∘ < λ <50∘ , along with retrieved abundances for NH3, PH3 and AsH3. We find an increase in NH3 abundance at the equator, a cloud base at ∼2.3 bar and no evidence for cloud particles with strong absorption features in the 4.6-5.2 μm wavelength range, all of which are consistent with previous work. Non-scattering cloud models assuming a composition of either NH3 or NH4SH, with a scattering haze overlying, fit limb darkening curves and spectra at all latitudes well; the retrieved optical depth for the tropospheric haze is decreased in the northern (winter) hemisphere, implying that the haze has a photochemical origin. Our ability to test this hypothesis by examining spectra at different seasons is restricted by the varying geometry of VIMS observations over the life of the mission, and the appearance of the Saturn storm towards the end of 2010.

In vitro antibacterial activity of rifampicin in combination with imipenem, meropenem and doripenem against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Hu, Yi-Fan; Liu, Chang-Pan; Wang, Nai-Yu; Shih, Shou-Chuan

2016-08-24

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as one of the most important healthcare-associated pathogens. Colistin is regarded as the last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, but is associated with high rates of acute kidney injury. The aim of this in vitro study is to search for an alternative treatment to colistin for multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections. Multidrug and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were collected between January 2009 and December 2012 at MacKay Memorial Hospital. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for various antibiotic combinations. Carbapenemase-producing genes including bla VIM, other β-lactamase genes and porin mutations were screened by PCR and sequencing. The efficacy of carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, doripenem) with or without rifampicin was correlated with the type of porin mutation (frameshift mutation, premature stop codon mutation) in multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates without carbapenemase-producing genes. Of the 71 multidrug-resistant clinical P. aeruginosa isolates, only six harboured the bla VIM gene. Imipenem, meropenem and doripenem were significantly more effective (reduced fold-change of MICs) when combined with rifampicin in bla VIM-negative isolates, especially in isolates with porin frameshift mutation. Imipenem + rifampicin combination has a low MIC against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa, especially in isolates with porin frameshift mutation. The imipenem + rifampicin combination may provide an alternative treatment to colistin for multidrug -resistant P. aeruginosa infections, especially for patients with renal insufficiency.

Gait and Balance in Essential Tremor: Variable Effects of Bilateral Thalamic Stimulation

PubMed Central

Earhart, Gammon M.; Clark, B. Ruth; Tabbal, Samer D.; Perlmutter, Joel S.

2010-01-01

Essential tremor (ET) is a multi-faceted condition best known for postural and action tremor but also may include disordered gait and postural instability. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus provides substantial tremor reduction yet some patients with bilateral VIM DBS have gait and balance impairment. This study examines gait and balance performance in 13 participants with ET who have bilateral VIM DBS compared to a matched control group. Participants with ET were tested with their stimulators off (DBS OFF) and on (DBS ON). For both standard and tandem walking, participants with ET walked significantly more slowly than controls, with significantly lower cadence, spending a lower percentage of the gait cycle in single limb support and a higher percentage in double support compared to controls. Participants with ET also had significantly lower tandem and one leg stance times, Berg balance scores, balance confidence, and required significantly greater time to perform the Timed Up-and-Go relative to controls. There were no significant differences in any gait or balance measures in the DBS OFF versus DBS ON conditions, but the effects of DBS on gait and balance were highly variable among individuals. Future studies are needed to determine why some individuals experience gait and balance difficulties after bilateral thalamic DBS and others do not. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying gait and balance impairments in those with bilateral DBS is critical in order to reduce falls and fractures in this group. PMID:19006189

A close look at Saturn's rings with Cassini VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nicholson, P.D.; Hedman, M.M.; Clark, R.N.; Showalter, M.R.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Cuzzi, J.N.; Filacchione, G.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Hansen, G.B.; Sicardy, B.; Drossart, P.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Baines, K.H.; Coradini, A.

2008-01-01

Soon after the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft entered orbit about Saturn on 1 July 2004, its Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer obtained two continuous spectral scans across the rings, covering the wavelength range 0.35-5.1 ??m, at a spatial resolution of 15-25 km. The first scan covers the outer C and inner B rings, while the second covers the Cassini Division and the entire A ring. Comparisons of the VIMS radial reflectance profile at 1.08 ??m with similar profiles at a wavelength of 0.45 ??m assembled from Voyager images show very little change in ring structure over the intervening 24 years, with the exception of a few features already known to be noncircular. A model for single-scattering by a classical, many-particle-thick slab of material with normal optical depths derived from the Voyager photopolarimeter stellar occultation is found to provide an excellent fit to the observed VIMS reflectance profiles for the C ring and Cassini Division, and an acceptable fit for the inner B ring. The A ring deviates significantly from such a model, consistent with previous suggestions that this region may be closer to a monolayer. An additional complication here is the azimuthally-variable average optical depth associated with "self-gravity wakes" in this region and the fact that much of the A ring may be a mixture of almost opaque wakes and relatively transparent interwake zones. Consistently with previous studies, we find that the near-infrared spectra of all main ring regions are dominated by water ice, with a typical regolith grain radius of 5-20 ??m, while the steep decrease in visual reflectance shortward of 0.6 ??m is suggestive of an organic contaminant, perhaps tholin-like. Although no materials other than H2O ice have been identified with any certainty in the VIMS spectra of the rings, significant radial variations are seen in the strength of the water-ice absorption bands. Across the boundary between the C and B rings, over a radial range of ???7000 km, the near-IR band depths strengthen considerably. A very similar pattern is seen across the outer half of the Cassini Division and into the inner A ring, accompanied by a steepening of the red slope in the visible spectrum shortward of 0.55 ??m. We attribute these trends-as well as smaller-scale variations associated with strong density waves in the A ring-to differing grain sizes in the tholin-contaminated icy regolith that covers the surfaces of the decimeter-to-meter sized ring particles. On the largest scale, the spectral variations seen by VIMS suggest that the rings may be divided into two larger 'ring complexes,' with similar internal variations in structure, optical depth, particle size, regolith texture and composition. The inner complex comprises the C and B rings, while the outer comprises the Cassini Division and A ring. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abundâncias químicas de estrelas T Tauri fracas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rojas, G. A.; Gregorio-Hetem, J.

2003-08-01

Apresentamos resultados do estudo de 44 estrelas pré-seqüência principal, para as quais buscamos realizar uma classificação espectroscópica e determinar parâmetros estelares e abundâncias químicas. A amostra foi escolhida da seguinte maneira : 21 objetos selecionados a partir de catálogos de objetos jovens, como o Pico dos Dias Survey e o Herbig Bell Catalogue, e 23 objetos selecionados a partir de contrapartidas ópticas de fontes de raios X detectadas pelo satélite ROSAT. Dentre 24 objetos previamente classificados como estrelas T Tauri Fracas, apenas 7 revelaram ser realmente pertencentes à essa classe, sendo os demais objetos T Tauri Clássicas ou estrelas evoluídas da pré-seqüência principal. Esse resultado demonstra que o critério mais utilizado para distinguir as T Tauri Clássicas das T Tauri Fracas, baseado na largura equivelente da emissão Ha, não é suficiente para determinar o estágio evolutivo desses objetos. Para o cálculo de parâmetros estelares e abundâncias, foram escolhidas as estrelas que apresentam características ideais para esse tipo de estudo, como ausência de velamento, baixa velocidade de rotação e espectros com razão sinal-ruído adequada. Os parâmetros estelares como temperatura efetiva e gravidade foram determinados através do equilíbrio de excitação e ionização das linhas de Ferro, e as abundâncias químicas foram calculadas utilizando o método de síntese espectral. Serão apresentados os parâmetros estelares e as abundâncias de Lítio para toda a amostra, e abundâncias de vários elementos quimicos para 7 estrelas estudadas em maior detalhe

Missing data exploration: highlighting graphical presentation of missing pattern

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Functions shipped with R base can fulfill many tasks of missing data handling. However, because the data volume of electronic medical record (EMR) system is always very large, more sophisticated methods may be helpful in data management. The article focuses on missing data handling by using advanced techniques. There are three types of missing data, that is, missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR) and not missing at random (NMAR). This classification system depends on how missing values are generated. Two packages, Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE) and Visualization and Imputation of Missing Values (VIM), provide sophisticated functions to explore missing data pattern. In particular, the VIM package is especially helpful in visual inspection of missing data. Finally, correlation analysis provides information on the dependence of missing data on other variables. Such information is useful in subsequent imputations. PMID:26807411

Specular reflection on Titan: Liquids in Kraken Mare

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf; Brown, Robert H.; Soderblom, Jason M.; Soderblom, Laurence A.; Barnes, Jason W.; Sotin, Christophe; Griffith, Caitlin A.; Kirk, Randolph L.; Baines, Kevin H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger N.; Lytle, Dyer M.; Nelson, Robert M.; Nicholson, Phillip D.

2010-01-01

After more than 50 close flybys of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, it has become evident that features similar in morphology to terrestrial lakes and seas exist in Titan's polar regions. As Titan progresses into northern spring, the much more numerous and larger lakes and seas in the north-polar region suggested by Cassini RADAR data, are becoming directly illuminated for the first time since the arrival of the Cassini spacecraft. This allows the Cassini optical instruments to search for specular reflections to provide further confirmation that liquids are present in these evident lakes. On July 8, 2009 Cassini VIMS detected a specular reflection in the north-polar region of Titan associated with Kraken Mare, one of Titan's large, presumed seas, indicating the lake's surface is smooth and free of scatterers with respect to the wavelength of 5 μm, where VIMS detected the specular signal, strongly suggesting it is liquid.

EMT and EGFR in CTCs cytokeratin negative non-metastatic breast cancer

PubMed Central

Alvarez-Cubero, Maria J.; Nadal, Rosa; Sanchez-Rovira, Pedro; Salido, Marta; Rodríguez, María; García-Puche, Jose L.; Delgado-Rodriguez, Miguel; Solé, Francisco; García, Maria A.; Perán, Macarena; Rosell, Rafael; Marchal, Juan A.; Lorente, Jose A.

2014-01-01

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are frequently associated with epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT). The objective of this study was to detect EMT phenotype through Vimentin (VIM) and Slug expression in cytokeratin (CK)-negative CTCs in non-metastatic breast cancer patients and to determine the importance of EGFR in the EMT phenomenon. In CK-negative CTCs samples, both VIM and Slug markers were co-expressed in the most of patients. Among patients EGFR+, half of them were positive for these EMT markers. Furthermore, after a systemic treatment 68% of patients switched from CK- to CK+ CTCs. In our experimental model we found that activation of EGFR signaling by its ligand on MCF-7 cells is sufficient to increase EMT phenotypes, to inhibit apoptotic events and to induce the loss of CK expression. The simultaneous detection of both EGFR and EMT markers in CTCs may improve prognostic or predictive information in patients with operable breast cancer. PMID:25277187

Reduction of vortex induced forces and motion through surface roughness control

DOEpatents

Bernitsas, Michael M; Raghavan, Kamaldev

2014-04-01

Roughness is added to the surface of a bluff body in a relative motion with respect to a fluid. The amount, size, and distribution of roughness on the body surface is controlled passively or actively to modify the flow around the body and subsequently the Vortex Induced Forces and Motion (VIFM). The added roughness, when designed and implemented appropriately, affects in a predetermined way the boundary layer, the separation of the boundary layer, the level of turbulence, the wake, the drag and lift forces, and consequently the Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), and the fluid-structure interaction. The goal of surface roughness control is to decrease/suppress Vortex Induced Forces and Motion. Suppression is required when fluid-structure interaction becomes destructive as in VIM of flexible cylinders or rigid cylinders on elastic support, such as underwater pipelines, marine risers, tubes in heat exchangers, nuclear fuel rods, cooling towers, SPAR offshore platforms.

Photometric changes on Saturn's Titan: Evidence for active cryovolcanism

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, R.M.; Kamp, L.W.; Lopes, R.M.C.; Matson, D.L.; Kirk, R.L.; Hapke, B.W.; Wall, S.D.; Boryta, M.D.; Leader, F.E.; Smythe, W.D.; Mitchell, K.L.; Baines, K.H.; Jaumann, R.; Sotin, Christophe; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Lunine, J.I.; Combes, M.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Coradini, A.; Formisano, V.; Filacchione, G.; Langevin, Y.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Irwin, P.G.J.; Pearl, J.C.

2009-01-01

We report infrared spectrophotometric variability on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan detected in images returned by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini Saturn Orbiter. The changes were observed at 7??S, 138??W and occurred between October 27, 2005 and January 15, 2006. After that date the surface was unchanged until the most recent observation, March 18, 2006. We previously reported spectrophotometric variability at another location (26??S, 78??W). Cassini Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) images find that the surface morphology at both locations is consistent with surface flows possibly resulting from cryovolcanic activity (Wall et al., companion paper, this issue). The VIMS-reported time variability and SAR morphology results suggest that Titan currently exhibits intermittent surface changes consistent with present ongoing surface processes. We suggest that these processes involve material from Titan's interior being extruded or effiised and deposited on the surface, as might be expected from cryovolcanism. ?? 2009.

A preliminary mechanical property and stress corrosion evaluation of VIM-VAR work strengthened and direct aged Inconel 718 bar material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montano, J. W.

1987-01-01

This report presents a preliminary mechanical property and stress corrosion evaluation of double melted (vacuum induction melted (VIM), and vacuum arc remelted (VAR)), solution treated, work strengthened and direct aged Inconel 718 alloy bar (5.50 in. (13.97 cm) diameter). Two sets of tensile specimens, one direct single aged and the other direct double aged, were tested at ambient temperature in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Longitudinal tensile and yield strengths in excess of 200 ksi (1378.96 MPa) and 168 ksi (1158.33 MPa), respectively, were realized at ambient temperature, for the direct double aged specimen. No failures occurred in the single or double edged longitudinal and transverse tensile specimens stressed to 75 and 100 percent of their respective yield strengths and exposed to a salt fog environment for 180 days. Tensile tests performed after the stress corrosion test showed no mechanical property degradation.

Cassini/VIMS hyperspectral observations of the HUYGENS landing site on Titan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodriguez, S.; Le, Mouelic S.; Sotin, Christophe; Clenet, H.; Clark, R.N.; Buratti, B.; Brown, R.H.; McCord, T.B.; Nicholson, P.D.; Baines, K.H.

2006-01-01

Titan is one of the primary scientific objectives of the NASA-ESA-ASI Cassini-Huygens mission. Scattering by haze particles in Titan's atmosphere and numerous methane absorptions dramatically veil Titan's surface in the visible range, though it can be studied more easily in some narrow infrared windows. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument onboard the Cassini spacecraft successfully imaged its surface in the atmospheric windows, taking hyperspectral images in the range 0.4-5.2 ??m. On 26 October (TA flyby) and 13 December 2004 (TB flyby), the Cassini-Huygens mission flew over Titan at an altitude lower than 1200 km at closest approach. We report here on the analysis of VIMS images of the Huygens landing site acquired at TA and TB, with a spatial resolution ranging from 16 to14.4 km/pixel. The pure atmospheric backscattering component is corrected by using both an empirical method and a first-order theoretical model. Both approaches provide consistent results. After the removal of scattering, ratio images reveal subtle surface heterogeneities. A particularly contrasted structure appears in ratio images involving the 1.59 and 2.03 ??m images north of the Huygens landing site. Although pure water ice cannot be the only component exposed at Titan's surface, this area is consistent with a local enrichment in exposed water ice and seems to be consistent with DISR/Huygens images and spectra interpretations. The images show also a morphological structure that can be interpreted as a 150 km diameter impact crater with a central peak. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by D-kynurenine via activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

PubMed

Duan, Zhiqing; Li, Yan; Li, Lu

2018-02-13

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is believed to play key roles in the process of cancer metastasis. The molecular changes during EMT are characterized by the down-regulation of epithelial proteins, such as E-cadherin, and the up-regulation of mesenchymal proteins, such as vimentin (VIM). It has been demonstrated that L-kynurenine (L-Kyn), a physiological ligand of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), promotes cancer cells to metastasize. However, the effects of D-enantiomer of kynurenine, D-kynurenine (D-Kyn), on metastasis are still unclear. In the present paper, we firstly confirmed that D-Kyn (10, 40, 60, and 100 µM) positively regulated the metastasis of 95D cells, a lung cancer cell line, which was reduced upon siRNA Ahr treatment. Moreover, significant enhancement VIM expression was detected in the presence of D-Kyn (10 and 40 µM). In contrast, 10 µM D-Kyn markedly attenuated E-cadherin level. Additionally, 10 µM D-Kyn-mediated changes of VIM and E-cadherin were substantially attenuated on siRNA Ahr treatment as well. Most importantly, the evidences-10/40 µM D-Kyn-induced up-regulation of CYP1A1, 10 µM D-Kyn-induced increase of nuclear transfer of Ahr, and 10/40/60/100 µM D-Kyn-induced enhancement of DER-luciferase activity-indicated that D-Kyn was capable of activating Ahr in fact. These results suggest that D-Kyn increases lung cancer cells to metastasize by activating Ahr.

Molecular detection of metallo-β-lactamase genes, bla IMP-1, bla VIM-2 and bla SPM-1 in imipenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz, Iran.

PubMed

Moosavian, Mojtaba; Rahimzadeh, Mohammad

2015-02-01

Carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious cause of nosocomial infections. The main purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence rate of imipenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL) genes. 236 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were collected from teaching hospitals of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences during a period of 9 months in 2012. These strains were identified using conventional microbiological tests. The susceptibility of isolates to antibiotics were assessed using disk diffusion test. The IMP-EDTA combination disk phenotypic test was performed for detection of MBL producing strains. Finally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect MBL genes, bla IMP-1, bla VIM-2 and bla SPM-1 in imipenem resistant strains. Out of 236 examined isolates, 122 isolates (51.4%) were resistant to imipenem. The IMP-EDTA combination test showed that among 122 imipenem resistant strains, 110 strains (90%) were phenotipically MBL producers. Additionally, the results of PCR method showed that 2 strains (1.6%) and 67strains (55%) of imipenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates contained bla VIM-2 and bla IMP-1 genes respectively. No SPM-1gene was found in the examined samples. Resistance of P. aeruginosa isolates to imipenem due to MBL enzymes is increasing in Ahavaz. Because of clinical significance of this kind of resistance, rapid detection of MBL producing strains and followed by appropriate treatment is necessary to prevent the spreading of these organisms.

Subcortical neuronal ensembles: an analysis of motor task association, tremor, oscillations, and synchrony in human patients.

PubMed

Hanson, Timothy L; Fuller, Andrew M; Lebedev, Mikhail A; Turner, Dennis A; Nicolelis, Miguel A L

2012-06-20

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has expanded as an effective treatment for motor disorders, providing a valuable opportunity for intraoperative recording of the spiking activity of subcortical neurons. The properties of these neurons and their potential utility in neuroprosthetic applications are not completely understood. During DBS surgeries in 25 human patients with either essential tremor or Parkinson's disease, we acutely recorded the single-unit activity of 274 ventral intermediate/ventral oralis posterior motor thalamus (Vim/Vop) neurons and 123 subthalamic nucleus (STN) neurons. These subcortical neuronal ensembles (up to 23 neurons sampled simultaneously) were recorded while the patients performed a target-tracking motor task using a cursor controlled by a haptic glove. We observed that modulations in firing rate of a substantial number of neurons in both Vim/Vop and STN represented target onset, movement onset/direction, and hand tremor. Neurons in both areas exhibited rhythmic oscillations and pairwise synchrony. Notably, all tremor-associated neurons exhibited synchrony within the ensemble. The data further indicate that oscillatory (likely pathological) neurons and behaviorally tuned neurons are not distinct but rather form overlapping sets. Whereas previous studies have reported a linear relationship between power spectra of neuronal oscillations and hand tremor, we report a nonlinear relationship suggestive of complex encoding schemes. Even in the presence of this pathological activity, linear models were able to extract motor parameters from ensemble discharges. Based on these findings, we propose that chronic multielectrode recordings from Vim/Vop and STN could prove useful for further studying, monitoring, and even treating motor disorders.

Identifying DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Non-Endoscopic Detection of Barrett’s Esophagus

PubMed Central

Moinova, Helen R.; LaFramboise, Thomas; Lutterbaugh, James D.; Chandar, Apoorva Krishna; Dumot, John; Faulx, Ashley; Brock, Wendy; De la Cruz Cabrera, Omar; Guda, Kishore; Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill S.; Iyer, Prasad G.; Canto, Marcia I.; Wang, Jean S.; Shaheen, Nicholas J.; Thota, Prashanti N.; Willis, Joseph E.; Chak, Amitabh; Markowitz, Sanford D.

2018-01-01

We report a biomarker-based non-endoscopic method for detecting Barrett’s esophagus (BE), based on detecting methylated DNAs retrieved via a swallowable balloon-based esophageal sampling device. BE is the precursor of, and a major recognized risk factor for, developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Endoscopy, the current standard for BE detection, is not cost-effective for population screening. We performed genome-wide screening to ascertain regions targeted for recurrent aberrant cytosine methylation in BE, identifying high-frequency methylation within the CCNA1 locus. We tested CCNA1 DNA methylation as a BE biomarker in cytology brushings of the distal esophagus from 173 individuals with or without BE. CCNA1 DNA methylation demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC)=0.95 for discriminating BE-related metaplasia and neoplasia cases versus normal individuals, performing identically to methylation of VIM DNA, an established BE biomarker. When combined, the resulting two biomarker panel was 95% sensitive and 91% specific. These results were replicated in an independent validation cohort of 149 individuals, who were assayed using the same cutoff values for test positivity established in the training population. To progress toward non-endoscopic esophageal screening, we engineered a well-tolerated, swallowable, encapsulated balloon device able to selectively sample the distal esophagus within 5 minutes. In balloon samples from 86 individuals, tests of CCNA1 plus VIM DNA methylation detected BE metaplasia with 90.3% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity. Combining the balloon sampling device with molecular assays of CCNA1 plus VIM DNA methylation enables an efficient, well-tolerated, sensitive, and specific method of screening at-risk populations for BE. PMID:29343623

The Distribution of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in the Fresh and Oligohaline Tidal Potomac River, 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rybicki, Nancy B.; Yoon, Sarah N.; Schenk, Edward R.; Baldizar, Julie B.

2007-01-01

Introduction Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical component of the Potomac River ecosystem. Though SAV provides important habitat for fauna and stabilizes bottom sediment, very dense beds may restrict recreational and commercial navigation. Exotic species of SAV are managed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Potomac Aquatic Plant Management Program (PAPMP). Selected beds of exotic SAV species that limit navigation are harvested mechanically. The program began in 1986 when approximately 40 acres of plants were harvested from 18 sites (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 1987). Monitoring efforts are an effective means of quantifying the distribution and abundance of the exotic species, Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla) and other SAV species. These annual surveys provide a basis for identifying large-scale changes throughout the ecosystem and allow managers to evaluate the effectiveness of resource management policies based on a reliable scientific foundation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has monitored the distribution and composition of SAV beds in the fresh and oligohaline (salinity 0.5 to 5) tidal Potomac River since 1978 using transect sampling (1978 to 1981, 1985 to 1987, and 2002) and shoreline surveys (1983 to 2004). Shoreline survey data from the tidal Potomac River are incorporated into the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) annual report on SAV distribution in Chesapeake Bay. The VIMS report and methods are available at http://www.vims.edu/bio/sav. Additional publications concerning SAV distribution in the Potomac River can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/proj.bib/sav/wethome.htm.

Spectroscopy, morphometry, and photoclinometry of Titan's dunefields from Cassini/VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.; Sotin, Christophe; Le, Mouelic S.; Rodriguez, S.; Jaumann, R.; Beyer, R.A.; Buratti, B.J.; Pitman, K.; Baines, K.H.; Clark, R.; Nicholson, P.

2008-01-01

Fine-resolution (500 m/pixel) Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) T20 observations of Titan resolve that moon's sand dunes. The spectral variability in some dune regions shows that there are sand-free interdune areas, wherein VIMS spectra reveal the exposed dune substrate. The interdunes from T20 are, variously, materials that correspond to the equatorial bright, 5-??m-bright, and dark blue spectral units. Our observations show that an enigmatic "dark red" spectral unit seen in T5 in fact represents a macroscopic mixture with 5-??m-bright material and dunes as its spectral endmembers. Looking more broadly, similar mixtures of varying amounts of dune and interdune units of varying composition can explain the spectral and albedo variability within the dark brown dune global spectral unit that is associated with dunes. The presence of interdunes indicates that Titan's dunefields are both mature and recently active. The spectrum of the dune endmember reveals the sand to be composed of less water ice than the rest of Titan; various organics are consistent with the dunes' measured reflectivity. We measure a mean dune spacing of 2.1 km, and find that the dunes are oriented on the average in an east-west direction, but angling up to 10?? from parallel to the equator in specific cases. Where no interdunes are present, we determine the height of one set of dunes photoclinometrically to be between 30 and 70 m. These results pave the way for future exploration and interpretation of Titan's sand dunes. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: recent trends and future direction.

PubMed

Fukaya, Chikashi; Yamamoto, Takamitsu

2015-01-01

To date, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has already been performed on more than 120,000 patients worldwide and in more than 7,000 patients in Japan. However, fundamental understanding of DBS effects on the pathological neural circuitry remains insufficient. Recent studies have specifically shown the importance of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loops, which were identified as functionally and anatomically discrete units. Three main circuits exist in the CSTC loops, namely, the motor, associative, and limbic circuits. From these theoretical backgrounds, it is determined that DBS sometimes influences not only motor functions but also the cognitive and affective functions of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The main targets of DBS for PD are subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi). Ventralis intermedius (Vim)-DBS was found to be effective in improving tremor. However, Vim-DBS cannot sufficiently improve akinesia and rigidity. Therefore, Vim-DBS is seldom carried out for the treatment of PD. In this article, we review the present state of DBS, mainly STN-DBS and GPi-DBS, for PD. In the first part of the article, appropriate indications and practical effects established in previous studies are discussed. The findings of previous investigations on the complications caused by the surgical procedure and on the adverse events induced by DBS itself are reviewed. In the second part, we discuss target selection (GPi vs. STN) and the effect of DBS on nonmotor symptoms. In the final part, as issues that should be resolved, the suitable timing of surgery, symptoms unresponsive to DBS such as on-period axial symptoms, and the related postoperative programing of stimulation parameters, are discussed.

Peering Through Titan Haze

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-12-04

This composite image shows an infrared view of Saturn's moon Titan from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, acquired during the mission's "T-114" flyby on Nov. 13, 2015. The spacecraft's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) instrument made these observations, in which blue represents wavelengths centered at 1.3 microns, green represents 2.0 microns, and red represents 5.0 microns. A view at visible wavelengths (centered around 0.5 microns) would show only Titan's hazy atmosphere (as in PIA14909). The near-infrared wavelengths in this image allow Cassini's vision to penetrate the haze and reveal the moon's surface. During this Titan flyby, the spacecraft's closest-approach altitude was 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers), which is considerably higher than those of typical flybys, which are around 750 miles (1,200 kilometers). The high flyby allowed VIMS to gather moderate-resolution views over wide areas (typically at a few kilometers per pixel). The view looks toward terrain that is mostly on the Saturn-facing hemisphere of Titan. The scene features the parallel, dark, dune-filled regions named Fensal (to the north) and Aztlan (to the south), which form the shape of a sideways letter "H." Several places on the image show the surface at higher resolution than elsewhere. These areas, called subframes, show more detail because they were acquired near closest approach. They have finer resolution, but cover smaller areas than data obtained when Cassini was farther away from Titan. Near the limb at left, above center, is the best VIMS view so far of Titan's largest confirmed impact crater, Menrva (first seen by the RADAR instrument in PIA07365). Similarly detailed subframes show eastern Xanadu, the basin Hotei Regio, and channels within bright terrains east of Xanadu. (For Titan maps with named features see http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/TITAN/target.) Due to the changing Saturnian seasons, in this late northern spring view, the illumination is significantly changed from that seen by VIMS during the "T-9" flyby on December 26, 2005 (PIA02145). The sun has moved higher in the sky in Titan's northern hemisphere, and lower in the sky in the south, as northern summer approaches. This change in the sun's angle with respect to Titan's surface has made high southern latitudes appear darker, while northern latitudes appear brighter. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20016

Saturn's icy satellites investigated by Cassini-VIMS. I. Full-disk properties: 350-5100 nm reflectance spectra and phase curves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Filacchione, G.; Capaccioni, F.; McCord, T.B.; Coradini, A.; Cerroni, P.; Bellucci, G.; Tosi, F.; D'Aversa, E.; Formisano, V.; Brown, R.H.; Baines, K.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Combes, M.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; Mennella, V.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Hansen, G.; Hibbitts, K.; Showalter, M.; Newman, S.

2007-01-01

Saturn's icy satellites are among the main scientific objectives of the Cassini-VIMS (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) experiment. This paper contains a first systematic and comparative analysis of the full-disk spectral properties of Dione, Enceladus, Epimetheus, Hyperion, Iapetus, Mimas, Phoebe, Rhea and Tethys as observed by VIMS from July 2004 to June 2005. The disk integrated properties (350-5100 nm reflectance spectra and phase curves at 550-2232 nm) and images of satellites are reported and discussed in detail together with the observed geometry. In general, the spectra in the visible spectral range are almost featureless and can be classified according to the spectral slopes: from the bluish Enceladus and Phoebe to the redder Iapetus, Hyperion and Epimetheus. In the 1000-1300 nm range the spectra of Enceladus, Tethys, Mimas and Rhea are characterized by a negative slope, consistent with a surface largely dominated by water ice, while the spectra of Iapetus, Hyperion and Phoebe show a considerable reddening pointing out the relevant role played by darkening materials present on the surface. In between these two classes are Dione and Epimetheus, which have a flat spectrum in this range. The main absorption bands identified in the infrared are the 1520, 2020, 3000 nm H2O/OH bands (for all satellites), although Iapetus dark terrains show mostly a deep 3000 nm band while the 1520 and 2020 nm bands are very faint. In this spectral range, the Iapetus spectrum is characterized by a strong reddening. The CO2 band at 4260 nm and the Fresnel ice peak around 3100 nm are evident only on Hyperion, Phoebe and Iapetus. The phase curves at 550 and at 2232 nm are reported for all the available observations in the 0??-144?? range; Rhea shows an opposition surge at visible wavelengths in the 0.5??-1.17?? interval. The improvement on the retrieval of the full-disk reflectance spectra can be appreciated by a direct comparison with ground-based telescopic data available from literature. Finally, data processing strategies and recent upgrades introduced in the VIMS-V calibration pipeline (flat-field and destriping-despiking algorithm) are discussed in appendices. ?? 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Saturn's icy satellites investigated by Cassini-VIMS. II. Results at the end of nominal mission

USGS Publications Warehouse

Filacchione, G.; Capaccioni, F.; Clark, R.N.; Cuzzi, J.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Coradini, A.; Cerroni, P.; Nicholson, P.D.; McCord, T.B.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Tosi, F.; Nelson, R.M.; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.

2010-01-01

We report the detailed analysis of the spectrophotometric properties of Saturn's icy satellites as derived by full-disk observations obtained by visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) experiment aboard Cassini. In this paper, we have extended the coverage until the end of the Cassini's nominal mission (June 1st 2008), while a previous paper (Filacchione, G., and 28 colleagues [2007]. Icarus 186, 259-290, hereby referred to as Paper I) reported the preliminary results of this study. During the four years of nominal mission, VIMS has observed the entire population of Saturn's icy satellites allowing us to make a comparative analysis of the VIS-NIR spectral properties of the major satellites (Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Hyperion, Iapetus) and irregular moons (Atlas, Prometheus, Pandora, Janus, Epimetheus, Telesto, Calypso, Phoebe). The results we discuss here are derived from the entire dataset available at June 2008 which consists of 1417 full-disk observations acquired from a variety of distances and inclinations from the equatorial plane, with different phase angles and hemispheric coverage. The most important spectrophotometric indicators (as defined in Paper I: I/F continua at 0.55 ??m, 1.822 ??m and 3.547 ??m, visible spectral slopes, water and carbon dioxide bands depths and positions) are calculated for each observation in order to investigate the disk-integrated composition of the satellites, the distribution of water ice respect to "contaminants" abundances and typical regolith grain properties. These quantities vary from the almost pure water ice surfaces of Enceladus and Calypso to the organic and carbon dioxide rich Hyperion, Iapetus and Phoebe. Janus visible colors are intermediate between these two classes having a slightly positive spectral slope. These results could help to decipher the origins and evolutionary history of the minor moons of the Saturn's system. We introduce a polar representation of the spectrophotometric parameters as function of the solar phase angle (along radial distance) and of the effective longitude interval illuminated by the Sun and covered by VIMS during the observation (in azimuth) to better investigate the spatial distribution of the spectrophotometric quantities across the regular satellites hemispheres. Finally, we report the observed spectral positions of the 4.26 ??m band of the carbon dioxide present in the surface material of three outermost moons Hyperion, Iapetus and Phoebe. ?? 2009 Elsevier Inc.

Correlations between Cassini VIMS spectra and RADAR SAR images: Implications for Titan's surface composition and the character of the Huygens Probe Landing Site

USGS Publications Warehouse

Soderblom, L.A.; Kirk, R.L.; Lunine, J.I.; Anderson, J.A.; Baines, K.H.; Barnes, J.W.; Barrett, J.M.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Elachi, C.; Janssen, M.A.; Jaumann, R.; Karkoschka, E.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Lopes, R.M.; Lorenz, R.D.; McCord, T.B.; Nicholson, P.D.; Radebaugh, J.; Rizk, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Stofan, E.R.; Sucharski, T.L.; Tomasko, M.G.; Wall, S.D.

2007-01-01

Titan's vast equatorial fields of RADAR-dark longitudinal dunes seen in Cassini RADAR synthetic aperture images correlate with one of two dark surface units discriminated as "brown" and "blue" in Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) color composites of short-wavelength infrared spectral cubes (RGB as 2.0, 1.6, 1.3 ??m). In such composites bluer materials exhibit higher reflectance at 1.3 ??m and lower at 1.6 and 2.0 ??m. The dark brown unit is highly correlated with the RADAR-dark dunes. The dark brown unit shows less evidence of water ice suggesting that the saltating grains of the dunes are largely composed of hydrocarbons and/or nitriles. In general, the bright units also show less evidence of absorption due to water ice and are inferred to consist of deposits of bright fine precipitating tholin aerosol dust. Some set of chemical/mechanical processes may be converting the bright fine-grained aerosol deposits into the dark saltating hydrocarbon and/or nitrile grains. Alternatively the dark dune materials may be derived from a different type of air aerosol photochemical product than are the bright materials. In our model, both the bright aerosol and dark hydrocarbon dune deposits mantle the VIMS dark blue water ice-rich substrate. We postulate that the bright mantles are effectively invisible (transparent) in RADAR synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images leading to lack of correlation in the RADAR images with optically bright mantling units. RADAR images mostly show only dark dunes and the water ice substrate that varies in roughness, fracturing, and porosity. If the rate of deposition of bright aerosol is 0.001-0.01 ??m/yr, the surface would be coated (to optical instruments) in hundreds-to-thousands of years unless cleansing processes are active. The dark dunes must be mobile on this very short timescale to prevent the accumulation of bright coatings. Huygens landed in a region of the VIMS bright and dark blue materials and about 30 km south of the nearest occurrence of dunes visible in the RADAR SAR images. Fluvial/pluvial processes, every few centuries or millennia, must be cleansing the dark floors of the incised channels and scouring the dark plains at the Huygens landing site both imaged by Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR). ?? 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Case for Massive and Ancient Rings of Saturn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esposito, Larry W.

2016-10-01

Analysis of Voyager and Pioneer 11 results give a mass for Saturn's rings, M = 5 x 10-8 Msat. This is about the mass of Saturn's small moon Mimas. This has been interpreted as a lower limit to the ring mass (Esposito et al 1983), since the thickest parts of the rings were not penetrated by the stellar occultstion, and this calculation assumes an unvarying particle size throughout the rings. Because the rings are constantly bombarded by micrometeroids, their current composition of nearly pure water ice implies such low mass rings must have formed recently. The case is particularly strong for Saturn's A ring, where the data are the best, implying the A ring is less than 10% of the age of the Saturn (Esposito 1986). Cassini results compound this problem. UVIS spectra are consistent with either young rings or rings about 10x as massive as the Voyager estimate (Elliott and Esposito (2011). CDA confirms the impacting mass flux is similar to that assumed for the pollution calculations (Kempf etal 2015). VIMS analysis of density wave signatures in the B ring gives a value of about 1/3 the Voyager value (Hedmann etal 2016). This VIMS result implies the rings are even younger! The problem is that young rings are very unlikely to be formed recently, meaning that we live in a very special epoch, following some unlikely recent origin… like disruption of a medium sized moon or capture of the fragments of a disrupted comet (Charnoz etal 2009).To take the VIMS results at face value, Saturn's low mass rings must be very young. The optically thick B ring must be made of small, porous or fractal particles. An alternative is that we accept the higher mass interpretation of the Pioneer 11 results (Esposito etal 2008) using the granola bar model of Colwell etal 2007. This would imply that the density wave structure seen by VIMS is not sensing all the mass in the rings, where structure near strong resonances is dominted by temporary aggregates, and where non-linear effects cause the particles to jam (Lewis and Stewart 2009). The density waves may be seeing the mass density in the gaps between self-gravity wakes, whose optical depth is roughly contant and considerably lower than the total B ring opacity (Colwell etal 2007).

Does Titan have an Active Surface?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, R.

2009-12-01

Robert M. Nelson-1, L. W. Kamp-1, R. M. C. Lopes-1, D. L. Matson-1, R. L. Kirk-2, B. W. Hapke-3, M. D. Boryta-4, F. E. Leader-1, W. D. Smythe-1, K. L. Mitchell-1, K. H. Baines-1, R. Jaumann-5, C. Sotin-1, R. N. Clark-6, D. P. Cruikshank-7 , P. Drossart-8, J. I. Lunine-9, M. Combes-10, G. Bellucci-11, J.-P. Bibring-12, F. Capaccioni-11, P. Cerroni-11, A. Coradini-11, V. Formisano-11, G. Filacchione-11, Y. Langevin-12, T. B. McCord-13, V. Mennella-14, B. Sicardy-8, P. G. J. Irwin-15 ,J.C. Pearl-16 1-JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena CA 91109;2-USGS, Flagstaff; 3-U Pittsburgh; 4-Mt. San Antonio College; 5-DLR, Berlin;6-USGS Denver; 7-NASA AMES; 8-U Paris-Meudon; 9-U Arizona; 10- Obs de Paris; 11-INAF-ISAF Rome; 12-U Paris -Sud. Orsay; 13-Bear Flt Cntr. Winthrop WA;14-Obs Capodimonte Naples; 15-Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford, UK, 16-Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt MD Surface changes on Saturn’s moon Titan have been reported during the Cassini spacecraft’s four-year orbital tour of the Saturnian system based on Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data [1]. Titan’s surface is hard to observe because it’s atmosphere is opaque at visual wavelengths due to absorption by methane in Titan’s atmosphere. VIMS is able to image the surface through “windows” at infrared wavelengths where the methane is relatively transparent [1,2]. VIMS infrared images find surface reflectance variability at Hotei Reggio (26S,78W) and suggest that the variability might be due to deposition, followed by coverage or dissipation, of ammonia frost. Subsequently, Cassini RADAR images found that Hotei Reggio, has lobate “flow” forms, consistent with the morphology of volcanic terrain [3]. Here we report the discovery of lobate “flow” patterns at Hotei Reggio based on VIMS infrared images taken during Cassini close flybys during 2008-2009. This new evidence is consistent with the suggestion that the brightness variability at Hotei Reggio is associated with ammonia, a compound expected in Titan’s interior. This, combined with the previous evidence from VIMS and RADAR images, creates a strong case for Titan having a presently active surface, possibly due to cryovolcanism. Cassini encountered Titan at very close range on 2008-11-19-13:58 and again on 2008-12-05-12:38. These epochs are called T47 and T48. Comparison of earlier lower resolution data (T5) with the recent T47 and T48 data reveal changes of the surface reflectance and morphology in the Hotei region. This is the first evidence from VIMS that confirms the RADAR report that Hotei Reggio has morphology consistent with volcanic terrain. It has not escaped our attention that ammonia, in association with methane and nitrogen, the principal species of Titan’s atmosphere, closely replicates the environment at the time that live first emerged on earth. If Titan is currently active then these results raise the following questions: What is the full extent of current geologic activity? What are the ongoing processes? Are Titan’s chemical processes today supporting a prebiotic chemistry similar to that under which life evolved on Earth? This work done at JPL under contract with NASA. Refs: [1]R. M. Nelson et al., Icarus 199 (2009) 429-441. [2]R. M. Nelson et al., GRL, VOL. 36, L04202, doi:10.1029/2008GL036206, 2009. [3]S. D. Wall GRL, VOL. 36, L04203, doi:10.1029/2008GL036415, 2009

Spectroscopic classification of icy satellites of Saturn I: Identification of terrain units on Dione

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scipioni, F.; Tosi, F.; Stephan, K.; Filacchione, G.; Ciarniello, M.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.

2013-11-01

Dione is one of the largest and densest icy satellites of Saturn. Its surface shows a marked asymmetry between its leading and trailing hemispheres, the leading side being brighter than the trailing side, which shows regions mantled by a dark veneer whose origin is likely exogenic. In order to identify different terrain units we applied the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification technique to Dione’s hyperspectral images acquired by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini Orbiter in the infrared range (0.88-5.12 μm). On a relatively limited portion of the surface of Dione we first identified nine spectral endmembers, corresponding to as many terrain units, which mostly distinguish for water ice abundance and ice grain size. We then used these endmembers in SAM to achieve a comprehensive classification of the entire surface. The analysis of the infrared spectra returned by VIMS shows that different regions of Dione have variations in water ice bands depths, in average ice grain size, and in the concentration of contaminants, such as CO2 and hydrocarbons, which are clearly connected to morphological and geological structures. Generally, the spectral units that classify optically dark terrains are those showing suppressed water ice bands, a finer ice grain size and a higher concentration of carbon dioxide. Conversely, spectral units labeling brighter regions have deeper water ice absorption bands, higher albedo and a smaller concentration of contaminants. We also considered VIMS cubes of the small satellite Helene (one of the two Dione’s trojan moons) and we compared its infrared spectra to those of the spectral units found on Dione. We observe that the closest match between the spectra of the two satellites occurs for one of the youngest and freshest terrain units on Dione: the Creusa crater region.

MicroRNA-495 Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion Possibly via Targeting High Mobility Group AT-Hook 2 (HMGA2).

PubMed

Wang, Huashe; Jiang, Zhipeng; Chen, Honglei; Wu, Xiaobin; Xiang, Jun; Peng, Junsheng

2017-02-04

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies, and has a high mortality rate. miR-495 acts as a suppressor in some cancers and HMGA2 (high mobility group AT-hook 2) is a facilitator for cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but little is known about their effect in gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-495 in gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS miR-495 levels were quantitatively analyzed in gastric cancer tissue and GES-1, SGC-7901, BGC-823, and HGC-27 cell lines by qRT-PCR. Levels of miR-495 and HMGA2 were altered by cell transfection, after which cell migration and invasion were examined by Transwell and E-cadherin (CDH1); vimentin (VIM), and alpha smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The interaction between miR-495 and HMGA2 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS miR-495 was significantly downregulated in cancer tissue and cell lines (p<0.05). Its overexpression inhibited cell migration and invasion, elevated CDH1, and inhibited VIM and ACTA2 levels in BGC-823 and HGC-27 cells. miR-495 directly inhibited HMGA2, which was upregulated in gastric cancer tissue, and promoted cell migration and invasion, inhibited CDH1, and elevated VIM and ACTA2. CONCLUSIONS miR-495 acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by inhibiting cell migration and invasion, which may be associated with its direct inhibition on HMGA2. These results suggest a promising therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer treatment.

Relative Distribution of Quadriceps Head Anatomical Cross-Sectional Areas and Volumes – Sensitivity to Pain and to Training Intervention

PubMed Central

Sattler, M; Dannhauer, T; Ring-Dimitriou, S; Sänger, AM; Wirth, W; Hudelmaier, M; Eckstein, F

2014-01-01

SUMMARY Introduction Quadriceps heads are important in biomechanical stabilization and in the pathogenesis osteoarthritis of the knee. This is the first study to explore the relative distribution of quadriceps head anatomical cross-sectional areas (ACSA) and volumes, and their response to pain and to training intervention. Methods The relative proportions of quadriceps heads were determined in 48 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants with unilateral pain (65% women; age 45–78y). Quadriceps head volumes were also measured in 35 untrained women (45–55y) before and after 12 week training intervention. Cross-sectional areas of the vastus medialis (VM), inter-medius (VIM), and lateralis (VL), and of the rectus femoris (RF) were determined from axial T1-weighted MR images. Results The proportion of the VM on the total quadriceps ACSA increased from proximal to distal. The difference in quadriceps ACSA of painful (vs. pain-free) limbs was −5.4% for the VM (p<0.001), −6.8% for the VL (p<0.01), −2.8% for the VIM (p=0.06), and +3.4% for the RF (p=0.67) but the VM/VL ratio was not significantly altered. The muscle volume increase during training intervention was +4.2% (p<0.05) for VM, +1.3% for VL, +2.0% for VIM (p<0.05) and +1.6% for RF. Conclusion The proportion of quadriceps head relative to total muscle ACSA and volume depends on the anatomical level studied. The results suggest that there may be a differential response of the quadriceps heads to pain-induced atrophy and to training-related hypertrophy. Studies in larger samples are needed to ascertain whether the observed differences in response to pain and training are statistically and clinically significant. PMID:25153247

Decadal timescale variability of the Enceladus plumes inferred from Cassini images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingersoll, Andrew P.; Ewald, Shawn P.

2017-01-01

The brightness of the Enceladus plumes varies with position in the satellite's eccentric orbit, with altitude above the surface, and with time from one year to the next. Hedman et al. (2013, hereinafter H13) were the first to report these variations. They used data from Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Here we present brightness observations from Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS), which has 40 times higher spatial resolution than VIMS. Our unit of measure is slab density, the total mass of particles in a horizontal slab per unit thickness of the slab. Using slab density is one approach to correcting for the variation of brightness with wavelength and scattering angle. Approaches differ mainly by a multiplicative scaling factor that depends on particle density, which is uncertain. All approaches lead to the same qualitative conclusions and agree with the conclusions from VIMS. We summarize our conclusions as follows: At all altitudes between 50 and 200 km, the corrected brightness is 4-5 times greater when Enceladus is farther from Saturn (near apocenter) than when it is closer (near pericenter). A secondary maximum occurs after pericenter and before apocenter. Corrected brightness vs. altitude is best described as a power law whose negative exponent is greatest in magnitude at apocenter, indicating a slower launch speed for the particles at apocenter than at other points in the orbit. Corrected brightness decreased by roughly a factor of two during much of the period 2005-2015. The last is our principal result, and we offer three hypotheses to explain it. One is a long-period tide-the decreasing phase of an 11-year cycle in orbital eccentricity; another is buildup of ice at the throats of the vents; and the third is seasonal change-the end of summer at the south pole.

The Distribution of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in the Fresh and Oligohaline Tidal Potomac River, 2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rybicki, Nancy B.; Justiniano-Velez, Erika M.; Schenk, Edward R.; Baldizar, Julie M.; Hunter, Sarah E.

2008-01-01

Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) is a critical component of the Potomac River ecosystem. Though SAV provides important habitat for fauna and stabilizes bottom sediment, very dense beds may restrict recreational and commercial navigation. Exotic species of SAV are managed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Potomac Aquatic Plant Management Program (PAPMP). Selected beds of primarily exotic SAV species that limit navigation are harvested mechanically. The program began in 1986 when approximately 40 acres of plants were harvested from 18 sites (Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments 1987). Monitoring efforts are an effective means of quantifying the distribution and abundance of the exotic species, Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla) and other SAV species. These annual surveys provide a basis for identifying large-scale changes and trends throughout the ecosystem and allow managers to evaluate the effectiveness of resource management policies based on a reliable scientific foundation (Rybicki and Landwehr, 2007). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has monitored the distribution and composition of SAV beds in the fresh and oligohaline (salinity 0.5 to 5) tidal Potomac River since 1978 using transect sampling (1978 to 1981, 1985 to 1987, and 2002) and shoreline surveys (1983 to 2005). The Government of the District of Columbia has monitored the portion of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers within Washington DC since 1998 (Rottman, 1999; Ryan, 2005, 2006). The species of SAV observed in beds in the tidal Potomac River are incorporated into the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) annual report on SAV distribution in Chesapeake Bay. The VIMS report and methods are available at http://www.vims.edu/bio/sav (Orth et al., 2006). Additional publications concerning SAV distribution in the Potomac River can be found at http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/proj.bib/sav/wethome.htm.

Prevalence of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from German pig-fattening farms during the years 2011-2013.

PubMed

Roschanski, Nicole; Friese, Anika; von Salviati-Claudius, Christina; Hering, Johanna; Kaesbohrer, Annemarie; Kreienbrock, Lothar; Roesler, Uwe

2017-02-01

Since recently Enterobacteriaceae carrying bla VIM-1 genes have been isolated in German animal husbandries, the monitoring of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in livestock became a major topic within the European Union. Nevertheless, due to missing surveillance studies the worldwide situation in livestock and livestock associated surroundings might still be underestimated. The here described study provides an overview of the CPE-prevalence in German pig-fattening farms during the years 2011-2013 (period when previously described bla VIM-1 findings occurred on pig-fattening farms (Efsa, 2011; Fischer et al., 2012, 2013a)). Therefore, a collection of 238 bacterial anacultures derived from pooled faeces and boot swab samples, collected in a cross-sectional study including 58 pig-fattening farms throughout Germany, were investigated. The bacteria were selected on MacConkey agar plates containing 0.125μg/ml meropenem. Enterobacteriaceae which were able to grow on these plates were further investigated for the presence of carbapenemase genes. Out of eight CPE-suspicious strains, two Escherichia (E.) coli strains-deriving from the same farm-contained the carbapenemase gene bla VIM-1 . For the remaining six Enterobacteriaceae it seems to be likely that they possess other resistance mechanisms, leading to reduced carbapenem susceptibility. Based on the obtained results, the overall CPE prevalence for German pig-fattening farms, sampled during the years 2011-2013 was 1.7%; 95% CI: 0-10. However, as it is of great importance to prevent a further spread of these bacteria between farms and livestock populations as well as their introduction into the food chain, an understanding of their routes of introduction and spread in combination with intensified monitoring programs are considered necessary. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of a real-time PCR assay for rectal screening of OXA-48-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a general intensive care unit of an endemic hospital.

PubMed

Fernández, J; Cunningham, S A; Fernández-Verdugo, A; Viña-Soria, L; Martín, L; Rodicio, M R; Escudero, D; Vazquez, F; Mandrekar, J N; Patel, R

2017-07-01

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are increasing worldwide. Rectal screening for these bacteria can inform the management of infected and colonized patients, especially those admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). A laboratory developed, qualitative duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid detection of OXA-48-like and VIM producing Enterobacteriaceae, performed on rectal swabs, was designed and evaluated in an intensive care unit with endemic presence of OXA-48. During analytical assay validation, no cross-reactivity was observed and 100% sensitivity and specificity were obtained for both bla OXA-48-like and bla VIM in all spiked clinical samples. During the clinical part of the study, the global sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCR assay for OXA-48 detection were 95.7% and 100% (P=0.1250), respectively, in comparison with culture; no VIM-producing Enterobacteriaceae were detected. Clinical features of patients in the ICU who were colonized or infected with OXA-48 producing Enterobacteriaceae, including outcome, were analyzed. Most had severe underlying conditions, and had risk factors for colonization with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae before or during ICU admission, such as receiving previous antimicrobial therapy, prior healthcare exposure (including long-term care), chronic disease, immunosuppression and/or the presence of an intravascular catheter and/or mechanical ventilation device. The described real-time PCR assay is fast (~2-3hours, if DNA extraction is included), simple to perform and results are easy to interpret, features which make it applicable in the routine of clinical microbiology laboratories. Implementation in endemic hospitals could contribute to early detection of patients colonized by OXA-48 producing Enterobacteriaceae and prevention of their spread. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparative marker analysis after isolation and culture of testicular cells from the immature marmoset.

PubMed

Albert, Silvia; Wistuba, Joachim; Eildermann, Katja; Ehmcke, Jens; Schlatt, Stefan; Gromoll, Joerg; Kossack, Nina

2012-01-01

The marmoset monkey is a valuable model in reproductive medicine. While previous studies have evaluated germ cell dynamics in the postnatal marmoset, the features of testicular somatic cells remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish marmoset-specific markers for Sertoli and peritubular cells (PTCs) and to compare protocols for the enrichment and culture of testicular cell types. Immunohistochemistry of Sertoli and PTC-specific markers - anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), vimentin (VIM), α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) - was performed and corresponding RNA expression profiles were established by quantitative PCR analysis (SOX9,AMH, FSHR,VIM, and SMA). For these analyses, testicular tissue from newborn (n = 4), 8-week-old (n = 4) and adult (n = 3) marmoset monkeys was used. Protocols for the enrichment and culture of testicular cell fractions from the 8-week-old marmoset monkeys (n = 3) were evaluated and cells were analyzed using germ cell- and somatic cell-specific markers. The expression of AMH, VIM and SMA reflects the proportion and differentiation status of Sertoli and PTCs at the RNA and the protein levels. While applied protocols did not support the propagation of germ cells in vitro, our analyses revealed that PTCs maintain their proliferative potential and constitute the dominant cell type after short- and long-term culture. Expression of functionally meaningful testicular somatic markers is similar in the human and the marmoset monkey, indicating that this primate can indeed be used as model for human testicular development. The PTC culture system established in this study will facilitate the identification of factors influencing male sex differentiation and spermatogenesis. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Complexity of resistance mechanisms to imipenem in intensive care unit strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Fournier, Damien; Richardot, Charlotte; Müller, Emeline; Robert-Nicoud, Marjorie; Llanes, Catherine; Plésiat, Patrick; Jeannot, Katy

2013-08-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can become resistant to carbapenems by both intrinsic (mutation-driven) and transferable (β-lactamase-based) mechanisms. Knowledge of the prevalence of these various mechanisms is important in intensive care units (ICUs) in order to define optimal prevention and therapeutic strategies. A total of 109 imipenem-non-susceptible (MIC >4 mg/L) strains of P. aeruginosa were collected in June 2010 from the ICUs of 26 French public hospitals. Their resistance mechanisms were characterized by phenotypic, enzymatic, western blotting and molecular methods. Single or associated imipenem resistance mechanisms were identified among the 109 strains. Seven isolates (6.4%) were found to produce a metallo-β-lactamase (one VIM-1, four VIM-2, one VIM-4 and one IMP-29). Porin OprD was lost in 94 (86.2%) strains as a result of mutations or gene disruption by various insertion sequences (ISPa1635, ISPa1328, IS911, ISPs1, IS51, IS222 and ISPa41). Thirteen other strains were shown to be regulatory mutants in which down-regulation of oprD was coupled with overexpressed efflux pumps CzcCBA (n = 1), MexXY (n = 9) and MexEF-OprN (n = 3). The lack of OprD was due to disruption of the oprD promoter by ISPsy2 in one strain and alteration of the porin signal sequence in another. Imipenem resistance in ICU P. aeruginosa strains may result from multiple mechanisms involving metallo-β-lactamase gene acquisition and genetic events (mutations and ISs) inactivating oprD, turning down its expression while increasing efflux activities or preventing insertion of porin OprD in the outer membrane. This diversity of mechanisms allows P. aeruginosa, more than any other nosocomial pathogen, to rapidly adapt to carbapenems in ICUs.

Overproduction of active efflux pump and variations of OprD dominate in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with bloodstream infections in Taiwan.

PubMed

Kao, Cheng-Yen; Chen, Shu-Sheng; Hung, Kuei-Hsiang; Wu, Hsiu-Mei; Hsueh, Po-Ren; Yan, Jing-Jou; Wu, Jiunn-Jong

2016-06-13

The emergence of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) has become a great concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate resistance mechanisms associated with bloodstream isolated IRPA strains in Taiwan. A total of 78 non-duplicated IRPA isolates were isolated from patients with bloodstream infection. The average prevalence of imipenem-resistance in those isolates was 5.9 % during a 10-year longitudinal surveillance in Taiwan. PFGE results showed high clonal diversity among the 78 isolates. VIM-2, VIM-3, OXA-10, and OXA-17 β-lactamases were identified in 2 (2.6 %), 3 (3.8 %), 2 (2.6 %), and 1 (1.3 %) isolates, respectively. Active efflux pumps, AmpC β-lactamase overproduction, and extended-spectrum AmpC cephalosporinases (ESACs) were found in 58 (74.4 %), 25 (32.1 %) and 15 (19.2 %) of IRPA isolates, respectively. oprD mutations with amino acid substitution, shortened putative loop L7, premature stop codon caused by point mutation, frameshift by nucleotide insertion or deletion, and interruption by insertion sequence were found in 19 (24.4 %), 18 (23.1 %), 15 (19.2 %), 14 (17.9 %), and 10 (12.8 %) of isolates, respectively. This study suggests that alterations in the OprD protein and having an active efflux pump are the main mechanisms associated with bloodstream isolated IRPA. Overproduction of AmpC, ESACs, and the presence of VIM- and OXA-type β-lactamases play additional roles in reduced susceptibility to imipenem in P. aeruginosa isolates in Taiwan.

The VIMS CBOS Observing System Buoy, an Initial Scientific Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brasseur, L. H.; Brubaker, J. M.; Friedrichs, C. T.; Wright, L. D.

2004-12-01

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has recently deployed a data buoy at Gloucester Point, York River, Virginia as part of the Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS). The data streams collected by the buoy and its associated sensors are wind speed and direction, incoming solar radiation, air temperature, water temperature, salinity, turbidity, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen. In addition, water velocities throughout the water column are recorded every 5 minutes and wave statistics including directional wave spectra are calculated every hour from an upward looking RD Instruments Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) in 8 meters of water in conjunction with the data buoy. All data are collected in real time and are available to scientists with a 15 minute to 1 hour time lag. These data are used in conjunction with other long tem data sets in the York River and lower Chesapeake Bay such as the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) sites' water quality data in the York River and USGS stream flow data to investigate several questions of scientific interest. One of these questions is the observed reverse salinity gradient in the York River during spring flood tides. It was previously thought that this was caused by a temporal mismatch in the phase of flood tide between the lower Chesapeake Bay and the mouth of the York River subestuary only during spring tides when the currents are strongest and the tidal range is large. In 2004, however, this effect can be seen during both spring and neap tides on several occasions in the spring and summer. This phenomenon and others are evaluated in the context of the VIMS observing system buoy and the initial data collected from the buoy are also evaluated in terms of instrument accuracy, ease of data retrieval, and possible uses for this information.

Cassini-VIMS at Jupiter: Solar occultation measurements using Io

USGS Publications Warehouse

Formisano, V.; D'Aversa, E.; Bellucci, G.; Baines, K.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Chamberlain, M.C.; Hansen, G.; Hibbits, K.; Showalter, M.; Filacchione, G.

2003-01-01

We report unusual and somewhat unexpected observations of the jovian satellite Io, showing strong methane absorption bands. These observations were made by the Cassini VIMS experiment during the Jupiter flyby of December/January 2000/2001. The explanation is straightforward: Entering or exiting from Jupiter's shadow during an eclipse, Io is illuminated by solar light which has transited the atmosphere of Jupiter. This light, therefore becomes imprinted with the spectral signature of Jupiter's upper atmosphere, which includes strong atmospheric methane absorption bands. Intercepting solar light refracted by the jovian atmosphere, Io essentially becomes a "miffor" for solar occultation events of Jupiter. The thickness of the layer where refracted solar light is observed is so large (more than 3000 km at Io's orbit), that we can foresee a nearly continuous multi-year period of similar events at Saturn, utilizing the large and bright ring system. During Cassini's 4-year nominal mission, this probing tecnique should reveal information of Saturn's atmosphere over a large range of southern latitudes and times. ?? 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trace element control in binary Ni-25Cr and ternary Ni-30Co-30Cr master alloy castings

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

Detrois, Martin; Jablonski, Paul D.

Electro-slag remelting (ESR) is used for control of unwanted elements in commercial alloys. This study focuses on master alloys of Ni-25Cr and Ni-30Co-30Cr, processed through a combination of vacuum induction melting (VIM) and electro-slag remelting (ESR). Minor additions were made to control tramp element levels and modify the melting characteristics. Nitrogen and sulfur levels below 10 ppm and oxygen levels below 100 ppm were obtained in the final products. The role of the alloy additions in lowering the tramp element content, the resulting residual inclusions and the melting characteristics were determined computationally and confirmed experimentally. Additions of titanium were beneficialmore » to the control of oxygen levels during VIM and nitrogen levels during ESR. Aluminum additions helped to control oxygen levels during remelting, however, aluminum pickup occurred when excess titanium was present during ESR. The usefulness of these master alloys for use as experimental remelt stock will also be discussed.« less

Experimental investigation of flow characteristics around four square-cylinder arrays at subcritical Reynolds numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Mingyue; Xiao, Longfei; Yang, Lijun

2015-09-01

The Deep Draft Semi-Submersible (DDS) concepts are known for their favourable vertical motion performance. However, the DDS may experience critical Vortex-Induced Motion (VIM) stemming from the fluctuating forces on the columns. In order to investigate the current-induced excitation forces of VIM, an experimental study of flow characteristics around four square-section cylinders in a square configuration is presented. A number of column spacing ratios and array attack angles were considered to investigate the parametric influences. The results comprise flow patterns, drag and lift forces, as well as Strouhal numbers. It is shown that both the drag and lift forces acting on the cylinders are slightly different between the various L/D values, and the fluctuating forces peak at L/D = 4.14. The lift force of downstream cylinders reaches its maximum at around α = 15°. Furthermore, the flow around circular-section-cylinder arrays is also discussed in comparison with that of square cylinders.

The molecular mechanisms on glomangiopericytoma invasion

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Purpose To observed the imaging and pathological features of the glomangiopericytoma. Experimental design In this paper we report a typical case of glomangiopericytoma arising in the skull base area and summarize the clinical manifestations, imaging and pathological features of such diseases. Results Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the tumor cells were strongly positive to Vim, SMA, MSA and negative to CD31, CD34. Partial cells were positive to FVIII. The imaging can’t confirm the diagnosis but indicate the the tumor has intact envelope.The cells in the tumor envelope is positive to Vim and negative SMA and FVIII. These findings were compatible with glomangiopericytoma and the cells in the tumor envelope is not glomangiopericytoma cells. Conclusion In view of the clinical and pathological features of the glomangiopericytoma, we believe that the surgery is the best treatment so far and the tumor can be resected completely. The above results can be preliminary reason to explain the low recurrence of such diseases. PMID:24074285

Radiation-grafting of N-vinylimidazole onto silicone rubber for antimicrobial properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meléndez-Ortiz, H. Iván; Alvarez-Lorenzo, Carmen; Burillo, Guillermina; Magariños, Beatriz; Concheiro, Angel; Bucio, Emilio

2015-05-01

Poly(N-vinylimidazole) (PVIm) was grafted numbers onto silicone rubber (SR) with the aim of providing antimicrobial properties. The grafting was carried out by means of gamma rays using the direct method. The influence on the grafting yield of absorbed dose, monomer concentration, addition of FeSO4 salt, composition and type of solvent (H2O, MeOH, THF, and acetone) was investigated. Grafts onto SR between 10% and 90% were obtained at doses from 20 to 100 kGy and a dose rate 10.9 kGy h-1; grafting yield increased with monomer concentration and dose. The new graft copolymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) showed glass transition at 149 and 159 °C for 38% and 88% grafting respectively. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) presented two decomposition temperatures for SR-g-VIm at 380 (PVIm) and 440 °C (SR). SR-g-VIm showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Vimentin regulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dos Santos, Gimena; Rogel, Micah R.; Baker, Margaret A.; Troken, James R.; Urich, Daniela; Morales-Nebreda, Luisa; Sennello, Joseph A.; Kutuzov, Mikhail A.; Sitikov, Albert; Davis, Jennifer M.; Lam, Anna P.; Cheresh, Paul; Kamp, David; Shumaker, Dale K.; Budinger, G. R. Scott; Ridge, Karen M.

2015-03-01

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent maturation of IL-1β have been implicated in acute lung injury (ALI), resulting in inflammation and fibrosis. We investigated the role of vimentin, a type III intermediate filament, in this process using three well-characterized murine models of ALI known to require NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We demonstrate that central pathophysiologic events in ALI (inflammation, IL-1β levels, endothelial and alveolar epithelial barrier permeability, remodelling and fibrosis) are attenuated in the lungs of Vim-/- mice challenged with LPS, bleomycin and asbestos. Bone marrow chimeric mice lacking vimentin have reduced IL-1β levels and attenuated lung injury and fibrosis following bleomycin exposure. Furthermore, decreased active caspase-1 and IL-1β levels are observed in vitro in Vim-/- and vimentin-knockdown macrophages. Importantly, we show direct protein-protein interaction between NLRP3 and vimentin. This study provides insights into lung inflammation and fibrosis and suggests that vimentin may be a key regulator of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Processing ISS Images of Titan's Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Jason; McEwen, Alfred; Fussner, Stephanie; Turtle, Elizabeth; West, Robert; Porco, Carolyn; Knowles, Ben; Dawson, Doug

2005-01-01

One of the primary goals of the Cassini-Huygens mission, in orbit around Saturn since July 2004, is to understand the surface and atmosphere of Titan. Surface investigations are primarily accomplished with RADAR, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), and the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) [1]. The latter two use methane "windows", regions in Titan's reflectance spectrum where its atmosphere is most transparent, to observe the surface. For VIMS, this produces clear views of the surface near 2 and 5 microns [2]. ISS uses a narrow continuum band filter (CB3) at 938 nanometers. While these methane windows provide our best views of the surface, the images produced are not as crisp as ISS images of satellites like Dione and Iapetus [3] due to the atmosphere. Given a reasonable estimate of contrast (approx.30%), the apparent resolution of features is approximately 5 pixels due to the effects of the atmosphere and the Modulation Transfer Function of the camera [1,4]. The atmospheric haze also reduces contrast, especially with increasing emission angles [5].

Coordination-Supported Imidazolate Networks: Water- and Heat-Stable Mesoporous Polymers for Catalysis

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Pengfei; Yang, Shize; Chisholm, Matthew F.; ...

2017-05-29

The poor water stability of most porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is widely recognised as a barrier hampering their practical applications. Herein, a facile and scalable route to prepare metal-containing polymers with a good stability in boiling water (100°C, 24 h) and air (up to 390°C) is presented. The bifunctional 1-vinylimidazole (VIm) with both a coordinating site and a polymerizable organic group is introduced as the building block. This core strategy includes the synthesis of a rigid monomer with four VIm branches via a coordination process at room temperature, followed by a radical polymerization. Here we callmore » this material Coordination-supported Imidazolate Networks (CINs). Interestingly, CINs are composed of rich mesopores from 2 to 15 nm, as characterized by low-energy (60 kV) STEM-HAADF images. Especially, the stable CINs illustrate a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 779 h -1 in the catalytic oxidation of phenol with H 2O as the green solvent.« less

Suppressing the image smear of the vibration modulation transfer function for remote-sensing optical cameras.

PubMed

Li, Jin; Liu, Zilong; Liu, Si

2017-02-20

In on-board photographing processes of satellite cameras, the platform vibration can generate image motion, distortion, and smear, which seriously affect the image quality and image positioning. In this paper, we create a mathematical model of a vibrating modulate transfer function (VMTF) for a remote-sensing camera. The total MTF of a camera is reduced by the VMTF, which means the image quality is degraded. In order to avoid the degeneration of the total MTF caused by vibrations, we use an Mn-20Cu-5Ni-2Fe (M2052) manganese copper alloy material to fabricate a vibration-isolation mechanism (VIM). The VIM can transform platform vibration energy into irreversible thermal energy with its internal twin crystals structure. Our experiment shows the M2052 manganese copper alloy material is good enough to suppress image motion below 125 Hz, which is the vibration frequency of satellite platforms. The camera optical system has a higher MTF after suppressing the vibration of the M2052 material than before.

Rhodanine hydrolysis leads to potent thioenolate mediated metallo-β-lactamase inhibition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brem, Jürgen; van Berkel, Sander S.; Aik, Weishen; Rydzik, Anna M.; Avison, Matthew B.; Pettinati, Ilaria; Umland, Klaus-Daniel; Kawamura, Akane; Spencer, James; Claridge, Timothy D. W.; McDonough, Michael A.; Schofield, Christopher J.

2014-12-01

The use of β-lactam antibiotics is compromised by resistance, which is provided by β-lactamases belonging to both metallo (MBL)- and serine (SBL)-β-lactamase subfamilies. The rhodanines are one of very few compound classes that inhibit penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), SBLs and, as recently reported, MBLs. Here, we describe crystallographic analyses of the mechanism of inhibition of the clinically relevant VIM-2 MBL by a rhodanine, which reveal that the rhodanine ring undergoes hydrolysis to give a thioenolate. The thioenolate is found to bind via di-zinc chelation, mimicking the binding of intermediates in β-lactam hydrolysis. Crystallization of VIM-2 in the presence of the intact rhodanine led to observation of a ternary complex of MBL, a thioenolate fragment and rhodanine. The crystallographic observations are supported by kinetic and biophysical studies, including 19F NMR analyses, which reveal the rhodanine-derived thioenolate to be a potent broad-spectrum MBL inhibitor and a lead structure for the development of new types of clinically useful MBL inhibitors.

Prevalence and Phenotypic Expression of Mutations in the MYH7, MYBPC3 and TNNT2 Genes in Families with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in the South of Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PubMed

Mattos, Beatriz Piva E; Scolari, Fernando Luís; Torres, Marco Antonio Rodrigues; Simon, Laura; Freitas, Valéria Centeno de; Giugliani, Roberto; Matte, Úrsula

2016-09-01

Mutations in sarcomeric genes are found in 60-70% of individuals with familial forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, this estimate refers to northern hemisphere populations. The molecular-genetic profile of HCM has been subject of few investigations in Brazil, particularly in the south of the country. To investigate mutations in the sarcomeric genes MYH7, MYBPC3 and TNNT2 in a cohort of HCM patients living in the extreme south of Brazil, and to evaluate genotype-phenotype associations. Direct DNA sequencing of all encoding regions of three sarcomeric genes was conducted in 43 consecutive individuals of ten unrelated families. Mutations for CMH have been found in 25 (58%) patients of seven (70%) of the ten study families. Fourteen (56%) individuals were phenotype-positive. All mutations were missense, four (66%) in MYH7 and two (33%) in MYBPC3. We have not found mutations in the TNNT2 gene. Mutations in MYH7 were identified in 20 (47%) patients of six (60%) families. Two of them had not been previously described. Mutations in MYBPC3 were found in seven (16%) members of two (20%) families. Two (5%) patients showed double heterozygosis for both genes. The mutations affected different domains of encoded proteins and led to variable phenotypic expression. A family history of HCM was identified in all genotype-positive individuals. In this first genetic-molecular analysis carried out in the south of Brazil, we found mutations in the sarcomeric genes MYH7 and MYBPC3 in 58% of individuals. MYH7-related disease was identified in the majority of cases with mutation. Mutações em genes do sarcômero são encontradas em 60-70% dos indivíduos com formas familiares de cardiomiopatia hipertrófica. (CMH). Entretanto, essa estimativa refere-se a populações de países do hemisfério norte. O perfil genético-molecular da CMH foi tema de poucos estudos no Brasil, particularmente na região sul do país. Realizar a pesquisa de mutações dos genes sarcoméricos MYH7, MYBPC3 e TNNT2 numa coorte de CMH estabelecida no extremo sul do Brasil, assim como avaliar as associações genótipo-fenótipo. Sequenciamento direto do DNA de todas as regiões codificantes dos três genes sarcoméricos foi realizada em 43 indivíduos consecutivos de dez famílias não-relacionadas. Mutações para CMH foram encontradas em 25 (58%) indivíduos de sete (70%) das dez famílias estudadas, sendo 14 (56%) deles fenótipo-positivos. Todas as mutações eram missense, quatro (66%) no gene MYH7 e duas (33%) no gene MYBPC3. Não foram encontradas mutações no gene TNNT2. Mutações em MYH7 foram identificadas em 20 (47%) indivíduos de seis (60%) famílias. Duas delas não haviam sido previamente relatadas. Mutações de MYBPC3 foram detectadas em sete (16%) membros de duas (20%) famílias. Dois (5%) indivíduos apresentaram dupla heterozigose com mutações em ambos os genes. As mutações acometeram distintos domínios das proteínas codificadas e produziram expressão fenotípica variável. História familiar de CMH foi identificada em todos os indivíduos genótipo-positivos. Nessa primeira análise genético-molecular da CMH realizada no sul do Brasil, foram encontradas mutações nos genes sarcoméricos MYH7 e MYBPC3 em 58% dos indivíduos. Doença relacionada ao gene MYH7 foi identificada na maioria dos casos com mutação.

Strategies for Learners with Special Needs in Automobile Mechanics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Missouri Univ., Columbia. Missouri LINC.

This Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) module illustrates instructional and cognitive strategies that can be used to teach and learn vocational competencies in automobile mechanics. Seven definitions, seven frequently asked questions, and nine references are included. The following questions are answered: Is it important to teach…

Titan's icy scar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, C. A.; Penteado, P. F.; Turner, J. D.; Neish, C. D.; Mitri, G.; Montiel, M. J.; Schoenfeld, A.; Lopes, R. M. C.

2017-09-01

We conduct a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of Cassini/VIMS [1] infrared spectral windows to identify and quantify weak surface features, with no assumptions on the haze and surface characteris- tics. This study maps the organic sediments, supplied by past atmospheres, as well as ice-rich regions that constitute Titan's bedrock.

Geology of the Selk crater region on Titan from Cassini VIMS observations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Soderblom, J.M.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.A.; Barnes, J.W.; Jaumann, R.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Sotin, Christophe; Stephan, K.; Baines, K.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2010-01-01

Observations of Titan obtained by the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) have revealed Selk crater, a geologically young, bright-rimmed, impact crater located ???800. km north-northwest of the Huygens landing site. The crater rim-crest diameter is ???90. km; its floor diameter is ???60. km. A central pit/peak, 20-30. km in diameter, is seen; the ratio of the size of this feature to the crater diameter is consistent with similarly sized craters on Ganymede and Callisto, all of which are dome craters. The VIMS data, unfortunately, are not of sufficient resolution to detect such a dome. The inner rim of Selk crater is fluted, probably by eolian erosion, while the outer flank and presumed ejecta blanket appear dissected by drainages (particularly to the east), likely the result of fluvial erosion. Terracing is observed on the northern and western walls of Selk crater within a 10-15. km wide terrace zone identified in VIMS data; the terrace zone is bright in SAR data, consistent with it being a rough surface. The terrace zone is slightly wider than those observed on Ganymede and Callisto and may reflect differences in thermal structure and/or composition of the lithosphere. The polygonal appearance of the crater likely results from two preexisting planes of weakness (oriented at azimuths of 21?? and 122?? east of north). A unit of generally bright terrain that exhibits similar infrared-color variation and contrast to Selk crater extends east-southeast from the crater several hundred kilometers. We informally refer to this terrain as the Selk "bench." Both Selk and the bench are surrounded by the infrared-dark Belet dune field. Hypotheses for the genesis of the optically bright terrain of the bench include: wind shadowing in the lee of Selk crater preventing the encroachment of dunes, impact-induced cryovolcanism, flow of a fluidized-ejecta blanket (similar to the bright crater outflows observed on Venus), and erosion of a streamlined upland formed in the lee of Selk crater by fluid flow. Vestigial circular outlines in this feature just east of Selk's ejecta blanket suggest that this might be a remnant of an ancient, cratered crust. Evidently the southern margin of the feature has sufficient relief to prevent the encroachment of dunes from the Belet dune field. We conclude that this feature either represents a relatively high-viscosity, fluidized-ejecta flow (a class intermediate to ejecta blankets and long venusian-style ejecta flows) or a streamlined upland remnant that formed downstream from the crater by erosive fluid flow from the west-northwest. ?? 2010 Elsevier Inc.

Composition of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

McCord, T.B.; Hansen, G.B.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; D'Aversa, E.; Griffith, C.A.; Baines, E.K.H.; Brown, R.H.; Dalle, Ore C.M.; Filacchione, G.; Formisano, V.; Hibbitts, C.A.; Jaumann, R.; Lunine, J.I.; Nelson, R.M.; Sotin, Christophe

2006-01-01

Titan's bulk density along with Solar System formation models indicates considerable water as well as silicates as its major constituents. This satellite's dense atmosphere of nitrogen with methane is unique. Deposits or even oceans of organic compounds have been suggested to exist on Titan's solid surface due to UV-induced photochemistry in the atmosphere. Thus, the composition of the surface is a major piece of evidence needed to determine Titan's history. However, studies of the surface are hindered by the thick, absorbing, hazy and in some places cloudy atmosphere. Ground-based telescope investigations of the integral disk of Titan attempted to observe the surface albedo in spectral windows between methane absorptions by calculating and removing the haze effects. Their results were reported to be consistent with water ice on the surface that is contaminated with a small amount of dark material, perhaps organic material like tholin. We analyze here the recent Cassini Mission's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) observations that resolve regions on Titan. VIMS is able to see surface features and shows that there are spectral and therefore likely compositional units. By several methods, spectral albedo estimates within methane absorption windows between 0.75 and 5 ??m were obtained for different surface units using VIMS image cubes from the Cassini-Huygens Titan Ta encounter. Of the spots studied, there appears to be two compositional classes present that are associated with the lower albedo and the higher albedo materials, with some variety among the brighter regions. These were compared with spectra of several different candidate materials. Our results show that the spectrum of water ice contaminated with a darker material matches the reflectance of the lower albedo Titan regions if the spectral slope from 2.71 to 2.79 ??m in the poorly understood 2.8-??m methane window is ignored. The spectra for brighter regions are not matched by the spectrum of water ice or unoxidized tholin, in pure form or in mixtures with sufficient ice or tholin present to allow the water ice or tholin spectral features to be discerned. We find that the 2.8-??m methane absorption window is complex and seems to consist of two weak subwindows at 2.7 and 2.8 ??m that have unknown opacities. A ratio image at these two wavelengths reveals an anomalous region on Titan that has a reflectance unlike any material so far identified, but it is unclear how much the reflectances in these two subwindows pertain to the surface. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in a tertiary-level reference hospital in Turkey.

PubMed

Baran, Irmak; Aksu, Neriman

2016-04-06

Enterobacteriaceae are among the most common pathogens that are responsible for serious community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and health-care associated infections. The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have become an increasing concern for healthcare services worldwide. Infections caused by these bacteria have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality and treatment options have been limited. The rapid and accurate detection of carbapenem resistance in these bacteria is important for infection control. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic features of CRE strains isolated in a tertiary-level reference hospital in Turkey. A total of 181 CRE strains were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility rates were tested using Vitek 2 system. Modified Hodge test (MHT) was performed using meropenem and ertapenem discs. Metallo-β-lactamase antimicrobial gradient test (E-test MBL strips) were used for evaluation of metallo-β-lactamase production. A multiplex PCR was used for detection of carbapenems resistance genes (IMP, VIM, KPC, NDM-1 and OXA-48). The OXA-48 gene was detected in 86 strains, NDM-1 gene in six strains, VIM gene in one strain. IMP and KPC genes were not identified. Three strains produced both OXA-48 and NDM-1 and one strain produced both OXA-48 and VIM. In two patients more than one genus of OXA-48 positive CREs was isolated. Ninety-two of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. One hundred and ten isolates were MHT with meropenem (MEM-MHT) positive and 109 isolates were MHT with ertapenem (ERT-MHT) positive. Nine of the isolates were positive with E-test MBL strips. The sensitivity of MEM-MHT and ERT-MHT for detection of OXA-48 was 70.9 and 70.6 %, respectively. MEM-MHT was found highly discriminative for OXA-48 Escherichia coli (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of E-test MBL for NDM-1 was 66.7 %. A statistically significant correlation was observed between OXA-48 gene and MHT positivity and between NDM-1, VIM gene and E-test MBL positivity (p < 0.001). OXA-48 gene is spreading rapidly to many different species of Enterobacteriaceae in the hospital environment. While OXA-48 is still the most common source of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in our country, NDM-1 is increasingly being isolated from patients without a history of foreign contact.

Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Carbapenemase and ESBLs Producing Gram-negative Bacteria (GNB) Isolated from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in Tehran Hospitals

PubMed Central

Vali, Parisa; Shahcheraghi, Fereshteh; Seyfipour, Maryam; Zamani, Maryam Alsadat; Allahyar, Mohammad Reza; Feizabadi, Mohammad Mehdi

2014-01-01

Background: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in white populations caused by mutation in a gene that encodes Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. Since frequent respiratory tract infections are the major problem in patients with CF, obligation to identify the causative bacteria and determining their antibiotic resistance pattern is crucial. The purpose of this project was to detect Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) isolated from sputa of CF patients and to determine their antibiotic resistance pattern. Materials and Methods: The sputum of 52 CF patients, treated as inpatients at hospitals in Tehran, was obtained between November 2011 and June 2012. Samples cultured in selective and non-selective media and GNB recognized by biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and carbapenems was performed by disk diffusion method and MICs of them were measured. For phenotypic detection of carbapenemase and ESBLs production, the Modified Hodge test, double disk synergy test and the combined disk methods were performed. Subsequently, the genes encoding the extended spectrum beta-lactamases (blaPER, blaCTX-M) and carbapenemases (blaIMP-1, blaGES, blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaSPM, blaSIM) in Gram negative bacteria were targeted among the resistant isolates by using PCR. PFGE was used to determine any genetic relationship among the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from these patients. Results: Fifty five GNB were isolated from 52 sputum samples including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella ozaenae, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, Achromobacter denitrificans, Klebsiella pneumonia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The rates of resistance to different antibiotic were as follows: cefixime (%80), ceftriaxone (%43), ceftazidime (%45) and meropenem (%7). The prevalence of genes encoding the ESBLs and Carbapenemases among the the phenotypically positive strains were as follows: blaCTX-M (19), blaIMP-1 (2), blaVIM-1 (2) and blaVIM-2 (3) genes respectively. No other genes were detected. PFGE analysis revealed 8 genotypes. Six isolates had mutually 3 similar patterns. Conclusion: This study showed the existence of important ESBLs and carbapenemases genes among the GNB isolated from patients with CF. Continuous surveillance of ESBLs and Carbapenemases, also identification of their types, in bacteria isolated from these patients have an important clinical impact, since, it can often provide valuable information for effective infection control measures and for the choice of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. PMID:24596716

Strategies for Learners with Special Needs in Marketing and Distributive Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Missouri Univ., Columbia. Missouri LINC.

This Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) module addresses general information related to the instructional/teaching strategies and cognitive/learning strategies for special needs students in marketing and distributive education. In addition, specific strategies are suggested as they relate to Access Skills objectives for some of the…

A comparative analysis of protected area planning and management frameworks

Treesearch

Per Nilsen; Grant Tayler

1997-01-01

A comparative analysis of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC), a Process for Visitor Impact Management (VIM), Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP), and the Management Process for Visitor Activities (known as VAMP) decision frameworks examines their origins; methodology; use of factors, indicators, and standards;...

Strategies for Learners with Special Needs in Health Occupations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Missouri Univ., Columbia. Missouri LINC.

This Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) module illustrates instructional and cognitive strategies that can be used to teach special needs students vocational competencies in three areas of health occupations: (1) identification of pulse sites; (2) taking a radial pulse; and (3) converting ounces to cubic centimeters (cc). Three…

Safety and efficacy of dual-lead thalamic deep brain stimulation for patients with treatment-refractory multiple sclerosis tremor: a single-centre, randomised, single-blind, pilot trial.

PubMed

Oliveria, Seth F; Rodriguez, Ramon L; Bowers, Dawn; Kantor, Daniel; Hilliard, Justin D; Monari, Erin H; Scott, Bonnie M; Okun, Michael S; Foote, Kelly D

2017-09-01

Efficacy in previous studies of surgical treatments of refractory multiple sclerosis tremor using lesioning or deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been variable. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of dual-lead thalamic DBS (one targeting the ventralis intermedius-ventralis oralis posterior nucleus border [the VIM lead] and one targeting the ventralis oralis anterior-ventralis oralis posterior border [the VO lead]) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis tremor. We did a single centre, single-blind, prospective, randomised pilot trial at the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration clinic (Gainesville, FL, USA). We recruited adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis tremor refractory to previous medical therapy. Before surgery to implant both leads, we randomly assigned patients (1:1) to receive 3 months of optimised single-lead DBS-either VIM or VO. We did the randomisation with a computer-generated sequence, using three blocks of four patients, and independent members of the Center did the assignment. Patients and all clinicians other than the DBS programming nurse were masked to the choice of lead. Patients underwent surgery 1 month after their baseline visit for implantation of the dual lead DBS system. A pulse generator and two extension cables were implanted in a second surgery 3-4 weeks later. Patients then received an initial 3-month period of continuous stimulation of either the VIM or VO lead followed by blinded safety assessment of their tremor with the Tolosa-Fahn-Marin Tremor Rating Scale (TRS) during optimised VIM or VO lead stimulation at the end of the 3 months. After this visit, both leads were activated in all patients for an additional 3 months, and optimally programmed during serial visits as dictated by a prespecified programming algorithm. At the 6-month follow-up visit, TRS score was measured, and mood and psychological batteries were administered under four stimulation conditions: VIM on, VO on, both on, and both off (the order of testing was chosen by a computer-generated random sequence, assigned by independent members of the centre, and enacted by an unmasked DBS programming nurse). Each of four stimulation settings were tested over 4 consecutive days, with stimulation settings held constant for at least 12 h before testing. The primary outcome was change in mean total TRS score at the 6-month postoperative assessment with both leads activated, compared with the preoperative baseline mean TRS score. Analysis was by intention to treat. Safety was analysed in all patients who received the surgical implantation except in one patient who discontinued before the safety assessment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00954421. Between Jan 16, 2007, and Dec 17, 2013, we enrolled 12 patients who were randomly assigned either to 3 initial months of VIM-only or VO-only stimulation. One patient from the VO-only group developed an infection necessitating DBS explantation, and was excluded from the assessment of the primary outcome. Compared with the mean baseline TRS score of 57·0 (SD 10·2), the mean score at 6 months decreased to 40·1 (17·6), -29·6% reduction; t=-0·28, p=0·03. Three of 11 patients did not respond to surgical intervention. One patient died suddenly 2 years after surgery, but this was judged to be unrelated to DBS implantation. Serious adverse events included a superficial wound infection in one patient that resolved with antibiotic therapy, and transient altered mental status and late multiple sclerosis exacerbation in another patient. The most common non-serious adverse events were headache and fatigue. Dual lead thalamic DBS might be a safe and effective option for improving severe, refractory multiple sclerosis tremor. Larger studies are necessary to show whether this technique is widely applicable, safe in the long-term, and effective in treating multiple sclerosis tremor or other severe tremor disorders. US National Institutes of Health, the Cathy Donnellan, Albert E Einstein, and Birdie W Einstein Fund, and the William Merz Professorship. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calibrazioni a terra e prestazioni in volo di spettrometri ad immagine nel visibile e nel vicino infrarosso per l'esplorazione planetaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filacchione, Gianrico

2006-10-01

Nel corso dell’ultimo decennio l’esplorazione planetaria ha potuto beneficiare dei dati prodotti dagli spettrometri ad immagine: grazie a questa nuova classe di strumenti, realizzati per l’osservazione in remoto di superfici ed atmosfere planetarie, è possibile acquisire dati iperspettrali con elevati poteri risolutivi spaziali e spettrali. Il principale vantaggio offerto dagli spettrometri ad immagine, rispetto alle camere ed agli spettrometri puntuali, è rappresentato dalla capacità di misurare, identificare e mappare le unità composizionali delle superfici planetarie; queste informazioni permettono di investigare sia l’evoluzione geochimica delle superfici sia la dinamica e la composizione delle atmosfere. Sebbene i primi spettrometri ad immagine siano stati francesi (Phobos/ISM, Imaging Spectrometer for Mars) e statunitensi (Galileo/NIMS, Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer), il nostro paese nel corso degli ultimi anni è stato in grado di proporre alla com unità spaziale internazionale degli strumenti dalle elevate prestazioni che sono stati infatti accettati come payload scientifici su diverse missioni interplanetarie: dai canali visibili di VIMS (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) su Cassini (Nasa, JPL, ESA, ASI) e di OMEGA (Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l’Eau, les Glacies et l’Activitè de Mars) su MarsExpress (ESA) ai due VIRTIS (Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) su Rosetta (ESA) e VenusExpress (ESA) fino a VIR-MS (Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) su Dawn (Nasa). In questo momento inoltre altri due spettrometri sono in avanzata fase di studio: JIRAM (Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper) su Juno (missione New Discovery Nasa) e VIHI (Visible and Infrared Hyperspectral Imager) integrato nel payload italiano di remote sensing SIMBIO-SYS di BepiColombo (missione cornerstone ESA). La realizzazione di uno spettrometro ad immagini da utilizzare su una missione interplanetaria richiede un’accurata analisi in fase progettuale e realizzativa dei parametri e de lle prestazioni strumentali; in generale infatti non solo sarà necessario mantenere le dimensioni, il peso, i consumi elettrici ed il data-volume entro i requisiti disponibili del satellite ma anche ottimizzare i disegni ottici, meccanici ed elettronici al fine di ottenere le massime prestazioni possibili in funzione della natura del target osservato e dei parametri orbitali della missione. Questa tesi descrive i metodi utilizzati per caratterizzare il funzionamento di spettrometri ad immagine per l’esplorazione planetaria. L’attività svolta ha riguardato sia la misura in laboratorio dei parametri strumentali fondamentali sia l’analisi dei dati in volo su cui verificarne ed eventualmente correggerne la risposta. Il funzionamento degli strumenti e la metodologia di calibrazione vengono descritti nelle due parti principali e nelle appendici di questa tesi per gli esperimenti Cassini-VIMS-V e Rosetta-VIRTIS-M. La prima parte è dedicata all’esperimento VIMS-V sul satellite Cassini, il cui disegno ottico, originariamente proposto da Francis Reininger, verrà successivamente riutilizzato e perfezionato su VIRTIS-M (Reininger et al., 1994; Miller et al., 1996). Il capitolo 1 contiene una descrizione dei parametri ottici, strutturali, termici ed elettronici di VIMS-V mettendone in risalto gli aspetti più innovativi del progetto. Vengono inoltre descritti la collocazione dell’esperimento sul satellite Cassini, il coallineamento con gli altri strumenti di remote sensing, i possibili modi operativi ed il formato dei dati scientifici. Il capitolo 2 riguarda il processo di calibrazione ed analisi dei dati in volo di VIMS-V. La procedura eseguita per calibrare radiometricamente lo strumento utilizzando i dati della superficie della Luna e per stimare il flat-field mediante i dati dell’atmosfera di Venere viene dettagliatamente descritta assieme agli algoritmi utilizzati per la rimozione di diversi effetti strumentali (read-out noise e tilt spettrale); alcuni di questi effetti sono stati caratterizzati e dettagliamente misurati in laboratorio utilizzando il modello spare (flight) di VIMS-V. Parte del capitolo è dedicata alla verifica della procedura di calibrazione su diversi target aventi caratteristiche spettroradiometriche note. Questi algoritmi di processamento sono correntemente utilizzati dal team scientifico di VIMS per calibrare i dati del canale -VIS rilasciati ufficialmente alla comunità scientifica internazionale attraverso il Planetary Data System (PDS) della Nasa. La seconda parte riguarda l’esperimento VIRTIS-M sul satellite Rosetta. Il capitolo 3 contiene la descrizione dello strumento mettendo in risalto l’evoluzione dal precedente progetto VIMS-V ed i problemi tecnologici e costruttivi da questo derivanti. I diversi modi operativi, la sequenza di acquisizione e di processamento dei dati nell’elettronica principale sono ampiament e discussi. Viene inoltre evidenziata la collocazione dello spettrometro sul satellite Rosetta. Nel capitolo 4 viene descritta l’attività di calibrazione effettuata in Galileo Avionica (Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italia) ed allo IAS (Orsay, Francia) subito dopo l’integrazione di VIRTIS ed il conseguente processamento dei dati necessario per ricavare i principali parametri di funzionamento (calibrazioni spettrali e geometriche, flat-field, funzioni di trasferimento, lampade di calibrazione interne). Nel capitolo 5 l’accuratezza di queste grandezze è stata verificata su i primi dati in volo ottenuti da VIRTIS-M durante la fase di commissioning e di cruise del satellite (Terra, Luna e Saturno); queste osservazioni sono inoltre state utilizzate per migliorare e verificare alcuni aspetti della procedura di calibrazione che non erano stati sufficientemente definiti durante i test a terra. L’appendice A riguarda il formato PDS (Planetary Data System) utilizzato per l’archiviazione dei dati e degli housekeepings ingegnerisitici e scientifici delle osservazioni; nell’appendice B è contenuta la descrizione del modello radiometrico teorico di VIRTIS-M utilizzato per stimare il rapporto segnale/rumore; nelle appendici C e D sono infine contenute diverse Tabelle non incluse nel testo delle parti principali a causa della loro lunghezza.

Introduction to Animal Nutrition. Instructor Guide [and] Student Reference. Volume 28, Number 7 [and] Volume 28, Number 8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peiter, Andrea; And Others

This instructor guide and the corresponding student reference contain five lessons about animal science for inclusion in Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) agricultural education courses. The lessons cover these topics: the monogastric digestive system, the ruminant digestive system, the importance of meeting nutritional needs, how…

Electronics. Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) Item Bank.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Diane, Ed.

This document contains 519 criterion-referenced multiple choice and true or false test items for a course in electronics. The test item bank is designed to work with both the Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) and the Vocational Administrative Management System (VAMS) in Missouri. The items are grouped into 15 units covering the…

Auto Mechanics. Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) Item Bank.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tannehill, Dana, Ed.

This document contains 546 criterion-referenced multiple choice and true or false test items for a course in auto mechanics. The test item bank is designed to work with both the Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) and Vocational Administrative Management System (VAMS) in Missouri. The items are grouped into 35 units covering the…

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Himalia An Irregular Jovian Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, R. H.; Baines, K.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.

2002-01-01

Spectra of the irregular Jovian satellite Himalia were obtained with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard Cassini during the Jupiter Flyby on December 18-19, 2000. These are the first spectral data of an irregular satellite beyond 2.5 microns. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Coordination-Supported Imidazolate Networks: Water- and Heat-Stable Mesoporous Polymers for Catalysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengfei; Yang, Shize; Chisholm, Matthew F; Jiang, Xueguang; Huang, Caili; Dai, Sheng

2017-07-26

The poor water stability of most porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is widely recognized as a barrier hampering their practical applications. Here, a facile and scalable route to prepare metal-containing polymers with a good stability in boiling water (100 °C, 24 h) and air (up to 390 °C) is presented. The bifunctional 1-vinylimidazole (VIm) with a coordinating site and a polymerizable organic group is introduced as the building block. This core strategy includes the synthesis of a rigid monomer with four VIm branches through a coordination process at room temperature, followed by a radical polymerization. We refer to this material as coordination-supported imidazolate networks (CINs). Interestingly, CINs are composed of rich mesopores from 2-15 nm, as characterized by low-energy (60 kV) STEM-HAADF images. In particular, the stable CINs illustrate a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 779 h -1 in the catalytic oxidation of phenol with H 2 O as the green solvent. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Scale up of NiTi shape memory alloy production by EBM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otubo, J.; Rigo, O. D.; Moura Neto, C.; Kaufman, M. J.; Mei, P. R.

2003-10-01

The usual process to produce NiTi shape memory alloy is by vacuum induction melting (VIM) using a graphite crucible, which causes contamination of the melt with carbon. Contamination with oxygen originates from the residual oxygen inside the melting chamber. An alternative process to produce NiTi alloys is by electron beam melting (EBM) using a water-cooled copper crucible that eliminates carbon contamination, and the oxygen contamination would be minimal due to operation in a vacuum of better than 10^{-2} Pa. In a previous work, it was demonstrated that the technique is feasible for button shaped samples weighing around 30g. The present work presents the results on the scale up program that enables the production of larger samples/ingots. The results are very promising in terms of chemical composition homogeneity as well as in terms of carbon contamination, the latter being four to ten times lower than the commercially-produced VIM products, and in terms of final oxygen content which is shown to depend primarily on the starting raw materials.

Identification and characteristics of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in surgical wards in a Chinese university hospital.

PubMed

Wang, Dalin; Ma, Linlin; Wu, Zhenyu; Li, Mingcheng; Li, Xiaohan; Zhang, Wei; Chen, Kun

2015-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanni isolated from surgical wards in a university hospital, China. A total of 143 non-duplicate A. baumannii were isolated from 517 inpatients in surgery intensive care units (ICUs), burn wards, and general surgery wards. Of these, 102 isolates of A. baumannii (71.3%) were resistant to imipenem. Among imipenem-resistant isolates, all isolates were resistant to almost all antimicrobial agents except polymyxin E, all isolates were positive for blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51 in addition to ISAba1, 52 (51%) were positive for blaOXA-58, 8 (7.8%) contained blaVIM-2, which co-harbored with blaOXA-58. Molecular typing revealed the presence of three clones among imipenem-resistant isolates. This study confirmed that A. baumannii strains harboring OXA or VIM type β-lactamases are widely distributed throughout the surgery wards. The data demonstrate that there was a high prevalence of imipenem-resistant A. baumannii infection in the region.

Thalamic deep brain stimulation for writer's cramp.

PubMed

Fukaya, Chikashi; Katayama, Yoichi; Kano, Toshikazu; Nagaoka, Takafumi; Kobayashi, Kazutaka; Oshima, Hideki; Yamamoto, Takamitsu

2007-11-01

Writer's cramp is a type of idiopathic focal hand dystonia characterized by muscle cramps that accompany execution of the writing task specifically. In this report, the authors describe the clinical outcome after thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy in patients with writer's cramp and present an illustrative case with which they compare the effects of pallidal and thalamic stimulation. In addition to these results for the clinical effectiveness, they also examine the best point and pattern for therapeutic stimulation of the motor thalamus, including the nucleus ventrooralis (VO) and the ventralis intermedius nucleus (VIM), for writer's cramp. The authors applied thalamic DBS in five patients with writer's cramp. The inclusion criteria for the DBS trial in this disorder were a diagnosis of idiopathic writer's cramp and the absence of a positive response to medication. The exclusion criteria included significant cognitive dysfunction, active psychiatric symptoms, and evidence of other central nervous system diseases or other medical disorders. In one of the cases, DBS leads were implanted into both the globus pallidus internus and the VO/VIM, and test stimulation was performed for 1 week. The authors thus had an opportunity to compare the effects of pallidal and thalamic stimulation in this patient. Immediately after the initiation of thalamic stimulation, the neurological deficits associated with writer's cramp were improved in all five cases. Postoperatively all preoperative scale scores indicating the seriousness of the writer's cramp were significantly lower (p < 0.001). In the patient in whom two DBS leads were implanted, the clinical effect of thalamic stimulation was better than that of pallidal stimulation. During the thalamic stimulation, the maximum effect was obtained when stimulation was applied to both the VO and the VIM widely, compared with being applied only within the VO. The authors successfully treated patients with writer's cramp by thalamic DBS. Insofar as they are aware, this is the first series in which writer's cramp has been treated with DBS. Thalamic stimulation appears to be a safe and valuable therapeutic option for writer's cramp.

Titan's aerosol optical properties with VIMS observations at the limb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rannou, Pascal; Seignovert, Benoit; Le Mouelic, Stephane; Sotin, Christophe

2016-06-01

The study of Titan properties with remote sensing relies on a good knowledge of the atmosphere properties. The in-situ observations made by Huygens combined with recent advances in the definition of methane properties enable to model and interpret observations with a very good accuracy. Thanks to these progresses, we can analyze in this work the observations made at the limb of Titan in order to retrieve information on the haze properties as its vertical profiles but also the spectral behaviour between 0.88 and 5.2 µm. To study the haze layer and more generally the source of opacities in the stratosphere, we use some observation made at the limb of Titan by the VIMS instrument onboard Cassini. We used a model in spherical geometry and in single scattering, and we accounted for the multiple scattering with a parallel plane model that evaluate the multiple scattering source function at the plane of the limb. Our scope is to retrieve informations about the vertical distribution of the haze, its spectral properties, but also to obtain details about the shape of the methane windows to desantangle the role of the methane and of the aerosols. We started our study at the latitude of 55°N, with a image taken in 2006 with a relatively high spatial resolution (for VIMS). Our preliminary results shows the spectral properties of the aerosols are the same whatever the altitude. This is a consequence of the large scale mixing. From limb profile between 0.9 and 5.2 µm, we can probe the haze layer from about 500 km (at 0.9 µm) to the ground (at 5.2 µm). We find that the vertical profile of the haze layer shows three distinct scale heights with transitions around 250 km and 350 km. We also clearly a transition around 70-90 km that may be due to the top of a condensation layer.

Prospective Multicenter Study of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae from 83 Hospitals in Spain Reveals High In Vitro Susceptibility to Colistin and Meropenem

PubMed Central

Ortega, Adriana; Bartolomé, Rosa; Bou, Germán; Conejo, Carmen; Fernández-Martínez, Marta; González-López, Juan José; Martínez-García, Laura; Martínez-Martínez, Luis; Merino, María; Miró, Elisenda; Mora, Marta; Oliver, Antonio; Pascual, Álvaro; Rodríguez-Baño, Jesús; Ruiz-Carrascoso, Guillermo; Ruiz-Garbajosa, Patricia; Zamorano, Laura; Bautista, Verónica; Pérez-Vázquez, María; Campos, José

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in Spain in 2013 by describing the prevalence, dissemination, and geographic distribution of CPE clones, and their population structure and antibiotic susceptibility. From February 2013 to May 2013, 83 hospitals (about 40,000 hospital beds) prospectively collected nonduplicate Enterobacteriaceae using the screening cutoff recommended by EUCAST. Carbapenemase characterization was performed by phenotypic methods and confirmed by PCR and sequencing. Multilocus sequencing types (MLST) were determined for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. A total of 702 Enterobacteriaceae isolates met the inclusion criteria; 379 (54%) were CPE. OXA-48 (71.5%) and VIM-1 (25.3%) were the most frequent carbapenemases, and K. pneumoniae (74.4%), Enterobacter cloacae (10.3%), and E. coli (8.4%) were the species most affected. Susceptibility to colistin, amikacin, and meropenem was 95.5%, 81.3%, and 74.7%, respectively. The most prevalent sequence types (STs) were ST11 and ST405 for K. pneumoniae and ST131 for E. coli. Forty-five (54.1%) of the hospitals had at least one CPE case. For K. pneumoniae, ST11/OXA-48, ST15/OXA-48, ST405/OXA-48, and ST11/VIM-1 were detected in two or more Spanish provinces. ST11 isolates carried four carbapenemases (VIM-1, OXA-48, KPC-2, and OXA-245), but ST405 isolates carried OXA-48 only. A wide interregional spread of CPE in Spain was observed, mainly due to a few successful clones of OXA-48-producing K. pneumoniae (e.g., ST11 and ST405). The dissemination of OXA-48-producing E. coli is a new finding of public health concern. According to the susceptibilities determined in vitro, most of the CPE (94.5%) had three or more options for antibiotic treatment. PMID:25824224

Titan's aerosol optical properties with VIMS observations at the limb of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rannou, Pascal; Seignovert, Benoit; Lavvas, Panayotis; Lemouelic, Stéphane; Sotin, Christophe

2015-11-01

The study of Titan properties with remote sensing relies on a good knowledge of the atmosphere properties. The in-situ observations made by Huygens combined with recent advances in the definition of methane properties enable to model and interpret observations with a very good accuracy. Thanks to these progresses, we can analyze in this work the observations made at the limb of Titan in order to retrieve information on the haze properties as its vertical profiles but also the spectral behaviour between 0.88 and 5.2 μm.To study the haze layer and more generally the source of opacities in the stratosphere, we use som observation made at the limbe of Titan by the VIMS instrument onboard Cassini. We used a model in spherical geometry and in single scattering, and we accounted for the multiple scattering with a parallel plane model that evaluate the multiple scattering source function at the plane of the limb.Our scope is to retrieve informations about the vertical distribution of the haze, its spectral properties, but also to obtain details about the shape of the methane windows to disantangle the role of the methane and of the aerosols.We started our study at the latitude of 55°N, with a image taken in 2006 with a relatively high spatial resolution (for VIMS). Our preliminary results shows the spectral properties of the aerosols are the same whatever the altitude. This is a consequence of the large scale mixing. From limb profile between 0.9 and 5.2 μm, we can probe the haze layer from about 500 km (at 0.9 μm) to the ground (at 5.2 μm). We find that the vertical profile of the haze layer shows three distinct scale heights with transitions around 250 km and 350 km. We also clearly a transition around 70-90 km that may be due to the top of a condensation layer.

Beta oscillatory neurons in the motor thalamus of movement disorder and pain patients.

PubMed

Basha, Diellor; Dostrovsky, Jonathan O; Lopez Rios, Adriana L; Hodaie, Mojgan; Lozano, Andres M; Hutchison, William D

2014-11-01

Excessive beta oscillations (15-25Hz) in the basal ganglia have been linked to the akineto-rigid symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) although it remains unclear whether the underlying mechanism is causative or associative. While a number of studies have reported beta activity in the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus internus, relatively little is known about the beta rhythm of the motor thalamus and its relation to movement disorders. To test whether thalamic beta oscillations are related to parkinsonian symptoms, we examined the spectral properties of neuronal activity in the ventral thalamic nuclei of five Parkinson's disease patients (two female, age range 50-72years) and compared them to five essential tremor (three female, aged 41-75) and four central pain patients (one female, aged 38-60). Spike and local field potential recordings were obtained during microelectrode-guided localization of thalamic nuclei prior to the implantation of deep brain stimulating electrodes. A total of 118 movement-related neurons in the region of the ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) were analyzed across all patient groups. Eighty of these neurons (68%) displayed significant oscillatory firing in the beta range with the limbs at rest. In contrast, only 5.7% of the ventral oral posterior (Vop) (χ(2) test, p<0.05) and only 7.2% of the ventral caudal (Vc) neurons fired rhythmically at beta frequency (χ(2) test, p<0.05). Beta power was significantly decreased during limb movements (ANOVA, p<0.05) and was inversely related to tremor-frequency power during tremor epochs in ET and PD (r(2)=0.44). Comparison between patient groups showed that Vim beta power was significantly higher in ET patients versus pain and PD groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). The findings suggest that beta oscillations are found predominantly in Vim and are involved in movement but are not enhanced in tremor-dominant Parkinson's patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from a Spanish hospital: characterization of metallo-beta-lactamases, porin OprD and integrons.

PubMed

Rojo-Bezares, Beatriz; Estepa, Vanesa; Cebollada, Rocío; de Toro, María; Somalo, Sergio; Seral, Cristina; Castillo, Francisco Javier; Torres, Carmen; Sáenz, Yolanda

2014-05-01

Molecular typing and mechanisms of carbapenem resistance such as alterations in porin OprD and presence of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), as well as integrons have been studied in a collection of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates from a Spanish hospital. One hundred and twenty-three CRPA isolates were recovered from different samples of 80 patients. Clonal relationship among CRPA was analyzed by SpeI-PFGE. Susceptibility testing to 11 antibiotics and MBL phenotype was determined by microdilution, IP/IPI E-test and double disc method. The oprD gene was studied by PCR and sequencing, and mutations were determined comparing with P. aeruginosa PAO1 sequence. Characterization of MBLs, and class 1 and 2 integrons were studied by PCR and sequencing. SDS-PAGE analysis of outer membrane proteins of selected strains was performed. Seventy-four-per-cent of patients with CRPA were hospitalised in the ICU setting and 50% had long hospitalization stays. Sixty-four different PFGE patterns were detected, and 87 CRPA strains were further analyzed. MBL phenotype was detected in 43 of 87 strains (49.4%), which contained blaVIM-2 gene inside class 1 integrons. VIM-2-producing strains belonged to lineages ST175, ST235, and ST973. A great diversity of nucleotide insertions, deletions, and mutations in oprD gene, and the presence of a new insertion sequence (ISPa45) truncating oprD were identified among CRPA strains. Class 1 integrons were detected in 75% of CRPA strains, blaVIM-2 and the new arrangement aac(3)-Ia+ISPa34+aadA1 (named as In661) being the most frequent gene-cassette arrays detected. Other gene cassettes detected in integrons were: aadB, aadA6, aadA7, aac(6')-Ib', and blaOXA-46. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

The atmospheres of Saturn and Titan in the near-infrared: First results of Cassini/Vims

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baines, K.H.; Momary, T.W.; Buratti, B.J.; Matson, D.L.; Nelson, R.M.; Drossart, P.; Sicardy, B.; Formisano, V.; Bellucci, G.; Coradini, A.; Griffith, C.; Brown, R.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Langevin, Y.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Combes, M.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Jaumann, R.; McCordt, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sotin, Christophe

2006-01-01

The wide spectral coverage and extensive spatial, temporal, and phase-angle mapping capabilities of the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini-Huygens Orbiter are producing fundamental new insights into the nature of the atmospheres of Saturn and Titan. For both bodies, VIMS maps over time and solar phase angles provide information for a multitude of atmospheric constituents and aerosol layers, providing new insights into atmospheric structure and dynamical and chemical processes. For Saturn, salient early results include evidence for phosphine depletion in relatively dark and less cloudy belts at temperate and mid-latitudes compared to the relatively bright and cloudier Equatorial Region, consistent with traditional theories of belts being regions of relative downwelling. Additional Saturn results include (1) the mapping of enhanced trace gas absorptions at the south pole, and (2) the first high phase-angle, high-spatial-resolution imagery of CH4 fluorescence. An additional fundamental new result is the first nighttime near-infrared mapping of Saturn, clearly showing discrete meteorological features relatively deep in the atmosphere beneath the planet's sunlit haze and cloud layers, thus revealing a new dynamical regime at depth where vertical dynamics is relatively more important than zonal dynamics in determining cloud morphology. Zonal wind measurements at deeper levels than previously available are achieved by tracking these features over multiple days, thereby providing measurements of zonal wind shears within Saturn's troposphere when compared to cloudtop movements measured in reflected sunlight. For Titan, initial results include (1) the first detection and mapping of thermal emission spectra of CO, CO2, and CH3D on Titan's nightside limb, (2) the mapping of CH4 fluorescence over the dayside bright limb, extending to ??? 750 km altitude, (3) wind measurements of ???0.5 ms-1, favoring prograde, from the movement of a persistent (multiple months) south polar cloud near 88??S latitude, and (4) the imaging of two transient mid-southern-latitude cloud features. ?? Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006.

The Effect of Uni- and Bilateral Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Speech in Patients With Essential Tremor: Acoustics and Intelligibility.

PubMed

Becker, Johannes; Barbe, Michael T; Hartinger, Mariam; Dembek, Till A; Pochmann, Jil; Wirths, Jochen; Allert, Niels; Mücke, Doris; Hermes, Anne; Meister, Ingo G; Visser-Vandewalle, Veerle; Grice, Martine; Timmermann, Lars

2017-04-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is performed to suppress medically-resistant essential tremor (ET). However, stimulation induced dysarthria (SID) is a common side effect, limiting the extent to which tremor can be suppressed. To date, the exact pathogenesis of SID in VIM-DBS treated ET patients is unknown. We investigate the effect of inactivated, uni- and bilateral VIM-DBS on speech production in patients with ET. We employ acoustic measures, tempo, and intelligibility ratings and patient's self-estimated speech to quantify SID, with a focus on comparing bilateral to unilateral stimulation effects and the effect of electrode position on speech. Sixteen German ET patients participated in this study. Each patient was acoustically recorded with DBS-off, unilateral-right-hemispheric-DBS-on, unilateral-left-hemispheric-DBS-on, and bilateral-DBS-on during an oral diadochokinesis task and a read German standard text. To capture the extent of speech impairment, we measured syllable duration and intensity ratio during the DDK task. Naïve listeners rated speech tempo and speech intelligibility of the read text on a 5-point-scale. Patients had to rate their "ability to speak". We found an effect of bilateral compared to unilateral and inactivated stimulation on syllable durations and intensity ratio, as well as on external intelligibility ratings and patients' VAS scores. Additionally, VAS scores are associated with more laterally located active contacts. For speech ratings, we found an effect of syllable duration such that tempo and intelligibility was rated worse for speakers exhibiting greater syllable durations. Our data confirms that SID is more pronounced under bilateral compared to unilateral stimulation. Laterally located electrodes are associated with more severe SID according to patient's self-ratings. We can confirm the relation between diadochokinetic rate and SID in that listener's tempo and intelligibility ratings can be predicted by measured syllable durations from DDK tasks. © 2017 International Neuromodulation Society.

Space Weathering on Icy Satellites in the Outer Solar System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, R. N.; Perlman, Z.; Pearson, N.; Cruikshank, D. P.

2014-01-01

Space weathering produces well-known optical effects in silicate minerals in the inner Solar System, for example, on the Moon. Space weathering from solar wind and UV (ultraviolet radiation) is expected to be significantly weaker in the outer Solar System simply because intensities are low. However, cosmic rays and micrometeoroid bombardment would be similar to first order. That, combined with the much higher volatility of icy surfaces means there is the potential for space weathering on icy outer Solar System surfaces to show optical effects. The Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn is providing evidence for space weathering on icy bodies. The Cassini Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument has spatially mapped satellite surfaces and the rings from 0.35-5 microns and the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) instrument from 0.1 to 0.2 microns. These data have sampled a complex mixing space between H2O ice and non-ice components and they show some common spectral properties. Similarly, spectra of the icy Galilean satellites and satellites in the Uranian system have some commonality in spectral properties with those in the Saturn system. The UV absorber is spectrally similar on many surfaces. VIMS has identified CO2, H2 and trace organics in varying abundances on Saturn's satellites. We postulate that through the spatial relationships of some of these compounds that they are created and destroyed through space weathering effects. For example, the trapped H2 and CO2 observed by VIMS in regions with high concentrations of dark material may in part be space weathering products from the destruction of H2O and organic molecules. The dark material, particularly on Iapetus which has the highest concentration in the Saturn system, is well matched by space-weathered silicates in the .4 to 2.6 micron range, and the spectral shapes closely match those of the most mature lunar soils, another indicator of space weathered material.

Molecular Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Spanish Hospitals▿

PubMed Central

Gutiérrez, O.; Juan, C.; Cercenado, E.; Navarro, F.; Bouza, E.; Coll, P.; Pérez, J. L.; Oliver, A.

2007-01-01

All (236) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to imipenem and/or meropenem collected during a multicenter (127-hospital) study in Spain were analyzed. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were found to be more frequently resistant to all β-lactams and non-β-lactam antibiotics than carbapenem-susceptible isolates (P < 0.001), and up to 46% of the carbapenem-resistant isolates met the criteria used to define multidrug resistance (MDR). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed remarkable clonal diversity (165 different clones were identified), and with few exceptions, the levels of intra- and interhospital dissemination of clones were found to be low. Carbapenem resistance was driven mainly by the mutational inactivation of OprD, accompanied or not by the hyperexpression of AmpC or MexAB-OprM. Class B carbapenemases (metallo-β-lactamases [MBLs]) were detected in a single isolate, although interestingly, this isolate belonged to one of the few epidemic clones documented. The MBL-encoding gene (blaVIM-2), along with the aminoglycoside resistance determinants, was transferred to strain PAO1 by electroporation, demonstrating its plasmid location. The class 1 integron harboring blaVIM-2 was characterized as well, and two interesting features were revealed: intI1 was found to be disrupted by a 1.1-kb insertion sequence, and a previously undescribed aminoglycoside acetyltransferase-encoding gene [designated aac(6′)-32] preceded blaVIM-2. AAC(6′)-32 showed 80% identity to AAC(6′)-Ib′ and the recently described AAC(6′)-31, and when aac(6′)-32 was cloned into Escherichia coli, it conferred resistance to tobramycin and reduced susceptibility to gentamicin and amikacin. Despite the currently low prevalence of epidemic clones with MDR, active surveillance is needed to detect and prevent the dissemination of these clones, particularly those producing integron- and plasmid-encoded MBLs, given their additional capacity for the intra- and interspecies spread of MDR. PMID:17938181

Efficacy of Colistin and Its Combination With Rifampin in Vitro and in Experimental Models of Infection Caused by Carbapenemase-Producing Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

PubMed

Pachón-Ibáñez, María E; Labrador-Herrera, Gema; Cebrero-Cangueiro, Tania; Díaz, Caridad; Smani, Younes; Del Palacio, José P; Rodríguez-Baño, Jesús; Pascual, Alvaro; Pachón, Jerónimo; Conejo, M Carmen

2018-01-01

Despite the relevance of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kp) infections there are a scarce number of studies to evaluate in vivo the efficacy of combinations therapies. The bactericidal activity of colistin, rifampin, and its combination was studied (time-kill curves) against four clonally unrelated clinical isolates of CP-Kp, producing VIM-1, VIM-1 plus DHA-1(acquired AmpC β-lactamase), OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 (extended spectrum β-lactamase) and KPC-3, respectively, with colistin MICs of 0.5, 64, 0.5, and 32 mg/L, respectively. The efficacies of antimicrobials in monotherapy and in combination were tested in a murine peritoneal sepsis model, against all the CP-Kp. Their efficacies were tested in the pneumonia model against the OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 producers. The development of colistin-resistance was analyzed for the colistin-susceptible strains in vitro and in vivo . In vitro , colistin plus rifampin was synergistic against all the strains at 24 h. In vivo , compared to the controls, rifampin alone reduced tissue bacterial concentrations against VIM-1 and OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 strains; CMS plus rifampin reduced tissue bacterial concentrations of these two CP-Kp and of the KPC-3 strain. Rifampin and the combination increased the survival against the KPC-3 strain; in the pneumonia model, the combination also improved the survival. No resistant mutants appeared with the combination. In conclusion, CMS plus rifampin had a low and heterogeneous efficacy in the treatment of severe peritoneal sepsis model due to CP-Kp producing different carbapenemases, increasing survival only against the KPC-3 strain. The combination showed efficacy in the less severe pneumonia model. The combination prevented in vitro and in vivo the development of colistin resistant mutants.

Efficacy of Colistin and Its Combination With Rifampin in Vitro and in Experimental Models of Infection Caused by Carbapenemase-Producing Clinical Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae

PubMed Central

Pachón-Ibáñez, María E.; Labrador-Herrera, Gema; Cebrero-Cangueiro, Tania; Díaz, Caridad; Smani, Younes; del Palacio, José P.; Rodríguez-Baño, Jesús; Pascual, Alvaro; Pachón, Jerónimo; Conejo, M. Carmen

2018-01-01

Despite the relevance of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-Kp) infections there are a scarce number of studies to evaluate in vivo the efficacy of combinations therapies. The bactericidal activity of colistin, rifampin, and its combination was studied (time–kill curves) against four clonally unrelated clinical isolates of CP-Kp, producing VIM-1, VIM-1 plus DHA-1(acquired AmpC β-lactamase), OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 (extended spectrum β-lactamase) and KPC-3, respectively, with colistin MICs of 0.5, 64, 0.5, and 32 mg/L, respectively. The efficacies of antimicrobials in monotherapy and in combination were tested in a murine peritoneal sepsis model, against all the CP-Kp. Their efficacies were tested in the pneumonia model against the OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 producers. The development of colistin-resistance was analyzed for the colistin-susceptible strains in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, colistin plus rifampin was synergistic against all the strains at 24 h. In vivo, compared to the controls, rifampin alone reduced tissue bacterial concentrations against VIM-1 and OXA-48 plus CTX-M-15 strains; CMS plus rifampin reduced tissue bacterial concentrations of these two CP-Kp and of the KPC-3 strain. Rifampin and the combination increased the survival against the KPC-3 strain; in the pneumonia model, the combination also improved the survival. No resistant mutants appeared with the combination. In conclusion, CMS plus rifampin had a low and heterogeneous efficacy in the treatment of severe peritoneal sepsis model due to CP-Kp producing different carbapenemases, increasing survival only against the KPC-3 strain. The combination showed efficacy in the less severe pneumonia model. The combination prevented in vitro and in vivo the development of colistin resistant mutants.

Spectral Characteristics of Titan's Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, Caitlin A.; Turner, Jake D.; Penteado, Paulo; Khamsi, Tymon B.; Soderblom, Jason M.

2014-11-01

Cassini/Huygens and ground-based measurements of Titan reveal an eroded surface, with lakes, dunes, and sinuous washes. These features, coupled with measurements of clouds and rain, indicate the transfer of methane between Titan’s surface and atmosphere. The presence of methane-damp lowlands suggests further that the atmospheric methane (which is continually depleted through photolysis) may be supplied by sub-surface reservoirs. The byproducts of methane photolysis condense onto the surface, leaving layers of organic sediments that record Titan’s past atmospheres.Thus knowledge of the source and history of Titan's atmosphere requires measurements of the large scale compositional makeup of Titan's surface, which is shrouded by a thick and hazy atmosphere. Towards this goal, we analyzed roughly 100,000 spectra recorded by Cassini’s Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Our study is confined to the latitude region (20S—20N) surrounding the landing site of the Huygens probe (at 10S, 192W), which supplied only measurement of the vertical profiles of the methane abundance and haze scattering characteristics. VIMS near-IR spectral images indicate subtle latitudinal and temporal variations in the haze characteristics in the tropics. We constrain these small changes with full radiative transfer analyses of each of the thousands of VIMS spectra, which were recorded of different terrains and at different lighting conditions. The resulting models of Titan’s atmosphere as a function of latitude and year indicate the seasonal migration of Titan’s tropical haze and enable the derivation of Titan’s surface albedo at 8 near-IR wavelength regions where Titan’s atmosphere is transparent enough to allow visibility to the surface. The resultant maps of Titan’s surface indicate a number of terrain types with distinct spectral characteristics that are suggestive of atmospheric and surficial processes, including the deposition of organic material, erosion of sediments and potential sources of methane.

Saturn's North Polar Vortex Revealed by Cassini/VIMS: Zonal Wind Structure and Constraints on Cloud Distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baines, Kevin H.; Momary, T. W.; Fletcher, L. N.; Buratti, B. J.; Roos-Serote, M.; Showman, A. P.; Brown, R. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2008-09-01

We present the first high-spatial resolution, near-nadir imagery and movies of Saturn's north polar region that reveal the wind structure of a north polar vortex. Obtained by Cassini/VIMS on June 15, 2008 from high over Saturn's polar region (sub-spacecraft latitude of 65 degrees N. lat) at an altitude of 0.42 million km during the long polar night, these 210-per-pixel images of the polar region north of 73 degrees N. latitude show several concentric cloud rings and hundreds of individual cloud features in silhouette against the 5-micron background thermal glow of Saturn's deep atmosphere. In contrast to the clear eye of the south polar vortex, the north polar vortex sports a central cloud feature about 650-km in diameter. Zonal winds reach a maximum of 150 m/s near 88 degrees N. latitude (planetocentric) - comparable to the south polar vortex maximum of 190 m/s near 88 degrees S. latitude - and fall off nearly monotonically to 10 m/s near 80 degrees N. latitude. At slightly greater distance from the pole, inside the north polar hexagon in the 75-77 degree N. latitude region, zonal winds increase dramatically to 130 m/s, as silhouetted clouds are seen speeding aroud the "race track” of the hexagonal feature. VIMS 5-micron thermal observations over a 1.6-year period from October 29, 2006 to June 15, 2008 are consistent with the polar hexagon structure itself remaining fixed in the Voyager-era radio rotation rate (Desch and Kaiser, Geophys. Res. Lett, 8, 253-256, 1981) to within an accuracy of 3 seconds per rotational period. This agrees with the stationary nature of the wave in this rotation system found by Godfrey (Icarus 76, 335-356, 1988), but is inconsistent with rotation rates found during the current Cassini era.

Progression of Patterns (POP): A Machine Classifier Algorithm to Identify Glaucoma Progression in Visual Fields

PubMed Central

Goldbaum, Michael H.; Lee, Intae; Jang, Giljin; Balasubramanian, Madhusudhanan; Sample, Pamela A.; Weinreb, Robert N.; Liebmann, Jeffrey M.; Girkin, Christopher A.; Anderson, Douglas R.; Zangwill, Linda M.; Fredette, Marie-Josee; Jung, Tzyy-Ping; Medeiros, Felipe A.; Bowd, Christopher

2012-01-01

Purpose. We evaluated Progression of Patterns (POP) for its ability to identify progression of glaucomatous visual field (VF) defects. Methods. POP uses variational Bayesian independent component mixture model (VIM), a machine learning classifier (MLC) developed previously. VIM separated Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) VFs from a set of 2,085 normal and glaucomatous eyes into nine axes (VF patterns): seven glaucomatous. Stable glaucoma was simulated in a second set of 55 patient eyes with five VFs each, collected within four weeks. A third set of 628 eyes with 4,186 VFs (mean ± SD of 6.7 ± 1.7 VFs over 4.0 ± 1.4 years) was tested for progression. Tested eyes were placed into suspect and glaucoma categories at baseline, based on VFs and disk stereoscopic photographs; a subset of eyes had stereophotographic evidence of progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy (PGON). Each sequence of fields was projected along seven VIM glaucoma axes. Linear regression (LR) slopes generated from projections onto each axis yielded a degree of confidence (DOC) that there was progression. At 95% specificity, progression cutoffs were established for POP, visual field index (VFI), and mean deviation (MD). Guided progression analysis (GPA) was also compared. Results. POP identified a statistically similar number of eyes (P > 0.05) as progressing compared with VFI, MD, and GPA in suspects (3.8%, 2.7%, 5.6%, and 2.9%, respectively), and more eyes than GPA (P = 0.01) in glaucoma (16.0%, 15.3%, 12.0%, and 7.3%, respectively), and more eyes than GPA (P = 0.05) in PGON eyes (26.3%, 23.7%, 27.6%, and 14.5%, respectively). Conclusions. POP, with its display of DOC of progression and its identification of progressing VF defect pattern, adds to the information available to the clinician for detecting VF progression. PMID:22786913

Blood pressure response to renal denervation is correlated with baseline blood pressure variability: a patient-level meta-analysis.

PubMed

Persu, Alexandre; Gordin, Daniel; Jacobs, Lotte; Thijs, Lutgarde; Bots, Michiel L; Spiering, Wilko; Miroslawska, Atena; Spaak, Jonas; Rosa, Ján; de Jong, Mark R; Berra, Elena; Fadl Elmula, Fadl Elmula M; Wuerzner, Gregoire; Taylor, Alison H M; Olszanecka, Agnieszka; Czarnecka, Danuta; Mark, Patrick B; Burnier, Michel; Renkin, Jean; Kjeldsen, Sverre E; Widimský, Jiří; Elvan, Arif; Kahan, Thomas; Steigen, Terje K; Blankestijn, Peter J; Tikkanen, Ilkka; Staessen, Jan A

2018-02-01

Sympathetic tone is one of the main determinants of blood pressure (BP) variability and treatment-resistant hypertension. The aim of our study was to assess changes in BP variability after renal denervation (RDN). In addition, on an exploratory basis, we investigated whether baseline BP variability predicted the BP changes after RDN. We analyzed 24-h BP recordings obtained at baseline and 6 months after RDN in 167 treatment-resistant hypertension patients (40% women; age, 56.7 years; mean 24-h BP, 152/90 mmHg) recruited at 11 expert centers. BP variability was assessed by weighted SD [SD over time weighted for the time interval between consecutive readings (SDiw)], average real variability (ARV), coefficient of variation, and variability independent of the mean (VIM). Mean office and 24-h BP fell by 15.4/6.6 and 5.5/3.7 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, systolic/diastolic SDiw and VIM for 24-h SBP/DBP decreased by 1.18/0.63 mmHg (P ≤ 0.01) and 0.86/0.42 mmHg (P ≤ 0.05), respectively, whereas no significant changes in ARV or coefficient of variation occurred. Furthermore, baseline SDiw (P = 0.0006), ARV (P = 0.01), and VIM (P = 0.04) predicted the decrease in 24-h DBP but not 24-h SBP after RDN. RDN was associated with a decrease in BP variability independent of the BP level, suggesting that responders may derive benefits from the reduction in BP variability as well. Furthermore, baseline DBP variability estimates significantly correlated with mean DBP decrease after RDN. If confirmed in younger patients with less arterial damage, in the absence of the confounding effect of drugs and drug adherence, baseline BP variability may prove a good predictor of BP response to RDN.

The Case for Massive and Ancient Rings of Saturn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esposito, Larry W.

2016-04-01

Analysis of Voyager and Pioneer 11 results give a mass for Saturn's rings, M = 5 x 10-8 Msat. This is about the mass of Saturn's small moon Mimas. This has been interpreted as a lower limit to the ring mass (Esposito et al 1983), since the thickest parts of the rings were not penetrated by the stellar occultstion, and this calculation assumes an unvarying particle size throughout the rings. Because the rings are constantly bombarded by micrometeroids, their current composition of nearly pure water ice implies such low mass rings must have formed recently. The case is par-ticularly strong for Saturn's A ring, where the data are the best, implying the A ring is less than 10% of the age of the Saturn (Esposito 1986). Cassini results com-pound this problem. UVIS spectra are consistent with either young rings or rings about 10x as massive as the Voyager estimate (Elliott and Esposito (2011). CDA confirms the impacting mass flux is similar to that as-sumed for the pollution calculations (Kempf etal 2015). VIMS analysis of density wave signatures in the B ring gives a value of about 1/3 the Voyager value (Hedmann etal 2016). This VIMS result implies the rings are even younger! The problem is that young rings are very unlikely to be formed recently, meaning that we live in a very special epoch, following some unlikely recent origin… like disruption of a medium sized moon or capture of the fragments of a disrupted comet. This paradox (Charnoz etal 2009) is unre-solved. Alternative interpretations: To take the VIMS results at face value, Saturn's low mass rings must be very young. The optically thick B ring must be made of small, porous or fractal particles. This is hard to understand, since the particles are continually colliding every few hours and temporary aggregates will stir the collision velocities to higher values. An alternative is that we accept the higher mass interpretation of the Pioneer 11 results (Esposito etal 2008) using the granola bar model of Colwell etal 2007. This would imply that the density wave structure seen by VIMS is not sensing all the mass in the rings, where structure near strong resonances is dominted by temporary aggregates, and where non-linear effects cause the parti-cles to jam (Lewis and Stewart 2009). The density waves may be seeing the mass density in the gaps be-tween self-gravity wakes, whose optical depth is roughly contant and considerably lower than the total B ring opacity (Colwell etal 2007). These massive rings would be consistent with the origin model of Canup (2011) where a Titan-sized diffferntiated moon was disrupted early in Saturn's formation.

Emergence of a multiresistant KPC-3 and VIM-1 carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli strain in Spain.

PubMed

Porres-Osante, Nerea; Azcona-Gutiérrez, Jose Manuel; Rojo-Bezares, Beatriz; Undabeitia, Esther; Torres, Carmen; Sáenz, Yolanda

2014-07-01

To characterize the mechanisms involved in carbapenem resistance, as well as the genetic elements supporting their mobilization, in a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolate. The E. coli isolate was obtained from a patient with fatal urinary sepsis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion and agar dilution methods. The E. coli molecular type and phylogroup were determined using multilocus sequence typing and the triple PCR technique, respectively. PCR and sequencing were used for virulence and resistance genotype characterization. Plasmid content and gene location were analysed by S1-PFGE, I-Ceu1-PFGE and hybridization experiments. Transformation assays were performed. The E. coli strain, typed as ST448 and phylogroup B1, was resistant to all tested antibiotics except fosfomycin, tigecycline and tetracycline. The following resistance and virulence genetic structures were obtained: ISKpn7 + bla(KPC-3) + ISKpn6 linked to Tn4401; tnpR + aac(6')-Ib'-9 + aadA1 + bla(OXA-9) + tnpR + bla(TEM-1a) + tnpB + strB + strA + sul2; intI1 + bla(VIM-1) + aac(6')-Ib' + aphA15 + aadA1 + catB2 + qacEΔ1-sul1 + orf5; ISEcp1 + bla(CMY-2); IS26 + bla(SHV-12); aph(3')-I; aac(3)-IV; floR; catA; and fimA. Mutations in the ampC promoter (-18, -1 and +58) and substitutions in the GyrA (Ser-83→Leu and Asp-87→Asn) and ParC (Ser-80→Ile) proteins were observed. IncFII (ST2), IncA/C and ColE(TP) plasmids of 145.5, 87 and <2 kb, respectively, were found. The bla(VIM-1) gene was located in a non-typeable plasmid of >300 kb, and the bla(KPC-3) gene in the 145.5 kb IncFII plasmid. Transformant strains carried the IncFII and ColE(TP) plasmids, and the bla(KPC-3), bla(TEM-1a), bla(OXA-9), aadA1, aac(6')-Ib'-9, aac(3)-IV and floR genes. This is the first report of the co-production of KPC-3, VIM-1, SHV-12, OXA-9 and CMY-2 in a unique clinical multiresistant E. coli isolate. The dissemination of these genes on mobile genetic elements is alarming and complicates antimicrobial therapies. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

High resolution solar observations from first principles to applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verdoni, Angelo P.

2009-10-01

The expression "high-resolution observations" in Solar Physics refers to the spatial, temporal and spectral domains in their entirety. High-resolution observations of solar fine structure are a necessity to answer many of the intriguing questions related to solar activity. However, a researcher building instruments for high-resolution observations has to cope with the fact that these three domains often have diametrically opposed boundary conditions. Many factors have to be considered in the design of a successful instrument. Modern post-focus instruments are more closely linked with the solar telescopes that they serve than in past. In principle, the quest for high-resolution observations already starts with the selection of the observatory site. The site survey of the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) under the stewardship of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) has identified Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) as one of the best sites for solar observations. In a first step, the seeing characteristics at BBSO based on the data collected for the ATST site survey are described. The analysis will aid in the scheduling of high-resolution observations at BBSO as well as provide useful information concerning the design and implementation of a thermal control system for the New Solar Telescope (NST). NST is an off-axis open-structure Gregorian-style telescope with a 1.6 m aperture. NST will be housed in a newly constructed 5/8-sphere ventilated dome. With optics exposed to the surrounding air, NST's open-structure design makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of enclosure-related seeing. In an effort to mitigate these effects, the initial design of a thermal control system for the NST dome is presented. The goal is to remediate thermal related seeing effects present within the dome interior. The THermal Control System (THCS) is an essential component for the open-telescope design of NST to work. Following these tasks, a calibration routine for the polarization optics for the Visible-light Imaging Magnetograph (VIM) is presented. VIM uses a set of two Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVRs) as the main components of its Stokes analyzer. Calibration of these components is a crucial step in providing reliable polarimetric measurements of the Sun using VIM. On 2007 July 15, using the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) at the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak (NSO/SP), New Mexico, the first polarimetric measurements using VIM were made. As a final step, illustrating an application of high-resolution solar observations, the results of a two-dimensional time-series acquired on 2006 June 11, using the DST at NSOP is presented. The data is used in a study of upflow events that are observed to occur in the Halpha 656.3 nm and Na D2 589.0 nm chromospheric absorption lines.

U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam Monthly Historical Summary for May 1969

DTIC Science & Technology

1969-06-01

were killed andla sanpans were destroyed. There were no U.S. casualties. Two targets of opportunity Wm , tan under fire by OV- lQA air- craft of TU...civilian, vol-=tary agencies 5;.- Average per-tent of self-help by M, civilians so *h Dy ftaenaitures (VIM~ "Econonic Devel.oprAnt 289 145,233 . - Education

Introduction to Animal Reproduction. Instructor Guide [and] Student Reference. Volume 28, Number 5 [and] Volume 28, Number 6.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peiter, Andrea; And Others

This instructor guide and the corresponding student reference contain seven lessons about animal reproduction for inclusion in Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) agricultural education courses. The lessons cover the following topics: the male and female reproductive systems, puberty and the estrous cycle, conception and gestation,…

OPUS: A Comprehensive Search Tool for Remote Sensing Observations of the Outer Planets. Now with Enhanced Geometric Metadata for Cassini and New Horizons Optical Remote Sensing Instruments.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, M. K.; Showalter, M. R.; Ballard, L.; Tiscareno, M.; French, R. S.; Olson, D.

2017-06-01

The PDS RMS Node hosts OPUS - an accurate, comprehensive search tool for spacecraft remote sensing observations. OPUS supports Cassini: CIRS, ISS, UVIS, VIMS; New Horizons: LORRI, MVIC; Galileo SSI; Voyager ISS; and Hubble: ACS, STIS, WFC3, WFPC2.

Coordination and Evaluation of Videodisc and Microcomputer Programs. Final Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLaughlin, Donald H.; And Others

This report provides information on the background, methodology, and findings of the Videodisc-Microcomputer (ViM) Network project, which brought together over 40 schools in 15 states to explore the potential of a new technology for basic skills instruction. Initiated in 1981 and completed at the end of 1983, the project involved a wide variety of…

Selecting indicators and understanding their role in wilderness experience stewardship at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Treesearch

Brian Glaspell; Alan E. Watson; Katie Kneeshaw; Don Pendergrast

2003-01-01

The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) and other indicator-based planning frameworks (e.g., VERP, Visitor Experience and Resource Protection; VIM, Visitor Impact Management) have been widely adopted by wilderness managers. A central feature of these frameworks is the selection of indicators of conditions that influence experience quality, and which managers can...

Identification of blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, blaDIM-1 and blaVIM carbapenemase genes in hospital enterobacteriaceae isolates from Sierra Leone

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We describe the results of a molecular epidemiological survey of 15 carbapenemase-encoding genes from a recent collection of clinical isolates. The most salient findings revealed that (i) 60% of the isolates harbored multiple carbapenemase genes, (ii) the blaDIM-1 gene that has only been reported in...

Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Romania: A Six-Month Survey

PubMed Central

Straut, Monica; Usein, Codruta Romanita; Cristea, Dana; Ciontea, Simona; Codita, Irina; Rafila, Alexandru; Nica, Maria; Buzea, Mariana; Baicus, Anda; Ghita, Mihaela Camelia; Nistor, Irina; Tuchiluş, Cristina; Indreas, Marina; Antohe, Felicia; Glasner, Corinna; Grundmann, Hajo; Jasir, Aftab; Damian, Maria

2015-01-01

This study presents the first characterization of carbapenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by means of a structured six-month survey performed in Romania as part of an Europe-wide investigation. Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from different anatomical sites were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by phenotypic methods and confirmed by PCR for the presence of four carbapenemase genes. Genome macrorestriction fingerprinting with XbaI was used to analyze the relatedness of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from eight hospitals. Among 75 non-susceptible isolates, 65 were carbapenemase producers. The most frequently identified genotype was OXA-48 (n = 51 isolates), eight isolates were positive for bla NDM-1 gene, four had the bla KPC-2 gene, whereas two were positive for bla VIM-1. The analysis of PFGE profiles of OXA-48 and NDM-1 producing K. pneumoniae suggests inter-hospitals and regional transmission of epidemic clones. This study presents the first description of K. pneumoniae strains harbouring bla KPC-2 and bla VIM-1 genes in Romania. The results of this study highlight the urgent need for the strengthening of hospital infection control measures in Romania in order to curb the further spread of the antibiotic resistance. PMID:26599338

CLOUD AND HAZE IN THE WINTER POLAR REGION OF TITAN OBSERVED WITH VISUAL AND INFRARED MAPPING SPECTROMETER ON BOARD CASSINI

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

Rannou, P.; Le Mouelic, S.; Sotin, C.

2012-03-20

A large cloud in the north polar region of Titan was first observed by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) in 2005 and then in 2006. This cloud, confined beyond the latitude 62 Degree-Sign N, is surrounded by a mixture of aerosol and mist probably lying in the low stratosphere and troposphere. Subsequent images of this region of Titan show a gradual vanishing of this cloud which was reported previously. In this paper, we characterize the physical properties of this cloud, haze, and mist as well as their time evolutions. We note several details on the images such asmore » a secondary cloud above the main cloud and latitudes beyond 70 Degree-Sign N. We also show that the cloud disappearance leaves the polar region poorly loaded in aerosols, yielding an annular zone of aerosols between 50 Degree-Sign N and 65 Degree-Sign N. Our analysis suggests that this structure observed by VIMS in the near-IR is an annular structure observed by ISS on board Voyager one Titan year ago in 1980.« less

Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Romania: A Six-Month Survey.

PubMed

Lixandru, Brandusa Elena; Cotar, Ani Ioana; Straut, Monica; Usein, Codruta Romanita; Cristea, Dana; Ciontea, Simona; Tatu-Chitoiu, Dorina; Codita, Irina; Rafila, Alexandru; Nica, Maria; Buzea, Mariana; Baicus, Anda; Ghita, Mihaela Camelia; Nistor, Irina; Tuchiluş, Cristina; Indreas, Marina; Antohe, Felicia; Glasner, Corinna; Grundmann, Hajo; Jasir, Aftab; Damian, Maria

2015-01-01

This study presents the first characterization of carbapenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by means of a structured six-month survey performed in Romania as part of an Europe-wide investigation. Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from different anatomical sites were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by phenotypic methods and confirmed by PCR for the presence of four carbapenemase genes. Genome macrorestriction fingerprinting with XbaI was used to analyze the relatedness of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from eight hospitals. Among 75 non-susceptible isolates, 65 were carbapenemase producers. The most frequently identified genotype was OXA-48 (n = 51 isolates), eight isolates were positive for blaNDM-1 gene, four had the blaKPC-2 gene, whereas two were positive for blaVIM-1. The analysis of PFGE profiles of OXA-48 and NDM-1 producing K. pneumoniae suggests inter-hospitals and regional transmission of epidemic clones. This study presents the first description of K. pneumoniae strains harbouring blaKPC-2 and blaVIM-1 genes in Romania. The results of this study highlight the urgent need for the strengthening of hospital infection control measures in Romania in order to curb the further spread of the antibiotic resistance.

Photometric and Spectral Study of the Saturnian Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, Sarah F.

2005-01-01

Photometric and spectra analysis of data from the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) has yielded intriguing findings regarding the surface properties of several of the icy Saturnian satellites. Spectral cubes were obtained of these satellites with a wavelength distribution in the IR far more extensive than from any previous observations. Disk-integrated solar phase curves were constructed in several key IR wavelengths that are indicative of key properties of the surface of the body, such as macroscopic roughness, fluffiness (or the porosity of the surface), global albedo and scattering properties of surface particles. Polynomial fits to these phase curves indicate a linear albedo trend of the curvature of the phase functions. Rotational phase functions from Enceladus were found to exhibit a double-peaked sinusoidal curve, which shows larger amplitudes for bands corresponding to water ice and a linear amplitude-albedo trend. These functions indicate regions on the surface of the satellite of more recent geologic activity. In addition, recent images of Enceladus show tectonic features and an absence of impact craters on Southern latitudes which could be indicative of a younger surface. Investigations into the properties of these features using VIMS are underway.

Low-Latitude Ethane Rain on Titan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalba, Paul A.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Brown, R. H.; Barnes, J. W.; Baines, K. H.; Sotin, C.; Clark, R. N.; Lawrence, K. J.; Nicholson, P. D.

2012-01-01

Cassini ISS observed multiple widespread changes in surface brightness in Titan's equatorial regions over the past three years. These brightness variations are attributed to rainfall from cloud systems that appear to form seasonally. Determining the composition of this rainfall is an important step in understanding the "methanological" cycle on Titan. I use data from Cassini VIMS to complete a spectroscopic investigation of multiple rain-wetted areas. I compute "before-and-after" spectral ratios of any areas that show either deposition or evaporation of rain. By comparing these spectral ratios to a model of liquid ethane, I find that the rain is most likely composed of liquid ethane. The spectrum of liquid ethane contains multiple absorption features that fall within the 2-micron and 5-micron spectral windows in Titan's atmosphere. I show that these features are visible in the spectra taken of Titan's surface and that they are characteristically different than those in the spectrum of liquid methane. Furthermore, just as ISS saw the surface brightness reverting to its original state after a period of time, I show that VIMS observations of later flybys show the surface composition in different stages of returning to its initial form.

Potentially active regions on Titan: New processing of Cassini/VIMS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomonidou, A.; Hirtzig, M.; Bratsolis, E.; Bampasidis, G.; Coustenis, A.; Kyriakopoulos, K.; Le Mouélic, S.; Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Drossart, P.; Sotin, C.; St. Seymour, K.; Moussas, X.

2012-04-01

The Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) obtained data of Titan's surface from flybys performed during the last seven years. In the 0.8-5.2 µm range, these spectro-imaging data showed that the surface consists of a multivariable geological terrain hosting complex geological processes. The data from the seven narrow methane spectral "windows" centered at 0.93, 1.08, 1.27, 1.59, 2.03, 2.8 and 5 µm provide some information on the lower atmospheric context and the surface parameters that we want to determine. Atmospheric scattering and absorption need to be clearly evaluated before we can extract the surface properties. We apply here a statistical method [1, 2] and a radiative transfer method [3, 1] on three potentially "active" regions on Titan, i.e. regions possibly subject to change over time (in brightness and/or in color etc) [4]: Tui Regio (20°S, 130°W) [5], a 1,500-km long flow-like figure, Hotei Regio (26°S, 78°W) [6], a 700-km wide volcanic-like terrain, and Sotra Facula (15°S, 42°W) [7], a 235-km in diameter area. With our method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) we have managed to isolate specific regions of distinct and diverse chemical composition. We have tested this method on the previously studied Sinlap crater [8], delimitating compositional heterogeneous areas compatible with the published conclusions by Le Mouélic et al. (2008). Our follow-up method focuses on retrieving the surface albedo of the three areas and of the surrounding terrains with different spectral response by applying a radiative transfer (RT) code. We have used as input most of the Cassini HASI and DISR measurements, as well as new methane absorption coefficients [9], which are important to evaluate the atmospheric contribution and to allow us to better constrain the real surface alterations, by comparing the spectra of these regions. By superposing these results onto the PCA maps, we can correlate composition and morphology. As a test case, we used our RT code to verify the varying brightness of Hotei Regio reported by other investigators based on models lacking proper simulation of the atmospheric absorption [10]. Even though we have used exactly the same dataset, we did not detect any significant surface albedo variations over time; this led us to revise the definition of "active" regions: even if these regions have not visually changed over the course of the Cassini mission, the determination of the chemical composition and the correlation with the morphological structures [11] observed in these areas do not rule out that past and/or ongoing cryovolcanic processes are still a possible interpretation. [1] Solomonidou, A. et al. (2011). Potentially active regions on Titan: New processing of Cassini/VIMS data. In preparation. [2] Stephan, K. et al. (2008). Reduction of instrument-dependent noise in hyperspectral image data using the principal component analysis: Applications to Galileo NIMS data. Planetary and Space Science 56, 406-419. [3] Hirtzig, M. et al. (2011). Applications of a new methane linelist to Cassini/VIMS spectra of Titan in the 1.28-5.2 µm range . In preparation. [4] Wall, s. D. et al. (2009). Cassini RADAR images at Hotei Arcus and western Xanadu, Titan: Evidence for geologically recent cryovolcanic activity. Journal of Geophysical Research 36, L04203, [5] Barnes, J.W. et al. (2006). Cassini observations of flow-like features in western Tui Regio, Titan. Geophysical Research Letters 33, L16204. [6] Soderblom, L.A. et al. (2009). The geology of Hotei Regio, Titan: Correlation of Cassini VIMS and RADAR. Icarus 204, 610-618. [7] Lopes, R.M.C. et al. (2010). Distribution and interplay of geologic processes on Titan from Cassini radar data. Icarus 205, 540-558. [8] Le Mouélic et al. (2008). Mapping and interpretation of Sinlap crater on Titan using Cassini VIMS and RADAR data. Journal of Geophysical Research 113, E04003. [9] Campargue, A. et al. (2011). An empirical line list for methane at 80 K and 296 K in the 1.26-1.71 µm region for planetary investigations. Application to Titan. Icarus. Submitted. [10] Nelson, R. et al (2009). Saturn's Titan: Surface change, ammonia, and implications for atmospheric and tectonic activity. Icarus 199, 429-441. [11] Solomonidou, A. et al. (2011). Possible morphotectonic features on Titan and their origin. Planetary and Space Science. Submitted.

Radiative transfer analyses of Titan's tropical atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, Caitlin A.; Doose, Lyn; Tomasko, Martin G.; Penteado, Paulo F.; See, Charles

2012-04-01

Titan's optical and near-IR spectra result primarily from the scattering of sunlight by haze and its absorption by methane. With a column abundance of 92 km amagat (11 times that of Earth), Titan's atmosphere is optically thick and only ˜10% of the incident solar radiation reaches the surface, compared to 57% on Earth. Such a formidable atmosphere obstructs investigations of the moon's lower troposphere and surface, which are highly sensitive to the radiative transfer treatment of methane absorption and haze scattering. The absorption and scattering characteristics of Titan's atmosphere have been constrained by the Huygens Probe Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) experiment for conditions at the probe landing site (Tomasko, M.G., Bézard, B., Doose, L., Engel, S., Karkoschka, E. [2008a]. Planet. Space Sci. 56, 624-247; Tomasko, M.G. et al. [2008b]. Planet. Space Sci. 56, 669-707). Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data indicate that the rest of the atmosphere (except for the polar regions) can be understood with small perturbations in the high haze structure determined at the landing site (Penteado, P.F., Griffith, C.A., Tomasko, M.G., Engel, S., See, C., Doose, L., Baines, K.H., Brown, R.H., Buratti, B.J., Clark, R., Nicholson, P., Sotin, C. [2010]. Icarus 206, 352-365). However the in situ measurements were analyzed with a doubling and adding radiative transfer calculation that differs considerably from the discrete ordinates codes used to interpret remote data from Cassini and ground-based measurements. In addition, the calibration of the VIMS data with respect to the DISR data has not yet been tested. Here, VIMS data of the probe landing site are analyzed with the DISR radiative transfer method and the faster discrete ordinates radiative transfer calculation; both models are consistent (to within 0.3%) and reproduce the scattering and absorption characteristics derived from in situ measurements. Constraints on the atmospheric opacity at wavelengths outside those measured by DISR, that is from 1.6 to 5.0 μm, are derived using clouds as diffuse reflectors in order to derive Titan's surface albedo to within a few percent error and cloud altitudes to within 5 km error. VIMS spectra of Titan at 2.6-3.2 μm indicate not only spectral features due to CH4 and CH3D (Rannou, P., Cours, T., Le Mouélic, S., Rodriguez, S., Sotin, C., Drossart, P., Brown, R. [2010]. Icarus 208, 850-867), but also a fairly uniform absorption of unknown source, equivalent to the effects of a darkening of the haze to a single scattering albedo of 0.63 ± 0.05. Titan's 4.8 μm spectrum point to a haze optical depth of 0.2 at that wavelength. Cloud spectra at 2 μm indicate that the far wings of the Voigt profile extend 460 cm-1 from methane line centers. This paper releases the doubling and adding radiative transfer code developed by the DISR team, so that future studies of Titan's atmosphere and surface are consistent with the findings by the Huygens Probe. We derive the surface albedo at eight spectral regions of the 8 × 12 km2 area surrounding the Huygens landing site. Within the 0.4-1.6 μm spectral region our surface albedos match DISR measurements, indicating that DISR and VIMS measurements are consistently calibrated. These values together with albedos at longer 1.9-5.0 μm wavelengths, not sampled by DISR, resemble a dark version of the spectrum of Ganymede's icy leading hemisphere. The eight surface albedos of the landing site are consistent with, but not deterministic of, exposed water ice with dark impurities.

Characterization of the Titan's VIMS - units: Using Spectral Slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brossier, Jérémy F.; Jaumann, Ralf; Stephan, Katrin; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Brown, Robert H.

2016-04-01

Since the equatorial regions of Titan have been fully observed by the Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) [1], the analysis of false-color composites enables distinguishing four main spectral units: the equatorial bright, brown, blue, and 5 μm-bright spectral units [2-4]. More precisely, the equatorial bright plateaus and inselbergs correspond to water-ice substrate coated by a layer of organic sediments. Moreover, the blue materials are more likely enriched in water-ice, which consist of icy particles exposition derived from the high standing plateaus and deposited into the lowlands after fluvial/pluvial processes [5] and/or impact cratering [6]. These blue materials are mainly located at the frontier of the large bright plateaus, and hence considered as transition zones to the brown areas corresponding to the radar dunes [7]. Whereas these brown dunes consist on atmospheric aerosols (i.e. tholins) [4] contaminated with particles of water-ice. Here we try to better characterize these spectral units, through VIMS observations at high resolution from TA (Oct. 2004) to T114 (Nov. 2015). Regions of interest show local transition zones between the equatorial bright areas, the blue materials, and the brown dunes, suggesting weathering and erosional processes (e.g. the Huygens landing site; areas at the east of Xanadu province; and Bohai Sinus at the south of Quivira plateau) [5,8], and impact cratering (e.g. Sinlap, Selk, Menrva, and Paxsi craters) [6,9]. Areas exposing large (i.e. Tui and Hotei Regiones) and small (e.g. Yalaing Terra, NW Belet, and NW Fensal) 5 μm-bright units - presumed evaporitic deposits - are also included in this study [9-11]. Subtle differences in the spectral behavior of these four units can be enhanced by using ratios of VIMS channels. At short wavelengths (i.e. below 2 μm), brown and blue materials seem to correspond to a granular mixture of organic sediments - similar to the atmospheric aerosols - and water-ice particles [7]. As for the 5 μm-bright units, they show paucity in water-ice at the longer wavelengths, implying that these features cannot be related to cryovolcanic processes, as it has been originally suggested for Hotei and Tui Regiones, arguing for an evaporitic origin [9-11]. References: [1] Brown, R. H. et al. (2005) SSR. [2] Barnes, J. W. et al. (2007) Icarus, 186 (1). [3] Soderblom, L. A. et al. (2007) PSS, 55 (13). [4] Langhans, M. H. et al. (2011) PSS, 60. [5] Jaumann, R. et al. (2008) Icarus, 197. [6] Le Mouélic, S. et al. (2008) JGR, 113 (E04003). [7] Rodriguez, S. et al. (2013) Icarus, 230. [8] Jaumann, R. et al. (2009) LPSC. [9] Soderblom, L. A. et al. (2009) Icarus, 204. [10] Solomonidou, A. et al. (2013) PSS, 77. [11] McKenzie, M. S. et al. (2014) Icarus.

Mechanisms of Recovering Low Cycle Fatigue Damage in Incoloy 901.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-01-01

crack growth rate, da/dN, of 0.27 vim/cycle or 1.07 x 10- 4 in./cycle. Macha has determined crack growth rates as a function of AK at 400°F and 6000F...Cleveland, Ohio (1963). 61. T. J. Dolan, "Designing Structures to Resist Low-Cycle Fatigue," Metals Eng. Qtrly 10, 18-25 (November 1970). 62. D. Macha

Influenza Seasonal Summary, 2014-2015 Season

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-14

influenza A ( H7N9 ) virus outbreak in China. 3•4 The influenza season in the US is n01mally defined as the first week of October through the last week of...influenza A H7N9 . Centers for Disease Conu·ol and Prevention Web site. http://www.cdc.gov/flulavianflulh7n9-vims.htm. Updated Febmmy 12, 2014. Accessed

Organic sedimentary deposits in Titan's dry lakebeds: Probable evaporite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Bow, J.; Schwartz, J.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, J.M.; Hayes, A.G.; Vixie, G.; Le, Mouelic S.; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, Christophe; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Soderblom, L.A.; Clark, R.N.; Buratti, B.J.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.

2011-01-01

We report the discovery of organic sedimentary deposits at the bottom of dry lakebeds near Titan's north pole in observations from the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). We show evidence that the deposits are evaporitic, making Titan just the third known planetary body with evaporitic processes after Earth and Mars, and is the first that uses a solvent other than water. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

JPRS Report, Science and Technology, Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-15

VIDP furnace is a further development of the conventional vacuum induction melter (VIM). It has an independent smelting and processing unit, to...which various casting systems can be linked according to the modular principle. Unlike the conventional vacuum induction melter, the VIDP furnace does... induction coil and the crucible. The furnace body can be extracted for relining or replacement with another, ready-lined, fur- nace body. This

A newly discovered impact crater in Titan's Senkyo: Cassini VIMS observations and comparison with other impact features

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buratti, B.J.; Sotin, Christophe; Lawrence, K.; Brown, R.H.; Le, Mouelic S.; Soderblom, J.M.; Barnes, J.; Clark, R.N.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.

2012-01-01

Senkyo is an equatorial plain on Titan filled with dunes and surrounded by hummocky plateaus. During the Titan targeted flyby T61 on August 25, 2009, the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft observed a circular feature, centered at 5.4?? N and 341??W, that superimposes the dune fields and a bright plateau. This circular feature, which has been named Paxsi by the International Astronomical Union, is 120??10 km in diameter (measured from the outer edge of the crater rim) and exhibits a central bright area that can be interpreted as the central peak or pit of an impact crater. Although there are only a handful of certain impact craters on Titan, there are two other craters that are of similar size to this newly discovered feature and that have been studied by VIMS: Sinlap (Le Mou??lic et al, 2008) and Selk (Soderblom et al, 2010). Sinlap is associated with a large downwind, fan-like feature that may have been formed from an impact plume that rapidly expanded and deposited icy particles onto the surface. Although much of the surrounding region is covered with dunes, the plume region is devoid of dunes. The formation process of Selk also appears to have removed (or covered up) dunes from parts of the adjacent dune-filled terrain. The circular feature on Senkyo is quite different: there is no evidence of an ejecta blanket and the crater itself appears to be infilled with dune material. The rim of the crater appears to be eroded by fluvial processes; at one point the rim is breached. The rim is unusually narrow, which may be due to mass wasting on its inside and subsequent infill by dunes. Based on these observations, we interpret this newly discovered feature to be a more eroded crater than both Sinlap and Selk. Paxsi may have formed during a period when Titan was warmer and more ductile than it is currently. ?? 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Analysis of drug resistance and drug resistance genes of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from burn wards].

PubMed

Liu, Shuhua; Liu, Pinghong; Xue, Xiaodong; Chen, Zhaojun; Pei, Decui

2014-02-01

To analyze the drug resistance and drug resistance genes of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) strains isolated from burn wards. From June 2011 to June 2012, 30 strains of IRPA were isolated from wound excretion, sputum, and venous catheter attachment from burn patients hospitalized in Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Drug resistance of the IRPA to 12 antibiotics commonly used in clinic, including ceftazidime, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, etc., was tested with K-B paper agar disk diffusion method. Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing IRPA was detected by synergism test with imipenem-2-mercaptoethanol. Plasmid of IRPA was extracted, and it was inserted into competent cells, producing transformation strains (TSs). Drug resistance of TSs to imipenem and the MBL-producing TSs were detected. The genes blaIMP, blaVIM, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2 and blaOXA-10 of IRPA and the TSs were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The drug resistance of IRPA producing MBL or OXA enzyme was summed up. The sensitive rates of the 30 strains of IRPA to the 12 antibiotics were equal to or above 60.0%. Six strains of MBL-producing IRPA were screened. Twenty-four TSs were resistant to imipenem, and 6 strains among them were MBL-producing positive. Among the 30 strains of IRPA, 6 strains and their corresponding TSs carried blaVIM; 20 strains and their corresponding TSs carried blaOXA-10; no strain was detected to carry blaIMP, blaOXA-1 or blaOXA-2. Two strains and their corresponding TSs were detected carrying both blaVIM and blaOXA-10. No significant difference of drug resistance was observed between strains producing only MBL or OXA enzyme, with the same high resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and some degree of sensitivity to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Strains producing enzymes MBL and OXA were all resistant to the 12 antibiotics. IRPA strains isolated from burn wards of Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine are multidrug-resistant, and they mainly produce type B and D carbapenemases.

Characterization of carbapenem resistance mechanisms and integrons in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from blood samples in a French hospital.

PubMed

Rojo-Bezares, Beatriz; Cavalié, Laurent; Dubois, Damien; Oswald, Eric; Torres, Carmen; Sáenz, Yolanda

2016-04-01

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), porin OprD, integrons, virulence factors and the clonal relationships were characterized in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) isolates. Fifty-six IRPA strains were recovered from blood samples of different patients at a Toulouse teaching hospital from 2011 to 2013. Susceptibility testing of 14 antibiotics was performed by the disc diffusion method. Detection and characterization of MBLs, the oprD gene and integrons were studied by PCR and sequencing. Thirteen genes involved in the virulence of P. aeruginosa were analysed. Molecular typing of IRPA strains was performed by PFGE and multilocus sequence typing. In this study, 61 % of the IRPA isolates showed a multi-resistance phenotype. The MBL phenotype, detected in three isolates (5.4 %), was linked to the blaVIM-2 gene. The oprD gene was amplified in 55 (98.2 %) IRPA strains, and variations were observed in 54 of them. Insertion sequences (IS) truncating oprD were detected in eight IRPA strains, with the novel ISPa56 identified in two strains. Class 1 integrons were detected in 24 (42.9 %) IRPA strains. The blaVIM-2 gene was found inside the class 1 integron arrangements. The new integrons In1054 (intI1-aacA56-qacEΔ1-sul1) and In1160 (intI1-aacA4-aacC1d-ISKpn4-gcuE-qacEΔ1-sul1) have been described for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, in this study. A high clonal diversity was found in our strains. Among the variety of sequence types (STs) found, ST175, ST233, ST235, ST244 and ST654 were noteworthy as epidemic clones. In conclusion, 5.4 % of IRPA strains showed an MBL phenotype linked to the blaVIM-2 gene. The identified oprD high polymorphism could be implicated in the variable resistance to carbapenems in IRPA strains. The dissemination of high-risk clones is a cause of concern.

Cassini Imaging of Titan’s North Polar Cloud With the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Mouélic, S.; Rannou, P.; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, C.; Le Corre, L.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Griffith, C. A.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P.

2009-12-01

We report on the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations of a giant cloud over the north pole of Titan. Griffith et al. [Science, 2006] described the first evidence of a north polar feature having the form of an ubiquitous bright band at 51° to 68°N in VIMS images acquired in December 2004, August and September 2005. Rodriguez et al. [Nature, 2009] systematically detect spectral signatures of clouds with VIMS at latitudes higher than 50°N between July 2004 and December 2007, with no attempt to show the structure of each individual cloud. The first good opportunity to observe the fully illuminated north pole, that we described here, occurred on December 28, 2006. The north cloud was then continuously monitored in various geometries during 3 years after its first discovery. This cloud shows much less signal at 5-µm than southern and tropical clouds which are thought to be composed of liquid/solid methane. This indicates a lower backscattering at 5-µm. It is consistent with clouds composed of micron-sized particles made of solid ethane. A radiative transfer model in spherical geometry (SPDISORT) shows that it is found at an altitude between 30 and 40 km. This observation confirms the IPSL Titan global circulation model of Rannou et al. [Science 2006] that predicted the formation of large polar ethane clouds due to the downwelling of atmospheric streams exactly at the same latitudes. The limits of the observed northern cloud between 50-60°N corresponds to the limit between filled and dry lakes as observed by the RADAR of Cassini. The cloud cover appears less widespread in the last observations, which could indicate that it is progressively vanishing. This is also in agreement with the predictions of the IPSL general circulation model as we approach the equinox in August 2009. Dedicated observations by the Cassini spacecraft during the extended mission possibly up to 2017 should allow the observation of the forthcoming seasonal circulation turnover, with possibly the complete disappearance of this type of cloud that caps the north pole.

The role of diffusion tensor imaging tractography for Gamma Knife thalamotomy planning.

PubMed

Gomes, João Gabriel Ribeiro; Gorgulho, Alessandra Augusta; de Oliveira López, Amanda; Saraiva, Crystian Wilian Chagas; Damiani, Lucas Petri; Pássaro, Anderson Martins; Salvajoli, João Victor; de Oliveira Siqueira, Ludmila; Salvajoli, Bernardo Peres; De Salles, Antônio Afonso Ferreira

2016-12-01

OBJECTIVE The role of tractography in Gamma Knife thalamotomy (GK-T) planning is still unclear. Pyramidal tractography might reduce the risk of radiation injury to the pyramidal tract and reduce motor complications. METHODS In this study, the ventralis intermedius nucleus (VIM) targets of 20 patients were bilaterally defined using Iplannet Stereotaxy Software, according to the anterior commissure-posterior commissure (AC-PC) line and considering the localization of the pyramidal tract. The 40 targets and tractography were transferred as objects to the GammaPlan Treatment Planning System (GP-TPS). New targets were defined, according to the AC-PC line in the functional targets section of the GP-TPS. The target offsets required to maintain the internal capsule (IC) constraint of < 15 Gy were evaluated. In addition, the strategies available in GP-TPS to maintain the minimum conventional VIM target dose at > 100 Gy were determined. RESULTS A difference was observed between the positions of both targets and the doses to the IC. The lateral (x) and the vertical (z) coordinates were adjusted 1.9 mm medially and 1.3 mm cranially, respectively. The targets defined considering the position of the pyramidal tract were more medial and superior, based on the constraint of 15 Gy touching the object representing the IC in the GP-TPS. The best strategy to meet the set constraints was 90° Gamma angle (GA) with automatic shaping of dose distribution; this was followed by 110° GA. The worst GA was 70°. Treatment time was substantially increased by the shaping strategy, approximately doubling delivery time. CONCLUSIONS Routine use of DTI pyramidal tractography might be important to fine-tune GK-T planning. DTI tractography, as well as anisotropy showing the VIM, promises to improve Gamma Knife functional procedures. They allow for a more objective definition of dose constraints to the IC and targeting. DTI pyramidal tractography introduced into the treatment planning may reduce the incidence of motor complications and improve efficacy. This needs to be validated in a large clinical series.

Progresos recientes en Astronomía de Rayos Gamma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romero, G. E.

Tras la exitosa misión del Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory durante los años 1990, la astronomía de rayos gamma ha entrado en una etapa de madurez, convirtiéndose en una de las principales herramientas para el estudio de procesos relativistas en el universo. En este reporte, presentaré una revisión de los principales tópicos abordados a través de estudios con rayos gamma en los últimos años, con particular énfasis en los intentos más recientes por establecer la naturaleza de las fuentes de rayos gamma no identificadas, detectadas por el instrumento EGRET.

Advanced Development of Antiviral Prophylactics and Therapeutics (ADAPT) - Research Area 10

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-17

various Prosetta compounds against Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), Lassa virus (LASV) and Marburg virus (MARV), respectively. Activity is demonstrated as...USAMRIID for in vitro efficacy testing against various hemorrhagic fever viruses, including Ebola (EBOV), Marburg (MARV), Lassa (LASV), Rift Valley...unless so designated by other documentation. 14. ABSTRACT The pmpose of the proposed work is to continue the promising anti-hemonhagic fever vims (HFV

JPRS Report, China

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-10

achievements of the earlier round of reform, for instance, by bringing back the irrational price ratios of yesteryear. Below are some personal opinions...beauty of the contract system and stimulate the exuberant vitality of the socialist state-owned economy. Capital Iron and Steel’s way of contracting way...owned enterprises in which Capital Iron and Steel’s contracting system is representative are filled with vim and vigor, and exhibit great exuberance

Small Molecule Inhibitors of ERG and ETV1 in Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

transition associated genes in ERG treated tumors. However, immunohistochemical analyses of these proteins in the tumors of treated and untreated animals...10). We determined that epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated proteins RASAL2, VIM, NREP, and BCL11A were decreased among others. ERG...35 and 86.2 xenografts. RNASeq was performed to identify genes that were suppressed by YK-4-279. Epithelial- mesenchymal transition associated

Extensions of the Theory of the Electron-Phonon Interaction in Metals: A Collection.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-11-03

accepted The measured zero -field susceptibility is given 50 . . . . 26 GENERALIZATION OF THE THEORY OF THE ELECTRON-... 1199 JP by X.P_ IM T V.IM 0... Generalization of the Theory of the Electron-Phonon Inter- action: Thermodynamic Formulation of Superconducting- and Normal-State Properties...A microscopic treatment of the consequences for supercon- ductivity of a nonconstant electronic density of states is presented. Generalized

The North South Asymmetry in Titan's Haze Through Time at Equinox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hennen, Corbin J.; Barnes, J. W.; Lorenz, R. D.; Brown, R. H.; Sotin, C.; Buratti, B. J.; Baines, K. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2013-10-01

We use data from Cassini to observe the North South Asymmetry (NSA) in Titan's haze. We are continuing the work first addressed by the Hubble Space Telescope observations (Lorenz et al., 2004) with the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) located on-board Cassini. Our goal is to find a quantitative description of the interhemispheric contrast, and the transition latitude between the two 'hemispheres'. These relationships could be used to improve current atmospheric models to better understand Titan weather phenomenon such as the Titan's recently-formed south polar vortex. With VIMS we are able to achieve both better spatial and spectral resolution and a better signal-to-noise ratio than previous Earth-based observations. Profiles of the asymmetry show progressive brightening of the dark northern haze relative to the south, ranging in multiple wavelengths from 351 nm (ultraviolet) to 894 nm (infrared), starting in 2005. This trend continues until Titan's northern spring equinox in August of 2009 after which Titan shifts to being north-bright relative to the south, suggesting a migration of haze to the southern hemisphere as it transitions into winter. Finally, we use a differential edge detection algorithm to isolate the latitude of the NSA boundary for each Cassini flyby, and we find a systematic migration over time.

A mechanical property and stress corrosion evaluation of VIM-ESR-VAR work strengthened and direct double aged Inconel 718 bar material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montano, J. W.

1986-01-01

Presented are the mechanical properties and the stress corrosion resistance of triple melted vacuum induction melted (VIM), electro-slag remelted (ESR), and vacuum arc remelted (VAR), solution treated, work strengthened and direct double aged Inconel 718 alloy bars 4.00 in. (10.16) and 5.75 in. (14.60 cm) diameter. Tensile, charpy v-notched impact, and compact tension specimens were tested at ambient temperature in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Longitudinal tensile and yield strengths in excess of 220 ksi (1516.85 MPa) and 200 ksi (1378.00 MPa) respectively, were realized at ambient temperature. Additional charpy impact and compact tension tests were performed at -100 F (-73 C). Longitudinal charpy impact strength equalled or exceeded 12.0 ft-lbs (16.3 Joules) at ambient and at -100 F(-73 C) while longitudinal compact (LC) tension fracture toughness strength remained above 79 ksi (86.80 MPa) at ambient and at -100 F(-73 C) temperatures. No failures occurred in the longitudinal or transverse tensile specimens stressed to 75 and 100 percent of their respective yield strengths and exposed to a salt fog environment for 180 days. Tensile tests performed after the stress corrosion test indicated no mechanical property degradation.

Stereotactic neurosurgery for writer's cramp: report of two cases with an overview of the literature.

PubMed

Asahi, Takashi; Koh, Masaki; Kashiwazaki, Daina; Kuroda, Satoshi

2014-01-01

Writer's cramp is a specific movement disorder with hand muscle cramps in writing, being classified into focal and action-specific dystonia. Stereotactic surgery, such as thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation (DBS), has been reported for writer's cramp; however, the number of reported cases is still scarce and surgical procedures are also controversial. In this study, therefore, we present 2 patients who underwent thalamotomy for writer's cramp and systematically review the literature on stereotactic surgery for writer's cramp. Case reports and literature review are presented. Both patients underwent ventral oral nucleus (Vo) thalamotomy safely. Their symptoms completely disappeared after surgery and did not recur during follow-up periods. In the literature, a total of 31 cases were surgically treated for writer's cramp. Stereotactic surgery included thalamotomy in 25 cases and DBS in 6. The target included the Vo in 17 cases, the ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) in 3, and both Vo and Vim in 7. Both procedures markedly improved or resolved the symptoms. Transient neurological deficits were observed in 16.0% of patients after thalamotomy. The Vo may be the most effective target to treat writer's cramp. Both thalamotomy and DBS are feasible and effective, but thalamotomy would be a better option, especially in younger or high-risk patients. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Dissemination of IMP-6 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa sequence type 235 in Korea.

PubMed

Seok, Yoonmi; Bae, Il Kwon; Jeong, Seok Hoon; Kim, Soo Hyun; Lee, Hyukmin; Lee, Kyungwon

2011-12-01

To investigate the epidemiological traits of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates producing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) in Korea. A total of 386 non-duplicate P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were collected from Korea in 2009. Detection of MBL genes was performed by PCR. The genetic organization of class 1 integrons carrying the MBL gene cassette was investigated by PCR mapping and sequencing. The epidemiological relationships of the isolates were investigated by multilocus sequence typing and PFGE. Of 386 P. aeruginosa isolates, 30 (7.8%) isolates carried the bla(IMP-6) gene and 1 (0.3%) isolate carried the bla(VIM-2) gene. A probe specific for the bla(IMP-6) gene was hybridized to an ∼950 kbp I-CeuI-macrorestriction fragment from all 30 isolates and a probe specific for the bla(VIM-2) gene also hybridized to an ∼500 kbp I-CeuI-macrorestriction fragment from 1 isolate (BDC10). All 31 MBL-producing isolates shared an identical sequence type (ST), ST235, and they carried the same bla(OXA-50) allelic type, bla(OXA-50g). All MBL-producing isolates showed similar XbaI-macrorestriction patterns (similarity >85%), irrespective of MBL genotype. P. aeruginosa ST235 carrying the chromosomally located bla(IMP-6) gene is widely disseminated in Korea.

Low prevalence of metallo-beta-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a tertiary burn care center in Tehran.

PubMed

Lari, Abdolaziz Rastegar; Azimi, Leila; Soroush, Setareh; Taherikalani, Morovat

2015-09-01

Production of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) is one of the main mechanisms for resistance in carbapenem antibiotics. Detection of MBL-producer Pseudomonas aeruginosa is crucial in preventing its spread to other gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate combination disc (CD) for identification of MBL-producer P. aeruginosa by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 255 imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa were collected from burn patients. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted after purification and identification. Double-disc synergy test (DDST) with EDTA and combination disc test (CDT) with dipicolinic acid were performed for phenotypic detection of MBL and the PCR was carried out for blaVIM, blaIMP, blaNDM-1, blaSPM-1 genes. DDST with EDTA was negative in all cases, but 161 isolates were positive in CDT with dipicolinic acid. Further, blaVIM and blaIMP were detected in five and four strains, respectively. None of the isolates were positive for BlaNDM-1 and blaSPM-1 . The results of this study showed that the prevalence of MBL is low in imipenem resistance P. aeruginosa and that other mechanisms could be involved in resistance to imipenem in this bacterium. © The Author(s) 2015.

Near-infrared spectral mapping of Titan's mountains and channels

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Radebaugh, J.; Brown, R.H.; Wall, S.; Soderblom, L.; Lunine, J.; Burr, D.; Sotin, Christophe; Le, Mouelic S.; Rodriguez, S.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.; Baines, K.H.; Jaumann, R.; Nicholson, P.D.; Kirk, R.L.; Lopes, R.; Lorenz, R.D.; Mitchell, Ken; Wood, C.A.

2007-01-01

We investigate the spectral reflectance properties of channels and mountain ranges on Titan using data from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) obtained during the T9 encounter (26 December 2005). We identify the location of channels and mountains using synthetic aperture radar maps obtained from Cassini's RADAR instrument during the T13 (30 April 2006) flyby. Channels are evident even in VIMS imaging with spatial resolution coarser than the channel size. The channels share spectral characteristics with Titan's dark blue terrain (e.g., the Huygens landing site) that is consistent with an enhancement in water ice content relative to the rest of Titan. We use this fact to measure widths of ???1 km for the largest channels. Comparison of the data sets shows that in our study area within the equatorial bright spectral unit east of Xanadu, mountains are darker and bluer than surrounding smooth terrain. These results are consistent with the equatorial bright terrain possessing a veneer of material that is thinner in the regions where there are mountains and streambeds that have likely undergone more recent and extensive erosion. We suggest a model for the geographic relationship of the dark blue, dark brown, and equatorial bright spectral units based on our findings. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.

A multiplex lateral flow immunoassay for the rapid identification of NDM-, KPC-, IMP- and VIM-type and OXA-48-like carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae

PubMed Central

Boutal, Hervé; Vogel, Anaïs; Bernabeu, Sandrine; Devilliers, Karine; Creton, Elodie; Cotellon, Garence; Plaisance, Marc; Oueslati, Saoussen; Dortet, Laurent; Jousset, Agnès; Simon, Stéphanie; Naas, Thierry; Volland, Hervé

2018-01-01

Abstract Objectives The global spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae represents a substantial challenge in clinical practice and rapid and reliable detection of these organisms is essential. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a lateral flow immunoassay (Carba5) for the detection of the five main carbapenemases (KPC-, NDM-, VIM- and IMP-type and OXA-48-like). Methods Carba5 was retrospectively and prospectively evaluated using 296 enterobacterial isolates from agar culture. An isolated colony was suspended in extraction buffer and then loaded on the manufactured Carba5. Results All 185 isolates expressing a carbapenemase related to one of the Carba5 targets were correctly and unambiguously detected in <15 min. All other isolates gave negative results except those producing OXA-163 and OXA-405, which are considered low-activity carbapenemases. No cross-reaction was observed with non-targeted carbapenemases, ESBLs, AmpCs or oxacillinases (OXA-1, -2, -9 and -10). Overall, this assay reached 100% sensitivity and 95.3% (retrospectively) to 100% (prospectively) specificity. Conclusions Carba5 is efficient, rapid and easy to implement in the routine workflow of a clinical microbiology laboratory for confirmation of the five main carbapenemases encountered in Enterobacteriaceae. PMID:29365094

Titan's cloud seasonal activity from winter to spring with Cassini/VIMS

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rodriguez, S.; Le, Mouelic S.; Rannou, P.; Sotin, Christophe; Brown, R.H.; Barnes, J.W.; Griffith, C.A.; Burgalat, J.; Baines, K.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2011-01-01

Since Saturn orbital insertion in July 2004, the Cassini orbiter has been observing Titan throughout most of the northern winter season (October 2002-August 2009) and the beginning of spring, allowing a detailed monitoring of Titan's cloud coverage at high spatial resolution with close flybys on a monthly basis. This study reports on the analysis of all the near-infrared images of Titan's clouds acquired by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) during 67 targeted flybys of Titan between July 2004 and April 2010.The VIMS observations show numerous sporadic clouds at southern high and mid-latitudes, rare clouds in the equatorial region, and reveal a long-lived cloud cap above the north pole, ubiquitous poleward of 60??N. These observations allow us to follow the evolution of the cloud coverage during almost a 6-year period including the equinox, and greatly help to further constrain global circulation models (GCMs). After 4. years of regular outbursts observed by Cassini between 2004 and 2008, southern polar cloud activity started declining, and completely ceased 1. year before spring equinox. The extensive cloud system over the north pole, stable between 2004 and 2008, progressively fractionated and vanished as Titan entered into northern spring. At southern mid-latitudes, clouds were continuously observed throughout the VIMS observing period, even after equinox, in a latitude band between 30??S and 60??S. During the whole period of observation, only a dozen clouds were observed closer to the equator, though they were slightly more frequent as equinox approached. We also investigated the distribution of clouds with longitude. We found that southern polar clouds, before disappearing in mid-2008, were systematically concentrated in the leading hemisphere of Titan, in particular above and to the east of Ontario Lacus, the largest reservoir of hydrocarbons in the area. Clouds are also non-homogeneously distributed with longitude at southern mid-latitudes. The n= 2-mode wave pattern of the distribution, observed since 2003 by Earth-based telescopes and confirmed by our Cassini observations, may be attributed to Saturn's tides. Although the latitudinal distribution of clouds is now relatively well reproduced and understood by the GCMs, the non-homogeneous longitudinal distributions and the evolution of the cloud coverage with seasons still need investigation. If the observation of a few single clouds at the tropics and at northern mid-latitudes late in winter and at the start of spring cannot be further interpreted for the moment, the obvious shutdown of the cloud activity at Titan's poles provides clear signs of the onset of the general circulation turnover that is expected to accompany the beginning of Titan's northern spring. According to our GCM, the persistence of clouds at certain latitudes rather suggests a 'sudden' shift in near future of the meteorology into the more illuminated hemisphere. Finally, the observed seasonal change in cloud activity occurred with a significant time lag that is not predicted by our model. This may be due to an overall methane humidity at Titan's surface higher than previously expected. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor Tractographic Versus Traditional (DISTINCT): Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.

PubMed

Sajonz, Bastian Elmar Alexander; Amtage, Florian; Reinacher, Peter Christoph; Jenkner, Carolin; Piroth, Tobias; Kätzler, Jürgen; Urbach, Horst; Coenen, Volker Arnd

2016-12-22

Essential tremor is a movement disorder that can result in profound disability affecting the quality of life. Medically refractory essential tremor can be successfully reduced by deep brain stimulation (DBS) traditionally targeting the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim). Although this structure can be identified with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging nowadays, Vim-DBS electrodes are still implanted in the awake patient with intraoperative tremor testing to achieve satisfactory tremor control. This can be attributed to the fact that the more effective target of DBS seems to be the stimulation of fiber tracts rather than subcortical nuclei like the Vim. There is evidence that current coverage of the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRT) results in good tremor control in Vim-DBS. Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery targeting the DRT would therefore not rely on multiple trajectories and intraoperative tremor testing in the awake patient, bearing the potential of more patient comfort and reduced operation-related risks. This is the first randomized controlled trial comparing DTI tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery targeting the DRT in general anesthesia with stereotactic surgery of thalamic/subthalamic region as conventionally used. This clinical pilot trial aims at demonstrating safety of DTI tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery in general anesthesia and proving its equality compared to conventional stereotactic surgery with intraoperative testing in the awake patient. The Deep Brain Stimulation for Tremor Tractographic Versus Traditional (DISTINCT) trial is a single-center investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded trial. A total of 24 patients with medically refractory essential tremor will be randomized to either DTI tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery targeting the DRT in general anesthesia or stereotactic surgery of the thalamic/subthalamic region as conventionally used. The primary objective is to assess the tremor reduction, obtained by the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale in the 2 treatment groups. Secondary objectives include (among others) assessing the quality of life, optimal electrode contact positions, and safety of the intervention. The study protocol has been approved by the independent ethics committee of the University of Freiburg. Recruitment to the DISTINCT trial opened in September 2015 and is expected to close in June 2017. At the time of manuscript submission the trial is open to recruitment. The DISTINCT trial is the first to compare DTI tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery with target point of the DRT in general anesthesia to stereotactic surgery of the thalamic/subthalamic region as conventionally used. It can serve as a cornerstone for the evolving technique of DTI tractography-assisted stereotactic surgery. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02491554; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02491554 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6mezLnB9D). German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00008913; http://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00008913 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6mezCtxhS). ©Bastian Elmar Alexander Sajonz, Florian Amtage, Peter Christoph Reinacher, Carolin Jenkner, Tobias Piroth, Jürgen Kätzler, Horst Urbach, Volker Arnd Coenen. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 22.12.2016.

Computerized Adaptive Testing System Design: Preliminary Design Considerations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

the administrative or operational requirements of CAT and presented - # k*----.,ku nh-n.-utu (IPOI efi~g.2me (PMU tQ7q. vim NPRDC TR 82-52 July 1982...design model for a computerized adaptive testing ( CAT ) system was developed and presented through a series of hierarchy plus input-process-output (HIPO...physical system was addressed through brief discussions of hardware, software, interfaces, and personnel requirements. Further steps in CAT system

Annual Progress Report Fiscal Year 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-25

87/25 (C) Axillary Venous Sickling in Individuals with Sickle Cell Trait During Upper Extremity Exercise in a Ilypoxic Environment (Monitor: Dr. Ortiz...I ’d Dire, Daniel J.: K8/77 (0) Use of Venous pH in the Initial Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Diabetic Kcioacidosis...top oercjilu this potential pitfall. At the time of peak. antibody synthesis, rabbits will be bled sia the marginal ear %vim-o central artery in the

Spectrophotometry-based detection of carbapenemase producers among Enterobacteriaceae.

PubMed

Bernabeu, Sandrine; Poirel, Laurent; Nordmann, Patrice

2012-09-01

Carbapenem-hydrolyzing ß-lactamases are the most powerful ß-lactamases being able to hydrolyse almost all ß-lactams. They are mostly of the KPC, VIM, IMP, NDM, and OXA-48 type. A spectrophotometry technique based on analysis of the imipenem hydrolysis has been developed that differentiated carbapenemase- from noncarbapenemase producers. This inexpensive technique adapted to screening of carbapenemase producers may be implemented in any reference laboratory worldwide. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improvement of the Corrosion Resistance of Turbine Engine Bearings

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-01

high chrome martensitic steels . Studies conducted in the past several years (References 6 and 7) have shown that high-chrome stainless steels ...qualification procedures required for production use of powder metallurgy bearings may exceed the 3- to 5-year introduction goal. Another stainless steel ...addition, these alloys are commercially available in wrought form as is the currently used VIM-VAR M50. A common high car!.on stainless steel , AISI 440C is

Compositional mapping of Saturn's satellite Dione with Cassini VIMS and implications of dark material in the Saturn system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Clark, R.N.; Curchin, J.M.; Jaumann, R.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Brown, R.H.; Hoefen, T.M.; Stephan, K.; Moore, Johnnie N.; Buratti, B.J.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.; Nelson, R.M.

2008-01-01

Cassini VIMS has obtained spatially resolved imaging spectroscopy data on numerous satellites of Saturn. A very close fly-by of Dione provided key information for solving the riddle of the origin of the dark material in the Saturn system. The Dione VIMS data show a pattern of bombardment of fine, sub-0.5-??m diameter particles impacting the satellite from the trailing side direction. Multiple lines of evidence point to an external origin for the dark material on Dione, including the global spatial pattern of dark material, local patterns including crater and cliff walls shielding implantation on slopes facing away from the trailing side, exposing clean ice, and slopes facing the trailing direction which show higher abundances of dark material. Multiple spectral features of the dark material match those seen on Phoebe, Iapetus, Hyperion, Epimetheus and the F-ring, implying the material has a common composition throughout the Saturn system. However, the exact composition of the dark material remains a mystery, except that bound water and, tentatively, ammonia are detected, and there is evidence both for and against cyanide compounds. Exact identification of composition requires additional laboratory work. A blue scattering peak with a strong UV-visible absorption is observed in spectra of all satellites which contain dark material, and the cause is Rayleigh scattering, again pointing to a common origin. The Rayleigh scattering effect is confirmed with laboratory experiments using ice and 0.2-??m diameter carbon grains when the carbon abundance is less than about 2% by weight. Rayleigh scattering in solids is also confirmed in naturally occurring terrestrial rocks, and in previously published reflectance studies. The spatial pattern, Rayleigh scattering effect, and spectral properties argue that the dark material is only a thin coating on Dione's surface, and by extension is only a thin coating on Phoebe, Hyperion, and Iapetus, although the dark material abundance appears higher on Iapetus, and may be locally thick. As previously concluded for Phoebe, the dark material appears to be external to the Saturn system and may be cometary in origin. We also report a possible detection of material around Dione which may indicate Dione is active and contributes material to the E-ring, but this observation must be confirmed.

Oceanic lithospheric magnetisation: Forward modelling and analysis using vector spherical harmonics (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masterton, S. M.; Gubbins, D.; Müller, D.; Williams, S.

2013-12-01

The lithospheric contribution to the geomagnetic field arises from magnetised rocks that are cooler than the Curie temperature of their constituent minerals. Inversion of the magnetic field for this magnetisation is subject to inherent non-uniqueness, as many magnetisation distributions yield no potential field outside of the lithosphere. Such distributions are termed annihilators. We use a complete set of orthogonal vector spherical harmonics that separate the part of the magnetisation responsible for the magnetic field observed above the Earth's surface from the annihilators. A similar set of vector harmonics has been developed in Cartesian geometry suitable for small scale, industrial applications. In an attempt to quantify the significance of the annihilators, we first construct a global model of vertically integrated magnetisation (VIM) by combining a model of remanent magnetisation for the oceans with a previous model of induced magnetisation for the whole Earth. Remanence is computed by assigning magnetisations to the oceanic lithosphere acquired at the location and time of formation. The magnetising field is assumed to be an axial dipole that switches polarity with the reversal time scale. The magnetisation evolves with time by decay of thermal remanence and acquisition of chemical remanence. Remanence directions are calculated by implementing finite rotations of the original geomagnetic field direction with respect to an absolute reference frame. We then represent our estimated VIM in terms of vector spherical harmonics, to allow us to evaluate its relative contributions to a potential field that is observable outside of the lithosphere and to fields (both potential and non-potential) that are not observable. This analysis shows that our model of magnetisation is dominated by a part of the magnetisation that produces a potential field restricted to Earth's sub-lithospheric interior; it therefore contributes significantly to the huge null space in the inversion of lithospheric magnetic anomaly data for VIM. We calculate the observable potential field that arises from our magnetisation estimates and compare it with a model that is based upon satellite data (MF7); this allows us to evaluate our magnetisation estimates and suggest likely sources of error in areas with high misfit between our predictions and the observed magnetic field. For example, under-prediction of the observed magnetic field may be indicative of poorly-known magnetisation deep in the crust or upper mantle, locally underplated continental lithosphere or anomalous oceanic crust.

[Molecular epidemiology of beta-lactamases in ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates].

PubMed

Er, Halil; Altındiş, Mustafa; Aşık, Gülşah; Demir, Cengiz

2015-04-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen that cause mainly nosocomial infections especially in the immunocompromised patients, the elderly and patients with severe burns. The bacterial feature of developing high degree of resistance against several antibiotics leads to increased morbidity and mortality of P.aeruginosa infections. The aims of this study were to investigate the antibiotic susceptibilities of P.aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients and to determine the presence of resistance enzymes namely PER, GES, KPC, VIM, IMP and OXA. A total of 195 P.aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical samples (29 sputum, 67 wound, 53 tracheal aspirate, 23 blood, 18 urine, 3 cerebrospinal fluid, 2 pleural fluid) of inpatients (134 male, 61 female) in Afyon Kocatepe University School of Medicine Hospital between 2010-2012, were included in the study. The isolates were identified by conventional methods and automated systems (VITEK 2, BioMerieux, France), and their antibiotic susceptibilities were detected by disk diffusion and E-test methods. Inducible beta-lactamase (IBL), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) productions of the isolates were phenotypically investigated by double disk induction, double disk synergy and E-test methods, respectively. The presence of resistance genes encoding PER, GES, KPC, VIM, IMP and OXA enzymes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysis was applied to positive samples. In our study, the antibiotic resistance rates of 195 P.aeruginosa strains were found as follows: ceftazidime 100%, tazobactam/piperacillin 90.8%, aztreonam 60.5%, cefepime 50.2%, imipenem 48.2%, meropenem 47.2%, ofloxacin 47.2%, piperacillin 44.1%, levofloxacin 31.3%, ciprofloxacin 26.2%, gentamicin 11.8%, amikacin 8.7% and tobramycin 6.2%. With the use of phenotypical methods, IBL, ESBL and MBL production rates in the isolates were detected as 89.2% (174/195), 30.7% (60/195) and 26.7% (52/195), respectively. Molecular studies showed that, five strains harboured OXA-10, four OXA-14, four VIM-2, two IMP-1, 26 GES-1 and 87 ABC transporter permease genes, while PER and KPC genes were not detected in any of the isolates. In conclusion, it was considered that the detection of beta-lactamase genes in bacteria and the identification of beta-lactamase types may provide facilities in selection of antibiotics, monitorization of therapy, prevention of resistance development of infection control programs.

Cloud structure of Jupiter’s troposphere from Cassini VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giles, Rohini S.; Fletcher, Leigh N.; Irwin, Patrick G.

2014-11-01

Cassini VIMS 4.5-5.1μm thermal emission spectra were used to study the composition and cloud structure of Jupiter’s middle troposphere during the 2000/2001 flyby. The radiance observed varies considerably across the planet (a factor of 50 between the warm North Equatorial Belt and the cool Equatorial Zone) but the spectral shape remains constant, suggesting the presence of a spectrally flat, spatially inhomogeneous cloud deck. Spectra were analysed using the NEMESIS radiative transfer code and retrieval algorithm. Both night- and day-side nadir spectra could be well reproduced using a model with a single, compact, grey cloud deck. For hotter spectra, this grey cloud could be located as deep as 3.0 bar, but the cooler spectra required the cloud deck to be at pressures of 1.2 bar or less. At these pressures, the clouds are expected to be NH4SH or NH3, but the single-scattering albedos of pure ices of NH3 or NH4SH produce spectral features that are incompatible with the VIMS data. These spectral signatures may be masked by complex rimming/coating processes, and/or by the presence of multiple cloud decks. Retrievals show that the cloud optical thickness varies significantly with latitude and longitude. The North Equatorial Belt contains discrete cloud-free “hot-spots” whose radiance is twice as bright as the coolest parts of the belt. The turbulent region in the wake of the Great Red Spot (GRS) has the thickest clouds of the South Equatorial Belt; these begin to thin out on the opposite hemisphere, 180° away from the GRS. The relatively low spectral resolution and model degeneracies mean that no variability could be detected (or ruled out) in the gaseous species (NH3, PH3 and other disequilibrium species). A limb darkening analysis was carried out using the nightside observations. Extreme inhomogeneity within latitude circles meant that simultaneous retrievals at different emission angles were not possible. However, forward modelling was used to show that highly scattering particles are required to produce results consistent with the data. Acceptable fits were obtained using cloud particles with high single-scatter albedos (ω>0.85) and low asymmetry parameters (g<0.75).

The Polar Winds of Saturn as Determined by Cassini/VIMS: Seasonally Variable or Not?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momary, Thomas W.; Baines, K. H.; Brown, R. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.; Sotin, C.; Cassini/VIMS Science Team

2013-10-01

The high inclination of Cassini's current orbit allows VIMS to once again obtain spectacular views of Saturn’s poles, not seen since 2008. We present new imagery and investigate the effect of seasonal variability on Saturn’s polar winds. The north pole now basks in spring daylight and we again observe the long-enduring northern Polar Hexagon, discovered in Voyager imagery by Godfrey (Icarus 76, 335-356, 1988). This feature seemed to stay fixed in a rotational system defined by the Voyager-era radio rotation rate (Desch & Kaiser, Geophys. Res. Lett, 8, 253-256, 1981) in both original Voyager and 2008 VIMS observations. Yet new images indicate a shift, with the hexagon rotating ~10° of longitude from Nov. 2012 to May 2013. Discrete clouds still race around the edges of the 5-μm-bright hexagon at speeds of ~100 m/s, as we observed in 2008 (Baines, Momary, et al., Plan. Space. Sci 57, 1671-1681, 2009). We also recover a massive storm system residing just inside the hexagon edge at ~80° N. lat. Since 2008, this storm has shifted poleward by 1.5° and turned 5 μm dark (cloudy), where it was 5 μm bright when last observed (i.e. cloud free). It now moves zonally faster at ~25 m/s vs. ~14 m/s in 2008. This enduring "shepherd" storm may force and maintain the hexagon shape. We also recover twin 5-μm-dark storms (Snake Eyes) moving slowly at ~15 m/s near 67° N lat. However, while the two features appear to maintain a relatively constant zonal separation on average (14° ), with the trailing feature remaining near 67° N lat., the leading storm appears to oscillate ~1° in latitude and drift in longitude. At the south pole, discrete clouds whirl, now in darkness, around a hurricane-like vortex consisting of a cloudless "eye" extending at least 1 bar deeper than surrounding rings of clouds. These clouds still appear to be moving as a classical vortex with winds reaching a maximum of ~200 m/s near 87° S lat. and then falling off to zero at the pole. In contrast, clouds near 75° S. lat. are nearly stationary, consistent with 2008 observations. Our preliminary results suggest limited seasonal variability of Saturn’s polar winds.

IR reflectance spectroscopy of carbon dioxide clathrate hydrates. Implications for Saturn's icy moons.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oancea, A.; Grasset, O.; Le Menn, E.; Bezacier, L.; Bollengier, O.; Le Mouélic, S.; Tobie, G.

2012-04-01

A CO2 spectral band was discovered by VIMS on the Saturn's satellites Dione, Hyperion, Iapetus and Phoebe [1]. The band position on the three first satellites corresponds to CO2 trapped in a complex material, but no indication exists whether this latter is water ice or some mineral or complex organic compound [1]. On Phoebe, the CO2 spectral band is consistent with solid CO2 or CO2 molecules trapped in the small cages of a clathrate hydrate structure [2]. It is thought that clathrate hydrates could play a significant role in the chemistry of the solar nebula [3] and in the physical evolution of astrophysical objects [4]. But so far, no clathrate hydrate structure has been observed in astrophysical environments. Moreover, identification of molecules trapped in a clathrate hydrate structure is extremely difficult because of the strong IR vibration modes of the water ice matrix. In this work, experimental IR reflectance spectra for CO2 clathrate hydrates are studied on grains and films. Clathrates are synthesized in a high pressure autoclave at low temperatures. IR spectral analysis is made with a low pressure and low temperature cryostat. These experimental conditions - 80 < T < 110 K, P~10-5 bar - are relevant to icy moons' surfaces. We have observed that the IR reflectance, in the spectral region (3 - 5 μm) characterized by H2O and CO2 high absorption coefficients, is strongly dependent on physical (size, surface) and optical (n and k) properties of the samples. The impact of these parameters on the CO2 clathrate IR reflectance spectrum will be presented. A comparison between the absorption bands of CO2 clathrate hydrates obtained in our lab and CO2 absorption bands as detected by VIMS on the icy satellites of Saturn will be shown. This experimental work confirms that VIMS data are not consistent with the presence of structure I CO2 clathrate hydrates on the surface of the icy moons. Possibility of having metastable structure II still remains unsolved and will be discussed. [1] Dalton et al., Space Sci. Rev. 2010, 153 : 113-154. [2] Cruikshank D.P. et al, Icarus, 2010, 206: 561-572. [3] Mousis O. et al , Ap. J. 2009, 691: 1780-1786. [4] Choukroun M. et al, in Solar System Ices, edited by Castillo-Rogez, J. et al., 2011.

Estrellas variables en campos de cúmulos abiertos galácticos detectadas en el relevamiento VVV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palma, T.; Dékany, I.; Clariá, J. J.; Minniti, D.; Alonso-García, J. A.; Ramírez Alegría, S.; Bonatto, C.

2016-08-01

The present project constitutes a massive search for variable stars in the field of open clusters projected on highly reddened regions of the galactic disk and bulge. This search is being performed using -, - and -band observations of the near-infrared variability Survey Vista variables in the Via Lactea. We present the first results obtained in four open clusters projected on the Galactic bulge. The new variables discovered in the current work, 182 in total, are classified on the basis of their light curves and their locations in the corresponding color-magnitude diagrams. Among the newly discovered variable stars, Cepheids, RR Lyrae, Scuti, eclipsing binaries and other types have been found.

Explosion Driven Magnetogasdynamic Flows with High Magnetic Reynolds and Interaction Numbers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

medium (o 0) with the fields (Fig. 1) 4. 4 ± {O,B+(x,t),o , + {0,o,E+(x,t), x x(t) a (x,t-o) B1o X ,t - o) , x Z ±a . (7) Bois an external...FLOWS WITH HIGH MAGNETIC REYNOLDS AND INTERACTION N UMB ERS 4DESCRIPTIVE MOTES (7VIM of reortad hMuclsa oi t"o) Technical S. AU TI4OWS(irslet pOrn

Distribution of the Euryhaline Squid Lolliguncula brevis in Chesapeake Bay: Effects of Selected Abiotic Factors

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-31

salinity , water temperature, dissolved oxy- gen and water clarity. Since temporal variation in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is high, the effects of year...temperature (p ɘ.001; ψ = 2.42) had significant impacts on squid catch probability, although the effects were con- founded by a water temperature × salinity ...commonly encountered in such waters during VIMS Trawl Surveys The synergistic and independent effects of salinity , water temperature and dissolved oxygen

ICBP90 Regulation of DNA Methylation, Histone Ubiquitination, and Tumor Suppressor Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

type and mutant plants via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Additionally, differences in centromere structure between wild-type and VIM1 RING...contexts. The proposed work is ongoing, and so far the major accomplishments include creation of relevant plant lines and development of in vitro assays...a comparative proteomics approach in wild-type plants and RING domain mutants (Months 1 - 18) This work is in early stages, with the main

ICBP90 Regulation of DNA Methylation, Histone Ubiquitination, and Tumor Suppressor Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

accomplishments include creation of relevant plant lines, development of in vitro assays, and profiling of mRNA expression in null mutants. 15. SUBJECT TERMS...DNA methylation, UHRF1, VIM1, ubiquitination, epigenetics, chromatin 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF...Molecular Basis of Human Disease ,” which covered several weeks’ worth of material specifically related to the molecular and epigenetic basis of cancer

Theoretical Studies of Low-Loss Optical Fibers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-15

on the fiber surface. Single-mode fiber operation is of interest in communications. Marcuse has shown that surface imperfections are a strong source...0.01 very small value of a : 8A at X = 1 vim Marcuse single mode 2.7 typical value of a = 1 jim, A : 10.6 vm, af = 37 Pim surface imperfections 55...Braunstein, "Scattering Losses in Single and Polycrystalline Materials for Infrared Fiber Applications," unpublished. 5. D. Marcuse , "Mode Conversion

Post-focus Instrumentation Of The NST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Wenda; Gorceix, N.; Andic, A.; Ahn, K.; Coulter, R.; Goode, P.

2009-05-01

The NST (New Solar Telescope), 1.6 m clear aperture, off-axis telescope, is in its commissioning phase at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). It will be the most capable, largest aperture solar telescope in the US until the 4 m ATST (Advanced Technology Solar Telescope) comes on-line in the middle of the next decade. The NST will be outfitted with state-of-the-art post-focus instrumentation, which currently include Adaptive Optics system (AO), InfraRed Imaging Magnetograph (IRIM), Visible Imaging Magnetograph (VIM), Real-time Image Reconstruction System (RIRS), and Fast Imaging Solar Spectrograph (FISS). A 308 sub-aperture (349-actuator Deformable Mirror) AO system will enable diffraction limited observations over the NST's principal operating wavelengths from 0.4 µm through 1.7 µm. IRIM and VIM are Fabry-Perot based narrow-band tunable filter, which provide high resolution two-dimensional spectroscopic and polarimetric imaging in the near infrared and visible respectively. Using a 32-node parallel computing system, RIRS is capable of performing real-time image reconstruction with one image every minute. FISS is a collaboration between NJIT and Seoul National University to focus on chromosphere dynamics. This instruments would be installed this Summer as a part of the NST commissioning and the implementation of Nysmyth focus instrumentation. Key tasks including optical design, hardware/software integration and subsequent setup/testing on the NST, will be presented in this poster. First light images from the NST will be shown.

Prevalence of ESBL and MBL encoding genes in Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from patients of intensive care units (ICU)

PubMed Central

Safari, Marzieh; Mozaffari Nejad, Amir Sasan; Bahador, Abas; Jafari, Rasool; Alikhani, Mohammad Yousef

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ESBL and MBL encoding genes among A. baumannii isolates. In this cross sectional study, 100 A. baumannii strains were isolated from ICU wards of 3 educational hospitals of Hamadan City, Iran in 2011. Phenotypic identification of the production of ESBLs and MBLs has been carried out by using E-test and DDST methods, respectively. PCR technique was used for amplification of the ESBL and MBL encoding genes, namely: CTX-M, SHV, TEM, OXA-51, VIM-Family, IMP-Family, SPM-1, SIM-1, and GIM-1. Eighty seven (87%), 95 (95%), 98 (98%) and 95 (95%) out of 100 A. baumannii isolates were resistant to imipenem, meropenem, ceftazidime and cefotaxime, respectively. Also, 99% and 7% of the isolates were MBLs and ESBLs produced phenotypically. Thirty (30%), 20 (20%) and 58 (58%) out of 100 A. baumannii isolates have been confirmed to harbor the blaVIM-family, TEM and SHV genes, respectively. Our results show no significant relationship between the detected gens with production of MBLs and ESBLs in spite of high prevalence of MBL encoding and drug resistant A. baumannii. Probably some other genes rather than what we studied are involved in phenotypic production of MBLs and ESBLs and subsequent drug resistance in Hamadan area, Iran. PMID:26150748

Welding of HSLA-100 steel using ultra low carbon bainitic weld metal to eliminate preheating

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

Devletian, J.H.; Singh, D.; Wood, W.E.

1996-12-31

Advanced high strength steels such as the Navy`s HSLA-100 and HSLA-80 contain sufficiently low carbon levels to be weldable without preheating. Unfortunately, commercial filler metals specifically designed to weld these steels without costly preheating have not yet been developed. The objective of this paper is to show that the Navy`s advanced steels can be welded by gas metal-arc (GMAW) and gas tungsten-arc welding (GTAW) without preheating by using filler metal compositions that produce weld metal with an ultra-low carbon bainitic (ULCB) microstructure. Filler metals were fabricated from vacuum induction melted (VIM) ingots containing ultra-low levels of C, O and N.more » HSLA-100 plate and plate from the VIM ingots were welded by both GMAW and GTAW with Ar-5% CO{sub 2} shielding gas using welding conditions to achieve cooling times from 800 to 500 C (t{sub 8-5}) from 35 to 14 sec. Weld metal tensile, hardness and CVN impact toughness testing as well as microstructural studies using transmission electron microscopy were conducted. The ULCB weld metal was relatively insensitive to cooling rate, resulting in good strength and toughness values over a wide range of t{sub 8-5} cooling times. Filler metal compositions which met the mechanical property requirements for HSLA-100, HSLA-80 and HSLA-65 weld metal were developed.« less

A bright intra-dune feature on Titan and its implications for sand formation and transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacKenzie, Shannon; Barnes, Jason W.; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Cornet, Thomas; Brossier, Jeremy; Soderblom, Jason M.; Le Mouélic, Stephane; Sotin, Christophe; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger Nelson; Nicholson, Philip D.; Baines, Kevin

2017-10-01

Organic sands cover much of Titan’s equatorial belt, gathered into longitudinal dunes about a kilometer wide and hundreds of kilometers long. At the end of the Cassini era, questions of how such a vast volume of saltable material is or was created on Titan remain unanswered. At least two possible mechanisms suggested for forming sand-sized particles involve liquids: (1) evaporite deposition and erosion and (2) flocculation of material within a lake. Transporting sand from the lakes and seas of Titan’s poles to the equatorial belt is not strongly supported by Cassini observations: the equatorial belt sits higher than the poles and no sheets or corridors of travelling sand have been identified. Thus, previous sites of equatorial surface liquids may be of interest for understanding sand formation, such as the suggested paleoseas Tui and Hotei Regio. A newly identified feature in the VIMS data sits within the Fensal dune field but is distinct from the surrounding sand. We investigate this Bright Fensal Feature (BFF) using data from Cassini VIMS and RADAR. Specifically, we find spectral similarities between the BFF and both sand and Hotei Regio. The RADAR cross sectional backscatter is similar to neighboring dark areas, perhaps sand covered interdunes. We use this evidence to constrain the BFF’s formation history and discuss how this intra-dune feature may contribute to the processes of sand transport and supply.

Characterization of carbapenem nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Denmark: a nationwide, prospective study.

PubMed

Hansen, Frank; Johansen, Helle Krogh; Østergaard, Claus; Arpi, Magnus; Hansen, Dennis Schrøder; Littauer, Pia; Holm, Anette; Heltberg, Ole; Schumacher, Helga; Fuursted, Kurt; Lykke, Mari-Ann Domar; Tønning, Birgitte; Hammerum, Anette M; Justesen, Ulrik Stenz

2014-02-01

From January 1st 2011 through June 30th 2011, 116 nonreplicate, noncystic fibrosis-related Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with reduced carbapenem susceptibility were collected from 12 out of 13 Danish departments of clinical microbiology. The presence of acquired β-lactamases was assessed with combination tablet-diffusion methodology and polymerase chain reaction. In addition, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, an efflux pump inhibitor assay, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were performed. Isolates producing acquired β-lactamases were further investigated by serotyping and multi locus sequence typing. Eight isolates produced the metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) VIM-2, and one isolate produced OXA-10 and VEB-1-like extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Phenotypic indications of derepressed AmpC and efflux pump were seen in 56 and 43 isolates, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that mutational factors related to permeability--often combined with derepressed, chromosomal AmpC--is the main factor behind carbapenem nonsusceptibility in Danish P. aeruginosa isolates. The ESBL producer and all the VIM producers belonged to international clones. PFGE revealed that most of the isolates were unrelated, but clonal spread was seen; the 116 isolates distributed in 97 PFGE types, with the largest cluster consisting of 4 isolates (including three isolates from the same hospital with 100% similarity). Thirty-two isolates were pair-wise related, while the remaining isolates were clonally unrelated, as were all nine ESBL/MBL producers.

Detection of VIM-2-, IMP-1- and NDM-1-producing multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Malaysia.

PubMed

Liew, Siew Mun; Rajasekaram, Ganeswrei; Puthucheary, Savithri D; Chua, Kek Heng

2018-02-09

The increasing incidence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa along with the discovery of novel metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) is of concern. In this study, the isolation of Malaysian MBL-producing P. aeruginosa clinical strains was investigated. Fifty-three P. aeruginosa clinical strains were isolated from different patients in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Malaysia in 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of imipenem and meropenem were determined by Etest. The carbapenem-resistant strains were screened for MBL production by IMP-EDTA double disk synergy test (DDST), MBL imipenem/imipenem-inhibitor (IP/IPI) Etest and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis. Three (5.7%) clinical strains were identified as MBL producers. Multidrug resistance was observed in the three strains, and two were resistant to all the antimicrobials tested. Sequencing analysis confirmed the three strains to harbour carbapenemase genes: one with bla IMP-1 , one with bla VIM-2 and the other with bla NDM-1 genes. These multidrug resistant strains were identified as sequence type (ST) 235 and ST308. None of the bla IMP-1 and bla NDM-1 genes have been reported in Malaysian P. aeruginosa. The emergence of imipenemase 1 (IMP-1)- and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)-producing P. aeruginosa in Malaysia maybe travel-associated. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System (VIMS) in orthopaedic research, education and clinical patient care.

PubMed

Chao, Edmund Y S; Armiger, Robert S; Yoshida, Hiroaki; Lim, Jonathan; Haraguchi, Naoki

2007-03-08

The ability to combine physiology and engineering analyses with computer sciences has opened the door to the possibility of creating the "Virtual Human" reality. This paper presents a broad foundation for a full-featured biomechanical simulator for the human musculoskeletal system physiology. This simulation technology unites the expertise in biomechanical analysis and graphic modeling to investigate joint and connective tissue mechanics at the structural level and to visualize the results in both static and animated forms together with the model. Adaptable anatomical models including prosthetic implants and fracture fixation devices and a robust computational infrastructure for static, kinematic, kinetic, and stress analyses under varying boundary and loading conditions are incorporated on a common platform, the VIMS (Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System). Within this software system, a manageable database containing long bone dimensions, connective tissue material properties and a library of skeletal joint system functional activities and loading conditions are also available and they can easily be modified, updated and expanded. Application software is also available to allow end-users to perform biomechanical analyses interactively. Examples using these models and the computational algorithms in a virtual laboratory environment are used to demonstrate the utility of these unique database and simulation technology. This integrated system, model library and database will impact on orthopaedic education, basic research, device development and application, and clinical patient care related to musculoskeletal joint system reconstruction, trauma management, and rehabilitation.

Virtual interactive musculoskeletal system (VIMS) in orthopaedic research, education and clinical patient care

PubMed Central

Chao, Edmund YS; Armiger, Robert S; Yoshida, Hiroaki; Lim, Jonathan; Haraguchi, Naoki

2007-01-01

The ability to combine physiology and engineering analyses with computer sciences has opened the door to the possibility of creating the "Virtual Human" reality. This paper presents a broad foundation for a full-featured biomechanical simulator for the human musculoskeletal system physiology. This simulation technology unites the expertise in biomechanical analysis and graphic modeling to investigate joint and connective tissue mechanics at the structural level and to visualize the results in both static and animated forms together with the model. Adaptable anatomical models including prosthetic implants and fracture fixation devices and a robust computational infrastructure for static, kinematic, kinetic, and stress analyses under varying boundary and loading conditions are incorporated on a common platform, the VIMS (Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System). Within this software system, a manageable database containing long bone dimensions, connective tissue material properties and a library of skeletal joint system functional activities and loading conditions are also available and they can easily be modified, updated and expanded. Application software is also available to allow end-users to perform biomechanical analyses interactively. Examples using these models and the computational algorithms in a virtual laboratory environment are used to demonstrate the utility of these unique database and simulation technology. This integrated system, model library and database will impact on orthopaedic education, basic research, device development and application, and clinical patient care related to musculoskeletal joint system reconstruction, trauma management, and rehabilitation. PMID:17343764

Estrogen-related receptor α participates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of osteosarcoma cells

PubMed Central

Chen, Yantao; Zhang, Kunshui; Li, Yang; He, Qing

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Osteosarcoma patients often exhibit pulmonary metastasis, which results in high patient mortality. Understanding the mechanisms of advanced metastasis in osteosarcoma cell is important for the targeted treatment and drug development. Our present study revealed that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) treatment can significantly promote the in vitro migration and invasion of human osteosarcoma MG-63 and HOS cells. The loss of epithelial characteristics E-cadherin (E-Cad) and up regulation of mesenchymal markers Vimentin (Vim) suggested TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of osteosarcoma cells. TGF-β treatment obviously increased the expression of Snail, a key EMT-related transcription factor, in both MG-63 and HOS cells. Silencing of Snail markedly attenuated TGF-β induced down regulation of E-cad and up regulation of Vim. TGF-β treatment also significantly increased the expression and nuclear translocation of estrogen-related receptors α (ERRα), while had no obvious effect on the expression of ERα, ERβ, or ERRγ. Knock down of ERRα or its inhibitor XCT-790 significantly attenuated TFG-β induced EMT and transcription of Snail in osteosarcoma cells. Collectively, our present study revealed that TGF-β treatment can trigger the EMT of osteosarcoma cells via ERRα/Snail pathways. Our data suggested that ERRα/Snail pathways might be potential therapeutic targets of metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. PMID:27532429

One last look from the dark side: Cassini's final views of Saturn's rings from with the planet's shadow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedman, Matthew M.; Burns, Joseph A.; Nicholson, Philip D.; Tiscareno, Matthew S.; Evans, Michael W.; Baker, Emily

2017-10-01

Around the start of Cassini's Grand Finale, the spacecraft passed a dozen times through Saturn's shadow, enabling its cameras and spectrometers to observe the ring system at extremely high phase angles. These opportunities yielded the best combination of signal-to-noise and resolution for many parts of Saturn's fainter dusty rings, and allowed the main rings to be viewed from previously inaccessible lighting geometries. We will highlight some of the surprising features found in the data obtained by Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) during these time periods, and discuss what they might be able to tell us about the structure and dynamics of Saturn's various ring systems. For example, ISS captured global views of the entire ring system that reveal previously unseen structures in dust-filled regions like the D ring and the zone between Saturn's F and G rings, as well as novel fine-scale structures in the core of the E ring near Enceladus' orbit. These structures provide new insights into the forces that sculpt these tenuous rings. ISS and VIMS also detected an unexpected brightening and highly unusual spectra of the main rings at extremely high phase angles. These data may provide novel information about the distribution of small grains and particles in these denser rings.

Validation of methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) for the detection of stool DNA methylation in colorectal neoplasms.

PubMed

Xiao, Zhujun; Li, Bingsheng; Wang, Guozhen; Zhu, Weisi; Wang, Zhongqiu; Lin, Jinfeng; Xu, Angao; Wang, Xinying

2014-04-20

Methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) is a new technique for assaying DNA methylation, but its feasibility for assaying stool in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. First, the MS-HRM and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) detection limits were tested. Second, the methylation statuses of SFRP2 and VIM were analyzed in stool samples by MS-HRM, and in matching tumor and normal colon tissues via bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Third, a case-control study evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of MS-HRM relative to results obtained with MSP and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Finally, the linearity and reproducibility of MS-HRM were assessed. The detection limits of MS-HRM and MSP were 1% and 5%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivities of MS-HRM (87.3%, 55/63) in stool and BSP in matching tumor tissue (92.1%, 58/63) were highly consistent (κ=0.744). The MS-HRM assay detected 92.5% (37/40) methylation in CRCs, 94.4% (34/36) in advanced adenomas, and 8.8% (5/57) in normal controls. The results of MS-HRM analysis were stable and reliable and showed fairly good linearity for both SFRP2 (P<0.001, R(2)=0.957) and VIM (P<0.001, R(2)=0.954). MS-HRM shows potential for CRC screening. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatially resolved near infrared observations of Enceladus' tiger stripe eruptions from Cassini VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhingra, Deepak; Hedman, Matthew M.; Clark, Roger N.; Nicholson, Philip D.

2017-08-01

Particle properties of individual fissure eruptions within Enceladus' plume have been analyzed using high spatial resolution Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations from the Cassini mission. To first order, the spectra of the materials emerging from Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus sulci are very similar, with a strong absorption band around 3 μm due to water-ice. The band minimum position indicates that the ice grains emerging from all the fissures are predominantly crystalline, which implies that the water-ice particles' formation temperatures are likely above 130 K. However, there is also evidence for subtle variations in the material emerging from the different source fissures. Variations in the spectral slope between 1-2.5 μm are observed and probably reflect differences in the size distributions of particles between 0.5 and 5 μm in radius. We also note variations in the shape of the 3 μm water-ice absorption band, which are consistent with differences in the relative abundance of > 5 μm particles. These differences in the particle size distribution likely reflect variations in the particle formation conditions and/or their transport within the fissures. These observations therefore provide strong motivation for detailed modeling to help place important constraints on the diversity of the sub-surface environmental conditions at the geologically active south-pole of Enceladus.

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates producing OXA-48 and NDM in the Southern (Asir) province, Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Al-Zahrani, Ibrahim A; Alsiri, Bander A

2018-01-01

To identify the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and the most common types of cabapenemases among CRKP in the Southern (Asir) province hospitals, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between late April and September in 2015. A total of 54 Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolates with reduced sensitivity to carbapenems were obtained from various clinical specimens of the 2 largest hospitals in the Southern province. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of carbapenems were confirmed using E-test. Molecular detection of the most common carbapenemase genes (blaIMP, bla-carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinase [OXA-48], blaVIM, bla-New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamas [NDM], and blaKPC) was performed using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. Results: The current study found that increasing age and intensive care unit admission were associated with CRKP isolation. The major type of carbapenemases was OXA-48 with 81.5% (n=44) and it seems to reach an endemic level. New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamas (NDM) was the second most frequent carbapenemase by 7.4% (n=4) of isolates while Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM) was reported only in one isolate. Conclusion: Saudi Arabia receives large numbers of visitors and migrant workers from OXA-48 and NDM endemic countries such as Turkey, India, and Pakistan every year.

Joint observations of Titan's North Pole by Cassini/VIMS and Keck/NIRSPEC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotin, C.; Griffith, C. A.; Fitzpatrick, R.; Lawrence, K. J.

2017-12-01

One of many Titan's characteristics is the presence of hydrocarbon seas and lakes in the Northern hemisphere, which represent one reservoir involved in the methane cycle that controls Titan's meteorology. During Titan's spring, the North Pole is illuminated and evaporation of methane should happen. Observations of the non-saturated absorption bands in the 1.6 micron atmospheric window by the NIRSPEC (Near Infrared Spectrometer) instrument on the Keck telescope should allow us to retrieve this critical information to understand the methane cycle on Titan. Such observations were performed during the night of July 9, 2017. Simultaneously, images of Titan's North pole were taken by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft during non-targeted flybys between 7:00 am and 8:45 am UT on July 10, 2017. As observed during recent non-targeted flybys, cloud activity at high northern latitudes is increasing as Titan gets closer to summer solstice. During Rev 283, elongated clouds form a circle along latitude 60 N (green arrow) with an apparent higher activity around 90W (blue arrow). There is also a bright patch at the North Pole (red arrow) that is visible at 2.1 micron and not at 2.0 micron, which also suggests cloud activity. Analysis of the 1.6 micron atmospheric window will be presented while the processing of the NIRSPEC data are ongoing.

Use of Imipenem To Detect KPC, NDM, OXA, IMP, and VIM Carbapenemase Activity from Gram-Negative Rods in 75 Minutes Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Kulkarni, M. V.; Zurita, A. N.; Pyka, J. S.; Murray, T. S.; Hodsdon, M. E.

2014-01-01

Resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics has led to a greater reliance upon carbapenems, but the expression of carbapenemases threatens to limit the utility of these drugs. Current methods to detect carbapenemase activity are suboptimal, requiring prolonged incubations during which ineffective therapy may be prescribed. We previously described a sensitive and specific assay for the detection of carbapenemase activity using ertapenem and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, we assessed 402 Gram-negative rods, including both Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae expressing IMP, VIM, KPC, NDM, and/or OXA carbapenemases, by using imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem with LC-MS/MS assays. LC-MS/MS methods for the detection of intact and hydrolyzed carbapenems from an enrichment broth were developed. No ion suppression was observed, and the limits of detection for all three drugs were below 0.04 μg/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of meropenem and ertapenem for carbapenemase activity among non-Enterobacteriaceae were low, but imipenem demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 95%, respectively, among all Gram-negative rods (GNR) tested, including both Enterobacteriaceae and non-Enterobacteriaceae. LC-MS/MS allows for the analysis of more complex matrices, and this LC-MS/MS assay could easily be adapted for use with primary specimens requiring growth enrichment. PMID:24789180

Emitted Power of Jupiter Based on Cassini CIRS and VIMS Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Liming; Baines, Kevin H.; Smith, Mark A.; West, Robert A.; Perez-Hoyos, Santiago; Trammel, Harold J.; Simon-Miller, Amy A.; Conrath, Barney J.; Gierasch, Peter J.; Orton, Glenn S.;

Emitted Power Of Jupiter Based On Cassini CIRS And VIMS Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Liming; Baines, Kevin H.; Smith, Mark A.; West, Robert A.; Perez-Hoyos, Santiago; Trammel, Harold J.; Simon-Miller, Amy A.; Conrath, Barney J.; Gierasch, Peter J.; Orton, Glenn S.;

The Changing Surface of Saturn's Titan: Cassini Observations Suggest Active Cryovolcanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelson, R. M.

2008-12-01

R. M. Nelson(1), L. Kamp(1), R. M. C. Lopes(1), D. L. Matson(1), S. D. Wall(1), R. L. Kirk(2), K. L Mitchell(1), G. Mitri(1), B. W. Hapke(3), M. D. Boryta(4), F. E. Leader(1) , W. D. Smythe(1), K. H. Baines(1), R. Jauman(5), C. Sotin(1), R. N. Clark(6), D. P. Cruikshank(7) , P. Drossart(9), B. J. Buratti(1) , J.Lunine(8), M. Combes(9), G. Bellucci(10), J.-P. Bibring(11), F. Capaccioni(10), P. Cerroni(10), A. Coradini(10), V. Formisano(10), G Filacchione(10), R. Y. Langevin(11), T. B. McCord(12), V. Mennella(13), P. D. Nicholson(14) , B. Sicardy(8) 1-JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena CA 91109, 2-USGS, Flagstaff, 3-U Pittsburgh, 4-Mt. Sac Col, 5- DLR, Berlin, 6-USGS Denver, 7-NASA AMES, 8-U Paris-Meudon, 9-Obs de Paris, 10-ISFI-CNR Rome, 11-U Paris -Sud. Orsay, 12-Bear Flt Cntr Winthrop WA, 13-Obs Capodimonte Naples, 14-Cornell U. Several Instruments on the Cassini Saturn Orbiter have been observing the surface of Saturn's moon Titan since mid 2004. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) reports that regions near 26oS, 78oW (region 1) and 7oS, 138oW (region 2) exhibit photometric changes consistent with on-going surface activity. These regions are photometrically variable with time(1). Cassini Synthetic Aperture Rader (SAR) has investigated these regions and reports that both of these regions exhibit morphologies consistent with cryovolcanism (2). VIMS observed region 1 eight times and reported that on two occasions the region brightened two-fold and then decreased again on timescales of several weeks. Region 2 was observed on four occasions (Tb-Dec13/2004 ,T8-Oct27/2005, T10-Jan15/2006, T12-Mar18/2006) and exhibited a pronounced change in I/F betweenT8 and T10. Our photometric analysis finds that both regions do not exhibit photometric properties consistent with atmospheric phenomena such as tropospheric clouds. These changes must be at or very near the surface. Radar images of these regions reveal morphology that is consistent with cryovolcanoes. We conclude that the VIMS instrument has found two instances in which selected regions on Titan's surface became unusually reflective and remained reflective on time scales of days to months. In both cases the area of reflectance variability is large (~100000 sq km), larger than either Loki or the Big Island of Hawaii. This is a strong evidence for currently active surface processes on Titan. Pre-Cassini, Titan was thought of as a pre-biotic earth that was frozen in time. Cassini VIMS and SAR observations combined suggest that Titan is the present day is not frozen solid, and is instead an episodically changing or evolving world. References: [1] Nelson R. M. et al, LPSC 2007 , Europlanets 2007, AGU 2007, EGU 2008, Accepted in Icarus 2008. [2] Lopes et al (this meeting), Stofan et al. Icarus 185, 443-456, 2007. Lopes et al. Icarus 186, 395- 412, 2007. Kirk et al., DPS 2007. Acknowledgement: This work done at JPL under contract with NASA

Handbook of the Statistics of Various Terrain and Water (Ice) Backgrounds from Selected U.S. Locations

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-01-01

designers and users of iufrared systems. This handbook contains a summary of the backgrounds analyzed to date as part of this effort. Most of the...last region, 8.0-14.0 pm, was covered with various filters at different AX’s, designated in the Index merely as 8.0-14.0 vim, but specifically...delineated in the Handbook within their properly designated bands. ] Since, as was mentioned earlier, the substance of this Handbook was presented in

Mapping products of Titan's surface

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf; Karkoschka, Erich; Barnes, Jason W.; Tomasko, Martin G.; Turtle, Elizabeth P.; Le Corre, Lucille; Langhans, Mirjam; Le Mouelic, Stephane; Lorenz, Ralf D.; Perry, Jason; Brown, Robert H.; Lebreton, Jean-Pierre

2009-01-01

Remote sensing instruments aboard the Cassini spacecraft have been observed the surface of Titan globally in the infrared and radar wavelength ranges as well as locally by the Huygens instruments revealing a wealth of new morphological features indicating a geologically active surface. We present a summary of mapping products of Titan's surface derived from data of the remote sensing instruments onboard the Cassini spacecraft (ISS, VIMS, RADAR) as well as the Huygens probe (DISR) that were achieved during the nominal Cassini mission including an overview of Titan's recent nomenclature.

Impact of Materials Defects on Engine Structures Integrity (L’Impact des Defauts des Materiaux sur l’Integrite des Structures des Moteurs)

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-01

years have been a continuous inspiration to me. AGARD-R-769, NATO-AGARD, 1988. I thank them for allowing me to assist them in their learning endeavors...ceramics. These ceramic filters have been very effective in improving VIM ingot quality in r.cnt years. Eddy Current Might be applicable to deep ...appropriately defined material behavior. In general. all these sample can become prohibitively large. elements: fractography of failed test pieces

Never Send an Infantryman Where You Can Send an Artillery Shell.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-01

US Army War College Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania 17013 The ViM~ expressed Ini this paper are those cf -the aulhor and do, not...296. 19For more discussion of the whys and wherefores of Montgomery’s action see: Chester, Wilmot , The Struggle For Europe (New York, 1952), 676-677...1969. Toland, John. The Last 100 Days. New York, 1966. Van Bibber, Edwin M. "Objective Perfection," Infantry Journal, XVIII (1946), 36-41. Wilmot , Chester. The Struggle for Europe. New York, 1952. 53

Transparency of the 2 μm window on Titan studied with observations made by VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rannou, P.; Lemouélic, S.; Sotin, C.; Brown, R. H.

2012-09-01

The study of Titan properties with remote sensing relies on a good knowledge of the atmosphere properties. The in-situ observations made by Huygens combined with recent advances in the definition of methane properties enable to model and interpret observations with a very good accuracy. However, intensity at some wavelengths are poorly modeled because additional opacities must be studied. We focus here on the case of the 2 μm window, which is essential to determined cloud and surface properties.

Failure Analysis of a CH-47 Horizontal Hinge Pin Assembly, P/N 114RS226

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

and globular) dispersed in a matrix of tempered martensite observed in all the metallographic cross sections produced from the M50 steel rings and...ring, were shown to have met the requirements of AMS 6491 (1)—the specification for VIM- VAR M50 required by each roller- bearing set drawing (see table...2). Although the phosphorus content for each part was at or near the maximum level allowed by AMS 6491, literature on M50 steel and a conversation

Stress Field Evolution in a Ball Bearing Raceway Fatigue Spall (PREPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

M50 steel V-Ring raceways, and extended the bearing life prediction methods of Ioannides and Harris (10) to predict the remaining useful life of...Carpenter VIM VAR M50 Bearing Steel ” (17) ABAQUS v6.8.2 Users Manual (18) Suresh, S., Fatigue of Materials. Second Edition, 2004, Cambridge University...images of spall’s edge cracks Figure 5. Finite Element Model Geometry Figure 6. a. Tracings of spall edges from M50 and Pyrowear 675 bearing steels

Comparative evaluation of a new commercial media, the CHROMAgar™ mSuperCARBA™, for the detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

PubMed

Amar, Ma'ayan; Shalom, Ohad; Adler, Amos

2017-05-01

A new chromogenic-based medium (mSuperCARBA™) was tested for screening carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). mSuperCARBA™ was more sensitive (83%) in detecting CPE isolates (n=69, including KPC, NDM, OXA-48, VIM, and IMI) compared with CHROMAgar™-KPC (65%) and MacConkey agar with Imipenem (69%) with comparable specificity for non carbapenemase-producing, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (n=29). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Near Infrared Spectra of H2O/HCN Mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mastrapa, R. M.; Bernstein, M. P.; Sanford, S. A.

2006-01-01

Cassini's VIMS has already returned exciting results interpreting spectra of Saturn's icy satellites. The discovery of unidentified features possibly due to CN compounds inspired the work reported here. We wanted to test HCN as a possibility for explaining these features, and also explore how the features of HCN change when mixed with H2O. We have previously noted that mixing H20 and CO2 produces new spectral features and that those features change with temperature and mixing ratio.

Improved Fatigue Life Bearing Development

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

lubricating conditions: (1) oil sump, with the bottom rolling element half submerged in oil; (2) oil vapor, with the bearings bathed in oil vapor rising from...the life of bearings operating at speeds up to 3 MDN. A 40-rnm thrust bearing (Fafnir 2AAM 208WO MBR ) was selected for the preliminary tests. Bearings...Bore Ball Bearing Test Rig. 56 P- Aft. C9) 57 The test bearings (Fafnir 2AAM 208W0 MBR ) were manufactured out of VIM-VAR M50. Initial testing was

Loading properties of porous layered capillary columns with sorbents of different natures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patrushev, Y. V.; Nikolaeva, O. A.; Sidelnikov, V. N.

2017-04-01

Loading properties are studied for the commercial porous layered capillary columns GASPRO, Rt-Q-BOND, and for columns with porous layers based on the divinylbenzene-vinylimidazole copolymer (DVB-VIm), poly(trimethylsilyl)propyn (PTMSP) and ordered silica of the MCM-41 type. It is shown that the loading capacity of a column based on MCM-41 is 5-10 times higher than in the other considered columns. The loading properties of porous layered columns and columns for gas-liquid chromatography are compared.

Combined theory of reflectance and emittance spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hapke, Bruce

1995-01-01

The theory in which either or both reflected sunlight and thermally emitted radiation contribute to the power received by a detector viewing a particulate medium, such as a powder in the laboratory or a planetary regolith, is considered theoretically. This theory is of considerable interest for the interpretation of data from field or spacecraft instruments that are sensitive to the near-infrared region of the spectrum, such as NIMS (near-infrared mapping spectrometer) and VIMS (visual and infrared mapping spectrometer), as well as thermal infrared detectors.

Global map of Titan's dune fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Corre, L.; Le Mouélic, S.; Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Brown, R. H.; Baines, K.; Buratti, B.; Clark, R.; Nicholson, P.

2008-09-01

Introduction Methane is the second major constituent of Titan's atmosphere; but it should be totally removed at least in ten million years by photochemistry in the stratosphere and condensation in the troposphere [1]. The first process produces hydrocarbons which form the haze and can condensate onto the surface. The second process causes methane rains on the surface, which carve channels networks. The loss of methane is possibly balanced by outgassing during cryovolcanic event [2]. But hydrocarbons grains deposited onto the surface cannot be recycled. They may be stored in the dunes [3], which were first seen by SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) [4]. We focus our study on the mapping of the dune fields in order to determine their global distribution. The aim is to constrain the amount of hydrocarbon material existing in the dunes, and to relate it to the duration of the methane cycle. Data from the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and RADAR instruments onboard Cassini spacecraft can be used to map Titan's surface. Infrared images, which are mainly sensitive to composition and grain size, are very complementary to the microwave measurements which depend mainly on roughness and topography. We used spectral criteria after empirical correction of aerosols to map the distribution of heterogeneous units on Titan [5]. These units are compared with SAR images in overlapping regions. Titan's surface mosaics with VIMS VIMS probes the first ten of microns of the ground in seven narrow atmospheric windows in the 0.88 to 5.11 μm wavelength range. We built infrared mosaics with cubes sorted by spatial resolution, by keeping cubes corresponding to favorable observing conditions (incidence, emergence, phase and time exposure). Band ratios were computed and combined in false color composite images (red as 1.59/1.27-μm, green as 2.03/1.27-μm and blue as 1.27/1.08-μm). Band ratios are useful to minimize the effect of illuminating conditions and albedo variations [6]. Mosaics of Titan's surface were created using images acquired during 42 flybys from Ta (October 26th 2004) to T42 (March 25th 2008). These images have been integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Global maps of band ratios appear fuzzy at high latitudes due to a low spatial resolution and to the presence of haze and clouds. The unfavorable observing geometry, with high incidence angles, induces a very strong scattering by the aerosols in these regions. On the contrary, equatorial and mid-latitudes regions have been covered at a medium resolution, in better observing conditions. In our color composites, most of Titan surface appears either in brown units, bluish units or bright units. We observed that brown units cover 18% of the whole Titan's surface and are found in equatorial regions. Dark blue units cover roughly 2% of Titan's surface. They are systematically associated with bright terrains and are never found isolated within brown units (Fig. 1a). Dune patterns were first observed in the infrared with VIMS during the closest approach at T4 and T20 flybys [7, 8]. The detailed study of dune fields by [8] shows that dune patterns are found mainly in brown units and interdunes can account for the observed spectral variability. Dunes with Radar SAR dataset We also use the RADAR data in SAR mode, mainly sensitive to roughness, surface topography and dielectric constant variations. It is independent of solar light conditions and of the presence of clouds. We retrieved the radar swaths from Ta to T25 (February 22nd 2007) flybys from the PDS website and reprojected the data using the ISIS2 software. The spatial resolution of the SAR images allows the direct imaging of the dunes. Most of Titan's dunes appear longitudinal and resemble terrestrial dunes, such as the ones found in Namibia [4]. Detailed morphologic analysis was performed in [9], who inferred a dominant wind eastward to account for their formation. Two kinds of dunes have been observed: sand seas and small dunes in low sand supply zones. Most of the aeolian sand deposits are found in sand seas. In addition, isolated groups of "cat scratches", very sinuous short dunes [9] and sand sheets [10] (visible as dark uniform terrains) are recognized. Their emplacement is most probably related to the available sand supply. Comparison of infrared and SAR units Sand seas and small dunes match different kind of terrains in the infrared. Radar dune fields boundaries in the infrared. The dune fields in SAR images generally end at the limit between infrared brown and bright units (Fig. 1b and 1c). Dunes can also be found on dark blue terrains as seen by [7] and [11]. 82% of SAR dunes are located in brown units and 4.5% in dark blue units. The remnant dunes corresponding to "cat scratches" or not well defined dune fields appear in infrared bright units as isolated patches. These dunes may form with a low sand supply, thus VIMS detects a bright terrain because of the lower resolution than SAR. It could account for some of the 13.5% radar dunes found on bright areas. It should be noted that the limit between SAR dunes and brown units is sometimes shifted by about 20 km. This could be due to the obliquity and spin rate of Titan, which are not taken into account in our georeferenced images [12]. An accurate model of Titan obliquity and spin rate would be needed to correct this effect. But yet, there is a significant overlapping between VIMS brown units and dunes seen with the RADAR at global scale. The relationship seems to be more complex for the dark blue terrains, since dunes overlap this unit or are stopped at the border. Dark blue units may correspond to an aeolian deposit younger than the dunes [6]. By using a mean height of 150 m for the dunes [3, 10] and an average thickness of 20 m [3], we find a total amount of dune material in the brown units of 3.01 105 km3. This is consistent with the estimation from [3]. Conclusion From the global mapping, we inferred that dunes in the RADAR data are highly correlated with brown infrared terrains, and can overlap dark blue areas. Observations of brown infrared terrains by VIMS will complete the dune fields coverage found by SAR: the total SAR surface coverage at the end of the extended mission will be ~40%, whereas VIMS will achieve a near global coverage at 15-20 km/pixel in average. Therefore, the integration of both datasets will improve the estimation of amount of hydrocarbons present in solid state on Titan. References [1] Atreya, S. K. et al. (2006) PSS, 54, 1177-1187. [2] Sotin, C. et al. (2005) Science, 435, 786-789. [3] Lorenz, R. D. et al. (2008), GRL, 35, L02206. [4] Lorenz, R. D. et al. (2006) Science, 312, 724-727. [5] Le Mouélic, S. et al. (2008) LPSC XXXIX, abstract 1730. [6] Le Mouélic, S. et al. (2008) JGR, 113, E04003. [7] Barnes, J. W. et al. (2007) Icarus, 186, 242-258. [8] Barnes, J. W. et al. (2008) Icarus, 195, 400-414. [9] Radebaugh, J. et al. (2008) Icarus, 194, 690-703. [10] Lunine, J. I. et al. (2008) Icarus, 195, 415-433. [11] Soderblom, L. A. et al. (2007) PSS, 55, 2025-2036. [12] Stiles, B. W. et al (2008) The Astronomical Journal, 135, 1669-1680.

Evolução temporal da explosão solar de 06 de junho de 2000 apresentando estruturas finas em rádio freqüências

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, F. C. R.; Sawant, H. S.; Cecatto, J. R.; Caracini, A. G.; Vats, H. O.; Karlický, M.; Meszarosova, H.

2003-08-01

Em 06 de junho de 2000 (~15: 00-17: 00 UT), o Brazilian Solar Spectroscope (BSS) registrou uma explosão solar intensa no intervalo de freqüência de (1000-2000) MHz, com alta resolução temporal (100 ms) e espectral (5 MHz). A atividade solar relacionada a esta explosão associada à região ativa (AR) 9026 e classificada como X2.3 foi grande. O Ondrejov Observatory registrou rádio emissões até 4,5 GHz. O satélite SOHO registrou uma série de erupções solares, incluindo uma Ejeção de Massa Coronal (CME) tipo "full-halo" (~15: 54 UT). Explosões tipo II/IV também foram registradas. Na faixa de ondas decimétricas, este evento apresentou dois picos distintos (~15: 21 UT e ~16: 42 UT). O primeiro pico coincide com a explosão registrada em raios-X moles (GOES) e em raios-X duros (Yohkoh). Os espectros dinâmicos com alta resolução do BSS revelaram várias estruturas finas, principalmente emissões tipo "zebra" e "fibra", rádio pulsações, emissões tipo III e do único caso de emissões "zebra" harmônicas observado na faixa decimétrica. Neste trabalho, analisamos a evolução temporal e o comportamento global do evento de 06 de junho de 2000, com ênfase na identificação e associação da ocorrência de cada tipo de estrutura fina registrada em rádio com cada etapa da explosão. Resultados preliminares mostraram que, na fase pré-flare, as estruturas finas apresentaram taxa de deriva negativa (~ 70-190 MHz/s). As emissões tipo "zebra" concentram-se na fase de descida do primeiro pico impulsivo e na de subida do segundo pico. Enquanto que as emissões tipo "fibra" ocorrem em ambas fases, mas preferivelmente durante a fase de descida. Os resultados serão apresentados e discutidos.

Study on Vortex-Induced Motions of A New Type of Deep Draft Multi-Columns FDPSO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Jia-yang; Xie, Yu-lin; Zhao, Yuan; Li, Wen-juan; Tao, Yan-wu; Huang, Xiang-hong

2018-03-01

A numerical simulation and an experimental study on vortex-induced motion (VIM) of a new type of deep draft multi-columns floating drilling production, storage and offloading (FDPSO) are presented in this paper. The main dimension, the special variable cross-section column and the cabin arrangement of the octagonal pontoon are introduced based on the result. The numerical simulation is adapted to study the effects of current incidence angles and reduced velocities on this platform's sway motion response. The 300 m water depth equivalent truncated mooring system is adopted for the model tests. The model tests are carried out to check the reliability of numerical simulation. The results consist of surge, sway and yaw motions, as well as motion trajectories. The maximum sway amplitudes for different types of offshore platform is also studied. The main results show that the peak frequencies of sway motion under different current incidence angles and reduced velocities vary around the natural frequency. The analysis result of flow field indicates that the change of distribution of vortex in vertical presents significant influences on the VIM of platform. The trend of sway amplitude ratio curve of this new type FDPSO differs from the other types of platform. Under 45° current incidence angle, the sway amplitude of this new type of FDPSO is much smaller than those of other types of offshore platform at 4.4 ≤ V r ≤ 8.9. The typical `8' shape trajectory does not appear in the platform's motion trajectories.

Comparative Evaluation of Multiplex PCR and Routine Laboratory Phenotypic Methods for Detection of Carbapenemases among Gram Negative Bacilli.

PubMed

Solanki, Rachana; Vanjari, Lavanya; Subramanian, Sreevidya; B, Aparna; E, Nagapriyanka; Lakshmi, Vemu

2014-12-01

Carbapenem resistant pathogens cause infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the use of Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of carbapenemase genes among carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria in comparison with the existing phenotypic methods like modified Hodge test (MHT), combined disc test (CDT) and automated methods. A total of 100 Carbapenem resistant clinical isolates, [Escherichia coli (25), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35) P. aeruginosa (18) and Acinetobacter baumannii (22)] were screened for the presence of carbapenemases (bla NDM-1, bla VIM , blaIMP and blaKPC genes) by phenotype methods such as the modified Hodge test (MHT) and combined disc test (CDT) and the molecular methods such as Multiplex PCR. Seventy of the 100 isolates were MHT positive while, 65 isolates were positive by CDT. All the CDT positive isolates with EDTA and APB were Metallo betalactamase (MBL) and K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) producers respectively. bla NDM-1 was present as a lone gene in 44 isolates. In 14 isolates bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaKPC gene, and in one isolate bla NDM-1 gene was present with blaVIM , gene. Only one E. coli isolate had a lone blaKPC gene. We didn't find bla IMP gene in any of the isolates. Neither of the genes could be detected in 35 isolates. Accurate detection of the genes related with carbapenemase production by Molecular methods like Multiplex PCR overcome the limitations of the phenotypic methods and Automated systems.

[News of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative bacilli in Algeria].

PubMed

Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani, Z; Arlet, G

2014-06-01

Antibiotic resistance has become a major public health problem in Algeria. Indeed the past decade, we have seen a significant increase in resistance to antibiotics especially in Gram-negative bacilli. Resistance to β-lactams in enterobacteria is dominated by the production of ESBL CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-15. The strains producing these enzymes are often the cause of potentially serious infections in both hospital and community settings. Identified plasmid cephalosporinases are CMY-2, CMY-12 and DHA-1. The isolation of strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing carbapenemases is rare in Algeria. Some Enterobacteriaceae producing OXA-48 or VIM-19 have been reported; so far, only VIM-2 has been identified in P. aeruginosa. However, the situation regarding the strains of Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to carbapenemases seems to be more disturbing. The carbapenemase OXA-23 is the most common and seems to be endemic in the north. The carbapenemase NDM-1 has also been identified. Resistance to aminoglycosides is marked by the identification armA gene associated with blaCTX-M genes in strains of Salmonella sp. Several other resistance genes have been identified sporadically in strains of Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Resistance genes to fluoroquinolones are more recent identification in Algeria. The most common are the Qnr determinants followed by the bifunctional enzyme AAC[6']-Ib-cr. Resistance to sulfonamides and trimethoprim was also reported in Enterobacteriaceae strains in the west of the country. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier SAS.

Storm clouds on Saturn: Lightning-induced chemistry and associated materials consistent with Cassini/VIMS spectra

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baines, K.H.; Delitsky, M.L.; Momary, T.W.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2009-01-01

Thunderstorm activity on Saturn is associated with optically detectable clouds that are atypically dark throughout the near-infrared. As observed by Cassini/VIMS, these clouds are ~20% less reflective than typical neighboring clouds throughout the spectral range from 0.8 ??m to at least 4.1 ??m. We propose that active thunderstorms originating in the 10-20 bar water-condensation region vertically transport dark materials at depth to the ~1 bar level where they can be observed. These materials in part may be produced by chemical processes associated with lightning, likely within the water clouds near the ~10 bar freezing level of water, as detected by the electrostatic discharge of lightning flashes observed by Cassini/RPWS (e.g., Fischer et al. 2008, Space Sci. Rev., 137, 271-285). We review lightning-induced pyrolytic chemistry involving a variety of Saturnian constituents, including hydrogen, methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phosphine, and water. We find that the lack of absorption in the 1-2 ??m spectral region by lightning-generated sulfuric and phosphorous condensates renders these constituents as minor players in determining the color of the dark storm clouds. Relatively small particulates of elemental carbon, formed by lightning-induced dissociation of methane and subsequently upwelled from depth - perhaps embedded within and on the surface of spectrally bright condensates such as ammonium hydrosulfide or ammonia - may be a dominant optical material within the dark thunderstorm-related clouds of Saturn. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predictive ability of visit-to-visit variability in HbA1c and systolic blood pressure for the development of microalbuminuria and retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Takao, Toshiko; Suka, Machi; Yanagisawa, Hiroyuki; Matsuyama, Yutaka; Iwamoto, Yasuhiko

2017-06-01

We explored whether visit-to-visit variability in both glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) simultaneously predicted the development of microalbuminuria and retinopathy, and whether the predictive ability of these measurements changed according to mean HbA1c and SBP levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on 243 type 2 diabetes patients with normoalbuminuria and 486 without retinopathy at the first visit and within 1year thereafter. The two cohorts were followed up from 1995 until 2012. Multivariate and stratified analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard models. Microalbuminuria developed in 84 patients and retinopathy in 108. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the development of microalbuminuria associated with the coefficient of variation (CV) and variation independent of mean (VIM) of both HbA1c and SBP significantly increased. In participants with a mean SBP <130mmHg, the HRs for the development of retinopathy associated with CV and VIM of HbA1c were abruptly elevated and significant compared with those with a mean SBP ≥130mmHg. Visit-to-visit variability in both HbA1c and SBP simultaneously predict the development of microalbuminuria. HbA1c variability may predict the development of retinopathy when the mean SBP is normal (<130mmHg). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen and sulfur Co-doped microporous activated carbon macro-spheres for CO2 capture.

PubMed

Sun, Yahui; Li, Kaixi; Zhao, Jianghong; Wang, Jianlong; Tang, Nan; Zhang, Dongdong; Guan, Taotao; Jin, Zuer

2018-04-27

Millimeter-sized nitrogen and sulfur co-doped microporous activated carbon spheres (NSCSs) were first synthesized from poly(styrene-vinylimidazole-divinylbenzene) resin spheres through concentrated H 2 SO 4 sulfonation, carbonization and KOH activation. Styrene (ST) and N-vinylimidazole (VIM) were carbon and nitrogen sources, while the sulfonic acid functional groups introduced by the simple concentrated sulfuric acid sulfonation worked simultaneously as cross-linking agent and sulfur source during the following thermal treatments. It was found that the surface chemistries, textural structures, and CO 2 adsorption performances of the NSCSs were significantly affected by the addition of VIM. The NSCS-4-700 sample with a molar ratio of ST: VIM = 1: 0.75 showed the best CO 2 uptake at different temperatures and pressures. An exhaustive adsorption evaluation indicated that CO 2 sorption at low pressures originated from the synergistic effect of surface chemistry and micropores below 8.04 Å, while at the moderate pressure of 8.0 bar, CO 2 uptake was dominated by the volume of micropores. The thermodynamics suggested the exothermic and orderly nature of the adsorption process, which was dominated by a physisorption mechanism. The high CO 2 adsorption capacity, fast kinetic adsorption rate, and great regeneration stability of the nitrogen and sulfur co-doped activated carbon spheres indicated that the as-prepared carbon adsorbents were good candidates for large-scale CO 2 capture. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detection of Metallo-β-Lactamase Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Public and Private Hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq.

PubMed

Al-Charrakh, Alaa H; Al-Awadi, Salwa J; Mohammed, Ahmed S

2016-02-01

Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been reported to be an important nosocomial infection. Its intrinsic and acquired resistance to various antimicrobial agents and its ability to develop multidrug resistance imposes a serious therapeutic problem. Different clinical samples were collected from public and private hospitals in Baghdad city, Iraq. Bacterial identification was done using conventional cultural, biochemical tests, and VITEk 2 system. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing was performed using VITEK 2 automated system. Each P. aeruginosa isolates showed resistance to Carbapenems (Imipenem and Meropenem) were subjected to Imipenem-EDTA combined disc synergy test (CDST) to investigate the production of MBL (confirmative test). The presence of bla-genes encoded IMP, VIM, and SPM-1 was detected by conventional PCR technique. A total of 75 P. aeruginosa isolates were isolated, 16 (21.3%) were able to grow on MacConkey agar supplemented with Meropenem 4mg/L (MMAC). The MIC of different antibiotics showed that 6 (37.5 %) isolates were Carbapenem resistant, MIC ≥16 µg/ml while 4 (25%) isolates appear to be MBL producer using CDST test. PCR assay revealed that 3 (50%), 1 (16.6%) of the carbapenem resistant isolates harbored blaIMP, blaSPM-1 genes, respectively. blaVIM gene was not detected in this study. The prevalence of multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa isolates especially Carbapenem resistant bacteria was increased in Baghdad province. The blaIMP was the predominant among the MBLs genes in P. aeruginosa in this study.

Chronic infection sustained by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa High-Risk clone producing the VIM-1 metallo-β-lactamase in a cystic fibrosis patient after lung transplantation.

PubMed

Pollini, Simona; Mugnaioli, Claudia; Dolce, Daniela; Campana, Silvia; Neri, Anna Silvia; Taccetti, Giovanni; Rossolini, Gian Maria

2018-02-12

The significance of chronic lung infection by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) transplanted patients remains controversial, and the available information is overall limited. Here we describe the case of a chronic infection, sustained by a metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing P. aeruginosa strain, in a CF patient following lung transplantation. Twelve P. aeruginosa isolates collected from a CF patient over a 15-years follow-up period after lung transplantation were analysed for their antibiotic susceptibility profile, MBL production and clonal relatedness. Available clinical and microbiological records were reviewed. The transplanted CF patient was chronically infected by an MBL-producing P. aeruginosa strain which harboured a bla VIM-1 determinant inserted into a novel class 1 integron. The strain exhibited an MDR phenotype and belonged to the globally widespread ST235 epidemic clonal lineage, which however is not a typical CF-associated epidemic clone. Despite the chronic infection, the long-term outcome of this patient during the post-transplant period was characterized by the absence of acute exacerbations and by a mostly stable pulmonary function. This report provides one of the few descriptions of MBL-producing P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients, and the first description of such an infection after lung transplantation in these patients. Infection with the MBL-producing strain apparently did not significantly affect the patient pulmonary function. Copyright © 2018 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Population-based epidemiological study of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Calgary Health Region: importance of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains.

PubMed

Laupland, Kevin B; Parkins, Michael D; Church, Deirdre L; Gregson, Daniel B; Louie, Thomas J; Conly, John M; Elsayed, Sameer; Pitout, Johann D D

2005-11-01

A study was conducted in the Calgary Health Region between May 2002 and April 2004 to define the population-based epidemiological characteristics of infections caused by imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to explore the clinical outcomes due to metallo- beta -lactamase (MBL)-producing and non-MBL-producing strains. Detailed clinical information was obtained by chart review, and phenotypic and molecular characterizations were performed using the MBL E-test, polymerase chain reaction with sequencing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A total of 228 patients with infections caused by imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa were identified (annual incidence, 10.5 cases/100,000 population), with the highest incidence rate in those >or=75 years old. MBL-producing strains (98/228) were associated with higher rates of multidrug resistance and bacteremia. Ninety MBL-producing strains also produced VIM-2, 4 produced IMP-7, and 4 were unclassified. A cluster of VIM-2-producing strains was responsible for a nosocomial outbreak during 2003. The case-fatality rate was significantly higher for infections caused by MBL-producing strains than for those caused by non-MBL-producing strains (25% vs. 13%; relative risk, 1.98 [95% confidence interval, 1.00-3.90]; P=.05). MBL-producing P. aeruginosa strains were associated with a higher case-fatality rate and invasive disease. Our study highlights the potential importance of molecular laboratory techniques in infection control and patient care.

A Mid-latitude Cloud Eruption on Titan Observed by the Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) in July 2007

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buratti, B. J.; Pitman, K. M.; Baines, K.; Sotin, C.; Brown, R. H.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.; Griffith, C. A.; Le Mouelic, S.; Momary, T.

2007-12-01

Mid-latitude clouds on Titan have been monitored by the Cassini spacecraft since they were reported by ground- based observers (Roe et al. 2005, Ap. J. 618, L49). The Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) is especially suited to detecting and mapping these clouds because its wavelength range of 0.4-5.1 microns covers several key methane cloud filters. These clouds may be the result of atmospheric upwelling on Titan (Griffith et al. 2000 Science 290, p. 509; Rannou et al. 2006 Science 311, p. 201), or they may start as plumes coming from active geologic features on Titan (Roe et al. 2005, Science 310, p. 477). Mid-latitude clouds were observed in the early part of the nominal mission (Dec. 2004 and early 2005), but they had disappeared until a large cloud system was observed in summer 2006, in the 0-90 degrees W longitude mid-latitude regions of Titan. A new group of clouds was observed during the two flybys of July 2007, which dwarfs the previous mid-latitude system. These clouds originate in a region centered on ~200 W longitude and ~48 S latitude. Monitoring of mid-latitude clouds will show whether their timescales for formation are compatible with climate models for Titan's atmosphere. If mid-latitude clouds are the result of active geologic processes, there appears to be more than one source on Titan's surface. Work funded by NASA.

Graphic-based musculoskeletal model for biomechanical analyses and animation.

PubMed

Chao, Edmund Y S

2003-04-01

The ability to combine physiology and engineering analyses with computer sciences has opened the door to the possibility of creating the 'Virtual Human' reality. This paper presents a broad foundation for a full-featured biomechanical simulator for the human musculoskeletal system physiology. This simulation technology unites the expertise in biomechanical analysis and graphic modeling to investigate joint and connective tissue mechanics at the structural level and to visualize the results in both static and animated forms together with the model. Adaptable anatomical models including prosthetic implants and fracture fixation devices and a robust computational infrastructure for static, kinematic, kinetic, and stress analyses under varying boundary and loading conditions are incorporated on a common platform, the VIMS (Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System). Within this software system, a manageable database containing long bone dimensions, connective tissue material properties and a library of skeletal joint system functional activities and loading conditions are also available and they can easily be modified, updated and expanded. Application software is also available to allow end-users to perform biomechanical analyses interactively. This paper details the design, capabilities, and features of the VIMS development at Johns Hopkins University, an effort possible only through academic and commercial collaborations. Examples using these models and the computational algorithms in a virtual laboratory environment are used to demonstrate the utility of this unique database and simulation technology. This integrated system will impact on medical education, basic research, device development and application, and clinical patient care related to musculoskeletal diseases, trauma, and rehabilitation.

Molecular characterization of class b carbapenemases in advanced stage of dissemination and emergence of class d carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae from Croatia.

PubMed

Bedenić, Branka; Sardelić, Sanda; Luxner, Josefa; Bošnjak, Zrinka; Varda-Brkić, Dijana; Lukić-Grlić, Amarela; Mareković, Ivana; Frančula-Zaninović, Sonja; Krilanović, Marija; Šijak, Dorotea; Grisold, Andrea; Zarfel, Gernot

2016-09-01

Carbapenemases involved in acquired carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae belong to Ambler class A serin β-lactamases, class B metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) or class D OXA-48-like β-lactamases. The aim of the present study was to analyse the molecular epidemiology and the mechanisms and routes of spread of class B and class D carbapenemases in Croatia. In total 68 isolates were analyzed. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution method. PCR was used to detect antibiotic-resistance genes. Genotyping was performed by rep-PCR and MLST. Sixty-five isolates were found to harbour VIM-1 carbapenemase, seven of which were positive also for NDM-1, while two strains harboured only NDM-1. OXA-48 was detected in three isolates, two of which coproduced VIM-1. Thirty-six strains possessed additional CTX-M-15 β-lactamase whereas 64 were positive for TEM-1. CMY was found in 18 Citrobacter freundii isolates and DHA-1 in one Enterobacter cloacae isolate. Four different plasmid-incompatibility groups were found: A/C, L/M, N and FIIAs. Unlike C. freundii and E. cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae showed high diversity of rep-PCR patterns. E. cloacae and C. freundii predominantly belonged to one large clone which was allocated to ST105 and ST24, respectively. Three different types of carbapenemases were identified showing the complexity of CRE in Croatia. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Determinants of gait stability while walking on a treadmill: A machine learning approach.

PubMed

Reynard, Fabienne; Terrier, Philippe

2017-12-08

Dynamic balance in human locomotion can be assessed through the local dynamic stability (LDS) method. Whereas gait LDS has been used successfully in many settings and applications, little is known about its sensitivity to individual characteristics of healthy adults. Therefore, we reanalyzed a large dataset of accelerometric data measured for 100 healthy adults from 20 to 70 years of age performing 10 min treadmill walking. We sought to assess the extent to which the variations of age, body mass and height, sex, and preferred walking speed (PWS) could influence gait LDS. The random forest (RF) and multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS) algorithms were selected for their good bias-variance tradeoff and their capabilities to handle nonlinear associations. First, through variable importance measure (VIM), we used RF to evaluate which individual characteristics had the highest influence on gait LDS. Second, we used MARS to detect potential interactions among individual characteristics that may influence LDS. The VIM and MARS results indicated that PWS and age correlated with LDS, whereas no associations were found for sex, body height, and body mass. Further, the MARS model detected an age by PWS interaction: on one hand, at high PWS, gait stability is constant across age while, on the other hand, at low PWS, gait instability increases substantially with age. We conclude that it is advisable to consider the participants' age as well as their PWS to avoid potential biases in evaluating dynamic balance through LDS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in Canada 2009-10: results from the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP).

PubMed

Mataseje, L F; Bryce, E; Roscoe, D; Boyd, D A; Embree, J; Gravel, D; Katz, K; Kibsey, P; Kuhn, M; Mounchili, A; Simor, A; Taylor, G; Thomas, E; Turgeon, N; Mulvey, M R

2012-06-01

To investigate the occurrence and molecular mechanisms associated with carbapenemases in carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative isolates from Canadian cases. Twenty hospital sites across Canada submitted isolates for a 1 year period starting 1 September 2009. All Enterobacteriaceae with MICs ≥ 2 mg/L and Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MICs ≥ 16 mg/L of carbapenems were submitted to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) where carbapenem MICs were confirmed by Etest and isolates were characterized by PCR for carbapenemase genes, antimicrobial susceptibilities, PFGE and plasmid isolation. A total of 444 isolates (298 P. aeruginosa, 134 Enterobacteriaceae and 12 A. baumannii) were submitted to the NML of which 274 (61.7%; 206 P. aeruginosa, 59 Enterobacteriaceae and 9 A. baumannii) met the inclusion criteria as determined by Etest. Carbapenemase genes were identified in 30 isolates: bla(GES-5) (n = 3; P. aeruginosa), bla(KPC-3) (n = 7; Enterobacteriaceae), bla(NDM-1) (n = 2; Enterobacteriaceae), bla(VIM-2) and bla(VIM-4) (n = 8; P. aeruginosa) bla(SME-2) (n = 1; Enterobacteriaceae) and bla(OXA-23) (n = m9; A. baumannii). PFGE identified a cluster in each of Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii corresponding to isolates harbouring carbapenemase genes. Three KPC plasmid patterns (IncN and FllA) were identified where indistinguishable plasmid patterns were identified in unrelated clinical isolates. Carbapenemases were rare at the time of this study. Dissemination of carbapenemases was due to both dominant clones and common plasmid backbones.

A Flow Cytometric and Computational Approaches to Carbapenems Affinity to the Different Types of Carbapenemases

PubMed Central

Pina-Vaz, Cidália; Silva, Ana P.; Faria-Ramos, Isabel; Teixeira-Santos, Rita; Moura, Daniel; Vieira, Tatiana F.; Sousa, Sérgio F.; Costa-de-Oliveira, Sofia; Cantón, Rafael; Rodrigues, Acácio G.

2016-01-01

The synergy of carbapenem combinations regarding Enterobacteriaceae producing different types of carbapenemases was study through different approaches: flow cytometry and computational analysis. Ten well characterized Enterobacteriaceae (KPC, verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamases –VIM and OXA-48-like enzymes) were selected for the study. The cells were incubated with a combination of ertapenem with imipenem, meropenem, or doripenem and killing kinetic curves performed with and without reinforcements of the drugs. A cephalosporin was also used in combination with ertapenem. A flow cytometric assay with DiBAC4-(3), a membrane potential dye, was developed in order to evaluate the cellular lesion after 2 h incubation. A chemical computational study was performed to understand the affinity of the different drugs to the different types of enzymes. Flow cytometric analysis and time-kill assays showed a synergic effect against KPC and OXA-48 producing-bacteria with all combinations; only ertapenem with imipenem was synergic against VIM producing-bacteria. A bactericidal effect was observed in OXA-48-like enzymes. Ceftazidime plus ertapenem was synergic against ESBL-negative KPC producing-bacteria. Ertapenem had the highest affinity for those enzymes according to chemical computational study. The synergic effect between ertapenem and others carbapenems against different carbapenemase-producing bacteria, representing a therapeutic choice, was described for the first time. Easier and faster laboratorial methods for carbapenemase characterization are urgently needed. The design of an ertapenem derivative with similar affinity to carbapenemases but exhibiting more stable bonds was demonstrated as highly desirable. PMID:27555844

Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates Collected from Some Libyan Hospitals.

PubMed

Mathlouthi, Najla; Areig, Zaynab; Al Bayssari, Charbel; Bakour, Sofiane; Ali El Salabi, Allaaeddin; Ben Gwierif, Salha; Zorgani, Abdulaziz A; Ben Slama, Karim; Chouchani, Chedly; Rolain, Jean-Marc

2015-06-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates recovered from Libyan hospitals between April 2013 and April 2014. In total, 49 strains (24 P. aeruginosa and 25 A. baumannii) were isolated, including 21 P. aeruginosa and 22 A. baumannii isolates (87.75%) resistant to imipenem (minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥16 μg/ml). The blaVIM-2 gene was detected in 19 P. aeruginosa isolates. All imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates showed the presence of OprD mutations. Acquired OXA-carbapenemase-encoding genes were present in all A. baumannii isolates: blaOXA-23 (n=19) and blaOXA-24 (n=3). Finally, a total of 13 and 17 different sequence types were assigned to the 21 P. aeruginosa and the 22 A. baumannii carbapenem-resistant isolates, respectively. This study is the first report describing imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolated from patients in Libya. We report the first case of co-occurrence of blaVIM-2 with oprD porin loss in identical isolates of P. aeruginosa in Libya and demonstrate that these oprD mutations can be used as a tool to study the clonality in P. aeruginosa isolates. We also report the first identification of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates harboring blaOXA-23-like, blaOXA-24-like, and blaOXA-48-like genes in Libya.

The Ongoing Evolution of a Long-Lived Anticyclone in Saturn’s Great Storm Region as seen by Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momary, Thomas W.; Baines, Kevin H.; Badman, Sarah; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger N.; Nicholson, Philip D.; Sotin, Christophe

2015-11-01

Once the home of the enigmatic String of Pearls feature on Saturn, the region of 34o N was the scene of a titanic storm system that swept around the planet in late 2010/2011. It left two things in its wake - a clear 5-μm bright zone around the planet, and a curious and persistent anticylone, both of which remain to this day. We have observed this anticyclone with Cassini/VIMS since 2011 and find that it seems to oscillate up and down latitudinally in this stormy region. Centered at 35.9o planetocentric latitude in May 2011, it drifted northward to 37.8o in 2012, hovered near 37o through 2013, then settled southward back down to ~35.9o in 2014. 2015 has it once again drifting northward to ~37o. It also periodically interacts with the dark band above it exchanging material in August 2013 and May 2015. We measured a prograde zonal drift speed of ~22 m/s in 2012, increasing as much as 60% through 2013, then relaxing back to a more moderate ~15 m/s in 2014 as the oval sagged southward. We expect its current 15.4 m/s rate to increase if it continues to drift northward in latitude, following the Voyager wind profile. The feature has varied in size as well, spanning 4.9o x 3.2o in 2011, elongating zonally to 7.3o x 2.9o by 2013, contracting in 2014 to an average of ~5.5o x ~2.9o, and growing again to ~9o x ~4o in 2015, with an extended tendril of material streaming off one edge in May. By August, it was symmetrically oval again. It has varied in terms of cloudiness, being ~90% 5-μm dark (obscured) in 2011, whereas by 2013 it was mostly bright (clear) with a thin dark edge, now returning to ~90% dark in 2015. By utilizing night observations to isolate thermal flux, we find that the mean 5-μm flux coming from the anticyclone has diminished steadily by about 50% since 2013. The storm latitude of ~34o N itself has remained remarkably 5-μm bright since 2011, but has begun to dim as well, and is now bisected by a thin dark cloudy ribbon which appears associated with the anticyclone. We are continuing to monitor the evolution of the anticyclone and the Storm Region over time with Cassini/VIMS.

Hapke modeling of Rhea surface properties through Cassini-VIMS spectra

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ciarniello, M.; Capaccioni, F.; Filacchione, G.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Cerroni, P.; Coradini, A.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Tosi, F.; Stephan, K.

2011-01-01

The surface properties of the icy bodies in the saturnian system have been investigated by means of the Cassini-VIMS (Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) hyperspectral imager which operates in the 0.35-5.1. ??m wavelength range. In particular, we have analyzed 111 full disk hyperspectral images of Rhea ranging in solar phase between 0.08?? and 109.8??. These data have been previously analyzed by Filacchione et al. (Filacchione, G. et al. [2007]. Icarus 186, 259-290; Filacchione, G. et al. [2010]. Icarus 206, 507-523) to study, adopting various "spectral indicators" (such as spectral slopes, band depth, and continuum level), the relations among various saturnian satellites. As a further step we proceed in this paper to a quantitative evaluation of the physical parameters determining the spectrophotometric properties of Rhea's surface. To do this we have applied Hapke (Hapke, B. [1993]. Theory of Reflectance and Emittance Spectroscopy, Topics in Remote Sensing: 3 Springer, Berlin) IMSA model (Isotropic Multiple Scattering Approximation) which allow us to model the phase function at VIS-IR (visible-infrared) wavelengths as well as the spectra taking into account various types of mixtures of surface materials. Thanks to this method we have been able to constrain the size of water ice particles covering the surface, the amount of organic contaminants, the large scale surface roughness and the opposition effect surge. From our analysis it appears that wavelength dependent parameters, e.g. opposition surge width (h) and single-particle phase function parameters (b,. v), are strongly correlated to the estimated single-scattering albedo of particles. For Rhea the best fit solution is obtained by assuming: (1) an intraparticle mixture of crystalline water ice and a small amount (0.4%) of Triton tholin; (2) a monodisperse grain size distribution having a particle diameter am= 38. ??m; and (3) a surface roughness parameter value of 33??. The study of phase function shows that both shadow hiding and coherent backscattering contribute to the opposition surge. This study represents the first attempt, in the case of Rhea, to join the spectral and the photometric analysis. The surface model we derived gives a good quantitative description of both spectrum and phase curve of the satellite. The same approach and model, with appropriate modifications, shall be applied to VIMS data of the other icy satellites of Saturn, in order to reveal similarities and differences in the surface characteristics to understand how these bodies interact with their environment. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Water ice and sub-micron ice particles on Tethys and Mimas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scipioni, Francesca; Nordheim, Tom; Clark, Roger Nelson; D'Aversa, Emiliano; Cruikshank, Dale P.; Tosi, Federico; Schenk, Paul M.; Combe, Jean-Philippe; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.

2017-10-01

IntroductionWe present our ongoing work, mapping the variation of the main water ice absorption bands, and the distribution of the sub-micron particles, across Mimas and Tethys’ surfaces using Cassini-VIMS cubes acquired in the IR range (0.8-5.1 μm). We present our results in the form of maps of variation of selected spectral indicators (depth of absorption bands, reflectance peak height, spectral slopes).Data analysisVIMS acquires hyperspectral data in the 0.3-5.1 μm spectral range. We selected VIMS cubes of Tethys and Mimas in the IR range (0.8-5.1 μm). For all pixels in the selected cubes, we measured the band depths for water-ice absorptions at 1.25, 1.5 and 2.02 μm and the height of the 3.6 μm reflection peak. Moreover, we considered the spectral indictors for particles smaller than 1 µm [1]: (i) the 2 µm absorption band is asymmetric and (ii) it has the minimum shifted to longer λ (iii) the band depth ratio 1.5/2.0 µm decreases; (iv) the reflection peak at 2.6 µm decreases; (v) the Fresnel reflection peak is suppressed; (vi) the 5 µm reflectance is decreased relative to the 3.6 µm peak. To characterize the global variation of water-ice band depths, and of sub-micron particles spectral indicators, across Mimas and Tethys, we sampled the two satellites’ surfacees with a 1°x1° fixed-resolution grid and then averaged the band depths and peak values inside each square cell.3. ResultsFor both moons we find that large geologic features, such as the Odysseus and Herschel impact basins, do not correlate with water ice’s abundance variation. For Tethys, we found a quite uniform surface on both hemispheres. The only deviation from this pattern shows up on the trailing hemisphere, where we notice two north-oriented, dark areas around 225° and 315°. For Mimas, the leading and trailing hemispheres appear to be quite similar in water ice abundance, the trailing portion having water ice absorption bands lightly more suppressed than the leading side.References[1] Clark, R., et al., 2013. Observed ices in the solar system. In: Gudipati, M. S., Castillo-Rogez, J. (Eds.), The Science of Solar System Ices. Vol. 356. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Springer Science+Business Media New York, p. 3.

Tidal Currents between Titan's Seas Detected by Solar Glints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotin, C.; Barnes, J. W.; Lawrence, K. J.; Soderblom, J. M.; Audi, E.; Brown, R. H.; Le Mouelic, S.; Baines, K. H.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Nicholson, P. D.

2015-12-01

Titan is the only place in the solar system, besides Earth, to have stable bodies of liquids on its surface. The three large seas and most of the lakes are located in the northern pole area [1]. They are major reservoirs of organic material [2]. Questions related to the variability in composition of the seas [2] and their interaction [3] can be addressed by dedicated observations. For this purpose, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observed the area between Ligeia Mare and Kraken Mare, Titan's two largest seas on February 12, 2015. The location of the specular point was close to the strait that has been suggested to link Ligeia and Kraken [4]. As demonstrated by previous observations of specular reflections on the lakes and seas [5, 6], such observations provide a means to assess the presence of liquids and the dynamics of the liquid surface. The VIMS observation provides images of the strait, named Trevize fretum, with a footprint of about 3 km. It shows a remarkable correlation with the radar images, suggesting that no major changes in the level of the seas have occurred in the last 10 years, a third of a Titan year. Very strong values of I/F at 5-μm suggest specular reflection away from the specular point on the Ligiea outlet. This is consistent with the presence of waves which can be generated by either winds or strong currents between Kraken Mare and Ligeia mare. Such currents can be generated during Titan's orbital motion around Saturn. We have investigated the volume of liquids that would transit through Trevize fretum during a Titan day and have found that the flow would be in a turbulent regime for the value of the mean anomaly at the time of the VIMS observation. Although subsurface communication between the two seas cannot be ruled out, the present observation underlines the role of the strait in providing exchange of fluids between the two large seas. This work has been performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA. [1] Stofan et al. (2007) Nature, 445, 61-64. [2] Lorenz et al. (2014) Icarus, 237, 9-15. [3] Tokano et al. (2014) Icarus, 242, 188-201. [4] Sotin et al. (2014), AGU, P43C-3999. [5] Soderblom et al. (2012) Icarus, 220, 744-751. [6] Barnes et al. (2013) Astrophysical J., 777, 161.

Latitudinal variations in Titan's methane and haze from Cassini VIMS observations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Penteado, P.F.; Griffith, C.A.; Tomasko, M.G.; Engel, S.; See, C.; Doose, L.; Baines, K.H.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.; Nicholson, P.; Sotin, Christophe

2010-01-01

We analyze observations taken with Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), to determine the current methane and haze latitudinal distribution between 60??S and 40??N. The methane variation was measured primarily from its absorption band at 0.61 ??m, which is optically thin enough to be sensitive to the methane abundance at 20-50 km altitude. Haze characteristics were determined from Titan's 0.4-1.6 ??m spectra, which sample Titan's atmosphere from the surface to 200 km altitude. Radiative transfer models based on the haze properties and methane absorption profiles at the Huygens site reproduced the observed VIMS spectra and allowed us to retrieve latitude variations in the methane abundance and haze. We find the haze variations can be reproduced by varying only the density and single scattering albedo above 80 km altitude. There is an ambiguity between methane abundance and haze optical depth, because higher haze optical depth causes shallower methane bands; thus a family of solutions is allowed by the data. We find that haze variations alone, with a constant methane abundance, can reproduce the spatial variation in the methane bands if the haze density increases by 60% between 20??S and 10??S (roughly the sub-solar latitude) and single scattering absorption increases by 20% between 60??S and 40??N. On the other hand, a higher abundance of methane between 20 and 50 km in the summer hemisphere, as much as two times that of the winter hemisphere, is also possible, if the haze variations are minimized. The range of possible methane variations between 27??S and 19??N is consistent with condensation as a result of temperature variations of 0-1.5 K at 20-30 km. Our analysis indicates that the latitudinal variations in Titan's visible to near-IR albedo, the north/south asymmetry (NSA), result primarily from variations in the thickness of the darker haze layer, detected by Huygens DISR, above 80 km altitude. If we assume little to no latitudinal methane variations we can reproduce the NSA wavelength signatures with the derived haze characteristics. We calculate the solar heating rate as a function of latitude and derive variations of ???10-15% near the sub-solar latitude resulting from the NSA. Most of the latitudinal variations in the heating rate stem from changes in solar zenith angle rather than compositional variations. ?? 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Sleepy Anticyclonic Eye of the Great Storm on Saturn as seen by Cassini/VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momary, Thomas W.; Baines, Kevin; Badman, Sarah; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger Nelson; Nicholson, Philip D.; Sotin, Christophe

2016-10-01

The Great Storm that erupted at 34o N on Saturn in late 2010 obliterated the String of Pearls feature in that region and left a lasting remnant - a clear 5-μm bright zone around the entire globe inhabited by a lone anticyclone that persists to the present time. We have observed this enduring oval with Cassini/VIMS since 2011 and note that it exhibits a somewhat latitudinally oscillatory nature as it bobs in Saturn's zonal currents. Centered at 35.9o planetocentric latitude in May 2011, it drifted northward to 37.8o in 2012, floated near 37o through 2013, settled as far south as ~36.5o in 2014, bobbed northward to ~37o in 2015, and now appears to reside at about ~36.3o in early 2016. It has also periodically bumped up against the dark band above it, spinning off material in 2013 and 2015. We measured a prograde zonal drift speed of ~22 m/s in 2012, increasing as much as 60% through 2013, then relaxing back to a more moderate ~15 m/s in 2014 and 2015. Early indications are that it has slowed considerably in 2016 to about ~4.7 m/s, which would be the slowest drift rate we've yet measured for it, but still consistent with the Voyager Wind Profile for this region. The feature has varied in size over time as it spins, spanning 4.9o x 3.2o in 2011, elongating to 7.3o x 2.9o by 2013, contracting to 5.5o x 2.9o in 2014, enlarging again to ~9o x ~4o in 2015, and currently averaging ~6.6o x ~3.5o in 2016. It currently is symmetrically oval in shape. It has varied in terms of cloudiness, being ~ 90% 5-μm dark (obscured) in 2011, whereas by 2013 it was mostly bright (clear) with a thin dark edge, returning to ~90% dark in 2015, and currently about 98% obscured. We have used night observations to isolate thermal flux, and found that the mean 5-μm flux coming from the anticyclone has diminished steadily by about 50% since 2013. We are monitoring this trend. The entire storm latitude of ~34o N itself has remained persistently 5-μm bright since 2011, but is slowly dimming as it fills in. We are continuing to monitor the evolution of the anticyclone and the Storm Region over time with Cassini/VIMS.

Coexpression patterns of vimentin and glial filament protein with cytokeratins in the normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic breast.

PubMed Central

Gould, V. E.; Koukoulis, G. K.; Jansson, D. S.; Nagle, R. B.; Franke, W. W.; Moll, R.

1990-01-01

The authors studied by immunohistochemistry the intermediate filament (IF) protein profile of 66 frozen samples of breast tissue, including normal parenchyma, all variants of fibrocystic disease (FCD), fibroadenomas, cystosarcoma phylloides, and ductal and lobular carcinomas. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to cytokeratins included MAb KA 1, which binds to polypeptide 5 in a complex with polypeptide 14 and recognizes preferentially myoepithelial cells; MAb KA4, which binds to polypeptides 14, 15, 16 and 19; individual MAbs to polypeptides 7, 13, and 16, 17, 18, and 19, and the MAb mixture AE1/AE3. The authors also applied three MAbs to vimentin (Vim), and three MAbs to glial filament protein (GFP). Selected samples were studied by double-label immunofluorescence microscopy and by staining sequential sections with some of the said MAbs, an MAb to alpha-smooth muscle actin, and well-characterized polyclonal antibodies for the possible coexpression of diverse types of cytoskeletal proteins. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis also were performed. All samples reacted for cytokeratins with MAbs AE1/AE3, although the reaction did not involve all cells. Monoclonal antibody KA4 stained preferentially the luminal-secretory cells in the normal breast and in FCD, whereas it stained the vast majority of cells in all carcinomas. Monoclonal antibody KA1 stained preferentially the basal-myoepithelial cells of the normal breast and FCD while staining tumor cell subpopulations in 4 of 31 carcinomas. Vimentin-positive cells were found in 8 of 12 normal breasts and in 12 of 20 FCD; in most cases, Vim-reactive cells appeared to be myoepithelial, but occasional luminal cells were also stained. Variable subpopulations of Vim-positive cells were noted in 9 of 20 ductal and in 1 of 7 lobular carcinomas. Glial filament protein-reactive cells were found in normal breast lobules and ducts and in 15 of 20 cases of FCD; with rare exceptions, GFP-reactivity was restricted to basally located, myoepithelial-appearing cells. Occasional GFP-reactive cells were found in 3 of 31 carcinomas. Evaluation of sequential sections and double-label immunofluorescence microscopy showed the coexpression of certain cytokeratins (possibly including polypeptides 14 and 17) with vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin together with GFP in some myoepithelial cells. The presence of GFP in myoepithelial cells was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Our results indicate that coexpression of cytokeratin with vimentin and/or GFP is comparatively frequent in normal basal-myoepithelial cells of the breast.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:1700618

Petition to Object to the VIM Recycling, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana, Title V Operating Permit

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This document may be of assistance in applying the Title V air operating permit regulations. This document is part of the Title V Petition Database available at www2.epa.gov/title-v-operating-permits/title-v-petition-database. Some documents in the database are a scanned or retyped version of a paper photocopy of the original. Although we have taken considerable effort to quality assure the documents, some may contain typographical errors. Contact the office that issued the document if you need a copy of the original.

Physical metallurgy of BATMAN II Ti-bearing martensitic steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilloni, L.; Attura, F.; Calza-Bini, A.; De Santis, G.; Filacchioni, G.; Carosi, A.; Amato, S.

1998-10-01

Seven laboratory experimental casts of 7-9% Cr Ti-bearing martensitic steels were obtained via VIM process. Plates of 25 mm thickness were produced by hot rolling. On each cast CCT diagrams and critical temperatures were determined. Several austenitizing treatments were performed to study the grain size evolution. The effect of microstructure on impact properties were finally investigated. This paper discusses the role of chemical composition on microstructural and physical properties and shows the beneficial effect either of low-temperature austenitizing or double-austenitizing steps on impact properties.

Mapping products of Titan's surface: Chapter 19

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf; Karkoschka, Erich; Kirk, Randolph L.; Barnes, Jason W.; Tomasko, Martin G.; Turtle, Elizabeth P.; Le Corre, Lucille; Langhans, Mirjam; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Lorenz, Ralph D.; Perry, Jason; Brown, Robert; Lebreton, Jean-Pierre; Waite, J. Hunter

2010-01-01

Remote sensing instruments aboard the Cassini spacecraft have been observed the surface of Titan globally in the infrared and radar wavelength ranges as well as locally by the Huygens instruments revealing a wealth of new morphological features indicating a geologically active surface. We present a summary of mapping products of Titan's surface derived from data of the remote sensing instruments onboard the Cassini spacecraft (ISS, VIMS, RADAR) as well as the Huygens probe (DISR) that were achieved during the nominal Cassini mission including an overview of Titan's recent nomenclature.

Direction of R&D and Current Status of Understanding of Advanced Gear Steels

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-02-01

our laboratory. A-Z 9-4 CBS600 was developed by Timken as a carburizing grade bearing steel for service above 150C. The philosophy used in designing...melted (VIM-VAR) steels . The effect of long time aging at 230C on the Charpy energy for CBS600 is currently underway at AMMRC. M50 NIL General Electric, in...contact fatigue life and hot hardness as high as for P50 (the high hot hardness bearing steel widely used in aircraft gas turbine engines in the USA) the

A novel iterative scheme and its application to differential equations.

PubMed

Khan, Yasir; Naeem, F; Šmarda, Zdeněk

2014-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to employ an alternative approach to reconstruct the standard variational iteration algorithm II proposed by He, including Lagrange multiplier, and to give a simpler formulation of Adomian decomposition and modified Adomian decomposition method in terms of newly proposed variational iteration method-II (VIM). Through careful investigation of the earlier variational iteration algorithm and Adomian decomposition method, we find unnecessary calculations for Lagrange multiplier and also repeated calculations involved in each iteration, respectively. Several examples are given to verify the reliability and efficiency of the method.

Terminal Ballistic Application of Hydrodynamic Computer Code Calculations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-04-01

F1’T.D—AO*I 065 BALLISTIC RESEARCH LABS ABnoflN PR0VIM eRotic j~o NTERMiNAL BALLISIIC APPLICATION OF HYDRODYNAMIC C~I~~U7ER COVE CA—ET C(U) I APR 77...this short- coming of the code, design solutions using a combined calculational and empirical design procedure were tried . 18 --- - -- -- - --- -rn...In this calculation , the exp losive was conf ined on its periphery by a steel casing. The calculated liner shape is shown at 18 m icroseconds af

X-Rays and Infrared Selected AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirhakos, S. D.; Steiner, J. E.

1990-11-01

RESUMEN. En la busqueda de nucleos activos galacticos (NAG) oscurecidos, seleccionamos una tnuestra de galaxias ernisoras de rayos S infrarrojos, Ia mayoria de las cuales son vistas de perf ii. La 6ptica de la regi6n nuclear de las galaxias seleccionadas revelan que el 76% de ellas muestran lineas de emisi5n La clasificaci6n de los es- pectros de acuerdo a los anchos y a la intensidad de cocientes de lineas muestran que existen 34 NAG, 34 objetos de tipo de transici6n y 34 galaxias de la regi6n con nucleos de tipo regi6n H II. Entre los NAG, 3 son del tipo Seyfert I y las otras son del tipo 2. Sugerimos que los objetos identificados como NAG de llneas angostas son objetos tipo Seyfert I oscurecidos ABSTRACT. Looking for obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN), we selected a sample of infrarediX-rays emitting galaxies, mos"t of which are seen as edge-on. Optical spectroscopy of the nuclear region of the selected galaxies revealed that 76 % of them show emission l 'nes. Classification of the spectra according to the widths and line intensity ratios shows that there are 34 AGN, 34 transition type objects and 43 nuclear HIl-like region galaxies. Among the AGN, three are Seyfert type 1 and the others are type 2 objects. We suggest that the objects identified as narrow line AGN are obscured Seyfert 1. o'L : GALAXIES-ACTIVE - X-RAY S-GENERAL

Estudo espectral em raios-X duros de fontes do tipo Z com o HEXTE/RXTE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Amico, F.; Heindl, W. A.; Rothschild, R. E.

2003-08-01

Apresentam-se os resultados de um estudo espectral em raios-X de fontes do tipo Z. As fontes do tipo Z são binárias de raios-X de baixa massa (BXBM) com campo magnético intermediário (B~109G). Esta classe de fontes é composta por apenas 6 fontes Galácticas (a saber: ScoX-1, 9, 7, CygX-2, 5 e 0). A nossa análise se concentra na faixa de raios-X duros (E ~ 20keV), até cerca de 200keV, faixa ótima de operação do telescópio "High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment" (HEXTE), um dos três telescópios de raios-X à bordo do Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Nossa motivação para tal estudo, uma busca de caudas em raios-X duros em fontes do tipo Z, foi o pouco conhecimento sobre a emissão nesta faixa de energia das referidas fontes quando comparadas, por exemplo, as fontes do tipo atoll (também BXBM). Apresentam-se a análise/redução de dados e explicita-se a maneira como o HEXTE mede o ru1do de fundo. Especial atenção é direcionada a este item devido a localização das fontes do tipo Z e também ao problema de contaminação por fontes próximas. Com exceção de ScoX-1, nenhuma cauda em raios-X duros foi encontrada para as outras fontes, a despeito de resultados de detecção dessas caudas em algumas fontes pelo satélite BeppoSAX. As interpretações deste resultado serão apresentadas. Do ponto de vista deste estudo, nós deduzimos que a produção de caudas de raios-X duros em fontes do tipo Z é um processo disparado quando, pelo menos, uma condição é satisfeita: o brilho da componente térmica do espectro precisa estar acima de um certo valor limiar de ~4´1036ergs-1.

Rapid Identification of Five Classes of Carbapenem Resistance Genes Directly from Rectal Swabs by Use of the Xpert Carba-R Assay

PubMed Central

Cantón, Rafael; Carretto, Edoardo; Peterson, Lance R.; Sautter, Robert L.; Traczewski, Maria M.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) have been identified by global health leaders as an urgent threat. Detection of patients with gastrointestinal carriage of CPO is necessary to interrupt their spread within health care facilities. In this multisite study, we assessed the performance of the Xpert Carba-R test, a rapid real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay that detects five families of carbapenemase genes (blaIMP, blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, and blaVIM) directly from rectal swab specimens. Using dual swabs, specimens from 755 patients were collected and tested prospectively. An additional 432 contrived specimens were prepared by seeding well-characterized carbapenem-susceptible and -nonsusceptible strains into a rectal swab matrix and inoculating them onto swabs prior to testing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, broth enriched culture, and DNA sequencing were performed by a central laboratory blind to the Xpert Carba-R results. The Xpert Carba-R assay demonstrated a positive percentage of agreement (PPA) between 60 and 100% for four targets (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaOXA-48) and a negative percentage of agreement (NPA) ranging between 98.9 and 99.9% relative to the reference method (culture and sequencing of any carbapenem-nonsusceptible isolate). There were no prospective blaIMP-positive samples. Contrived specimens demonstrated a PPA between 95 and 100% and an NPA of 100% for all targets. Testing of rectal swabs directly using the Xpert Carba-R assay is effective for rapid detection and identification of CPO from hospitalized patients. PMID:28515213

Implications for Titan's potentially active regions: A study on Cassini/VIMS data.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomonidou, Anezina; Coustenis, Athena; Rodriguez, Sebastien; Bratsolis, Emmanuel; Le Mouelic, Stephane; Sotin, Christophe; Bampasidis, Georgios; Kyriakopoulos, Konstantinos; Moussas, Xenophon

Continuing investigations of Titan's surface have shown that this Earth-like Saturnian satellite presents an extremely complex geology [1, 2, 3]. The Cassini Mission Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) acquires data operating as a multi-spectral camera that allow for a complete analysis of the composition, geology and morphology of Titan's surface [4]. Two of the most geologically interesting areas on Titan are Xanadu's Tui Regio (20S, 130W) and Hotei Regio (26S, 78W) as they present higher 5m reflectivities than the surrounding areas [5] and have been interpreted as cryovolcanic in origin [6]. We present our study on both possibly active regions with the aim to identify the composition as well as the alterations of the components that compose the possible calderas and lava flows [7], by using radiative transfer modeling [8] and a classical staitistical method, the Principal Component Analysis [9]. [1] Jaumann, R. et al., (2009) Springer Netherlands pp. 75-140. [2] Nelson, R. M. et al., (2009) Icarus 199, 429-441. [3] Solomonidou, A. et al., (2009) European Planetary Science Congress Vol. 4, EPSC2009-710. [4] Jaumann, R. et al., (2006) Planet Space Science 54:1146-1155. [5] Barnes, J. W. et al., (2006) Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 33, L16204. [6] Lopes, R. M. C. et al., (2010) Icarus Vol. 205 pp:540-558. [7] Sotin, C. (2005) Nature, Vol 435. [8] Rodriguez, S. et al., (2009) Workshop on Hyperspectral Image and Signal Processing: Evolution on Remore Sensing pp. 1-4. [9] Bellucci, G. et al., (2004) Advances in Space Research 34 pp. 1640-1646.

Climate Simulations based on a different-grid nested and coupled model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dan; Ji, Jinjun; Li, Yinpeng

2002-05-01

An atmosphere-vegetation interaction model (A VIM) has been coupled with a nine-layer General Cir-culation Model (GCM) of Institute of Atmospheic Physics/State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (IAP/LASG), which is rhomboidally truncated at zonal wave number 15, to simulate global climatic mean states. A VIM is a model having inter-feedback between land surface processes and eco-physiological processes on land. As the first step to couple land with atmosphere completely, the physiological processes are fixed and only the physical part (generally named the SVAT (soil-vegetation-atmosphere-transfer scheme) model) of AVIM is nested into IAP/LASG L9R15 GCM. The ocean part of GCM is prescribed and its monthly sea surface temperature (SST) is the climatic mean value. With respect to the low resolution of GCM, i.e., each grid cell having lon-gitude 7.5° and latitude 4.5°, the vegetation is given a high resolution of 1.5° by 1.5° to nest and couple the fine grid cells of land with the coarse grid cells of atmosphere. The coupling model has been integrated for 15 years and its last ten-year mean of outputs was chosen for analysis. Compared with observed data and NCEP reanalysis, the coupled model simulates the main characteris-tics of global atmospheric circulation and the fields of temperature and moisture. In particular, the simu-lated precipitation and surface air temperature have sound results. The work creates a solid base on coupling climate models with the biosphere.

Searching for activity on Dione using Cassini CIRS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howett, Carly; Spencer, John R.; Verbiscer, Anne; Hurford, Terry; Cassini CIRS Team

2017-10-01

No direct detection of activity on Dione has ever been made, but there are many indications that such activity may exist. For example Dione has regions of moderately cratered smooth terrains, implying endogenic activity at some point in its history, and extensive fracturing that may be more recent. Other evidence also points to possible activity on Dione, such as: observations of an atmosphere-like emission around the moon observed by Cassini’s Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), possibly caused by outgassing (Clark et al., 2008, Icarus 193, 372); detection of plasma flow from Dione by Cassini’s Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS), which indicates possible outgassing (Burch et al., 2007, Nature 447, 883); an enhancement in the strength of the ion-cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere, which could also be due to ionized plasma from Dione (Khurana et al., 2007, AGU Spring Meeting, Abstract #P43A-03). However, we note that no direct evidence for plumes on Dione was discovered in analysis of Cassini VIMS data (Buratti et al., 2011, Icarus 214, 534).Cassini’s Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) has taken over 30,000 resolved spectra of Dione since its arrival in the Saturnian system in 2004. The work presented here is the first systematic study of this vast data set to determine whether a thermal signature of ongoing activity exists on Dione. In the event of a detection we will fully characterize the endogenic emission, while in the event of a non-detection upper-limits on Dione's activity will be placed. At the time of writing no endogenic signature had been detected on Dione, but the search continues!

Results of the national surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae and Gram negative bacilli in health care-associated infections in Colombia, 2012-2014.

PubMed

Ovalle, María Victoria; Saavedra, Sandra Yamile; González, María Nilse; Hidalgo, Andrea Melissa; Duarte, Carolina; Beltrán, Mauricio

2017-12-01

The Colombian National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for the surveillance of healthcare-associated infections was set up to meet this problem in the third quarter of 2012. To describe resistance profiles and laboratory-based surveillance based on the information collected by the System. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of the information notified to the Colombian Public Health Surveillance System (Sivigila), and in the Whonet databases covering the period from July 2012 to December 2014 provided by the primary data-generating units in the country, as well as laboratory surveillance results from 1,642 phenotypic and genotypic tests on carbapenemase isolates (927 from Enterobacteriaceae, 614 from Pseudomonas spp. and 101 from Acinetobacter spp.). There was a significant increase in Escherichia coli resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (reaching 26.3% in ICUs and 22.5% in other hospital wards), and Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to ertapenem also increased (reaching 14.6% in ICUs). Acinetobacter baumannii carbapenem resistance exceeded 50% in ICUs whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa had lower carbapenem resistance (38.8%). KPC (n = 574) and NDM (n=57) were the most frequently occurring carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae, VIM (n=229) and KPC (n=114) in P. aeruginosa, and OXA-23 in A. baumannii (n=87); several carbapenemase combinations were identified, KPC + VIM being the most common in Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae. The data from the surveillance of healthcare-associated infections revealed significant carbapenem resistance profiles and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms circulating in Colombian healthcare institutions.

Genetic environment of metallo-β-lactamase genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the UK.

PubMed

Wright, Laura L; Turton, Jane F; Hopkins, Katie L; Livermore, David M; Woodford, Neil

2015-12-01

We sought to characterize the genetic environment of blaVIM and blaIMP genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the UK; these included members of six previously described prevalent complexes, A-F, which correspond to international 'high-risk clones', along with diverse strains. Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-encoding class 1 integrons were amplified by PCR from 218 P. aeruginosa isolates producing VIM-type (n = 196) or IMP-type (n = 22) enzymes, referred from UK hospital laboratories between 2003 and 2012. The variable regions of selected integrons were sequenced using a primer walking method. One-hundred-and-nineteen isolates had an MBL-encoding integron with the 3' conserved sequence (3'CS), 65 had Tn5090-like 3' regions and 17 had the sul1 gene, but lacked the qacEΔ1 gene; the 3' region could not be amplified using any primer combinations for the remaining 17 isolates. Six integron profiles were each seen in more than five isolates. Predominant integron types were seen amongst isolates belonging to STs 111, 233, 654/964 and 773 (complexes A, C, D and F, respectively), whereas diverse integron profiles were seen in isolates belonging to ST235 (complex B) and ST357 (complex E). In UK P. aeruginosa isolates, MBL genes occur in diverse class 1 integron structures, though commonly with 3' regions containing the classical 3'CS or Tn5090-like regions. Four of the six main clonal complexes, referred from multiple laboratories, carried a predominant integron type, whereas the remaining two had more diverse types. © Crown copyright 2015.

Molecular characterization of metallo β-lactamase producing multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from various clinical samples.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, Kalaivani; Rajagopalan, Saranathan; Nair, Shashikala; Kenchappa, Prashanth; Chandrakesan, Sheela Devi

2014-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a potent opportunistic nosocomial human pathogen among Gram-negative bacteria causing various life-threatening infections in patients from Intensive Care Units. This bacterium has become resistant to almost all commonly available antibiotics with limited treatment options. Multi drug resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) is a major cause of concern among hospital acquired infections. It uses distinctive resistant mechanisms virtually to all the available antibiotics such as Metallo β-lactamases (MBL) production, extended spectrum β-lactamase production (ESBL), up regulation of efflux systems related genes and decreased outer membrane permeability. This study was carried out to find one the predominant resistance mechanisms among MDRPA and the prevalence of corresponding resistance genes. MDRPA isolates collected from various clinical samples for a period of 1-year (November 2009-Octo ber 2010) were included to detect the predominant mechanism of resistance using phenotypic and molecular methods. Molecular characterization of all these isolates was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of blaVIM-₂, blaIMP-₁, blaOXA-₂₃, and blaNDM-₁ genes with specific primers. Among 75 MDRPA isolates 84% (63) were MBL producers. Molecular characterization studied by PCR showed the presence of blaVIM-₂ gene in 13% of MBL producers. The prevalence of MBLs has been increasing worldwide, particularly among P. aeruginosa, leading to severe limitations in the therapeutic options for the management. Thus, proper resistance screening measures and appropriate antibiotic policy can be strictly adopted by all the healthcare facility providers to overcome these superbugs.

Photometric Modeling and VIS-IR Albedo Maps of Dione From Cassini-VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filacchione, G.; Ciarniello, M.; D'Aversa, E.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Stephan, K.; Plainaki, C.

2018-03-01

We report about visible and infrared albedo maps and spectral indicators of Dione's surface derived from the complete Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data set acquired between 2004 and 2017 during the Cassini tour in Saturn's system. Maps are derived by applying a photometric correction necessary to disentangle the intrinsic albedo of the surface from illumination and viewing geometry occurring at the time of the observation. The photometric correction is based on the Shkuratov et al. (2011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2011.06.011) method which yields values of the surface equigonal albedo. Dione's surface albedo maps are rendered at five visible (VIS: 0.35, 0.44, 0.55, 0.7, and 0.95 μm) and five infrared (IR: 1.046, 1.540, 1.822, 2.050, and 2.200 μm) wavelengths in cylindrical projection with a 0.5° × 0.5° angular resolution in latitude and longitude, corresponding to a spatial resolution of 4.5 km/bin. Apart from visible and infrared albedo maps, we report about the distribution of the two visible spectral slopes (0.35-0.55 and 0.55-0.95 μm) and water ice 2.050 μm band depth computed after having applied the photometric correction. The derived spectral indicators are employed to trace Dione's composition variability on both global and local scales allowing to study the dichotomy between the bright-leading and dark-trailing hemispheres, the distribution of fresh material on the impact craters and surrounding ejecta, and the resurfacing of the bright material within the chasmata caused by tectonism.

Presence of PAH or HAC below 900 km in the Titan's stratosphere?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordier, Daniel; COURS, Thibaud; Rey, Michael; Maltagliati, Luca; Seignovert, Benoit; Biennier, Ludovic

2016-10-01

In 2006, during Cassini's 10th flyby of Titan (T10), Bellucci et al. (2009) observed a solar occultation by Titan's atmosphere through the solar port of the Cassini/VIMS instrument. These authors noticed the existence of an unexplained additional absorption superimposed to the CH4 3.3 microns band. Because they were unable to model this absorption with gases, they attributed this intriguing feature to the signature of solid state organic components. Kim et al. (2011) revisited the data collected by Bellucci et al. (2009) and they considered the possible contribution of aerosols formed by hydrocarbon ices. They specifically took into account C2H6, CH4, CH3CN, C5H12 and C6H12 ices. More recently, Maltagliati et al. (2015) analyzed a set of four VIMS solar occultations, corresponding to flybys performed between January 2006 and September 2011 at different latitudes. They confirmed the presence of the 3.3 µm absorption in all occultations and underlined the possible importance of gaseous ethane, which has a strong plateau of absorption lines in that wavelength range. In this work, we show that neither hydrocarbon ices nor molecular C2H6 cannot satisfactorily explain the observed absorption. Our simulations speak in favor of an absorption due to the presence of PAH molecules or HAC in the stratosphere of Titan. PAH have been already considered by Lopes-Puertas et al. (2013) at altitudes larger than ~900 km and tentatively identified in the stratosphere by Maltagliati et al. (2015); PAH and HAC are good candidates for Titan's aerosols precursors.

Rates of gastrointestinal tract colonization of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitals in Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Abdalhamid, B.; Elhadi, N.; Alabdulqader, N.; Alsamman, K.; Aljindan, R.

2016-01-01

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPAE) are globally a major medical issue, especially in intensive care units. The digestive tract is the main reservoir for these isolates; therefore, rectal swab surveillance is highly recommended. The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence of gastrointestinal tract colonization of CRE and CRPAE in patients admitted to intensive care units in Saudi Arabia. This project also aimed to characterize carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzyme production in these isolates. From February to May 2015, 200 rectal swab specimens were screened by CHROMagar KPC. Organism identification and susceptibility testing were performed using the Vitek 2 system. One CRE and 13 CRPAE strains were identified, for a prevalence of 0.5% (1/200) and 6.5% (13/200) respectively. Strains showed high genetic diversity using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence-based PCR. NDM type and VIM type were detected by PCR in four and one CRPAE isolates respectively. ampC overexpression was detected in eight CRPAE isolates using Mueller-Hinton agar containing 1000 μg/mL cloxacillin. CTX-M-15 type was detected in 1 CRE by PCR. The prevalence of CRE strain colonization was lower than that of CRPAE isolates. The detection of NDM and VIM in the colonizing CRPAE strains is a major infection control concern. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia and the gulf region focusing on digestive tract colonization of CRE and CRPAE organisms and characterizing the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance. PMID:26933499

The role of international travel in the worldwide spread of multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae.

PubMed

van der Bij, Akke K; Pitout, Johann D D

2012-09-01

From international tourists to war-displaced refugees, more people are on the move than ever before. This provides the opportunity for a variety of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria to be carried from one geographic location to another. The Enterobacteriaceae are among the most important causes of serious hospital-acquired and community-onset bacterial infections in humans, and resistance to antimicrobial agents in these bacteria has become an increasingly relevant problem. International travel and tourism are important modes for the acquisition and spread of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, especially CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli. Infections with KPC-, VIM-, OXA-48- and NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae in developed countries have been associated with visiting and being hospitalized in endemic areas such as the USA, Greece and Israel for KPCs, Greece for VIMs, Turkey for OXA-48, and the Indian subcontinent for NDMs. To combat the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, the French Healthcare Safety Advisory Committee recently issued national recommendations for screening and contact isolation precautions for patients transferred from, or hospitalized outside, France. For effective public and patient health interventions, it is important to understand the role of international travel in the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. We urgently need well-designed studies to evaluate the transmission potential and risks for colonization and infections due to multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae in travellers who have recently visited or have been hospitalized in endemic areas. The emergence of CTX-M-, KPC- and NDM-producing bacteria is a good example of the role that globalization plays in the rapid dissemination of new antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Diversity of β-lactamases produced by imipenem resistant, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the bloodstream.

PubMed

Najar Peerayeh, Shahin; Pirhajati Mahabadi, Rahim; Pakbaten Toupkanlou, Sanaz; Siadat, Seyed Davar

2014-11-01

The emergence of imipenem non-susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates is a matter of great concern because these isolates can become resistant to all available antibiotics. This study conducted to characterize β-lactamase genes in imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa isolates from bloodstream. 56 non-duplicate clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected in Tehran hospitals. Antibacterial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion and MIC methods. ESBL and MBL production was confirmed by combined disk. β-Lactamase classes A, B and D genes were identified by PCR. Seventeen (30.3%) isolates were imipenem resistant for which 16 isolates simultaneously were resistant to all tested antibiotics. While among 39 imipenem susceptible isolates, only two isolates were resistant to all tested antibiotics. In imipenem resistant isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV and blaOXA-10 were found in 41.1% of isolates and blaVIM, blaIMP and blaPER were identified in 47%, 11.7% and 5.8% of isolates respectively, while in imipenem susceptible isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV and blaOXA-10 were determined in 2.5%, 7.6% and 33.3% of isolates, respectively. The imipenem resistant isolates had been recovered mostly (67.7%) from patients in the Burn hospital. The result of this study indicated the emergence of multidrug resistant MBL and non-MBL producing P. aeruginosa, particularly in the Burn hospital and blaVIM was dominant β-lactamase genes in imipenem resistant isolates. The isolation of carrier patients may lead to prevent a further dissemination. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis Reveals Novel Insights into Mechanisms of Action of Long Noncoding RNA Hox Transcript Antisense Intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) in HeLa Cells*

PubMed Central

Zheng, Peng; Xiong, Qian; Wu, Ying; Chen, Ying; Chen, Zhuo; Fleming, Joy; Gao, Ding; Bi, Lijun; Ge, Feng

2015-01-01

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have emerged in recent years as a new and crucial layer of gene regulators, regulate various biological processes such as carcinogenesis and metastasis. HOTAIR (Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA), a lncRNA overexpressed in most human cancers, has been shown to be an oncogenic lncRNA. Here, we explored the role of HOTAIR in HeLa cells and searched for proteins regulated by HOTAIR. To understand the mechanism of action of HOTAIR from a systems perspective, we employed a quantitative proteomic strategy to systematically identify potential targets of HOTAIR. The expression of 170 proteins was significantly dys-regulated after inhibition of HOTAIR, implying that they could be potential targets of HOTAIR. Analysis of this data at the systems level revealed major changes in proteins involved in diverse cellular components, including the cytoskeleton and the respiratory chain. Further functional studies on vimentin (VIM), a key protein involved in the cytoskeleton, revealed that HOTAIR exerts its effects on migration and invasion of HeLa cells, at least in part, through the regulation of VIM expression. Inhibition of HOTAIR leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural alterations, suggesting a novel role of HOTAIR in maintaining mitochondrial function in cancer cells. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the function of HOTAIR in cancer cells. We expect that the methods used in this study will become an integral part of functional studies of lncRNAs. PMID:25762744

Detection of Bacteriophage Particles Containing Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

PubMed

Brown-Jaque, Maryury; Rodriguez Oyarzun, Lirain; Cornejo-Sánchez, Thais; Martín-Gómez, Maria T; Gartner, Silvia; de Gracia, Javier; Rovira, Sandra; Alvarez, Antonio; Jofre, Joan; González-López, Juan J; Muniesa, Maite

2018-01-01

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease in which the bacterial colonization of the lung is linked to an excessive inflammatory response that leads to respiratory failure. The microbiology of CF is complex. Staphylococcus aureus is the first bacterium to colonize the lungs in 30% of pediatric CF patients, and 80% of adult patients develop a chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, but other microorganisms can also be found. The use of antibiotics is essential to treat the disease, but antibiotic performance is compromised by resistance mechanisms. Among various mechanisms of transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the recently been reported bacteriophages are the least explored in clinical settings. To determine the role of phages in CF as mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying ARGs, we evaluated their presence in 71 CF patients. 71 sputum samples taken from these patients were screened for eight ARGs ( bla TEM , bla CTX-M-1 -group, bla CTX-M-9 -group, bla OXA-48 , bla VIM , mecA , qnrA , and qnrS ) in the bacteriophage DNA fraction. The phages found were also purified and observed by electron microscopy. 32.4% of CF patients harbored ARGs in phage DNA. β-lactamase genes, particularly bla VIM and bla TEM , were the most prevalent and abundant, whereas mecA , qnrA , and qnrS were very rare. Siphoviridae phage particles capable of infecting P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected in CF sputum. Phage particles harboring ARGs were found to be abundant in the lungs of both CF patients and healthy individuals and could contribute to the colonization of multiresistant strains.

Protótipo do primeiro interferômetro brasileiro - BDA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cecatto, J. R.; Fernandes, F. C. R.; Neri, J. A. C. F.; Bethi, N.; Felipini, N. S.; Madsen, F. R. H.; Andrade, M. C.; Soares, A. C.; Alonso, E. M. B., Sawant, H. S.

2004-04-01

A interferometria é uma poderosa ferramenta usada para investigar estruturas espaciais de fontes astrofísicas fornecendo uma riqueza de detalhes inatingível pelas técnicas convencionais de imageamento. Em particular, a interferometria com ondas de rádio abre o horizonte de conhecimento do Universo nesta ampla banda do espectro eletromagnético, que vai de cerca de 20 kHz até centenas de GHz já próximo ao infravermelho, e que está acessível a partir de instrumentos instalados em solo. Neste trabalho, apresentamos o interferômetro designado por Arranjo Decimétrico Brasileiro (BDA). Trata-se do primeiro interferômetro a ser desenvolvido no Brasil e América Latina que já está em operação na fase de protótipo. Apresentamos o desenvolvimento realizado até o momento, o sítio de instalação do instrumento, o protótipo e os principais resultados dos testes de sua operação, as perspectivas futuras e a ciência a ser desenvolvida com o instrumento nas fases II e III. Neste trabalho é dada ênfase ao desenvolvimento, testes de operação e principais resultados do protótipo. É discutida brevemente a ciência que pode ser feita com o instrumento. Tanto os detalhes técnicos quanto os principais parâmetros estimados para o instrumento nas próximas fases de desenvolvimento e o desempenho do protótipo serão publicados em breve.

Photometric properties of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS: Relevance to titan's hemispherical albedo dichotomy and surface stability

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, R.M.; Brown, R.H.; Hapke, B.W.; Smythe, W.D.; Kamp, L.; Boryta, M.D.; Leader, F.; Baines, K.H.; Bellucci, G.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Clark, R.N.; Combes, M.; Coradini, A.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Drossart, P.; Formisano, V.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe

2006-01-01

The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on the Cassini Saturn Orbiter returned spectral imaging data as the spacecraft undertook six close encounters with Titan beginning 7 July, 2004. Three of these flybys each produced overlapping coverage of two distinct regions of Titan's surface. Twenty-four points were selected on approximately opposite hemispheres to serve as photometric controls. Six points were selected in each of four reflectance classes. On one hemisphere each control point was observed at three distinct phase angles. From the derived phase coefficients, preliminary normal reflectances were derived for each reflectance class. The normal reflectance of Titan's surface units at 2.0178 ??m ranged from 0.079 to 0.185 for the most absorbing to the most reflective units assuming no contribution from absorbing haze. When a modest haze contribution of ??=0.1 is considered these numbers increase to 0.089-0.215. We find that the lowest three reflectance classes have comparable normal reflectance on either hemisphere. However, for the highest brightness class the normal reflectance is higher on the hemisphere encompassing longitude 14-65?? compared to the same high brightness class for the hemisphere encompassing 122-156?? longitude. We conclude that an albedo dichotomy observed in continental sized units on Titan is due not only to one unit having more areal coverage of reflective material than the other but the material on the brighter unit is intrinsically more reflective than the most reflective material on the other unit. This suggests that surface renewal processes are more widespread on Titan's more reflective units than on its less reflective units. We note that one of our photometric control points has increased in reflectance by 12% relative to the surrounding terrain from July of 2004 to April and May of 2005. Possible causes of this effect include atmospheric processes such as ground fog or orographic clouds; the suggestion of active volcanism cannot be ruled out. Several interesting circular features which resembled impact craters were identified on Titan's surface at the time of the initial Titan flyby in July of 2004. We traced photometric profiles through two of these candidate craters and attempted to fit these profiles to the photometric properties expected from model depressions. We find that the best-fit attempt to model these features as craters requires that they be unrealistically deep, approximately 70 km deep. We conclude that despite their appearance, these circular features are not craters, however, the possibility that they are palimpsests cannot be ruled out. We used two methods to test for the presence of vast expanses of liquids on Titan's surface that had been suggested to resemble oceans. Specular reflection of sunlight would be indicative of widespread liquids on the surface; we found no evidence of this. A large liquid body should also show uniformity in photometric profile; we found the profiles to be highly variable. The lack of specular reflection and the high photometric variability in the profiles across candidate oceans is inconsistent with the presence of vast expanses of flat-lying liquids on Titan's surface. While liquid accumulation may be present as small, sub-pixel-sized bodies, or in areas of the surface which still remain to be observed by VIMS, the presence of large ocean-sized accumulations of liquids can be ruled out. The Cassini orbital tour offers the opportunity for VIMS to image the same parts of Titan's surface repeatedly at many different illumination and observation geometries. This creates the possibility of understanding the properties of Titan's atmosphere and haze by iteratively adapting models to create a best fit to the surface reflectance properties. ?? 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

VIM: A Platform for Violent Intent Modeling

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

Sanfilippo, Antonio P.; Schryver, Jack C.; Whitney, Paul D.

2009-03-31

Radical and contentious political/religious activism may or may not evolve into violent behavior depending on contextual factors related to social, political, cultural and infrastructural conditions. Significant theoretical advances have been made in understanding these contextual factors and the import of their interrelations. However, there has been relative little progress in the development of processes and capabilities which leverage such theoretical advances to automate the anticipatory analysis of violent intent. In this paper, we describe a framework which implements such processes and capabilities, and discuss the implications of using the resulting system to assess the emergence of radicalization leading to violence.

Couple of the Variational Iteration Method and Fractional-Order Legendre Functions Method for Fractional Differential Equations

PubMed Central

Song, Junqiang; Leng, Hongze; Lu, Fengshun

2014-01-01

We present a new numerical method to get the approximate solutions of fractional differential equations. A new operational matrix of integration for fractional-order Legendre functions (FLFs) is first derived. Then a modified variational iteration formula which can avoid “noise terms” is constructed. Finally a numerical method based on variational iteration method (VIM) and FLFs is developed for fractional differential equations (FDEs). Block-pulse functions (BPFs) are used to calculate the FLFs coefficient matrices of the nonlinear terms. Five examples are discussed to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique. PMID:24511303

Saipan and Joint Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-12

following postwar joint education objectives for ths armed forces: Objective i: To oroduce within each component of the armed forces a general knowledge...had acquired the pradtical knowledge to establieh::thvoe Joint educational goals which are as relevant today as when they were written. ENDNOTES 1...F2:", (- 1-1 1’A I’rn ,r’ lqA ,! Vim l ;` thO? C’~~~~~~~ a m in A i h9%t ý A din r, a INi m i t z% "h e haa I.z a:wn naval. +ac! lit! es, line~i n+f

A gentle introduction to Rasch measurement models for metrologists

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mari, Luca; Wilson, Mark

2013-09-01

The talk introduces the basics of Rasch models by systematically interpreting them in the conceptual and lexical framework of the International Vocabulary of Metrology, third edition (VIM3). An admittedly simple example of physical measurement highlights the analogies between physical transducers and tests, as they can be understood as measuring instruments of Rasch models and psychometrics in general. From the talk natural scientists and engineers might learn something of Rasch models, as a specifically relevant case of social measurement, and social scientists might re-interpret something of their knowledge of measurement in the light of the current physical measurement models.

Improvement of the Xpert Carba-R Kit for the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

PubMed Central

Fusaro, Mathieu

2016-01-01

The Xpert Carba-R kit, version 2 (v2), which has been improved for the efficient detection of blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232 genes, was tested on a collection of 150 well-characterized enterobacterial isolates that had a reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. The performance of the Xpert Carba-R v2 was high, as it was able to detect the five major carbapenemases (NDM, VIM, IMP, KPC, and OXA-48). Thus, it is now well adapted to the carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae epidemiology of many countries worldwide. PMID:27021332

SPANXB2 and Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

FAP  and  α-­‐ SMA   are   markers   of...100 150 200 IL-11 Fo ld c ha ng e of E xp re ss io n 19 I 19 I-P C3 19 I-P C3 -2 R 19 I-R W PE ** 0 500 1000 1500 FAP Fo ld c ha ng e of E xp re...more  “  reactive”  A  :  Markers  of   Reactive  stromal  genes  including   FAP ,  α-­‐SMA  (  ACTA2),  VIM,

Magnetospheric and Geomagnetic Activity during the First Year (1979) of the SCATHA (P78-2) Satellite Operation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

1 October 1979 -30 September 1980 December 1඘ LAJ Apposei tr pr*i leg;dsgtUm *~c :vim, Quailified requestoz’u mq obtWi 04d4$09L aslptw hDefense...RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER 7, AFGI-, TR -8i -0AD-A/6’ 4. TITLE (and Subtitle) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED K Magnetospheric and Geomagnetic...polar region electron precipitations based on USAF DMSP observations. In the previous report (AFGL- TR -80-0070), it has been discussed in great detail

IR spectra of Saturn's ring spokes and multiple shines in the Saturn-rings system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Aversa, Emiliano; Bellucci, Giancarlo; Filacchione, Gianrico; Cerroni, Priscilla; Nicholson, Phil D.; Carrozzo, Filippo G.; Altieri, Francesca; Oliva, Fabrizio; Geminale, Anna; Sindoni, Giuseppe; Hedman, Matthew M.

2017-04-01

During the last Saturn equinox, in 2009 August, spokes on the Saturn's B ring have been observed for the first time spectroscopically, at visible and infrared wavelengths. Measurements were obtained by Cassini-VIMS (Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) instrument in the 0.35-5.1 micron range. Spokes are either dark or bright features appearing on the B ring straddling the equinoxes, round to elongated in shape, lasting for minutes to hours, and moving partially pushed by Saturn's magnetic field. Previous spokes observations date back to the Voyager (1980 equinox,[1]), followed by a HST campaign (1995 equinox,[2]), and more recently Cassini-ISS images (2009 equinox,[3]). Theoretical models of spoke formation and evolution have been developed based on those observations, but there is not unanimous consensus on them. The most spread model considers the spoke as a cloud of very fine particles electrostatically levitating from the regolith of ring's boulders, and hovering on the ring plane while interacting with the ambient plasma until complete charge neutralization. The process triggering the grain charging is not yet clear (meteoroid bombardment, impacts of Saturn's lightnings electrons, etc.) but in any case a very small grain mass (high charge-to-mass ratio) is needed to allow electrostatic repulsion. From the observational point of view, small grain sizes (0.3-0.5 micron) have been retrieved by modeling the spoke reflectance in the visible spectral range (both Voyager, HST, and Cassini were equipped with multispectral imaging cameras). However, a first VIMS spoke observation ([4]) inferred a more spread size distribution (0.3 to 2.5 microns) to explain the high spoke contrast measured in the infrared. Here we will report about an analysis of two selected sets of spokes observed by VIMS. This selection aimed to include both high and low phase angle observations, and to take advantage from the highest spatial resolution data achieved in the infrared. We will highlight the importance of including illumination sources other than the Sun in the radiative transfer analysis, namely the Saturn-shine and the ring-shine. Their effect, more evident in the infrared range thanks to the deep water ice and methane bands, may bias the retrieval of spoke's micro-physics depending on the overall geometry of the scene. Possible debiasing and evaluation of consequences for visible retrievals will be illustrated. Acknowledgments - This work has been supported by Italian Space Agency (ASI) through Cassini contract. References - [1] Smith et al.,1981,Science,212,163. [2] McGhee et al.,2005,Icarus,173,508. [3] Mitchell et al.,2013,Icarus,225,446. [4] D'Aversa et al.,2010,Geoph.Res.Lett.,37,GL041427.

Titan's fluvial valleys: Morphology, distribution, and spectral properties

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langhans, M.H.; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.; Lorenz, R.D.; Soderblom, L.A.; Soderblom, J.M.; Sotin, Christophe; Barnes, J.W.; Nelson, R.

2012-01-01

Titan's fluvial channels have been investigated based on data obtained by the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument and the Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft. In this paper, a database of fluvial features is created based on radar-SAR data aiming to unveil the distribution and the morphologic and spectral characteristics of valleys on Titan on a global scale. It will also study the spatial relations between fluvial valleys and Titan's geologic units and spectral surface units which have become accessible thanks to Cassini-VIMS data. Several distinct morphologic types of fluvial valleys can be discerned by SAR-images. Dendritic valley networks appear to have much in common with terrestrial dendritic systems owing to a hierarchical and tree-shaped arrangement of the tributaries which is indicative of an origin from precipitation. Dry valleys constitute another class of valleys resembling terrestrial wadis, an indication of episodic and strong flow events. Other valley types, such as putative canyons, cannot be correlated with rainfall based on their morphology alone, since it cannot be ruled out that they may have originated from volcanic/tectonic action or groundwater sapping. Highly developed and complex fluvial networks with channel lengths of up to 1200 km and widths of up to 10 km are concentrated only at a few locations whereas single valleys are scattered over all latitudes. Fluvial valleys are frequently found in mountainous areas. Some terrains, such as equatorial dune fields and undifferentiated plains at mid-latitudes, are almost entirely free of valleys. Spectrally, fluvial terrains are often characterized by a high reflectance in each of Titan's atmospheric windows, as most of them are located on Titan's bright 'continents'. Nevertheless, valleys are spatially associated with a surface unit appearing blue due to its higher reflection at 1.3??m in a VIMS false color RGB composite with R: 1.59/1.27??m, G: 2.03/1.27??m, and B: 1.27/1.08??m; the channels either dissect pure bluish surface units or they are carved into terrain with a mixed spectral signature between bright and bluish surface materials. The global picture of fluvial flows clearly indicates a high diversity of parameters controlling fluvial erosion, such as climatic processes, as well as surface and bedrock types. Recent fluvial activity is very likely in the north polar region in contrast to more arid conditions at lower latitudes and at the south pole of Titan. This divergence is probably an indication of seasonal climatic asymmetries between the hemispheres. However, traces of previous fluvial activity are scattered over all latitudes of Titan, which is indicative of previous climatic conditions with at least episodic rainfall. ?? 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Last Looks at the Eye of Saturn by Cassini/VIMS During the Grand Finale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Momary, Thomas W.; Baines, Kevin H.; Badman, Sarah; Brown, Robert H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger Nelson; Nicholson, Philip D.; Sotin, Christophe

2017-10-01

A lasting remnant of the Great Storm that erupted on Saturn in late 2010 has been a massive lone anticyclone persisting to the present time in a NH3-dry 5-µm-bright “desert” zone that spans the entire Saturnian globe at 34o N. We have been observing this oval storm with Cassini/VIMS since 2011 and, in 2017, as Cassini performs its Grand Finale orbits close to the planet, have captured it at our highest resolution since January 2012 at 260 km/pixel - enough to resolve spiral structure inside the oval at 5 µm. The spot drifts latitudinally in Saturn’s zonal currents: it was at 35.9o planetocentric latitude in May 2011, wandered northward to 37.8o in 2012, hovered near 37o through 2013, meandered as far south as 36.5o in 2014, drifted northward to 37o in 2015, and then returned back to about 36.3o in 2016, where it remains presently. It has also periodically bumped up against the dark band above it, spinning off material in 2013, 2015, and 2017. We measured a prograde zonal drift speed of 22 m/s in 2012, increasing as much as 60% through 2013, then relaxing to a more moderate 15 m/s in 2014 and 2015. It slowed considerably in 2016 to 4.7 m/s and is currently drifting slightly faster at 8.5 m/s. The spot has varied in size over time as it spins, spanning 4.9o x 3.2o in 2011, elongating to 7.3o x 2.9o by 2013, contracting to 5.5o x 2.9o in 2014, enlarging again to 9o x 4o in 2015, and contracting currently to 7.0o x 3.2o (6100 x 3200 km) in 2017, symmetrically oval in shape. It has varied in terms of cloudiness, being 90% 5-µm dark (obscured) in 2011, whereas by 2013 it was mostly bright (clear) with a thin dark edge. It was 90% dark in 2015, and in 2017 is about 65% obscured, with a bright central eye. Utilizing night observations to isolate thermal flux, we have found that the mean 5-µm flux coming from the anticyclone has diminished steadily by about 75% since 2013. The entire storm latitude of ~34o N itself has remained persistently 5-µm bright since 2011, but is slowly dimming as it fills in. A quantitative record of the evolution of this feature from formation to last looks during the Grand Finale passes by Cassini/VIMS will be presented.

Equinoctial Activity Over Titan Dune Fields Revealed by Cassini/vims

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, S.; Le Mouelic, S.; Barnes, J. W.; Hirtzig, M.; Rannou, P.; Sotin, C.; Brown, R. H.; Bow, J.; Vixie, G.; Cornet, T.; Bourgeois, O.; Narteau, C.; Courrech Du Pont, S.; Le Gall, A.; Reffet, E.; Griffith, C. A.; Jaumann, R.; Stephan, K.; Buratti, B. J.; Clark, R. N.; Baines, K. H.; Nicholson, P. D.; Coustenis, A.

2012-12-01

Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, is the only satellite in the solar system with a dense atmosphere. The close and continuous observations of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, in orbit around Saturn since July 2004, bring us evidences that Titan troposphere and low stratosphere experience an exotic, but complete meteorological cycle similar to the Earth hydrological cycle, with hydrocarbons evaporation, condensation in clouds, and rainfall. Cassini monitoring campaigns also demonstrate that Titan's cloud coverage and climate vary with latitude. Titan's tropics, with globally weak meteorological activity and widespread dune fields, seem to be slightly more arid than the poles, where extensive and numerous liquid reservoirs and sustained cloud activity have been discovered. Only a few tropo-spheric clouds have been observed at Titan's tropics during the southern summer. As equinox was approaching (in August 2009), they occurred more frequently and appeared to grow in strength and size. We present here the observation of intense brightening at Titan's tropics, very close to the equinox. These detections were conducted with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard Cassini. We will discuss the VIMS images of the three individual events detected so far, observed during the Titan's flybys T56 (22 May 2009), T65 (13 January 2010) and T70 (21 June 2010). T56, T65 and T70 observations show an intense and transient brighten-ing of large regions very close to the equator, right over the extensive dune fields of Senkyo, Belet and Shangri-La. They all appear spectrally and morphologically different from all transient surface features or atmospheric phenomena previously reported. Indeed, these events share in particular a strong brightening at wavelengths greater than 2 μm (especially at 5 μm), making them spectrally distinct from the small tropical clouds observed before the equinox and the large storms observed near the equator in September and October 2010. In this paper, we will discuss the possibility that these singular events may have occurred very close to the surface, having a strong link with the underlying dune fields. Radiative transfer calculations indeed show that these singular brightenings are due to the transient appearance of an additional atmospheric layer, confined at very low altitudes and loaded with few but large particles. Gathering all the observational and modeling constraints, we conclude that the most probable explanation for these events is the local and transient occurrence of huge sand storms, directly originating from the underlying dune fields. We will also discuss the possible implications of the equinoctial occurrence of such events for Titan's tropical wind regimes and for the present-day activity of equatorial dunes.

HI en la dirección de la denominada ``Ventana de Puppis"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morras, R.; Pöppel, W. G. L.; Arnal, E. M.; Bajaja, E.

Analizando los datos combinados de los relevamientos de HI de Hartmann & Burton (1997) y Arnal et.al (2000), hemos detectado la presencia de una estructura en forma de ``shell" en la denominada ``ventana de Puppis". Esta estructura, cuyo centro se encuentra en la dirección (l = 245 deg, b = -5 deg) tiene un diámetro angular de ˜ 18 deg y es detectada en el rango de velocidades (LSR) entre -9 y +6 km/seg. El análisis de los datos sugiere que esta estructura puede haberse originado en una perturbación en el denominado ``Feature A" de Lindblad (1973), a una distancia de 150-200 pc del Sol. Se determinaron parámetros tales como Masa y Energía Cinética del Shell y se analiza un posible origen del mismo.

Whole-genome sequencing enabling the detection of a colistin-resistant hypermutating Citrobacter werkmanii strain harbouring a novel metallo-β-lactamase VIM-48.

PubMed

Peter, S; Bezdan, D; Oberhettinger, P; Vogel, W; Dörfel, D; Dick, J; Marschal, M; Liese, J; Weidenmaier, C; Autenrieth, I; Ossowski, S; Willmann, M

2018-06-01

Citrobacter spp. harbouring metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) have been reported from various countries and different sources, but their isolation from clinical specimens remains a rare event in Europe. MBL-harbouring Enterobacteriaceae are considered a major threat in infection control as therapeutic options are often limited to colistin. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was applied to characterise five clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Citrobacter werkmanii obtained from rectal swabs. Four strains possessed a class 1 integron with a novel bla VIM-48 MBL resistance gene and the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase gene aacA4, whilst one isolate harboured a bla IMP-8 MBL. Resistance to colistin evolved in one strain isolated from a patient who had received colistin orally for 8 days. Genomic comparison of this strain with a colistin-susceptible pre-treatment isolate from the same patient revealed 66 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 26 indels, indicating the presence of a mutator phenotype. This was confirmed by the finding of a SNP in the mutL gene that led to a significantly truncated protein. Additionally, an amino acid change from glycine to serine at position 53 was observed in PmrA. Mutations in the pmrA gene have been previously described as mediating colistin resistance in different bacterial species and are the most likely reason for the susceptibility change observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a colistin-resistant Citrobacter spp. isolated from a human sample. This study demonstrates the power of applying next-generation sequencing in a hospital setting to trace and understand evolving resistance at the level of individual patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic classification of icy satellites of Saturn II: Identification of terrain units on Rhea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scipioni, F.; Tosi, F.; Stephan, K.; Filacchione, G.; Ciarniello, M.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.

2014-05-01

Rhea is the second largest icy satellites of Saturn and it is mainly composed of water ice. Its surface is characterized by a leading hemisphere slightly brighter than the trailing side. The main goal of this work is to identify homogeneous compositional units on Rhea by applying the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification technique to Rhea’s hyperspectral images acquired by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini Orbiter in the infrared range (0.88-5.12 μm). The first step of the classification is dedicated to the identification of Rhea’s spectral endmembers by applying the k-means unsupervised clustering technique to four hyperspectral images representative of a limited portion of the surface, imaged at relatively high spatial resolution. We then identified eight spectral endmembers, corresponding to as many terrain units, which mostly distinguish for water ice abundance and ice grain size. In the second step, endmembers are used as reference spectra in SAM classification method to achieve a comprehensive classification of the entire surface. From our analysis of the infrared spectra returned by VIMS, it clearly emerges that Rhea’ surface units shows differences in terms of water ice bands depths, average ice grain size, and concentration of contaminants, particularly CO2 and hydrocarbons. The spectral units that classify optically dark terrains are those showing suppressed water ice bands, a finer ice grain size and a higher concentration of carbon dioxide. Conversely, spectral units labeling brighter regions have deeper water ice absorption bands, higher albedo and a smaller concentration of contaminants. All these variations reflect surface’s morphological and geological structures. Finally, we performed a comparison between Rhea and Dione, to highlight different magnitudes of space weathering effects in the icy satellites as a function of the distance from Saturn.

Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants and their Transmissibility among Clinically-isolated Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli from South India.

PubMed

Mahalingam, Niranjana; Manivannan, Bhavani; Khamari, Balaram; Siddaramappa, Shivakumara; Adak, Sudeshna; Bulagonda, Eswarappa Pradeep

2018-05-08

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of CTX-M, TEM, SHV, VIM, NDM and OXA genes in carbapenemase-producing E. coli and their transmissibility at a tertiary care hospital in south India. Twenty-one carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CRE) were collected from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, India. Resistance to antibiotics was analyzed by Vitek-2, and identity of the isolates was confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing. RAPD and ERIC-PCR was performed for molecular typing. Metallo beta-lactamase production was confirmed by double disc synergy test. Presence of the extended spectrum beta lactamases CTX-M, TEM and SHV, and the carbapenemases NDM, VIM and OXA were determined by PCR. Carbapenemase variants were further confirmed by sequencing. Transmissibility of the genes was tested by conjugation. Twelve of the twenty-one (57%) carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates were community-acquired, indicating the spread of CRE in environmental samples. TEM and NDM-5 were found to be the major beta-lactamases produced by the pathogens. OXA-181 was found in five of the isolates. All the 21 isolates were found to harbor more than one of the tested beta-lactamases, and all the isolates were found to have the capacity to participate in conjugation; fifteen of the transconjugants were found to have acquired the tested beta-lactamases, substantiating their ability to get transferred to other strains of bacteria. Monitoring of community-acquired carbapenem-resistant bacteria is very important as the association of resistance determinants with mobile genetic elements would present a serious clinical challenge. ©2018The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Hydrocarbons on Saturn's satellites Iapetus and Phoebe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cruikshank, D.P.; Wegryn, E.; Dalle, Ore C.M.; Brown, R.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; McCord, T.B.; Nicholson, P.D.; Pendleton, Y.J.; Owen, T.C.; Filacchione, G.; Coradini, A.; Cerroni, P.; Capaccioni, F.; Jaumann, R.; Nelson, R.M.; Baines, K.H.; Sotin, Christophe; Bellucci, G.; Combes, M.; Langevin, Y.; Sicardy, B.; Matson, D.L.; Formisano, V.; Drossart, P.; Mennella, V.

2008-01-01

Material of low geometric albedo (pV ??? 0.1) is found on many objects in the outer Solar System, but its distribution in the saturnian satellite system is of special interest because of its juxtaposition with high-albedo ice. In the absence of clear, diagnostic spectral features, the composition of this low-albedo (or "dark") material is generally inferred to be carbon-rich, but the form(s) of the carbon is unknown. Near-infrared spectra of the low-albedo hemisphere of Saturn's satellite Iapetus were obtained with the Visible-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on the Cassini spacecraft at the fly-by of that satellite of 31 December 2004, yielding a maximum spatial resolution on the satellite's surface of ???65 km. The spectral region 3-3.6 ??m reveals a broad absorption band, centered at 3.29 ??m, and concentrated in a region comprising about 15% of the low-albedo surface area. This is identified as the C{single bond}H stretching mode vibration in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. Two weaker bands attributed to {single bond}CH2{single bond} stretching modes in aliphatic hydrocarbons are found in association with the aromatic band. The bands most likely arise from aromatic and aliphatic units in complex macromolecular carbonaceous material with a kerogen- or coal-like structure, similar to that in carbonaceous meteorites. VIMS spectra of Phoebe, encountered by Cassini on 11 June 2004, also show the aromatic hydrocarbon band, although somewhat weaker than on Iapetus. The origin of the PAH molecular material on these two satellites is unknown, but PAHs are found in carbonaceous meteorites, cometary dust particles, circumstellar dust, and interstellar dust. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of a cryolava flow-like feature on Titan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Le, Corre L.; Le, Mouelic S.; Sotin, Christophe; Combe, J.-P.; Rodriguez, S.; Barnes, J.W.; Brown, R.H.; Buratti, B.J.; Jaumann, R.; Soderblom, J.; Soderblom, L.A.; Clark, R.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.

2009-01-01

This paper reports on the analysis of the highest spatial resolution hyperspectral images acquired by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft during its prime mission. A bright area matches a flow-like feature coming out of a caldera-like feature observed in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data recorded by the Cassini radar experiment [Lopes et al., 2007. Cryovolcanic features on Titan's surface as revealed by the Cassini Titan Radar Mapper. Icarus 186, 395-412, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2006.09.006]. In this SAR image, the flow extends about 160 km east of the caldera. The contrast in brightness between the flow and the surroundings progressively vanishes, suggesting alteration or evolution of the composition of the cryolava during the lifetime of the eruptions. Dunes seem to cover part of this flow on its eastern end. We analyze the different terrains using the Spectral Mixing Analysis (SMA) approach of the Multiple-Endmember Linear Unmixing Model (MELSUM, Combe et al., 2008). The study area can be fully modeled by using only two types of terrains. Then, the VIMS spectra are compared with laboratory spectra of known materials in the relevant atmospheric windows (from 1 to 2.78 ??m). We considered simple molecules that could be produced during cryovolcanic events, including H2O, CO2 (using two different grain sizes), CH4 and NH3. We find that the mean spectrum of the cryoflow-like feature is not consistent with pure water ice. It can be best fitted by linear combinations of spectra of the candidate materials, showing that its composition is compatible with a mixture of H2O, CH4 and CO2.. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd.

Cluster-distinguishing genotypic and phenotypic diversity of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in solid-organ transplantation patients: a comparative study.

PubMed

Karampatakis, Theodoros; Geladari, Anastasia; Politi, Lida; Antachopoulos, Charalampos; Iosifidis, Elias; Tsiatsiou, Olga; Karyoti, Aggeliki; Papanikolaou, Vasileios; Tsakris, Athanassios; Roilides, Emmanuel

2017-07-31

Solid-organ transplant recipients may display high rates of colonization and/or infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We analysed and compared the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from patients in the Solid Organ Transplantation department of our hospital. Between March 2012 and August 2013, 56 CR strains from various biological fluids underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing with VITEK 2, molecular analysis by PCR amplification and genotypic analysis with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). They were clustered according to antimicrobial drug susceptibility and genotypic profiles. Diversity analyses were performed by calculating Simpson's diversity index and applying computed rarefaction curves.Results/Key findings. Among K. pneumoniae, KP-producers predominated (57.1 %). VIM and OXA-23 carbapenemases prevailed among P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii (89.4 and 88.9 %, respectively). KPC-producing K. pneumoniae and OXA-23 A. baumannii were assigned in single PFGE pulsotypes. VIM-producing P. aeruginosa generated multiple pulsotypes. CR K. pneumoniae strains displayed phenotypic diversity in tigecycline, colistin (CS), amikacin (AMK), gentamicin (GEN) and co-trimoxazole (SXT) (16 clusters); P. aeruginosa displayed phenotypic diversity in cefepime (FEP), ceftazidime, aztreonam, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, AMK, GEN and CS (9 clusters); and A. baumannii displayed phenotypic diversity in AMK, GEN, SXT, FEP, tobramycin and rifampicin (8 clusters). The Simpson diversity indices for the interpretative phenotype and PFGE analysis were 0.89 and 0.6, respectively, for K. pneumoniae strains (P<0.001); 0.77 and 0.6 for P. aeruginosa (P=0.22); and 0.86 and 0.19 for A. baumannii (P=0.004). The presence of different antimicrobial susceptibility profiles does not preclude the possibility that two CR K. pneumoniae or A. baumannii isolates are clonally related.

Fluvial erosion and post-erosional processes on Titan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jaumann, R.; Brown, R.H.; Stephan, K.; Barnes, J.W.; Soderblom, L.A.; Sotin, Christophe; Le, Mouelic S.; Clark, R.N.; Soderblom, J.; Buratti, B.J.; Wagner, R.; McCord, T.B.; Rodriguez, S.; Baines, K.H.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Nicholson, P.D.; Griffith, C.A.; Langhans, M.; Lorenz, R.D.

2008-01-01

The surface of Titan has been revealed by Cassini observations in the infrared and radar wavelength ranges as well as locally by the Huygens lander instruments. Sand seas, recently discovered lakes, distinct landscapes and dendritic erosion patterns indicate dynamic surface processes. This study focus on erosional and depositional features that can be used to constrain the amount of liquids involved in the erosional process as well as on the compositional characteristics of depositional areas. Fluvial erosion channels on Titan as identified at the Huygens landing site and in RADAR and Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations have been compared to analogous channel widths on Earth yielding average discharges of up to 1600 m3/s for short recurrence intervals that are sufficient to move centimeter-sized sediment and significantly higher discharges for long intervals. With respect to the associated drainage areas, this roughly translates to 1-150 cm/day runoff production rates with 10 years recurrence intervals and by assuming precipitation this implies 0.6-60 mm/h rainfall rates. Thus the observed surface erosion fits with the methane convective storm models as well as with the rates needed to transport sediment. During Cassini's T20 fly-by, the VIMS observed an extremely eroded area at 30?? W, 7?? S with resolutions of up to 500 m/pixel that extends over thousands of square kilometers. The spectral characteristics of this area change systematically, reflecting continuous compositional and/or particle size variations indicative of transported sediment settling out while flow capacities cease. To account for the estimated runoff production and widespread alluvial deposits of fine-grained material, release of area-dependent large fluid volumes are required. Only frequent storms with heavy rainfall or cryovolcanic induced melting can explain these erosional features. ?? 2008 Elsevier Inc.

Efficacy of surface disinfectant cleaners against emerging highly resistant gram-negative bacteria

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Worldwide, the emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria is a clinical problem. Surface disinfectant cleaners (SDCs) that are effective against these bacteria are needed for use in high risk areas around patients and on multi-touch surfaces. We determined the efficacy of several SDCs against clinically relevant bacterial species with and without common types of multidrug resistance. Methods Bacteria species used were ATCC strains; clinical isolates classified as antibiotic-susceptible; and multi-resistant clinical isolates from Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens (all OXA-48 and KPC-2); Acinetobacter baumannii (OXA-23); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-1); and Achromobacter xylosoxidans (ATCC strain). Experiments were carried out according to EN 13727:2012 in quadruplicate under dirty conditions. The five evaluated SDCs were based on alcohol and an amphoteric substance (AAS), an oxygen-releaser (OR), surface-active substances (SAS), or surface-active-substances plus aldehydes (SASA; two formulations). Bactericidal concentrations of SDCs were determined at two different contact times. Efficacy was defined as a log10 ≥ 5 reduction in bacterial cell count. Results SDCs based on AAS, OR, and SAS were effective against all six species irrespective of the degree of multi-resistance. The SASA formulations were effective against the bacteria irrespective of degree of multi-resistance except for one of the four P. aeruginosa isolates (VIM-1). We found no general correlation between SDC efficacy and degree of antibiotic resistance. Conclusions SDCs were generally effective against gram-negative bacteria with and without multidrug resistance. SDCs are therefore suitable for surface disinfection in the immediate proximity of patients. Single bacterial isolates, however, might have reduced susceptibility to selected biocidal agents. PMID:24885029

Saturn Ring Data Analysis and Thermal Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, Coleman

2011-01-01

CIRS, VIMS, UVIS, and ISS (Cassini's Composite Infrared Specrtometer, Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, Ultra Violet Imaging Spectrometer and Imaging Science Subsystem, respectively), have each operated in a multidimensional observation space and have acquired scans of the lit and unlit rings at multiple phase angles. To better understand physical and dynamical ring particle parametric dependence, we co-registered profiles from these three instruments, taken at a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet through the thermal infrared, to associate changes in ring particle temperature with changes in observed brightness, specifically with albedos inferred by ISS, UVIS and VIMS. We work in a parameter space where the solar elevation range is constrained to 12 deg - 14 deg and the chosen radial region is the B3 region of the B ring; this region is the most optically thick region in Saturn's rings. From this compilation of multiple wavelength data, we construct and fit phase curves and color ratios using independent dynamical thermal models for ring structure and overplot Saturn, Saturn ring, and Solar spectra. Analysis of phase curve construction and color ratios reveals thermal emission to fall within the extrema of the ISS bandwidth and a geometrical dependence of reddening on phase angle, respectively. Analysis of spectra reveals Cassini CIRS Saturn spectra dominate Cassini CIRS B3 Ring Spectra from 19 to 1000 microns, while Earth-based B Ring Spectrum dominates Earth-based Saturn Spectrum from 0.4 to 4 microns. From our fits we test out dynamical thermal models; from the phase curves we derive ring albedos and non-lambertian properties of the ring particle surfaces; and from the color ratios we examine multiple scattering within the regolith of ring particles.

[Evaluation of Motion Sickness Induced by 3D Video Clips].

PubMed

Matsuura, Yasuyuki; Takada, Hiroki

2016-01-01

The use of stereoscopic images has been spreading rapidly. Nowadays, stereoscopic movies are nothing new to people. Stereoscopic systems date back to 280 A.D. when Euclid first recognized the concept of depth perception by humans. Despite the increase in the production of three-dimensional (3D) display products and many studies on stereoscopic vision, the effect of stereoscopic vision on the human body has been insufficiently understood. However, symptoms such as eye fatigue and 3D sickness have been the concerns when viewing 3D films for a prolonged period of time; therefore, it is important to consider the safety of viewing virtual 3D contents as a contribution to society. It is generally explained to the public that accommodation and convergence are mismatched during stereoscopic vision and that this is the main reason for the visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) during 3D viewing. We have devised a method to simultaneously measure lens accommodation and convergence. We used this simultaneous measurement device to characterize 3D vision. Fixation distance was compared between accommodation and convergence during the viewing of 3D films with repeated measurements. Time courses of these fixation distances and their distributions were compared in subjects who viewed 2D and 3D video clips. The results indicated that after 90 s of continuously viewing 3D images, the accommodative power does not correspond to the distance of convergence. In this paper, remarks on methods to measure the severity of motion sickness induced by viewing 3D films are also given. From the epidemiological viewpoint, it is useful to obtain novel knowledge for reduction and/or prevention of VIMS. We should accumulate empirical data on motion sickness, which may contribute to the development of relevant fields in science and technology.

Possible Activity on Dione: Synergistic Observations from Cassini

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buratti, B.; Clark, R. N.; Khurana, K. K.; Brown, R. H.; Baines, K. H.; Nicholson, P. D.

2011-12-01

Instruments on the Cassini spacecraft have revealed that Dione exhibits many of the tell-tale signs of outgassing or cryovolcanism that were the first clues that Enceladus had a geologically active south polar region. Among the measurements are an observation of an atmosphere-like emission around the moon from VIMS, the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (Clark et al., 2008, Icarus 193, 372); a characteristic "butterfly" pitch angle distribution of electrons in Saturn's magnetosphere that could be attributed to a plasma stream originating on Dione (Burch et al. 2007, Nature 447, 883); the enhanced strength of ion-cyclotron waves in the magnetosphere which could also be due to ionized plasma from Dione (Khurana et al., 2007, AGU Spring Meeting, abstract #P43A-03); and images from both VIMS and the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) showing a series of linea that are morphologically similar to the "tiger stripe" features in the south polar region of Enceladus. Direct inspection of ISS images for plume structures at large solar phase angles has so far been unsuccessful, but stringent limits on the amount of outgassing can be inferred from these images. Another method of directly detecting plumes or other features indicating activity is seeking a forward scattered component to the solar phase curve of Dione. The phase curve of Enceladus is especially enhanced at two microns, near the deep water ice absorption band. Inspection of the solar phase curve of Dione indicates an upper limit to plume activity of two orders of magnitude less than that of Enceladus. When taken together the Cassini observations form consistent limits on the possibility and amount of outgassing from Dione. Work funded by NASA.

Why is the Great Red Spot Red? The Exogenic, Photolytic Origin of the UV/Blue-Absorbing Chromophores of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot as Determined by Spectral Analysis of Cassini/VIMS Observations using New Laboratory Optical Coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baines, Kevin H.; Carlson, Robert W.; Momary, Thomas W.

2014-11-01

For centuries, a major question for Jupiter has been: Why is the Great Red Spot red? In particular, two major theories have been proposed: (1) that the coloring is due to photolytic processes in the upper cloud layer, or (2) it is due to the upwellimg of red materials processed relatively deep within the troposphere. Utilizing indices of refraction for red choromophores generated by the photolysis of ammonia and acetylene in the laboratory, we present results of a spectral analysis of the core of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot (GRS) as observed by the visual channel of the Cassini/Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Consistent with the physical origin of such laboratory-generated chromophores in Jupiter - i.e., by solar-driven UV photolysis within the upper levels of the GRS structure near ~ 0.3 bar - our spectral modeling yields satisfactory results for such Mie scattering chromophores only when they are confined to the upper ~ 100 mbar of the GRS. Beneath this reddish upper cloud layer, our models indicate that the remainder of the GRS cloud - assumed to extend down to at least the ammonia condensation level near 0.6 bar - must be relatively spectrally bright throughout the UV-red spectrum; that is, they must be predominantly a whitish or grey color at depth. Thus, our 0.35-1.0 micron spectral models of the GRS are inconsistent with an endogenic origin of the reddish coloring originating in the depths of Jupiter, but are consistent with a photolytic origin due to the photolysis of ammonia and acetylene in the upper troposphere.

The Ring System of Saturn as Seen by Cassini-VIMS (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filacchione, G.; Ciarniello, M.; Capaccioni, F.

2015-08-01

Since 2004 the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) aboard Cassini has acquired numerous hyperspectral mosaics in the 0.35-5.1 μm spectral range of Saturn's main rings in very different illumination and viewing geometries. These observations have allowed us to infer the ring particles physical properties and composition: water ice abundance is estimated through the 1.25-1.5-2.0 μm band depths, chromophores distribution is derived from visible spectral slopes while organic material is traced by the aliphatic compounds signature at 3.42 μm which appears stronger on CD and C ring than on A-B rings (Filacchione et al., 2014). Observed reflectance spectra are fitted with a spectrophotometric model based on Montecarlo ray-tracing with the scope to infer particles composition while disentangling photometric effects (caused by multiple scattering, opposition surge and forward scattering) which depend on illumination/viewing geometries. Spectral bond albedo for different regions of the rings has been best-fitted using Hapke's radiative transfer modeling (Ciarniello et al, 2011) by choosing different mixtures of water ice, tholin, and amorphous carbon particles populations. While tholin distribution seems to be fairly constant across the rings, the amorphous carbon appears anti-correlated with optical depth. Moreover, dark material contamination is less effective on densest regions, where the more intense rejuvenation processes occur, in agreement with the ballistic transport theory (Cuzzi and Estrada,1998). Finally, the 3.6 μm continuum peak wavelength is used to infer particles temperature, which is anti-correlated with the albedo and the optical depth (tau): low-albedo/low-tau C ring and CD have higher temperatures than A-B rings where albedo and tau are high. This trend matches direct temperature measurements by CIRS (Spilker et al., 2013).

Geomorphology of Titan's polar terrains: Using the landscape's topographic form to constrain surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birch, S. P.; Hayes, A. G., Jr.; Dietrich, W. E.; Howard, A. D.; Malaska, M. J.; Moore, J. M.; Mastrogiuseppe, M.; White, O. L.; Hofgartner, J. D.; Soderblom, J. M.; Barnes, J. W.; Bristow, C.; Kirk, R. L.; Turtle, E. P.; Wood, C. A.; Stofan, E. R.

2015-12-01

Driven by an expansive atmosphere, Titan's lakes, seas and accompanied hydrological cycle hold vast amounts of information regarding the history and evolution of Titan. To understand these features, we constructed a geomorphologic map of Titan's polar terrains using a combination of the Cassini SAR, ISS, VIMS, and topographic datasets. In combining SAR, ISS, and VIMS imagery with topographic data, our geomorphic map reveals a stratigraphic sequence from which we infer formation processes. In mapping both the South and North poles with the same morphologic units, we conclude that processes that dominated the North Pole also operated in the South. Large seas, which are currently methane/ethane filled in the North and dry in the South, characterize both poles. The current day dichotomy may result only from differing initial conditions. Regions removed from the mare are dominated by smooth, undulating plains, bounded by moderately dissected uplands that are discretized into observable drainage basins. These plains contain the highest density of filled and empty lake depressions, which appear morphologically distinct from the larger mare. The thicknesses of these undulating plains are retrieved from the depths of the embedded empty depressions that are up to 800 m deep. The development of such large deposits and the surrounding hillslopes can be explained by the presence of previously vast polar oceans. Larger liquid bodies would have allowed for a sustained accumulation of soluble and insoluble sediments from Titan's lower latitudes. Two plausible evolutionary scenarios include seas that were slightly larger, followed by tectonic uplift, or oceans that were much larger, that have since lost most of their volume over time to methane photolysis. In either scenario, thick sedimentary deposits of soluble materials are required to have been emplaced prior to the formation of the small lake depressions.

Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Healthcare Setting in Alexandria, Egypt.

PubMed

Abaza, Amani F; El Shazly, Soraya A; Selim, Heba S A; Aly, Gehan S A

2017-09-27

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a major healthcare associated pathogen that creates a serious public health disaster in both developing and developed countries. In this work we aimed at studying the occurrence of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing P. aeruginosa in a healthcare setting in Alexandria, Egypt. This cross sectional study included 1583 clinical samples that were collected from patients admitted to Alexandria University Students' Hospital. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods and were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns using single disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. Thirty P. aeruginosa isolates were randomly selected and tested for their MBL production by both phenotypic and genotypic methods. Diagnostic Epsilometer test was done to detect metallo-beta-lactamase enzyme producers and polymerase chain reaction test was done to detect imipenemase (IMP), Verona integron-encoded (VIM) and Sao Paulo metallo-beta-lactamase (IMP) encoding genes. Of the 1583 clinical samples, 175 (11.3%) P. aeruginosa isolates were identified. All the 30 (100%) selected P. aeruginosa isolates that were tested for MBL production by Epsilometer test were found to be positive; where 19 (63.3%) revealed blaSPM gene and 11 (36.7%) had blaIMP gene. blaVIM gene was not detected in any of the tested isolates. Isolates of MBL producing P. aeruginosa were highly susceptible to polymyxin B 26 (86.7%) and highly resistant to amikacin 26 (86.7%). MBL producers were detected phenotypically by Epsilometer test in both carbapenem susceptible and resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. blaSPM was the most commonly detected MBL gene in P. aeruginosa isolates.

First Survey of Metallo-β-Lactamase Producers in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa From a Referral Burn Center in Kurdistan Province.

PubMed

Kalantar, Enayatollah; Torabi, Vahideh; Salimizand, Heiman; Soheili, Fariborz; Beiranvand, Soheila; Soltan Dallal, Mohammad Mehdi

2012-01-01

Treatment of infectious diseases is becoming more challenging with each passing year. This is especially true for infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen with the ability to rapidly develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains among multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients. The isolates were identified, tested for susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents, and screened for the presence of MβLs by using the double-disk synergy test. The minimal inhibitory concentration of imipenem was determined by microplate broth dilution method on Mueller-Hinton agar. To detect VIM, SIM, and GIM MBLs, the isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction. In this study, we identified 100 P. aeruginosa isolates from 176 clinical specimens obtained from burn patients. The isolates showed maximum resistance to ampicillin (100%), ceftazidime (94%), and ceftriaxone (89%). The CLSI-MBL phenotypic test showed that of the 100 P. aeruginosa isolates, 22 (22%) were positive for MBL production in the double-disk synergy test. Of the 22 MBL-positive P. aeruginosa isolates, 8 were resistant to imipenem. PCR analysis showed that 8 isolates were positive for blaVIM1. The other genes blaSIM1 and blaGIM1 were not detected. The study results demonstrate the serious therapeutic threat of the spread of MBL producers among P. aeruginosa populations. Metallo-β-lactamases were detected in 22% of imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Early detection and infection-control practices are the best antimicrobial strategies for this organism; therefore, systematic surveillance to detect MBL producers is necessary.

Orographic Condensation at the South Pole of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corlies, Paul; Hayes, Alexander; Adamkovics, Mate

2016-10-01

Although many clouds have been observed on Titan over the past two decades (Griffith et al. 1998, Rodriquez et al 2009, Brown et al. 2010), only a handful of clouds have been analyzed in detail (Griffith et al 2005, Brown et al 2009, Adamkovics et al 2010). In light of new data and better radiative transfer (RT) modelling, we present here a reexamination of one of these cloud systems observed in March 2007, formerly identified as ground fog (Brown et al 2009), using the Cassini VIMS instrument. Combining our analysis with RADAR observations we attempt to understand the connection and correlation between this low altitude atmospheric phenomenon and the local topography, suggesting instead, a topographically driven (orographic) cloud formation mechanism. This analysis would present the first links between cloud formation and topography on Titan, and has valuable implications in understanding additional cloud formation mechanisms, allowing for a better understanding of Titan's atmospheric dynamics.We will also present an update on an ongoing ground based observation campaign looking for clouds on Titan. This campaign, begun back in April 2014, has been (nearly) continuously monitoring Titan for ongoing cloud activity. Although a variety of telescope and instruments have been used in an effort to best capture the onset of cloud activity expected at Titan's North Pole, no cloud outbursts have yet been observed from the ground (though frequent observations have been made with Cassini ISS/VIMS). This is interesting because it further suggests a developing dichotomy between Titan's seasons, since clouds were observable from the ground during southern summer. Thus, monitoring the onset of large scale cloud activity at Titan's North Pole will be crucial to understanding Titan's hydrologic cycle on seasonal timescales.

Evaluation of the BYG Carba Test, a New Electrochemical Assay for Rapid Laboratory Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

PubMed Central

Yunus, Sami; Massart, Marion; Huang, Te-Din; Glupczynski, Youri

2015-01-01

Accurate detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) constitutes a major laboratory diagnostic challenge. We evaluated an electrochemical technique (the BYG Carba test) which allows detection of CPE in less than 35 min. The BYG Carba test was first validated in triplicate against 57 collection isolates with previously characterized β-lactam resistance mechanisms (OXA-48, n = 12; KPC, n = 8; NDM, n = 8; VIM, n = 8; IMP, n = 3; GIM, n = 1; GES-6, n = 1; no carbapenemase, n = 16) and against a panel of 10 isolates obtained from the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS). The test was then evaluated prospectively against 324 isolates referred to the national reference center for suspicion of CPE. The BYG Carba test results were compared with those obtained with the Carba NP test using multiplex PCR sequencing as the gold standard. Of the 57 collection and the 10 NEQAS isolates, all but one GES-6-producing isolate were correctly identified by the Carba BYG test. Among the 324 consecutive Enterobacteriaceae isolates tested prospectively, 146 were confirmed as noncarbapenemase producers by PCR while 178 harbored a carbapenemase gene (OXA-48, n = 117; KPC, n = 25; NDM, n = 23; and VIM, n = 13). Prospectively, in comparison with PCR results, the BYG Carba test displayed 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity versus 89% and 100%, respectively, for the Carba NP test. The BYG Carba test is a novel, rapid, and efficient assay based on an electro-active polymer biosensing technology discriminating between CPE and non-CPE. The precise electrochemical signal (electrochemical impedance variations) allows the establishment of real-time objective measurement and interpretation criteria which should facilitate the accreditation process of this technology. PMID:26637378

Tracking and Functional Characterization of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Mesenchymal Tumor Cells During Prostate Cancer Metastasis

PubMed Central

Ruscetti, Marcus; Quach, Bill; Dadashian, Eman L.; Mulholland, David J.; Wu, Hong

2015-01-01

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been postulated as a mechanism by which cancer cells acquire the invasive and stem-like traits necessary for distant metastasis. However, direct in vivo evidence for the role of EMT in the formation of cancer stem-like cells (CSC) and the metastatic cascade remains lacking. Here we report the first isolation and characterization of mesenchymal and EMT tumor cells, which harbor both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics, in an autochthonous murine model of prostate cancer. By crossing the established Pb-Cre+/−;PtenL/L;KrasG12D/+ prostate cancer model with a vimentin-GFP reporter strain, generating CPKV mice, we were able to isolate epithelial, EMT and mesenchymal cancer cells based on expression of vimentin and EpCAM. CPKV mice (but not mice with Pten deletion alone) exhibited expansion of cells with EMT (EpCAM+/Vim-GFP+) and mesenchymal (EpCAM−/Vim-GFP+) characteristics at the primary tumor site and in circulation. These EMT and mesenchymal tumor cells displayed enhanced stemness and invasive character compared to epithelial tumor cells. Moreover, they displayed an enriched tumor-initiating capacity and could regenerate epithelial glandular structures in vivo, indicative of epithelia-mesenchyme plasticity. Interestingly, while mesenchymal tumor cells could persist in circulation and survive in the lung following intravenous injection, only epithelial and EMT tumor cells could form macrometastases. Our work extends the evidence that mesenchymal and epithelial states in cancer cells contribute differentially to their capacities for tumor initiation and metastatic seeding, respectively, and that EMT tumor cells exist with plasticity that can contribute to multiple stages of the metastatic cascade. PMID:25948589

Comparison of in-house and commercial real time-PCR based carbapenemase gene detection methods in Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting gram-negative bacterial isolates.

PubMed

Smiljanic, M; Kaase, M; Ahmad-Nejad, P; Ghebremedhin, B

2017-07-10

Carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacteria are increasing globally and have been associated with outbreaks in hospital settings. Thus, the accurate detection of these bacteria in infections is mandatory for administering the adequate therapy and infection control measures. This study aimed to establish and evaluate a multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of carbapenemase gene variants in gram-negative rods and to compare the performance with a commercial RT-PCR assay (Check-Direct CPE). 116 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were genotyped for carbapenemase genes by PCR and sequencing. The defined isolates were used for the validation of the in-house RT-PCR by use of designed primer pairs and probes. Among the carbapenem-resistant isolates the genes bla KPC , bla VIM , bla NDM or bla OXA were detected. Both RT-PCR assays detected all bla KPC , bla VIM and bla NDM in the isolates. The in-house RT-PCR detected 53 of 67 (79.0%) whereas the commercial assay detected only 29 (43.3%) of the OXA genes. The in-house sufficiently distinguished the most prevalent OXA types (23-like and 48-like) in the melting curve analysis and direct detection of the genes from positive blood culture vials. The Check-Direct CPE and the in-house RT-PCR assay detected the carbapenem resistance from solid culture isolates. Moreover, the in-house assay enabled the identification of carbapenemase genes directly from positive blood-culture vials. However, we observed insufficient detection of various OXA genes in both assays. Nevertheless, the in-house RT-PCR detected the majority of the OXA type genes in Enterobacteriaceae and A. baumannii.

Poster 7: Could PAH or HAC explain the Titan's stratosphere absorption around 3.4 µm revealed by solar occultations?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordier, Daniel; Cours, Thibaud; Rey, Michael; Maltagliati, Luca; Seignovert, Benoit; Biennier, Ludovic

2016-06-01

In 2006, during Cassini's 10th flyby of Titan (T10), Bellucci et al. (2009) observed a solar occultation by Titan's atmosphere through the solar port of the Cassini/VIMS instrument. These authors noticed the existence of an unexplained additional absorption superimposed to the CH4 3.3 µm band. Because they were unable to model this absorption with gases, they attributed this intriguing feature to the signature of solid state organic components. Kim et al. (2011) revisited the data collected by Bellucci et al. (2009) and they considered the possible contribution of aerosols formed by hydrocarbon ices. They specifically took into account C2H6, CH4, CH3CN, C5H12 and C6H12 ices. More recently, Maltagliati et al. (2015) analyzed a set of four VIMS solar occultations, corresponding to flybys performed between January 2006 and September 2011 at different latitudes. They confirmed the presence of the 3.3 µm absorption in all occultations and underlined the possible importance of gaseous ethane, which has a strong plateau of absorption lines in that wavelength range.In this work, we show that neither hydrocarbon ices nor molecular C2H6 cannot satisfactorily explain the observed absorption. Our simulations speak in favor of an absorption due to the presence of PAH molecules or HAC in the stratosphere of Titan. PAH have been already considered by Lopes-Puertas et al. (2013) at altitudes larger than ˜900 km and tentatively identified in the stratosphere by Maltagliati et al. (2015); PAH and HAC are good candidates for Titan's aerosols precursors.

First Survey of Metallo-β–Lactamase Producers in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa From a Referral Burn Center in Kurdistan Province

PubMed Central

Kalantar, Enayatollah; Torabi, Vahideh; Salimizand, Heiman; Soheili, Fariborz; Beiranvand, Soheila; Soltan Dallal, Mohammad Mehdi

2012-01-01

Background Treatment of infectious diseases is becoming more challenging with each passing year. This is especially true for infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen with the ability to rapidly develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. Objectives This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)–producing strains among multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients. Materials and Methods The isolates were identified, tested for susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents, and screened for the presence of MβLs by using the double-disk synergy test. The minimal inhibitory concentration of imipenem was determined by microplate broth dilution method on Mueller-Hinton agar. To detect VIM, SIM, and GIM MBLs, the isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction. Results In this study, we identified 100 P. aeruginosa isolates from 176 clinical specimens obtained from burn patients. The isolates showed maximum resistance to ampicillin (100%), ceftazidime (94%), and ceftriaxone (89%). The CLSI-MBL phenotypic test showed that of the 100 P. aeruginosa isolates, 22 (22%) were positive for MBL production in the double-disk synergy test. Of the 22 MBL-positive P. aeruginosa isolates, 8 were resistant to imipenem. PCR analysis showed that 8 isolates were positive for blaVIM1. The other genes blaSIM1 and blaGIM1 were not detected. Conclusions The study results demonstrate the serious therapeutic threat of the spread of MBL producers among P. aeruginosa populations. Metallo-β-lactamases were detected in 22% of imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Early detection and infection-control practices are the best antimicrobial strategies for this organism; therefore, systematic surveillance to detect MBL producers is necessary. PMID:24624147

Identification of spectral units on Phoebe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Coradini, A.; Tosi, F.; Gavrishin, A.I.; Capaccioni, F.; Cerroni, P.; Filacchione, G.; Adriani, A.; Brown, R.H.; Bellucci, G.; Formisano, V.; D'Aversa, E.; Lunine, J.I.; Baines, K.H.; Bibring, J.-P.; Buratti, B.J.; Clark, R.N.; Cruikshank, D.P.; Combes, M.; Drossart, P.; Jaumann, R.; Langevin, Y.; Matson, D.L.; McCord, T.B.; Mennella, V.; Nelson, R.M.; Nicholson, P.D.; Sicardy, B.; Sotin, Christophe; Hedman, M.M.; Hansen, G.B.; Hibbitts, C.A.; Showalter, M.; Griffith, C.; Strazzulla, G.

2008-01-01

We apply a multivariate statistical method to the Phoebe spectra collected by the VIMS experiment onboard the Cassini spacecraft during the flyby of June 2004. The G-mode clustering method, which permits identification of the most important features in a spectrum, is used on a small subset of data, characterized by medium and high spatial resolution, to perform a raw spectral classification of the surface of Phoebe. The combination of statistics and comparative analysis of the different areas using both the VIMS and ISS data is explored in order to highlight possible correlations with the surface geology. In general, the results by Clark et al. [Clark, R.N., Brown, R.H., Jaumann, R., Cruikshank, D.P., Nelson, R.M., Buratti, B.J., McCord, T.B., Lunine, J., Hoefen, T., Curchin, J.M., Hansen, G., Hibbitts, K., Matz, K.-D., Baines, K.H., Bellucci, G., Bibring, J.-P., Capaccioni, F., Cerroni, P., Coradini, A., Formisano, V., Langevin, Y., Matson, D.L., Mennella, V., Nicholson, P.D., Sicardy, B., Sotin, C., 2005. Nature 435, 66-69] are confirmed; but we also identify new signatures not reported before, such as the aliphatic CH stretch at 3.53 ??m and the ???4.4 ??m feature possibly related to cyanide compounds. On the basis of the band strengths computed for several absorption features and for the homogeneous spectral types isolated by the G-mode, a strong correlation of CO2 and aromatic hydrocarbons with exposed water ice, where the uniform layer covering Phoebe has been removed, is established. On the other hand, an anti-correlation of cyanide compounds with CO2 is suggested at a medium resolution scale. ?? 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Molecular Characterization of Multidrug Resistant Uropathogenic E. Coli Isolates from Jordanian Patients.

PubMed

Nairoukh, Yacoub R; Mahafzah, Azmi M; Irshaid, Amal; Shehabi, Asem A

2018-01-01

Emergence of multi-drug resistant uropathogenic E. coli strains is an increasing problem to empirical treatment of urinary tract infections in many countries. This study investigated the magnitude of this problem in Jordan. A total of 262 E. coli isolates were recovered from urine samples of Jordanian patients which were suspected to have urinary tract infections (UTIs). All isolates were primarily identified by routine biochemical tests and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by disc diffusion method. Fifty representative Multidrug Resistance (MDR) E. coli isolates to 3 or more antibiotic classes were tested for the presence of resistance genes of blaCTX-M- 1, 9 and 15, carbapenemase ( blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-48 ), fluoroquinolones mutated genes ( parC and gyrA ) and clone of ST131 type using PCR methods. A total of 150/262 (57.3%) of E. coli isolates were MDR. Urine samples of hospitalized patients showed significantly more MDR isolates than outpatients. Fifty representative MDR E. coli isolates indicated the following molecular characteristics: All were positive for mutated parC gene and gyrA and for ST131 clone, and 78% were positive for genes of CTX-M-15 , 76% for CTX-M-I and for 8% CTX-M-9 , respectively. Additionally, all 50 MDR E. coli isolates were negative for carbapenemase genes ( blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-48 ), except of one isolate was positive for blaKPC-2 . This study indicates alarming high rates recovery of MDR uropathogenic E. coli from Jordanian patients associated with high rates of positive ST131 clone, fluoroquinolone resistant and important types of blaCTX-M.

Use of ferrous iron by metallo-β-lactamases.

PubMed

Cahill, Samuel T; Tarhonskaya, Hanna; Rydzik, Anna M; Flashman, Emily; McDonough, Michael A; Schofield, Christopher J; Brem, Jürgen

2016-10-01

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) catalyse the hydrolysis of almost all β-lactam antibacterials including the latest generation carbapenems and are a growing worldwide clinical problem. It is proposed that MBLs employ one or two zinc ion cofactors in vivo. Isolated MBLs are reported to use transition metal ions other than zinc, including copper, cadmium and manganese, with iron ions being a notable exception. We report kinetic and biophysical studies with the di-iron(II)-substituted metallo-β-lactamase II from Bacillus cereus (di-Fe(II) BcII) and the clinically relevant B1 subclass Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase 2 (di-Fe(II) VIM-2). The results reveal that MBLs can employ ferrous iron in catalysis, but with altered kinetic and inhibition profiles compared to the zinc enzymes. A crystal structure of di-Fe(II) BcII reveals only small overall changes in the active site compared to the di-Zn(II) enzyme including retention of the di-metal bridging water; however, the positions of the metal ions are altered in the di-Fe(II) compared to the di-Zn(II) structure. Stopped-flow analyses reveal that the mechanism of nitrocefin hydrolysis by both di-Fe(II) BcII and di-Fe(II) VIM-2 is altered compared to the di-Zn(II) enzymes. Notably, given that the MBLs are the subject of current medicinal chemistry efforts, the results raise the possibility the Fe(II)-substituted MBLs may be of clinical relevance under conditions of low zinc availability, and reveal potential variation in inhibitor activity against the differently metallated MBLs. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Wave constraints for Titan's Jingpo Lacus and Kraken Mare from VIMS specular reflection lightcurves

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, J.W.; Soderblom, J.M.; Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.A.; Stephan, K.; Jaumann, R.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Rodriguez, S.; Sotin, Christophe; Buratti, B.J.; Baines, K.H.; Clark, R.N.; Nicholson, P.D.

2011-01-01

Stephan et al. (Stephan, K. et al. [2010]. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, 7104-+.) first saw the glint of sunlight specularly reflected off of Titan's lakes. We develop a quantitative model for analyzing the photometric lightcurve generated during a flyby in which the specularly reflected light flux depends on the fraction of the solar specular footprint that is covered by liquid. We allow for surface waves that spread out the geographic specular intensity distribution. Applying the model to the VIMS T58 observations shows that the waves on Jingpo Lacus must have slopes of no greater than 0.15??, two orders of magnitude flatter than waves on Earth's oceans. Combining the model with theoretical estimates of the intensity of the specular reflection allows a tighter constraint on the waves: <0.05?? Residual specular signal while the specular point lies on land implies that either the land is wetted, the wave slope distribution is non-Gaussian, or that 5% of the land off the southwest edge of Jingpo Lacus is covered in puddles. Another specular sequence off of Kraken Mare acquired during Cassini's T59 flyby shows rapid flux changes that the static model cannot reproduce. Points just 1. min apart vary in flux by more than a factor of two. The present dataset does not uniquely determine the mechanism causing these rapid changes. We suggest that changing wind conditions, kilometer-wavelength waves, or moving clouds could account for the variability. Future specular observations should be designed with a fast cadence, at least 6 points per minute, in order to differentiate between these hypotheses. Such new data will further constrain the nature of Titan's lakes and their interactions with Titan's atmosphere. ?? 2010 Elsevier Inc.

Heterogeneity of Carbapenem Resistance Mechanisms Among Gram-Negative Pathogens in Lebanon: Results of the First Cross-Sectional Countrywide Study.

PubMed

Hammoudi Halat, Dalal; Moubareck, Carole Ayoub; Sarkis, Dolla Karam

2017-09-01

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens have progressively disseminated to different countries worldwide, presenting a serious public health concern. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria in Lebanon, to elucidate molecular mechanisms, and to identify genetic relatedness of incriminated strains. Carbapenem nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas were collected from 11 Lebanese hospitals in 2012. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed with phenotypic tests, genes encoding carbapenemases were screened via PCR-sequencing, and genetic relatedness was examined by PGFE and ERIC-PCR. A total of 398 nonrepetitive carbapenem nonsusceptible isolates were studied, of which 44 were Enterobacteriaceae, 142 were A. baumannii, and 212 were Pseudomonas. Among Enterobacteriaceae, 70.4% carried bla OXA-48-like gene on IncL/M-type plasmids, while acquired AmpC cephalosporinases, extended-spectrum-β-lactamases, and efflux-pump were additional contributors to carbapenem resistance. Among A. baumannii, 90% produced OXA-23 and GES-11 and carried insertion sequence ISAba1 upstream and adjacent to bla OXA-23 and bla Acinetobacter -derived cephalosporinases . Among Pseudomonas, 16% harbored VIM-2, 4.2% IMP-2, and 1.4% IMP-1 metallo-β-lactamases. Fingerprint analysis indicated that the spread of OXA-48-like carbapenemases was mostly mediated by horizontal transfer, while OXA-23 and GES-11 diffusion in A. baumannii and VIM-2 diffusion in P. aeruginosa were primarily due to clonal dissemination. This study is the first nationwide investigation of carbapenem resistance in Lebanon, showing low level of resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, and higher levels in A. baumannii and Pseudomonas. With current changes in the region, continuous surveillance of carbapenem resistance is crucial.

Spectrophotometric study of Saturn's main rings by means of Monte Carlo ray-tracing and Hapke's theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciarniello, Mauro; Filacchione, Gianrico; D'Aversa, Emiliano; Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.; Capaccioni, Fabrizio; Hedman, Matthew M.; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.; Nicholson, Philip D.; Clark, Roger Nelson; Brown, Robert H.; Cerroni, Priscilla; Spilker, Linda

2017-10-01

This work is devoted to the investigation of the spectrophotometric properties of Saturn's rings from Cassini-VIMS (Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) observations. The dataset used for this analysis is represented by ten radial spectrograms of the rings which have been derived in Filacchione et al. (2014) by radial mosaics produced by VIMS. Spectrograms report the measured radiance factor of the main Saturn's rings as a function of both radial distance (from 73.500 to 141.375 km) and wavelength (0.35-5.1 µm) for different observation geometries (phase angle ranging in the 1.9°-132.2° interval). We take advantage of a Monte Carlo ray-tracing routine to characterize the photometric behavior of the rings at each wavelength and derive the spectral Bond albedo of rings particles. This quantity is used to infer the composition of the regolith covering rings particles by applying Hapke's theory. Four different regions, characterized by different optical depths, and respectively located in the C ring, inner B ring, mid B ring and A ring, have been investigated. Results from spectral modeling indicate that rings spectrum can be described by water ice with minimal inclusion of organic materials (tholin, < 1%) mixed with variable amounts of a neutral absorber such as amorphous carbon and amorphous silicates. The abundance of the neutral absorber anti-correlates with the optical depth of the investigated regions, being maximum in the thinnest C ring and minimum in the thickest mid B ring. This distribution of the neutral absorber is interpreted as the result of a contamination by exogenous material, which is more effective in the less dense regions of the rings because of their lower content of pure water ice.

Effective Universal Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Chile.

PubMed

Guerrero-Núñez, Sara; Valenzuela-Suazo, Sandra; Cid-Henríquez, Patricia

2017-04-06

determine the prevalence of Effective Universal Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Chile and its relation with the variables: Health Care Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Average of diabetics with metabolic control in 2011-2013; Mortality Rate for Diabetes Mellitus; and Percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program. cross-sectional descriptive study with ecological components that uses documentary sources of the Ministry of Health. It was established that there is correlation between the Universal Effective Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and the independent variables; it was applied the Pearson Coefficient, being significant at the 0.05 level. in Chile Universal Health Care Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (HbA1c<7% estimated population) is less than 20%; this is related with Mortality Rate for Diabetes Mellitus and Percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program, being significant at the 0.01 level. effective prevalence of Universal Health Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 is low, even though some regions stand out in this research and in the metabolic control of patients who participate in health control program; its relation with percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program represents a challenge and an opportunity for the health system. determinar a prevalência de Cobertura Universal Efetiva da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 em Chile e sua relação com as variáveis; Cobertura da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, Média de diabéticos com controle metabólico em 2011-2013, Taxa de Mortalidade por Diabetes Mellitus e Percentagem de participação de enfermeiras no Programa de Saúde Cardiovascular. estudo descritivo transversal com componentes ecológicos, utilizando fontes documentais do Ministério da Saúde. Foi estabelecida correlação entre Cobertura Universal Efetiva da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 e as variáveis independentes, aplicando o Coeficiente de Pearson, sendo significante ao 0,05. no Chile a Cobertura Universal Efetiva da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (HbA1c<7% em população estimada) é menor que 20%. Esta se relaciona com uma Taxa de Mortalidade por Diabetes Mellitus e Percentagem de participação de enfermeiras no Programa de Saúde Cardiovascular, que ademais é significativa ao 0,01. a prevalência de Cobertura Universal Efetiva da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 é baixa, mesmo quando algumas regiões se destacam nas pesquisas e no controle metabólico de pacientes assistentes ao controle. Sua relação com a Percentagem de participação de enfermeiras no Programa de Saúde Cardiovascular se constitui em um desafio e oportunidade em saúde. determinar la prevalencia de la Cobertura Universal Efectiva de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en Chile y su relación con las variables: Cobertura de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, Promedio de diabéticos con control metabólico en 2011-2013, Tasa de Mortalidad por Diabetes Mellitus y Porcentaje de participación de enfermeros en el Programa de Salud Cardiovascular. estudio descriptivo transversal con componentes ecológicos, utilizando fuentes documentales del Ministerio de Salud. Se estableció que existe correlación entre la Cobertura Universal Efectiva de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 y las variables independientes, aplicando el Coeficiente de Pearson, siendo significativa al nivel 0,05. en Chile la Cobertura Universal Efectiva de Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (HbA1c<7% en población estimada) es menor que 20%; esta se relaciona con la Tasa de Mortalidad por Diabetes Mellitus y con el Porcentaje de participación de enfermeras en el Programa de Salud Cardiovascular, que es significativa al nivel 0,01. la prevalencia de Cobertura Universal Efectiva de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 es baja; sin embargo algunas regiones se destacan en la cobertura y en el control metabólico de pacientes que participan del control de salud. La relación de la cobertura con el porcentaje de participación de enfermeras en el Programa de Salud Cardiovascular es un desafío y una oportunidad en salud.

Role of IKK-alpha in EGFR Signaling Regulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

correlated with IKKα expression using CCLE. Nonsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was performed based on Erbb2, ERα ( ESR1 ), PR (PgR...signature (ERBB2, ESR1 , and PGR) genes. A subset of 4 genes showing distinct expression pattern in TNBC versus non-TNBC cell lines is shown in the...AKT2 AKT3 CDH1 MYB CDH2 VIM ERBB2 ESR1 PGR H C C 11 87 C A L- 85 -1 H C C 11 43 H D Q -P 1 C A L- 51 H C C 38 H C C 21 57 C A L- 12 0 B T- 54 9 H C C

Impact of Multimedia and Network Services on an Introductory Level Course

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russ, John C.

1996-01-01

We will demonstrate and describe the impact of our use of multimedia and network connectivity on a sophomore-level introductory course in materials science. This class services all engineering students, resulting in large (more than 150) class sections with no hands-on laboratory. In 1990 we began to develop computer graphics that might substitute for some laboratory or real-world experiences, and demonstrate relationships hard to show with static textbook images or chalkboard drawings. We created a comprehensive series of modules that cover the entire course content. Called VIMS (Visualizations in Materials Science), these are available in the form of a CD-ROM and also via the internet.

The identification of liquid ethane in Titan's Ontario Lacus

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.A.; Soderblom, J.M.; Clark, R.N.; Jaumann, R.; Barnes, J.W.; Sotin, Christophe; Buratti, B.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.

2008-01-01

Titan was once thought to have global oceans of light hydrocarbons on its surface, but after 40 close flybys of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, it has become clear that no such oceans exist. There are, however, features similar to terrestrial lakes and seas, and widespread evidence for fluvial erosion, presumably driven by precipitation of liquid methane from Titan's dense, nitrogen-dominated atmosphere. Here we report infrared spectroscopic data, obtained by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on board the Cassini spacecraft, that strongly indicate that ethane, probably in liquid solution with methane, nitrogen and other low-molecular-mass hydrocarbons, is contained within Titan's Ontario Lacus.

Detection of adsorbed water and hydroxyl on the Moon.

PubMed

Clark, Roger N

2009-10-23

Data from the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on Cassini during its flyby of the Moon in 1999 show a broad absorption at 3 micrometers due to adsorbed water and near 2.8 micrometers attributed to hydroxyl in the sunlit surface on the Moon. The amounts of water indicated in the spectra depend on the type of mixing and the grain sizes in the rocks and soils but could be 10 to 1000 parts per million and locally higher. Water in the polar regions may be water that has migrated to the colder environments there. Trace hydroxyl is observed in the anorthositic highlands at lower latitudes.

Spinal spindle cell haemangioma: an atypical location.

PubMed

Talan-Hranilović, J; Vucić, M; Sajko, T; Bedek, D; Tomić, K; Lupret, V

2007-03-01

We present a case of the 31-year-old male patient who complained of weakness in both legs and progressed slowly. Neuroimagine of the thoracic spine showed an intraspinal, extradural mass lesion, measuring 5.3 x 1.2 cm at the Th1-Th3 level. Histologically the lesion was a spindle cell haemangioma composed of dilated vascular spaces and a proliferation of bland appearing interspersed spindle cells. Immunohistochemical analysis was diffusely positive for VIM, SMA and focally for CD34. This lesion is uncommon and shows a predilection for distal extremities. Spindle cell haemangioma within the spine has not been previously reported in the literature.

Improvement of the Xpert Carba-R Kit for the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae.

PubMed

Dortet, Laurent; Fusaro, Mathieu; Naas, Thierry

2016-06-01

The Xpert Carba-R kit, version 2 (v2), which has been improved for the efficient detection of blaOXA-181 and blaOXA-232 genes, was tested on a collection of 150 well-characterized enterobacterial isolates that had a reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. The performance of the Xpert Carba-R v2 was high, as it was able to detect the five major carbapenemases (NDM, VIM, IMP, KPC, and OXA-48). Thus, it is now well adapted to the carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae epidemiology of many countries worldwide. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Constructing analytic solutions on the Tricomi equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghiasi, Emran Khoshrouye; Saleh, Reza

2018-04-01

In this paper, homotopy analysis method (HAM) and variational iteration method (VIM) are utilized to derive the approximate solutions of the Tricomi equation. Afterwards, the HAM is optimized to accelerate the convergence of the series solution by minimizing its square residual error at any order of the approximation. It is found that effect of the optimal values of auxiliary parameter on the convergence of the series solution is not negligible. Furthermore, the present results are found to agree well with those obtained through a closed-form equation available in the literature. To conclude, it is seen that the two are effective to achieve the solution of the partial differential equations.

Estudio polarimétrico de NGC 104 (47 Tucanae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forte, J. C.; Bassino, L. P.; Vega, E. I.; Cellone, S.; Pellizza, L.; Méndez, M.

Se presentan observaciones polarimétricas en el Visual y sin filtro para 72 estrellas, 14 zonas de referencia y el núcleo del cúmulo globular NGC 104. Las medidas, hechas en el CASLEO con el nuevo polarimétro CASPROF, muestran un comportamiento complejo que incluye: a) dos componentes de polarización a lo largo de la visual; b) signos de envolturas polvorientas en 8 de 10 estrellas variables de largo período pertenecientes al cúmulo c) media docena de estrellas con alta polarización residual (P> 0.20 %) originada probablemente en scattering. Estas estrellas se encuentran próximas a una estructura extendida, coincidente con la región central del cúmulo, detectada en observaciones IRAS. Las observaciones son consistentes con la presencia de pequeñas cantidades de polvo originada en procesos de pérdida de masa.

Sesión clínica de los NIH de tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (TEGI) infantiles y de tipo natural | Center for Cancer Research

Cancer.gov

Fecha de la sesión: Del 20 al 22 de junio de 2018 Esta solicitud es el primero de un proceso de varios pasos para considerar su participación en nuestra próxima sesión clínica de TEGI infantiles y de tipo natural. Por favor, lea las tres páginas y responda completamente todas las preguntas:

Aromatic and aliphatic organic materials on Iapetus: Analysis of Cassini VIMS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruikshank, Dale P.; Dalle Ore, Cristina M.; Clark, Roger N.; Pendleton, Yvonne J.

2014-05-01

We present a quantitative analysis of the hydrocarbon and other organic molecular inventory as a component of the low-albedo material of Saturn’s satellite Iapetus, based on a revision of the calibration of the Cassini VIMS instrument. Our study uses hyperspectral data from a mosaic of Iapetus’ surface (Pinilla-Alonso, N., Roush, T.L., Marzo, G.A., Cruikshank, D.P., Dalle Ore, C.M. [2011]. Icarus 215, 75-82) constructed from VIMS data on a close fly-by of the satellite. We extracted 2235 individual spectra of the low-albedo regions, and with a clustering analysis tool (Dalle Ore, C.M., Cruikshank, D.P., Clark, R.N. [2012]. Icarus 221, 735-743), separated them into two spectrally distinct groups, one concentrated on the leading hemisphere of Iapetus, and the other group on the trailing. This distribution is broadly consistent with that found from Cassini ISS data analyzed by Denk et al. (Denk, T. et al. [2010]. Science 327, 435-439). We modeled the average spectra of the two geographic regions using the materials and techniques described by Clark et al. (Clark, R.N., Cruikshank, D.P., Jaumann, R., Brown, R.H., Stephan, K., Dalle Ore, C.M., Livio, K.E., Pearson, N., Curchin, J.M., Hoefen, T.M., Buratti, B.J., Filacchione, G., Baines, K.H., Nicholson, P.D. [2012]. Icarus 218, 831-860), and after dividing the Iapetus spectrum by the model for each case, we extracted the resulting spectra in the interval 2.7-4.0 μm for analysis of the organic molecular bands. The spectra reveal the Csbnd H stretching modes of aromatic hydrocarbons at ∼3.28 μm (∼3050 cm-1), plus four blended bands of aliphatic sbnd CH2sbnd and sbnd CH3 in the range ∼3.36-3.52 μm (∼2980-2840 cm-1). In these data, the aromatic band, probably indicating the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), is unusually strong in comparison to the aliphatic bands, as was found for Hyperion (Dalton, J.B., Cruikshank, D.P., Clark, R.N. [2012]. Icarus 220, 752-776; Dalle Ore, C.M., Cruikshank, D.P., Clark, R.N. [2012], op. cit.) and Phoebe (Dalle Ore, C.M., Cruikshank, D.P., Clark, R.N. [2012], op. cit.). Our Gaussian decomposition of the organic band region suggests the presence of molecular bands in addition to those noted above, specifically bands attributable to cycloalkanes, olefinic compounds, CH3OH, and N-substituted PAHs, as well as possible Hn-PAHs (PAHs with excess peripheral H atoms). In a minimalist interpretation of the Gaussian band fitting, we find the ratio of aromatic CH to aliphatic CH2 + CH3 functional groups for both the leading and trailing hemispheres of Iapetus is ∼10, with no clear difference between them. In the aliphatic component of the surface material, the ratio CH2/CH3 is 4.0 on the leading hemisphere and 3.0 on the trailing; both values are higher than those found in interstellar dust and other Solar System materials and the difference between the two hemispheres may be statistically significant. The superficial layer of low-albedo material on Iapetus originated in the interior of Phoebe and is being transported to and deposited on Iapetus (and Hyperion) in the current epoch via the Phoebe dust ring (Tosi, F., Turrini, D., Coradini, A., Filacchione, G., and the VIMS Team [2010]. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 403, 1113-1130; Tamayo, D., Burns, J.A., Hamilton, D.P., Hedman, M.M. [2011]. Icarus 215, 260-278). The PAHs on Iapetus exist in a H2O-rich environment, and consequently are subject to UV destruction by hydrogenation on short time-scales. The occurrence of this material is therefore consistent with the assertion that the deposition of the PAH-bearing dust is occurring at the present time. If the organic inventory we observe represents the interior composition of Phoebe, we may be sampling the original material from a region of the solar nebula beyond Neptune where Phoebe formed prior to its capture by Saturn (Johnson, T.V., Lunine, J.I. [2005]. Nature 435, 69-71).

Sediment resuspension characteristics in Baltimore Harbor, Maryland

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maa, J.P.-Y.; Sanford, L.; Halka, J.P.

1998-01-01

Critical bed shear stress for sediment resuspension and sediment erosion rate were measured in-situ at sites from inner to outer Baltimore Harbor using the VIMS Sea Carousel. Clay mineral contents and biological conditions were almost the same at the four study sites. The experimental results indicated that the erosion rate increased from the outer harbor toward the inner harbor with a maximum difference of about 10 times at an excess bed shear stress of 0.1 Pa. The measured critical bed shear stress strongly depended on the existence of a fluff layer. It was approximately 0.05 Pa if a fluff layer existed, and increases to about 0.1 Pa in the absence of a fluff layer.

On the use of drift bottle and seabed drifter data in coastal management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, C. S.; Norcross, J. J.

1973-01-01

The use of drift bottle and seabed drifter information for use in coastal management is discussed. The drift bottle/seabed drifter portion of VIMS project MACONS (Mid Atlantic Continental Shelf) is described as an example of how a comprehensive survey using drift bottles and seabed drifters provides data useful for coastal management. The data from MACONS are analyzed to answer specific questions of interest to several different coastal managers: a manager siting a deep oil port, one siting a sewage outfall, a manager responsible for setting up emergency beach protection procedures before an accident occurs, and a manager responsible for the environmental quality of a particular small section of coastline.

FIRST REPORT OF METALLO-β-LACTAMASES PRODUCING Enterobacter spp. STRAINS FROM VENEZUELA

PubMed Central

Martínez, Dianny; Rodulfo, Hectorina E.; Rodríguez, Lucy; Caña, Luisa E.; Medina, Belkis; Guzman, Militza; Carreño, Numirin; Marcano, Daniel; Donato, Marcos De

2014-01-01

Clinical strains of Enterobacter were isolated from Cumana's Central Hospital in Venezuela, and classified as E. cloacae (21), E. aerogenes (7), E. intermedium (1), E. sakazakii (1) and three unclassified. The strains showed high levels of resistance, especially to SXT (58.1%), CRO (48.8%), CAZ (46.6%), PIP (46.4%), CIP (45.2%) and ATM (43.3%). This is the first report for South America of bla VIM-2 in two E. cloacae and one Enterobacter sp., which also showed multiple mechanisms of resistance. Both E. cloacae showed bla TEM-1, but only one showed bla CTX-M-15 gene, while no bla SHV was detected. PMID:24553611

The identification of liquid ethane in Titan's Ontario Lacus

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, R.H.; Soderblom, L.A.; Soderblom, J.M.; Clark, R.N.; Jaumann, R.; Barnes, J.W.; Sotin, Christophe; Buratti, B.; Baines, K.H.; Nicholson, P.D.

2008-01-01

Titan was once thought to have global oceans of light hydrocarbons on its surface, but after 40 close flybys of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, it has become clear that no such oceans exist. There are, however, features similar to terrestrial lakes and seas, and widespread evidence for fluvial erosion, presumably driven by precipitation of liquid methane from Titan's dense, nitrogen-dominated atmosphere. Here we report infrared spectroscopic data, obtained by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on board the Cassini spacecraft, that strongly indicate that ethane, probably in liquid solution with methane, nitrogen and other low-molecular-mass hydrocarbons, is contained within Titan's Ontario Lacus. ??2008 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

Information Requirements for the VIMS (Vehicle Integrated Management System).

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

flj the decision setting and the...rl 4-1 -o to SH 0 en X r4 4J <D +J (U 4-1 3 s <u 3 a) r-\\ X 0 U H Jo (0 T3 (Ö TD <tf 0 +J c X i. 1 tt a C" rtJ rH XI x; X CO (0 Cn -4-1 i...tr •H CO en (0 CO •H <u rH O •H a CU > CU x: +j Ä O •H JC O 4J c o •P 4J td N •H C (TJ Oi P o P O CU CT> CO CO

A Crew Exposure Study. Phase II. Volume 2. At Sea. Part B.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-04-01

flange and was bol ted i n pl ace. o The bolts were tightened and the strap removed. A/B-1 and A/8-2 hooked up the hoses on the bottom level of the...expansion trunk dome. This method effectively increased the sepa- ration distance between the ullage port and breathing zone, which permit- ted vapors...1 Cm OCVIVI 0.. U " 06IV WUn VI LU 5L>>fl 0, 4-C~0 cmO (U 4n0 - sa CL UK. I C (A 0 4)UO-c 4 0C 1 0 CIE SI. (A viM t ( ofS- 0. 1 w 0 cL CL. U1.- ac

A novel and efficient gene transfer strategy reduces glial reactivity and improves neuronal survival and axonal growth in vitro.

PubMed

Desclaux, Mathieu; Teigell, Marisa; Amar, Lahouari; Vogel, Roland; Gimenez Y Ribotta, Minerva; Privat, Alain; Mallet, Jacques

2009-07-14

The lack of axonal regeneration in the central nervous system is attributed among other factors to the formation of a glial scar. This cellular structure is mainly composed of reactive astrocytes that overexpress two intermediate filament proteins, the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin. Indeed, in vitro, astrocytes lacking GFAP or both GFAP and vimentin were shown to be the substrate for increased neuronal plasticity. Moreover, double knockout mice lacking both GFAP and vimentin presented lower levels of glial reactivity in vivo, significant axonal regrowth and improved functional recovery in comparison with wild-type mice after spinal cord hemisection. From these results, our objective was to develop a novel therapeutic strategy for axonal regeneration, based on the targeted suppression of astroglial reactivity and scarring by lentiviral-mediated RNA-interference (RNAi). In this study, we constructed two lentiviral vectors, Lv-shGFAP and Lv-shVIM, which allow efficient and stable RNAi-mediated silencing of endogenous GFAP or vimentin in vitro. In cultured cortical and spinal reactive astrocytes, the use of these vectors resulted in a specific, stable and highly significant decrease in the corresponding protein levels. In a second model -- scratched primary cultured astrocytes -- Lv-shGFAP, alone or associated with Lv-shVIM, decreased astrocytic reactivity and glial scarring. Finally, in a heterotopic coculture model, cortical neurons displayed higher survival rates and increased neurite growth when cultured with astrocytes in which GFAP and vimentin had been invalidated by lentiviral-mediated RNAi. Lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GFAP and vimentin in astrocytes show that GFAP is a key target for modulating reactive gliosis and monitoring neuron/glia interactions. Thus, manipulation of reactive astrocytes with the Lv-shGFAP vector constitutes a promising therapeutic strategy for increasing glial permissiveness and permitting axonal regeneration after central nervous system lesions.

Endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus with a minimal deviation invasive pattern.

PubMed

Landry, D; Mai, K T; Senterman, M K; Perkins, D G; Yazdi, H M; Veinot, J P; Thomas, J

2003-01-01

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type is a rare pathological entity. We describe a variant of typical endometrioid adenocarcinoma associated with minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type. One 'pilot' case of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type associated with typical endometrioid adenocarcinoma was encountered at our institution in 2001. A second case of same type was received in consultation. We reviewed 168 consecutive hysterectomy specimens diagnosed with 'endometrioid adenocarcinoma' specifically to identify areas of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type. Immunohistochemistry was done with the following antibodies: MIB1, p53, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), cytokeratin 7 (CK7), cytokeratin 20 (CK20), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and vimentin (VIM). Four additional cases of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type were identified. All six cases of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type were associated with superficial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. In two cases with a large amount of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type, the cervix was involved. The immunoprofile of two representative cases was ER+, PR+, CK7+, CK20-, CEA-, VIM+. MIB1 immunostaining of four cases revealed little proliferative activity of the minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type glandular cells (0-1%) compared with the associated 'typical' endometrioid adenocarcinoma (20-30%). The same four cases showed no p53 immunostaining in minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type compared with a range of positive staining in the associated endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type more often develops as a result of differentiation from typical endometrioid adenocarcinoma than de novo. Due to its deceptively benign microscopic appearance, minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type may be overlooked and may lead to incorrect assessment of tumour depth and pathological stage. There was a tendency for tumour with a large amount of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type to invade the cervix.

Compositional analysis of Hyperion with the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brad Dalton, J.; Cruikshank, Dale P.; Clark, Roger N.

2012-08-01

Compositional mapping of the surface of Hyperion using Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations reveals a heterogeneous surface dominated by water ice accompanied by additional materials. Carbon dioxide, as evidenced by a prominent absorption band centered at 4.26 μm, is distributed over most of the surface, including icy regions. This does not represent exposures of pure CO2 ice, but concentrations of CO2 molecules adsorbed on other materials or complexed in H2O, perhaps as a clathrate (Cruikshank, D.P., Meyer, A.W., Brown, R.H., Clark, R.N., Jaumann, R., Stephan, K., Hibbitts, C.A., Sandford, S.A., Mastrapa, R., Filacchione, G., Dalle Ore, C.M., Nicholson, P.D., Buratti, B.J., McCord, T.B., Nelson, R.M., Dalton, J.B., Baines, K.H., Matson, D.L., The VIMS Team [2010]. Icarus 206, 561-572). Localized deposits of low-albedo material in subcircular depressions exhibit spectral absorptions indicative of C-H in aromatic (3.29 μm) and aliphatic (3.35-3.50 μm) hydrocarbons. An absorption band at 2.42 μm that is also seen on other saturnian satellites, tentatively identified as H2 (Clark, R.N. et al. [2011]. In: Proc. AAS-DPS Meeting, 43, 1563; Clark et al., in preparation, 2012) adsorbed on dark material grains, is also prominent. Our best spectral models included H2O and CO2 ice, with small amounts of nanophase Fe and Fe2O3. Weaker and more spatially scattered absorption features are also found at 4.48, 4.60, and 4.89 μm, although no clear molecular identifications have yet been made. While strongest in the low-albedo deposits, the CO2, hydrocarbon and putative H2 bands vary in strength throughout the icy regions, as do the 4.48-, 4.60- and 4.89-μm bands, suggesting that this background ice is laced with a complex mixture of non-ice compounds.

Metallic Iron and Iron Oxide as an Explanation for the Dark Material Observed on Saturn's Icy Satellites and Rings with Cassini VIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Roger Nelson; Cruikshank, D. P.; Jaumann, R.; Brown, R. H.; Dalle Ore, C.; Stephan, K.; Hoefen, T. M.; Curchin, J. M.; Buratti, B. J.; Filacchione, G.; Baines, K. H.; Nicholson, P. D.

2010-10-01

The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on Cassini has obtained spatially resolved spectra on satellites of Saturn. The Cassini Rev 49 Iapetus fly-by on September 10, 2007, provided data on both the dark material and the transition zone between the dark material and the visually bright ice. The dark material has low albedo with a linear increase in reflectance with wavelength, 3-micron water, and CO2 absorptions. The transition between bright and dark regions shows mixing with unusual optical properties including increased blue scattering and increasing strength of a UV absorber in areas with stronger ice absorptions. Similar spectral effects are observed on other Saturnian satellites and in the rings. We have been unable to match these spectral properties and trends using tholins and carbon compounds. However, the dark material is spectrally matched by fine-grained metallic iron plus nano-phase hematite and adsorbed water which contribute UV and 3-micron absorption, respectively. The blue scattering peak and UV absorption can be explained by Rayleigh scattering from sub-micron particles with a UV absorption, or a combination of Rayleigh scattering and Rayleigh absorption as has been attributed to spectral properties of the Moon. A new radiative transfer model that includes Rayleigh scattering and Rayleigh absorption has been constructed. Models of ice, sub-micron metallic iron, hydrated iron oxide, and trace CO2 explain the observed spectra. Rayleigh absorption requires high absorption coefficient nano-sized particles, which is also consistent with metallic iron. The UV absorber appears to have increased strength on satellite surfaces close to Saturn, with a corresponding decrease in metallic iron signature. A possible explanation is that the iron is oxidized closer to Saturn by oxygen in the extended atmosphere of Saturn's rings, or the dark material is simply covered by clean fine-grained ice particles, for example, from the E-ring.

A Possibly Universal Red Chromophore for Jupiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sromovsky, Lawrence A.; Baines, Kevin; Fry, Patrick M.

2016-10-01

A new laboratory-generated chemical compound made from photodissociated ammonia (NH3) molecules reacting with acetylene (C2H2) was suggested as a possible coloring agent for Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) by Carlson et al. (2016, Icarus 274, 106-115). Baines et al. (2016, AAS/DPS Meeting abstract) showed that the GRS spectrum measured by the visual channels of the Cassini VIMS instrument in 2000 could be accurately fit by a cloud model in which the chromophore appeared as small particles in a physically thin layer immediately above the main cloud layer of the GRS. Here we show that the same chromophore and similar layer structure can also provide close matches to the 0.4-1 micron spectra of many other cloud features on Jupiter, suggesting that this material may be a nearly universal chromophore responsible for the various degrees of red coloration on Jupiter. This is a robust conclusion, even for 12 percent changes in VIMS calibration and large uncertainties in the refractive index of the main cloud layer due to uncertain fractions of NH4SH and NH3 in its cloud particles. The chromophore layer can account for color variations among north and south equatorial belts, equatorial zone, and the Great Red Spot, by varying particle size from 0.12 to 0.29 micron and optical depth from 0.06 to 0.76. The total mass of the chromophore layer is much less variable than its optical depth, staying mainly within 6-10 micrograms/cm2 range, but is only about half that amount in the equatorial zone. We also found a depression of the ammonia volume mixing ratio in the two belt regions, which averaged 0.4-0.5 × 10-4 immediately below the ammonia condensation level, while the other regions averaged twice that value.LAS and PMF acknowledge support from NASA Grant NNX14AH40G.

Interstellar Organics, the Solar Nebula, and Saturn's Satellite Phoebe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pendleton, Yvonne J.; Cruikshank, Dale P.

2014-01-01

The diffuse interstellar medium inventory of organic material (Pendleton et al. 1994, Pe 2002) was likely incorporated into the molecular cloud in which the solar nebula condensed. This provided the feedstock for the fo planets, and the smaller icy bodies in the region outside Neptune's orbit (transneptunian objects, or TNOs). Saturn's satellites Phoeb open a window to the composition of one class of TNO as revealed by the near-infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) on the Cass Phoebe (mean diameter 213 km) is a former TNO now orbiting Saturn. VIMS spectral maps of Phoebe's surface reveal a complex consisting of prominent aromatic (CH) and aliphatic hydrocarbon (CH2, CH3) absorption bands (3.2-3.6 µm). Phoebe is the source encircling Saturn, and from which particles (5-20 µm size) spiral inward toward Saturn. They encounter Iapetus and Hyperion wh blanket the native H2O ice of those two bodies. Quantitative analysis of the hydrocarbon bands on Iapetus demonstrates that aroma abundant as aliphatic CH2+CH3, significantly exceeding the strength of the aromatic signature in interplanetary dust particles, com carbonaceous meteorites (Cruikshank et al. 2013). A similar excess of aromatics over aliphatics is seen in the qualitative analysis o itself (Dalle Ore et al. 2012). The Iapetus aliphatic hydrocarbons show CH2/CH3 4, which is larger than the value found in the di as Phoebe is a primitive body that formed in the outer regions of the solar nebula and has preserved some of the original nebula inv understanding the content and degree of processing of that nebular material. There are other Phoebe-like TNOs that are presently b in the organic spectral region, but JWST will open that possibility for a number of objects. We now need to explore and understand organic-bearing Solar System material to the solar nebula and the inventory of ISM materials incorporated therein.

Identification of Acetylene on Titan's Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, S.; McCord, T. B.; Rodriguez, S.; Combe, J. P.; Cornet, T.; Le Mouelic, S.; Maltagliati, L.; Chevrier, V.; Clark, R. N.

2015-12-01

Titan's atmosphere is opaque in the near infrared due to gaseous absorptions, mainly by methane, and scattering by aerosols, except in a few "transparency windows" (e.g., Sotin et al., 2005). Thus, the composition of Titan surface remains difficult to access from space and is still poorly constrained, limited to ethane in the polar lakes (Brown et al., 2008) and a few possible organic molecules on the surface (Clark et al., 2010). Photochemical models suggest that most of the organic compounds formed in the atmosphere are heavy enough to condense and build up at the surface in liquid and solid states over geological timescale (Cordier et al., 2009, 2011). Acetylene (C2H2) is one of the most abundant organic molecules in the atmosphere and thus thought to present on the surface as well. Here we report direct evidence of solid C2H2 on Titan's surface using Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data. By comparing VIMS observations and laboratory measurements of solid and liquid C2H2, we identify a specific absorption at 1.55 µm that is widespread over Titan but is particularly strong in the brightest terrains. This surface variability suggests that C2H2 is mobilized by surface processes, such as surface weathering, topography, and dissolution/evaporation. The detection of C2H2 on the surface of Titan opens new paths to understand and constrain Titan's surface activity. Since C2H2 is highly soluble in Titan liquids (Singh et al. 2015), it can easily dissolve in methane/ethane and may play an important role in carving of fluvial channels and existence of karstic lakes at higher latitudes on Titan. These processes imply the existence of a dynamic surface with a continued history of erosion and deposition of C2H2 on Titan.

Geomorphic Units on Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, R. M. C.; Malaska, M. J.; Schoenfeld, A.; Birch, S. P.; Hayes, A. G., Jr.

2014-12-01

The Cassini-Huygens mission has revealed the surface of Titan in unprecedented detail. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode on the Cassini Titan Radar Mapper is able to penetrate clouds and haze to provide high resolution (~350 m spatial resolution at best) views of the surface geology. The instrument's other modes (altimetry, scatterometry, radiometry) also provide valuable data for interpreting the geology, as do other instruments on Cassini, in particular, the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Continuing the initial work described in Lopes et al. (2010, Icarus, 212, 744-750), we have established the major geomorphologic unit classes on Titan using data from flybys Ta through T92 (October 2004-July 2013). We will present the global distribution of the major classes of units and, where there are direct morphological contacts, describe how these classes of units relate to each other in terms of setting and emplacement history. The classes of units are mountainous/hummocky terrains, plains, dunes, labyrinthic terrains and lakes. The oldest classes of units are the mountainous/hummocky and the labyrinthic terrains. The mountainous/hummocky terrains consist of mountain chains and isolated radar-bright terrains. The labyrinthic terrains consist of highly incised dissected plateaux with medium radar backscatter. The plains are younger than both mountainous/hummocky and labyrinthic unit classes. Dunes and lakes are the youngest unit classes on Titan; no contact is observed between the dunes and lakes but it is likely that both processes are still active. We have identified individual features such as craters, channels, and candidate cryovolcanic features. Characterization and comparison of the properties of the unit classes and the individual features with data from radiometry, ISS, and VIMS provides information on their composition and possible provenance. We can use these correlations to also infer global distribution on regions not covered by SAR. This is particularly important as SAR data will not provide complete coverage of Titan by the end of the Cassini mission.

The Geology of Titan as Revealed by Cassini

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Rosaly M.; Malaska, Michael; Solomonidou, Anezina; Cassini RADAR Team

2015-08-01

The Cassini-Huygens mission has revealed the surface of Titan in unprecedented detail, enabling us to discern the different geomorphic units on the surface and constrain the relative times of emplacement. We used a combined dataset of Cassini’s multiple instruments and instrument modes: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR-RADAR), altimetry, scatterometry, imaging (ISS) and hyperspectral imaging (VIMS) to provide information on Titan’s surface geology. Continuing the initial work described in Lopes et al. [1], we established the major geomorphologic unit classes on Titan using data from flybys Ta through T92 (October 2004-July 2013). We will present the global distribution of the major classes of units and, where there are direct morphological contacts, describe how these classes of units relate to each other in terms of setting and emplacement history. The classes of units are mountainous/hummocky terrains, plains, dunes, labyrinthic terrains and lakes. The oldest classes of units are the mountainous/hummocky and the labyrinthic terrains. The mountainous/hummocky terrains consist of mountain chains and isolated radar-bright terrains. The labyrinthic terrains consist of highly incised dissected plateaus with medium radar backscatter. The plains are younger than both mountainous/hummocky and labyrinthic unit classes. Dunes and lakes are the youngest unit classes on Titan; no contact is observed between them but it is likely that both processes are still active. We have identified individual features such as craters, channels, and candidate cryovolcanic features. Characterization and comparison of the properties of the unit classes and the individual features with data from radiometry, ISS, and VIMS provides information on their composition and possible provenance. We can use these correlations to also infer global distribution on regions not covered by SAR. This is particularly important, as SAR data will not provide complete coverage of Titan by the end of the Cassini mission.References: [1] Lopes, R.M.C., et al. Icarus, 212, 744-750, 2010.

A Mid-Latitude Geomorphologic Map of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Rosaly M. C.; Malaska, Michael; Schoenfeld, Ashley; Solomonidou, Anezina; Birch, Samuel; Hayes, Alexander; Williams, David A.; Janssen, Michael A.; Le Gall, Alice; Turtle, Elizabeth P.; Radebaugh, Jani; Cassini RADAR Team

2016-10-01

We investigated the geologic history of Titan through mapping and analyzing the distribution of observed geomorphic features using a combination of Cassini data collected by RADAR, VIMS, and ISS. Determining the spatial and superposition relationships between geomorphologic units on Titan leads to an understanding of the likely time evolution of the landscape and gives insight into the process interactions that drive its evolution. We have used all available datasets to extend the mapping initially done by Lopes et al. [1]. We now have the mid-latitudes (60N to 60S) of Titan mapped at 1:800,000 scale in all areas covered by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). A map of the polar regions has been done by Birch et al. [2]. For the mid-latitudes, we have defined five broad classes of terrains following Malaska et al. [3], largely based on prior mapping [1]. These broad classes are: craters, hummocky/mountainous, labyrinth, plains, and dunes. We have found that the hummocky/mountainous terrains are the oldest units on the surface and appear radiometrically cold, indicating icy materials [5]. Dunes are the youngest units and appear radiometrically warm, indicating organic sediments. VIMS analysis shows that compositional variations can also exist within the same class of unit [6, 7]. Future work aims to combine the polar maps of Birch et al. [2] with the mid-latitude maps presented here and harmonize the units at the 60 degrees boundaries. We also plan to extend the map in regions not covered by SAR to produce a 1:1,500,000 scale map compatible with USGS standards.References: [1] Lopes, R.M.C., et al.: Icarus, 205, 540-588, 2010; [2] Birch et al., submitted to Icarus. [3] Malaska, M., et al.: Icarus, 270, 130-161, 2016; [4] Barnes, J., et al.: Pl. Scie., 2:1, 2013; [5] Janssen et al., 2016 Icarus 270, 443-459, 2016. [6] Solomonidou, A., et al. : DPS abstract, 2016. [7] Lopes, R.M.C., et al, Icarus, 270, 162-182, 2016.