Weibull mixture regression for marginal inference in zero-heavy continuous outcomes.

PubMed

Gebregziabher, Mulugeta; Voronca, Delia; Teklehaimanot, Abeba; Santa Ana, Elizabeth J

2017-06-01

Continuous outcomes with preponderance of zero values are ubiquitous in data that arise from biomedical studies, for example studies of addictive disorders. This is known to lead to violation of standard assumptions in parametric inference and enhances the risk of misleading conclusions unless managed properly. Two-part models are commonly used to deal with this problem. However, standard two-part models have limitations with respect to obtaining parameter estimates that have marginal interpretation of covariate effects which are important in many biomedical applications. Recently marginalized two-part models are proposed but their development is limited to log-normal and log-skew-normal distributions. Thus, in this paper, we propose a finite mixture approach, with Weibull mixture regression as a special case, to deal with the problem. We use extensive simulation study to assess the performance of the proposed model in finite samples and to make comparisons with other family of models via statistical information and mean squared error criteria. We demonstrate its application on real data from a randomized controlled trial of addictive disorders. Our results show that a two-component Weibull mixture model is preferred for modeling zero-heavy continuous data when the non-zero part are simulated from Weibull or similar distributions such as Gamma or truncated Gauss.

A general mixture theory. I. Mixtures of spherical molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamad, Esam Z.

1996-08-01

We present a new general theory for obtaining mixture properties from the pure species equations of state. The theory addresses the composition and the unlike interactions dependence of mixture equation of state. The density expansion of the mixture equation gives the exact composition dependence of all virial coefficients. The theory introduces multiple-index parameters that can be calculated from binary unlike interaction parameters. In this first part of the work, details are presented for the first and second levels of approximations for spherical molecules. The second order model is simple and very accurate. It predicts the compressibility factor of additive hard spheres within simulation uncertainty (equimolar with size ratio of three). For nonadditive hard spheres, comparison with compressibility factor simulation data over a wide range of density, composition, and nonadditivity parameter, gave an average error of 2%. For mixtures of Lennard-Jones molecules, the model predictions are better than the Weeks-Chandler-Anderson perturbation theory.

Effects of impurity and Bose-Fermi interactions on the transition temperature of a dilute dipolar Bose-Einstein condensation in trapped Bose-Fermi mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yavari, H.; Mokhtari, M.

2014-03-01

The effects of impurity and Bose-Fermi interactions on the transition temperature of a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensation in trapped Bose-Fermi mixture, by using the two-fluid model, are investigated. The shift of the transition temperature consists of four contributions due to contact, Bose-Fermi, dipole-dipole, and impurity interactions. We will show that in the presence of an anisotropic trap, the Bose-Fermi correction to the shift of transition temperature due to the excitation spectra of the thermal part is independent of anisotropy factor. Applying our results to trapped Bose-Fermi mixtures shows that, by knowing the impurity effect, the shift of the transition temperature due to Bose-Fermi interaction could be measured for isotropic trap (dipole-dipole contributions is zero) and Feshbach resonance technique (contact potential contribution is negligible).

EVALUATING QUANTITATIVE FORMULAS FOR DOSE-RESPONSE ASSESSMENT OF CHEMICAL MIXTURES

EPA Science Inventory

Risk assessment formulas are often distinguished from dose-response models by being rough but necessary. The evaluation of these rough formulas is described here, using the example of mixture risk assessment. Two conditions make the dose-response part of mixture risk assessment d...

Conventional and catalytic pyrolysis of pinyon juniper biomass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yathavan, Bhuvanesh Kumar

Pinyon and juniper are invasive woody species in Western United States that occupy over 47 million acres of land. The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has embarked on harvesting these woody species to make room for range grasses for grazing. The major application of harvested pinyon-juniper (PJ) is low value firewood. Thus, there is a need to develop new high value products from this woody biomass to reduce the cost of harvesting. In this research PJ biomass was processed through pyrolysis technology to produce value added products. The first part of the thesis demonstrates the effect of PJ wood, bark and mixture biomass and temperature on the product yield and on the quality of the bio-oil produced. The second part focuses on the optimization of process parameters for maximum yield and the third part focuses on upgrading the bio-oil with an industrial catalyst (HZSM5) and an industrial waste product (red mud). The results obtained from the first part showed that PJ wood produced maximum bio-oil yield, followed by PJ mixture and bark. The bio-oil yield from PJ wood had low viscosity when compared to PJ mixture and PJ bark. The second part focused on studying the effect of process parameters (temperature, feed rate and the gas flow rate) on the total liquid, organic, water, char and gas yield. The results show that each response is affected by different factor level combinations, and maximum yield for each response was obtained at different factors level. The third part focused on catalytic pyrolysis of PJ biomass using both HZSM-5 catalyst and red mud. The mechanisms of catalysis by the two catalysts were quite different. Whereas the HZSM-5 rejected oxygen mostly as carbon monoxide and water and produced lower amounts of carbon dioxide, on the contrary the red mud produced more carbon dioxide and water and less carbon monoxide. The higher heating value of the red mud catalyzed oil (29.46 MJ/kg) was slightly higher than that catalyzed by HZSM-5 (28.55 MJ/kg). Thus, red mud can be used to achieve similar catalytic pyrolysis results as HZSM-5 catalysts.

Dielectric constant of liquid alkanes and hydrocarbon mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sen, A. D.; Anicich, V. G.; Arakelian, T.

1992-01-01

The complex dielectric constants of n-alkanes with two to seven carbon atoms have been measured. The measurements were conducted using a slotted-line technique at 1.2 GHz and at atmospheric pressure. The temperature was varied from the melting point to the boiling point of the respective alkanes. The real part of the dielectric constant was found to decrease with increasing temperature and correlate with the change in the molar volume. An upper limit to all the loss tangents was established at 0.001. The complex dielectric constants of a few mixtures of liquid alkanes were also measured at room temperature. For a pentane-octane mixture the real part of the dielectric constant could be explained by the Clausius-Mosotti theory. For the mixtures of n-hexane-ethylacetate and n-hexane-acetone the real part of the dielectric constants could be explained by the Onsager theory extended to mixtures. The dielectric constant of the n-hexane-acetone mixture displayed deviations from the Onsager theory at the highest fractions of acetone. The dipole moments of ethylacetate and acetone were determined for dilute mixtures using the Onsager theory and were found to be in agreement with their accepted gas-phase values. The loss tangents of the mixtures exhibited a linear relationship with the volume fraction for low concentrations of the polar liquids.

Automated Chemotactic Sorting and Single-cell Cultivation of Microbes using Droplet Microfluidics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Libing; Chen, Dong-Wei; Liu, Shuang-Jiang; Du, Wenbin

2016-04-01

We report a microfluidic device for automated sorting and cultivation of chemotactic microbes from pure cultures or mixtures. The device consists of two parts: in the first part, a concentration gradient of the chemoeffector was built across the channel for inducing chemotaxis of motile cells; in the second part, chemotactic cells from the sample were separated, and mixed with culture media to form nanoliter droplets for encapsulation, cultivation, enumeration, and recovery of single cells. Chemotactic responses were assessed by imaging and statistical analysis of droplets based on Poisson distribution. An automated procedure was developed for rapid enumeration of droplets with cell growth, following with scale-up cultivation on agar plates. The performance of the device was evaluated by the chemotaxis assays of Escherichia coli (E. coli) RP437 and E. coli RP1616. Moreover, enrichment and isolation of non-labelled Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1 from its 1:10 mixture with E. coli RP437 was demonstrated. The enrichment factor reached 36.7 for CNB-1, based on its distinctive chemotaxis toward 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. We believe that this device can be widely used in chemotaxis studies without necessarily relying on fluorescent labelling, and isolation of functional microbial species from various environments.

Automated Chemotactic Sorting and Single-cell Cultivation of Microbes using Droplet Microfluidics.

PubMed

Dong, Libing; Chen, Dong-Wei; Liu, Shuang-Jiang; Du, Wenbin

2016-04-14

We report a microfluidic device for automated sorting and cultivation of chemotactic microbes from pure cultures or mixtures. The device consists of two parts: in the first part, a concentration gradient of the chemoeffector was built across the channel for inducing chemotaxis of motile cells; in the second part, chemotactic cells from the sample were separated, and mixed with culture media to form nanoliter droplets for encapsulation, cultivation, enumeration, and recovery of single cells. Chemotactic responses were assessed by imaging and statistical analysis of droplets based on Poisson distribution. An automated procedure was developed for rapid enumeration of droplets with cell growth, following with scale-up cultivation on agar plates. The performance of the device was evaluated by the chemotaxis assays of Escherichia coli (E. coli) RP437 and E. coli RP1616. Moreover, enrichment and isolation of non-labelled Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1 from its 1:10 mixture with E. coli RP437 was demonstrated. The enrichment factor reached 36.7 for CNB-1, based on its distinctive chemotaxis toward 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. We believe that this device can be widely used in chemotaxis studies without necessarily relying on fluorescent labelling, and isolation of functional microbial species from various environments.

Structure investigations on assembled astaxanthin molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köpsel, Christian; Möltgen, Holger; Schuch, Horst; Auweter, Helmut; Kleinermanns, Karl; Martin, Hans-Dieter; Bettermann, Hans

2005-08-01

The carotenoid r,r-astaxanthin (3R,3‧R-dihydroxy-4,4‧-diketo-β-carotene) forms different types of aggregates in acetone-water mixtures. H-type aggregates were found in mixtures with a high part of water (e.g. 1:9 acetone-water mixture) whereas two different types of J-aggregates were identified in mixtures with a lower part of water (3:7 acetone-water mixture). These aggregates were characterized by recording UV/vis-absorption spectra, CD-spectra and fluorescence emissions. The sizes of the molecular assemblies were determined by dynamic light scattering experiments. The hydrodynamic diameter of the assemblies amounts 40 nm in 1:9 acetone-water mixtures and exceeds up to 1 μm in 3:7 acetone-water mixtures. Scanning tunneling microscopy monitored astaxanthin aggregates on graphite surfaces. The structure of the H-aggregate was obtained by molecular modeling calculations. The structure was confirmed by calculating the electronic absorption spectrum and the CD-spectrum where the molecular modeling structure was used as input.

In vitro - in vivo correlations for endocrine activity of a mixture of currently used pesticides

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

Taxvig, Camilla, E-mail: camta@food.dtu.dk; Hadrup, Niels; Boberg, Julie

Two pesticide mixtures were investigated for potential endocrine activity. Mix 3 consisted of bitertanol, propiconazole, and cypermethrin, and Mix 5 included malathion and terbuthylazine in addition to the three pesticides in Mix 3. All five single pesticides and the two mixtures were investigated for their ability to affect steroidogenesis in vitro in H295R cells. The pesticides alone and both mixtures affected steroidogenesis with both mixtures causing increase in progesterone and decrease in testosterone. For Mix 5 an increase in estradiol was seen as well, indicating increased aromatase activity. The two mixtures were also investigated in pregnant rats dosed from gestationalmore » day 7 to 21, followed by examination of dams and fetuses. Decreased estradiol and reduced placental testosterone were seen in dams exposed to Mix 5. Also a significant increase in aromatase mRNA-levels in female adrenal glands was found for Mix5. However, either of the two mixtures showed any effects on fetal hormone levels in plasma or testis, or on anogenital distance. Overall, potential aromatase induction was found for Mix 5 both in vitro and in vivo, but not for Mix 3, an effect likely owed to terbuthylazine in Mix 5. However, the hormonal responses in vitro were only partly reflected in vivo, probably due to some toxicokinetic issues, as the pesticide levels in the amniotic fluid also were found to be negatively affected by the number of compounds present in the mixtures. Nonetheless, the H295R assay gives hints on conceivable interference with steroidogenesis, thus generating hypotheses on in vivo effects. - Highlights: • The study examines the endocrine disrupting potential of mixtures of pesticides. • All single pesticides and both mixtures affected steroidogenesis in vitro. • Potential aromatase induction was found for Mix 5 both in vitro and in vivo. • The hormonal responses in vitro were only partly reflected in vivo.« less

21 CFR 133.111 - Caciocavallo siciliano cheese.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... the food prepared from cow's milk or sheep's milk or goat's milk or mixtures of two or all of these... section, the word “milk” means cow's milk or goat's milk or sheep's milk or mixtures of two or all of these. Such milk may be adjusted by separating part of the fat therefrom or (in the case of cow's milk...

Existence, uniqueness and positivity of solutions for BGK models for mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klingenberg, C.; Pirner, M.

2018-01-01

We consider kinetic models for a multi component gas mixture without chemical reactions. In the literature, one can find two types of BGK models in order to describe gas mixtures. One type has a sum of BGK type interaction terms in the relaxation operator, for example the model described by Klingenberg, Pirner and Puppo [20] which contains well-known models of physicists and engineers for example Hamel [16] and Gross and Krook [15] as special cases. The other type contains only one collision term on the right-hand side, for example the well-known model of Andries, Aoki and Perthame [1]. For each of these two models [20] and [1], we prove existence, uniqueness and positivity of solutions in the first part of the paper. In the second part, we use the first model [20] in order to determine an unknown function in the energy exchange of the macroscopic equations for gas mixtures described by Dellacherie [11].

40 CFR 260.22 - Petitions to amend part 261 to exclude a waste produced at a particular facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Administrator must determine, where he has a reasonable basis to believe that factors (including additional..., that such factors do not warrant retaining the waste as a hazardous waste. A waste which is so excluded... for factors (including additional constituents) that could cause the waste mixture to be a hazardous...

Characterization of low-temperature properties of plant-produced rap mixtures in the Northeast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medeiros, Marcelo S., Junior

The dissertation outlined herein results from a Federal Highway Administration sponsored project intended to investigate the impacts of high percentages of RAP material in the performance of pavements under cold climate conditions. It is comprised of two main sections that were incorporated into the body of this dissertation as Part I and Part II. In Part I a reduced testing framework for analysis of HMA mixes was proposed to replace the IDT creep compliance and strength testing by dynamic modulus and fatigue tests performed on an AMPT device. A continuum damage model that incorporates the nonlinear constitutive behavior of the HMA mixtures was also successfully implemented and validated. Mixtures with varying percentages of reclaimed material (RAP) ranging from 0 to 40% were used in this research effort in order to verify the applicability of the proposed methodology to RAP mixtures. Part II is concerned with evaluating the effects of various binder grades on the properties of plant-produced mixtures with various percentages of RAP. The effects of RAP on mechanical and rheological properties of mixtures and extracted binders were studied in order to identify some of the deficiencies in the current production methodologies. The results of this dissertation will help practitioners to identify optimal RAP usage from a material property perspective. It also establishes some guidelines and best practices for the use of higher RAP percentages in HMA.

Bayesian inference for psychology, part IV: parameter estimation and Bayes factors.

PubMed

Rouder, Jeffrey N; Haaf, Julia M; Vandekerckhove, Joachim

2018-02-01

In the psychological literature, there are two seemingly different approaches to inference: that from estimation of posterior intervals and that from Bayes factors. We provide an overview of each method and show that a salient difference is the choice of models. The two approaches as commonly practiced can be unified with a certain model specification, now popular in the statistics literature, called spike-and-slab priors. A spike-and-slab prior is a mixture of a null model, the spike, with an effect model, the slab. The estimate of the effect size here is a function of the Bayes factor, showing that estimation and model comparison can be unified. The salient difference is that common Bayes factor approaches provide for privileged consideration of theoretically useful parameter values, such as the value corresponding to the null hypothesis, while estimation approaches do not. Both approaches, either privileging the null or not, are useful depending on the goals of the analyst.

Expanded clay hot mix study : final report: part I.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1969-04-01

This is part I of a two part final report on expanded clay hot mix to: (1) evaluate the use of various expanded clay bituminous mixtures under high traffic counts, (2) accumulate through experience testing, suitable information on the physical proper...

The underlying toxicological mechanism of chemical mixtures: A case study on mixture toxicity of cyanogenic toxicants and aldehydes to Photobacterium phosphoreum

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

Tian, Dayong; Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang 455000; Lin, Zhifen, E-mail: lzhifen@tongji.edu.cn

Intracellular chemical reaction of chemical mixtures is one of the main reasons that cause synergistic or antagonistic effects. However, it still remains unclear what the influencing factors on the intracellular chemical reaction are, and how they influence on the toxicological mechanism of chemical mixtures. To reveal this underlying toxicological mechanism of chemical mixtures, a case study on mixture toxicity of cyanogenic toxicants and aldehydes to Photobacterium phosphoreum was employed, and both their joint effects and mixture toxicity were observed. Then series of two-step linear regressions were performed to describe the relationships between joint effects, the expected additive toxicities and descriptorsmore » of individual chemicals (including concentrations, binding affinity to receptors, octanol/water partition coefficients). Based on the quantitative relationships, the underlying joint toxicological mechanisms were revealed. The result shows that, for mixtures with their joint effects resulting from intracellular chemical reaction, their underlying toxicological mechanism depends on not only their interaction with target proteins, but also their transmembrane actions and their concentrations. In addition, two generic points of toxicological mechanism were proposed including the influencing factors on intracellular chemical reaction and the difference of the toxicological mechanism between single reactive chemicals and their mixtures. This study provided an insight into the understanding of the underlying toxicological mechanism for chemical mixtures with intracellular chemical reaction. - Highlights: • Joint effects of nitriles and aldehydes at non-equitoxic ratios were determined. • A novel descriptor, ligand–receptor interaction energy (E{sub binding}), was employed. • Quantitative relationships for mixtures were developed based on a novel descriptor. • The underlying toxic mechanism was revealed based on quantitative relationships. • Two generic points of toxicological mechanism were elucidated.« less

Investigation of Asphalt Mixture Creep Behavior Using Thin Beam Specimens

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

Zofka, Adam; Marasteanu, Mihai; Turos, Mugur

2008-02-15

The asphalt pavement layer consists of two or more lifts of compacted asphalt mixture; the top of the layer is also exposed to aging, a factor that significantly affects the mixture properties. The current testing specifications use rather thick specimens that cannot be used to investigate the gradual change in properties with pavement depth. This paper investigates the feasibility of using the 3-point bending test with thin asphalt mixture beams (127x12.7x6.35 mm) to determine the low-temperature creep compliance of the mixtures. Several theoretical and semi-empirical models, from the theory of composites, are reviewed and evaluated using numerical and experimental data.more » Preliminary results show that this method can be used for low-temperature mixture characterization but several crucial factors need further inspection and interpretation.« less

Solidification phenomena of binary organic mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chang, K.

1982-01-01

The coalescence rates and motion of liquid bubbles in binary organic mixtures were studied. Several factors such as temperature gradient, composition gradient, interfacial tension, and densities of the two phases play important roles in separation of phases of immiscible liquids. An attempt was made to study the effect of initial compositions on separation rates of well-dispersed organic mixtures at different temperatures and, ultimately, on the homogeneity of solidification of the immiscible binary organic liquids. These organic mixtures serve as models for metallic pseudo binary systems under study. Two specific systems were investigated: ethyl salicylate - diethyl glycol and succinonitrile - water.

Influence factors of multicomponent mixtures containing reactive chemicals and their joint effects.

PubMed

Tian, Dayong; Lin, Zhifen; Yu, Jianqiao; Yin, Daqiang

2012-08-01

Organic chemicals usually coexist as a mixture in the environment, and the mixture toxicity of organic chemicals has received increased attention. However, research regarding the joint effects of reactive chemicals is lacking. In this study, we examined two kinds of reactive chemicals, cyanogenic toxicants and aldehydes and determined their joint effects on Photobacterium phosphoreum. Three factors were found to influence the joint effects of multicomponent mixtures containing reactive chemicals, including the number of components, the dominating components and the toxic ratios. With an increased number of components, the synergistic or antagonistic effects (interactions) will weaken to the additive effects (non-interactions) if the added component cannot yield a much stronger joint effect with an existing component. Contrarily, the joint effect of the mixture may become stronger instead of weaker if the added components can yield a much stronger joint effect than the existing joint effect of the multicomponent mixture. The components that yield the strongest interactions in their binary mixture can be considered the dominating components. These components contribute more to the interactions of multicomponent mixtures than other components. Moreover, the toxic ratios also influence the joint effects of the mixtures. This study provides an insight into what are the main factors and how they influence the joint effects of multicomponent mixtures containing reactive chemicals, and thus, the findings are beneficial to the study of mixture toxicology. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Folk medicinal plant mixtures: Establishing a protocol for further studies.

PubMed

Gras, Airy; Parada, Montse; Rigat, Montse; Vallès, Joan; Garnatje, Teresa

2018-03-25

Most ethnobotanical research bases its analyses on individual taxa catalogues and their uses, rather than on mixtures. However, mixtures constitute an important chapter of our different lines of research and they represent a large volume of information. The relevance of these data in folk medicine could be explained as a response to the cure of multicausal etiology diseases or by a possible polyvalent effect of the mixture as opposed to the effect of each taxon alone. The main goals are: i) to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of these mixtures; ii) to carry out a comparison among the mixtures in two Catalan territories and their floristic composition; iii) to assess the worth of families association; and, iv) to evaluate whether the plants claimed to be used in mixtures have contraindications or possible negative interactions according to phytopharmaceutical literature. The ultimate goal is to test a protocol that can be implemented in similar studies. We have used data on medicinal plant mixtures obtained from two extensive ethnobotanical field studies carried out in two Catalan districts, Alt Empordà and Ripollès. The quantitative analyses by means of descriptive statistics were carried out with Excel. New contributions like the implementation of the Shannon index to quantify the diversity of families in plant combinations, the creation of a new index to calculate the taxon importance in mixtures, or the use of a social network analysis to study the connection between botanical families have been employed in this work. In total, a set of 484 mixtures from Alt Empordà and Ripollès (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula) have been analysed: 462 for human use and 22 for veterinary. Thymus vulgaris and Rosmarinus officinalis are among the most commonly used species in mixtures. The aerial part of the plant is the most used, and the anticatarrhal usage is the most frequent in both territories. A wide diversity of families has been observed in mixtures and reflects a strong bond between the number of taxa and the number of families in each mixture, being almost equal to one. The Shannon diversity index applied to mixtures has the maximum value at 0.86. No exclusive plants are used in mixtures, as reflected on the index of taxon usefulness in mixtures (ITUM), proposed in the present work. The association of families is strong between Lamiaceae (12.12%) and Asteraceae with Lamiaceae (11.69%). Finally, the informant consensus factor (0.85) reflects the strong consistency of data reported by the interviewees. The present analysis has confirmed that it is possible to study the data of plants in mixtures as thoroughly as when they are considered in isolation in an ethnofloristic catalogue, and maybe this kind of ethnobotanical investigation could be a first step for future pharmacological studies that may result in a relevant complement to the current phytotherapy market. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using Essential Oils to Teach Advanced-Level Organic Chemistry Separation Techniques and Spectroscopy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bott, Tina M.; Wan, Hayley

2013-01-01

Students sometimes have difficulty grasping the importance of when and how basic distillation techniques, column chromatography, TLC, and basic spectroscopy (IR and NMR) can be used to identify unknown compounds within a mixture. This two-part experiment uses mixtures of pleasant-smelling, readily available terpenoid compounds as unknowns to…

The discriminative stimulus effects of a nicotine-ethanol compound in rats: Extinction with the parts differs from the whole.

PubMed

Troisi, Joseph R; Dooley, Thomas F; Craig, Elizabeth M

2013-12-01

Nicotine and ethyl alcohol (EtOH) interact neurophysiologically and induce internal sensory states that contribute to their coabuse. Evaluating the combined internal sensory effects of nicotine and alcohol may be important for understanding this nexus. With rats, this investigation used an operant drug discrimination procedure to establish discriminative stimulus control with a mixture of nicotine plus EtOH (NE) at doses of nicotine (0.3 mg/kg) and EtOH (1.0 g/kg) that have previously been shown to be equally salient (Gauvin & Holloway, 1993). In Experiment (Exp) 1 the NE compound mixture continued to evoke responding despite extinction of responding with nicotine and EtOH alone. In Exp 2 the NE mixture was reliably discriminated from the nicotine and EtOH elements. Experiment 3 showed that the discriminative functions of the NE mixture emerged when the nicotine and EtOH elements were combined following their initial establishment as separate discriminative stimuli; however, nicotine evoked more control than EtOH. Extinction of responding with the NE mixture impacted rates of responding with nicotine and EtOH alone. The results of the all three studies parallel findings with exteroceptive Pavlovian literature in showing that extinction of responding with the elemental parts does not appear to impact the whole-but, extinction with the whole appears to affect its parts. The multielement discriminative function of a NE mixture appears to be a "unique cue" that differs qualitatively from nicotine or EtOH alone. Associative factors related to compound conditioning (i.e., configural learning) play an important role in mediating the discriminative functions of drug mixtures.

Influence of different processing techniques on the mechanical properties of used tires in embankment construction.

PubMed

Edinçliler, Ayşe; Baykal, Gökhan; Saygili, Altug

2010-06-01

Use of the processed used tires in embankment construction is becoming an accepted way of beneficially recycling scrap tires due to shortages of natural mineral resources and increasing waste disposal costs. Using these used tires in construction requires an awareness of the properties and the limitations associated with their use. The main objective of this paper is to assess the different processing techniques on the mechanical properties of used tires-sand mixtures to improve the engineering properties of the available soil. In the first part, a literature study on the mechanical properties of the processed used tires such as tire shreds, tire chips, tire buffings and their mixtures with sand are summarized. In the second part, large-scale direct shear tests are performed to evaluate shear strength of tire crumb-sand mixtures where information is not readily available in the literature. The test results with tire crumb were compared with the other processed used tire-sand mixtures. Sand-used tire mixtures have higher shear strength than that of the sand alone and the shear strength parameters depend on the processing conditions of used tires. Three factors are found to significantly affect the mechanical properties: normal stress, processing techniques, and the used tire content. Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Combined acute ecotoxicity of malathion and deltamethrin to Daphnia magna (Crustacea, Cladocera): comparison of different data analysis approaches.

PubMed

Toumi, Héla; Boumaiza, Moncef; Millet, Maurice; Radetski, Claudemir Marcos; Camara, Baba Issa; Felten, Vincent; Masfaraud, Jean-François; Férard, Jean-François

2018-04-19

We studied the combined acute effect (i.e., after 48 h) of deltamethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) and malathion (an organophosphate insecticide) on Daphnia magna. Two approaches were used to examine the potential interaction effects of eight mixtures of deltamethrin and malathion: (i) calculation of mixture toxicity index (MTI) and safety factor index (SFI) and (ii) response surface methodology coupled with isobole-based statistical model (using generalized linear model). According to the calculation of MTI and SFI, one tested mixture was found additive while the two other tested mixtures were found no additive (MTI) or antagonistic (SFI), but these differences between index responses are only due to differences in terminology related to these two indexes. Through the surface response approach and isobologram analysis, we concluded that there was a significant antagonistic effect of the binary mixtures of deltamethrin and malathion that occurs on D. magna immobilization, after 48 h of exposure. Index approaches and surface response approach with isobologram analysis are complementary. Calculation of mixture toxicity index and safety factor index allows identifying punctually the type of interaction for several tested mixtures, while the surface response approach with isobologram analysis integrates all the data providing a global outcome about the type of interactive effect. Only the surface response approach and isobologram analysis allowed the statistical assessment of the ecotoxicological interaction. Nevertheless, we recommend the use of both approaches (i) to identify the combined effects of contaminants and (ii) to improve risk assessment and environmental management.

Modeling and analysis of personal exposures to VOC mixtures using copulas

PubMed Central

Su, Feng-Chiao; Mukherjee, Bhramar; Batterman, Stuart

2014-01-01

Environmental exposures typically involve mixtures of pollutants, which must be understood to evaluate cumulative risks, that is, the likelihood of adverse health effects arising from two or more chemicals. This study uses several powerful techniques to characterize dependency structures of mixture components in personal exposure measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with aims of advancing the understanding of environmental mixtures, improving the ability to model mixture components in a statistically valid manner, and demonstrating broadly applicable techniques. We first describe characteristics of mixtures and introduce several terms, including the mixture fraction which represents a mixture component's share of the total concentration of the mixture. Next, using VOC exposure data collected in the Relationship of Indoor Outdoor and Personal Air (RIOPA) study, mixtures are identified using positive matrix factorization (PMF) and by toxicological mode of action. Dependency structures of mixture components are examined using mixture fractions and modeled using copulas, which address dependencies of multiple variables across the entire distribution. Five candidate copulas (Gaussian, t, Gumbel, Clayton, and Frank) are evaluated, and the performance of fitted models was evaluated using simulation and mixture fractions. Cumulative cancer risks are calculated for mixtures, and results from copulas and multivariate lognormal models are compared to risks calculated using the observed data. Results obtained using the RIOPA dataset showed four VOC mixtures, representing gasoline vapor, vehicle exhaust, chlorinated solvents and disinfection by-products, and cleaning products and odorants. Often, a single compound dominated the mixture, however, mixture fractions were generally heterogeneous in that the VOC composition of the mixture changed with concentration. Three mixtures were identified by mode of action, representing VOCs associated with hematopoietic, liver and renal tumors. Estimated lifetime cumulative cancer risks exceeded 10−3 for about 10% of RIOPA participants. Factors affecting the likelihood of high concentration mixtures included city, participant ethnicity, and house air exchange rates. The dependency structures of the VOC mixtures fitted Gumbel (two mixtures) and t (four mixtures) copulas, types that emphasize tail dependencies. Significantly, the copulas reproduced both risk predictions and exposure fractions with a high degree of accuracy, and performed better than multivariate lognormal distributions. Copulas may be the method of choice for VOC mixtures, particularly for the highest exposures or extreme events, cases that poorly fit lognormal distributions and that represent the greatest risks. PMID:24333991

Triboelectrostatic separation of polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyvinylchloride used in passenger vehicles.

PubMed

Li, Tuyu; Yu, Dali; Zhang, Hongshen

2018-03-01

Recycling and reuse of automotive plastics have elicited global attention due to the increasing number of end-of-life vehicles. Through the single-factor experiment, a high-voltage triboelectrostatic sorting device was developed to separate polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and polyvinylchloride (PVC) in a plastic mixture commonly used in exterior and interior parts of passenger vehicles. Products of PP, PU, and PVC were obtained after two-stage separation; their purity exceeded 95%, and their productivities were 74%, 94%, and 41%, respectively. The appropriate experimental parameters for high voltage level and rotational speed of the friction drum and cylinder electrode for the first stage of separation were 35 kV, 30 rpm, and 35 rpm, respectively, and the parameters for the second stage of separation were 35 kV, 30 rpm, and 25 rpm, respectively. Results showed that hybrid materials should be selected based on the triboelectric series to separate three-component plastic mixtures feasibly. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Collaborative Learning across Physical and Virtual Worlds: Factors Supporting and Constraining Learners in a Blended Reality Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bower, Matt; Lee, Mark J. W.; Dalgarno, Barney

2017-01-01

This article presents the outcomes of a pilot study investigating factors that supported and constrained collaborative learning in a blended reality environment. Pre-service teachers at an Australian university took part in a hybrid tutorial lesson involving a mixture of students who were co-located in the same face-to-face (F2F) classroom along…

Trajectories of Heroin Addiction: Growth Mixture Modeling Results Based on a 33-Year Follow-Up Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hser, Yih-Ing; Huang, David; Chou, Chih-Ping; Anglin, M. Douglas

2007-01-01

This study investigates trajectories of heroin use and subsequent consequences in a sample of 471 male heroin addicts who were admitted to the California Civil Addict Program in 1964-1965 and followed over 33 years. Applying a two-part growth mixture modeling strategy to heroin use level during the first 16 years of the addiction careers since…

Selective separation of fluorinated compounds from complex organic mixtures by pyrolysis-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Nakajima, Yoji; Arinami, Yuko; Yamamoto, Kiyoshi

2014-12-29

The usefulness of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) was demonstrated for the selective separation of fluorinated compounds from organic mixtures, such as kerosene/perfluorokerosene mixtures, pyrolysis products derived from polyethylene/ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene alternating copolymer mixture and poly[2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl acrylate]. Perfluorocarbons were completely separated from hydrocarbons in the two-dimensional chromatogram. Fluorohydrocarbons in the pyrolysis products of polyethylene/ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene alternating copolymer mixture were selectively isolated from their hydrocarbon counterparts and regularly arranged according to their chain length and fluorine content in the two-dimensional chromatogram. A reliable structural analysis of the fluorohydrocarbons was achieved by combining effective GC×GC positional information with accurate mass spectral data obtained by high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HRTOF-MS). 2-(Perfluorohexyl)ethyl acrylate monomer, dimer, and trimer as well as 2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl alcohol in poly[2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl acrylate] pyrolysis products were detected in the bottommost part of the two-dimensional chromatogram with separation from hydrocarbons possessing terminal structure information about the polymer, such as α-methylstyrene. Pyrolysis-GC×GC/HRTOF-MS appeared particularly suitable for the characterization of fluorinated polymer microstructures, such as monomer sequences and terminal groups. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Superfluid Pulse Tube Refrigerator Without Moving Parts for Sub-Kelvin Cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Franklin K.

2012-01-01

A report describes a pulse tube refrigerator that uses a mixture of He-3 and superfluid He-4 to cool to temperatures below 300 mK, while rejecting heat at temperatures up to 1.7 K. The refrigerator is driven by a novel thermodynamically reversible pump that is capable of pumping the He-3 He-4 mixture without the need for moving parts. The refrigerator consists of a reversible thermal magnetic pump module, two warm heat exchangers, a recuperative heat exchanger, two cold heat exchangers, two pulse tubes, and an orifice. It is two superfluid pulse tubes that run 180 out of phase. All components of this machine except the reversible thermal pump have been demonstrated at least as proof-of-concept physical models in previous superfluid Stirling cycle machines. The pump consists of two canisters packed with pieces of gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG). The canisters are connected by a superleak (a porous piece of VYCOR glass). A superconducting magnetic coil surrounds each of the canisters.

An experimental evaluation of two nonazeotropic refrigerant mixtures in a water-to-water breadboard heat pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauffeld, Michael; Mulroy, William; McLinden, Mark; Didion, David

1990-02-01

As part of the Department of Energy/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Building Equipment Research program, the National Institute of Standards and Technology constructed an experimental, easily reconfigurable, water-to-water, breadboard heat pump apparatus in order to compare pure R22 to nonazeotropic refrigerant mixtures. Performance of the heat pump charged with a range of compositions of the binary mixtures R22/RI14 and R13/R12 were compared to R22. The advantage claimed for mixtures in this application is improved thermodynamic efficiency as a result of gliding refrigerant temperatures in the evaporator and condenser in low lift, high glide applications typical of air conditioning.

Heterogeneity in Trajectories of Child Maltreatment Severity: A Two-Part Growth Mixture Model

PubMed Central

Yampolskaya, Svetlana; Greenbaum, Paul E.; Brown, C. Hendricks; Armstrong, Mary I.

2016-01-01

This study examined the trajectories of maltreatment severity and substantiation over a 24-month period among children (N = 82,396) with repeated maltreatment reports. Findings revealed two different longitudinal patterns. The first pattern, Elevated Severity, showed a higher level of maltreatment during the initial incident and increased maltreatment severity during subsequent incidents but the substantiation rates for this class decreased over time. The second pattern, Lowered Severity, showed a much lower level of severity, but the likelihood of substantiation increased over time. The Elevated Severity class was comprised of children with an elevated risk profile due to both individual and contextual risk factors including older age, female gender, caregivers’ substance use problems, and a higher number of previous maltreatment reports. Implications of the findings are discussed. PMID:26300381

A Matter of Classes: Stratifying Health Care Populations to Produce Better Estimates of Inpatient Costs

PubMed Central

Rein, David B

2005-01-01

Objective To stratify traditional risk-adjustment models by health severity classes in a way that is empirically based, is accessible to policy makers, and improves predictions of inpatient costs. Data Sources Secondary data created from the administrative claims from all 829,356 children aged 21 years and under enrolled in Georgia Medicaid in 1999. Study Design A finite mixture model was used to assign child Medicaid patients to health severity classes. These class assignments were then used to stratify both portions of a traditional two-part risk-adjustment model predicting inpatient Medicaid expenditures. Traditional model results were compared with the stratified model using actuarial statistics. Principal Findings The finite mixture model identified four classes of children: a majority healthy class and three illness classes with increasing levels of severity. Stratifying the traditional two-part risk-adjustment model by health severity classes improved its R2 from 0.17 to 0.25. The majority of additional predictive power resulted from stratifying the second part of the two-part model. Further, the preference for the stratified model was unaffected by months of patient enrollment time. Conclusions Stratifying health care populations based on measures of health severity is a powerful method to achieve more accurate cost predictions. Insurers who ignore the predictive advances of sample stratification in setting risk-adjusted premiums may create strong financial incentives for adverse selection. Finite mixture models provide an empirically based, replicable methodology for stratification that should be accessible to most health care financial managers. PMID:16033501

Two-Part and Related Regression Models for Longitudinal Data

PubMed Central

Farewell, V.T.; Long, D.L.; Tom, B.D.M.; Yiu, S.; Su, L.

2017-01-01

Statistical models that involve a two-part mixture distribution are applicable in a variety of situations. Frequently, the two parts are a model for the binary response variable and a model for the outcome variable that is conditioned on the binary response. Two common examples are zero-inflated or hurdle models for count data and two-part models for semicontinuous data. Recently, there has been particular interest in the use of these models for the analysis of repeated measures of an outcome variable over time. The aim of this review is to consider motivations for the use of such models in this context and to highlight the central issues that arise with their use. We examine two-part models for semicontinuous and zero-heavy count data, and we also consider models for count data with a two-part random effects distribution. PMID:28890906

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

Perera, Aurélien; Mazighi, Redha

Computer simulation studies of aqueous dimethyl sulfoxyde (DMSO) mixtures show micro-heterogeneous structures, just like aqueous alcohol mixtures. However, there is a marked difference in the aggregate structure of water between the two types of systems. While water molecules form multiconnected globular clusters in alcohols, we report herein that the typical water aggregates in aqueous DMSO mixtures are linear, favouring a 2 hydrogen bond structure per water molecule, and for all DMSO mole fractions ranging from 0.1 to 0.9. This linear-aggregate structure produces a particular signature in the water site-site structure factors, in the form of a pre-peak at k ≈more » 0.2–0.8 Å{sup −1}, depending on DMSO concentration. This pre-peak is either absent in other aqueous mixtures, such as aqueous methanol mixtures, or very difficult to see through computer simulations, such as in aqueous-t-butanol mixtures. This difference in the topology of the aggregates explains why the Kirkwood-Buff integrals of aqueous-DMSO mixture look nearly ideal, in contrast with those of aqueous alcohol mixtures, suggesting a connection between the shape of the water aggregates, its fluctuations, and the concentration fluctuations. In order to further study this discrepancy between aqueous DMSO and aqueous alcohol mixture, two models of pseudo-DMSO are introduced, where the size of the sulfur atom is increased by a factor 1.6 and 1.7, respectively, hence increasing the hydrophobicity of the molecule. The study shows that these mixtures become closer to the emulsion type seen in aqueous alcohol mixtures, with more globular clustering of the water molecules, long range domain oscillations in the water-water correlations and increased water-water Kirkwood-Buff integrals. It demonstrates that the local ordering of the water molecules is influenced by the nature of the solute molecules, with very different consequences for structural properties and related thermodynamic quantities. This study illustrates the unique plasticity of water in presence of different types of solutes.« less

Benard convection in binary mixtures with Soret effects and solidification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmermann, G.; Mueller, U.; Davis, S. H.

1992-01-01

Benard convection was studied in a two-component liquid which displayed Soret effects (Soret, 1879; DeGroot and Mazur, 1969) and in which the temperatures of the horizontal boundaries spanned the solidification temperature of the mixture. A steady basic state was observed, in which the layer is partly liquid (near the lower, heated plate) and partly solid (near the upper, cooled plate) with the interface being planar, and in which all transport is by conduction and diffusion. Linear stability of the basic state was examined to determine how the presence of solid and the ability of the material to solidify or melt under disturbance affects the critical conditions from the onset of instability. The theoretical results obtained for cases when the phase change is absent and when the Soret effects are absent (but the phase change is present) are compared with an experiment using alcohol-water mixtures.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in Water: Issues and Challenges Ahead

PubMed Central

Kumar, Arun; Chang, Biao; Xagoraraki, Irene

2010-01-01

This study identified existing issues related to quantitative pharmaceutical risk assessment (QPhRA, hereafter) for pharmaceuticals in water and proposed possible solutions by analyzing methodologies and findings of different published QPhRA studies. Retrospective site-specific QPhRA studies from different parts of the world (U.S.A., United Kingdom, Europe, India, etc.) were reviewed in a structured manner to understand different assumptions, outcomes obtained and issues, identified/addressed/raised by the different QPhRA studies. Till date, most of the published studies have concluded that there is no appreciable risk to human health during environmental exposures of pharmaceuticals; however, attention is still required to following identified issues: (1) Use of measured versus predicted pharmaceutical concentration, (2) Identification of pharmaceuticals-of-concern and compounds needing special considerations, (3) Use of source water versus finished drinking water-related exposure scenarios, (4) Selection of representative exposure routes, (5) Valuation of uncertainty factors, and (6) Risk assessment for mixture of chemicals. To close the existing data and methodology gaps, this study proposed possible ways to address and/or incorporation these considerations within the QPhRA framework; however, more research work is still required to address issues, such as incorporation of short-term to long-term extrapolation and mixture effects in the QPhRA framework. Specifically, this study proposed a development of a new “mixture effects-related uncertainty factor” for mixture of chemicals (i.e., mixUFcomposite), similar to an uncertainty factor of a single chemical, within the QPhRA framework. In addition to all five traditionally used uncertainty factors, this uncertainty factor is also proposed to include concentration effects due to presence of different range of concentration levels of pharmaceuticals in a mixture. However, further work is required to determine values of all six uncertainty factors and incorporate them to use during estimation of point-of-departure values within the QPhRA framework. PMID:21139869

Exposure to pesticide mixtures and DNA damage among rice field workers.

PubMed

Varona-Uribe, Marcela Eugenia; Torres-Rey, Carlos H; Díaz-Criollo, Sonia; Palma-Parra, Ruth Marien; Narváez, Diana María; Carmona, Sandra Patricia; Briceño, Leonardo; Idrovo, Alvaro J

2016-01-01

This study describes the use of pesticides mixtures and their potential association with comet assay results in 223 rice field workers in Colombia. Thirty-one pesticides were quantified in blood, serum, and urine (15 organochlorines, 10 organophosphorus, 5 carbamates, and ethylenethiourea), and the comet assay was performed. Twenty-four (77.42%) pesticides were present in the workers. The use of the maximum-likelihood factor analysis identified 8 different mixtures. Afterwards, robust regressions were used to explore associations between the factors identified and the comet assay. Two groups of mixtures--α-benzene hexachloride (α-BHC), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and β-BHC (β: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-2.10) and pirimiphos-methyl, malathion, bromophos-methyl, and bromophos-ethyl (β: 11.97, 95% CI: 2.34-21.60)--were associated with a higher percentage of DNA damage and comet tail length, respectively. The findings suggest that exposure to pesticides varies greatly among rice field workers.

A corrected formulation for marginal inference derived from two-part mixed models for longitudinal semi-continuous data

PubMed Central

Su, Li; Farewell, Vernon T

2013-01-01

For semi-continuous data which are a mixture of true zeros and continuously distributed positive values, the use of two-part mixed models provides a convenient modelling framework. However, deriving population-averaged (marginal) effects from such models is not always straightforward. Su et al. presented a model that provided convenient estimation of marginal effects for the logistic component of the two-part model but the specification of marginal effects for the continuous part of the model presented in that paper was based on an incorrect formulation. We present a corrected formulation and additionally explore the use of the two-part model for inferences on the overall marginal mean, which may be of more practical relevance in our application and more generally. PMID:24201470

Diffusion barriers in modified air brazes

DOEpatents

Weil, Kenneth Scott; Hardy, John S; Kim, Jin Yong; Choi, Jung-Pyung

2013-04-23

A method for joining two ceramic parts, or a ceramic part and a metal part, and the joint formed thereby. The method provides two or more parts, a braze consisting of a mixture of copper oxide and silver, a diffusion barrier, and then heats the braze for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the braze into a bond holding the two or more parts together. The diffusion barrier is an oxidizable metal that forms either a homogeneous component of the braze, a heterogeneous component of the braze, a separate layer bordering the braze, or combinations thereof. The oxidizable metal is selected from the group Al, Mg, Cr, Si, Ni, Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pt, Pd, Au, lanthanides, and combinations thereof.

Diffusion barriers in modified air brazes

DOEpatents

Weil, Kenneth Scott [Richland, WA; Hardy, John S [Richland, WA; Kim, Jin Yong [Richland, WA; Choi, Jung-Pyung [Richland, WA

2010-04-06

A method for joining two ceramic parts, or a ceramic part and a metal part, and the joint formed thereby. The method provides two or more parts, a braze consisting of a mixture of copper oxide and silver, a diffusion barrier, and then heats the braze for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the braze into a bond holding the two or more parts together. The diffusion barrier is an oxidizable metal that forms either a homogeneous component of the braze, a heterogeneous component of the braze, a separate layer bordering the braze, or combinations thereof. The oxidizable metal is selected from the group Al, Mg, Cr, Si, Ni, Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pt, Pd, Au, lanthanides, and combinations thereof.

Chlorine gas toxicity from mixture of bleach with other cleaning products--California.

PubMed

1991-09-13

From October 1987 through November 1989, five episodes of chlorine gas exposure with toxicity to at least 14 persons occurred at two state hospitals in California. Each hospital provides inpatient treatment to approximately 1000 forensic psychiatric patients. As part of their rehabilitation programs, selected patients perform cleaning duties under the supervision of janitors or nursing staff. Each incident occurred during the performance of these duties and involved the mixture of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and a phosphoric acid cleaner by inpatients. This mixture produced chlorine gas and other chemical byproducts (Figure 1a and 1b) and resulted in temporary illness in exposed persons.

Separation of non-racemic mixtures of enantiomers: an essential part of optical resolution.

PubMed

Faigl, Ferenc; Fogassy, Elemér; Nógrádi, Mihály; Pálovics, Emese; Schindler, József

2010-03-07

Non-racemic enantiomeric mixtures form homochiral and heterochiral aggregates in melt or suspension, during adsorption or recrystallization, and these diastereomeric associations determine the distribution of the enantiomers between the solid and other (liquid or vapour) phases. That distribution depends on the stability order of the homo- and heterochiral aggregates (conglomerate or racemate formation). Therefore, there is a correlation between the binary melting point phase diagrams and the experimental ee(I)vs. ee(0) curves (ee(I) refers to the crystallized enantiomeric mixtures, ee(0) is the composition of the starting ones). Accordingly, distribution of the enantiomeric mixtures between two phases is characteristic and usually significant enrichment can be achieved. There are two exceptions: no enrichment could be observed under thermodynamically controlled conditions when the starting enantiomer composition corresponded to the eutectic composition, or when the method used was unsuitable for separation. In several cases, when kinetic control governed the crystallization, the character of the ee(0)-ee(I) curve did not correlate with the melting point binary phase diagram.

Transport properties of nonelectrolyte mixtures. IX. Viscosity coefficients for acetonitrile and for three mixtures of toluene+acetonitrile from 25 to 100°c at pressures up to 500 MPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dymond, J. H.; Awan, M. A.; Glen, N. F.; Isdale, J. D.

1991-05-01

A two-coil self-centering falling-body viscometer has been used to measure viscosity coefficients for acetonitrile and three binary mixtures of toluene+ acetonitrile at 25, 50, 75, and 100°C and pressures up to 500 MPa. The results for acetonitrile can be interpreted by an approach based on hard-sphere theory, with a roughness factor of 1.46. The binary-mixture data are well represented by the Grunberg and Nissan equation with a mixing parameter which is pressure and temperature dependent but composition independent.

Dissolution of a metal oxide film during titanium carbide synthesis

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

Bloshenko, V.N.; Bokii, V.A.; Borovinskaya, I.P.

1985-05-01

Oxygen is most difficult to remove during combustion of the mixture Ti + C. Its fundamental mass is in two states in the initial charge: part of the oxygen is dissolved in the titanium particles; the rest is bound in the metal oxide film (an insignificant part of the oxygen is in the adsorbed state in the carbon and titanium particles). On the basis of the results of vacuum annealing of specimens from a Ti + C mixture, the possibility is shown in this paper for dissolution of the intrinsic oxide film by titanium particles during residency of these particlesmore » in the heating zone of the combustion wave.« less

Deflagration-to-detonation transition in gases in tubes with cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, N. N.; Nikitin, V. F.; Phylippov, Yu. G.

2010-12-01

The existence of a supersonic second combustion mode — detonation — discovered by Mallard and Le Chatelier and by Berthélot and Vieille in 1881 posed the question of mechanisms for transition from one mode to the other. In the period 1959-1969, experiments by Salamandra, Soloukhin, Oppenheim, and their coworkers provided insights into this complex phenomenon. Since then, among all the phenomena related to combustion processes, deflagration-to-detonation transition is, undoubtedly, the most intriguing one. Deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in gases is connected with gas and vapor explosion safety issues. Knowing mechanisms of detonation onset control is of major importance for creating effective mitigation measures addressing two major goals: to prevent DDT in the case of mixture ignition, or to arrest the detonation wave in the case where it has been initiated. A new impetus to the increase in interest in deflagration-to-detonation transition processes was given by the recent development of pulse detonation devices. The probable application of these principles to creation of a new generation of engines put the problem of effectiveness of pulse detonating devices at the top of current research needs. The effectiveness of the pulse detonation cycle turned out to be the key factor characterizing the Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE), whose operation modes were shown to be closely related to periodical onset and degeneration of a detonation wave. Those unsteady-state regimes should be self-sustained to guarantee a reliable operation of devices using the detonation mode of burning fuels as a constitutive part of their working cycle. Thus deflagration-to-detonation transition processes are of major importance for the issue. Minimizing the predetonation length and ensuring stability of the onset of detonation enable one to increase the effectiveness of a PDE. The DDT turned out to be the key factor characterizing the PDE operating cycle. Thus, the problem of DDT control in gaseous fuel-air mixtures became very acute. This paper contains results of theoretical and experimental investigations of DDT processes in combustible gaseous mixtures. In particular, the paper investigates the effect of cavities incorporated in detonation tubes at the onset of detonation in gases. Extensive numerical modeling and simulations allowed studying the features of deflagration-to-detonation transition in gases in tubes incorporating cavities of a wider cross section. The presence of cavities substantially affects the combustion modes being established in the device and their dependence on the governing parameters of the problem. The influence of geometrical characteristics of the confinement and flow turbulization on the onset of detonation and the influence of temperature and fuel concentration in the unburned mixture are discussed. It was demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically that the presence of cavities of wider cross section in the ignition part of the tube promotes DDT and shortens the predetonation length. At the same time, cavities incorporated along the whole length or in the far-end section inhibit detonation and bring about the onset of low-velocity galloping detonation or galloping combustion modes. The presence of cavities in the ignition section turns an increase in the initial mixture temperature into a DDT-promoting factor instead of a DDT-inhibiting factor.

Development of performance properties of ternary mixtures : field demonstrations and project summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) have become common parts of modern concrete practice. The blending of two or three : cementitious materials to optimize durability, strength, or economics provides owners, engineers, materials suppliers, and...

A corrected formulation for marginal inference derived from two-part mixed models for longitudinal semi-continuous data.

PubMed

Tom, Brian Dm; Su, Li; Farewell, Vernon T

2016-10-01

For semi-continuous data which are a mixture of true zeros and continuously distributed positive values, the use of two-part mixed models provides a convenient modelling framework. However, deriving population-averaged (marginal) effects from such models is not always straightforward. Su et al. presented a model that provided convenient estimation of marginal effects for the logistic component of the two-part model but the specification of marginal effects for the continuous part of the model presented in that paper was based on an incorrect formulation. We present a corrected formulation and additionally explore the use of the two-part model for inferences on the overall marginal mean, which may be of more practical relevance in our application and more generally. © The Author(s) 2013.

Mixture toxicity of flubendazole and fenbendazole to Daphnia magna.

PubMed

Puckowski, Alan; Stolte, Stefan; Wagil, Marta; Markiewicz, Marta; Łukaszewicz, Paulina; Stepnowski, Piotr; Białk-Bielińska, Anna

2017-05-01

Nowadays, residual amounts of many pharmaceuticals can be found in various environmental compartments including surface and ground waters, soils and sediments as well as biota. Even though they undergo degradability, their environmental discharge is relatively continuous, thus they may be regarded as quasi-persistent contaminants, and are also frequently regarded as emerging organic pollutants. Benzimidazoles, especially flubendazole (FLU) and fenbendazole (FEN), represent two anthelmintic drugs belonging to this group. Although their presence in environmental matrices has been reported, there is relatively little data concerning their (eco)toxicological impact. Furthermore, no data is available on their mixture toxicity. FLU and FEN have been found to have a strong impact on an environmentally important non-target organism - Daphnia magna. Moreover, these compounds are usually present in the environment as a part of pharmaceutical mixtures. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate their mixture toxicity, which was the main aim of this study. Single substance toxicity tests were carried out in parallel with mixture studies of FLU and FEN, with the application of two well established concepts of Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA). As a result, both models (CA and IA) were found to underestimate the toxicity of mixtures, however CA yielded more accurate predictions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Molecular Orientation in Two Component Vapor-Deposited Glasses: Effect of Substrate Temperature and Molecular Shape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, Charles; Jiang, Jing; Walters, Diane; Ediger, Mark

Vapor-deposited glasses are widely investigated for use in organic electronics including the emitting layers of OLED devices. These materials, while macroscopically homogenous, have anisotropic packing and molecular orientation. By controlling this orientation, outcoupling efficiency can be increased by aligning the transition dipole moment of the light-emitting molecules parallel to the substrate. Light-emitting molecules are typically dispersed in a host matrix, as such, it is imperative to understand molecular orientation in two-component systems. In this study we examine two-component vapor-deposited films and the orientations of the constituent molecules using spectroscopic ellipsometry, UV-vis and IR spectroscopy. The role of temperature, composition and molecular shape as it effects molecular orientation is examined for mixtures of DSA-Ph in Alq3 and in TPD. Deposition temperature relative to the glass transition temperature of the two-component mixture is the primary controlling factor for molecular orientation. In mixtures of DSA-Ph in Alq3, the linear DSA-Ph has a horizontal orientation at low temperatures and slight vertical orientation maximized at 0.96Tg,mixture, analogous to one-component films.

46 CFR Appendix II to Part 150 - Explanation of Figure 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... considerations, although no examples of such a reaction are known at this time. Chart format— There are different... hazardous reaction— As a first approximation, a mixture of two cargoes is considered hazardous when, under... for the reaction of two cargoes to produce a product that is significantly more flammable or toxic...

46 CFR Appendix II to Part 150 - Explanation of Figure 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... considerations, although no examples of such a reaction are known at this time. Chart format— There are different... hazardous reaction— As a first approximation, a mixture of two cargoes is considered hazardous when, under... for the reaction of two cargoes to produce a product that is significantly more flammable or toxic...

46 CFR Appendix II to Part 150 - Explanation of Figure 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... considerations, although no examples of such a reaction are known at this time. Chart format— There are different... hazardous reaction— As a first approximation, a mixture of two cargoes is considered hazardous when, under... for the reaction of two cargoes to produce a product that is significantly more flammable or toxic...

46 CFR Appendix II to Part 150 - Explanation of Figure 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... considerations, although no examples of such a reaction are known at this time. Chart format— There are different... hazardous reaction— As a first approximation, a mixture of two cargoes is considered hazardous when, under... for the reaction of two cargoes to produce a product that is significantly more flammable or toxic...

46 CFR Appendix II to Part 150 - Explanation of Figure 1

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... considerations, although no examples of such a reaction are known at this time. Chart format— There are different... hazardous reaction— As a first approximation, a mixture of two cargoes is considered hazardous when, under... for the reaction of two cargoes to produce a product that is significantly more flammable or toxic...

Braze material for joining ceramic to metal and ceramic to ceramic surfaces and joined ceramic to metal and ceramic to ceramic article

DOEpatents

Hunt, T.K.; Novak, R.F.

1991-05-07

An improved active metal braze filler material is provided in which the coefficient of thermal expansion of the braze filler is more closely matched with that of the ceramic and metal, or two ceramics, to provide ceramic to metal, or ceramic to ceramic, sealed joints and articles which can withstand both high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling without failing. The braze filler material comprises a mixture of a material, preferably in the form of a powder, selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof, and an active metal filler material selected from the group consisting of alloys or mixtures of nickel and titanium, alloys or mixtures of nickel and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of nickel, titanium, and copper, alloys or mixtures of nickel, titanium, and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of niobium and nickel, alloys or mixtures of niobium and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of niobium and titanium, alloys or mixtures of niobium, titanium, and nickel, alloys or mixtures of niobium, zirconium, and nickel, and alloys or mixtures of niobium, titanium, zirconium, and nickel. The powder component is selected such that its coefficient of thermal expansion will effect the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of the braze material so that it more closely matches the coefficients of thermal expansion of the ceramic and metal parts to be joined. 3 figures.

Braze material for joining ceramic to metal and ceramic to ceramic surfaces and joined ceramic to metal and ceramic to ceramic article

DOEpatents

Hunt, Thomas K.; Novak, Robert F.

1991-01-01

An improved active metal braze filler material is provided in which the coefficient of thermal expansion of the braze filler is more closely matched with that of the ceramic and metal, or two ceramics, to provide ceramic to metal, or ceramic to ceramic, sealed joints and articles which can withstand both high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling without failing. The braze filler material comprises a mixture of a material, preferably in the form of a powder, selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof, and an active metal filler material selected from the group consisting of alloys or mixtures of nickel and titanium, alloys or mixtures of nickel and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of nickel, titanium, and copper, alloys or mixtures of nickel, titanium, and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of niobium and nickel, alloys or mixtures of niobium and zirconium, alloys or mixtures of niobium and titanium, alloys or mixtures of niobium, titanium, and nickel, alloys or mixtures of niobium, zirconium, and nickel, and alloys or mixtures of niobium, titanium, zirconium, and nickel. The powder component is selected such that its coefficient of thermal expansion will effect the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of the braze material so that it more closely matches the coefficients of thermal expansion of the ceramic and metal parts to be joined.

Measurement and Structural Model Class Separation in Mixture CFA: ML/EM versus MCMC

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Depaoli, Sarah

2012-01-01

Parameter recovery was assessed within mixture confirmatory factor analysis across multiple estimator conditions under different simulated levels of mixture class separation. Mixture class separation was defined in the measurement model (through factor loadings) and the structural model (through factor variances). Maximum likelihood (ML) via the…

Interrelationships of metal transfer factor under wastewater reuse and soil pollution.

PubMed

Papaioannou, D; Kalavrouziotis, I K; Koukoulakis, P H; Papadopoulos, F; Psoma, P

2018-06-15

The transfer of heavy metals under soil pollution wastewater reuse was studied in a Greenhouse experiment using a randomized block design, including 6 treatments of heavy metals mixtures composed of Zn, Mn, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb, where each metal was taking part in the mixture with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 mg/kg respectively, in four replications. The Beta vulgaris L (beet) was used as a test plant. It was found that the metal transfer factors were statistically significantly related to the: (i) DTPA extractable soil metals, (ii) the soil pollution level as assessed by the pollution indices, (iii) the soil pH, (iv) the beet dry matter yield and (v) the interactions between the heavy metals in the soil. It was concluded that the Transfer Factor is subjected to multifactor effects and its real nature is complex, and there is a strong need for further study for the understanding of its role in metal-plant relationships. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observation of Spin Superfluidity in a Bose Gas Mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fava, Eleonora; Bienaimé, Tom; Mordini, Carmelo; Colzi, Giacomo; Qu, Chunlei; Stringari, Sandro; Lamporesi, Giacomo; Ferrari, Gabriele

2018-04-01

The spin dynamics of a harmonically trapped Bose-Einstein condensed binary mixture of sodium atoms is experimentally investigated at finite temperature. In the collisional regime the motion of the thermal component is shown to be damped because of spin drag, while the two condensates exhibit a counterflow oscillation without friction, thereby providing direct evidence for spin superfluidity. Results are also reported in the collisionless regime where the spin components of both the condensate and thermal part oscillate without damping, their relative motion being driven by a mean-field effect. We also measure the static polarizability of the condensed and thermal parts and we find a large increase of the condensate polarizability with respect to the T =0 value, in agreement with the predictions of theory.

High temperature low friction surface coating

DOEpatents

Bhushan, Bharat

1980-01-01

A high temperature, low friction, flexible coating for metal surfaces which are subject to rubbing contact includes a mixture of three parts graphite and one part cadmium oxide, ball milled in water for four hours, then mixed with thirty percent by weight of sodium silicate in water solution and a few drops of wetting agent. The mixture is sprayed 12-15 microns thick onto an electro-etched metal surface and air dried for thirty minutes, then baked for two hours at 65.degree. C. to remove the water and wetting agent, and baked for an additional eight hours at about 150.degree. C. to produce the optimum bond with the metal surface. The coating is afterwards burnished to a thickness of about 7-10 microns.

Evaluating the aquatic toxicity of complex organic chemical mixtures: lessons learned from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and petroleum hydrocarbon case studies.

PubMed

Landrum, Peter F; Chapman, Peter M; Neff, Jerry; Page, David S

2012-04-01

Experimental designs for evaluating complex mixture toxicity in aquatic environments can be highly variable and, if not appropriate, can produce and have produced data that are difficult or impossible to interpret accurately. We build on and synthesize recent critical reviews of mixture toxicity using lessons learned from 4 case studies, ranging from binary to more complex mixtures of primarily polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and petroleum hydrocarbons, to provide guidance for evaluating the aquatic toxicity of complex mixtures of organic chemicals. Two fundamental requirements include establishing a dose-response relationship and determining the causative agent (or agents) of any observed toxicity. Meeting these 2 requirements involves ensuring appropriate exposure conditions and measurement endpoints, considering modifying factors (e.g., test conditions, test organism life stages and feeding behavior, chemical transformations, mixture dilutions, sorbing phases), and correctly interpreting dose-response relationships. Specific recommendations are provided. Copyright © 2011 SETAC.

Similarity measure and domain adaptation in multiple mixture model clustering: An application to image processing.

PubMed

Leong, Siow Hoo; Ong, Seng Huat

2017-01-01

This paper considers three crucial issues in processing scaled down image, the representation of partial image, similarity measure and domain adaptation. Two Gaussian mixture model based algorithms are proposed to effectively preserve image details and avoids image degradation. Multiple partial images are clustered separately through Gaussian mixture model clustering with a scan and select procedure to enhance the inclusion of small image details. The local image features, represented by maximum likelihood estimates of the mixture components, are classified by using the modified Bayes factor (MBF) as a similarity measure. The detection of novel local features from MBF will suggest domain adaptation, which is changing the number of components of the Gaussian mixture model. The performance of the proposed algorithms are evaluated with simulated data and real images and it is shown to perform much better than existing Gaussian mixture model based algorithms in reproducing images with higher structural similarity index.

Similarity measure and domain adaptation in multiple mixture model clustering: An application to image processing

PubMed Central

Leong, Siow Hoo

2017-01-01

This paper considers three crucial issues in processing scaled down image, the representation of partial image, similarity measure and domain adaptation. Two Gaussian mixture model based algorithms are proposed to effectively preserve image details and avoids image degradation. Multiple partial images are clustered separately through Gaussian mixture model clustering with a scan and select procedure to enhance the inclusion of small image details. The local image features, represented by maximum likelihood estimates of the mixture components, are classified by using the modified Bayes factor (MBF) as a similarity measure. The detection of novel local features from MBF will suggest domain adaptation, which is changing the number of components of the Gaussian mixture model. The performance of the proposed algorithms are evaluated with simulated data and real images and it is shown to perform much better than existing Gaussian mixture model based algorithms in reproducing images with higher structural similarity index. PMID:28686634

Stripping in hot mix asphalt produced by aggregates from construction and demolition waste.

PubMed

Pérez, I; Pasandín, A R; Gallego, J

2012-01-01

This paper analyses the effect of water on the durability of hot asphalt mixtures made with recycled aggregates from construction and demolition debris. Indirect tensile stress tests were carried out to evaluate stripping behaviour. The mixtures tested were fabricated with 0, 20, 40 and 60% recycled aggregates. Two types of natural aggregates were used: schist and calcite dolomite. An increase in the percentage of recycled aggregates was found to produce a decrease in the tensile stress ratio of the hot asphalt mixtures. To study this phenomenon, two and three factor analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed with indirect tensile stress being used as the dependent variable. The factors studied were the percentage of recycled aggregates (0, 20, 40 and 60%), the moisture state (dry, wet) and the type of natural aggregate (schist, calcite). On the basis of the ANOVA results, it was found that the most important factor affecting resistance was the moisture state (dry, wet) of the specimens. The percentage of recycled aggregate also affected indirect tensile stress, especially in the dry state. The type of natural aggregate did not have a significant effect on indirect tensile stress. The hot asphalt mixture specimens made with different percentages of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition debris and of natural quarry aggregates showed poor stripping behaviour. This stripping behaviour can be related to both the poor adhesion of the recycled aggregates and the high absorption of the mortar of cement adhered to them.

Effect of the Key Mixture Parameters on Shrinkage of Reactive Powder Concrete

PubMed Central

Zubair, Ahmed

2014-01-01

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) mixtures are reported to have excellent mechanical and durability characteristics. However, such concrete mixtures having high amount of cementitious materials may have high early shrinkage causing cracking of concrete. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the simultaneous effects of three key mixture parameters on shrinkage of the RPC mixtures. Considering three different levels of the three key mixture factors, a total of 27 mixtures of RPC were prepared according to 33 factorial experiment design. The specimens belonging to all 27 mixtures were monitored for shrinkage at different ages over a total period of 90 days. The test results were plotted to observe the variation of shrinkage with time and to see the effects of the key mixture factors. The experimental data pertaining to 90-day shrinkage were used to conduct analysis of variance to identify significance of each factor and to obtain an empirical equation correlating the shrinkage of RPC with the three key mixture factors. The rate of development of shrinkage at early ages was higher. The water to binder ratio was found to be the most prominent factor followed by cement content with the least effect of silica fume content. PMID:25050395

Effect of the key mixture parameters on shrinkage of reactive powder concrete.

PubMed

Ahmad, Shamsad; Zubair, Ahmed; Maslehuddin, Mohammed

2014-01-01

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) mixtures are reported to have excellent mechanical and durability characteristics. However, such concrete mixtures having high amount of cementitious materials may have high early shrinkage causing cracking of concrete. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the simultaneous effects of three key mixture parameters on shrinkage of the RPC mixtures. Considering three different levels of the three key mixture factors, a total of 27 mixtures of RPC were prepared according to 3(3) factorial experiment design. The specimens belonging to all 27 mixtures were monitored for shrinkage at different ages over a total period of 90 days. The test results were plotted to observe the variation of shrinkage with time and to see the effects of the key mixture factors. The experimental data pertaining to 90-day shrinkage were used to conduct analysis of variance to identify significance of each factor and to obtain an empirical equation correlating the shrinkage of RPC with the three key mixture factors. The rate of development of shrinkage at early ages was higher. The water to binder ratio was found to be the most prominent factor followed by cement content with the least effect of silica fume content.

Mixture Factor Analysis for Approximating a Nonnormally Distributed Continuous Latent Factor with Continuous and Dichotomous Observed Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wall, Melanie M.; Guo, Jia; Amemiya, Yasuo

2012-01-01

Mixture factor analysis is examined as a means of flexibly estimating nonnormally distributed continuous latent factors in the presence of both continuous and dichotomous observed variables. A simulation study compares mixture factor analysis with normal maximum likelihood (ML) latent factor modeling. Different results emerge for continuous versus…

Applying mixture toxicity modelling to predict bacterial bioluminescence inhibition by non-specifically acting pharmaceuticals and specifically acting antibiotics.

PubMed

Neale, Peta A; Leusch, Frederic D L; Escher, Beate I

2017-04-01

Pharmaceuticals and antibiotics co-occur in the aquatic environment but mixture studies to date have mainly focused on pharmaceuticals alone or antibiotics alone, although differences in mode of action may lead to different effects in mixtures. In this study we used the Bacterial Luminescence Toxicity Screen (BLT-Screen) after acute (0.5 h) and chronic (16 h) exposure to evaluate how non-specifically acting pharmaceuticals and specifically acting antibiotics act together in mixtures. Three models were applied to predict mixture toxicity including concentration addition, independent action and the two-step prediction (TSP) model, which groups similarly acting chemicals together using concentration addition, followed by independent action to combine the two groups. All non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals had similar EC 50 values at both 0.5 and 16 h, indicating together with a QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) analysis that they act as baseline toxicants. In contrast, the antibiotics' EC 50 values decreased by up to three orders of magnitude after 16 h, which can be explained by their specific effect on bacteria. Equipotent mixtures of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals only, antibiotics only and both non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals and antibiotics were prepared based on the single chemical results. The mixture toxicity models were all in close agreement with the experimental results, with predicted EC 50 values within a factor of two of the experimental results. This suggests that concentration addition can be applied to bacterial assays to model the mixture effects of environmental samples containing both specifically and non-specifically acting chemicals. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The mechanisms associated with the development of hypertension after exposure to lead, mercury species or their mixtures differs with the metal and the mixture ratio.

PubMed

Wildemann, Tanja M; Siciliano, Steven D; Weber, Lynn P

2016-01-02

Hypertension is considered to be the most important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Beside life-style risk factors, exposure to lead and mercury species are increasingly discussed as potential risk factors. Although there are a few previous studies, the underlying mechanism by which exposure to lead and mercury disturb blood pressure regulation is not currently understood. Potential mechanisms are oxidative stress production, kidney damage and activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), all of which can interact to cause dysregulation of blood pressure. Male rats (Wistar) were exposed to lead, inorganic mercury, methylmercury or two mixtures of all three metals for four weeks through the drinking water. The two mixture ratios were based on ratios of known reference values or environmental exposure from the literature. To investigate the potential mechanism of actions, blood pressure was measured after four weeks and compared to plasma nitrotyrosine or reduced/oxidized glutathione levels in liver as markers for oxidative stress. Plasma renin and angiotensin II levels were used as markers for RAS activation. Finally, kidney function and injury were assessed via urinary and plasma creatinine levels, creatinine clearance and urinary kidney-injury molecule (KIM-1). While exposure to lead by itself increased oxidative stress and kidney damage along with blood pressure, inorganic mercury did not affect blood pressure or any end-point examined. Conversely, methylmercury instead increased RAS activation along with blood pressure. Surprisingly, when administered as mixtures, lead no longer increased oxidative stress or altered kidney function. Moreover, the mixture based on an environmental ratio no longer had an effect on blood pressure, while the reference value ratio still retained an increase in blood pressure. Based on our results, the prominent mechanism of action associated with the development of hypertension seems to be oxidative stress and kidney damage for lead, while increased RAS activation links methylmercury to hypertension, but these mechanisms along with hypertension disappear when metals are present in some mixtures. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Method for Calculating Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity of a Helium-Xenon Gas Mixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Paul K.

2006-01-01

A method for calculating viscosity and thermal conductivity of a helium-xenon (He-Xe) gas mixture was employed, and results were compared to AiResearch (part of Honeywell) analytical data. The method of choice was that presented by Hirschfelder with Singh's third-order correction factor applied to thermal conductivity. Values for viscosity and thermal conductivity were calculated over a temperature range of 400 to 1200 K for He-Xe gas mixture molecular weights of 20.183, 39.94, and 83.8 kg/kmol. First-order values for both transport properties were in good agreement with AiResearch analytical data. Third-order-corrected thermal conductivity values were all greater than AiResearch data, but were considered to be a better approximation of thermal conductivity because higher-order effects of mass and temperature were taken into consideration. Viscosity, conductivity, and Prandtl number were then compared to experimental data presented by Taylor.

Optimization of throughput in semipreparative chiral liquid chromatography using stacked injection.

PubMed

Taheri, Mohammadreza; Fotovati, Mohsen; Hosseini, Seyed-Kiumars; Ghassempour, Alireza

2017-10-01

An interesting mode of chromatography for preparation of pure enantiomers from pure samples is the method of stacked injection as a pseudocontinuous procedure. Maximum throughput and minimal production costs can be achieved by the use of total chiral column length in this mode of chromatography. To maximize sample loading, often touching bands of the two enantiomers is automatically achieved. Conventional equations show direct correlation between touching-band loadability and the selectivity factor of two enantiomers. The important question for one who wants to obtain the highest throughput is "How to optimize different factors including selectivity, resolution, run time, and loading of the sample in order to save time without missing the touching-band resolution?" To answer this question, tramadol and propranolol were separated on cellulose 3,5-dimethyl phenyl carbamate, as two pure racemic mixtures with low and high solubilities in mobile phase, respectively. The mobile phase composition consisted of n-hexane solvent with alcohol modifier and diethylamine as the additive. A response surface methodology based on central composite design was used to optimize separation factors against the main responses. According to the stacked injection properties, two processes were investigated for maximizing throughput: one with a poorly soluble and another with a highly soluble racemic mixture. For each case, different optimization possibilities were inspected. It was revealed that resolution is a crucial response for separations of this kind. Peak area and run time are two critical parameters in optimization of stacked injection for binary mixtures which have low solubility in the mobile phase. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Esterification of fermentation-derived acids via pervaporation

DOEpatents

Datta, R.; Tsai, S.P.

1998-03-03

A low temperature method for esterifying ammonium- and amine-containing salts is provided whereby the salt is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of heat and a catalyst and then subjected to a dehydration and deamination process using pervaporation. The invention also provides for a method for producing esters of fermentation derived, organic acid salt comprising first cleaving the salt into its cationic part and anionic part, mixing the anionic part with an alcohol to create a mixture; heating the mixture in the presence of a catalyst to create an ester; dehydrating the now heated mixture; and separating the ester from the now-dehydrated mixture. 2 figs.

Esterification of fermentation-derived acids via pervaporation

DOEpatents

Datta, Rathin; Tsai, Shih-Perng

1998-01-01

A low temperature method for esterifying ammonium- and amine-containing salts is provided whereby the salt is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of heat and a catalyst and then subjected to a dehydration and deamination process using pervaporation. The invention also provides for a method for producing esters of fermentation derived, organic acid salt comprising first cleaving the salt into its cationic part and anionic part, mixing the anionic part with an alcohol to create a mixture; heating the mixture in the presence of a catalyst to create an ester; dehydrating the now heated mixture; and separating the ester from the now-dehydrated mixture.

The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis does not perceive odor mixtures as strictly elemental objects.

PubMed

van Wijk, Michiel; de Bruijn, Paulien J A; Sabelis, Maurice W

2010-11-01

Phytoseiulus persimilis is a predatory mite that in absence of vision relies on the detection of herbivore-induced plant odors to locate its prey, the two-spotted spider-mite Tetranychus urticae. This herbivorous prey is feeding on leaves of a wide variety of plant species in different families. The predatory mites respond to numerous structurally different compounds. However, typical spider-mite induced plant compounds do not attract more predatory mites than plant compounds not associated with prey. Because the mites are sensitive to many compounds, components of odor mixtures may affect each other's perception. Although the response to pure compounds has been well documented, little is known how interactions among compounds affect the response to odor mixtures. We assessed the relation between the mites' responses elicited by simple mixtures of two compounds and by the single components of these mixtures. The preference for the mixture was compared to predictions under three conceptual models, each based on one of the following assumptions: (1) the responses elicited by each of the individual components can be added to each other; (2) they can be averaged; or (3) one response overshadows the other. The observed response differed significantly from the response predicted under the additive response, average response, and overshadowing response model in 52, 36, and 32% of the experimental tests, respectively. Moreover, the behavioral responses elicited by individual compounds and their binary mixtures were determined as a function of the odor concentration. The relative contribution of each component to the behavioral response elicited by the mixture varied with the odor concentration, even though the ratio of both compounds in the mixture was kept constant. Our experiments revealed that compounds that elicited no response had an effect on the response elicited by binary mixtures that they were part of. The results are not consistent with the hypothesis that P. persimilis perceives odor mixtures as a collection of strictly elemental objects. They suggest that odor mixtures rather are perceived as one synthetic whole.

Evaluation of particle shape and texture of mineral aggregates and their blends

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1992-05-01

Two important factors for minimizing rutting of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures are: a) the fractured face count of aggregate when gravel is used as coarse aggregate, and b) the use of manufactured sand. Both these factors relate to the shape and text...

A mixture of sparse coding models explaining properties of face neurons related to holistic and parts-based processing

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Experimental studies have revealed evidence of both parts-based and holistic representations of objects and faces in the primate visual system. However, it is still a mystery how such seemingly contradictory types of processing can coexist within a single system. Here, we propose a novel theory called mixture of sparse coding models, inspired by the formation of category-specific subregions in the inferotemporal (IT) cortex. We developed a hierarchical network that constructed a mixture of two sparse coding submodels on top of a simple Gabor analysis. The submodels were each trained with face or non-face object images, which resulted in separate representations of facial parts and object parts. Importantly, evoked neural activities were modeled by Bayesian inference, which had a top-down explaining-away effect that enabled recognition of an individual part to depend strongly on the category of the whole input. We show that this explaining-away effect was indeed crucial for the units in the face submodel to exhibit significant selectivity to face images over object images in a similar way to actual face-selective neurons in the macaque IT cortex. Furthermore, the model explained, qualitatively and quantitatively, several tuning properties to facial features found in the middle patch of face processing in IT as documented by Freiwald, Tsao, and Livingstone (2009). These included, in particular, tuning to only a small number of facial features that were often related to geometrically large parts like face outline and hair, preference and anti-preference of extreme facial features (e.g., very large/small inter-eye distance), and reduction of the gain of feature tuning for partial face stimuli compared to whole face stimuli. Thus, we hypothesize that the coding principle of facial features in the middle patch of face processing in the macaque IT cortex may be closely related to mixture of sparse coding models. PMID:28742816

A mixture of sparse coding models explaining properties of face neurons related to holistic and parts-based processing.

PubMed

Hosoya, Haruo; Hyvärinen, Aapo

2017-07-01

Experimental studies have revealed evidence of both parts-based and holistic representations of objects and faces in the primate visual system. However, it is still a mystery how such seemingly contradictory types of processing can coexist within a single system. Here, we propose a novel theory called mixture of sparse coding models, inspired by the formation of category-specific subregions in the inferotemporal (IT) cortex. We developed a hierarchical network that constructed a mixture of two sparse coding submodels on top of a simple Gabor analysis. The submodels were each trained with face or non-face object images, which resulted in separate representations of facial parts and object parts. Importantly, evoked neural activities were modeled by Bayesian inference, which had a top-down explaining-away effect that enabled recognition of an individual part to depend strongly on the category of the whole input. We show that this explaining-away effect was indeed crucial for the units in the face submodel to exhibit significant selectivity to face images over object images in a similar way to actual face-selective neurons in the macaque IT cortex. Furthermore, the model explained, qualitatively and quantitatively, several tuning properties to facial features found in the middle patch of face processing in IT as documented by Freiwald, Tsao, and Livingstone (2009). These included, in particular, tuning to only a small number of facial features that were often related to geometrically large parts like face outline and hair, preference and anti-preference of extreme facial features (e.g., very large/small inter-eye distance), and reduction of the gain of feature tuning for partial face stimuli compared to whole face stimuli. Thus, we hypothesize that the coding principle of facial features in the middle patch of face processing in the macaque IT cortex may be closely related to mixture of sparse coding models.

High pressure and temperature optical flow cell for near-infra-red spectroscopic analysis of gas mixtures.

PubMed

Norton, C G; Suedmeyer, J; Oderkerk, B; Fieback, T M

2014-05-01

A new optical flow cell with a new optical arrangement adapted for high pressures and temperatures using glass fibres to connect light source, cell, and spectrometer has been developed, as part of a larger project comprising new methods for in situ analysis of bio and hydrogen gas mixtures in high pressure and temperature applications. The analysis is based on measurements of optical, thermo-physical, and electromagnetic properties in gas mixtures with newly developed high pressure property sensors, which are mounted in a new apparatus which can generate gas mixtures with up to six components with an uncertainty of composition of as little as 0.1 mol. %. Measurements of several pure components of natural gases and biogases to a pressure of 20 MPa were performed on two isotherms, and with binary mixtures of the same pure gases at pressures to 17.5 MPa. Thereby a new method of analyzing the obtained spectra based on the partial density of methane was investigated.

Generalized model of electromigration with 1:1 (analyte:selector) complexation stoichiometry: part II. Application to dual systems and experimental verification.

PubMed

Müllerová, Ludmila; Dubský, Pavel; Gaš, Bohuslav

2015-03-06

Interactions among analyte forms that undergo simultaneous dissociation/protonation and complexation with multiple selectors take the shape of a highly interconnected multi-equilibrium scheme. This makes it difficult to express the effective mobility of the analyte in these systems, which are often encountered in electrophoretical separations, unless a generalized model is introduced. In the first part of this series, we presented the theory of electromigration of a multivalent weakly acidic/basic/amphoteric analyte undergoing complexation with a mixture of an arbitrary number of selectors. In this work we demonstrate the validity of this concept experimentally. The theory leads to three useful perspectives, each of which is closely related to the one originally formulated for simpler systems. If pH, IS and the selector mixture composition are all kept constant, the system is treated as if only a single analyte form interacted with a single selector. If the pH changes at constant IS and mixture composition, the already well-established models of a weakly acidic/basic analyte interacting with a single selector can be employed. Varying the mixture composition at constant IS and pH leads to a situation where virtually a single analyte form interacts with a mixture of selectors. We show how to switch between the three perspectives in practice and confirm that they can be employed interchangeably according to the specific needs by measurements performed in single- and dual-selector systems at a pH where the analyte is fully dissociated, partly dissociated or fully protonated. Weak monoprotic analyte (R-flurbiprofen) and two selectors (native β-cyclodextrin and monovalent positively charged 6-monodeoxy-6-monoamino-β-cyclodextrin) serve as a model system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Some properties of explosive mixtures containing peroxides Part II. Relationships between detonation parameters and thermal reactivity of the mixtures with triacetone triperoxide.

PubMed

Zeman, Svatopluk; Bartei, Cécile

2008-06-15

This study concerns mixtures of triacetone triperoxide (3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexoxonane, TATP) and ammonium nitrate (AN) with added water (W), as the case may be, and two dry mixtures of TATP with urea nitrate (UN). Relative performances (RP) of the mixtures and their individual components, relative to TNT, were determined by means of ballistic mortar. Thermal reactivity of these mixtures was examined by means of differential thermal analysis and the data were analyzed according to the modified Kissinger method (the peak temperature was replaced by the temperature of decomposition onset in this case). The reactivity, expressed as the EaR(-1) slopes of the Kissinger relationship, correlates with the squares of the calculated detonation velocities for the charge density of 1000 kg m(-3) of the studied energetic materials. Similarly, the relationships between the EaR(-1) values and RP have been found. While the first mentioned correlation (modified Evans-Polanyi-Semenov equation) is connected with the primary chemical micro-mechanism of the mixtures detonation, the relationships in the second case should be connected with the thermochemical aspects of this detonation.

Bayesian kernel machine regression for estimating the health effects of multi-pollutant mixtures.

PubMed

Bobb, Jennifer F; Valeri, Linda; Claus Henn, Birgit; Christiani, David C; Wright, Robert O; Mazumdar, Maitreyi; Godleski, John J; Coull, Brent A

2015-07-01

Because humans are invariably exposed to complex chemical mixtures, estimating the health effects of multi-pollutant exposures is of critical concern in environmental epidemiology, and to regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, most health effects studies focus on single agents or consider simple two-way interaction models, in part because we lack the statistical methodology to more realistically capture the complexity of mixed exposures. We introduce Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) as a new approach to study mixtures, in which the health outcome is regressed on a flexible function of the mixture (e.g. air pollution or toxic waste) components that is specified using a kernel function. In high-dimensional settings, a novel hierarchical variable selection approach is incorporated to identify important mixture components and account for the correlated structure of the mixture. Simulation studies demonstrate the success of BKMR in estimating the exposure-response function and in identifying the individual components of the mixture responsible for health effects. We demonstrate the features of the method through epidemiology and toxicology applications. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Numerical study of underwater dispersion of dilute and dense sediment-water mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, Ziying; Dao, Ho-Minh; Tan, Danielle S.

2018-05-01

As part of the nodule-harvesting process, sediment tailings are released underwater. Due to the long period of clouding in the water during the settling process, this presents a significant environmental and ecological concern. One possible solution is to release a mixture of sediment tailings and seawater, with the aim of reducing the settling duration as well as the amount of spreading. In this paper, we present some results of numerical simulations using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method to model the release of a fixed volume of pre-mixed sediment-water mixture into a larger body of quiescent water. Both the sediment-water mixture and the “clean” water are modeled as two different fluids, with concentration-dependent bulk properties of the sediment-water mixture adjusted according to the initial solids concentration. This numerical model was validated in a previous study, which indicated significant differences in the dispersion and settling process between dilute and dense mixtures, and that a dense mixture may be preferable. For this study, we investigate a wider range of volumetric concentration with the aim of determining the optimum volumetric concentration, as well as its overall effectiveness compared to the original process (100% sediment).

A Concentration Addition Model to Assess Activation of the Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) by Pesticide Mixtures Found in the French Diet

PubMed Central

de Sousa, Georges; Nawaz, Ahmad; Cravedi, Jean-Pierre; Rahmani, Roger

2014-01-01

French consumers are exposed to mixtures of pesticide residues in part through food consumption. As a xenosensor, the pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is activated by numerous pesticides, the combined effect of which is currently unknown. We examined the activation of hPXR by seven pesticide mixtures most likely found in the French diet and their individual components. The mixture's effect was estimated using the concentration addition (CA) model. PXR transactivation was measured by monitoring luciferase activity in hPXR/HepG2 cells and CYP3A4 expression in human hepatocytes. The three mixtures with the highest potency were evaluated using the CA model, at equimolar concentrations and at their relative proportion in the diet. The seven mixtures significantly activated hPXR and induced the expression of CYP3A4 in human hepatocytes. Of the 14 pesticides which constitute the three most active mixtures, four were found to be strong hPXR agonists, four medium, and six weak. Depending on the mixture and pesticide proportions, additive, greater than additive or less than additive effects between compounds were demonstrated. Predictions of the combined effects were obtained with both real-life and equimolar proportions at low concentrations. Pesticides act mostly additively to activate hPXR, when present in a mixture. Modulation of hPXR activation and its target genes induction may represent a risk factor contributing to exacerbate the physiological response of the hPXR signaling pathways and to explain some adverse effects in humans. PMID:25028461

The Comparison Between Nmf and Ica in Pigment Mixture Identification of Ancient Chinese Paintings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y.; Lyu, S.; Hou, M.; Yin, Q.

2018-04-01

Since the colour in painting cultural relics observed by our naked eyes or hyperspectral cameras is usually a mixture of several kinds of pigments, the mixed pigments analysis will be an important subject in the field of ancient painting conservation and restoration. This paper aims to find a more effective method to confirm the types of every pure pigment from mixture on the surface of paintings. Firstly, we adopted two kinds of blind source separation algorithms, which are independent component analysis and non-negative matrix factorization, to extract the pure pigment component from mixed spectrum respectively. Moreover, we matched the separated pure spectrum with the pigments spectra library built by our team to determine the pigment type. Furthermore, three kinds of data including simulation data, mixed pigments spectral data measured in laboratory, and the spectral data of an ancient painting were chosen to evaluate the performance of the different algorithms. And the accuracy was compared between the two algorithms. Finally, the experimental results show that non-negative matrix factorization method is more suitable for endmember extraction in the field of ancient painting conservation and restoration.

Compost made of organic wastes suppresses fusariosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuryntseva, Polina; Galitskaya, Polina; Biktasheva, Liliya; Selivanovkaya, Svetlana

2017-04-01

Fungal plant diseases cause dramatic yield losses worldwide. Usually, pesticides are used for soil sanitation, and it results in practically pest-free soils, although pesticides cause a biological vacuum, which present many horticultural disadvantages. Suppressive composts, which possess both fertilizing properties for plants and inhibiting properties for plant pathogens, represent an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional pesticides. In this study, composts obtained from agricultural organic wastes were applied to suppress Fusarium oxysporum of tomato plants in model experiments. Composts were made of mixtures of the widespread organic wastes sampled in Tatarstan (Russia): straw (SW), corn wastes (CW), chicken manure (ChM), cattle manure (CM) and swine manure (SM). 11 two- and three-component mixtures were prepared to obtain the optimal carbon-nitrogen, moisture and pH balances, and composted for 210 days. It was found that the thermophilic phase of composting in all the mixtures lasted from 2 to 35 days, and was characterized by significant fluctuations in temperature, i.e. from 27°C to 59°C. In the initial mixtures, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content was between 10 and 62 mg kg-1; it fell significantly on day 13, and then continuously decreased up to day 102, and subsequently remained low. For all the mixtures, maximal respiration activity was observed in the beginning of composting (231.9 mg CO2-C g-1 day-1). After 23 days, this parameter decreased significantly, and fluctuations subsided. The phytotoxicity of the initial compost mixtures varied from 18% (SW+SM) to 100% (CW+ChM+SM, CW+ChM); however, the trends in the dynamics were similar. After 120 days of composting, 5 of 11 samples were not phytotoxic. After 120 days of composting, each mixture was divided into two parts; one was inoculated with a biopreparation consisting of four microbial strains (Trichoderma asperellum, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Streptomyces spp.), and the other part was not inoculated. Both parts were composted under equivalent conditions. Inoculation led to a slightly shorter period of increasing DOC and respiration activity. It did not influence the temperature profile and phytotoxicity of the mixtures. In contrast, the suppressiveness of the composts towards Fusarium oxysporum increased by 1.2-fold after 60 days, although the inoculated compost mixtures became suppressive 30-58 days earlier. The compost mixture prepared from CM, ChM and CW was the most suppressive one, both in its inoculated and non-inoculated variants. It was therefore used in further experiments. Further, we were searching for the optimal doses of CM+ChM+CW compost's amendments. Amoung several does checked (1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%), a dose of 20% was demonstrated to be the most effective and resulted in disease suppression of 84% after 21 day of plant incubation. From the three amendment schemes investigated (1 - once before vegetation season, 2 - twice before vegetation season with one month break between amendments, half of the dose each time, 3 - twice, once before winter frost simulation, once before vegetation season, half of the dose each time), the first scheme was the most efficient one. After a single amendment with 20% of compost, soils were suppressive during two consecutive vegetation periods.

PINCH WELD TESTING TO SUPPORT CHANGE IN MANUFACTURING OIL AT THE KCP

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

Korinko, P; David Maxwell, D

2008-02-28

This task supports the change from an oil mixture termed 50:50 oil (an equal parts mixture of Milpro 634 and Pennex N47) to a new oil mixture (Castrol Illocut 334). This change was necessitated by a KCP vendor no longer supplying the Pennex N47 component of the 50-50. In order to continue production of machined parts, a detailed process was followed to ensure that high quality parts could be manufactured and that the cutting oil selected would provide acceptable human performance characteristics, e.g., skin irritability, smell, etc. A prime consideration in changing the oil was that no apparent change inmore » the pinch weldability of the fill stems fabricated using the new oil and process parameters, if any, be observed. A two part approach, as detailed in the plan shown in Appendix B, was used to qualify the effect of the process on pinch weld characteristics. In the first phase, ref. 1., the weld parameter window was defined using fill stems made from 304L, 21-6-9, and 316 stainless steel. These weld conditions were then subsequently used for the Castrol Illocut 334 machined fill stems. The results of this activity are reported in this document. A follow-on task of welding in the facility was requested by one of the design agencies and this will be completed and reported separately.« less

Analytical Phase Equilibrium Function for Mixtures Obeying Raoult's and Henry's Laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayes, Robert

When a mixture of two substances exists in both the liquid and gas phase at equilibrium, Raoults and Henry's laws (ideal solution and ideal dilute solution approximations) can be used to estimate the gas and liquid mole fractions at the extremes of either very little solute or solvent. By assuming that a cubic polynomial can reasonably approximate the intermediate values to these extremes as a function of mole fraction, the cubic polynomial is solved and presented. A closed form equation approximating the pressure dependence on mole fraction of the constituents is thereby obtained. As a first approximation, this is a very simple and potentially useful means to estimate gas and liquid mole fractions of equilibrium mixtures. Mixtures with an azeotrope require additional attention if this type of approach is to be utilized. This work supported in part by federal Grant NRC-HQ-84-14-G-0059.

Slip and barodiffusion phenomena in slow flows of a gas mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhdanov, V. M.

2017-03-01

The slip and barodiffusion problems for the slow flows of a gas mixture are investigated on the basis of the linearized moment equations following from the Boltzmann equation. We restrict ourselves to the set of the third-order moment equations and state two general relations (resembling conservation equations) for the moments of the distribution function similar to the conditions used by Loyalka [S. K. Loyalka, Phys. Fluids 14, 2291 (1971), 10.1063/1.1693331] in his approximation method (the modified Maxwell method). The expressions for the macroscopic velocities of the gas mixture species, the partial viscous stress tensors, and the reduced heat fluxes for the stationary slow flow of a gas mixture in the semi-infinite space over a plane wall are obtained as a result of the exact solution of the linearized moment equations in the 10- and 13-moment approximations. The general expression for the slip velocity and the simple and accurate expressions for the viscous, thermal, diffusion slip, and baroslip coefficients, which are given in terms of the basic transport coefficients, are derived by using the modified Maxwell method. The solutions of moment equations are also used for investigation of the flow and diffusion of a gas mixture in a channel formed by two infinite parallel plates. A fundamental result is that the barodiffusion factor in the cross-section-averaged expression for the diffusion flux contains contributions associated with the viscous transfer of momentum in the gas mixture and the effect of the Knudsen layer. Our study revealed that the barodiffusion factor is equal to the diffusion slip coefficient (correct to the opposite sign). This result is consistent with the Onsager's reciprocity relations for kinetic coefficients following from nonequilibrium thermodynamics of the discontinuous systems.

Additive mixture effects of estrogenic chemicals in human cell-based assays can be influenced by inclusion of chemicals with differing effect profiles.

PubMed

Evans, Richard Mark; Scholze, Martin; Kortenkamp, Andreas

2012-01-01

A growing body of experimental evidence indicates that the in vitro effects of mixtures of estrogenic chemicals can be well predicted from the estrogenicity of their components by the concentration addition (CA) concept. However, some studies have observed small deviations from CA. Factors affecting the presence or observation of deviations could include: the type of chemical tested; number of mixture components; mixture design; and assay choice. We designed mixture experiments that address these factors, using mixtures with high numbers of components, chemicals from diverse chemical groups, assays with different in vitro endpoints and different mixture designs and ratios. Firstly, the effects of mixtures composed of up to 17 estrogenic chemicals were examined using estrogenicity assays with reporter-gene (ERLUX) and cell proliferation (ESCREEN) endpoints. Two mixture designs were used: 1) a 'balanced' design with components present in proportion to a common effect concentration (e.g. an EC(10)) and 2) a 'non-balanced' design with components in proportion to potential human tissue concentrations. Secondly, the individual and simultaneous ability of 16 potential modulator chemicals (each with minimal estrogenicity) to influence the assay outcome produced by a reference mixture of estrogenic chemicals was examined. Test chemicals included plasticizers, phthalates, metals, PCBs, phytoestrogens, PAHs, heterocyclic amines, antioxidants, UV filters, musks, PBDEs and parabens. In all the scenarios tested, the CA concept provided a good prediction of mixture effects. Modulation studies revealed that chemicals possessing minimal estrogenicity themselves could reduce (negatively modulate) the effect of a mixture of estrogenic chemicals. Whether the type of modulation we observed occurs in practice most likely depends on the chemical concentrations involved, and better information is required on likely human tissue concentrations of estrogens and of potential modulators. Successful prediction of the effects of diverse chemical combinations might be more likely if chemical profiling included consideration of effect modulation.

Additive Mixture Effects of Estrogenic Chemicals in Human Cell-Based Assays Can Be Influenced by Inclusion of Chemicals with Differing Effect Profiles

PubMed Central

Evans, Richard Mark; Scholze, Martin; Kortenkamp, Andreas

2012-01-01

A growing body of experimental evidence indicates that the in vitro effects of mixtures of estrogenic chemicals can be well predicted from the estrogenicity of their components by the concentration addition (CA) concept. However, some studies have observed small deviations from CA. Factors affecting the presence or observation of deviations could include: the type of chemical tested; number of mixture components; mixture design; and assay choice. We designed mixture experiments that address these factors, using mixtures with high numbers of components, chemicals from diverse chemical groups, assays with different in vitro endpoints and different mixture designs and ratios. Firstly, the effects of mixtures composed of up to 17 estrogenic chemicals were examined using estrogenicity assays with reporter-gene (ERLUX) and cell proliferation (ESCREEN) endpoints. Two mixture designs were used: 1) a ‘balanced’ design with components present in proportion to a common effect concentration (e.g. an EC10) and 2) a ‘non-balanced’ design with components in proportion to potential human tissue concentrations. Secondly, the individual and simultaneous ability of 16 potential modulator chemicals (each with minimal estrogenicity) to influence the assay outcome produced by a reference mixture of estrogenic chemicals was examined. Test chemicals included plasticizers, phthalates, metals, PCBs, phytoestrogens, PAHs, heterocyclic amines, antioxidants, UV filters, musks, PBDEs and parabens. In all the scenarios tested, the CA concept provided a good prediction of mixture effects. Modulation studies revealed that chemicals possessing minimal estrogenicity themselves could reduce (negatively modulate) the effect of a mixture of estrogenic chemicals. Whether the type of modulation we observed occurs in practice most likely depends on the chemical concentrations involved, and better information is required on likely human tissue concentrations of estrogens and of potential modulators. Successful prediction of the effects of diverse chemical combinations might be more likely if chemical profiling included consideration of effect modulation. PMID:22912892

Enskog theory for polydisperse granular mixtures. I. Navier-Stokes order transport.

PubMed

Garzó, Vicente; Dufty, James W; Hrenya, Christine M

2007-09-01

A hydrodynamic description for an s -component mixture of inelastic, smooth hard disks (two dimensions) or spheres (three dimensions) is derived based on the revised Enskog theory for the single-particle velocity distribution functions. In this first part of the two-part series, the macroscopic balance equations for mass, momentum, and energy are derived. Constitutive equations are calculated from exact expressions for the fluxes by a Chapman-Enskog expansion carried out to first order in spatial gradients, thereby resulting in a Navier-Stokes order theory. Within this context of small gradients, the theory is applicable to a wide range of restitution coefficients and densities. The resulting integral-differential equations for the zeroth- and first-order approximations of the distribution functions are given in exact form. An approximate solution to these equations is required for practical purposes in order to cast the constitutive quantities as algebraic functions of the macroscopic variables; this task is described in the companion paper.

Preparation for implementation of the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide in Michigan : part 1 - HMA mixture characterization.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-03-01

This is the final report of the Part 1 (HMA Mixture Characterization) of the Preparation for Implementation of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide in Michigan project. The main objectives of the Part 1 were (i) to conduct a literatu...

Effect of Rice Husk Ash and Fly Ash on the workability of concrete mixture in the High-Rise Construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Tang, Lam; Bulgakov, Boris; Bazhenova, Sofia; Aleksandrova, Olga; Pham, Anh Ngoc; Dinh Vu, Tho

2018-03-01

The dense development of high-rise construction in urban areas requires a creation of new concretes with essential properties and innovative technologies for preparing concrete mixtures. Besides, it is necessary to develop new ways of presenting concrete mixture and keeping their mobility. This research uses the mathematical method of two-factors rotatable central compositional planning to imitate the effect of amount of rice husk (RHA) and fly ash of thermal power plants (FA) on the workability of high-mobility concrete mixtures. The results of this study displays regression equation of the second order dependence of the objective functions - slump cone and loss of concrete mixture mobility due to the input factors - the amounts RHA (x1) and FA (x2), as well as the surface expression image of these regression equations. An analysis of the regression equations also shows that the amount of RHA and FA had a significant influence on the concrete mixtures mobility. In fact, the particles of RHA and FA will play the role as peculiar "sliding bearings" between the grains of cement leading to the dispersion of cement in the concrete mixture. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the concrete mixture mobility when transporting fresh concrete to the formwork during the high-rise buildings construction in the hot and humid climate of Vietnam. Although the average value of slump test of freshly mixed concrete, measured 60 minutes later after the mixing completion, decreased from 18.2 to 10.52 cm, this value still remained within the allowable range to maintain the mixing and and the delivery of concrete mixture by pumping.

The influence of mixture composition, adhesion promotor and compaction degree on the groove stability of grooved Marshall asphalt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vuye, Cedric; Couscheir, Karolien; Lauriks, Leen; Van den bergh, Wim; Van Bouwel, Philippe

2017-09-01

After the first rehabilitation of runway 07R/25L in 2015, runway 01/19 was reconstructed in the summer of 2016, as part of a cycle where all runway pavements at Brussels airport are completely renovated each thirty years. The top layer is a Marshall asphalt with a polymer modified bitumen. To optimize the water drainage the central part of the runway (47 m wide) is grooved instead of applying an anti-skid layer. In this paper the focus is on the durability of the grooved top layer. Two different Marshall asphalt mixtures with a different maximum granulate size (10 mm or 14 mm) are compared, both in the laboratory and in a full-scale trial. In the laboratory the resistance against rutting and raveling are investigated for both mixtures with and without adhesion promotor, which did not show a positive effect. In the full-scale trial the compactability and impact of both a longer curing period and a variation in the degree of compaction on the groove stability is investigated for both mixtures using a heavy truck. No visual differences could be found except in areas which were undercompacted and showed more damage to the grooves.

Hydrothermal pretreatment of several lignocellulosic mixtures containing wheat straw and two hardwood residues available in Southern Europe.

PubMed

Silva-Fernandes, Talita; Duarte, Luís Chorão; Carvalheiro, Florbela; Loureiro-Dias, Maria Conceição; Fonseca, César; Gírio, Francisco

2015-05-01

This work studied the processing of biomass mixtures containing three lignocellulosic materials largely available in Southern Europe, eucalyptus residues (ER), wheat straw (WS) and olive tree pruning (OP). The mixtures were chemically characterized, and their pretreatment, by autohydrolysis, evaluated within a severity factor (logR0) ranging from 1.73 up to 4.24. A simple modeling strategy was used to optimize the autohydrolysis conditions based on the chemical characterization of the liquid fraction. The solid fraction was characterized to quantify the polysaccharide and lignin content. The pretreatment conditions for maximal saccharides recovery in the liquid fraction were at a severity range (logR0) of 3.65-3.72, independently of the mixture tested, which suggests that autohydrolysis can effectively process mixtures of lignocellulosic materials for further biochemical conversion processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Continuous flow immobilized enzyme reactor-tandem mass spectrometry for screening of AChE inhibitors in complex mixtures.

PubMed

Forsberg, Erica M; Green, James R A; Brennan, John D

2011-07-01

A method is described for identifying bioactive compounds in complex mixtures based on the use of capillary-scale monolithic enzyme-reactor columns for rapid screening of enzyme activity. A two-channel nanoLC system was used to continuously infuse substrate coupled with automated injections of substrate/small molecule mixtures, optionally containing the chromogenic Ellman reagent, through sol-gel derived acetylcholinesterase (AChE) doped monolithic columns. This is the first report of AChE encapsulated in monolithic silica for use as an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER), and the first use of such IMERs for mixture screening. AChE IMER columns were optimized to allow rapid functional screening of compound mixtures based on changes in the product absorbance or the ratio of mass spectrometric peaks for product and substrate ions in the eluent. The assay had robust performance and produced a Z' factor of 0.77 in the presence of 2% (v/v) DMSO. A series of 52 mixtures consisting of 1040 compounds from the Canadian Compound Collection of bioactives was screened and two known inhibitors, physostigmine and 9-aminoacridine, were identified from active mixtures by manual deconvolution. The activity of the compounds was confirmed using the enzyme reactor format, which allowed determination of both IC(50) and K(I) values. Screening results were found to correlate well with a recently published fluorescence-based microarray screening assay for AChE inhibitors.

In-pore exchange and diffusion of carbonate solvent mixtures in nanoporous carbon

DOE PAGES

Alam, Todd M.; Osborn Popp, Thomas M.

2016-06-04

High resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy has been used to resolve different surface and in-pore solvent environments of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) mixtures absorbed within nanoporous carbon (NPC). Two dimensional (2D) 1H HRMAS NMR exchange measurements revealed that the inhomogeneous broadened in-pore resonances have pore-to-pore exchange rates on the millisecond timescale. Pulsed-field gradient (PFG) NMR diffusometry revealed the in-pore self-diffusion constants for both EC and DMC were reduced by up to a factor of five with respect to the diffusion in the non-absorbed solvent mixtures.

40 CFR 790.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED... purpose of this part: Act means the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. Additive means a... data intended to show that two substances or mixtures are equivalent. Equivalent means that a chemical...

A simulation assessment of the thermodynamics of dense ion-dipole mixtures with polarization

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

Bastea, Sorin, E-mail: sbastea@llnl.gov

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to ascertain the relative importance of various electrostatic interaction contributions, including induction interactions, to the thermodynamics of dense, hot ion-dipole mixtures. In the absence of polarization, we find that an MD-constrained free energy term accounting for the ion-dipole interactions, combined with well tested ionic and dipolar contributions, yields a simple, fairly accurate free energy form that may be a better option for describing the thermodynamics of such mixtures than the mean spherical approximation (MSA). Polarization contributions induced by the presence of permanent dipoles and ions are found to be additive to a good approximation,more » simplifying the thermodynamic modeling. We suggest simple free energy corrections that account for these two effects, based in part on standard perturbative treatments and partly on comparisons with MD simulation. Even though the proposed approximations likely need further study, they provide a first quantitative assessment of polarization contributions at high densities and temperatures and may serve as a guide for future modeling efforts.« less

Infinite von Mises-Fisher Mixture Modeling of Whole Brain fMRI Data.

PubMed

Røge, Rasmus E; Madsen, Kristoffer H; Schmidt, Mikkel N; Mørup, Morten

2017-10-01

Cluster analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data is often performed using gaussian mixture models, but when the time series are standardized such that the data reside on a hypersphere, this modeling assumption is questionable. The consequences of ignoring the underlying spherical manifold are rarely analyzed, in part due to the computational challenges imposed by directional statistics. In this letter, we discuss a Bayesian von Mises-Fisher (vMF) mixture model for data on the unit hypersphere and present an efficient inference procedure based on collapsed Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling. Comparing the vMF and gaussian mixture models on synthetic data, we demonstrate that the vMF model has a slight advantage inferring the true underlying clustering when compared to gaussian-based models on data generated from both a mixture of vMFs and a mixture of gaussians subsequently normalized. Thus, when performing model selection, the two models are not in agreement. Analyzing multisubject whole brain resting-state fMRI data from healthy adult subjects, we find that the vMF mixture model is considerably more reliable than the gaussian mixture model when comparing solutions across models trained on different groups of subjects, and again we find that the two models disagree on the optimal number of components. The analysis indicates that the fMRI data support more than a thousand clusters, and we confirm this is not a result of overfitting by demonstrating better prediction on data from held-out subjects. Our results highlight the utility of using directional statistics to model standardized fMRI data and demonstrate that whole brain segmentation of fMRI data requires a very large number of functional units in order to adequately account for the discernible statistical patterns in the data.

Pigments identification of paintings using subspace distance unmixing algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bin; Lyu, Shuqiang; Zhang, Dafeng; Dong, Qinghao

2018-04-01

In the digital protection of the cultural relics, the identification of the pigment mixtures on the surface of the painting has been the research spot for many years. In this paper, as a hyperspectral unmixing algorithm, sub-space distance unmixing is introduced to solve the problem of recognition of pigments mixture in paintings. Firstly, some mixtures of different pigments are designed to measure their reflectance spectra using spectrometer. Moreover, the factors affecting the unmixing accuracy of pigments' mixtures are discussed. The unmixing results of two cases with and without rice paper and its underlay as endmembers are compared. The experiment results show that the algorithm is able to unmixing the pigments effectively and the unmixing accuracy can be improved after considering the influence of spectra of the rich paper and the underlaying material.

Explosion characteristics of LPG-air mixtures in closed vessels.

PubMed

Razus, Domnina; Brinzea, Venera; Mitu, Maria; Oancea, D

2009-06-15

The experimental study of explosive combustion of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)-air mixtures at ambient initial temperature was performed in two closed vessels with central ignition, at various total initial pressures within 0.3-1.3bar and various fuel/air ratios, within the flammability limits. The transient pressure-time records were used to determine several explosion characteristics of LPG-air: the peak explosion pressure, the explosion time (the time necessary to reach the peak pressure), the maximum rate of pressure rise and the severity factor. All explosion parameters are strongly dependent on initial pressure of fuel-air mixture and on fuel/air ratio. The explosion characteristics of LPG-air mixtures are discussed in comparison with data referring to the main components of LPG: propane and butane, obtained in identical conditions.

Chemical mixtures in untreated water from public-supply wells in the U.S. — Occurrence, composition, and potential toxicity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toccalino, Patricia L.; Norman, Julia E.; Scott, Jonathon C.

2012-01-01

Chemical mixtures are prevalent in groundwater used for public water supply, but little is known about their potential health effects. As part of a large-scale ambient groundwater study, we evaluated chemical mixtures across multiple chemical classes, and included more chemical contaminants than in previous studies of mixtures in public-supply wells. We (1) assessed the occurrence of chemical mixtures in untreated source-water samples from public-supply wells, (2) determined the composition of the most frequently occurring mixtures, and (3) characterized the potential toxicity of mixtures using a new screening approach. The U.S. Geological Survey collected one untreated water sample from each of 383 public wells distributed across 35 states, and analyzed the samples for as many as 91 chemical contaminants. Concentrations of mixture components were compared to individual human-health benchmarks; the potential toxicity of mixtures was characterized by addition of benchmark-normalized component concentrations. Most samples (84%) contained mixtures of two or more contaminants, each at concentrations greater than one-tenth of individual benchmarks. The chemical mixtures that most frequently occurred and had the greatest potential toxicity primarily were composed of trace elements (including arsenic, strontium, or uranium), radon, or nitrate. Herbicides, disinfection by-products, and solvents were the most common organic contaminants in mixtures. The sum of benchmark-normalized concentrations was greater than 1 for 58% of samples, suggesting that there could be potential for mixtures toxicity in more than half of the public-well samples. Our findings can be used to help set priorities for groundwater monitoring and suggest future research directions for drinking-water treatment studies and for toxicity assessments of chemical mixtures in water resources.

Microsiemens or Milligrams: Measures of Ionic Mixtures ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

In December of 2016, EPA released the Draft Field-Based Methods for Developing Aquatic Life Criteria for Specific Conductivity for public comment. Once final, states and authorized tribes may use these methods to derive field-based ecoregional ambient Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC) for specific conductivity (SC) in flowing waters. The methods provide flexible approaches for developing science-based SC criteria that reflect ecoregional or state specific factors. The concentration of a dissolved salt mixture can be measured in a number of ways including measurement of total dissolved solids, freezing point depression, refractive index, density, or the sum of the concentrations of individually measured ions. For the draft method, SC was selected as the measure because SC is a measure of all ions in the mixture; the measurement technology is fast, inexpensive, and accurate, and it measures only dissolved ions. When developing water quality criteria for major ions, some stakeholders may prefer to identify the ionic constituents as a measure of exposure instead of SC. A field-based method was used to derive example chronic and acute water quality criteria for SC and two anions a common mixture of ions (bicarbonate plus sulfate, [HCO3−] + [SO42−] in mg/L) that represent common mixtures in streams. These two anions are sufficient to model the ion mixture and SC (R2 = 0.94). Using [HCO3−] + [SO42−] does not imply that these two anions are the

Investigation on Constrained Matrix Factorization for Hyperspectral Image Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-25

analysis. Keywords: matrix factorization; nonnegative matrix factorization; linear mixture model ; unsupervised linear unmixing; hyperspectral imagery...spatial resolution permits different materials present in the area covered by a single pixel. The linear mixture model says that a pixel reflectance in...in r. In the linear mixture model , r is considered as the linear mixture of m1, m2, …, mP as nMαr += (1) where n is included to account for

Neutronics Benchmarks for the Utilization of Mixed-Oxide Fuel: Joint U.S./ Russian Progress Report for Fiscal Year 1997, Volume 4, Part 8 - Neutron Poison Plates in Assemblies Containing Homogeneous Mixtures of Polystyrene-Moderated Plutonium and Uranium Oxides

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

Yavuz, M.

1999-05-01

In the 1970s at the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), a series of critical experiments using a remotely operated Split-Table Machine was performed with homogeneous mixtures of (Pu-U)O{sub 2}-polystyrene fuels in the form of square compacts having different heights. The experiments determined the critical geometric configurations of MOX fuel assemblies with and without neutron poison plates. With respect to PuO{sub 2} content and moderation [H/(Pu+U)atomic] ratio (MR), two different homogeneous (Pu-U) O{sub 2}-polystyrene mixtures were considered: Mixture (1) 14.62 wt% PuO{sub 2} with 30.6 MR, and Mixture (2) 30.3 wt% PuO{sub 2} with 2.8 MR. In all mixtures, the uraniummore » was depleted to about O.151 wt% U{sup 235}. Assemblies contained copper, copper-cadmium or aluminum neutron poison plates having thicknesses up to {approximately}2.5 cm. This evaluation contains 22 experiments for Mixture 1, and 10 for Mixture 2 compacts. For Mixture 1, there are 10 configurations with copper plates, 6 with aluminum, and 5 with copper-cadmium. One experiment contained no poison plate. For Mixture 2 compacts, there are 3 configurations with copper, 3 with aluminum, and 3 with copper-cadmium poison plates. One experiment contained no poison plate.« less

Vapor mediated droplet interactions - models and mechanisms (Part 2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benusiglio, Adrien; Cira, Nate; Prakash, Manu

2014-11-01

When deposited on clean glass a two-component binary mixture of propylene glycol and water is energetically inclined to spread, as both pure liquids do. Instead the mixture forms droplets stabilized by evaporation induced surface tension gradients, giving them unique properties such as negligible hysteresis. When two of these special droplets are deposited several radii apart they attract each other. The vapor from one droplet destabilizes the other, resulting in an attraction force which brings both droplets together. We present a flux-based model for droplet stabilization and a model which connects the vapor profile to net force. These simple models capture the static and dynamic experimental trends, and our fundamental understanding of these droplets and their interactions allowed us to build autonomous fluidic machines.

Features of the use of time-frequency distributions for controlling the mixture-producing aggregate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedosenkov, D. B.; Simikova, A. A.; Fedosenkov, B. A.

2018-05-01

The paper submits and argues the information on filtering properties of the mixing unit as a part of the mixture-producing aggregate. Relevant theoretical data concerning a channel transfer function of the mixing unit and multidimensional material flow signals are adduced here. Note that ordinary one-dimensional material flow signals are defined in terms of time-frequency distributions of Cohen’s class representations operating with Gabor wavelet functions. Two time-frequencies signal representations are written about in the paper to show how one can solve controlling problems as applied to mixture-producing systems: they are the so-called Rihaczek and Wigner-Ville distributions. In particular, the latter illustrates low-pass filtering properties that are practically available in any of low-pass elements of a physical system.

1-D transient numerical model of a regenerator in a novel sub Kelvin Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jahromi, Amir E.; Miller, Franklin K.

2016-03-01

A sub Kelvin Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigerator (AMRR) is being developed at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. This AMRR consists of two circulators, two regenerators, one superleak, one cold heat exchanger, and two warm heat exchangers. The circulators are novel non-moving part pumps that reciprocate a superfluid mixture of 4He-3He in the system. Heat from the mixture is removed within the two regenerators of this tandem system. An accurate model of the regenerators in this AMRR is necessary in order to predict the performance of these components, which in turn helps predicting the overall performance of the AMRR system. This work presents modeling methodology along with results from a 1-D transient numerical model of the regenerators of an AMRR capable of removing 2.5 mW at 850 mK at cyclic steady state.

A NEW METHOD OF PEAK DETECTION FOR ANALYSIS OF COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY DATA.

PubMed

Kim, Seongho; Ouyang, Ming; Jeong, Jaesik; Shen, Changyu; Zhang, Xiang

2014-06-01

We develop a novel peak detection algorithm for the analysis of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF MS) data using normal-exponential-Bernoulli (NEB) and mixture probability models. The algorithm first performs baseline correction and denoising simultaneously using the NEB model, which also defines peak regions. Peaks are then picked using a mixture of probability distribution to deal with the co-eluting peaks. Peak merging is further carried out based on the mass spectral similarities among the peaks within the same peak group. The algorithm is evaluated using experimental data to study the effect of different cut-offs of the conditional Bayes factors and the effect of different mixture models including Poisson, truncated Gaussian, Gaussian, Gamma, and exponentially modified Gaussian (EMG) distributions, and the optimal version is introduced using a trial-and-error approach. We then compare the new algorithm with two existing algorithms in terms of compound identification. Data analysis shows that the developed algorithm can detect the peaks with lower false discovery rates than the existing algorithms, and a less complicated peak picking model is a promising alternative to the more complicated and widely used EMG mixture models.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as skin carcinogens: Comparison of benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene and three environmental mixtures in the FVB/N mouse

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

Siddens, Lisbeth K.; Larkin, Andrew; Superfund Research Center, Oregon State University

2012-11-01

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), was compared to dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) and combinations of three environmental PAH mixtures (coal tar, diesel particulate and cigarette smoke condensate) using a two stage, FVB/N mouse skin tumor model. DBC (4 nmol) was most potent, reaching 100% tumor incidence with a shorter latency to tumor formation, less than 20 weeks of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) promotion compared to all other treatments. Multiplicity was 4 times greater than BaP (400 nmol). Both PAHs produced primarily papillomas followed by squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. Diesel particulate extract (1 mg SRM 1650b; mix 1) did notmore » differ from toluene controls and failed to elicit a carcinogenic response. Addition of coal tar extract (1 mg SRM 1597a; mix 2) produced a response similar to BaP. Further addition of 2 mg of cigarette smoke condensate (mix 3) did not alter the response with mix 2. PAH-DNA adducts measured in epidermis 12 h post initiation and analyzed by {sup 32}P post‐labeling, did not correlate with tumor incidence. PAH‐dependent alteration in transcriptome of skin 12 h post initiation was assessed by microarray. Principal component analysis (sum of all treatments) of the 922 significantly altered genes (p < 0.05), showed DBC and BaP to cluster distinct from PAH mixtures and each other. BaP and mixtures up-regulated phase 1 and phase 2 metabolizing enzymes while DBC did not. The carcinogenicity with DBC and two of the mixtures was much greater than would be predicted based on published Relative Potency Factors (RPFs). -- Highlights: ► Dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC), 3 PAH mixtures, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were compared. ► DBC and 2 PAH mixtures were more potent than Relative Potency Factor estimates. ► Transcriptome profiles 12 hours post initiation were analyzed by microarray. ► Principle components analysis of alterations revealed treatment-based clustering. ► DBC gave a unique pattern of gene alterations compared to BaP and PAH mixtures.« less

Phenolic acids of the two major blueberry species in the US Market and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

PubMed

Kang, Jie; Thakali, Keshari M; Jensen, Gitte S; Wu, Xianli

2015-03-01

Highbush (cultivated) and lowbush (wild) are the two major blueberry species in the US market. Eight phenolic acids were detected and quantified from these two species by HPLC-MS. Chlorogenic acid was found to be the predominant phenolic acid in both species, with 0.44 mg/g fresh weight in lowbush blueberries and 0.13 mg/g fresh weight in highbush blueberries. Total phenolic content in lowbush blueberries is over three times higher than that of highbush blueberries. The phenolic acid mixtures representing those in the two species were prepared by using authentic standards to assess their contribution to total antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the whole berries. Neither lowbush nor highbush blueberry phenolic acid mixture contributed significantly to the total antioxidant capacity of their relevant whole berries measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Both phenolic acid mixtures were able to enter the cell and showed in cell antioxidant activities from the cell based antioxidant protection of erythrocytes (CAP-e) assay. Lowbush blueberry phenolic acid mixture was found to show anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) at the high dose.

Pharmaceutical Point of View on Parenteral Nutrition

PubMed Central

Stawny, M.; Olijarczyk, R.; Jaroszkiewicz, E.; Jelińska, A.

2013-01-01

Parenteral nutrition—a form of administering nutrients, electrolytes, trace elements, vitamins, and water—is a widely used mode of therapy applied in many diseases, in patients of different ages both at home and in hospital. The success of nutritional therapy depends chiefly on proper determination of the patient's energetic and electrolytic needs as well as preparation and administration of a safe nutritional mixture. As a parenterally administered drug, it is expected to be microbiologically and physicochemically stable, with all of the components compatible with each other. It is very difficult to obtain a stable nutritional mixture due to the fact that it is a complex, two-phase drug. Also, the risk of incompatibility between mixture components and packaging should be taken into consideration and possibly eliminated. Since parenteral nutrition is a part of therapy, simultaneous use of drugs may cause pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions as well as those with the pharmaceutical phase. The aim of this paper is to discuss such aspects of parenteral nutrition as mixture stability, methodology, and methods for determining the stability of nutritional mixtures and drugs added to them. PMID:24453847

The Predatory Mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Does Not Perceive Odor Mixtures As Strictly Elemental Objects

PubMed Central

de Bruijn, Paulien J. A.; Sabelis, Maurice W.

2010-01-01

Phytoseiulus persimilis is a predatory mite that in absence of vision relies on the detection of herbivore-induced plant odors to locate its prey, the two-spotted spider-mite Tetranychus urticae. This herbivorous prey is feeding on leaves of a wide variety of plant species in different families. The predatory mites respond to numerous structurally different compounds. However, typical spider-mite induced plant compounds do not attract more predatory mites than plant compounds not associated with prey. Because the mites are sensitive to many compounds, components of odor mixtures may affect each other’s perception. Although the response to pure compounds has been well documented, little is known how interactions among compounds affect the response to odor mixtures. We assessed the relation between the mites’ responses elicited by simple mixtures of two compounds and by the single components of these mixtures. The preference for the mixture was compared to predictions under three conceptual models, each based on one of the following assumptions: (1) the responses elicited by each of the individual components can be added to each other; (2) they can be averaged; or (3) one response overshadows the other. The observed response differed significantly from the response predicted under the additive response, average response, and overshadowing response model in 52, 36, and 32% of the experimental tests, respectively. Moreover, the behavioral responses elicited by individual compounds and their binary mixtures were determined as a function of the odor concentration. The relative contribution of each component to the behavioral response elicited by the mixture varied with the odor concentration, even though the ratio of both compounds in the mixture was kept constant. Our experiments revealed that compounds that elicited no response had an effect on the response elicited by binary mixtures that they were part of. The results are not consistent with the hypothesis that P. persimilis perceives odor mixtures as a collection of strictly elemental objects. They suggest that odor mixtures rather are perceived as one synthetic whole. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10886-010-9858-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20872172

Two Salix Genotypes Differ in Productivity and Nitrogen Economy When Grown in Monoculture and Mixture

PubMed Central

Hoeber, Stefanie; Fransson, Petra; Prieto-Ruiz, Inés; Manzoni, Stefano; Weih, Martin

2017-01-01

Individual plant species or genotypes often differ in their demand for nutrients; to compete in a community they must be able to acquire more nutrients (i.e., uptake efficiency) and/or use them more efficiently for biomass production than their competitors. These two mechanisms are often complementary, as there are inherent trade-offs between them. In a mixed-stand, species with contrasting nutrient use patterns interact and may use their resources to increase productivity in different ways. Under contrasting nutrient availabilities, the competitive advantages conferred by either strategy may also shift, so that the interaction between resource use strategy and resource availability ultimately determines the performance of individual genotypes in mixtures. The aim was to investigate growth and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of two willow (Salix) genotypes grown in monoculture and mixture in a fertilizer contrast. We explored the hypotheses that (1) the biomass production of at least one of the involved genotypes should be greater when grown in mixture as compared to the corresponding monoculture when nutrients are the most growth-limiting factor; and (2) the N economy of individual genotypes differs when grown in mixture compared to the corresponding monoculture. The genotypes ‘Tora’ (Salix schwerinii ×S. viminalis) and ‘Loden’ (S. dasyclados), with contrasting phenology and functional traits, were grown from cuttings in a growth container experiment under two nutrient fertilization treatments (high and low) in mono- and mixed-culture for 17 weeks. Under low nutrient level, ‘Tora’ showed a higher biomass production (aboveground biomass, leaf area productivity) and N uptake efficiency in mixture than in monoculture, whereas ‘Loden’ showed the opposite pattern. In addition, ‘Loden’ showed higher leaf N productivity but lower N uptake efficiency than ‘Tora.’ The results demonstrated that the specific functional trait combinations of individual genotypes affect their response to mixture as compared to monoculture. Plants grown in mixture as opposed to monoculture may thus increase biomass and vary in their response of N use efficiency traits. However, young plants were investigated here, and as we cannot predict mixture response in mature stands, our results need to be validated at field scale. PMID:28270828

Two Salix Genotypes Differ in Productivity and Nitrogen Economy When Grown in Monoculture and Mixture.

PubMed

Hoeber, Stefanie; Fransson, Petra; Prieto-Ruiz, Inés; Manzoni, Stefano; Weih, Martin

2017-01-01

Individual plant species or genotypes often differ in their demand for nutrients; to compete in a community they must be able to acquire more nutrients (i.e., uptake efficiency) and/or use them more efficiently for biomass production than their competitors. These two mechanisms are often complementary, as there are inherent trade-offs between them. In a mixed-stand, species with contrasting nutrient use patterns interact and may use their resources to increase productivity in different ways. Under contrasting nutrient availabilities, the competitive advantages conferred by either strategy may also shift, so that the interaction between resource use strategy and resource availability ultimately determines the performance of individual genotypes in mixtures. The aim was to investigate growth and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of two willow ( Salix ) genotypes grown in monoculture and mixture in a fertilizer contrast. We explored the hypotheses that (1) the biomass production of at least one of the involved genotypes should be greater when grown in mixture as compared to the corresponding monoculture when nutrients are the most growth-limiting factor; and (2) the N economy of individual genotypes differs when grown in mixture compared to the corresponding monoculture. The genotypes 'Tora' ( Salix schwerinii × S. viminalis ) and 'Loden' ( S. dasyclados ), with contrasting phenology and functional traits, were grown from cuttings in a growth container experiment under two nutrient fertilization treatments (high and low) in mono- and mixed-culture for 17 weeks. Under low nutrient level, 'Tora' showed a higher biomass production (aboveground biomass, leaf area productivity) and N uptake efficiency in mixture than in monoculture, whereas 'Loden' showed the opposite pattern. In addition, 'Loden' showed higher leaf N productivity but lower N uptake efficiency than 'Tora.' The results demonstrated that the specific functional trait combinations of individual genotypes affect their response to mixture as compared to monoculture. Plants grown in mixture as opposed to monoculture may thus increase biomass and vary in their response of N use efficiency traits. However, young plants were investigated here, and as we cannot predict mixture response in mature stands, our results need to be validated at field scale.

Pulsed-laser excitation of acoustic modes in open high-Q photoacoustic resonators for trace gas monitoring: results for C2H4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brand, Christian; Winkler, Andreas; Hess, Peter; Miklós, András; Bozóki, Zoltán; Sneider, János

1995-06-01

The pulsed excitation of acoustic resonances was studied with a continuously monitoring photoacoustic detector system. Acoustic waves were generated in C2H4/N 2 gas mixtures by light absorption of the pulses from a transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser. The photoacoustic part consisted of high-Q cylindrical resonators (Q factor 820 for the first radial mode in N2) and two adjoining variable acoustic filter systems. The time-resolved signal was Fourier transformed to a frequency spectrum of high resolution. For the first radial mode a Lorentzian profile was fitted to the measured data. The outside noise suppression and the signal-to-noise ratio were investigated in a normal laboratory environment in the flow-through mode. The acoustic and electric filter system combined with the

A mixture model with a reference-based automatic selection of components for disease classification from protein and/or gene expression levels

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Bioinformatics data analysis is often using linear mixture model representing samples as additive mixture of components. Properly constrained blind matrix factorization methods extract those components using mixture samples only. However, automatic selection of extracted components to be retained for classification analysis remains an open issue. Results The method proposed here is applied to well-studied protein and genomic datasets of ovarian, prostate and colon cancers to extract components for disease prediction. It achieves average sensitivities of: 96.2 (sd = 2.7%), 97.6% (sd = 2.8%) and 90.8% (sd = 5.5%) and average specificities of: 93.6% (sd = 4.1%), 99% (sd = 2.2%) and 79.4% (sd = 9.8%) in 100 independent two-fold cross-validations. Conclusions We propose an additive mixture model of a sample for feature extraction using, in principle, sparseness constrained factorization on a sample-by-sample basis. As opposed to that, existing methods factorize complete dataset simultaneously. The sample model is composed of a reference sample representing control and/or case (disease) groups and a test sample. Each sample is decomposed into two or more components that are selected automatically (without using label information) as control specific, case specific and not differentially expressed (neutral). The number of components is determined by cross-validation. Automatic assignment of features (m/z ratios or genes) to particular component is based on thresholds estimated from each sample directly. Due to the locality of decomposition, the strength of the expression of each feature across the samples can vary. Yet, they will still be allocated to the related disease and/or control specific component. Since label information is not used in the selection process, case and control specific components can be used for classification. That is not the case with standard factorization methods. Moreover, the component selected by proposed method as disease specific can be interpreted as a sub-mode and retained for further analysis to identify potential biomarkers. As opposed to standard matrix factorization methods this can be achieved on a sample (experiment)-by-sample basis. Postulating one or more components with indifferent features enables their removal from disease and control specific components on a sample-by-sample basis. This yields selected components with reduced complexity and generally, it increases prediction accuracy. PMID:22208882

SI-traceable and dynamic reference gas mixtures for water vapour at polar and high troposphere atmospheric levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillevic, Myriam; Pascale, Céline; Mutter, Daniel; Wettstein, Sascha; Niederhauser, Bernhard

2017-04-01

In the framework of METAS' AtmoChem-ECV project, new facilities are currently being developed to generate reference gas mixtures for water vapour at concentrations measured in the high troposphere and polar regions, in the range 1-20 µmol/mol (ppm). The generation method is dynamic (the mixture is produced continuously over time) and SI-traceable (i.e. the amount of substance fraction in mole per mole is traceable to the definition of SI-units). The generation process is composed of three successive steps. The first step is to purify the matrix gas, nitrogen or synthetic air. Second, this matrix gas is spiked with the pure substance using a permeation technique: a permeation device contains a few grams of pure water in liquid form and loses it linearly over time by permeation through a membrane. In a third step, to reach the desired concentration, the first, high concentration mixture exiting the permeation chamber is then diluted with a chosen flow of matrix gas with one or two subsequent dilution steps. All flows are piloted by mass flow controllers. All parts in contact with the gas mixture are passivated using coated surfaces, to reduce adsorption/desorption processes as much as possible. The mixture can eventually be directly used to calibrate an analyser. The standard mixture produced by METAS' dynamic setup was injected into a chilled mirror from MBW Calibration AG, the designated institute for absolute humidity calibration in Switzerland. The used chilled mirror, model 373LX, is able to measure frost point and sample pressure and therefore calculate the water vapour concentration. This intercomparison of the two systems was performed in the range 4-18 ppm water vapour in synthetic air, at two different pressure levels, 1013.25 hPa and 2000 hPa. We present here METAS' dynamic setup, its uncertainty budget and the first results of the intercomparison with MBW's chilled mirror.

46 CFR 162.050-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...-water mixture to provide a resulting mixture that has an oil concentration of 15 ppm or less. Bilge alarm means an instrument that is designed to measure the oil content of oily mixtures from machinery... and oily mixtures combined with these residues. PPM means parts per million by volume of oil in water...

46 CFR 162.050-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...-water mixture to provide a resulting mixture that has an oil concentration of 15 ppm or less. Bilge alarm means an instrument that is designed to measure the oil content of oily mixtures from machinery... and oily mixtures combined with these residues. PPM means parts per million by volume of oil in water...

46 CFR 162.050-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...-water mixture to provide a resulting mixture that has an oil concentration of 15 ppm or less. Bilge alarm means an instrument that is designed to measure the oil content of oily mixtures from machinery... and oily mixtures combined with these residues. PPM means parts per million by volume of oil in water...

46 CFR 162.050-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...-water mixture to provide a resulting mixture that has an oil concentration of 15 ppm or less. Bilge alarm means an instrument that is designed to measure the oil content of oily mixtures from machinery... and oily mixtures combined with these residues. PPM means parts per million by volume of oil in water...

Separation process using microchannel technology

DOEpatents

Tonkovich, Anna Lee [Dublin, OH; Perry, Steven T [Galloway, OH; Arora, Ravi [Dublin, OH; Qiu, Dongming [Bothell, WA; Lamont, Michael Jay [Hilliard, OH; Burwell, Deanna [Cleveland Heights, OH; Dritz, Terence Andrew [Worthington, OH; McDaniel, Jeffrey S [Columbus, OH; Rogers, Jr; William, A [Marysville, OH; Silva, Laura J [Dublin, OH; Weidert, Daniel J [Lewis Center, OH; Simmons, Wayne W [Dublin, OH; Chadwell, G Bradley [Reynoldsburg, OH

2009-03-24

The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.

I. Cognitive and Instructional Factors Relating to Students' Development of Personal Models of Chemical Systems in the General Chemistry Laboratory II. Solvation in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide/Ethanol Mixtures Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anthony, Seth

2014-01-01

Part I: Students' participation in inquiry-based chemistry laboratory curricula, and, in particular, engagement with key thinking processes in conjunction with these experiences, is linked with success at the difficult task of "transfer"--applying their knowledge in new contexts to solve unfamiliar types of problems. We investigate…

Comparative Toxicity of Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil (LSC) and Chemically Dispersed LSC to Two Gulf of Mexico Aquatic Test Species.

EPA Science Inventory

Environmental Protection Agency released peer reviewed results from the second phase of its independent toxicity testing on mixtures of eight oil dispersants with Louisiana Sweet Crude Oil. EPA conducted the tests as part of an effort to ensure that EPA decisions remain grounded ...

Interfacial tension and vapor-liquid equilibria in the critical region of mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moldover, Michael R.; Rainwater, James C.

1988-01-01

In the critical region, the concept of two-scale-factor universality can be used to accurately predict the surface tension between near-critical vapor and liquid phases from the singularity in the thermodynamic properties of the bulk fluid. In the present work, this idea is generalized to binary mixtures and is illustrated using the data of Hsu et al. (1985) for CO2 + n-butane. The pressure-temperature-composition-density data for coexisting, near-critical phases of the mixtures are fitted with a thermodynamic potential comprised of a sum of a singular term and nonsingular terms. The nonuniversal amplitudes characterizing the singular term for the mixtures are obtained from the amplitudes for the pure components by interpolation in a space of thermodynamic 'field' variables. The interfacial tensions predicted for the mixtures from the singular term are within 10 percent of the data on three isotherms in the pressure range (Pc - P)/Pc of less than 0.5. This difference is comparable to the combined experimental and model errors.

Advanced stability indicating chemometric methods for quantitation of amlodipine and atorvastatin in their quinary mixture with acidic degradation products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darwish, Hany W.; Hassan, Said A.; Salem, Maissa Y.; El-Zeany, Badr A.

2016-02-01

Two advanced, accurate and precise chemometric methods are developed for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine besylate (AML) and atorvastatin calcium (ATV) in the presence of their acidic degradation products in tablet dosage forms. The first method was Partial Least Squares (PLS-1) and the second was Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). PLS was compared to ANN models with and without variable selection procedure (genetic algorithm (GA)). For proper analysis, a 5-factor 5-level experimental design was established resulting in 25 mixtures containing different ratios of the interfering species. Fifteen mixtures were used as calibration set and the other ten mixtures were used as validation set to validate the prediction ability of the suggested models. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical tablets containing AML and ATV. The methods indicated the ability of the mentioned models to solve the highly overlapped spectra of the quinary mixture, yet using inexpensive and easy to handle instruments like the UV-VIS spectrophotometer.

Statistical mechanics of homogeneous partly pinned fluid systems.

PubMed

Krakoviack, Vincent

2010-12-01

The homogeneous partly pinned fluid systems are simple models of a fluid confined in a disordered porous matrix obtained by arresting randomly chosen particles in a one-component bulk fluid or one of the two components of a binary mixture. In this paper, their configurational properties are investigated. It is shown that a peculiar complementarity exists between the mobile and immobile phases, which originates from the fact that the solid is prepared in presence of and in equilibrium with the adsorbed fluid. Simple identities follow, which connect different types of configurational averages, either relative to the fluid-matrix system or to the bulk fluid from which it is prepared. Crucial simplifications result for the computation of important structural quantities, both in computer simulations and in theoretical approaches. Finally, possible applications of the model in the field of dynamics in confinement or in strongly asymmetric mixtures are suggested.

Asphalt pavement surfaces and asphalt mixtures. Transportation research record

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

NONE

1996-12-31

The papers in this volume, which deal with asphalt pavement surfaces and asphalt mixtures, should be of interest to state and local construction, design, materials, and research engineers as well as contractors and material producers. The papers in Part 1 include discussions of pavement smoothness specifications and skidding characteristics. The first four papers in Part 2 were submitted in response to a call for papers for a session at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board on low-temperature properties of hot-mix asphalt. The next eight are on the influence of volumetric and strength properties on the performance ofmore » hot-mix asphalt. In the following three papers, the topics covered are the complex modulus of asphalt concrete, cold in-place asphalt recycling, and polymer modification of asphalt pavements in Ontario. The last two papers were presented in a session on relationship of materials characterization to accelerated pavement performance testing.« less

Separation of electrolyte solutions by reverse osmosis.

PubMed

Starov, V M; Churaev, N V

1993-05-09

The paper presented is subdivided into two parts. The first one includes a survey of current notions concerning the physico-chemical nature of interaction potential phi between dissolved molecules or ions and water with a membrane material. Special attention is paid to the structural potential and the potential of image forces. The main conclusion is that the potential of interaction phi determines the major part of phenomena which are relevant for reverse osmosis (RO) separation. In the second part the distribution coefficient gamma = exp (phi) is supposed to be known and a survey of theoretical investigations of RO processes is undertaken. The so called homogeneous model of RO membranes is employed and concentration polarization is taken into account. Two main points in this investigation should be emphasized, that is, taking into account concentration polarization and a theory of RO separation of electrolyte mixtures. The maximum value of rejection coefficient and corresponding optimum velocity of filtration are calculated. Negative rejection of some ions from the mixture is explained, as well as a change in pH of filtrate. The streaming potential is calculated as a function of Peclet number, distribution coefficients, membrane charge and so on in all cases. The suggested theory gives the possibility to explain a number of phenomena in RO separation of electrolyte solutions.

Alternatives to type II cement : Part I, Preliminary laboratory studies.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-01-01

In this study concrete mixtures incorporating fly ash are being investigated as possible alternatives to mixtures utilizing Type II cements. The mixture characteristics being considered are strength, resistance to freezing and thawing and sulfates, h...

Relaxation dynamics in a binary hard-ellipse liquid.

PubMed

Xu, Wen-Sheng; Sun, Zhao-Yan; An, Li-Jia

2015-01-21

Structural relaxation in binary hard spherical particles has been shown recently to exhibit a wealth of remarkable features when size disparity or mixture composition is varied. In this paper, we test whether or not similar dynamical phenomena occur in glassy systems composed of binary hard ellipses. We demonstrate via event-driven molecular dynamics simulation that a binary hard-ellipse mixture with an aspect ratio of two and moderate size disparity displays characteristic glassy dynamics upon increasing density in both the translational and the rotational degrees of freedom. The rotational glass transition density is found to be close to the translational one for the binary mixtures investigated. More importantly, we assess the influence of size disparity and mixture composition on the relaxation dynamics. We find that an increase of size disparity leads, both translationally and rotationally, to a speed up of the long-time dynamics in the supercooled regime so that both the translational and the rotational glass transition shift to higher densities. By increasing the number concentration of the small particles, the time evolution of both translational and rotational relaxation dynamics at high densities displays two qualitatively different scenarios, i.e., both the initial and the final part of the structural relaxation slow down for small size disparity, while the short-time dynamics still slows down but the final decay speeds up in the binary mixture with large size disparity. These findings are reminiscent of those observed in binary hard spherical particles. Therefore, our results suggest a universal mechanism for the influence of size disparity and mixture composition on the structural relaxation in both isotropic and anisotropic particle systems.

Quantum-coherent mixtures of causal relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maclean, Jean-Philippe W.; Ried, Katja; Spekkens, Robert W.; Resch, Kevin J.

2017-05-01

Understanding the causal influences that hold among parts of a system is critical both to explaining that system's natural behaviour and to controlling it through targeted interventions. In a quantum world, understanding causal relations is equally important, but the set of possibilities is far richer. The two basic ways in which a pair of time-ordered quantum systems may be causally related are by a cause-effect mechanism or by a common-cause acting on both. Here we show a coherent mixture of these two possibilities. We realize this nonclassical causal relation in a quantum optics experiment and derive a set of criteria for witnessing the coherence based on a quantum version of Berkson's effect, whereby two independent causes can become correlated on observation of their common effect. The interplay of causality and quantum theory lies at the heart of challenging foundational puzzles, including Bell's theorem and the search for quantum gravity.

Quantum-coherent mixtures of causal relations

PubMed Central

MacLean, Jean-Philippe W.; Ried, Katja; Spekkens, Robert W.; Resch, Kevin J.

2017-01-01

Understanding the causal influences that hold among parts of a system is critical both to explaining that system's natural behaviour and to controlling it through targeted interventions. In a quantum world, understanding causal relations is equally important, but the set of possibilities is far richer. The two basic ways in which a pair of time-ordered quantum systems may be causally related are by a cause-effect mechanism or by a common-cause acting on both. Here we show a coherent mixture of these two possibilities. We realize this nonclassical causal relation in a quantum optics experiment and derive a set of criteria for witnessing the coherence based on a quantum version of Berkson's effect, whereby two independent causes can become correlated on observation of their common effect. The interplay of causality and quantum theory lies at the heart of challenging foundational puzzles, including Bell's theorem and the search for quantum gravity. PMID:28485394

Quantum-coherent mixtures of causal relations.

PubMed

MacLean, Jean-Philippe W; Ried, Katja; Spekkens, Robert W; Resch, Kevin J

2017-05-09

Understanding the causal influences that hold among parts of a system is critical both to explaining that system's natural behaviour and to controlling it through targeted interventions. In a quantum world, understanding causal relations is equally important, but the set of possibilities is far richer. The two basic ways in which a pair of time-ordered quantum systems may be causally related are by a cause-effect mechanism or by a common-cause acting on both. Here we show a coherent mixture of these two possibilities. We realize this nonclassical causal relation in a quantum optics experiment and derive a set of criteria for witnessing the coherence based on a quantum version of Berkson's effect, whereby two independent causes can become correlated on observation of their common effect. The interplay of causality and quantum theory lies at the heart of challenging foundational puzzles, including Bell's theorem and the search for quantum gravity.

Improved wire chamber

DOEpatents

Atac, M.

1987-05-12

An improved gas mixture for use with proportional counter devices, such as Geiger-Mueller tubes and drift chambers. The improved gas mixture provides a stable drift velocity while eliminating wire aging caused by prior art gas mixtures. The new gas mixture is comprised of equal parts argon and ethane gas and having approximately 0.25% isopropyl alcohol vapor. 2 figs.

Comparing Factor, Class, and Mixture Models of Cannabis Initiation and DSM Cannabis Use Disorder Criteria, Including Craving, in the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study

PubMed Central

Kubarych, Thomas S.; Kendler, Kenneth S.; Aggen, Steven H.; Estabrook, Ryne; Edwards, Alexis C.; Clark, Shaunna L.; Martin, Nicholas G.; Hickie, Ian B.; Neale, Michael C.; Gillespie, Nathan A.

2014-01-01

Accumulating evidence suggests that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria for cannabis abuse and dependence are best represented by a single underlying factor. However, it remains possible that models with additional factors, or latent class models or hybrid models, may better explain the data. Using structured interviews, 626 adult male and female twins provided complete data on symptoms of cannabis abuse and dependence, plus a craving criterion. We compared latent factor analysis, latent class analysis, and factor mixture modeling using normal theory marginal maximum likelihood for ordinal data. Our aim was to derive a parsimonious, best-fitting cannabis use disorder (CUD) phenotype based on DSM-IV criteria and determine whether DSM-5 craving loads onto a general factor. When compared with latent class and mixture models, factor models provided a better fit to the data. When conditioned on initiation and cannabis use, the association between criteria for abuse, dependence, withdrawal, and craving were best explained by two correlated latent factors for males and females: a general risk factor to CUD and a factor capturing the symptoms of social and occupational impairment as a consequence of frequent use. Secondary analyses revealed a modest increase in the prevalence of DSM-5 CUD compared with DSM-IV cannabis abuse or dependence. It is concluded that, in addition to a general factor with loadings on cannabis use and symptoms of abuse, dependence, withdrawal, and craving, a second clinically relevant factor defined by features of social and occupational impairment was also found for frequent cannabis use. PMID:24588857

Disentangling the effects of low pH and metal mixture toxicity on macroinvertebrate diversity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fornaroli, Riccardo; Ippolito, Alessio; Tolkkinen, Mari J.; Mykrä, Heikki; Muotka, Timo; Balistrieri, Laurie S.; Schmidt, Travis S.

2018-01-01

One of the primary goals of biological assessment of streams is to identify which of a suite of chemical stressors is limiting their ecological potential. Elevated metal concentrations in streams are often associated with low pH, yet the effects of these two potentially limiting factors of freshwater biodiversity are rarely considered to interact beyond the effects of pH on metal speciation. Using a dataset from two continents, a biogeochemical model of the toxicity of metal mixtures (Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) and quantile regression, we addressed the relative importance of both pH and metals as limiting factors for macroinvertebrate communities. Current environmental quality standards for metals proved to be protective of stream macroinvertebrate communities and were used as a starting point to assess metal mixture toxicity. A model of metal mixture toxicity accounting for metal interactions was a better predictor of macroinvertebrate responses than a model considering individual metal toxicity. We showed that the direct limiting effect of pH on richness was of the same magnitude as that of chronic metal toxicity, independent of its influence on the availability and toxicity of metals. By accounting for the direct effect of pH on macroinvertebrate communities, we were able to determine that acidic streams supported less diverse communities than neutral streams even when metals were below no-effect thresholds. Through a multivariate quantile model, we untangled the limiting effect of both pH and metals and predicted the maximum diversity that could be expected at other sites as a function of these variables. This model can be used to identify which of the two stressors is more limiting to the ecological potential of running waters.

Disentangling the effects of low pH and metal mixture toxicity on macroinvertebrate diversity.

PubMed

Fornaroli, Riccardo; Ippolito, Alessio; Tolkkinen, Mari J; Mykrä, Heikki; Muotka, Timo; Balistrieri, Laurie S; Schmidt, Travis S

2018-04-01

One of the primary goals of biological assessment of streams is to identify which of a suite of chemical stressors is limiting their ecological potential. Elevated metal concentrations in streams are often associated with low pH, yet the effects of these two potentially limiting factors of freshwater biodiversity are rarely considered to interact beyond the effects of pH on metal speciation. Using a dataset from two continents, a biogeochemical model of the toxicity of metal mixtures (Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) and quantile regression, we addressed the relative importance of both pH and metals as limiting factors for macroinvertebrate communities. Current environmental quality standards for metals proved to be protective of stream macroinvertebrate communities and were used as a starting point to assess metal mixture toxicity. A model of metal mixture toxicity accounting for metal interactions was a better predictor of macroinvertebrate responses than a model considering individual metal toxicity. We showed that the direct limiting effect of pH on richness was of the same magnitude as that of chronic metal toxicity, independent of its influence on the availability and toxicity of metals. By accounting for the direct effect of pH on macroinvertebrate communities, we were able to determine that acidic streams supported less diverse communities than neutral streams even when metals were below no-effect thresholds. Through a multivariate quantile model, we untangled the limiting effect of both pH and metals and predicted the maximum diversity that could be expected at other sites as a function of these variables. This model can be used to identify which of the two stressors is more limiting to the ecological potential of running waters. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A NEW METHOD OF PEAK DETECTION FOR ANALYSIS OF COMPREHENSIVE TWO-DIMENSIONAL GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY DATA*

PubMed Central

Kim, Seongho; Ouyang, Ming; Jeong, Jaesik; Shen, Changyu; Zhang, Xiang

2014-01-01

We develop a novel peak detection algorithm for the analysis of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF MS) data using normal-exponential-Bernoulli (NEB) and mixture probability models. The algorithm first performs baseline correction and denoising simultaneously using the NEB model, which also defines peak regions. Peaks are then picked using a mixture of probability distribution to deal with the co-eluting peaks. Peak merging is further carried out based on the mass spectral similarities among the peaks within the same peak group. The algorithm is evaluated using experimental data to study the effect of different cut-offs of the conditional Bayes factors and the effect of different mixture models including Poisson, truncated Gaussian, Gaussian, Gamma, and exponentially modified Gaussian (EMG) distributions, and the optimal version is introduced using a trial-and-error approach. We then compare the new algorithm with two existing algorithms in terms of compound identification. Data analysis shows that the developed algorithm can detect the peaks with lower false discovery rates than the existing algorithms, and a less complicated peak picking model is a promising alternative to the more complicated and widely used EMG mixture models. PMID:25264474

19 CFR 12.121 - Reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... TREASURY SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures and Articles § 12.121 Reporting requirements. (a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent...

19 CFR 12.121 - Reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... TREASURY SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures and Articles § 12.121 Reporting requirements. (a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent...

19 CFR 12.121 - Reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... TREASURY SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures and Articles § 12.121 Reporting requirements. (a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent...

19 CFR 12.121 - Reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... TREASURY SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures and Articles § 12.121 Reporting requirements. (a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent...

19 CFR 12.121 - Reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... TREASURY SPECIAL CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Chemical Substances in Bulk and As Part of Mixtures and Articles § 12.121 Reporting requirements. (a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent...

Characterization of Mixtures. Part 2: QSPR Models for Prediction of Excess Molar Volume and Liquid Density Using Neural Networks.

PubMed

Ajmani, Subhash; Rogers, Stephen C; Barley, Mark H; Burgess, Andrew N; Livingstone, David J

2010-09-17

In our earlier work, we have demonstrated that it is possible to characterize binary mixtures using single component descriptors by applying various mixing rules. We also showed that these methods were successful in building predictive QSPR models to study various mixture properties of interest. Here in, we developed a QSPR model of an excess thermodynamic property of binary mixtures i.e. excess molar volume (V(E) ). In the present study, we use a set of mixture descriptors which we earlier designed to specifically account for intermolecular interactions between the components of a mixture and applied successfully to the prediction of infinite-dilution activity coefficients using neural networks (part 1 of this series). We obtain a significant QSPR model for the prediction of excess molar volume (V(E) ) using consensus neural networks and five mixture descriptors. We find that hydrogen bond and thermodynamic descriptors are the most important in determining excess molar volume (V(E) ), which is in line with the theory of intermolecular forces governing excess mixture properties. The results also suggest that the mixture descriptors utilized herein may be sufficient to model a wide variety of properties of binary and possibly even more complex mixtures. Copyright © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

PREPARATION OF DIBASIC ALUMINUM NITRATE

DOEpatents

Gresky, A.T.; Nurmi, E.O.; Foster, D.L.; Wischow, R.P.; Savolainen, J.E.

1960-04-01

A method is given for the preparation and recovery of basic aluminum nltrates having an OH: Al ratio of at least two, comprising two steps. First, metallic aluminum is dissolved in aqueous Al(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/, in the presence of a small quantity of elemental or ionic mercury, to increase its Al: NO/sub 3/ ratio into the range 1 to 1.2. The resulting aqueous solution is then added to an excess of a special organic solvent, typically a mixture of five parts methanol and six parts diethyl ether, whereupon the basic aluminum nitrate, e.g. Al/sub 6/(OH)/sub 13/-(NO/sub 3/)/sub 5/, recoverably precipitates.

Evaluation of Proposed Rocket Engines for Earth-to-Orbit Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, James A.; Kramer, Richard D.

1990-01-01

The objective is to evaluate recently analyzed rocket engines for advanced Earth-to-orbit vehicles. The engines evaluated are full-flow staged combustion engines and split expander engines, both at mixture ratios at 6 and above with oxygen and hydrogen propellants. The vehicles considered are single-stage and two-stage fully reusable vehicles and the Space Shuttle with liquid rocket boosters. The results indicate that the split expander engine at a mixture ratio of about 7 is competitive with the full-flow staged combustion engine for all three vehicle concepts. A key factor in this result is the capability to increase the chamber pressure for the split expander as the mixture ratio is increased from 6 to 7.

Using Factor Mixture Models to Evaluate the Type A/B Classification of Alcohol Use Disorders in a Heterogeneous Treatment Sample

PubMed Central

Hildebrandt, Tom; Epstein, Elizabeth E.; Sysko, Robyn; Bux, Donald A.

2017-01-01

Background The type A/B classification model for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has received considerable empirical support. However, few studies examine the underlying latent structure of this subtyping model, which has been challenged as a dichotomization of a single drinking severity dimension. Type B, relative to type A, alcoholics represent those with early age of onset, greater familial risk, and worse outcomes from alcohol use. Method We examined the latent structure of the type A/B model using categorical, dimensional, and factor mixture models in a mixed gender community treatment-seeking sample of adults with an AUD. Results Factor analytic models identified 2-factors (drinking severity/externalizing psychopathology and internalizing psychopathology) underlying the type A/B indicators. A factor mixture model with 2-dimensions and 3-classes emerged as the best overall fitting model. The classes reflected a type A class and two type B classes (B1 and B2) that differed on the respective level of drinking severity/externalizing pathology and internalizing pathology. Type B1 had a greater prevalence of women and more internalizing pathology and B2 had a greater prevalence of men and more drinking severity/externalizing pathology. The 2-factor, 3-class model also exhibited predictive validity by explaining significant variance in 12-month drinking and drug use outcomes. Conclusions The model identified in the current study may provide a basis for examining different sources of heterogeneity in the course and outcome of AUDs. PMID:28247423

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of a mixture of heavy metals in Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae) in synthetic sediment

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

Harrahy, E.A.; Clements, W.H.

1997-02-01

This research investigated toxicity and bioaccumulation of a mixture of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in Chironomus tentans in synthetic sediment, and compared predicted to measured steady-state bioaccumulation factors (BAFs). In a toxicity test, C. tentans were exposed to various dilutions of a base concentration (1.0 X) of a mixture of the four metals (5 {micro}g/g Cd. 10 {micro}g/g Cu. 70 {micro}g/g Pb, and 300 {micro}g/g Zn) in synthetic sediment. Mortality ranged from 17 to 100%. To measure bioaccumulation of the metals, C. tentans were exposed to 0.35 X the base concentration for a period of up to 14 dmore » in two uptake tests. Bioaccumulation of all four metals increased over the 14-d uptake phases. Concentrations of metals in chironomids were significantly correlated with exposure time in the uptake phases. Only concentrations of copper approached background levels after 7 d depuration. Uptake rate coefficients and elimination rate constants were determined for each metal. Bioaccumulation factors were highest for Cd and lowest for Pb. With the exception of Pb, steady-state BAFs were within a factor of about two of those calculated using the first-order kinetic model. The high BAFs calculated may indicate greater bioavailability in synthetic sediment. Studies comparing toxicity and bioaccumulation of natural and synthetic sediments are necessary before the use of synthetic sediments is widely adopted.« less

76 FR 40850 - Glymes; Proposed Significant New Use Rule

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-12

... and diglyme (Refs. 1, 2, 3, and 4), which indicated that it appeared these two chemical substances are... defined at 40 CFR 721.3 as: ``a chemical substance that is directly, or as part of a mixture, sold or made... around a school, or in recreation.'' While hazard data are only currently available for 3 of the 14...

Identifying the most likely contributors to a Y-STR mixture using the discrete Laplace method.

PubMed

Andersen, Mikkel Meyer; Eriksen, Poul Svante; Mogensen, Helle Smidt; Morling, Niels

2015-03-01

In some crime cases, the male part of the DNA in a stain can only be analysed using Y chromosomal markers, e.g. Y-STRs. This may be the case in e.g. rape cases, where the male components can only be detected as Y-STR profiles, because the fraction of male DNA is much smaller than that of female DNA, which can mask the male results when autosomal STRs are investigated. Sometimes, mixtures of Y-STRs are observed, e.g. in rape cases with multiple offenders. In such cases, Y-STR mixture analysis is required, e.g. by mixture deconvolution, to deduce the most likely DNA profiles from the contributors. We demonstrate how the discrete Laplace method can be used to separate a two person Y-STR mixture, where the Y-STR profiles of the true contributors are not present in the reference dataset, which is often the case for Y-STR profiles in real case work. We also briefly discuss how to calculate the weight of the evidence using the likelihood ratio principle when a suspect's Y-STR profile fits into a two person mixture. We used three datasets with between 7 and 21 Y-STR loci: Denmark (n=181), Somalia (n=201) and Germany (n=3443). The Danish dataset with 21 loci was truncated to 15 and 10 loci to examine the effect of the number of loci. For each of these datasets, an out of sample simulation study was performed: A total of 550 mixtures were composed by randomly sampling two haplotypes, h1 and h2, from the dataset. We then used the discrete Laplace method on the remaining data (excluding h1 and h2) to rank the contributor pairs by the product of the contributors' estimated haplotype frequencies. Successful separation of mixtures (defined by the observation that the true contributor pair was among the 10 most likely contributor pairs) was found in 42-52% of the cases for 21 loci, 69-75% for 15 loci and 92-99% for 10 loci or less depending on the dataset and how the discrete Laplace model was chosen. Y-STR mixtures with many loci are difficult to separate, but even haplotypes with 21 Y-STR loci can be separated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gravel-Sand-Clay Mixture Model for Predictions of Permeability and Velocity of Unconsolidated Sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konishi, C.

2014-12-01

Gravel-sand-clay mixture model is proposed particularly for unconsolidated sediments to predict permeability and velocity from volume fractions of the three components (i.e. gravel, sand, and clay). A well-known sand-clay mixture model or bimodal mixture model treats clay contents as volume fraction of the small particle and the rest of the volume is considered as that of the large particle. This simple approach has been commonly accepted and has validated by many studies before. However, a collection of laboratory measurements of permeability and grain size distribution for unconsolidated samples show an impact of presence of another large particle; i.e. only a few percent of gravel particles increases the permeability of the sample significantly. This observation cannot be explained by the bimodal mixture model and it suggests the necessity of considering the gravel-sand-clay mixture model. In the proposed model, I consider the three volume fractions of each component instead of using only the clay contents. Sand becomes either larger or smaller particles in the three component mixture model, whereas it is always the large particle in the bimodal mixture model. The total porosity of the two cases, one is the case that the sand is smaller particle and the other is the case that the sand is larger particle, can be modeled independently from sand volume fraction by the same fashion in the bimodal model. However, the two cases can co-exist in one sample; thus, the total porosity of the mixed sample is calculated by weighted average of the two cases by the volume fractions of gravel and clay. The effective porosity is distinguished from the total porosity assuming that the porosity associated with clay is zero effective porosity. In addition, effective grain size can be computed from the volume fractions and representative grain sizes for each component. Using the effective porosity and the effective grain size, the permeability is predicted by Kozeny-Carman equation. Furthermore, elastic properties are obtainable by general Hashin-Shtrikman-Walpole bounds. The predicted results by this new mixture model are qualitatively consistent with laboratory measurements and well log obtained for unconsolidated sediments. Acknowledgement: A part of this study was accomplished with a subsidy of River Environment Fund of Japan.

New Lancet Oncology publication - Defining a research and policy agenda for betel quid and areca nut

Cancer.gov

Betel quid and areca nut, typically made up of a mixture of areca nut and slaked lime wrapped in a betel leaf with added flavorings, is a known risk factor for many oral and other associated cancers. There are more than 600 million betel quid or areca nut users worldwide (or 10% of the world’s population), making it a critical global cancer control issue. With its use steeped in culture and tradition, the use of betel quid and areca nut is widely unregulated, and poses a significant and understudied health threat to the Asia-Pacific region where prevalence is high. Unlike many forms of smoked tobacco, the two are widely used by women in regions where common. Betel quid and areca use also extends beyond the Asia-Pacific region to diaspora and migrant communities in the U.S., South Africa, and parts of Europe and the Middle East.

GENE INDUCTION STUDIES AND TOXICITY OF CHEMICAL MIXTURES

EPA Science Inventory

As part of its mixtures program the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) supports in vitro and limited in vivo toxicity testing to further our understanding of the toxicity and health effects of chemical mixtures. There are increasing concerns that environment...

Induction of micronuclei in buccal mucosa on chewing a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut and tobacco.

PubMed

Sellappa, Sudha; Balakrishnan, Mythili; Raman, Sangeetha; Palanisamy, Subashini

2009-06-01

Betel quid containing areca nut and chewing tobacco is used in many parts of India. In this study we evaluated the micronuclei (MN) in buccal mucosa of healthy individuals from southern India, who were regularly chewing a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut and tobacco. A total of 44 subjects were examined. The study population included 15 chewers, 14 chewers with smoking habit and 15 controls with the mean age of 38.57 +/- 0.54, 34.50 +/- 0.95, and 33.28 +/- 0.89 years, respectively. The mean percentage of MN was 1.90 +/- 1.03 in chewers, 2.00 +/-1.12 in chewers with smoking habits and 0.81 +/- 0.66 in controls. There was no significant difference between the mean percentages of the two experimental groups. It can be concluded that a mixture of betel leaf, areca nut, and tobacco is unsafe for oral health.

40 CFR 710.43 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... CHEMICAL INVENTORY REGULATIONS Inventory Update Reporting for 2006 and Beyond § 710.43 Definitions. In... subpart C of this part: Commercial use means the use of a chemical substance or mixture in a commercial...). Consumer use means the use of a chemical substance that is directly, or as part of a mixture, sold to or...

Performance of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker in Run 1 of the LHC: tracker properties

DOE PAGES

Aaboud, M.; Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; ...

2017-05-03

The tracking performance parameters of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) as part of the ATLAS inner detector are described in this paper for different data-taking conditions in proton-proton, proton-lead and lead-lead collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The performance is studied using data collected during the first period of LHC operation (Run 1) and is compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The performance of the TRT, operating with two different gas mixtures (xenon-based and argon-based) and its dependence on the TRT occupancy is presented. Furthermore, these studies show that the tracking performance of the TRT is similar for themore » two gas mixtures and that a significant contribution to the particle momentum resolution is made by the TRT up to high particle densities.« less

Configuration-specific kinetic theory applied to an ideal binary gas mixture.

PubMed

Wiseman, Floyd L

2006-10-05

This paper is the second in a two-part series dealing with the configuration-specific analyses for molecular collision events of hard, spherical molecules at thermal equilibrium. The first paper analyzed a single-component system, and the reader is referred to it for the fundamental concepts. In this paper, the expressions for the configuration-specific collision frequencies and the average line-of-centers collision angles and speeds are derived for an ideal binary gas mixture. The analyses show that the average line-of-centers quantities are all dependent upon the ratio of the masses of the two components, but not upon molecular size. Of course, the configuration-specific collision frequencies do depend on molecular size. The expression for the overall binary collision frequency is a simple sum of the configuration-specific collision frequencies and is identical to the conventional expression.

Metal mixture modeling evaluation project: 2. Comparison of four modeling approaches.

PubMed

Farley, Kevin J; Meyer, Joseph S; Balistrieri, Laurie S; De Schamphelaere, Karel A C; Iwasaki, Yuichi; Janssen, Colin R; Kamo, Masashi; Lofts, Stephen; Mebane, Christopher A; Naito, Wataru; Ryan, Adam C; Santore, Robert C; Tipping, Edward

2015-04-01

As part of the Metal Mixture Modeling Evaluation (MMME) project, models were developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan), the US Geological Survey (USA), HDR|HydroQual (USA), and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (United Kingdom) to address the effects of metal mixtures on biological responses of aquatic organisms. A comparison of the 4 models, as they were presented at the MMME workshop in Brussels, Belgium (May 2012), is provided in the present study. Overall, the models were found to be similar in structure (free ion activities computed by the Windermere humic aqueous model [WHAM]; specific or nonspecific binding of metals/cations in or on the organism; specification of metal potency factors or toxicity response functions to relate metal accumulation to biological response). Major differences in modeling approaches are attributed to various modeling assumptions (e.g., single vs multiple types of binding sites on the organism) and specific calibration strategies that affected the selection of model parameters. The models provided a reasonable description of additive (or nearly additive) toxicity for a number of individual toxicity test results. Less-than-additive toxicity was more difficult to describe with the available models. Because of limitations in the available datasets and the strong interrelationships among the model parameters (binding constants, potency factors, toxicity response parameters), further evaluation of specific model assumptions and calibration strategies is needed. © 2014 SETAC.

Metal Mixture Modeling Evaluation project: 2. Comparison of four modeling approaches

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farley, Kevin J.; Meyer, Joe; Balistrieri, Laurie S.; DeSchamphelaere, Karl; Iwasaki, Yuichi; Janssen, Colin; Kamo, Masashi; Lofts, Steve; Mebane, Christopher A.; Naito, Wataru; Ryan, Adam C.; Santore, Robert C.; Tipping, Edward

2015-01-01

As part of the Metal Mixture Modeling Evaluation (MMME) project, models were developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan), the U.S. Geological Survey (USA), HDR⎪HydroQual, Inc. (USA), and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK) to address the effects of metal mixtures on biological responses of aquatic organisms. A comparison of the 4 models, as they were presented at the MMME Workshop in Brussels, Belgium (May 2012), is provided herein. Overall, the models were found to be similar in structure (free ion activities computed by WHAM; specific or non-specific binding of metals/cations in or on the organism; specification of metal potency factors and/or toxicity response functions to relate metal accumulation to biological response). Major differences in modeling approaches are attributed to various modeling assumptions (e.g., single versus multiple types of binding site on the organism) and specific calibration strategies that affected the selection of model parameters. The models provided a reasonable description of additive (or nearly additive) toxicity for a number of individual toxicity test results. Less-than-additive toxicity was more difficult to describe with the available models. Because of limitations in the available datasets and the strong inter-relationships among the model parameters (log KM values, potency factors, toxicity response parameters), further evaluation of specific model assumptions and calibration strategies is needed.

The free radical chain mechanism of the initial stages of crude oil oxidation in term of SARA fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushakova, A.; Emelyanov, D.; Zatsepin, V.; Varfolomeev, M.

2018-05-01

The formation and decomposition of hydro-peroxides are the key stages of combustion. These stages strongly depend on the several factors accelerating or slowing this process. The aim of this work is to estimate experimentally which oil components act as inhibitors of initial stages of oxidation and which accelerate the process. The next aim is to explore the process of adsorption of oil components on the grain of rock, which turned to be also a key process in the low temperature oxidation. The work includes experimental part where differential scanning calorimeter (PDSC) experiments with pure saturates, mixtures of saturates and aromatic oil fractions and mixtures of saturates, aromatic fractions and rock samples are considered. Effects of inhibition and acceleration of the initial oxidation stages are explored.

Technique for measuring gas conversion factors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, J. J.; Sprinkle, D. R. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A method for determining hydrocarbon conversion factors for a flowmeter. A mixture of air, O2 and C sub x H sub y is burned and the partial paressure of O2 in the resulting gas is forced to equal the partial pressure of O2 in air. The flowrate of O2 flowing into the mixture is measured by flowmeter and the flowrate of C sub x H sub y flowing into the mixture is measured by the flowmeter conversion factor is to be determined. These measured values are used to calculate the conversion factor.

Catalyst for cracking kerosene

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

Hsie, C. H.

1985-06-04

A catalyst capable of cracking kerosene under lower pressure and temperature comprising kerosene; metal powder mixture of chromium powder, copper powder, lead powder, zinc powder, nickel powder, manganese powder in an amount of 12 to 13 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said kerosene; sulfuric acid in an amount of 15 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said kerosene; inorganic powder mixture of aluminum oxide powder, serpentine powder, alum powder, magnesium oxide powder, limestone powder, slake lime powder, silica powder, and granite powder in an amount of 150 to 170 parts bymore » weight per 100 parts by weight of said kerosene.« less

Transient Catalytic Combustor Model With Detailed Gas and Surface Chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Struk, Peter M.; Dietrich, Daniel L.; Mellish, Benjamin P.; Miller, Fletcher J.; Tien, James S.

2005-01-01

In this work, we numerically investigate the transient combustion of a premixed gas mixture in a narrow, perfectly-insulated, catalytic channel which can represent an interior channel of a catalytic monolith. The model assumes a quasi-steady gas-phase and a transient, thermally thin solid phase. The gas phase is one-dimensional, but it does account for heat and mass transfer in a direction perpendicular to the flow via appropriate heat and mass transfer coefficients. The model neglects axial conduction in both the gas and in the solid. The model includes both detailed gas-phase reactions and catalytic surface reactions. The reactants modeled so far include lean mixtures of dry CO and CO/H2 mixtures, with pure oxygen as the oxidizer. The results include transient computations of light-off and system response to inlet condition variations. In some cases, the model predicts two different steady-state solutions depending on whether the channel is initially hot or cold. Additionally, the model suggests that the catalytic ignition of CO/O2 mixtures is extremely sensitive to small variations of inlet equivalence ratios and parts per million levels of H2.

Enhanced gain and output power of a sealed-off rf-excited CO2 waveguide laser with gold-plated electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heeman-Ilieva, M. B.; Udalov, Yu. B.; Hoen, K.; Witteman, W. J.

1994-02-01

The small-signal gain and the laser output power have been measured in a cw sealed-off rf-excited CO2 waveguide laser for two different electrode materials, gold-plated copper and aluminum, at several excitation frequencies, gas pressures and mixture compositions. In the case of the gold-plated electrodes an enhancement of the gain up to a factor of 2 and the output power up to a factor of 1.4 with time at a frequency of 190 MHz and 60 Torr of 1:1:5+5% (CO2:N2:He+Xe) mixture is observed. This is believed to be the result of the gold catalytic activities which are favored by increased electrode temperatures and helium rich gas compositions.

Heat transfer enhancement and entropy generation analysis of Al2O3-water nanofluid in an alternating oval cross-section tube using two-phase mixture model under turbulent flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najafi Khaboshan, Hasan; Nazif, Hamid Reza

2018-04-01

Heat transfer and turbulent flow of Al2O3-water nanofluid within alternating oval cross-section tube are numerically simulated using Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase mixture model. The primary goal of the present study is to investigate the effects of nanoparticles volume fraction, nanoparticles diameter and different inlet velocities on heat transfer, pressure drop and entropy generation characteristics of the alternating oval cross-section tube. For numerical simulation validation, the numerical results were compared with experimental data. Also, constant wall temperature boundary condition was considered on the tube wall. In addition, the comparison of thermal-hydraulic performance and the entropy generation characteristics between alternating oval cross-section tube and circular tube under same fluids were done. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of alternating oval cross-section tube is more than base tube under same fluids. Also, these two parameters are increased when adding Al2O3 nanoparticle into water fluid, at any inlet velocity for both tubes. Furthermore, compared to the base fluid, the value of the heat transfer enhancement of nanofluid is higher than the increase of friction factor of nanofluid at the same given inlet boundary conditions. The results of entropy generation analysis illustrate that the total entropy generation increase with increasing the nanoparticles volume fraction and decreasing the nanoparticles diameter of nanofluid. The generation of thermal entropy is the main part of irreversibility, and Bejan number with an increase of the nanoparticles diameter slightly increases. Finally, at any given inlet velocity the frictional irreversibility is grown with an increase the nanoparticles volume fraction.

Advanced stability indicating chemometric methods for quantitation of amlodipine and atorvastatin in their quinary mixture with acidic degradation products.

PubMed

Darwish, Hany W; Hassan, Said A; Salem, Maissa Y; El-Zeany, Badr A

2016-02-05

Two advanced, accurate and precise chemometric methods are developed for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine besylate (AML) and atorvastatin calcium (ATV) in the presence of their acidic degradation products in tablet dosage forms. The first method was Partial Least Squares (PLS-1) and the second was Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). PLS was compared to ANN models with and without variable selection procedure (genetic algorithm (GA)). For proper analysis, a 5-factor 5-level experimental design was established resulting in 25 mixtures containing different ratios of the interfering species. Fifteen mixtures were used as calibration set and the other ten mixtures were used as validation set to validate the prediction ability of the suggested models. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical tablets containing AML and ATV. The methods indicated the ability of the mentioned models to solve the highly overlapped spectra of the quinary mixture, yet using inexpensive and easy to handle instruments like the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Process for separating nitrogen from methane using microchannel process technology

DOEpatents

Tonkovich, Anna Lee [Marysville, OH; Qiu, Dongming [Dublin, OH; Dritz, Terence Andrew [Worthington, OH; Neagle, Paul [Westerville, OH; Litt, Robert Dwayne [Westerville, OH; Arora, Ravi [Dublin, OH; Lamont, Michael Jay [Hilliard, OH; Pagnotto, Kristina M [Cincinnati, OH

2007-07-31

The disclosed invention relates to a process for separating methane or nitrogen from a fluid mixture comprising methane and nitrogen, the process comprising: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator, the microchannel separator comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the methane or nitrogen is sorbed by the sorption medium, and removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing the methane or nitrogen from the sorption medium and removing the desorbed methane or nitrogen from the microchannel separator. The process is suitable for upgrading methane from coal mines, landfills, and other sub-quality sources.

EXTENSION OF SELF-MODELING CURVE RESOLUTION TO MIXTURES OF MORE THAN THREE COMPONENTS: PART 2: FINDING THE COMPLETE SOLUTION. (R826238)

EPA Science Inventory

The previous paper [R.C. Henry, B.M. Kim, Extension of self-modeling curve resolution to mixtures of more than three components: Part 1. Finding the basic feasible region, Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems 8 (1990) 205_¯216] explained an extension ...

Examining the Latent Structure of Anxiety Sensitivity in Adolescents using Factor Mixture Modeling

PubMed Central

Allan, Nicholas P.; MacPherson, Laura; Young, Kevin C.; Lejuez, Carl W.; Schmidt, Norman B.

2014-01-01

Anxiety sensitivity has been implicated as an important risk factor, generalizable to most anxiety disorders. In adults, factor mixture modeling has been used to demonstrate that anxiety sensitivity is best conceptualized as categorical between individuals. That is, whereas most adults appear to possess normative levels of anxiety sensitivity, a small subset of the population appears to possess abnormally high levels of anxiety sensitivity. Further, those in the high anxiety sensitivity group are at increased risk of having high levels of anxiety and of having an anxiety disorder. This study was designed to determine whether these findings extend to adolescents. Factor mixture modeling was used to examine the best fitting model of anxiety sensitivity in a sample of 277 adolescents (M age = 11.0, SD = .81). Consistent with research in adults, the best fitting model consisted of two classes, one containing adolescents with high levels of anxiety sensitivity (n = 25), and another containing adolescents with normative levels of anxiety sensitivity (n = 252). Examination of anxiety sensitivity subscales revealed that the social concerns subscale was not important for classification of individuals. Convergent and discriminant validity of anxiety sensitivity classes were found in that membership in the high anxiety sensitivity class was associated with higher mean levels of anxiety symptoms, controlling for depression and externalizing problems, and was not associated with higher mean levels of depression or externalizing symptoms controlling for anxiety problems. PMID:24749756

Synergy and other ineffective mixture risk definitions.

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

Hertzberg, R.; MacDonell, M.; Environmental Assessment

2002-04-08

A substantial effort has been spent over the past few decades to label toxicologic interaction outcomes as synergistic, antagonistic, or additive. Although useful in influencing the emotions of the public and the press, these labels have contributed fairly little to our understanding of joint toxic action. Part of the difficulty is that their underlying toxicological concepts are only defined for two chemical mixtures, while most environmental and occupational exposures are to mixtures of many more chemicals. Furthermore, the mathematical characterizations of synergism and antagonism are inextricably linked to the prevailing definition of 'no interaction,' instead of some intrinsic toxicological property.more » For example, the US EPA has selected dose addition as the no-interaction definition for mixture risk assessment, so that synergism would represent toxic effects that exceed those predicted from dose addition. For now, labels such as synergism are useful to regulatory agencies, both for qualitative indications of public health risk as well as numerical decision tools for mixture risk characterization. Efforts to quantify interaction designations for use in risk assessment formulas, however, are highly simplified and carry large uncertainties. Several research directions, such as pharmacokinetic measurements and models, and toxicogenomics, should promote significant improvements by providing multi-component data that will allow biologically based mathematical models of joint toxicity to replace these pairwise interaction labels in mixture risk assessment procedures.« less

Use of the Maximum Cumulative Ratio As an Approach for Prioritizing Aquatic Coexposure to Plant Protection Products: A Case Study of a Large Surface Water Monitoring Database.

PubMed

Vallotton, Nathalie; Price, Paul S

2016-05-17

This paper uses the maximum cumulative ratio (MCR) as part of a tiered approach to evaluate and prioritize the risk of acute ecological effects from combined exposures to the plant protection products (PPPs) measured in 3 099 surface water samples taken from across the United States. Assessments of the reported mixtures performed on a substance-by-substance approach and using a Tier One cumulative assessment based on the lowest acute ecotoxicity benchmark gave the same findings for 92.3% of the mixtures. These mixtures either did not indicate a potential risk for acute effects or included one or more individual PPPs that had concentrations in excess of their benchmarks. A Tier Two assessment using a trophic level approach was applied to evaluate the remaining 7.7% of the mixtures. This assessment reduced the number of mixtures of concern by eliminating the combination of endpoint from multiple trophic levels, identified invertebrates and nonvascular plants as the most susceptible nontarget organisms, and indicated that a only a very limited number of PPPs drove the potential concerns. The combination of the measures of cumulative risk and the MCR enabled the identification of a small subset of mixtures where a potential risk would be missed in substance-by-substance assessments.

Carbon deposition thresholds on nickel-based solid oxide fuel cell anodes I. Fuel utilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, J.; Kesler, O.

2015-03-01

In the first of a two part publication, the effect of fuel utilization (Uf) on carbon deposition rates in solid oxide fuel cell nickel-based anodes was studied. Representative 5-component CH4 reformate compositions (CH4, H2, CO, H2O, & CO2) were selected graphically by plotting the solutions to a system of mass-balance constraint equations. The centroid of the solution space was chosen to represent a typical anode gas mixture for each nominal Uf value. Selected 5-component and 3-component gas mixtures were then delivered to anode-supported cells for 10 h, followed by determination of the resulting deposited carbon mass. The empirical carbon deposition thresholds were affected by atomic carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) fractions of the delivered gas mixtures and temperature. It was also found that CH4-rich gas mixtures caused irreversible damage, whereas atomically equivalent CO-rich compositions did not. The coking threshold predicted by thermodynamic equilibrium calculations employing graphite for the solid carbon phase agreed well with empirical thresholds at 700 °C (Uf ≈ 32%); however, at 600 °C, poor agreement was observed with the empirical threshold of ∼36%. Finally, cell operating temperatures correlated well with the difference in enthalpy between the supplied anode gas mixtures and their resulting thermodynamic equilibrium gas mixtures.

Fuel-air mixing and combustion in a two-dimensional Wankel engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, T. I.-P.; Schock, H. J.; Ramos, J. I.

1987-01-01

A two-equation turbulence model, an algebraic grid generalization method, and an approximate factorization time-linearized numerical technique are used to study the effects of mixture stratification at the intake port and gaseous fuel injection on the flow field and fuel-air mixing in a two-dimensional rotary engine model. The fuel distribution in the combustion chamber is found to be a function of the air-fuel mixture fluctuations at the intake port. It is shown that the fuel is advected by the flow field induced by the rotor and is concentrated near the leading apex during the intake stroke, while during compression, the fuel concentration is highest near the trailing apex and is lowest near the rotor. It is also found that the fuel concentration near the trailing apex and rotor is small except at high injection velocities.

Dielectric properties of benzylamine in 1,2,6-hexanetriol mixture using time domain reflectometry technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swami, M. B.; Hudge, P. G.; Pawar, V. P.

The dielectric properties of binary mixtures of benzylamine-1,2,6-hexantriol mixtures at different volume fractions of 1,2,6-hexanetriol have been measured using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technique in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 30 GHz. Complex permittivity spectra were fitted using Havriliak-Negami equation. By using least square fit method the dielectric parameters such as static dielectric constant (ɛ0), dielectric constant at high frequency (ɛ∞), relaxation time τ (ps) and relaxation distribution parameter (β) were extracted from complex permittivity spectra at 25∘C. The intramolecular interaction of different molecules has been discussed using the Kirkwood correlation factor, Bruggeman factor. The Kirkwood correlation factor (gf) and effective Kirkwood correlation factor (geff) indicate the dipole ordering of the binary mixtures.

Effect of Eutectic Concentration on Conductivity in PEO:LiX Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhan, Pengfei; Ganapatibhotla, Lalitha; Maranas, Janna

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and lithium salt based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been widely proposed as a substitution for the liquid electrolyte in Li-ion batteries. As salt concentration varies, these systems demonstrate rich phase behavior. Conductivity as a function of salt concentration has been measured for decades and various concentration dependences have been observed. A PEO:LiX mixture can have one or two conductivity maximums, while some mixtures with salt of high ionic strength will have higher conductivity as the salt concentration decrease. The factors that affect the conductivity are specific for each sample. The universal factor that affects conductivity is still not clear. In this work, we measured the conductivity of a series of PEO:LiX mixtures and statistical analysis shows conductivity is affected by the concentration difference from the eutectic concentration (Δc). The correlation with Δc is stronger than the correlation with glass transition temperature. We believe that at the eutectic concentration, during the solidification process, unique structures can form which aid conduction. Currently at Dow Chemical.

Hindered transport of macromolecules in isolated glomeruli. II. Convection and pressure effects in basement membrane.

PubMed

Edwards, A; Daniels, B S; Deen, W M

1997-01-01

The filtration rates for water and a polydisperse mixture of Ficoll across films of isolated glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were measured to characterize convective transport across this part of the glomerular capillary wall. Glomeruli were isolated from rat kidneys and the cells were removed by detergent lysis, leaving a preparation containing almost pure GBM that could be consolidated into a layer at the base of a small ultrafiltration cell. A Ficoll mixture with Stokes-Einstein radii ranging from about 2.0 to 7.0 nm was labeled with fluorescein, providing a set of rigid, spherical test macromolecules with little molecular charge. Filtration experiments were performed at two physiologically relevant hydraulic pressure differences (delta P), 35 and 60 mmHg. The sieving coefficient (filtrate-to-retentate concentration ratio) for a given size of Ficoll tended to be larger at 35 than at 60 mmHg, the changes being greater for the smaller molecules. The Darcy permeability also varied inversely with pressure, averaging 1.48 +/- 0.10 nm2 at 35 mmHg and 0.82 +/- 0.07 nm2 at 60 mmHg. Both effects could be explained most simply by postulating that the intrinsic permeability properties of the GBM change in response to compression. The sieving data were consistent with linear declines in the hindrance factors for convection and diffusion with increasing pressure, and correlations were derived to relate those hindrance factors to molecular size and delta P. Comparisons with previous Ficoll sieving data for rats in vivo suggest that the GBM is less size-restrictive than the cell layers, but that its contribution to the overall size selectivity of the barrier is not negligible. Theoretical predictions of the Darcy permeability based on a model in which the GBM is a random fibrous network consisting of two populations of fibers were in excellent agreement with the present data and with ultrastructural observations in the literature.

46 CFR 162.050-3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...-water mixture to provide a resulting mixture that has an oil concentration of 15 ppm or less. Bilge... content meters, or bilge alarms. Oil content meter or meter means a component of the oil discharge... and oily mixtures combined with these residues. PPM means parts per million by volume of oil in water...

Wire chamber

DOEpatents

Atac, Muzaffer

1989-01-01

A wire chamber or proportional counter device, such as Geiger-Mueller tube or drift chamber, improved with a gas mixture providing a stable drift velocity while eliminating wire aging caused by prior art gas mixtures. The new gas mixture is comprised of equal parts argon and ethane gas and having approximately 0.25% isopropyl alcohol vapor.

Detection and distribution analysis of organosilicon compounds in wood by means of SEM-EDX and micro-CT

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

Vetter, L. de; Cnudde, V.; Masschaele, B.

This article explores the potential of a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer in combination with a new non-destructive 3D visualization technique, X-ray micro-computed tomography, as detection methods for siloxanes/silanes mixtures applied as wood preservatives. In order to have a higher contrast, bromine functional silane was added to the mixture. Scots pine and beech samples were dipped or impregnated with the mixture and subsequently scanned. Both silicon and bromine were easily detectable with both techniques. Dipped siloxanes/silanes covered the cell walls partly in beech and the lumen partly or completely in Scots pine. Impregnated siloxanes/silanes could bemore » found in the cell walls of both wood species. From the results, it can be concluded that, under the circumstances as described in the article, impregnation with a siloxane is necessary to have cell wall penetration. The combination of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and micro-computed tomography can offer important information concerning the localization of certain products inside wood. While the last of these can monitor changes in 3D, the other two techniques can provide detailed 2D information. Both techniques are complementary and provide important extra information.« less

Self-consistent average-atom scheme for electronic structure of hot and dense plasmas of mixture.

PubMed

Yuan, Jianmin

2002-10-01

An average-atom model is proposed to treat the electronic structures of hot and dense plasmas of mixture. It is assumed that the electron density consists of two parts. The first one is a uniform distribution with a constant value, which is equal to the electron density at the boundaries between the atoms. The second one is the total electron density minus the first constant distribution. The volume of each kind of atom is proportional to the sum of the charges of the second electron part and of the nucleus within each atomic sphere. By this way, one can make sure that electrical neutrality is satisfied within each atomic sphere. Because the integration of the electron charge within each atom needs the size of that atom in advance, the calculation is carried out in a usual self-consistent way. The occupation numbers of electron on the orbitals of each kind of atom are determined by the Fermi-Dirac distribution with the same chemical potential for all kinds of atoms. The wave functions and the orbital energies are calculated with the Dirac-Slater equations. As examples, the electronic structures of the mixture of Au and Cd, water (H2O), and CO2 at a few temperatures and densities are presented.

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurement of NAPL contaminated soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwartz, N.; Huisman, J. A.; Furman, A.

2010-12-01

The potential applicability of spectral induce polarization (SIP) as a tool to map NAPLs (non aqueous phase liquids) contaminants at the subsurface lead researchers to investigate the electric signature of those contaminant on the spectral response. However, and despite the cumulative efforts, the effect of NAPL on the electrical properties of soil, and the mechanisms that control this effect are largely unknown. In this work a novel experiment is designed to further examine the effect of NAPL on the electrical properties of partially saturated soil. The measurement system that used is the ZEL-SIP04 impedance meter developed at the Forschungszentrum Julich, Germany. The system accurately (nominal phase precision of 0.1 mrad below 1 kHz) measures the phase and the amplitude of a material possessing a very low polarization (such as soil). The sample holder has a dimension of 60 cm long and 4.6 cm in diameter. Current and potential electrodes were made of brass, and while the current electrodes were inserted in full into the soil, the contact between the potential electrode and the soil was made through an Agarose bridge. Two types of soils were used: clean quartz sand, and a mixture of sand with clean Bentonite. Each soil (sandy or clayey) was mixed with water to get saturation degree of 30%. Following the mixture with water, NAPL was added and the composite were mixed again. Packing was done by adding and compressing small portions of the soil to the column. A triplicate of each mixture was made with a good reproducible bulk density. Both for the sandy and clayey soils, the results indicate that additions of NAPL decrease the real part of the complex resistivity. Additionally, for the sandy soil this process is time depended, and that a further decrease in resistivity develops over time. The results are analyzed considering geometrical factors: while the NAPL is electrically insulator, addition of NAPL to the soil is expected to increase the connectivity of the water phase, and therefore a decrease in the real part of the complex resistivity occurs.

Evaluating the similarity of complex drinking-water disinfection by-product mixtures: overview of the issues.

PubMed

Rice, Glenn E; Teuschler, Linda K; Bull, Richard J; Simmons, Jane E; Feder, Paul I

2009-01-01

Humans are exposed daily to complex mixtures of environmental chemical contaminants, which arise as releases from sources such as engineering procedures, degradation processes, and emissions from mobile or stationary sources. When dose-response data are available for the actual environmental mixture to which individuals are exposed (i.e., the mixture of concern), these data provide the best information for dose-response assessment of the mixture. When suitable data on the mixture itself are not available, surrogate data might be used from a sufficiently similar mixture or a group of similar mixtures. Consequently, the determination of whether the mixture of concern is "sufficiently similar" to a tested mixture or a group of tested mixtures is central to the use of whole mixture methods. This article provides an overview for a series of companion articles whose purpose is to develop a set of biostatistical, chemical, and toxicological criteria and approaches for evaluating the similarity of drinking-water disinfection by-product (DBPs) complex mixtures. Together, the five articles in this series serve as a case study whose techniques will be relevant to assessing similarity for other classes of complex mixtures of environmental chemicals. Schenck et al. (2009) describe the chemistry and mutagenicity of a set of DBP mixtures concentrated from five different drinking-water treatment plants. Bull et al. (2009a, 2009b) describe how the variables that impact the formation of DBP affect the chemical composition and, subsequently, the expected toxicity of the mixture. Feder et al. (2009a, 2009b) evaluate the similarity of DBP mixture concentrates by applying two biostatistical approaches, principal components analysis, and a nonparametric "bootstrap" analysis. Important factors for determining sufficient similarity of DBP mixtures found in this research include disinfectant used; source water characteristics, including the concentrations of bromide and total organic carbon; concentrations and proportions of individual DBPs with known toxicity data on the same endpoint; magnitude of the unidentified fraction of total organic halides; similar toxicity outcomes for whole mixture testing (e.g., mutagenicity); and summary chemical measures such as total trihalomethanes, total haloacetic acids, total haloacetonitriles, and the levels of bromide incorporation in the DBP classes.

Rapid Confined Mixing Using Transverse Jets Part 2: Multiple Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forliti, David; Salazar, David

2012-11-01

An experimental study has been conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base to investigate the properties of confined mixing devices that employ transverse jets. The experiment considers the mixing of water with a mixture of water and fluorescein, and planar laser induced fluorescence was used to measure instantaneous mixture fraction distributions in the cross section view. Part one of this study presents the scaling law development and results for a single confined transverse jet. Part two will describe the results of configurations including multiple transverse jets. The different regimes of mixing behavior, ranging from under to overpenetration of the transverse jets, are characterized in terms of a new scaling law parameter presented in part one. The level of unmixedness, a primary metric for mixing device performance, is quantified for different jet diameters, number of jets, and relative flow rates. It is apparent that the addition of a second transverse jet provides enhanced scalar uniformity in the main pipe flow cross section compared to a single jet. Three and six jet configurations also provide highly uniform scalar distributions. Turbulent scalar fluctuation intensities, spectral features, and spatial eigenfunctions using the proper orthogonal decomposition will be presented. Distribution A: Public Release, Public Affairs Clearance Number: 12656.

Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation

DOEpatents

Calamur, Narasimhan; Carrera, Martin E.; Devlin, David J.; Archuleta, Tom

2000-01-01

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for separating one or more condensable compounds from a mixture of two or more gases of differing volatilities by capillary fractionation in a membrane-type apparatus, and a method of forming porous structures therefor. More particularly, the invention includes methods of forming and using an apparatus consisting, at least in part, of a porous structure having capillary-type passages extending between a plurality of small openings on the first side and larger openings on a second side of the structure, the passages being adapted to permit a condensed liquid to flow therethrough substantially by capillary forces, whereby vapors from the mixture are condensed, at least in part, and substantially in and adjacent to the openings on the first side, and are caused to flow in a condensed liquid state, substantially in the absence of vapor, from the openings on the first side to the openings on the second side.

Synergy in Protein–Osmolyte Mixtures

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Virtually all taxa use osmolytes to protect cells against biochemical stress. Osmolytes often occur in mixtures, such as the classical combination of urea with TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) in cartilaginous fish or the cocktail of at least six different osmolytes in the kidney. The concentration patterns of osmolyte mixtures found in vivo make it likely that synergy between them plays an important role. Using statistical mechanical n-component Kirkwood–Buff theory, we show from first principles that synergy in protein–osmolyte systems can arise from two separable sources: (1) mutual alteration of protein surface solvation and (2) effects mediated through bulk osmolyte chemical activities. We illustrate both effects in a four-component system with the experimental example of the unfolding of a notch ankyrin domain in urea–TMAO mixtures, which make urea a less effective denaturant and TMAO a more effective stabilizer. Protein surface effects are primarily responsible for this synergy. The specific patterns of surface solvation point to denatured state expansion as the main factor, as opposed to direct competition. PMID:25490052

Identification of homogeneous regions for rainfall regional frequency analysis considering typhoon event in South Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heo, J. H.; Ahn, H.; Kjeldsen, T. R.

2017-12-01

South Korea is prone to large, and often disastrous, rainfall events caused by a mixture of monsoon and typhoon rainfall phenomena. However, traditionally, regional frequency analysis models did not consider this mixture of phenomena when fitting probability distributions, potentially underestimating the risk posed by the more extreme typhoon events. Using long-term observed records of extreme rainfall from 56 sites combined with detailed information on the timing and spatial impact of past typhoons from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), this study developed and tested a new mixture model for frequency analysis of two different phenomena; events occurring regularly every year (monsoon) and events only occurring in some years (typhoon). The available annual maximum 24 hour rainfall data were divided into two sub-samples corresponding to years where the annual maximum is from either (1) a typhoon event, or (2) a non-typhoon event. Then, three-parameter GEV distribution was fitted to each sub-sample along with a weighting parameter characterizing the proportion of historical events associated with typhoon events. Spatial patterns of model parameters were analyzed and showed that typhoon events are less commonly associated with annual maximum rainfall in the North-West part of the country (Seoul area), and more prevalent in the southern and eastern parts of the country, leading to the formation of two distinct typhoon regions: (1) North-West; and (2) Southern and Eastern. Using a leave-one-out procedure, a new regional frequency model was tested and compared to a more traditional index flood method. The results showed that the impact of typhoon on design events might previously have been underestimated in the Seoul area. This suggests that the use of the mixture model should be preferred where the typhoon phenomena is less frequent, and thus can have a significant effect on the rainfall-frequency curve. This research was supported by a grant(2017-MPSS31-001) from Supporting Technology Development Program for Disaster Management funded by Ministry of Public Safety and Security(MPSS) of the Korean government.

21 CFR 82.6 - Certifiable mixtures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... PROVISIONALLY LISTED COLORS AND SPECIFICATIONS General Provisions § 82.6 Certifiable mixtures. (a) A batch of a mixture which contains no straight color listed in subpart C or D may be certified for use in food, drugs... provisions of this part, for use only in drugs and cosmetics, if: (1) Each coal-tar color used as an...

Using special additions to preparation of the moulding mixture for casting steel parts of drive wheel type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Josan, A.; Pinca Bretotean, C.

2015-06-01

The paper presents the possibility of using special additions to the execution of moulding mixtures for steel castings, drive wheel type. Critical analysis of moulding technology leads to the idea that most defects appear due to using improper moulding mixture. Using a improper moulding mixture leads to penetration of steel in moulding mixture, resulting in the formation of adherences, due to inadequate refractarity of the mould and core mixtures. Using only the unique mixture to the moulding leads to increasing consumption of new sand, respectively to the increase of price of piece. Acording to the dates registered in the industrial practice is necessary to use the special additions to obtain the moulding mixtures, carbonaceous materials respectively.

Resolving and quantifying overlapped chromatographic bands by transmutation

PubMed

Malinowski

2000-09-15

A new chemometric technique called "transmutation" is developed for the purpose of sharpening overlapped chromatographic bands in order to quantify the components. The "transmutation function" is created from the chromatogram of the pure component of interest, obtained from the same instrument, operating under the same experimental conditions used to record the unresolved chromatogram of the sample mixture. The method is used to quantify mixtures containing toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, naphthalene, and biphenyl from unresolved chromatograms previously reported. The results are compared to those obtained using window factor analysis, rank annihilation factor analysis, and matrix regression analysis. Unlike the latter methods, the transmutation method is not restricted to two-dimensional arrays of data, such as those obtained from HPLC/DAD, but is also applicable to chromatograms obtained from single detector experiments. Limitations of the method are discussed.

Mixture modeling methods for the assessment of normal and abnormal personality, part I: cross-sectional models.

PubMed

Hallquist, Michael N; Wright, Aidan G C

2014-01-01

Over the past 75 years, the study of personality and personality disorders has been informed considerably by an impressive array of psychometric instruments. Many of these tests draw on the perspective that personality features can be conceptualized in terms of latent traits that vary dimensionally across the population. A purely trait-oriented approach to personality, however, might overlook heterogeneity that is related to similarities among subgroups of people. This article describes how factor mixture modeling (FMM), which incorporates both categories and dimensions, can be used to represent person-oriented and trait-oriented variability in the latent structure of personality. We provide an overview of different forms of FMM that vary in the degree to which they emphasize trait- versus person-oriented variability. We also provide practical guidelines for applying FMM to personality data, and we illustrate model fitting and interpretation using an empirical analysis of general personality dysfunction.

A study on hardness behavior of geopolymer paste in different condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zainal, Farah Farhana; Hussin, Kamarudin; Rahmat, Azmi; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Shamsudin, Shaiful Rizam

2016-07-01

This study has been conducted to understand the hardness behavior of geopolymer paste in different conditions; with and without being immersed in water. Geopolymer paste has been used nowadays as an alternative way to reduce global warming pollution by carbon dioxide (CO2) released to the air caused from the production of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Geopolymer has many advantages such as high compressive strength, lower water absorption and lower porosity. Geopolymer paste in this study was made from a mixture of fly ash and alkaline activators. The alkaline activators that have been used were sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solution. Then the mixture was allowed to harden for 24hrs at ambient temperature and then placed in the oven for 24hrs with 60°C for the curing process. The hardness testing was conducted after a few months when the samples already achieved the optimum design. The samples were divided to two conditions; without immersion which was placed at ambient temperature (S1) and immersed in water for one week (S2). The samples then are divided into two at the center and testing was conducted into 4 parts which are part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4. Various methods of non-destructively testing concrete and mortar have been in use for many years such as Vickers hardness test, Rockwell hardness test, Brinell hardness test and many more. The Rockwell hardness test method as defined in ASTM E-18 is the most commonly used hardness test method which is also used in this study. From the results, S1 has higher hardness value than S2 for all parts with the maximum value of S1 is 118.6 and the minimum value is 71.8. The maximum value of S2 is 114.4 and the minimum value is 0. The central part of the geopolymer paste also showed greater hardness values than the edge area of the samples.

Spatially and Temporally Resolved Atomic Oxygen Measurements in Short Pulse Discharges by Two Photon Laser Induced Fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lempert, Walter; Uddi, Mruthunjaya; Mintusov, Eugene; Jiang, Naibo; Adamovich, Igor

2007-10-01

Two Photon Laser Induced Fluorescence (TALIF) is used to measure time-dependent absolute oxygen atom concentrations in O2/He, O2/N2, and CH4/air plasmas produced with a 20 nanosecond duration, 20 kV pulsed discharge at 10 Hz repetition rate. Xenon calibrated spectra show that a single discharge pulse creates initial oxygen dissociation fraction of ˜0.0005 for air like mixtures at 40-60 torr total pressure. Peak O atom concentration is a factor of approximately two lower in fuel lean (φ=0.5) methane/air mixtures. In helium buffer, the initially formed atomic oxygen decays monotonically, with decay time consistent with formation of ozone. In all nitrogen containing mixtures, atomic oxygen concentrations are found to initially increase, for time scales on the order of 10-100 microseconds, due presumably to additional O2 dissociation caused by collisions with electronically excited nitrogen. Further evidence of the role of metastable N2 is demonstrated from time-dependent N2 2^nd Positive and NO Gamma band emission spectroscopy. Comparisons with modeling predictions show qualitative, but not quantitative, agreement with the experimental data.

Population heterogeneity in the salience of multiple risk factors for adolescent delinquency.

PubMed

Lanza, Stephanie T; Cooper, Brittany R; Bray, Bethany C

2014-03-01

To present mixture regression analysis as an alternative to more standard regression analysis for predicting adolescent delinquency. We demonstrate how mixture regression analysis allows for the identification of population subgroups defined by the salience of multiple risk factors. We identified population subgroups (i.e., latent classes) of individuals based on their coefficients in a regression model predicting adolescent delinquency from eight previously established risk indices drawn from the community, school, family, peer, and individual levels. The study included N = 37,763 10th-grade adolescents who participated in the Communities That Care Youth Survey. Standard, zero-inflated, and mixture Poisson and negative binomial regression models were considered. Standard and mixture negative binomial regression models were selected as optimal. The five-class regression model was interpreted based on the class-specific regression coefficients, indicating that risk factors had varying salience across classes of adolescents. Standard regression showed that all risk factors were significantly associated with delinquency. Mixture regression provided more nuanced information, suggesting a unique set of risk factors that were salient for different subgroups of adolescents. Implications for the design of subgroup-specific interventions are discussed. Copyright © 2014 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Complex mixtures of anti-androgens at concentrations below individual chemical effect levels produces reproductive tract malformations in the male rat

EPA Science Inventory

This product is a powerpoint presentation for use in two invited talks (webinars) as part of the CSS RAP. There is no abstract to attach as this is not a conference presentation and an abstract was not required or prepared. The CSS NPD talk will be August 14 and the CSS AOPDD We...

TOLERANCE TO AMINO ACID MIXTURES AND CASEIN DIGESTS GIVEN INTRAVENOUSLY

PubMed Central

Madden, S. C.; Woods, R. R.; Shull, F. W.; Remington, J. H.; Whipple, G. H.

1945-01-01

Several synthetic mixtures of natural and racemic crystalline amino acids suitable for the daily nitrogen requirement are tested in dogs for their tolerance upon intravenous injection. Certain mixtures of the ten essential amino acids plus non-essential amino acids exclusive of glutamic acid are accepted without any obvious sign of disturbance even at rates above 10 mg. nitrogen per kilo per minute for quantities greater than 300 mg. per kilo. One such mixture consists in parts per 100 of dl-threonine 7, dl-valine 15, l(-)-leucine 10.9, dl-isoleucine 9.9, l(+)-lysine· HCl·H2O 10.9, dl-tryptophane 3, dl-phenylalanine 9.9, dl-methionine 6, l(+)-histidine·HCl·H2O 5, l(+)-arginine-HCl 5, glycine 9.9, dl-α-alanine 4, dl-serine 2, l(-)-cystine 0.5, and l(-)-tyrosine 1. In addition other well tolerated mixtures included the prolines. When glutamic acid, natural or racemic, is included in similar mixtures vomiting reactions frequently occur at nitrogen rates above 4 mg. per kilo per minute. Vomiting almost always occurs on the first daily injection containing glutamic acid and usually on any subsequent injection containing more than 100 mg. glutamic acid per kilo unless given very slowly. Upon the addition of glycine certain mixtures of the ten essential amino acids show an improved tolerance. Two casein digests tested usually produced vomiting at injection rates above 2 mg. nitrogen per kilo per minute, probably because of their glutamic acid content. No serious reaction has ever occurrred to any mixture of amino acids or casein digest tested. Elimination of minor reactions such as vomiting appears possible and desirable for greater usefulness of these solutions in parenteral feeding. PMID:19871468

A statistical approach to optimizing concrete mixture design.

PubMed

Ahmad, Shamsad; Alghamdi, Saeid A

2014-01-01

A step-by-step statistical approach is proposed to obtain optimum proportioning of concrete mixtures using the data obtained through a statistically planned experimental program. The utility of the proposed approach for optimizing the design of concrete mixture is illustrated considering a typical case in which trial mixtures were considered according to a full factorial experiment design involving three factors and their three levels (3(3)). A total of 27 concrete mixtures with three replicates (81 specimens) were considered by varying the levels of key factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, namely, water/cementitious materials ratio (0.38, 0.43, and 0.48), cementitious materials content (350, 375, and 400 kg/m(3)), and fine/total aggregate ratio (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45). The experimental data were utilized to carry out analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to develop a polynomial regression model for compressive strength in terms of the three design factors considered in this study. The developed statistical model was used to show how optimization of concrete mixtures can be carried out with different possible options.

A Statistical Approach to Optimizing Concrete Mixture Design

PubMed Central

Alghamdi, Saeid A.

2014-01-01

A step-by-step statistical approach is proposed to obtain optimum proportioning of concrete mixtures using the data obtained through a statistically planned experimental program. The utility of the proposed approach for optimizing the design of concrete mixture is illustrated considering a typical case in which trial mixtures were considered according to a full factorial experiment design involving three factors and their three levels (33). A total of 27 concrete mixtures with three replicates (81 specimens) were considered by varying the levels of key factors affecting compressive strength of concrete, namely, water/cementitious materials ratio (0.38, 0.43, and 0.48), cementitious materials content (350, 375, and 400 kg/m3), and fine/total aggregate ratio (0.35, 0.40, and 0.45). The experimental data were utilized to carry out analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to develop a polynomial regression model for compressive strength in terms of the three design factors considered in this study. The developed statistical model was used to show how optimization of concrete mixtures can be carried out with different possible options. PMID:24688405

Solar photolysis versus TiO2-mediated solar photocatalysis: a kinetic study of the degradation of naproxen and diclofenac in various water matrices.

PubMed

Kanakaraju, Devagi; Motti, Cherie A; Glass, Beverley D; Oelgemöller, Michael

2016-09-01

Given that drugs and their degradation products are likely to occur as concoctions in wastewater, the degradation of a mixture of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac (DCF) and naproxen (NPX), was investigated by solar photolysis and titanium dioxide (TiO2)-mediated solar photocatalysis using an immersion-well photoreactor. An equimolar ratio (1:1) of both NSAIDs in distilled water, drinking water, and river water was subjected to solar degradation. Solar photolysis of the DCF and NPX mixture was competitive particularly in drinking water and river water, as both drugs have the ability to undergo photolysis. However, the addition of TiO2 in the mixture significantly enhanced the degradation rate of both APIs compared to solar photolysis alone. Mineralization, as measured by chemical oxygen demand (COD), was incomplete under all conditions investigated. TiO2-mediated solar photocatalytic degradation of DCF and NPX mixtures produced 15 identifiable degradants corresponding to degradation of the individual NSAIDs, while two degradation products with much higher molecular weight than the parent NSAIDs were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). This study showed that the solar light intensity and the water matrix appear to be the main factors influencing the overall performance of the solar photolysis and TiO2-mediated solar photocatalysis for degradation of DCF and NPX mixtures.

27 CFR 31.45 - Sales of alcoholic compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or beer. 31.45 Section 31.45... spirits, wines, or beer. (a) General. Compliance with the provisions of this part is required with respect... distilled spirits, wines, or beer, unless those compounds, preparations, or mixtures are unfit for use for...

27 CFR 31.45 - Sales of alcoholic compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or beer. 31.45 Section 31.45... spirits, wines, or beer. (a) General. Compliance with the provisions of this part is required with respect... distilled spirits, wines, or beer, unless those compounds, preparations, or mixtures are unfit for use for...

27 CFR 31.45 - Sales of alcoholic compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or beer. 31.45 Section 31.45... spirits, wines, or beer. (a) General. Compliance with the provisions of this part is required with respect... distilled spirits, wines, or beer, unless those compounds, preparations, or mixtures are unfit for use for...

27 CFR 31.45 - Sales of alcoholic compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or beer. 31.45 Section 31.45... spirits, wines, or beer. (a) General. Compliance with the provisions of this part is required with respect... distilled spirits, wines, or beer, unless those compounds, preparations, or mixtures are unfit for use for...

Composites from southern pine juvenile wood. Part 3. Juvenile and mature wood furnish mixtures

Treesearch

A.D. Pugel; E.W. Price; Chung-Yun Hse; T.F. Shupe

2004-01-01

Composite panelsmade from mixtures ofmature andjuvenile southern pine (Pinus taeda L.) were evaluated for initial mechanical properties and dimensional stability. The effect that the proportion of juvenile wood had on panel properties was analyzed by regression and rule-of-mixtures models. The mixed furnish data: 1) highlighted the degree to which...

27 CFR 31.45 - Sales of alcoholic compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... compounds, preparations, or mixtures containing distilled spirits, wines, or beer. 31.45 Section 31.45... spirits, wines, or beer. (a) General. Compliance with the provisions of this part is required with respect... distilled spirits, wines, or beer, unless those compounds, preparations, or mixtures are unfit for use for...

Comparison of Saccharina japonica-Undaria pinnatifida Mixture and Minoxidil on Hair Growth Promoting Effect in Mice.

PubMed

Park, Ki Soo; Park, Dae Hwan

2016-11-01

Algae have traditionally been used for promotion of hair growth. Use of hair regrowth drugs, such as minoxidil, is limited due to side effects. The aim of this study was to examine a mixture of Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida (L-U mixture) on hair growth and to compare the promoting effect of hair growth by a 3% minoxidil and a L-U mixture. To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity, saline, 50% ethanol, 3% minoxidil, and the L-U mixture were applied 2 times a day for a total of 14 days on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice after depilation. Analysis was determined by using a high-resolution hair analysis system, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and H&E staining. On day 14, the hair growth effect of the L-U mixture was the same as that of the 3% minoxidil treatment. The L-U mixture significantly (P<0.05) stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor -1. Increase of VEGF was observed in the L-U mixture group compared with minoxidil and the negative control. In contrast, the L-U mixture suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-β1, which is the hair loss-related gene. In histological examination in the L-U mixture and minoxidil groups, the induction of an anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of control groups. This study provides evidence that the L-U mixture can promote hair growth in mice, similar to the effect from minoxidil, and suggests that there is potential application for hair loss treatments.

Inhibitory effect of a mixture containing vitamin C, lysine, proline, epigallocatechin gallate, zinc and alpha-1-antitrypsin on lung carcinogenesis induced by benzo(a) pyrene in mice.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Ahmed Mohamed; Borai, Ibrahim Hassan; Ali, Mamdouh Moawad; Ghanem, Hala Mostafa; Hegazi, Azza El-Sayed Ahmed; Mousa, Amria Mamdouh

2013-05-01

This study was aimed to evaluate protective and therapeutic effects of a specific mixture, containing vitamin C, lysine, proline, epigallocatechin gallate and zinc, as well as alpha-1-antitrypsin protein on lung tumorigenesis induced by benzo(a) pyrene [B(a)P] in mice. Swiss albino mice were divided into two main experiments, experiment (1) the mice were injected with 100 mg/kg B(a)P and lasted for 28 weeks, while experiment (2) the mice were injected with 8 doses each of 50 mg/kg B(a)P and lasted for 16 weeks. Each experiment (1 and 2) divided into five groups, group (I) received vehicle, group (II) received the protector mixture, group (III) received the carcinogen B(a)P, group (IV) received the protector together with the carcinogen (simultaneously) and group (V) received the carcinogen then the protector (consecutively). Total sialic acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, vascular epithelial growth factor, hydroxyproline levels, as well as elastase and gelatinase activities showed significant elevation in group (III) in the two experiments comparing to control group (P < 0.001). These biochemical alterations were associated with histopathological changes. Administration of the protector in group IV and group V causes significant decrease in such parameters with improvement in histopathological alterations with improvement in histopathological alterations when compared with group III in the two experiments (P < 0.001). The present protector mixture has the ability to suppress neoplastic alteration and restore the biochemical and histopathological parameters towards normal on lung carcinogenesis induced by benzo(a) pyrene in mice. Furthermore, the present mixture have more protective rather than therapeutic action.

Finite mixture modeling approach for developing crash modification factors in highway safety analysis.

PubMed

Park, Byung-Jung; Lord, Dominique; Wu, Lingtao

2016-10-28

This study aimed to investigate the relative performance of two models (negative binomial (NB) model and two-component finite mixture of negative binomial models (FMNB-2)) in terms of developing crash modification factors (CMFs). Crash data on rural multilane divided highways in California and Texas were modeled with the two models, and crash modification functions (CMFunctions) were derived. The resultant CMFunction estimated from the FMNB-2 model showed several good properties over that from the NB model. First, the safety effect of a covariate was better reflected by the CMFunction developed using the FMNB-2 model, since the model takes into account the differential responsiveness of crash frequency to the covariate. Second, the CMFunction derived from the FMNB-2 model is able to capture nonlinear relationships between covariate and safety. Finally, following the same concept as those for NB models, the combined CMFs of multiple treatments were estimated using the FMNB-2 model. The results indicated that they are not the simple multiplicative of single ones (i.e., their safety effects are not independent under FMNB-2 models). Adjustment Factors (AFs) were then developed. It is revealed that current Highway Safety Manual's method could over- or under-estimate the combined CMFs under particular combination of covariates. Safety analysts are encouraged to consider using the FMNB-2 models for developing CMFs and AFs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Construction of Joule Thomson inversion curves for mixtures using equation of state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patankar, A. S.; Atrey, M. D.

2017-02-01

The Joule-Thomson effect is at the heart of Joule-Thomson cryocoolers and gas liquefaction cycles. The effective harnessing of this phenomenon necessitates the knowledge of Joule-Thomson coefficient and the inversion curve. When the working fluid is a mixture, (in mix refrigerant Joule-Thomson cryocooler, MRJT) the phase diagrams, equations of state and inversion curves of multi-component systems become important. The lowest temperature attainable by such a cryocooler depends on the inversion characteristics of the mixture used. In this work the construction of differential Joule-Thomson inversion curves of mixtures using Redlich-Kwong, Soave-Redlich-Kwong and Peng-Robinson equations of state is investigated assuming single phase. It is demonstrated that inversion curves constructed for pure fluids can be improved by choosing an appropriate value of acentric factor. Inversion curves are used to predict maximum inversion temperatures of multicomponent systems. An application where this information is critical is a two-stage J-T cryocooler using a mixture as the working fluid, especially for the second stage. The pre-cooling temperature that the first stage is required to generate depends on the maximum inversion temperature of the second stage working fluid.

Developmental toxicity of PAH mixtures in fish early life stages. Part II: adverse effects in Japanese medaka.

PubMed

Le Bihanic, Florane; Clérandeau, Christelle; Le Menach, Karyn; Morin, Bénédicte; Budzinski, Hélène; Cousin, Xavier; Cachot, Jérôme

2014-12-01

In aquatic environments, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) mostly occur as complex mixtures, for which risk assessment remains problematic. To better understand the effects of PAH mixture toxicity on fish early life stages, this study compared the developmental toxicity of three PAH complex mixtures. These mixtures were extracted from a PAH-contaminated sediment (Seine estuary, France) and two oils (Arabian Light and Erika). For each fraction, artificial sediment was spiked at three different environmental concentrations roughly equivalent to 0.5, 4, and 10 μg total PAH g(-1) dw. Japanese medaka embryos were incubated on these PAH-spiked sediments throughout their development, right up until hatching. Several endpoints were recorded at different developmental stages, including acute endpoints, morphological abnormalities, larvae locomotion, and genotoxicity (comet and micronucleus assays). The three PAH fractions delayed hatching, induced developmental abnormalities, disrupted larvae swimming activity, and damaged DNA at environmental concentrations. Differences in toxicity levels, likely related to differences in PAH proportions, were highlighted between fractions. The Arabian Light and Erika petrogenic fractions, containing a high proportion of alkylated PAHs and low molecular weight PAHs, were more toxic to Japanese medaka early life stages than the pyrolytic fraction. This was not supported by the toxic equivalency approach, which appeared unsuitable for assessing the toxicity of the three PAH fractions to fish early life stages. This study highlights the potential risks posed by environmental mixtures of alkylated and low molecular weight PAHs to early stages of fish development.

Properties of cement based composites modified using diatomaceous earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokorný, Jaroslav; Pavlíková, Milena; Záleská, Martina; Pavlík, Zbyšek

2017-07-01

Diatomite belongs among natural materials rich on amorphous silica (a-SiO2). When finely milled, it can potentially substitute part of cement binder and positively support formation of more dense composite structure. In this connection, two types of diatomaceous earth applied as a partial substitution of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mass% of Portland cement in the composition of cement paste were studied. In the tested mixtures with cement blends, the amount of batch water remained same, with water/binder ratio 0.5. For fresh paste mixtures, initial and final setting times were measured. First, hardened pastes cured 28 days in water were characterized by their physical properties such as bulk density, matrix density and open porosity. Then, their mechanical and thermophysical parameters were assessed. Obtained results gave clear evidence of setting time shortening for pastes with diatomite what brought negative effect with respect to the impaired workability of fresh mixtures. On the other hand, there was observed strength improvement for mixtures containing diatomite with higher amount of SiO2. Here, the increase in mechanical resistivity was distinct up to 15 mass% of cement replacement. Higher cement substitution by diatomite resulted in an increase in porosity and thus improvement of thermal insulation properties.

Analysis of cellular autofluorescence in touch samples by flow cytometry: implications for front end separation of trace mixture evidence.

PubMed

Katherine Philpott, M; Stanciu, Cristina E; Kwon, Ye Jin; Bustamante, Eduardo E; Greenspoon, Susan A; Ehrhardt, Christopher J

2017-07-01

The goal of this study was to survey optical and biochemical variation in cell populations deposited onto a surface through touch or contact and identify specific features that may be used to distinguish and then sort cell populations from separate contributors in a trace biological mixture. Although we were not able to detect meaningful biochemical variation in touch samples deposited by different contributors through preliminary antibody surveys, we did observe distinct differences in red autofluorescence emissions (650-670 nm), with as much as a tenfold difference in mean fluorescence intensities observed between certain pairs of donors. Results indicate that the level of red autofluorescence in touch samples can be influenced by a donor's contact with specific material prior to handling the substrate from which cells were collected. In particular, we observed increased red autofluorescence in cells deposited subsequent to handling laboratory gloves, plant material, and certain types of marker ink, which could be easily visualized microscopically or using flow cytometry, and persisted after hand washing. To test whether these observed optical differences could potentially be used as the basis for a cell separation workflow, a controlled two-person touch mixture was separated into two fractions via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using gating criteria based on intensity of 650-670 nm emissions and then subjected to DNA analysis. Genetic analysis of the sorted fractions provided partial DNA profiles that were consistent with separation of individual contributors from the mixture suggesting that variation in autofluorescence signatures, even if driven by extrinsic factors, may nonetheless be a useful means of isolating contributors to some touch mixtures. Graphical Abstract Conceptual workflow diagram. Trace biological mixtures containing cells from multiple individuals are analyzed by flow cytometry. Cells are then physically separated into two populations based on intensity of red autofluorescence using Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting. Each isolated cell fraction is subjected to DNA analysis resulting in a DNA profile for each contributor.

Detecting Social Desirability Bias Using Factor Mixture Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leite, Walter L.; Cooper, Lou Ann

2010-01-01

Based on the conceptualization that social desirable bias (SDB) is a discrete event resulting from an interaction between a scale's items, the testing situation, and the respondent's latent trait on a social desirability factor, we present a method that makes use of factor mixture models to identify which examinees are most likely to provide…

Prospective power calculations for the Four Lab study of a multigenerational reproductive/developmental toxicity rodent bioassay using a complex mixture of disinfection by-products in the low-response region.

PubMed

Dingus, Cheryl A; Teuschler, Linda K; Rice, Glenn E; Simmons, Jane Ellen; Narotsky, Michael G

2011-10-01

In complex mixture toxicology, there is growing emphasis on testing environmentally representative doses that improve the relevance of results for health risk assessment, but are typically much lower than those used in traditional toxicology studies. Traditional experimental designs with typical sample sizes may have insufficient statistical power to detect effects caused by environmentally relevant doses. Proper study design, with adequate statistical power, is critical to ensuring that experimental results are useful for environmental health risk assessment. Studies with environmentally realistic complex mixtures have practical constraints on sample concentration factor and sample volume as well as the number of animals that can be accommodated. This article describes methodology for calculation of statistical power for non-independent observations for a multigenerational rodent reproductive/developmental bioassay. The use of the methodology is illustrated using the U.S. EPA's Four Lab study in which rodents were exposed to chlorinated water concentrates containing complex mixtures of drinking water disinfection by-products. Possible experimental designs included two single-block designs and a two-block design. Considering the possible study designs and constraints, a design of two blocks of 100 females with a 40:60 ratio of control:treated animals and a significance level of 0.05 yielded maximum prospective power (~90%) to detect pup weight decreases, while providing the most power to detect increased prenatal loss.

Prospective Power Calculations for the Four Lab Study of A Multigenerational Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity Rodent Bioassay Using A Complex Mixture of Disinfection By-Products in the Low-Response Region

PubMed Central

Dingus, Cheryl A.; Teuschler, Linda K.; Rice, Glenn E.; Simmons, Jane Ellen; Narotsky, Michael G.

2011-01-01

In complex mixture toxicology, there is growing emphasis on testing environmentally representative doses that improve the relevance of results for health risk assessment, but are typically much lower than those used in traditional toxicology studies. Traditional experimental designs with typical sample sizes may have insufficient statistical power to detect effects caused by environmentally relevant doses. Proper study design, with adequate statistical power, is critical to ensuring that experimental results are useful for environmental health risk assessment. Studies with environmentally realistic complex mixtures have practical constraints on sample concentration factor and sample volume as well as the number of animals that can be accommodated. This article describes methodology for calculation of statistical power for non-independent observations for a multigenerational rodent reproductive/developmental bioassay. The use of the methodology is illustrated using the U.S. EPA’s Four Lab study in which rodents were exposed to chlorinated water concentrates containing complex mixtures of drinking water disinfection by-products. Possible experimental designs included two single-block designs and a two-block design. Considering the possible study designs and constraints, a design of two blocks of 100 females with a 40:60 ratio of control:treated animals and a significance level of 0.05 yielded maximum prospective power (~90%) to detect pup weight decreases, while providing the most power to detect increased prenatal loss. PMID:22073030

Kinetic compensation effect in the thermal desorption of a binary gas mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuniga-Hansen, Nayeli; Silbert, Leonardo E.; Calbi, M. Mercedes

The kinetic compensation effect, observed in many different areas of science, is the systematic change in the magnitudes of the Arrhenius parameters Ea, the energy of activation and ν, the preexponential factor, as a response to external perturbing parameters. Its existence continues to be debated as it has not been explicitly demonstrated and its physical origins remain poorly understood. As part of a systematic study of different factors that alter the energy of activation during thermal desorption, we have performed numerical studies of the effects of adsorbate-adsorbate interactions on the Arrhenius parameters, as well as the effects of changes in surface morphology. Our results have consistently shown that there is a partial compensation effect between Ea and lnν and a tendency towards isokinetic equilibrium when the system transitions from an interacting to a non-interacting regime. In the present work we study the effects of the presence of two different chemical species. With our systematic study we expect to provide a deeper insight into the microscopic events that originate compensation effects, not only in our system, but also in other fields where these effects have been reported.

Unravelling the Composition Dependent Anomalies of Pair Hydrophobicity in Water-Ethanol Binary Mixtures.

PubMed

Halder, Ritaban; Jana, Biman

2018-06-05

Aqueous binary mixtures have received immense attention in recent years because of their extensive application in several biological and industrial processes. Water-ethanol binary mixture serves as a unique system because it exhibits composition dependent alteration of dynamic and thermodynamic properties. Our present work demonstrates how different compositions of water-ethanol binary mixtures affect the pair hydrophobicity of different hydrophobes. Pair hydrophobicity is measured by the depth of the first minimum (contact minima) of potential of mean force (PMF) profile between two hydrophobes. The pair hydrophobicity is found to be increased with addition of ethanol to water up to mole fraction of 0.10 and decreased with further addition of ethanol. This observation is shown to be true for three different pairs of hydrophobes. Decomposition of PMF into enthalpic and entropic contribution indicates a switch from entropic to enthalpic stabilization of the contact minimum upon addition of ethanol to water. The gain in mixing enthalpy of the binary solvent system upon association of two hydrophobes is found to be the determining factor for the stabilization of contact minimum. Several static/dynamics quantities (average composition fluctuations, diffusion coefficients, fluctuations in total dipole moment, propensity of ethyl-ethyl association, etc) of the ethanol-water binary mixture also show irregularities around xEtOH =0.10-0.15. We have also discovered that the hydrogen bonding pattern of ethanol rather than water reveals a change in trend near the similar composition range. As the anomalous behaviour of the physical/dynamical properties along with the pair hydrophobicity in aqueous binary mixture of amphiphilic solutes is common phenomena, our results may provide a general viewpoint on these aspects.

Quantifying mineral abundances of complex mixtures by coupling spectral deconvolution of SWIR spectra (2.1-2.4 μm) and regression tree analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mulder, V.L.; Plotze, Michael; de Bruin, Sytze; Schaepman, Michael E.; Mavris, C.; Kokaly, Raymond F.; Egli, Markus

2013-01-01

This paper presents a methodology for assessing mineral abundances of mixtures having more than two constituents using absorption features in the 2.1-2.4 μm wavelength region. In the first step, the absorption behaviour of mineral mixtures is parameterised by exponential Gaussian optimisation. Next, mineral abundances are predicted by regression tree analysis using these parameters as inputs. The approach is demonstrated on a range of prepared samples with known abundances of kaolinite, dioctahedral mica, smectite, calcite and quartz and on a set of field samples from Morocco. The latter contained varying quantities of other minerals, some of which did not have diagnostic absorption features in the 2.1-2.4 μm region. Cross validation showed that the prepared samples of kaolinite, dioctahedral mica, smectite and calcite were predicted with a root mean square error (RMSE) less than 9 wt.%. For the field samples, the RMSE was less than 8 wt.% for calcite, dioctahedral mica and kaolinite abundances. Smectite could not be well predicted, which was attributed to spectral variation of the cations within the dioctahedral layered smectites. Substitution of part of the quartz by chlorite at the prediction phase hardly affected the accuracy of the predicted mineral content; this suggests that the method is robust in handling the omission of minerals during the training phase. The degree of expression of absorption components was different between the field sample and the laboratory mixtures. This demonstrates that the method should be calibrated and trained on local samples. Our method allows the simultaneous quantification of more than two minerals within a complex mixture and thereby enhances the perspectives of spectral analysis for mineral abundances.

Two generators to produce SI-traceable reference gas mixtures for reactive compounds at atmospheric levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascale, C.; Guillevic, M.; Ackermann, A.; Leuenberger, D.; Niederhauser, B.

2017-12-01

To answer the needs of air quality and climate monitoring networks, two new gas generators were developed and manufactured at METAS in order to dynamically generate SI-traceable reference gas mixtures for reactive compounds at atmospheric concentrations. The technical features of the transportable generators allow for the realization of such gas standards for reactive compounds (e.g. NO2, volatile organic compounds) in the nmol · mol-1 range (ReGaS2), and fluorinated gases in the pmol ṡ mol-1 range (ReGaS3). The generation method is based on permeation and dynamic dilution. The transportable generators have multiple individual permeation chambers allowing for the generation of mixtures containing up to five different compounds. This mixture is then diluted using mass flow controllers, thus making the production process adaptable to generate the required amount of substance fraction. All parts of ReGaS2 in contact with the gas mixture are coated to reduce adsorption/desorption processes. Each input parameter required to calculate the generated amount of substance fraction is calibrated with SI-primary standards. The stability and reproducibility of the generated amount of substance fractions were tested with NO2 for ReGaS2 and HFC-125 for ReGaS3. They demonstrate stability over 1-4 d better than 0.4% and 0.8%, respectively, and reproducibility better than 0.7% and 1%, respectively. Finally, the relative expanded uncertainty of the generated amount of substance fraction is smaller than 3% with the major contributions coming from the uncertainty of the permeation rate and/or of the purity of the matrix gas. These relative expanded uncertainties meet then the needs of the data quality objectives fixed by the World Meteorological Organization.

A Twin Factor Mixture Modeling Approach to Childhood Temperament: Differential Heritability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, Brandon G.; Lemery-Chalfant, Kathryn; Clifford, Sierra; Tein, Jenn-Yun; Stoll, Ryan; Goldsmith, H.Hill

2016-01-01

Twin factor mixture modeling was used to identify temperament profiles while simultaneously estimating a latent factor model for each profile with a sample of 787 twin pairs (M[subscript age] = 7.4 years, SD = 0.84; 49% female; 88.3% Caucasian), using mother- and father-reported temperament. A four-profile, one-factor model fit the data well.…

Optimization of a Three-Component Green Corrosion Inhibitor Mixture for Using in Cooling Water by Experimental Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asghari, E.; Ashassi-Sorkhabi, H.; Ahangari, M.; Bagheri, R.

2016-04-01

Factors such as inhibitor concentration, solution hydrodynamics, and temperature influence the performance of corrosion inhibitor mixtures. The simultaneous studying of the impact of different factors is a time- and cost-consuming process. The use of experimental design methods can be useful in minimizing the number of experiments and finding local optimized conditions for factors under the investigation. In the present work, the inhibition performance of a three-component inhibitor mixture against corrosion of St37 steel rotating disk electrode, RDE, was studied. The mixture was composed of citric acid, lanthanum(III) nitrate, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. In order to decrease the number of experiments, the L16 Taguchi orthogonal array was used. The "control factors" were the concentration of each component and the rotation rate of RDE and the "response factor" was the inhibition efficiency. The scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy techniques verified the formation of islands of adsorbed citrate complexes with lanthanum ions and insoluble lanthanum(III) hydroxide. From the Taguchi analysis results the mixture of 0.50 mM lanthanum(III) nitrate, 0.50 mM citric acid, and 2.0 mM tetrabutylammonium perchlorate under the electrode rotation rate of 1000 rpm was found as optimum conditions.

33 CFR 155.360 - Oily mixture (bilge slops) discharges on oceangoing ships of 400 gross tons and above but less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Oily mixture (bilge slops... POLLUTION PREVENTION REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS Vessel Equipment § 155.360 Oily mixture (bilge slops... in its fuel oil tanks, unless it is fitted with approved 15 parts per million (ppm) oily-water...

33 CFR 155.360 - Oily mixture (bilge slops) discharges on oceangoing ships of 400 gross tons and above but less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Oily mixture (bilge slops... POLLUTION PREVENTION REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS Vessel Equipment § 155.360 Oily mixture (bilge slops... in its fuel oil tanks, unless it is fitted with approved 15 parts per million (ppm) oily-water...

33 CFR 155.360 - Oily mixture (bilge slops) discharges on oceangoing ships of 400 gross tons and above but less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Oily mixture (bilge slops... POLLUTION PREVENTION REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS Vessel Equipment § 155.360 Oily mixture (bilge slops... in its fuel oil tanks, unless it is fitted with approved 15 parts per million (ppm) oily-water...

33 CFR 155.360 - Oily mixture (bilge slops) discharges on oceangoing ships of 400 gross tons and above but less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Oily mixture (bilge slops... POLLUTION PREVENTION REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS Vessel Equipment § 155.360 Oily mixture (bilge slops... in its fuel oil tanks, unless it is fitted with approved 15 parts per million (ppm) oily-water...

Molecular-like hierarchical self-assembly of monolayers of mixtures of particles

PubMed Central

Singh, P.; Hossain, M.; Gurupatham, S. K.; Shah, K.; Amah, E.; Ju, D.; Janjua, M.; Nudurupati, S.; Fischer, I.

2014-01-01

We present a technique that uses an externally applied electric field to self-assemble monolayers of mixtures of particles into molecular-like hierarchical arrangements on fluid-liquid interfaces. The arrangements consist of composite particles (analogous to molecules) which are arranged in a pattern. The structure of a composite particle depends on factors such as the relative sizes of the particles and their polarizabilities, and the electric field intensity. If the particles sizes differ by a factor of two or more, the composite particle has a larger particle at its core and several smaller particles form a ring around it. The number of particles in the ring and the spacing between the composite particles depend on their polarizabilities and the electric field intensity. Approximately same sized particles form chains (analogous to polymeric molecules) in which positively and negatively polarized particles alternate. PMID:25510331

Performance of a pervaporation system for the separation of an ethanol-water mixture using fractional condensation.

PubMed

Liu, Jie; Li, Jiding; Chen, Quan; Li, Xiaoduan

2018-04-01

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite membranes were fabricated and subsequently applied in ethanol recovery from an ethanol-water mixture by pervaporation (PV) using fractional condensation. The effects of feed temperature and feed flow velocity on the pervaporative properties of PDMS/PVDF composite membranes were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that PDMS was coated uniformly on the surface of porous PVDF substrate, and the PDMS separation layer was dense with a thickness of 1.7 µm. Additionally, it was found that with increasing feed temperature, the total flux of the composite membrane increased, whereas the separation factor decreased. As the feed flow velocity increased, the total flux and separation factor increased. Besides, the permeate vapor was condensed by a two-stage fractional condenser maintained at different temperatures. The effects of the condensation conditions on fractions of ethanol-water vapor were studied to concentrate ethanol in product. The fractional condensers proved to be an effective way to enhance the separation efficiency. Under the optimum fractional condensation conditions, the second condenser showed a flux of 1,329 g/m 2 h and the separation factor was increased to 17.2. Furthermore, the long-term operation stability was verified, indicating that the PV system incorporating fractional condensation was a promising approach to separate ethanol from the ethanol-water mixture.

VOCs, pesticides, nitrate, and their mixtures in groundwater used for drinking water in the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Squillace, P.J.; Scott, J.C.; Moran, M.J.; Nolan, B.T.; Kolpin, D.W.

2002-01-01

Samples of untreated groundwater from 1255 domestic drinking-water wells and 242 public supply wells were analyzed as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geological Survey between 1992 and 1999. Wells were sampled to define the regional quality of the groundwater resource and, thus, were distributed geographically across large aquifers, primarily in rural areas. For each sample, as many as 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 83 pesticides, and nitrate were analyzed. On the basis of previous studies, nitrate concentrations as nitrogen ≥3 mg/L were considered to have an anthropogenic origin. VOCs were detected more frequently (44%) than pesticides (38%) or anthropogenic nitrate (28%). Seventy percent of the samples contained at least one VOC, pesticide, or anthropogenic nitrate; 47% contained at least two compounds; and 33% contained at least three compounds. The combined concentrations of VOCs and pesticides ranged from about 0.001 to 100 μg/L, with a median of 0.02 μg/L. Water from about 12% of the wells contained one or more compounds that exceeded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards or human health criteria, primarily because of nitrate concentrations exceeding the maximum contaminant level in domestic wells. A mixture is defined as a unique combination of two or more particular compounds, regardless of the presence of other compounds that may occur in the same sample. There were 100 mixtures (significantly associated with agricultural land use) that had a detection frequency between 2% and 19%. There were 302 mixtures (significantly associated with urban land use) that had a detection frequency between 1% and <2%. Only 14 compounds (seven VOCs, six pesticides, and nitrate) contributed over 95% of the detections in these 402 mixtures; however, most samples with these mixtures also contain a variety of other compounds.

Comparative study on the selectivity of various spectrophotometric techniques for the determination of binary mixture of fenbendazole and rafoxanide.

PubMed

Saad, Ahmed S; Attia, Ali K; Alaraki, Manal S; Elzanfaly, Eman S

2015-11-05

Five different spectrophotometric methods were applied for simultaneous determination of fenbendazole and rafoxanide in their binary mixture; namely first derivative, derivative ratio, ratio difference, dual wavelength and H-point standard addition spectrophotometric methods. Different factors affecting each of the applied spectrophotometric methods were studied and the selectivity of the applied methods was compared. The applied methods were validated as per the ICH guidelines and good accuracy; specificity and precision were proven within the concentration range of 5-50 μg/mL for both drugs. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA proved no significant differences among the proposed methods for the determination of the two drugs. The proposed methods successfully determined both drugs in laboratory prepared and commercially available binary mixtures, and were found applicable for the routine analysis in quality control laboratories. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal decomposition of electronic wastes: Mobile phone case and other parts

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

Molto, Julia, E-mail: julia.molto@ua.es; Egea, Silvia; Conesa, Juan Antonio

Highlights: > Pyrolysis and combustion of different parts of mobile phones produce important quantities of CO and CO{sub 2}. > Naphthalene is the most abundant PAH obtained in the thermal treatment of mobile phones. > Higher combustion temperature increases the chlorinated species evolved. - Abstract: Pyrolysis and combustion runs at 850 {sup o}C in a horizontal laboratory furnace were carried out on different parts of a mobile phone (printed circuit board, mobile case and a mixture of both materials). The analyses of the carbon oxides, light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like PCBs are shown. Regardingmore » semivolatile compounds, phenol, styrene, and its derivatives had the highest yields. In nearly all the runs the same PAHs were identified, naphthalene being the most common component obtained. Combustion of the printed circuit board produced the highest emission factor of PCDD/Fs, possibly due to the high copper content.« less

A source flow characteristic technique for the analysis of scramjet exhaust flow field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delguidice, P.; Dash, S.; Kalben, P.

1974-01-01

The factors which influence the design and selection of a nozzle for a hypersonic scramjet are described. A two dimensional second-order characteristic procedure capable of analyzing the aerodynamic performance of typical nozzle configurations is presented. Equations of motion governing the two dimensional, axisymmetric, or axially expanding inviscid flow of a gas mixture, with frozen chemistry, are provided. Diagrams of the flow conditions for various configurations are included.

Tutorial on Quantification of Differences between Single- and Two-Component Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delil, A. A. M.

2003-01-01

Single-component two-phase systems are envisaged for aerospace thermal control applications: Mechanically Pumped Loops, Vapour Pressure Driven Loops, Capillary Pumped Loops and Loop Heat Pipes. Thermal control applications are foreseen in different gravity environments: Micro-g, reduced-g for Mars or Moon bases, 1-g during terrestrial testing, and hyper-g in rotating spacecraft, during combat aircraft manoeuvres and in systems for outer planets. In the evaporator, adiabatic line and condenser sections of such single-component two-phase systems, the fluid is a mixture of the working liquid (for example ammonia, carbon dioxide, ethanol, or other refrigerants, etc.) and its saturated vapour. Results of two-phase two-component flow and heat transfer research (pertaining to liquid-gas mixtures, e.g. water/air, or argon or helium) are often applied to support research on flow and heat transfer in two-phase single-component systems. The first part of the tutorial updates the contents of two earlier tutorials, discussing various aerospace-related two-phase flow and heat transfer research. It deals with the different pressure gradient constituents of the total pressure gradient, with flow regime mapping (including evaporating and condensing flow trajectories in the flow pattern maps), with adiabatic flow and flashing, and with thermal-gravitational scaling issues. The remaining part of the tutorial qualitatively and quantitatively determines the differences between single- and two-component systems: Two systems that physically look similar and close, but in essence are fully different. It was already elucidated earlier that, though there is a certain degree of commonality, the differences will be anything but negligible, in many cases. These differences (quantified by some examples) illustrates how careful one shall be in interpreting data resulting from two-phase two-component simulations or experiments, for the development of single-component two-phase thermal control systems for various gravity environments.

Age of irrigation water in ground water from the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, south-central Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plummer, Niel; Rupert, M.G.; Busenberg, E.; Schlosser, P.

2000-01-01

Stable isotope data (2H and 18O) were used in conjunction with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and tritium/helium-3 (3H/3He) data to determine the fraction and age of irrigation water in ground water mixtures from farmed parts of the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) Aquifer in south-central Idaho. Two groups of waters were recognized: (1) regional background water, unaffected by irrigation and fertilizer application, and (2) mixtures of irrigation water from the Snake River with regional background water. New data are presented comparing CFC and 3H/3He dating of water recharged through deep fractured basalt, and dating of young fractions in ground water mixtures. The 3H/3He ages of irrigation water in most mixtures ranged from about zero to eight years. The CFC ages of irrigation water in mixtures ranged from values near those based on 3H/3He dating to values biased older than the 3H/3He ages by as much as eight to 10 years. Unsaturated zone air had CFC-12 and CFC-113 concentrations that were 60% to 95%, and 50% to 90%, respectively, of modern air concentrations and were consistently contaminated with CFC-11. Irrigation water diverted from the Snake River was contaminated with CFC-11 but near solubility equilibrium with CFC-12 and CFC-113. The dating indicates ground water velocities of 5 to 8 m/d for water along the top of the ESRP Aquifer near the southwestern boundary of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Many of the regional background waters contain excess terrigenic helium with a 3He/4He isotope ratio of 7 x 10-6 to 11 x 10-6 (R/Ra = 5 to 8) and could not be dated. Ratios of CFC data indicate that some rangeland water may contain as much as 5% to 30% young water (ages of less than or equal to two to 11.5 years) mixed with old regional background water. The relatively low residence times of ground water in irrigated parts of the ESRP Aquifer and the dilution with low-NO3 irrigation water from the Snake River lower the potential for NO3 contamination in agricultural areas.

Dielectric and Excess Properties of Glycols with Formamide Binary Mixtures at Different Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarkhele, V. V.

2018-07-01

Dielectric constant measurements of glycol-formamide binary solutions with various concentrations have been carried out at different temperatures. The dielectric measurement has been achieved at 100 MHz frequency using a sensor which is based on frequency domain reflectomery technique. The excess dielectric constant, Kirkwood correlation factor and Bruggeman factor has also been reported for the binary mixtures. The results show that the dielectric constant of the mixtures increases with increase in the volume fraction of formamide and decreases with increase in temperature. The study also confirms the presence of intermolecular interaction, hydrogen bonding and orientation of the dipoles in the binary mixtures.

Addressing the human factors issues associated with control room modifications

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

O`Hara, J.; Stubler, W.; Kramer, J.

1998-03-01

Advanced human-system interface (HSI) technology is being integrated into existing nuclear plants as part of plant modifications and upgrades. The result of this trend is that hybrid HSIs are created, i.e., HSIs containing a mixture of conventional (analog) and advanced (digital) technology. The purpose of the present research is to define the potential effects of hybrid HSIs on personnel performance and plant safety and to develop human factors guidance for safety reviews of them where necessary. In support of this objective, human factors issues associated with hybrid HSIs were identified. The issues were evaluated for their potential significance to plantmore » safety, i.e., their human performance concerns have the potential to compromise plant safety. The issues were then prioritized and a subset was selected for design review guidance development.« less

Identification and determination of the contribution of iron-steel manufacturing industry to sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a large shallow lake of eastern China.

PubMed

Zhang, Liu; Bai, Ya-Shu; Wang, Ji-Zhong; Peng, Shu-Chuan; Chen, Tian-Hu; Yin, Da-Qiang

2016-11-01

Seventeen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds were determined in surface sediments collected from the Chaohu Lake (a large shallow lake in eastern China) and its tributaries. Both diagnostic ratios and a receptor model (positive matrix factorization, PMF) were applied to identify and determine the contribution of a local iron-steel manufacturing plant located in the Nanfei River (NFR) to the Chaohu Lake basin. The results show that sites located in the downstream of the steel plant contained concentrations of 17 PAH (Σ 17 PAH) approximately two orders of magnitudes higher than those from other sites. Five factors were identified by the PMF model, including industrial waste, wood/biomass burning, diagenetic origin, domestic coal combustion, and industrial combustion. Our findings suggest that sediments in the downstream of the plant and in the western part of the Chaohu Lake were predominantly affected by industrial coal combustion. A mixture of pyrolytic origins impacted urban sediments in the upstream of the plant, whereas diagenetic origins along with coal and biomass burning were suggested to influence the eastern part and rural tributaries of the lake. To assess the potential ecological risk and toxicity caused by the iron-steel plant, sediment toxicity was evaluated by the PMF model, sediment quality guideline, and toxic equivalent factors. All of the three approaches suggested PAH accumulation in the NFR sediments could produce significant adverse ecological effects and half of the sediment toxicity in the NFR may be attributed to the emissions from the iron-steel plant. Some rural locations also exhibited PAH concentrations above probable effects, most likely contributed by wood/biomass burning.

Experimental investigation of basic oxygen furnace slag used as aggregate in asphalt mixture.

PubMed

Xue, Yongjie; Wu, Shaopeng; Hou, Haobo; Zha, Jin

2006-11-16

Chinese researchers have commenced a great deal of researches on the development of application fields of basic oxygen steel making furnace slag (BOF slag) for many years. Lots of new applications and properties have been found, but few of them in asphalt mixture of road construction engineering. This paper discussed the feasibility of BOF steel slag used as aggregate in asphalt pavement by two points of view including BOF steel slag's physical and micro-properties as well as steel slag asphalt materials and pavement performances. For the former part, this paper mainly concerned the mechanochemistry and physical changes of the steel slag and studied it by performing XRD, SEM, TG and mercury porosimeter analysis and testing method. In the second part, this paper intended to use BOF steel slag as raw material, and design steel slag SMA mixture. By using traditional rutting test, soak wheel track and modified Lottman test, the high temperature stability and water resistance ability were tested. Single axes compression test and indirect tensile test were performed to evaluate the low temperature crack resistance performance and fatigue characteristic. Simultaneously, by observing steel slag SMA pavement which was paved successfully. A follow-up study to evaluate the performance of the experimental pavement confirmed that the experimental pavement was comparable with conventional asphalt pavement, even superior to the later in some aspects. All of above test results and analysis had only one main purpose that this paper validated the opinion that using BOF slag in asphalt concrete is feasible. So this paper suggested that treated and tested steel slag should be used in a more extensive range, especially in asphalt mixture paving projects in such an abundant steel slag resource region.

Detecting Mixtures from Structural Model Differences Using Latent Variable Mixture Modeling: A Comparison of Relative Model Fit Statistics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henson, James M.; Reise, Steven P.; Kim, Kevin H.

2007-01-01

The accuracy of structural model parameter estimates in latent variable mixture modeling was explored with a 3 (sample size) [times] 3 (exogenous latent mean difference) [times] 3 (endogenous latent mean difference) [times] 3 (correlation between factors) [times] 3 (mixture proportions) factorial design. In addition, the efficacy of several…

An EM-based semi-parametric mixture model approach to the regression analysis of competing-risks data.

PubMed

Ng, S K; McLachlan, G J

2003-04-15

We consider a mixture model approach to the regression analysis of competing-risks data. Attention is focused on inference concerning the effects of factors on both the probability of occurrence and the hazard rate conditional on each of the failure types. These two quantities are specified in the mixture model using the logistic model and the proportional hazards model, respectively. We propose a semi-parametric mixture method to estimate the logistic and regression coefficients jointly, whereby the component-baseline hazard functions are completely unspecified. Estimation is based on maximum likelihood on the basis of the full likelihood, implemented via an expectation-conditional maximization (ECM) algorithm. Simulation studies are performed to compare the performance of the proposed semi-parametric method with a fully parametric mixture approach. The results show that when the component-baseline hazard is monotonic increasing, the semi-parametric and fully parametric mixture approaches are comparable for mildly and moderately censored samples. When the component-baseline hazard is not monotonic increasing, the semi-parametric method consistently provides less biased estimates than a fully parametric approach and is comparable in efficiency in the estimation of the parameters for all levels of censoring. The methods are illustrated using a real data set of prostate cancer patients treated with different dosages of the drug diethylstilbestrol. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Study of decolorisation of binary dye mixture by response surface methodology.

PubMed

Khamparia, Shraddha; Jaspal, Dipika

2017-10-01

Decolorisation of a complex mixture of two different classes of textile dyes Direct Red 81 (DR81) and Rhodamine B (RHB), simulating one of the most important condition in real textile effluent was investigated onto deoiled Argemone Mexicana seeds (A. Mexicana). The adsorption behaviour of DR81 and RHB dyes was simultaneously analyzed in the mixture using derivative spectrophotometric method. Central composite design (CCD) was employed for designing the experiments for this complex binary mixture where significance of important parameters and possible interactions were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). Maximum adsorption of DR81 and RHB by A. Mexicana was obtained at 53 °C after 63.33 min with 0.1 g of adsorbent and 8 × 10 -6  M DR81, 12 × 10 -6  M RHB with composite desirability of 0.99. The predicted values for percentage removal of dyes from the mixture were in good agreement with the experimental values with R 2 > 96% for both the dyes. CCD superimposed RSM confirmed that presence of different dyes in a solution created a competition for the adsorbent sites and hence interaction of dyes was one of the most important factor to be studied to simulate the real effluent. The adsorbent showed remarkable adsorption capacities for both the dyes in the mixture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Congener specificity in the accumulation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in zucchini plants grown hydroponically.

PubMed

Inui, Hideyuki; Wakai, Taketo; Gion, Keiko; Yamazaki, Kiyoshi; Kim, Yun-Seok; Eun, Heesoo

2011-01-01

Zucchini cultivars Cucurbita pepo subsp. ovifera cv. Patty Green and subsp. pepo cv. Gold Rush were cultivated hydroponically in a nutrient solution supplemented with a mixture of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Patty Green and Gold Rush showed low and high accumulation of these compounds in the aerial parts respectively. In both cultivars, the accumulation of each congener negatively depended on its hydrophobicity. This suggests that desorption and solubilization were partly responsible for congener specificity of accumulation, since this was not found in soil experiments. In contrast, no clear difference in accumulation in the roots was observed between the cultivars, whereas the translocation factors, which are indicators of efficient translocation from the roots to the aerial parts, differed among the congeners hydrophobicity-dependently. There were positive correlations between accumulation in the roots and the hydrophobicity of the polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in both cultivars. These results indicate that translocation was also partly responsible for the congener specificity and accumulation concentrations.

Toxicity effects of an environmental realistic herbicide mixture on the seagrass Zostera noltei.

PubMed

Diepens, Noël J; Buffan-Dubau, Evelyne; Budzinski, Hélène; Kallerhoff, Jean; Merlina, Georges; Silvestre, Jérome; Auby, Isabelle; Nathalie Tapie; Elger, Arnaud

2017-03-01

Worldwide seagrass declines have been observed due to multiple stressors. One of them is the mixture of pesticides used in intensive agriculture and boat antifouling paints in coastal areas. Effects of mixture toxicity are complex and poorly understood. However, consideration of mixture toxicity is more realistic and ecologically relevant for environmental risk assessment (ERA). The first aim of this study was to determine short-term effects of realistic herbicide mixture exposure on physiological endpoints of Zostera noltei. The second aim was to assess the environmental risks of this mixture, by comparing the results to previously published data. Z. noltei was exposed to a mixture of four herbicides: atrazine, diuron, irgarol and S-metolachlor, simulating the composition of typical cocktail of contaminants in the Arcachon bay (Atlantic coast, France). Three stress biomarkers were measured: enzymatic activity of glutathione reductase, effective quantum yield (EQY) and photosynthetic pigment composition after 6, 24 and 96 h. Short term exposure to realistic herbicide mixtures affected EQY, with almost 100% inhibition for the two highest concentrations, and photosynthetic pigments. Effect on pigment composition was detected after 6 h with a no observed effect concentration (NOEC) of 1 μg/L total mixture concentration. The lowest EQY effect concentration at 10% (EC 10 ) (2 μg/L) and pigment composition NOEC with an assessment factor of 10 were above the maximal field concentrations along the French Atlantic coast, suggesting that there are no potential short term adverse effects of this particular mixture on Z. noltei. However, chronic effects on photosynthesis may lead to reduced energy reserves, which could thus lead to effects at whole plant and population level. Understanding the consequences of chemical mixtures could help to improve ERA and enhance management strategies to prevent further declines of seagrass meadows worldwide. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effects of short-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of different pharmaceutical mixtures on the immune response of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis.

PubMed

Gust, M; Fortier, M; Garric, J; Fournier, M; Gagné, F

2013-02-15

Pharmaceuticals are pollutants of potential concern in the aquatic environment where they are commonly introduced as complex mixtures via municipal effluents. Many reports underline the effects of pharmaceuticals on immune system of non target species. Four drug mixtures were tested, and regrouped pharmaceuticals by main therapeutic use: psychiatric (venlafaxine, carbamazepine, diazepam), antibiotic (ciprofloxacine, erythromycin, novobiocin, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim), hypolipemic (atorvastatin, gemfibrozil, benzafibrate) and antihypertensive (atenolol, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril). Their effects were then compared with a treated municipal effluent known for its contamination, and its effects on the immune response of Lymnaea stagnalis. Adult L. stagnalis were exposed for 3 days to an environmentally relevant concentration of the four mixtures individually and as a global mixture. Effects on immunocompetence (hemocyte viability and count, ROS and thiol levels, phagocytosis) and gene expression were related to the immune response and oxidative stress: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), Selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGPx), two isoforms of the nitric oxide synthetase gene (NOS1 and NOS2), molluscan defensive molecule (MDM), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF) and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70). Immunocompetence was differently affected by the therapeutic class mixtures compared to the global mixture, which increased hemocyte count, ROS levels and phagocytosis, and decreased intracellular thiol levels. TLR4 gene expression was the most strongly increased, especially by psychiatric mixture (19-fold), while AIF-1, GR and CAT genes were downregulated. A decision tree analysis revealed that the immunotoxic responses caused by the municipal effluent were comparable to those obtained with the global pharmaceutical mixture, and the latter shared similarity with the antibiotic mixture. This suggests that pharmaceutical mixtures in municipal effluents represent a risk for gastropods at the immunocompetence levels and the antibiotic group could represent a model therapeutic class for municipal effluent toxicity studies in L. stagnalis. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Fast and Easily-Realized Concentration Sensor for Binary Gas Mixtures and Its Design Analysis.

PubMed

Guan, Yu; Lu, Song; Zhang, Dan; Hu, Yang; Yuan, Wei

2018-04-19

A low-cost and easily-realized sensing device used for the detection of gas mixtures at different concentrations is presented. Its sensing part includes a small critical nozzle, a laminar structure, and a differential pressure sensor. When gas flows through the laminar structure, there is a pressure drop between both ends of it, and for different components of gas, the pressure drop is different. Based on this feature, the concentration detection is achieved. Concentration tests for two types of fire extinguishing agents CBrF₃ and C₃HF₇ are presented. The results show the characteristics of fast response/recovery time, high accuracy, and good repeatability. Based on the theoretical analysis, the effects of the design parameters on the sensing performance to concentration detection are discussed in detail.

Evaluating temperature and fuel stratification for heat-release rate control in a reactivity-controlled compression-ignition engine using optical diagnostics and chemical kinetics modeling

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

Musculus, Mark P. B.; Kokjohn, Sage L.; Reitz, Rolf D.

We investigated the combustion process in a dual-fuel, reactivity-controlled compression-ignition (RCCI) engine using a combination of optical diagnostics and chemical kinetics modeling to explain the role of equivalence ratio, temperature, and fuel reactivity stratification for heat-release rate control. An optically accessible engine is operated in the RCCI combustion mode using gasoline primary reference fuels (PRF). A well-mixed charge of iso-octane (PRF = 100) is created by injecting fuel into the engine cylinder during the intake stroke using a gasoline-type direct injector. Later in the cycle, n-heptane (PRF = 0) is delivered through a centrally mounted diesel-type common-rail injector. This injectionmore » strategy generates stratification in equivalence ratio, fuel blend, and temperature. The first part of this study uses a high-speed camera to image the injection events and record high-temperature combustion chemiluminescence. Moreover, the chemiluminescence imaging showed that, at the operating condition studied in the present work, mixtures in the squish region ignite first, and the reaction zone proceeds inward toward the center of the combustion chamber. The second part of this study investigates the charge preparation of the RCCI strategy using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of a fuel tracer under non-reacting conditions to quantify fuel concentration distributions prior to ignition. The fuel-tracer PLIF data show that the combustion event proceeds down gradients in the n-heptane distribution. The third part of the study uses chemical kinetics modeling over a range of mixtures spanning the distributions observed from the fuel-tracer fluorescence imaging to isolate the roles of temperature, equivalence ratio, and PRF number stratification. The simulations predict that PRF number stratification is the dominant factor controlling the ignition location and growth rate of the reaction zone. Equivalence ratio has a smaller, but still significant, influence. Lastly, temperature stratification had a negligible influence due to the NTC behavior of the PRF mixtures.« less

Evaluating temperature and fuel stratification for heat-release rate control in a reactivity-controlled compression-ignition engine using optical diagnostics and chemical kinetics modeling

DOE PAGES

Musculus, Mark P. B.; Kokjohn, Sage L.; Reitz, Rolf D.

2015-04-23

We investigated the combustion process in a dual-fuel, reactivity-controlled compression-ignition (RCCI) engine using a combination of optical diagnostics and chemical kinetics modeling to explain the role of equivalence ratio, temperature, and fuel reactivity stratification for heat-release rate control. An optically accessible engine is operated in the RCCI combustion mode using gasoline primary reference fuels (PRF). A well-mixed charge of iso-octane (PRF = 100) is created by injecting fuel into the engine cylinder during the intake stroke using a gasoline-type direct injector. Later in the cycle, n-heptane (PRF = 0) is delivered through a centrally mounted diesel-type common-rail injector. This injectionmore » strategy generates stratification in equivalence ratio, fuel blend, and temperature. The first part of this study uses a high-speed camera to image the injection events and record high-temperature combustion chemiluminescence. Moreover, the chemiluminescence imaging showed that, at the operating condition studied in the present work, mixtures in the squish region ignite first, and the reaction zone proceeds inward toward the center of the combustion chamber. The second part of this study investigates the charge preparation of the RCCI strategy using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of a fuel tracer under non-reacting conditions to quantify fuel concentration distributions prior to ignition. The fuel-tracer PLIF data show that the combustion event proceeds down gradients in the n-heptane distribution. The third part of the study uses chemical kinetics modeling over a range of mixtures spanning the distributions observed from the fuel-tracer fluorescence imaging to isolate the roles of temperature, equivalence ratio, and PRF number stratification. The simulations predict that PRF number stratification is the dominant factor controlling the ignition location and growth rate of the reaction zone. Equivalence ratio has a smaller, but still significant, influence. Lastly, temperature stratification had a negligible influence due to the NTC behavior of the PRF mixtures.« less

Turbulent Burning Velocities of Two-Component Fuel Mixtures of Methane, Propane and Hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kido, Hiroyuki; Nakahara, Masaya; Hashimoto, Jun; Barat, Dilmurat

In order to clarify the turbulent burning velocity of multi-component fuel mixtures, both lean and rich two-component fuel mixtures, in which methane, propane and hydrogen were used as fuels, were prepared while maintaining the laminar burning velocity approximately constant. A distinct difference in the measured turbulent burning velocity at the same turbulence intensity is observed for two-component fuel mixtures having different addition rates of fuel, even the laminar burning velocities are approximately the same. The burning velocities of lean mixtures change almost constantly as the rate of addition changes, whereas the burning velocities of the rich mixtures show no such tendency. This trend can be explained qualitatively based on the mean local burning velocity, which is estimated by taking into account the preferential diffusion effect for each fuel component. In addition, a model of turbulent burning velocity proposed for single-component fuel mixtures may be applied to two-component fuel mixtures by considering the estimated mean local burning velocity of each fuel.

Application of a two-stream radiative transfer model for leaf lignin and cellulose concentrations from spectral reflectance measurements, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conel, James E.; Vandenbosch, Jeannette; Grove, Cindy I.

1993-01-01

We used the Kubelka-Munk theory of diffuse spectral reflectance in layers to analyze influences of multiple chemical components in leaves. As opposed to empirical approaches to estimation of plant chemistry, the full spectral resolution of laboratory reflectance data was retained in an attempt to estimate lignin or other constituent concentrations from spectral band positions. A leaf water reflectance spectrum was derived from theoretical mixing rules, reflectance observations, and calculations from theory of intrinsic k- and s-functions. Residual reflectance bands were then isolated from spectra of fresh green leaves. These proved hard to interpret for composition in terms of simple two component mixtures such as lignin and cellulose. We next investigated spectral and dilution influences of other possible components (starch, protein). These components, among others, added to cellulose in hypothetical mixtures, produce band displacements similar to lignin, but will disguise by dilution the actual abundance of lignin present in a multicomponent system. This renders interpretation of band positions problematical. Knowledge of end-members and their spectra, and a more elaborate mixture analysis procedure may be called for. Good observational atmospheric and instrumental conditions and knowledge thereof are required for retrieval of expected subtle reflectance variations present in spectra of green vegetation.

Investigating Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Factor Mixture Modeling Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Georgiades, Stelios; Szatmari, Peter; Boyle, Michael; Hanna, Steven; Duku, Eric; Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie; Bryson, Susan; Fombonne, Eric; Volden, Joanne; Mirenda, Pat; Smith, Isabel; Roberts, Wendy; Vaillancourt, Tracy; Waddell, Charlotte; Bennett, Teresa; Thompson, Ann

2013-01-01

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by notable phenotypic heterogeneity, which is often viewed as an obstacle to the study of its etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. On the basis of empirical evidence, instead of three binary categories, the upcoming edition of the DSM 5 will use two dimensions--social…

Toxicity of inorganic contaminants, individually and in environmental mixtures, to three endangered fishes (Colorado squawfish, bonytail, and razorback sucker)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buhl, Kevin J.; Hamilton, S.J.

1996-01-01

Two life stages of three federally-listed endangered fishes, Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), bonytail (Gila elegans), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) were exposed to copper, selenate, selenite, and zinc individually, and to mixtures of nine inorganics in a reconstituted water that simulated the water quality of the middle Green River, Utah. The mixtures simulated environmental ratios of arsenate, boron, copper, molybdenum, selenate, selenite, uranium, vanadium, and zinc in two tributaries, Ashley Creek and Stewart Lake outlet, of the middle Green River. The rank order of toxicity of the individual inorganics, from most to least toxic, was: copper > zinc > selenite > selenate. Colorado squawfish larvae were more sensitive to all four inorganics and the two mixtures than the juveniles, whereas there was no consistent response between the two life stages for the other two species. There was no consistent difference in sensitivity to the inorganics among the three endangered fishes. Both mixtures exhibited either additive or greater than additive toxicity to these fishes. The primary toxic components in the mixtures, based on toxic units, were copper and zinc. Acute toxicity values were compared to measured environmental concentrations in the two tributaries to derive margins of uncertainty. Margins of uncertainty were low for both mixtures (9–22 for the Stewart Lake outlet mixture, and 12–32 for the Ashley Creek mixture), indicating that mixtures of inorganics derived from irrigation activities may pose a hazard to endangered fishes in the Green River.

Synergy between glyphosate- and cypermethrin-based pesticides during acute exposures in tadpoles of the common South American toad Rhinella arenarum.

PubMed

Brodeur, Julie Céline; Poliserpi, María Belén; D'Andrea, María Florencia; Sánchez, Marisol

2014-10-01

The herbicide glyphosate and the insecticide cypermethrin are key pesticides of modern management in soy and corn cultures. Although these pesticides are likely to co-occur in ephemeral ponds or aquatic systems supporting amphibian wildlife, the toxicological interactions prevailing in mixtures of these two pesticides have been little studied. The current study evaluated the toxicity of equitoxic and non-equitoxic binary mixtures of glyphosate- and cypermethrin-based pesticides to tadpoles of the common South American toad, Rhinella arenarum. Two different combinations of commercial products were tested: glyphosate Glifosato Atanor®+cypermethrin Xiper® and glyphosate Glifoglex®+cypermethrin Glextrin®. When tested individually, the formulations presented the following 96 h-LC50s: Glifosato Atanor® 19.4 mg ae L(-1) and Glifoglex 72.8 mg ae L(-1), Xiper® 6.8 mg L(-1) and Glextrin® 30.2 mg L(-1). Equitoxic and non-equitoxic mixtures were significantly synergic in both combinations of commercial products tested. The magnitude of the synergy (factor by which toxicity differed from concentration addition) was constant at around twofold for all tested proportions of the glyphosate Glifoglex®+cypermethrin Glextrin® mixture; whereas the magnitude of the synergy varied between 4 and 9 times in the glyphosate Glifosato Atanor®+cypermethrin Xiper® mixture. These results call for more research to be promptly undertaken in order to understand the mechanisms behind the synergy observed and to identify and quantify the extent of its environmental impacts. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hygroscopicity of organic surrogate compounds from biomass burning and their effect on the efflorescence of ammonium sulfate in mixed aerosol particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Ting; Zuend, Andreas; Cheng, Yafang; Su, Hang; Wang, Weigang; Ge, Maofa

2018-01-01

Hygroscopic growth factors of organic surrogate compounds representing biomass burning and mixed organic-inorganic aerosol particles exhibit variability during dehydration experiments depending on their chemical composition, which we observed using a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA). We observed that levoglucosan and humic acid aerosol particles release water upon dehumidification in the range from 90 to 5 % relative humidity (RH). However, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid aerosol particles remain in the solid state upon dehumidification and exhibit a small shrinking in size at higher RH compared to the dry size. For example, the measured growth factor of 4-hyroxybenzoic acid aerosol particles is ˜ 0.96 at 90 % RH. The measurements were accompanied by RH-dependent thermodynamic equilibrium calculations using the Aerosol Inorganic-Organic Mixtures Functional groups Activity Coefficients (AIOMFAC) model and Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM), the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) relation, and a fitted hygroscopicity expression. We observed several effects of organic components on the hygroscopicity behavior of mixtures containing ammonium sulfate (AS) in relation to the different mass fractions of organic compounds: (1) a shift of efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) of ammonium sulfate to higher RH due to the presence of 25 wt % levoglucosan in the mixture. (2) There is a distinct efflorescence transition at 25 % RH for mixtures consisting of 25 wt % of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid compared to the ERH at 35 % for organic-free AS particles. (3) There is indication for a liquid-to-solid phase transition of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in the mixed particles during dehydration. (4) A humic acid component shows no significant effect on the efflorescence of AS in mixed aerosol particles. In addition, consideration of a composition-dependent degree of dissolution of crystallization AS (solid-liquid equilibrium) in the AIOMFAC and E-AIM models leads to a relatively good agreement between models and observed growth factors, as well as ERH of AS in the mixed system. The use of the ZSR relation leads to good agreement with measured diameter growth factors of aerosol particles containing humic acid and ammonium sulfate. Lastly, two distinct mixtures of organic surrogate compounds, including levoglucosan, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and humic acid, were used to represent the average water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) fractions observed during the wet and dry seasons in the central Amazon Basin. A comparison of the organic fraction's hygroscopicity parameter for the simple mixtures, e.g., κ ≈ 0.12 to 0.15 for the wet-season mixture in the 90 to 40 % RH range, shows good agreement with field data for the wet season in the Amazon Basin (WSOC κ ≈ 0.14±0.06 at 90 % RH). This suggests that laboratory-generated mixtures containing organic surrogate compounds and ammonium sulfate can be used to mimic, in a simplified manner, the chemical composition of ambient aerosols from the Amazon Basin for the purpose of RH-dependent hygroscopicity studies.

Temozolomide stability in extemporaneously compounded oral suspensions.

PubMed

Trissel, Lawrence A; Zhang, Yanping; Koontz, Susannah E

2006-01-01

Temozolomide, commercially available in capsules, is an oral alkylating agent used to treat brain tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmaceutical acceptability and chemical stability of temozolomide in two extemporaneously compounded suspension formulations prepared from the capsules. The temozolomide oral suspensions were prepared from 100-mg commercial capsules yielding a nominal temozolomide concentration of 10 mg/mL. The suspension vehicles selected for testing were an equal parts mixture of Ora-Plus and Ora-Sweet and an equal parts mixture of Ora-Plus and Ora-Sweet SF. The suspensions were packaged in amber plastic screw-cap prescription bottles, which were stored at 23 deg C for 21 days or 4 deg C for 60 days. Stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that the temozolomide concentration in both suspension vehicle combinations exhibited little or no loss for 60 days at 4 deg C. At 23 deg C, temozolomide losses were somewhat greater. In the Ora-Sweet formulation, the loss was 6% at 7 days; in the Ora-Sweet SF formulation, losses were about 8% at 14 days and 10% to 11% at 21 days. Temozolomide extemporaneously prepared as oral suspensions from capsules in equal parts mixtures of Ora-Plus suspension vehicle with Ora-Sweet and with ora-Sweet SF syrups with added povidine k-30 and acidified with citric acid were pharmaceutically acceptable and chemically stable for at least 60 days at 4 deg C. Refrigerated storage is recommended. The suspensions should not be stored at room temperature longer than 1 week if Ora-Sweet is used or longer than 2 weeks if Ora-Sweet SF is used.

Two-way and three-way approaches to ultra high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array dataset for the quantitative resolution of a two-component mixture containing ciprofloxacin and ornidazole.

PubMed

Dinç, Erdal; Ertekin, Zehra Ceren; Büker, Eda

2016-09-01

Two-way and three-way calibration models were applied to ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array data with coeluted peaks in the same wavelength and time regions for the simultaneous quantitation of ciprofloxacin and ornidazole in tablets. The chromatographic data cube (tensor) was obtained by recording chromatographic spectra of the standard and sample solutions containing ciprofloxacin and ornidazole with sulfadiazine as an internal standard as a function of time and wavelength. Parallel factor analysis and trilinear partial least squares were used as three-way calibrations for the decomposition of the tensor, whereas three-way unfolded partial least squares was applied as a two-way calibration to the unfolded dataset obtained from the data array of ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. The validity and ability of two-way and three-way analysis methods were tested by analyzing validation samples: synthetic mixture, interday and intraday samples, and standard addition samples. Results obtained from two-way and three-way calibrations were compared to those provided by traditional ultra high performance liquid chromatography. The proposed methods, parallel factor analysis, trilinear partial least squares, unfolded partial least squares, and traditional ultra high performance liquid chromatography were successfully applied to the quantitative estimation of the solid dosage form containing ciprofloxacin and ornidazole. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

In utero and lactational exposure to low-dose genistein-vinclozolin mixture affects the development and growth factor mRNA expression of the submandibular salivary gland in immature female rats.

PubMed

Kouidhi, Wided; Desmetz, Catherine; Nahdi, Afef; Bergès, Raymond; Cravedi, Jean-Pierre; Auger, Jacques; El May, Michèle; Canivenc-Lavier, Marie Chantal

2012-06-01

It has been suggested that hormonally controlled submandibular salivary gland (SSG) development and secretions may be affected by endocrine disruptor compounds. We investigated the effects of oral gestation-lactation exposure to 1 mg/kg body weight daily dose of the estrogenic soy-isoflavone genistein and/or the anti-androgenic food contaminant vinclozolin in female rats. The SSGs of female offspring were collected at postnatal day 35 to study gland morphogenesis and mRNA expression of sex-hormone receptors and endocrine growth factors as sex-dependent biomarkers. Because of high expression in neonatal SSG, mRNA expression of transforming growth factor α was also studied. Exposure to genistein, vinclozolin, or a genistein+vinclozolin mixture resulted in significantly lower numbers of striated ducts linked to an increase in their area and lower acinar proliferation (Ki-67-positive nuclei). Exposure to the mixture had the highest significant effects, which were particularly associated with repression of epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and transforming growth factor α expression. In conclusion, early exposure to low doses of genistein and vinclozolin can affect glandular structure and endocrine gene mRNA expression in prepubertal SSG in female rats, and the effects are potentialized by the genistein+vinclozolin mixture. Our study provides the first evidence that SSG are targeted by both estrogenic and anti-androgenic disrupting compounds and are more sensitive to mixtures.

Probing the porosity of cocrystallized MCM-49/ZSM-35 zeolites by hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR.

PubMed

Liu, Yong; Zhang, Weiping; Xie, Sujuan; Xu, Longya; Han, Xiuwen; Bao, Xinhe

2008-01-31

One- and two-dimensional 129Xe NMR spectroscopy has been employed to study the porosity of cocrystallized MCM-49/ZSM-35 zeolites under the continuous flow of hyperpolarized xenon gas. It is found by variable-temperature experiments that Xe atoms can be adsorbed in different domains of MCM-49/ZSM-35 cocrystallized zeolites and the mechanically mixed counterparts. The exchange of Xe atoms in different types of pores is very fast at ambient temperatures. Even at very low temperature two-dimensional exchange spectra (EXSY) show that Xe atoms still undergo much faster exchange between MCM-49 and ZSM-35 analogues in the cocrystallized zeolites than in the mechanical mixture. This demonstrates that the MCM-49 and ZSM-35 analogues in cocrystallized zeolites may be stacked much closer than in the physical mixture, and some parts of intergrowth may be formed due to the partially similar basic structure of MCM-49 and ZSM-35.

Multivariate Curve Resolution Applied to Infrared Reflection Measurements of Soil Contaminated with an Organophosphorus Analyte

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

Gallagher, Neal B.; Blake, Thomas A.; Gassman, Paul L.

2006-07-01

Multivariate curve resolution (MCR) is a powerful technique for extracting chemical information from measured spectra on complex mixtures. The difficulty with applying MCR to soil reflectance measurements is that light scattering artifacts can contribute much more variance to the measurements than the analyte(s) of interest. Two methods were integrated into a MCR decomposition to account for light scattering effects. Firstly, an extended mixture model using pure analyte spectra augmented with scattering ‘spectra’ was used for the measured spectra. And secondly, second derivative preprocessed spectra, which have higher selectivity than the unprocessed spectra, were included in a second block as amore » part of the decomposition. The conventional alternating least squares (ALS) algorithm was modified to simultaneously decompose the measured and second derivative spectra in a two-block decomposition. Equality constraints were also included to incorporate information about sampling conditions. The result was an MCR decomposition that provided interpretable spectra from soil reflectance measurements.« less

Installation Restoration Program. Phase 1. Records Search. Air Force Plant Number 3, Tulsa, Oklahoma

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

treatment plant was designed for cyanide and chromium treat- ment. Wastes are collected in two separate sewer systems; acid-chrome, and alkali cyanide...reduction of hexavalent chrome to trivalent chrome with sulfur dioxide. After the oxidation and reduction are accomplished separately, the wastes are...uses of the water. CCNVEPSI N COATING WASTE: Acidic solution containinq chromium . 0COOLANT: An oil-water mixture used for coolina metal parts durirq

Natural lipid extracts and biomembrane-mimicking lipid compositions are disposed to form nonlamellar phases, and they release DNA from lipoplexes most efficiently

PubMed Central

Koynova, Rumiana; MacDonald, Robert C.

2007-01-01

A viewpoint now emerging is that a critical factor in lipid-mediated transfection (lipofection) is the structural evolution of lipoplexes upon interacting and mixing with cellular lipids. Here we report our finding that lipid mixtures mimicking biomembrane lipid compositions are superior to pure anionic liposomes in their ability to release DNA from lipoplexes (cationic lipid/DNA complexes), even though they have a much lower negative charge density (and thus lower capacity to neutralize the positive charge of the lipoplex lipids). Flow fluorometry revealed that the portion of DNA released after a 30 min incubation of the cationic O-ethylphosphatidylcholine lipoplexes with the anionic phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylglycerol was 19% and 37%, respectively, whereas a mixture mimicking biomembranes (MM: phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine/ phosphatidylserine/cholesterol 45:20:20:15 w/w) and polar lipid extract from bovine liver released 62% and 74%, respectively, of the DNA content. A possible reason for this superior power in releasing DNA by the natural lipid mixtures was suggested by structural experiments: while pure anionic lipids typically form lamellae, the natural lipid mixtures exhibited a surprising predilection to form nonlamellar phases. Thus, the MM mixture arranged into lamellar arrays at physiological temperature, but began to convert to the hexagonal phase at a slightly higher temperature, ∼40-45°C. A propensity to form nonlamellar phases (hexagonal, cubic, micellar) at close to physiological temperatures was also found with the lipid extracts from natural tissues (from bovine liver, brain, and heart). This result reveals that electrostatic interactions are only one of the factors involved in lipid-mediated DNA delivery. The tendency of lipid bilayers to form nonlamellar phases has been described in terms of bilayer “frustration” which imposes a nonzero intrinsic curvature of the two opposing monolayers. Because the stored curvature elastic energy in a “frustrated” bilayer seems to be comparable to the binding energy between cationic lipid and DNA, the balance between these two energies could play a significant role in the lipoplex-membrane interactions and DNA release energetics. PMID:17559800

Natural lipid extracts and biomembrane-mimicking lipid compositions are disposed to form nonlamellar phases, and they release DNA from lipoplexes most efficiently

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

Koynova, Rumiana; MacDonald, Robert C.

2010-01-18

A viewpoint now emerging is that a critical factor in lipid-mediated transfection (lipofection) is the structural evolution of lipoplexes upon interacting and mixing with cellular lipids. Here we report our finding that lipid mixtures mimicking biomembrane lipid compositions are superior to pure anionic liposomes in their ability to release DNA from lipoplexes (cationic lipid/DNA complexes), even though they have a much lower negative charge density (and thus lower capacity to neutralize the positive charge of the lipoplex lipids). Flow fluorometry revealed that the portion of DNA released after a 30-min incubation of the cationic O-ethylphosphatidylcholine lipoplexes with the anionic phosphatidylserinemore » or phosphatidylglycerol was 19% and 37%, respectively, whereas a mixture mimicking biomembranes (MM: phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylserine /cholesterol 45:20:20:15 w/w) and polar lipid extract from bovine liver released 62% and 74%, respectively, of the DNA content. A possible reason for this superior power in releasing DNA by the natural lipid mixtures was suggested by structural experiments: while pure anionic lipids typically form lamellae, the natural lipid mixtures exhibited a surprising predilection to form nonlamellar phases. Thus, the MM mixture arranged into lamellar arrays at physiological temperature, but began to convert to the hexagonal phase at a slightly higher temperature, {approx} 40-45 C. A propensity to form nonlamellar phases (hexagonal, cubic, micellar) at close to physiological temperatures was also found with the lipid extracts from natural tissues (from bovine liver, brain, and heart). This result reveals that electrostatic interactions are only one of the factors involved in lipid-mediated DNA delivery. The tendency of lipid bilayers to form nonlamellar phases has been described in terms of bilayer 'frustration' which imposes a nonzero intrinsic curvature of the two opposing monolayers. Because the stored curvature elastic energy in a 'frustrated' bilayer seems to be comparable to the binding energy between cationic lipid and DNA, the balance between these two energies could play a significant role in the lipoplex-membrane interactions and DNA release energetics.« less

Bioagents and silicon promoting fast early upland rice growth.

PubMed

de Sousa, Thatyane Pereira; de Souza, Alan Carlos Alves; de Filippi, Marta Cristina Corsi; Lanna, Anna Cristina; Cortês, Marcio Vinicius; Pinheiro, Hugo Alves; da Silva, Gisele Barata

2018-02-01

Upland rice can overcome major challenges through the insertion of silicate fertilization and the presence of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) during its cultivation, as these factors promote an increase in vigor and plant disease resistance. Two consecutive experiments were conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of silicon fertilization combined with the PGPM, Pseudomonas fluorensces, Burkholderia pyrrocinia, and a pool of Trichoderma asperellum, in upland rice seedlings, cultivar BRS Primavera CL: (a) E1, selecting PGPM type and Si doses for rice growth promotion and leaf blast supression, and (b) E2, evaluating physiological characteristics correlated with mechanisms involved in the higher vegetative growth in highlighted treatments from E1. In E1, 2 Si t ha -1 combined with the application of T. asperellum pool or PGPM mixture increased 54% in root dry matter biomass and 35 and 65% in shoot and root lengths, respectively; it also suppressed 99% of rice blast severity. In E2, shoot and root dry matter biomass and length, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, total soluble sugar, and chloroplastidic pigments were superior in BRS Primavera CL seedlings treated with 2 Si t ha -1 and T. asperellum pool or PGPM mixture. Higher salicilic and jasmonic acid levels were found in seedlings treated with Si and T. asperellum pool, individually. These physiological characteristics may explain, in part, the higher vigor of upland rice seedlings promoted by the synergistic effect between silicate fertilization and beneficial microorganisms.

Understanding mechanisms of raveling to extend open graded friction course (OGFC) service life.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-03-01

To understand the mechanisms of raveling in open graded friction course (OGFC) mixtures, this project was divided into experimental measurements and finite element (FE) modeling. For the experimental part, mixtures with good and poor field performanc...

Variations of the Hydrogen Bonding and of the Hydrogen Bonded Network in Ethanol-Water Mixtures on Cooling.

PubMed

Pothoczki, Szilvia; Pusztai, Laszlo; Bako, Imre

2018-06-12

Molecular dynamics computer simulations have been conducted for ethanol-water liquid mixtures in the water-rich side of the composition range, with 10, 20 and 30 mol % of the alcohol, at temperatures between room temperature and the experimental freezing point of the given mixture. All-atom type (OPLS) interatomic potentials have been assumed for ethanol, in combination with two kinds of rigid water models (SPC/E and TIP4P/2005). Both combinations have provided excellent reproductions of the experimental X-ray total structure factors at each temperature; this yielded a strong basis for further structural analyses. Beyond partial radial distribution functions, various descriptors of hydrogen bonded assemblies, as well as of the hydrogen bonded network have been determined. A clear tendency was observed towards that an increasing proportion of water molecules participate in hydrogen bonding with exactly 2 donor- and 2 acceptor sites as temperature decreases. Concerning larger assemblies held together by hydrogen bonding, the main focus was put on the properties of cyclic entities: it was found that, similarly to methanol-water mixtures, the number of hydrogen bonded rings has increased with lowering temperature. However, for ethanol-water mixtures the dominance of not the six-, but of the five-fold rings could be observed.

Numerical simulation of polishing U-tube based on solid-liquid two-phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jun-ye; Meng, Wen-qing; Wu, Gui-ling; Hu, Jing-lei; Wang, Bao-zuo

2018-03-01

As the advanced technology to solve the ultra-precision machining of small hole structure parts and complex cavity parts, the abrasive grain flow processing technology has the characteristics of high efficiency, high quality and low cost. So this technology in many areas of precision machining has an important role. Based on the theory of solid-liquid two-phase flow coupling, a solid-liquid two-phase MIXTURE model is used to simulate the abrasive flow polishing process on the inner surface of U-tube, and the temperature, turbulent viscosity and turbulent dissipation rate in the process of abrasive flow machining of U-tube were compared and analyzed under different inlet pressure. In this paper, the influence of different inlet pressure on the surface quality of the workpiece during abrasive flow machining is studied and discussed, which provides a theoretical basis for the research of abrasive flow machining process.

Durability assessments of concrete using electrical properties and acoustic emission testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todak, Heather N.

Premature damage deterioration has been observed in pavement joints throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. Over time, severe joint damage creates a transportation safety concern and the necessary repairs can be an extreme economic burden. The deterioration is due in part to freeze-thaw damage associated with fluid accumulation at the pavement joints. This very preventable problem is an indication that current specifications and construction practices for freeze-thaw durability of concrete are inadequate. This thesis serves to create a better understanding of moisture ingress, freeze-thaw damage mechanisms, and the effect of variations in mixture properties on freeze-thaw behavior of concrete. The concepts of the nick point degree of saturation, sorptivity rates, and critical degree of saturation are discussed. These factors contribute to service life, defined in this study as the duration of time a concrete element remains below levels of critical saturation which are required for damage development to initiate. A theoretical model and a simple experimental procedure are introduced which help determine the nick point for a series of 32 concrete mixtures with unique mixture proportions and air entrainment properties. This simple experimental procedure is also presented as a method to measure important electrical properties in order to establish the formation factor, a valuable measure of concrete transport properties. The results of freeze-thaw testing with acoustic emission monitoring are presented to help understand and quantify damage development in concrete specimens when conditioned to various degrees of saturation. This procedure was used to study the relationship between air entrainment properties and the critical degree of saturation. Applying the concepts of degree of saturation and sorptivity, a performance-based model is proposed as a new approach to specifications for freeze-thaw durability. Finally, a conceptual model is presented to illustrate the effect of various changes in mixture proportions and air void properties on service life.

DNS study of speed of sound in two-phase flows with phase change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Kai; Deng, Xiaolong

2017-11-01

Heat transfer through pipe flow is important for the safety of thermal power plants. Normally it is considered incompressible. However, in some conditions compressibility effects could deteriorate the heat transfer efficiency and even result in pipe rupture, especially when there is obvious phase change, due to the much lower sound speed in liquid-gas mixture flows. Based on the stratified multiphase flow model (Chang and Liou, JCP 2007), we present a new approach to simulate the sound speed in 3-D compressible two-phase dispersed flows, in which each face is divided into gas-gas, gas-liquid, and liquid-liquid parts via reconstruction by volume fraction, and fluxes are calculated correspondingly. Applying it to well-distributed air-water bubbly flows, comparing with the experiment measurements in air water mixture (Karplus, JASA 1957), the effects of adiabaticity, viscosity, and isothermality are examined. Under viscous and isothermal condition, the simulation results match the experimental ones very well, showing the DNS study with current method is an effective way for the sound speed of complex two-phase dispersed flows. Including the two-phase Riemann solver with phase change (Fechter et al., JCP 2017), more complex problems can be numerically studied.

Binary gaseous mixture and single component adsorption of methane and argon on exfoliated graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, Brice Adam

Exfoliated graphite was used as a substrate for adsorption of argon and methane. Adsorption experiments were conducted for both equal parts mixtures of argon and methane and for each gas species independently. The purpose of this was to compare mixture adsorption to single component adsorption and to investigate theoretical predictions concerning the kinetics of adsorption made by Burde and Calbi.6 In particular, time to reach pressure equilibrium of a single dose at a constant temperature for the equal parts mixture was compared to time of adsorption for each species by itself. It was shown that mixture adsorption is a much more complex and time consuming process than single component adsorption and requires a much longer amount of time to reach equilibrium. Information about the composition evolution of the mixture during the times when pressure was going toward equilibrium was obtained using a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Evidence for initial higher rate of adsorption for the weaker binding energy species (argon) was found as well as overall composition change which clearly indicated a higher coverage of methane on the graphite sample by the time equilibration was reached. Effective specific surface area of graphite for both argon and methane was also determined using the Point-B method.2

Dispelling urban myths about default uncertainty factors in chemical risk assessment – sufficient protection against mixture effects?

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Assessing the detrimental health effects of chemicals requires the extrapolation of experimental data in animals to human populations. This is achieved by applying a default uncertainty factor of 100 to doses not found to be associated with observable effects in laboratory animals. It is commonly assumed that the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic sub-components of this default uncertainty factor represent worst-case scenarios and that the multiplication of those components yields conservative estimates of safe levels for humans. It is sometimes claimed that this conservatism also offers adequate protection from mixture effects. By analysing the evolution of uncertainty factors from a historical perspective, we expose that the default factor and its sub-components are intended to represent adequate rather than worst-case scenarios. The intention of using assessment factors for mixture effects was abandoned thirty years ago. It is also often ignored that the conservatism (or otherwise) of uncertainty factors can only be considered in relation to a defined level of protection. A protection equivalent to an effect magnitude of 0.001-0.0001% over background incidence is generally considered acceptable. However, it is impossible to say whether this level of protection is in fact realised with the tolerable doses that are derived by employing uncertainty factors. Accordingly, it is difficult to assess whether uncertainty factors overestimate or underestimate the sensitivity differences in human populations. It is also often not appreciated that the outcome of probabilistic approaches to the multiplication of sub-factors is dependent on the choice of probability distributions. Therefore, the idea that default uncertainty factors are overly conservative worst-case scenarios which can account both for the lack of statistical power in animal experiments and protect against potential mixture effects is ill-founded. We contend that precautionary regulation should provide an incentive to generate better data and recommend adopting a pragmatic, but scientifically better founded approach to mixture risk assessment. PMID:23816180

Dispelling urban myths about default uncertainty factors in chemical risk assessment--sufficient protection against mixture effects?

PubMed

Martin, Olwenn V; Martin, Scholze; Kortenkamp, Andreas

2013-07-01

Assessing the detrimental health effects of chemicals requires the extrapolation of experimental data in animals to human populations. This is achieved by applying a default uncertainty factor of 100 to doses not found to be associated with observable effects in laboratory animals. It is commonly assumed that the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic sub-components of this default uncertainty factor represent worst-case scenarios and that the multiplication of those components yields conservative estimates of safe levels for humans. It is sometimes claimed that this conservatism also offers adequate protection from mixture effects. By analysing the evolution of uncertainty factors from a historical perspective, we expose that the default factor and its sub-components are intended to represent adequate rather than worst-case scenarios. The intention of using assessment factors for mixture effects was abandoned thirty years ago. It is also often ignored that the conservatism (or otherwise) of uncertainty factors can only be considered in relation to a defined level of protection. A protection equivalent to an effect magnitude of 0.001-0.0001% over background incidence is generally considered acceptable. However, it is impossible to say whether this level of protection is in fact realised with the tolerable doses that are derived by employing uncertainty factors. Accordingly, it is difficult to assess whether uncertainty factors overestimate or underestimate the sensitivity differences in human populations. It is also often not appreciated that the outcome of probabilistic approaches to the multiplication of sub-factors is dependent on the choice of probability distributions. Therefore, the idea that default uncertainty factors are overly conservative worst-case scenarios which can account both for the lack of statistical power in animal experiments and protect against potential mixture effects is ill-founded. We contend that precautionary regulation should provide an incentive to generate better data and recommend adopting a pragmatic, but scientifically better founded approach to mixture risk assessment.

Investigation of droplet nucleation in CCS relevant systems - design and testing of the expansion chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čenský, Miroslav; Hrubý, Jan; Vinš, Václav; Hykl, Jiří; Šmíd, Bohuslav

2018-06-01

A unique in-house designed experimental apparatus for investigation of nucleation of droplets in CCS relevant systems is being developed by the present team. The apparatus allows simulating various processes relevant to CCS technologies. Gaseous mixtures with CO2 are prepared in a Mixture Preparation Device (MPD) based on accurate adjustment of flow rates of individual components [EPJ Web of Conferences 143, 02140 (2017)]. The mixture then flows into an expansion chamber, where it undergoes a rapid adiabatic expansion. As a consequence of adiabatic cooling, the mixture becomes supersaturated and nucleation and simultaneous growth of droplets occurs. In this study, we describe the design and testing of the expansion part of the experimental setup. The rapid expansion was realized using two valve systems, one for low pressures (up to 0.7 MPa) and the other for high pressures (up to 10 MPa). A challenge for a proper design of the expansion system is avoiding acoustic oscillations. These can occur either in the mode of Helmholtz resonator, where the compressible gas in the chamber acts as a spring and the rapidly moving gas in the valve system as a mass, or in the "flute" mode, where acoustic waves are generated in a long outlet tubing.

Effects of mixtures of dicamba and glyphosate on nontarget plants

EPA Science Inventory

New technologies are being developed using mixtures of herbicides to manage a broader variety of weeds in multiple herbicide resistant crops such as soybean and cotton. As part of its regulation of pesticides, the US Environmental Protection Agency considers environmental risks,...

Concentration dependent refractive index of a binary mixture at high pressure.

PubMed

Croccolo, Fabrizio; Arnaud, Marc-Alexandre; Bégué, Didier; Bataller, Henri

2011-07-21

In the present work binary mixtures of varying concentrations of two miscible hydrocarbons, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene (THN) and n-dodecane (C12), are subjected to increasing pressure up to 50 MPa in order to investigate the dependence of the so-called concentration contrast factor (CF), i.e., (∂n/∂c)(p, T), on pressure level. The refractive index is measured by means of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The setup and experimental procedure are validated with different pure fluids in the same pressure range. The refractive index of the THN-C12 mixture is found to vary both over pressure and concentration, and the concentration CF is found to exponentially decrease as the pressure is increased. The measured values of the refractive index and the concentration CFs are compared with values obtained by two different theoretical predictions, the well-known Lorentz-Lorenz formula and an alternative one proposed by Looyenga. While the measured refractive indices agree very well with predictions given by Looyenga, the measured concentration CFs show deviations from the latter of the order of 6% and more than the double from the Lorentz-Lorenz predictions.

Characterization of ball-milled carbon nanotube dispersed aluminum mixed powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maleque, M. A.; Abdullah, U.; Yaacob, I.; Ali, Y.

2016-04-01

Currently, carbon nanotube (CNT) is attracting much interest as fibrous materials for reinforcing aluminum matrix composites due to unique properties, such as high strength, elastic modulus, flexibility and high aspect ratios. However, the quality of the dispersion is the major concerning factor which determines the homogeneity of the enhanced mechanical and tribological properties of the composite. This work study and characterized carbon nanotube dispersion in ballmilled CNT-aluminum mixed powders with four different formulations such as 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 wt% CNT under high energy planetary ball milling operations. The ball milling was performed for two hours at constant milling speed of 250 rpm under controlled atmosphere. The characterization is performed using FESEM and EDX analyzer for mapping, elemental and line analysis. The experimental results showed homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in aluminum matrix. The composite mixture showed similar pattern from mapping, elemental and line analysis. Identification of only two peaks proved that controlled atmosphere during milling prevented the formation of inter metallic compounds such as aluminum carbide in the composite mixture. Therefore, this CNT-A1 composite powder mixture can be used for new nano-composite development without any agglomeration problem.

Effects of probiotics on methionine choline deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in rats.

PubMed

Karahan, Nermin; Işler, Mehmet; Koyu, Ahmet; Karahan, Aynur G; Başyığıt Kiliç, Gülden; Cırış, Ibrahim Metin; Sütçü, Recep; Onaran, Ibrahim; Cam, Hakan; Keskın, Muharrem

2012-04-01

Intestinal bacteria induce endogenous signals that play a pathogenic role in hepatic insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Probiotics could modulate the gut flora and could influence the gut-liver axis. We aimed to investigate the preventive effect of two probiotic mixtures on the methionine choline-deficient diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model in rats. Two studies, short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks), were carried out using 60 male Wistar rats. The 2-week study included six groups. Rats were fed with methionine choline-deficient diet or pair-fed control diet and were given a placebo or one of two probiotic mixtures (Pro-1 and Pro-2) by orogastric gavage. In the 6-week study, rats were allocated into four groups and were fed with methionine choline-deficient diet or pair-fed control diet and given a placebo or Pro-2. At the end of the 2- and 6-week periods, blood samples were obtained, the animals were sacrificed, and liver tissues were removed. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity was determined; histologic and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for steatosis, inflammation, protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, and apoptosis markers. In both studies, methionine choline-deficient diet caused an elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase activity, which was slightly reduced by Pro-1 and Pro-2. In the 2- and 6-week studies, feeding with methionine choline-deficient diet resulted in steatosis and inflammation, but not fibrosis, in all rats. In the 2-week study, in rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-1, steatosis and inflammation were present in 2 of 6 rats. In rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-2, steatosis was detected in 3 of 6 rats, while inflammation was present in 2 of 6 rats. In the 6-week study, in rats fed with methionine choline-deficient diet and given Pro-2, steatosis and inflammation were present in 3 of 6 rat livers. In both the 2- and 6-week studies, methionine choline-deficient diet resulted in tumor necrosis factor-α, proapoptotic Bax, caspase 3, caspase 8, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression in all rat livers. Pro-1 and Pro-2 treatment influenced protein expression involved in apoptosis and tumor necrosis factor-α in varying degrees. Pro-1 and Pro-2 decrease methionine choline-deficient diet-induced steatohepatitis in rats. The preventive effect of probiotics may be due, in part, to modulation of apoptosis and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Turbidity very near the critical point of methanol-cyclohexane mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kopelman, R. B.; Gammon, R. W.; Moldover, M. R.

1984-01-01

The turbidity of a critical mixture of methanol and cyclohexane has been measured extremely close to the consolute point. The data span the reduced-temperature range between 10 to the -7th and 10 to the -3d, which is two decades closer to Tc than previous measurements. In this temperature range, the turbidity varies approximately as 1nt, as expected from the integrated form for Ornstein-Zernike scattering. A thin cell (200-micron optical path) with a very small volume (0.08 ml) was used to avoid multiple scattering. A carefully controlled temperature history was used to mix the sample and to minimize the effects of critical wetting layers. The data are consistent with a correlation-length amplitude of 3.9 plus or minus 1.0 A, in agreement with the value 3.5 A calculated from two-scale-factor universality and heat-capacity data from the literature.

Turbidity very near the critical point of methanol-cyclohexane mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopelman, R. B.; Gammon, R. W.; Moldover, M. R.

1984-04-01

The turbidity of a critical mixture of methanol and cyclohexane has been measured extremely close to the consolute point. The data span the reduced-temperature range between 10 to the -7th and 10 to the -3d, which is two decades closer to Tc than previous measurements. In this temperature range, the turbidity varies approximately as 1nt, as expected from the integrated form for Ornstein-Zernike scattering. A thin cell (200-micron optical path) with a very small volume (0.08 ml) was used to avoid multiple scattering. A carefully controlled temperature history was used to mix the sample and to minimize the effects of critical wetting layers. The data are consistent with a correlation-length amplitude of 3.9 plus or minus 1.0 A, in agreement with the value 3.5 A calculated from two-scale-factor universality and heat-capacity data from the literature.

Improved optimization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) mixtures resolution in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography by using factorial design and response surface methodology.

PubMed

Andrade-Eiroa, Auréa; Diévart, Pascal; Dagaut, Philippe

2010-04-15

A new procedure for optimizing PAHs separation in very complex mixtures by reverse phase high performance (RPLC) is proposed. It is based on changing gradually the experimental conditions all along the chromatographic procedure as a function of the physical properties of the compounds eluted. The temperature and speed flow gradients allowed obtaining the optimum resolution in large chromatographic determinations where PAHs with very different medium polarizability have to be separated. Whereas optimization procedures of RPLC methodologies had always been accomplished regardless of the physico-chemical properties of the target analytes, we found that resolution is highly dependent on the physico-chemical properties of the target analytes. Based on resolution criterion, optimization process for a 16 EPA PAHs mixture was performed on three sets of difficult-to-separate PAHs pairs: acenaphthene-fluorene (for the optimization procedure in the first part of the chromatogram where light PAHs elute), benzo[g,h,i]perylene-dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene-indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (for the optimization procedure of the second part of the chromatogram where the heavier PAHs elute). Two-level full factorial designs were applied to detect interactions among variables to be optimized: speed flow, temperature of column oven and mobile-phase gradient in the two parts of the studied chromatogram. Experimental data were fitted by multivariate nonlinear regression models and optimum values of speed flow and temperature were obtained through mathematical analysis of the constructed models. An HPLC system equipped with a reversed phase 5 microm C18, 250 mm x 4.6mm column (with acetonitrile/water mobile phase), a column oven, a binary pump, a photodiode array detector (PDA), and a fluorimetric detector were used in this work. Optimum resolution was achieved operating at 1.0 mL/min in the first part of the chromatogram (until 45 min) and 0.5 mL/min in the second one (from 45 min to the end) and by applying programmed temperature gradient (15 degrees C until 30 min and progressively increasing temperature until reaching 40 degrees C at 45 min). (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Insight into Signal Response of Protein Ions in Native ESI-MS from the Analysis of Model Mixtures of Covalently Linked Protein Oligomers.

PubMed

Root, Katharina; Wittwer, Yves; Barylyuk, Konstantin; Anders, Ulrike; Zenobi, Renato

2017-09-01

Native ESI-MS is increasingly used for quantitative analysis of biomolecular interactions. In such analyses, peak intensity ratios measured in mass spectra are treated as abundance ratios of the respective molecules in solution. While signal intensities of similar-size analytes, such as a protein and its complex with a small molecule, can be directly compared, significant distortions of the peak ratio due to unequal signal response of analytes impede the application of this approach for large oligomeric biomolecular complexes. We use a model system based on concatenated maltose binding protein units (MBPn, n = 1, 2, 3) to systematically study the behavior of protein mixtures in ESI-MS. The MBP concatamers differ from each other only by their mass while the chemical composition and other properties remain identical. We used native ESI-MS to analyze model mixtures of MBP oligomers, including equimolar mixtures of two proteins, as well as binary mixtures containing different fractions of the individual components. Pronounced deviation from a linear dependence of the signal intensity with concentration was observed for all binary mixtures investigated. While equimolar mixtures showed linear signal dependence at low concentrations, distinct ion suppression was observed above 20 μM. We systematically studied factors that are most often used in the literature to explain the origin of suppression effects. Implications of this effect for quantifying protein-protein binding affinity by native ESI-MS are discussed in general and demonstrated for an example of an anti-MBP antibody with its ligand, MBP. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Influence of heavy metals on the formation and the distribution behavior of PAH and PCDD/F during simulated fires.

PubMed

Wobst, M; Wichmann, H; Bahadir, M

2003-04-01

Combustion experiments were performed with an artificial fire load (polystyrene and quartz powder) in a laboratory scale incinerator in the presence of gaseous HCl to simulate accidental fire conditions. The aim of this investigation was to trace back the alterations of the formation and the distribution behavior of PAH and PCDD/PCDF to the presence of CuO or a mixture of metal oxides (CdO, CuO, Fe(2)O(3), PbO, MoO(3), ZnO). The total amount of the 16 PAH target compounds was reduced by the factor of 5-9 when the mixture of metal oxides was present rather than merely CuO. PAH patterns as well as their distribution behavior were significantly influenced by these oxides. In general, transportation inside the installation was enhanced for most of the 16 analyzed PAH. Only fluorene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene were transported to a smaller extent. In contrast to PAH, total concentrations of PCDD were increased by factor 9 and of PCDF by factor 10, respectively, when CuO was present. Adding the mixture of metal oxides resulted in an increase of PCDD by factor 14 and of PCDF by factor 7. CuO and the mixture of metal oxides had a different influence on the PCDD/F homologue patterns. For instance, the HxCDF to OCDF ratio after incineration without any metal oxide was 1 to 6, whereas addition of CuO or the mixture of the metal oxides shifted the HxCDF to OCDF ratios towards 1 to 40 or 1 to 17, respectively. Combustion along with CuO increased transportation of higher chlorinated PCDF congeners, whereas the mixture of the metal oxides caused a strong decrease of PCDF distribution throughout the system.

Dielectric and conformational studies of hydrogen bonded 2-ethoxyethanol and ethyl methyl ketone system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattebahadur, Kanchan. L.; Deshmukh, S. D.; Mohod, A. G.; Undre, P. B.; Patil, S. S.; Khirade, P. W.

2018-05-01

The Dielectric constant, density and refractive index of binary mixture of 2-ethoxy ethanol (2-EE) with ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) including those of the pure liquids were measured for 11 concentrations at 25°C temperature. The experimental data is used to calculate the Excess molar volume, Excess dielectric constant, Kirkwood correlation factor and Bruggemann factor. The excess parameters results were fitted to the Redlich-Kister type polynomial equation to derive its fitting coefficient. The Kirkwood correlation factor of the mixture has been discussed to yield information about solute solvent interaction. The Bruggeman plot shows a deviation from linearity. The FT-IR spectra of pure and their binary mixtures are also studied.

Suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disorder in a sample of adolescent and young adult twins

PubMed Central

Linker, Julie; Gillespie, Nathan A; Maes, Hermine; Eaves, Lindon; Silberg, Judy L.

2012-01-01

Background The co-occurrence of suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disturbance is likely explained in part by correlated genetic and environmental risk factors. Little is known about the specific nature of these associations. Method Structured interviews on 2814 twins from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD) and young adult follow-up (YAFU) yielded data on symptoms of depression, conduct disorder and adolescent and young adult suicidal ideation. Results Univariate analyses revealed that the familial aggregation for each trait was explained by a combination of additive genetic and shared environmental effects. Suicidal ideation in adolescence was explained in part by genetic influences, but predominantly accounted for by environmental factors. A mixture of genetic and shared environmental influences explained ideation occurring in young adulthood. Multivariate analyses revealed that there are genetic and shared environmental effects common to suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disorder. The association between adolescent suicidal ideation and CD was attributable to the same genetic and environmental risk factors for depression. Conclusions These findings underscore that prevention and intervention strategies should reflect the different underlying mechanisms involving depression and conduct disorder to assist in identifying adolescents at suicidal risk. PMID:22646517

Suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disorder in a sample of adolescent and young adult twins.

PubMed

Linker, Julie; Gillespie, Nathan A; Maes, Hermine; Eaves, Lindon; Silberg, Judy L

2012-08-01

The co-occurrence of suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disturbance is likely explained in part by correlated genetic and environmental risk factors. Little is known about the specific nature of these associations. Structured interviews on 2,814 twins from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD) and Young Adult Follow-Up (YAFU) yielded data on symptoms of depression, conduct disorder, and adolescent and young adult suicidal ideation. Univariate analyses revealed that the familial aggregation for each trait was explained by a combination of additive genetic and shared environmental effects. Suicidal ideation in adolescence was explained in part by genetic influences, but predominantly accounted for by environmental factors. A mixture of genetic and shared environmental influences explained ideation occurring in young adulthood. Multivariate analyses revealed that there are genetic and shared environmental effects common to suicidal ideation, depression, and conduct disorder. The association between adolescent suicidal ideation and CD was attributable to the same genetic and environmental risk factors for depression. These findings underscore that prevention and intervention strategies should reflect the different underlying mechanisms involving depression and conduct disorder to assist in identifying adolescents at suicidal risk. © 2012 The American Association of Suicidology.

Evaluation of Two Types of Differential Item Functioning in Factor Mixture Models with Binary Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, HwaYoung; Beretvas, S. Natasha

2014-01-01

Conventional differential item functioning (DIF) detection methods (e.g., the Mantel-Haenszel test) can be used to detect DIF only across observed groups, such as gender or ethnicity. However, research has found that DIF is not typically fully explained by an observed variable. True sources of DIF may include unobserved, latent variables, such as…

The Effects of Engine Speed and Mixture Temperature on the Knocking Characteristics of Several Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Dana W

1940-01-01

Six 100-octane and two 87-octane aviation engine fuels were tested in a modified C.F.R. variable-compression engine at 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 rpm. The mixture temperature was raised from 50 to 300 F in approximately 50 degree steps and, at each temperature, the compression ratio was adjusted to give incipient knock as shown by a cathode ray indicator. The results are presented in tabular form. The results are analyzed on the assumption that the conditions which determine whether a given fuel will knock are the maximum values of density and temperature reached by the burning gases. A maximum permissible density factor, proportional to the maximum density of the burning gases just prior to incipient knock, and the temperature of the burning gases at that time were computed for each of the test conditions. Values of the density factors were plotted against the corresponding end-gas temperatures for the three engine speeds and also against engine speed for several and end-gas temperatures. The maximum permissible density factor varied only slightly with engine speed but decreased rapidly with an increase in the end-gas temperature. The effect of changing the mixture temperature was different for fuels of different types. The results emphasize the desirability of determining the anti knock values of fuels over a wide range of engine and intake-air conditions rather that at a single set of conditions.

Fluoroester Co-Solvents for Low-Temperature Li+ Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, Marshall; Bugga, Ratnakumar; Prakash, G. K. Surya; Smith, Kiah; Bhalla, Pooja

2009-01-01

Electrolytes comprising LiPF6 dissolved in alkyl carbonate/fluoroester mixtures have been found to afford improved low-temperature performance and greater high-temperature resilience in rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells. These and other electrolytes comprising lithium salts dissolved mixtures of esters have been studied in continuing research directed toward extending the lower limit of operating temperatures of such cells. This research at earlier stages, and the underlying physical and chemical principles, were reported in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The purpose of the present focus on high-temperature resilience in addition to low-temperature performance is to address issues posed by the flammability of the esters and, at temperatures near the upper end (about 55 C) of their intended operating temperature range, by their high chemical reactivity. As used here, high-temperature resilience signifies, loosely, a desired combination of low flammability of an electrolyte mixture and the ability of a cell that contains the mixture to sustain a relatively small loss of reversible charge/discharge capacity during storage in the fully charged condition at high temperature. The selection of fluoroesters for study as candidate electrolyte solvent components to increase high-temperature resilience was prompted in part by the observation that like other halogenated compounds, fluoroesters have low flammability. The fluoroesters investigated in this study include trifluoroethyl butyrate (TFEB), ethyl trifluoroacetate (ETFA), trifluoroethyl acetate (TFEA), and methyl pentafluoropropionate (MPFP). Solvent mixtures were prepared by mixing these fluoroesters with two other esters: ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC).

Development and validation of chemometrics-assisted spectrophotometric and liquid chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of two multicomponent mixtures containing bronchodilator drugs.

PubMed

El-Gindy, Alaa; Emara, Samy; Shaaban, Heba

2007-02-19

Three methods are developed for the determination of two multicomponent mixtures containing guaiphenesine (GU) with salbutamol sulfate (SL), methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben (PP) [mixture 1]; and acephylline piperazine (AC) with bromhexine hydrochloride (BX), methylparaben (MP) and propylparaben (PP) [mixture 2]. The resolution of the two multicomponent mixtures has been accomplished by using numerical spectrophotometric methods such as partial least squares (PLS-1) and principal component regression (PCR) applied to UV absorption spectra of the two mixtures. In addition HPLC method was developed using a RP 18 column at ambient temperature with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 4.3 (60:40, v/v), with UV detection at 243 nm for mixture 1, and mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 3 (50:50, v/v), with UV detection at 245 nm for mixture 2. The methods were validated in terms of accuracy, specificity, precision and linearity in the range of 20-60 microg ml(-1) for GU, 1-3 microg ml(-1) for SL, 20-80 microg ml(-1) for AC, 0.2-1.8 microgml(-1) for PP and 1-5 microg ml(-1) for BX and MP. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the two multicomponent combinations in laboratory prepared mixtures and commercial syrups.

Development of a Relative Potency Factor (RPF) Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures (Interagency Science Consultation Draft)

EPA Science Inventory

On February 26, 2010, the draft Development of a Relative Potency Factor (RPF) Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures document and the charge to external peer reviewers were released for external peer review and public comment. The draft document and t...

Apparatus Circulates Sterilizing Gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cross, John H.; Schwarz, Ray P.

1991-01-01

Apparatus circulates sterilizing gas containing ethylene oxide and chlorofluorocarbon through laboratory or medical equipment. Confines sterilizing gas, circulating it only through parts to be treated. Consists of two units. One delivers ethylene oxide/chlorofluorocarbon gas mixture and removes gas after treatment. Other warms, humidifies, and circulates gas through equipment to be treated. Process provides reliable sterilization with negligible residual toxicity from ethylene oxide. Particularly suitable for sterilization of interiors of bioreactors, heart/lung machines, dialyzers, or other equipment including complicated tubing.

A Novel Approach to Turbulence Stimulation for Ship-Model Testing

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-11

surface. These holes were either part of the manufacturing of the plate or unused holes drilled for probes. To fill these holes, an epoxy -based...mixture was used, which was applied over a hole and the surrounding surfaces. Once the epoxy had cured, the model was wet sanded with several different...Suboff model is a generic submarine form developed by using two separate parabolic formulae for the bow and stern sections (Stettler, 2009). The 2-D

Scars of the Wigner Function.

PubMed

Toscano; de Aguiar MA; Ozorio De Almeida AM

2001-01-01

We propose a picture of Wigner function scars as a sequence of concentric rings along a two-dimensional surface inside a periodic orbit. This is verified for a two-dimensional plane that contains a classical hyperbolic orbit of a Hamiltonian system with 2 degrees of freedom. The stationary wave functions are the familiar mixture of scarred and random waves, but the spectral average of the Wigner functions in part of the plane is nearly that of a harmonic oscillator and individual states are also remarkably regular. These results are interpreted in terms of the semiclassical picture of chords and centers.

CHANGES IN NUCLEAR TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS IN RAT HIPPOCAMPUS AND CEREBELLUM FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTAL EXPOSURE TO A COMMERCIAL PCB MIXTURE.

EPA Science Inventory

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) offer a unique model to understand the major issues related to complex environmental mixtures. These pollutants are ubiquitous and exist as mixtures of several congeners in the environment. Human exposures to PCBs are associated with a variety of ...

75 FR 54628 - Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of a Public Teleconference of the Science...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... a Public Teleconference of the Science Advisory Board; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH... Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures Review Panel to discuss its draft report on EPA's Development of a Relative Potency Factor (RPF) Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures. DATES: The SAB PAH Mixtures...

EVALUATION OF THE JOINT TOXIC ACTION OF MIXTURES OF HALOACETIC ACIDS CONSTRUCTED USING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATION/EXPOSURE DATA

EPA Science Inventory

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are formed by reactions between chemicals used to disinfect water and organic compounds present in source water. The composition of DBP mixtures varies based on a number of factors, including treatment scenario, with different DBP mixtures contain...

Understanding the Phase Behavior of Tetrahydrofuran + Carbon Dioxide, + Methane, and + Water Binary Mixtures from the SAFT-VR Approach.

PubMed

Míguez, J M; Piñeiro, M M; Algaba, J; Mendiboure, B; Torré, J P; Blas, F J

2015-11-05

The high-pressure phase diagrams of the tetrahydrofuran(1) + carbon dioxide(2), + methane(2), and + water(2) mixtures are examined using the SAFT-VR approach. Carbon dioxide molecule is modeled as two spherical segments tangentially bonded, water is modeled as a spherical segment with four associating sites to represent the hydrogen bonding, methane is represented as an isolated sphere, and tetrahydrofuran is represented as a chain of m tangentially bonded spherical segments. Dispersive interactions are modeled using the square-well intermolecular potential. In addition, two different molecular model mixtures are developed to take into account the subtle balance between water-tetrahydrofuran hydrogen-bonding interactions. The polar and quadrupolar interactions present in water, tetrahydrofuran, and carbon dioxide are treated in an effective way via square-well potentials of variable range. The optimized intermolecular parameters are taken from the works of Giner et al. (Fluid Phase Equil. 2007, 255, 200), Galindo and Blas (J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106, 4503), Patel et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2003, 42, 3809), and Clark et al. (Mol. Phys. 2006, 104, 3561) for tetrahydrofuran, carbon dioxide, methane, and water, respectively. The phase diagrams of the binary mixtures exhibit different types of phase behavior according to the classification of van Konynenburg and Scott, ranging from types I, III, and VI phase behavior for the tetrahydrofuran(1) + carbon dioxide(2), + methane(2), and + water(2) binary mixtures, respectively. This last type is characterized by the presence of a Bancroft point, positive azeotropy, and the so-called closed-loop curves that represent regions of liquid-liquid immiscibility in the phase diagram. The system exhibits lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs), which denote the lower limit of immiscibility together with upper critical solution temperatures (UCSTs). This behavior is explained in terms of competition between the incompatibility with the alkyl parts of the tetrahydrofuran ring chain and the hydrogen bonding between water and the ether group. A minimum number of unlike interaction parameters are fitted to give the optimal representation of the most representative features of the binary phase diagrams. In the particular case of tetrahydrofuran(1) + water(2), two sets of intermolecular potential model parameters are proposed to describe accurately either the hypercritical point associated with the closed-loop liquid-liquid immiscibility region or the location of the mixture lower- and upper-critical end-points. The theory is not only able to predict the type of phase behavior of each mixture, but also provides a reasonably good description of the global phase behavior whenever experimental data are available.

Effects of binary taste stimuli on the neural activity of the hamster chorda tympani

PubMed Central

1980-01-01

Binary mixtures of taste stimuli were applied to the tongue of the hamster and the reaction of the whole corda tympani was recorded. Some of the chemicals that were paired in mixtures (HCl, NH4Cl, NaCl, CaCl2, sucrose, and D-phenylalanine) have similar tastes to human and/or hamster, and/or common stimulatory effects on individual fibers of the hamster chorda tympani; other pairs of these chemicals have dissimilar tastes and/or distinct neural stimulatory effects. The molarity of each chemical with approximately the same effect on the activity of the nerve as 0.01 M NaCl was selected, and an established relation between stimulus concentration and response allowed estimation of the effect of a "mixture" of two concentrations of one chemical. Each mixture elicited a response that was smaller than the sum of the responses to its components. However, responses to some mixtures approached this sum, and responses to other mixtures closely approached the response to a "mixture" of two concentrations of one chemical. Responses of the former variety were generated by mixtures of an electrolyte and a nonelectrolyte and the latter by mixtures of two electrolytes or two nonelectrolytes. But, beyond the distinction between electrolytes and nonelectrolytes, the whole-nerve response to a mixture could not be predicted from the known neural or psychophysical effects of its components. PMID:7411114

A role of low dose chemical mixtures in adipose tissue in carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Lee, Duk-Hee; Jacobs, David R; Park, Ho Yong; Carpenter, David O

2017-11-01

The Halifax project recently hypothesized a composite carcinogenic potential of the mixture of low dose chemicals which are commonly encountered environmentally, yet which are not classified as human carcinogens. A long neglected but important fact is that adipose tissue is an important exposure source for chemical mixtures. In fact, findings from human studies based on several persistent organic pollutants in general populations with only background exposure should be interpreted from the viewpoint of chemical mixtures because serum concentrations of these chemicals can be seen as surrogates for chemical mixtures in adipose tissue. Furthermore, in conditions such as obesity with dysfunctional adipocytes or weight loss in which lipolysis is increased, the amount of the chemical mixture released from adipose tissue to circulation is increased. Thus, both obesity and weight loss can enhance the chance of chemical mixtures reaching critical organs, however paradoxical this idea may be when fat mass is the only factor considered. The complicated, interrelated dynamics of adipocytes and chemical mixtures can explain puzzling findings related to body weight among cancer patients, including the obesity paradox. The contamination of fat in human diet with chemical mixtures, occurring for reasons similar to contamination of human adipose tissue, may be a missing factor which affects the association between dietary fat intake and cancer. The presence of chemical mixtures in adipose tissue should be considered in future cancer research, including clinical trials on weight management among cancer survivors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-Component Diffusion with Application To Computational Aerothermodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, Kenneth; Gnoffo, Peter A.

1998-01-01

The accuracy and complexity of solving multicomponent gaseous diffusion using the detailed multicomponent equations, the Stefan-Maxwell equations, and two commonly used approximate equations have been examined in a two part study. Part I examined the equations in a basic study with specified inputs in which the results are applicable for many applications. Part II addressed the application of the equations in the Langley Aerothermodynamic Upwind Relaxation Algorithm (LAURA) computational code for high-speed entries in Earth's atmosphere. The results showed that the presented iterative scheme for solving the Stefan-Maxwell equations is an accurate and effective method as compared with solutions of the detailed equations. In general, good accuracy with the approximate equations cannot be guaranteed for a species or all species in a multi-component mixture. 'Corrected' forms of the approximate equations that ensured the diffusion mass fluxes sum to zero, as required, were more accurate than the uncorrected forms. Good accuracy, as compared with the Stefan- Maxwell results, were obtained with the 'corrected' approximate equations in defining the heating rates for the three Earth entries considered in Part II.

A mixture model-based approach to the clustering of microarray expression data.

PubMed

McLachlan, G J; Bean, R W; Peel, D

2002-03-01

This paper introduces the software EMMIX-GENE that has been developed for the specific purpose of a model-based approach to the clustering of microarray expression data, in particular, of tissue samples on a very large number of genes. The latter is a nonstandard problem in parametric cluster analysis because the dimension of the feature space (the number of genes) is typically much greater than the number of tissues. A feasible approach is provided by first selecting a subset of the genes relevant for the clustering of the tissue samples by fitting mixtures of t distributions to rank the genes in order of increasing size of the likelihood ratio statistic for the test of one versus two components in the mixture model. The imposition of a threshold on the likelihood ratio statistic used in conjunction with a threshold on the size of a cluster allows the selection of a relevant set of genes. However, even this reduced set of genes will usually be too large for a normal mixture model to be fitted directly to the tissues, and so the use of mixtures of factor analyzers is exploited to reduce effectively the dimension of the feature space of genes. The usefulness of the EMMIX-GENE approach for the clustering of tissue samples is demonstrated on two well-known data sets on colon and leukaemia tissues. For both data sets, relevant subsets of the genes are able to be selected that reveal interesting clusterings of the tissues that are either consistent with the external classification of the tissues or with background and biological knowledge of these sets. EMMIX-GENE is available at http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/~gjm/emmix-gene/

Response of tree growth and species coexistence to density and species evenness in a young forest plantation with two competing species.

PubMed

Collet, Catherine; Ningre, François; Barbeito, Ignacio; Arnaud, Anthony; Piboule, Alexandre

2014-03-01

There is considerable evidence for the presence of positive species diversity-productivity relationships in plant populations, but the population parameters determining the type and strength of the relationship are poorly defined. Relationships between species evenness and tree survival or species coexistence are not well established. The objective of this study was to quantify the joint effects of density and species evenness on tree productivity and species coexistence. A 12-year-old experimental tree plantation mixing two species according to a double gradient of density and species proportion was used. A neighbourhood approach was employed and descriptors of local competition were used to model individual tree growth. Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus were used as model species, as they can be considered as ecologically equivalent in their young stages. Density and tree size were primary factors determining individual growth and stand productivity. Species identity had a significant, but less pronounced, role. Stand productivity was highest when species evenness was close to 1 and slightly lower in uneven mixtures. The reduction in stand productivity when species evenness decreased was of similar magnitude irrespective of which species became dominant, indicating symmetric effects for the two species. When examining individual tree growth in response to species proportion for each species separately, it was observed for both species that individual trees exhibited greater growth in uneven mixtures in which the other species was more frequent. The results suggest that mixtures of these two functionally similar species have the highest production at maximum evenness, indicating a complementary effect between them. The presence of a mixture combines both stabilizing mechanisms (individuals from both species show higher growth when surrounded by individuals from the other species) and equalizing mechanisms (the two species have very similar growth curves) that, in turn, determine the species' relative dominance. These processes should act to ensure the long-term coexistence of species.

Response of tree growth and species coexistence to density and species evenness in a young forest plantation with two competing species

PubMed Central

Collet, Catherine; Ningre, François; Barbeito, Ignacio; Arnaud, Anthony; Piboule, Alexandre

2014-01-01

Background and Aims There is considerable evidence for the presence of positive species diversity–productivity relationships in plant populations, but the population parameters determining the type and strength of the relationship are poorly defined. Relationships between species evenness and tree survival or species coexistence are not well established. The objective of this study was to quantify the joint effects of density and species evenness on tree productivity and species coexistence. Methods A 12-year-old experimental tree plantation mixing two species according to a double gradient of density and species proportion was used. A neighbourhood approach was employed and descriptors of local competition were used to model individual tree growth. Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus were used as model species, as they can be considered as ecologically equivalent in their young stages. Key Results Density and tree size were primary factors determining individual growth and stand productivity. Species identity had a significant, but less pronounced, role. Stand productivity was highest when species evenness was close to 1 and slightly lower in uneven mixtures. The reduction in stand productivity when species evenness decreased was of similar magnitude irrespective of which species became dominant, indicating symmetric effects for the two species. When examining individual tree growth in response to species proportion for each species separately, it was observed for both species that individual trees exhibited greater growth in uneven mixtures in which the other species was more frequent. Conclusions The results suggest that mixtures of these two functionally similar species have the highest production at maximum evenness, indicating a complementary effect between them. The presence of a mixture combines both stabilizing mechanisms (individuals from both species show higher growth when surrounded by individuals from the other species) and equalizing mechanisms (the two species have very similar growth curves) that, in turn, determine the species' relative dominance. These processes should act to ensure the long-term coexistence of species. PMID:24323248

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome in housewives due to a bleach-hydrochloric acid mixture.

PubMed

Gorguner, Metin; Aslan, Sahin; Inandi, Tacettin; Cakir, Zeynep

2004-02-01

The sudden onset of asthmalike symptoms and persistence of airway reactivity following an acute exposure to an irritant gas or vapor has been termed reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). A mixture of sodium hypochlorite (bleach, 40%) and hydrochloric acid (18%) is commonly used as a household cleaning solution in our region. From this mixture, chlorine gas is produced, which can cause airway damage and ensuing RADS. Here we describe findings of patients with RADS due to this cleaning mixture, and determine factors associated with a favorable outcome. Data were collected retrospectively on 55 symptomatic patients presenting to our emergency department after inhalation exposure to a mixture of bleach and hydrochloric acid. Symptoms, past medical and smoking history, details of the exposure, initial peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and oxygenation, and acute reversibility of airways obstruction were documented. All patients met previously defined criteria for the diagnosis of RADS, but did not undergo methacholine challenge testing and bronchoalveolar lavage or histopathologic study. Fifty patients were followed over the course of 3 mo. The majority of exposures (64%) occurred in the bathroom or kitchen. Only 21 of 55 (38%) patients showed an improvement in PEFR of 15% or greater following two beta(2)-agonist inhalation treatments. In follow-up, 48 patients (87%) improved clinically and functionally (FEV(1)). Seven patients (13%) deteriorated, with ARDS developing in two, one of whom died from respiratory failure. Advanced age, initial low PEFR, exposure in a small enclosed area, use immediately after mixing, and prolonged short- and long-term exposures were associated with a poorer prognosis. This descriptive study is the largest case series in the literature of RADS developing after exposure to a bleach-hydrochloric acid mixture. The optimum acute treatment and long-term outcomes for patients with RADS due to this combination still need to be determined.

High-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution multiple stage tandem mass spectrometry using negative-ion-mode hydroxide-doped electrospray ionization for the characterization of lignin degradation products.

PubMed

Owen, Benjamin C; Haupert, Laura J; Jarrell, Tiffany M; Marcum, Christopher L; Parsell, Trenton H; Abu-Omar, Mahdi M; Bozell, Joseph J; Black, Stuart K; Kenttämaa, Hilkka I

2012-07-17

In the search for a replacement for fossil fuel and the valuable chemicals currently obtained from crude oil, lignocellulosic biomass has become a promising candidate as an alternative biorenewable source for crude oil. Hence, many research efforts focus on the extraction, degradation, and catalytic transformation of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Unfortunately, these processes result in the production of very complex mixtures. Further, while methods have been developed for the analysis of mixtures of oligosaccharides, this is not true for the complex mixtures generated upon degradation of lignin. For example, high-performance liquid chromatography/multiple stage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS(n)), a tool proven to be invaluable in the analysis of complex mixtures derived from many other biopolymers, such as proteins and DNA, has not been implemented for lignin degradation products. In this study, we have developed an HPLC separation method for lignin degradation products that is amenable to negative-ion-mode electrospray ionization (ESI doped with NaOH), the best method identified thus far for ionization of lignin-related model compounds without fragmentation. The separated and ionized compounds are then analyzed by MS(3) experiments to obtain detailed structural information while simultaneously performing high-resolution measurements to determine their elemental compositions in the two parts of a commercial linear quadrupole ion trap/Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. A lignin degradation product mixture was analyzed using this method, and molecular structures were proposed for some components. This methodology significantly improves the ability to analyze complex product mixtures that result from degraded lignin.

Approximation of the breast height diameter distribution of two-cohort stands by mixture models I Parameter estimation

Treesearch

Rafal Podlaski; Francis A. Roesch

2013-01-01

Study assessed the usefulness of various methods for choosing the initial values for the numerical procedures for estimating the parameters of mixture distributions and analysed variety of mixture models to approximate empirical diameter at breast height (dbh) distributions. Two-component mixtures of either the Weibull distribution or the gamma distribution were...

Thriving on Pressure: A Factor Mixture Analysis of Sport Performers' Responses to Competitive Encounters.

PubMed

Brown, Daniel J; Arnold, Rachel; Standage, Martyn; Fletcher, David

2017-12-01

Although considerable research exists on performers' responses to sporting encounters, little is known about thriving in sport contexts. The current study examined if distinct response patterns existed between sport performers who thrived in competitive encounters compared with those who did not. Participants were 535 sport performers (134 women; M age  = 23.60 years, SD age  = 8.08; M competing  = 11.84 years, SD competing  = 7.11). Results of factor mixture analysis supported a four-profile solution comprising a thriving group (n = 146), a low-functioning group (n = 38), and two groups characterized by scores marginally above (n = 131) and below (n = 209) the sample mean. Profile membership was found to be predicted by personal enablers (viz., personal resilient qualities, psychological skills use) and process variables (viz., basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, challenge appraisal). This examination of thriving in sport performers offers significant implications for research and practice.

Modeling and multi-response optimization of pervaporation of organic aqueous solutions using desirability function approach.

PubMed

Cojocaru, C; Khayet, M; Zakrzewska-Trznadel, G; Jaworska, A

2009-08-15

The factorial design of experiments and desirability function approach has been applied for multi-response optimization in pervaporation separation process. Two organic aqueous solutions were considered as model mixtures, water/acetonitrile and water/ethanol mixtures. Two responses have been employed in multi-response optimization of pervaporation, total permeate flux and organic selectivity. The effects of three experimental factors (feed temperature, initial concentration of organic compound in feed solution, and downstream pressure) on the pervaporation responses have been investigated. The experiments were performed according to a 2(3) full factorial experimental design. The factorial models have been obtained from experimental design and validated statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The spatial representations of the response functions were drawn together with the corresponding contour line plots. Factorial models have been used to develop the overall desirability function. In addition, the overlap contour plots were presented to identify the desirability zone and to determine the optimum point. The optimal operating conditions were found to be, in the case of water/acetonitrile mixture, a feed temperature of 55 degrees C, an initial concentration of 6.58% and a downstream pressure of 13.99 kPa, while for water/ethanol mixture a feed temperature of 55 degrees C, an initial concentration of 4.53% and a downstream pressure of 9.57 kPa. Under such optimum conditions it was observed experimentally an improvement of both the total permeate flux and selectivity.

Comparative Toxicity of Simulated Smog Atmospheres in ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Effects of complex regional multipollutant mixtures on disease expression in susceptible populations are dependent on multiple exposure and susceptibility factors. Differing profiles of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM), which are key components of smog, and other hazardous pollutants may develop as a result of regional-specific geographic and urban environment characteristics. We investigated the pulmonary effects of two smog mixtures with different compositions in a mouse model of allergic airway disease to determine which source profile had the greatest impact on pulmonary endpoints. A hydrocarbon mixture was combined with NO gas in the presence of UV light in a controlled setting. Simulated smog atmosphere 1 (SSA-1) consisted of concentrations of 1070 µg/m3 secondary organic aerosol (SOA), 0.104 ppm O3, and 0.252 ppm NO2. SSA-2 consisted of a starting concentration of 53 µg/m3 SOA, 0.376 ppm O3, and 0.617 ppm NO2. An increased aerosol concentration was noted in the exposure chamber. Healthy and house dust mite (HDM)-sensitized (allergic) female BALB/cJ mice were exposed 4 hr/day for 1 or 5 days to either smog mixture or clean air. Two days after HDM challenge, airway mechanics were tested in anesthetized ventilated mice. Following methacholine aerosol challenge, increased airway resistance and elastance and a decrease in lung compliance were consistently observed in air- and smog-exposed HDM-allergic groups compared with non-a

Ionic liquid and aqueous two-phase extraction based on salting-out coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of seven rare ginsenosides in Xue-Sai-Tong injection.

PubMed

Li, Lan-Jie; Jin, Yong-Ri; Wang, Xiao-Zhong; Liu, Ying; Wu, Qian; Shi, Xiao-Lei; Li, Xu-Wen

2015-09-01

A method of ionic liquid salt aqueous two-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed for the analysis of seven rare ginsenosides including Rg6 , F4 , 20(S)-Rg3 , 20(R)-Rg3 , Rk3 , Rk1 , and Rg5 in Xue-Sai-Tong injection. The injection was mixed with ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide aqueous solution, and a mixture was obtained. With the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dipotassium phosphate into the mixture, the aqueous two-phase mixture was formed after ultrasonic treatment and centrifuged. Rare ginsenosides were extracted into the upper phase. To obtain a high extraction factors, various influences were considered systematically, such as the volume of ionic liquid, the category and amount of salts, the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate, the pH value of system, and the time of ultrasonic treatment. Under the optimal condition, rare ginsenosides in Xue-Sai-Tong injection were enriched and detected, the recoveries of seven rare ginsenosides ranged from 90.05 to 112.55%, while relative standard deviations were lower than 2.50%. The developed method was reliable, rapid and sensitive for the determination of seven rare ginsenosides in the injections. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ammonium Nitrate as an Oxidant for Composite Propellants. Part 1. Preliminary Considerations

DTIC Science & Technology

1954-09-01

obtainable with a sirple amonium nitrate / fucl mixture is about 223 sec. The advantage of using oxygenated fuels is calculated for cases where, because of...Propulsion Laboratory have used ammonium nitrate and mixtures of arnonium nitrate and ammonium perchloratc as the oxidant /in COi IDE ,T )kL/ D ISCRT&T...previously considered are giver and also a curve for amnonium nitrate / polyvinyl alcohol mixtures. Amonium pcrchlorate/polyisobutenc is inclu£cd for

Bimodal metal micro-nanopowders for powder injection molding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pervikov, Aleksandr; Rodkevich, Nikolay; Glazkova, Elena; Lerner, Marat

2017-12-01

The paper studies a bimodal metal powder composition designed to prepare feedstock for powder injection molding, as well as microstructure and porosity of sintered pats. Two kinds of metal powder compositions are used, in particular, a mixture of micro- and nanopowders and a bimodal powder prepared with dispersion of steel wire. The feedstock is prepared by mixing a bimodal metal powder composition with acetylacetone and paraffin wax. The microstructure of the debound parts is observed by scanning electron microscopy. The sintered parts are characterized by density measurements and metallographic analysis. The technique of the metal powder composition proves to affect the characteristics of sintered parts. Nanoparticles are shown in the interstitial spaces among the microparticles upon mixing micro- and nanopowders, but the regular distribution of nanoparticles on the surface of microparticles is observed in the bimodal powder providing the reduction of the porosity of sintered parts and increasing the density to the proper density of steel.

Development of functional beverages from blends of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and selected fruit juices for optimal antioxidant properties.

PubMed

Ogundele, Oluwatoyin M A; Awolu, Olugbenga O; Badejo, Adebanjo A; Nwachukwu, Ifeanyi D; Fagbemi, Tayo N

2016-09-01

The demand for functional foods and drinks with health benefit is on the increase. The synergistic effect from mixing two or more of such drinks cannot be overemphasized. This study was carried out to formulate and investigate the effects of blends of two or more of pineapple, orange juices, carrot, and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts (HSE) on the antioxidant properties of the juice formulations in order to obtain a combination with optimal antioxidant properties. Experimental design was carried out using optimal mixture model of response surface methodology which generated twenty experimental runs with antioxidant properties as the responses. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] radical scavenging abilities, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), vitamin C, total phenolics, and total carotenoids contents of the formulations were evaluated as a test of antioxidant property. In all the mixtures, formulations having HSE as part of the mixture showed the highest antioxidant potential. The statistical analyzes, however, showed that the formulations containing pineapple, carrot, orange, and HSE of 40.00, 16.49, 17.20, and 26.30%, respectively, produced optimum antioxidant potential and was shown to be acceptable to a research laboratory guidance panel, thus making them viable ingredients for the production of functional beverages possessing important antioxidant properties with potential health benefits.

Investigating the size, shape and surface roughness dependence of polarization lidars with light-scattering computations on real mineral dust particles: Application to dust particles' external mixtures and dust mass concentration retrievals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehri, Tahar; Kemppinen, Osku; David, Grégory; Lindqvist, Hannakaisa; Tyynelä, Jani; Nousiainen, Timo; Rairoux, Patrick; Miffre, Alain

2018-05-01

Our understanding of the contribution of mineral dust to the Earth's radiative budget is limited by the complexity of these particles, which present a wide range of sizes, are highly-irregularly shaped, and are present in the atmosphere in the form of particle mixtures. To address the spatial distribution of mineral dust and atmospheric dust mass concentrations, polarization lidars are nowadays frequently used, with partitioning algorithms allowing to discern the contribution of mineral dust in two or three-component particle external mixtures. In this paper, we investigate the dependence of the retrieved dust backscattering (βd) vertical profiles with the dust particle size and shape. For that, new light-scattering numerical simulations are performed on real atmospheric mineral dust particles, having determined mineralogy (CAL, DOL, AGG, SIL), derived from stereogrammetry (stereo-particles), with potential surface roughness, which are compared to the widely-used spheroidal mathematical shape model. For each dust shape model (smooth stereo-particles, rough stereo-particles, spheroids), the dust depolarization, backscattering Ångström exponent, lidar ratio are computed for two size distributions representative of mineral dust after long-range transport. As an output, two Saharan dust outbreaks involving mineral dust in two, then three-component particle mixtures are studied with Lyon (France) UV-VIS polarization lidar. If the dust size matters most, under certain circumstances, βd can vary by approximately 67% when real dust stereo-particles are used instead of spheroids, corresponding to variations in the dust backscattering coefficient as large as 2 Mm- 1·sr- 1. Moreover, the influence of surface roughness in polarization lidar retrievals is for the first time discussed. Finally, dust mass-extinction conversion factors (ηd) are evaluated for each assigned shape model and dust mass concentrations are retrieved from polarization lidar measurements. From spheroids to stereo-particles, ηd increases by about 30%. We believe these results may be useful for our understanding of the spatial distribution of mineral dust contained in an aerosol external mixture and to better quantify dust mass concentrations from polarization lidar experiments.

Modelling diameter distributions of two-cohort forest stands with various proportions of dominant species: a two-component mixture model approach.

Treesearch

Rafal Podlaski; Francis Roesch

2014-01-01

In recent years finite-mixture models have been employed to approximate and model empirical diameter at breast height (DBH) distributions. We used two-component mixtures of either the Weibull distribution or the gamma distribution for describing the DBH distributions of mixed-species, two-cohort forest stands, to analyse the relationships between the DBH components,...

76 FR 41365 - Impact of Reducing the Mixture Concentration Threshold for Commercial Schedule 2A Chemical...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-13

...The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is seeking public comments on the impact of amending the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (CWCR) to reduce the concentration level below which the CWCR exempt certain mixtures containing a Schedule 2A chemical from the declaration requirements that apply to Schedule 2A chemical production, processing, and consumption under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). To make these declaration requirements consistent with the international agreement adopted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), BIS is considering amending the CWCR to replace the current low concentration exemption (a concentration of ``less than 30%'' by volume or weight) with a two-tiered low concentration exemption that is based, in part, on whether the total amount of a Schedule 2A chemical produced, processed, or consumed at one or more plants on a plant site during a calendar year is less than the applicable verification threshold in the CWCR. Under this two- tiered approach, the declaration and reporting requirements in the CWCR would not apply to a chemical mixture containing a Schedule 2A chemical if: The concentration of the Schedule 2A chemical in the mixture is ``1% or less,'' or the concentration of the Schedule 2A chemical in the mixture is ``more than 1%, but less than or equal to 10%,'' and the annual amount of the Schedule 2A chemical produced, processed, or consumed is less than the relevant verification threshold. Legislative amendment of the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act (CWCIA) is required in order to implement this proposed amendment to the CWCR. In addition, at U.S. national discretion, BIS is considering amending the CWCR to require declarations/reports for exports and imports of any mixtures that contain ``more than 10%'' of a Schedule 2A chemical by volume or weight (whichever method yields the lesser percentage), if the total quantity of the Schedule 2A chemical exported or imported during a calendar year exceeds the applicable CWCR declaration threshold.

Increasing Fire Safety of Epoxies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kourtides, D. A.; Mikroyannidis, J. A.

1985-01-01

Epoxy with increased resistance to fire made by reacting any of three commercial epoxide monomers with curing agent consisting of mixture of isomers called "DCEPD". Curing agent incorporates phosphorus and chlorine directly into crosslinking part of polymer. DCEPD produced by nitrating precursor phosphonylmethyl benzene, then reducing resulting isomeric mixture of dinitro compounds.

40 CFR 372.3 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... or more chemicals, if the combination is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction. However, if the combination was produced by a chemical reaction but could have been produced without a chemical reaction, it is also treated as a mixture. A mixture also includes any combination which consists...

Comparative Education: A Study of Educational Factors and Traditions. Routledge Library Editions: Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hans, Nicholas

2011-01-01

This book is divided into four parts. In Part One the author considers the natural factors which have influenced the various national systems of education. They comprise racial, linguistic, geographical and economic factors. In Part Two he considers the contribution of religious traditions to education, more particularly those of the Catholic and…

RECOVERY OF URANIUM FROM AQUEOUS PHOSPHATE-CONTAINING SOLUTIONS

DOEpatents

Igelsrud, I.; Stephen, E.F.

1959-08-11

ABS>A method is presented for recovering hexavalent uranium from an acidic phosphaie solution. A high molecular weight amine, such as a mixture of cccoanut oil amines, is added to the solution in such amount as to give a ratio of about 2000 parts by weight of amine to 1 part by weight of uranium. The uranium is precipitated with the amines and the whole filtered from the solution. The uranium is leached from the amine mass by washing with aqueous sodium carbonate solution; and the amine mixture is available for reuse.

SIPCAn (Separation, Isolation, Purification, Characterization, and Analysis): A One-Term, Integrated Project for the Undergraduate Organic Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dintzner, Matthew R.; Kinzie, Charles R.; Pulkrabek, Kimberly A.; Arena, Anthony F.

2011-01-01

SIPCAn, an acronym for separation, isolation, purification, characterization, and analysis, is presented as a one-term, integrated project for the first-term undergraduate organic laboratory course. Students are assigned two mixtures of unknown organic compounds--a mixture of two liquid compounds and a mixture of two solid compounds--at the…

Modeling and dynamic properties of dual-chamber solid and liquid mixture vibration isolator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, F. S.; Chen, Q.; Zhou, J. H.

2016-07-01

The dual-chamber solid and liquid mixture (SALiM) vibration isolator, mainly proposed for vibration isolation of heavy machines with low frequency, consists of four principle parts: SALiM working media including elastic elements and incompressible oil, multi-layers bellows container, rigid reservoir and the oil tube connecting the two vessels. The isolation system under study is governed by a two-degrees-of-freedom (2-DOF) nonlinear equation including quadratic damping. Simplifying the nonlinear damping into viscous damping, the equivalent stiffness and damping model is derived from the equation for the response amplitude. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation reveal that the isolator's stiffness and damping have multiple properties with different parameters, among which the effects of exciting frequency, vibrating amplitude, quadratic damping coefficient and equivalent stiffness of the two chambers on the isolator's dynamics are discussed in depth. Based on the boundary characteristics of stiffness and damping and the main causes for stiffness hardening effect, improvement strategies are proposed to obtain better dynamic properties. At last, experiments were implemented and the test results were generally consistent with the theoretical ones, which verified the reliability of the nonlinear dynamic model.

Biotrickling filter modeling for styrene abatement. Part 2: Simulating a two-phase partitioning bioreactor.

PubMed

San-Valero, Pau; Dorado, Antonio D; Quijano, Guillermo; Álvarez-Hornos, F Javier; Gabaldón, Carmen

2018-01-01

A dynamic model describing styrene abatement was developed for a two-phase partitioning bioreactor operated as a biotrickling filter (TPPB-BTF). The model was built as a coupled set of two different systems of partial differential equations depending on whether an irrigation or a non-irrigation period was simulated. The maximum growth rate was previously calibrated from a conventional BTF treating styrene (Part 1). The model was extended to simulate the TPPB-BTF based on the hypothesis that the main change associated with the non-aqueous phase is the modification of the pollutant properties in the liquid phase. The three phases considered were gas, a water-silicone liquid mixture, and biofilm. The selected calibration parameters were related to the physical properties of styrene: Henry's law constant, diffusivity, and the gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient. A sensitivity analysis revealed that Henry's law constant was the most sensitive parameter. The model was successfully calibrated with a goodness of fit of 0.94. It satisfactorily simulated the performance of the TPPB-BTF at styrene loads ranging from 13 to 77 g C m -3 h -1 and empty bed residence times of 30-15 s with the mass transfer enhanced by a factor of 1.6. The model was validated with data obtained in a TPPB-BTF removing styrene continuously. The experimental outlet emissions associated to oscillating inlet concentrations were satisfactorily predicted by using the calibrated parameters. Model simulations demonstrated the potential improvement of the mass-transfer performance of a conventional BTF degrading styrene by adding silicone oil. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effects of breathing a helium-oxygen gas mixture on maximal pulmonary ventilation and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise in acute moderate hypobaric hypoxia.

PubMed

Ogawa, Takeshi; Calbet, Jose A L; Honda, Yasushi; Fujii, Naoto; Nishiyasu, Takeshi

2010-11-01

To test the hypothesis that maximal exercise pulmonary ventilation (VE max) is a limiting factor affecting maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in moderate hypobaric hypoxia (H), we examined the effect of breathing a helium-oxygen gas mixture (He-O(2); 20.9% O(2)), which would reduce air density and would be expected to increase VE max. Fourteen healthy young male subjects performed incremental treadmill running tests to exhaustion in normobaric normoxia (N; sea level) and in H (atmospheric pressure equivalent to 2,500 m above sea level). These exercise tests were carried out under three conditions [H with He-O(2), H with normal air and N] in random order. VO2 max and arterial oxy-hemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)) were, respectively, 15.2, 7.5 and 4.0% higher (all p < 0.05) with He-O(2) than with normal air (VE max, 171.9 ± 16.1 vs. 150.1 ± 16.9 L/min; VO2 max, 52.50 ± 9.13 vs. 48.72 ± 5.35 mL/kg/min; arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO(2)), 79 ± 3 vs. 76 ± 3%). There was a linear relationship between the increment in VE max and the increment in VO2 max in H (r = 0.77; p < 0.05). When subjects were divided into two groups based on their VO2 max, both groups showed increased VE max and SaO(2) in H with He-O(2), but VO2 max was increased only in the high VO2 max group. These findings suggest that in acute moderate hypobaric hypoxia, air-flow resistance can be a limiting factor affecting VE max; consequently, VO2 max is limited in part by VE max especially in subjects with high VO2 max.

Screening level mixture risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in STP effluents.

PubMed

Backhaus, Thomas; Karlsson, Maja

2014-02-01

We modeled the ecotoxicological risks of the pharmaceutical mixtures emitted from STP effluents into the environment. The classic mixture toxicity concept of Concentration Addition was used to calculate the total expected risk of the analytically determined mixtures, compare the expected impact of seven effluent streams and pinpoint the most sensitive group of species. The risk quotient of a single, randomly selected pharmaceutical is often more than a factor of 1000 lower than the mixture risk, clearly indicating the need to systematically analyse the overall risk of all pharmaceuticals present. The MCR, which is the ratio between the most risky compound and the total mixture risk, varies between 1.2 and 4.2, depending on the actual scenario and species group under consideration. The mixture risk quotients, based on acute data and an assessment factor of 1000, regularly exceed 1, indicating a potential risk for the environment, depending on the dilution in the recipient stream. The top 10 mixture components explain more than 95% of the mixture risk in all cases. A mixture toxicity assessment cannot go beyond the underlying single substance data. The lack of data on the chronic toxicity of most pharmaceuticals as well as the very few data available for in vivo fish toxicity has to be regarded as a major knowledge gap in this context. On the other hand, ignoring Independent Action or even using the sum of individual risk quotients as a rough approximation of Concentration Addition does not have a major impact on the final risk estimate. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The development and validation of the clinicians' awareness towards cognitive errors (CATChES) in clinical decision making questionnaire tool.

PubMed

Chew, Keng Sheng; Kueh, Yee Cheng; Abdul Aziz, Adlihafizi

2017-03-21

Despite their importance on diagnostic accuracy, there is a paucity of literature on questionnaire tools to assess clinicians' awareness toward cognitive errors. A validation study was conducted to develop a questionnaire tool to evaluate the Clinician's Awareness Towards Cognitive Errors (CATChES) in clinical decision making. This questionnaire is divided into two parts. Part A is to evaluate the clinicians' awareness towards cognitive errors in clinical decision making while Part B is to evaluate their perception towards specific cognitive errors. Content validation for both parts was first determined followed by construct validation for Part A. Construct validation for Part B was not determined as the responses were set in a dichotomous format. For content validation, all items in both Part A and Part B were rated as "excellent" in terms of their relevance in clinical settings. For construct validation using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for Part A, a two-factor model with total variance extraction of 60% was determined. Two items were deleted. Then, the EFA was repeated showing that all factor loadings are above the cut-off value of >0.5. The Cronbach's alpha for both factors are above 0.6. The CATChES questionnaire tool is a valid questionnaire tool aimed to evaluate the awareness among clinicians toward cognitive errors in clinical decision making.

Bayesian spatiotemporal crash frequency models with mixture components for space-time interactions.

PubMed

Cheng, Wen; Gill, Gurdiljot Singh; Zhang, Yongping; Cao, Zhong

2018-03-01

The traffic safety research has developed spatiotemporal models to explore the variations in the spatial pattern of crash risk over time. Many studies observed notable benefits associated with the inclusion of spatial and temporal correlation and their interactions. However, the safety literature lacks sufficient research for the comparison of different temporal treatments and their interaction with spatial component. This study developed four spatiotemporal models with varying complexity due to the different temporal treatments such as (I) linear time trend; (II) quadratic time trend; (III) Autoregressive-1 (AR-1); and (IV) time adjacency. Moreover, the study introduced a flexible two-component mixture for the space-time interaction which allows greater flexibility compared to the traditional linear space-time interaction. The mixture component allows the accommodation of global space-time interaction as well as the departures from the overall spatial and temporal risk patterns. This study performed a comprehensive assessment of mixture models based on the diverse criteria pertaining to goodness-of-fit, cross-validation and evaluation based on in-sample data for predictive accuracy of crash estimates. The assessment of model performance in terms of goodness-of-fit clearly established the superiority of the time-adjacency specification which was evidently more complex due to the addition of information borrowed from neighboring years, but this addition of parameters allowed significant advantage at posterior deviance which subsequently benefited overall fit to crash data. The Base models were also developed to study the comparison between the proposed mixture and traditional space-time components for each temporal model. The mixture models consistently outperformed the corresponding Base models due to the advantages of much lower deviance. For cross-validation comparison of predictive accuracy, linear time trend model was adjudged the best as it recorded the highest value of log pseudo marginal likelihood (LPML). Four other evaluation criteria were considered for typical validation using the same data for model development. Under each criterion, observed crash counts were compared with three types of data containing Bayesian estimated, normal predicted, and model replicated ones. The linear model again performed the best in most scenarios except one case of using model replicated data and two cases involving prediction without including random effects. These phenomena indicated the mediocre performance of linear trend when random effects were excluded for evaluation. This might be due to the flexible mixture space-time interaction which can efficiently absorb the residual variability escaping from the predictable part of the model. The comparison of Base and mixture models in terms of prediction accuracy further bolstered the superiority of the mixture models as the mixture ones generated more precise estimated crash counts across all four models, suggesting that the advantages associated with mixture component at model fit were transferable to prediction accuracy. Finally, the residual analysis demonstrated the consistently superior performance of random effect models which validates the importance of incorporating the correlation structures to account for unobserved heterogeneity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low Shrinkage Cement Concrete Intended for Airfield Pavements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Małgorzata, Linek

2017-10-01

The work concerns the issue of hardened concrete parameters improvement intended for airfield pavements. Factors which have direct or indirect influence on rheological deformation size were of particular interest. The aim of lab testing was to select concrete mixture ratio which would make hardened concrete less susceptible to influence of basic operating factors. Analyses included two research groups. External and internal factors were selected. They influence parameters of hardened cement concrete by increasing rheological deformations. Research referred to innovative cement concrete intended for airfield pavements. Due to construction operation, the research considered the influence of weather conditions and forced thermal loads intensifying concrete stress. Fresh concrete mixture parameters were tested and basic parameters of hardened concrete were defined (density, absorbability, compression strength, tensile strength). Influence of the following factors on rheological deformation value was also analysed. Based on obtained test results, it has been discovered that innovative concrete, made on the basis of modifier, which changes internal structure of concrete composite, has definitely lower values of rheological deformation. Observed changes of microstructure, in connection with reduced deformation values allowed to reach the conclusion regarding advantageous characteristic features of the newly designed cement concrete. Applying such concrete for airfield construction may contribute to extension of its operation without malfunction and the increase of its general service life.

An approach of characterizing the degree of spatial color mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Miao; Tian, Shaohui

2017-07-01

The digital camouflage technology arranges different color mosaics according to a certain rules, compared with traditional camouflage, it has more outstanding results deal with different distance reconnaissance. The better result of digital camouflage is mainly attributed to spatial color mixture, and is also a key factor to improve digital camouflage design. However, the research of space color mixture is relatively lack, cannot provide inadequate support for digital camouflage design. Therefore, according to the process of spatial color mixture, this paper proposes an effective parameter, spatial-color-mixture ratio, to characterize the degree of spatial color mixture. The experimental results show that spatial-color-mixture ratio is feasible and effective in practice, which could provide a new direction for further research on digital camouflage.

Two-phase turbine engines. [using gas-liquid mixture accelerated in nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, D. G.; Hays, L. G.

1976-01-01

A description is given of a two-phase turbine which utilizes a uniform mixture of gas and liquid accelerated in nozzles of the types reported by Elliott and Weinberg (1968). The mixture acts directly on an axial flow or tangential impulse turbine or is separated into gas and liquid streams which operate separately on a gas turbine and a hydraulic turbine. The basic two-phase cycles are examined, taking into account working fluids, aspects of nozzle expansion, details of turbine cycle operation, and the effect of mixture ratio variation. Attention is also given to two-phase nozzle efficiency, two-phase turbine operating characteristics and efficiencies, separator turbines, and impulse turbine experiments.

Deflagration to detonation transition in mechanoactivated mixtures of ammonium perchlorate with aluminum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, A. A.; Dolgoborodov, A. Yu; Kirilenko, V. G.; Brazhnikov, M. A.

2016-11-01

Deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in aluminum-ammonium perchlorate (Al/AP) loose-packed charges (80% porosity) has been studied. The charges were manufactured from preliminary mechanoactivated mixtures. The mixtures placed in steel tubes 10 mm in diameter were ignited by Nichrome wire. It was found that it is possible to distinguish three parts corresponding to different stages of DDT process development. Steady-state detonation velocity reached the level of 2500 m/s at the distance of 90 mm from the ignition point.

Accurate schemes for calculation of thermodynamic properties of liquid mixtures from molecular dynamics simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caro, Miguel A.; Laurila, Tomi; Lopez-Acevedo, Olga

2016-12-01

We explore different schemes for improved accuracy of entropy calculations in aqueous liquid mixtures from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We build upon the two-phase thermodynamic (2PT) model of Lin et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 11792 (2003)] and explore new ways to obtain the partition between the gas-like and solid-like parts of the density of states, as well as the effect of the chosen ideal "combinatorial" entropy of mixing, both of which have a large impact on the results. We also propose a first-order correction to the issue of kinetic energy transfer between degrees of freedom (DoF). This problem arises when the effective temperatures of translational, rotational, and vibrational DoF are not equal, either due to poor equilibration or reduced system size/time sampling, which are typical problems for ab initio MD. The new scheme enables improved convergence of the results with respect to configurational sampling, by up to one order of magnitude, for short MD runs. To ensure a meaningful assessment, we perform MD simulations of liquid mixtures of water with several other molecules of varying sizes: methanol, acetonitrile, N, N-dimethylformamide, and n-butanol. Our analysis shows that results in excellent agreement with experiment can be obtained with little computational effort for some systems. However, the ability of the 2PT method to succeed in these calculations is strongly influenced by the choice of force field, the fluidicity (hard-sphere) formalism employed to obtain the solid/gas partition, and the assumed combinatorial entropy of mixing. We tested two popular force fields, GAFF and OPLS with SPC/E water. For the mixtures studied, the GAFF force field seems to perform as a slightly better "all-around" force field when compared to OPLS+SPC/E.

Assessment of the physical properties and stability of mixtures of tetracycline hydrochloride ointment and acyclovir cream.

PubMed

Inoue, Yutaka; Furuya, Kayoko; Maeda, Rikimaru; Murata, Isamu; Kanamoto, Ikuo

2013-04-15

In dermatology, ointments are often mixed as part of drug therapy, but mixing often leads to incompatibility. Three combinations of tetracycline ointment (TC-o) and acyclovir cream (ACV-cr) were prepared at a TC-o:ACV-cr ratio of 1:1 using a brand-name ACV-cr and two generic ACV-cr (samples TC-o+ACV-A, TC-o+ACV-B, and TC-o+ACV-C). Microscopic examination revealed separation in TC-o+ACV-C. Viscosity and elasticity measurement indicated that the storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) of each of the TC-o+ACV-cr mixtures behaved similarly to those of an ACV-cr and the loss tangent (tanδ) behaved similarly to that of a TC ointment. In addition, differences in the storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) of the TC-o+ACV-cr mixtures were noted. To assess stability, each TC-o+ACV-cr mixture was stored away from direct sunlight at 25 °C and an RH of 84% and at 4 °C (in a refrigerator). HPLC revealed that the ACV content in each TC-o+ACV-cr mixture remained at 95-105% for up to 14 days under both sets of storage conditions. A decline in TC content in each TC-o+ACV-cr mixture was not noted with storage at 4 °C but was noted over time with storage at 25 °C and an RH of 84%. In addition, significant differences in the percent decline in TC content in each TC-o+ACV-cr mixture occurred with storage at 25 °C and an RH of 84%. Thus, differences in physical properties and stability may occur when combining brand-name and generic drugs, and temperature and humidity may be the cause of the TC-o's incompatibility. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Observations and projections of visibility and aerosol optical thickness (1956-2100) in the Netherlands: impacts of time-varying aerosol composition and hygroscopicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boers, R.; van Weele, M.; van Meijgaard, E.; Savenije, M.; Siebesma, A. P.; Bosveld, F.; Stammes, P.

2015-01-01

Time series of visibility and aerosol optical thickness for the Netherlands have been constructed for 1956-2100 based on observations and aerosol mass scenarios. Aerosol optical thickness from 1956 to 2013 has been reconstructed by converting time series of visibility to visible extinction which in turn are converted to aerosol optical thickness using an appropriate scaling depth. The reconstruction compares closely with remote sensing observations of aerosol optical thickness between 1960 and 2013. It appears that aerosol optical thickness was relatively constant over the Netherlands in the years 1955-1985. After 1985, visibility has improved, while at the same time aerosol optical thickness has decreased. Based on aerosol emission scenarios for the Netherlands three aerosol types have been identified: (1) a constant background consisting of sea salt and mineral dust, (2) a hydrophilic anthropogenic inorganic mixture, and (3) a partly hydrophobic mixture of black carbon (BC) and organic aerosols (OAs). A reduction in overall aerosol concentration turns out to be the most influential factor in the reduction in aerosol optical thickness. But during 1956-1985, an upward trend in hydrophilic aerosols and associated upward trend in optical extinction has partly compensated the overall reduction in optical extinction due to the reduction in less hydrophilic BC and OAs. A constant optical thickness ensues. This feature highlights the influence of aerosol hygroscopicity on time-varying signatures of atmospheric optical properties. Within the hydrophilic inorganic aerosol mixture there is a gradual shift from sulfur-based (1956-1985) to a nitrogen-based water aerosol chemistry (1990 onwards) but always modulated by the continual input of sodium from sea salt. From 2013 to 2100, visibility is expected to continue its increase, while at the same time optical thickness is foreseen to continue to decrease. The contribution of the hydrophilic mixture to the aerosol optical thickness will increase from 30% to 35% in 1956 to more than 70% in 2100. At the same time the contribution of black and organic aerosols will decrease by more than 80%.

Analysis of phenolic compounds in different parts of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit by HPLC-PDA-ESI/MS and evaluation of their antioxidant activity: application to different Italian varieties.

PubMed

Russo, Marina; Fanali, Chiara; Tripodo, Giusy; Dugo, Paola; Muleo, Rosario; Dugo, Laura; De Gara, Laura; Mondello, Luigi

2018-06-01

The analysis of pomegranate phenolic compounds belonging to different classes in different fruit parts was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection. Two different separation methods were optimized for the analysis of anthocyanins and hydrolyzable tannins along with phenolic acids and flavonoids. Two C 18 columns, core-shell and fully porous particle stationary phases, were used. The parameters for separation of phenolic compounds were optimized considering chromatographic resolution and analysis time. Thirty-five phenolic compounds were found, and 28 of them were tentatively identified as belonging to four different phenolic compound classes; namely, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, hydrolyzable tannins, and flavonoids. Quantitative analysis was performed with a mixture of nine phenolic compounds belonging to phenolic compound classes representative of pomegranate. The method was then fully validated in terms of retention time precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and linearity range. Phenolic compounds were analyzed directly in pomegranate juice, and after solvent extraction with a mixture of water and methanol with a small percentage of acid in peel and pulp samples. The accuracy of the extraction method was also assessed, and satisfactory values were obtained. Finally, the method was used to study identified analytes in pomegranate juice, peel, and pulp of six different Italian varieties and one international variety. Differences in phenolic compound profiles among the different pomegranate parts were observed. Pomegranate peel samples showed a high concentration of phenolic compounds, ellagitannins being the most abundant ones, with respect to pulp and juice samples for each variety. With the same samples, total phenols and antioxidant activity were evaluated through colorimetric assays, and the results were correlated among them.

Complex organochlorine pesticide mixtures as determinant factor for breast cancer risk: a population-based case–control study in the Canary Islands (Spain)

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background All the relevant risk factors contributing to breast cancer etiology are not fully known. Exposure to organochlorine pesticides has been linked to an increased incidence of the disease, although not all data have been consistent. Most published studies evaluated the exposure to organochlorines individually, ignoring the potential effects exerted by the mixtures of chemicals. Methods This population-based study was designed to evaluate the profile of mixtures of organochlorines detected in 103 healthy women and 121 women diagnosed with breast cancer from Gran Canaria Island, and the relation between the exposure to these compounds and breast cancer risk. Results The most prevalent mixture of organochlorines among healthy women was the combination of lindane and endrin, and this mixture was not detected in any affected women. Breast cancer patients presented more frequently a combination of aldrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), and this mixture was not found in any healthy woman. After adjusting for covariables, the risk of breast cancer was moderately associated with DDD (OR = 1.008, confidence interval 95% 1.001-1.015, p = 0.024). Conclusions This study indicates that healthy women show a very different profile of organochlorine pesticide mixtures than breast cancer patients, suggesting that organochlorine pesticide mixtures could play a relevant role in breast cancer risk. PMID:22534004

Latent Class Detection and Class Assignment: A Comparison of the MAXEIG Taxometric Procedure and Factor Mixture Modeling Approaches

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lubke, Gitta; Tueller, Stephen

2010-01-01

Taxometric procedures such as MAXEIG and factor mixture modeling (FMM) are used in latent class clustering, but they have very different sets of strengths and weaknesses. Taxometric procedures, popular in psychiatric and psychopathology applications, do not rely on distributional assumptions. Their sole purpose is to detect the presence of latent…

Shear Strength of Stabilized Kaolin Soil Using Liquid Polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azhar, A. T. S.; Fazlina, M. I. S.; Nizam, Z. M.; Fairus, Y. M.; Hakimi, M. N. A.; Riduan, Y.; Faizal, P.

2017-08-01

The purpose of this research is to investigate the suitability of polymer in soil stabilization by examining its strength to withstand compressive strength. Throughout this research study, manufactured polymer was used as a chemical liquid soil stabilizer. The liquid polymer was diluted using a proposed dilution factor of 1 : 3 (1 part polymer: 3 parts distilled water) to preserve the workability of the polymer in kaolin mixture. A mold with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm was prepared. Kaolin soil was mixed with different percentages of polymer from 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% of the mass of the kaolin clay sample. Kaolin mixtures were tested after a curing period of 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days respectively. The physical properties were determined by conducting a moisture content test and Atterberg limit test which comprise of liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the soil shear strength were identified through an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test. Stabilized kaolin soil showed the highest compressive strength value when it was mixed with 35% of polymer compared to other percentages that marked an increment in strength which are 45.72% (3 days), 67.57% (7 days), 81.73% (14 days) and 77.84% (28 days). Hence, the most effective percentage of liquid polymer which should be used to increase the strength of kaolin soil is 35%.

The role of environmental accidental risk assessment in the process of granting development consent.

PubMed

Kontic, Branko; Gerbec, Marko

2009-11-01

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a procedure that must be followed for certain types of development before they are granted development consent. The procedure requires the developer to compile an environmental impact report (EIR) describing the likely significant effects of the project on the environment. A regulatory requirement in Slovenia is that an accidental risk assessment for a new installation should be a part of an EIR. The article shows how risk assessment (RA) related to accidental release of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) or a polyvalent alcohol mixture from a new planned unit of a chemical factory in the Alpine region of Slovenia was performed in the framework of an EIA for the purpose of obtaining a construction permit. Two accidental scenarios were considered: (a) a spill of 20 m(3) of MDI or polyvalent alcohol mixture into the river Soca (the river runs close to the chemical factory) and (b) a fire in the warehouse storing the raw material, where emission of toxic gases HCN, NO(x), and CO is expected during combustion of MDI. One of the most important results of this case is the agreement among the developer, the competent authority, and a consultant in the field of EIA and RA to positively conclude the licensing process despite the absence of formal (regulatory) limit values for risk. It has been approved that transparent, reasonably uncertain, and semi-quantitative environmental risk assessment is an inevitable component of an EIA, and an essential factor in informed, licensing-related decision making.

Determination of pKa values of some antipsychotic drugs by HPLC--correlations with the Kamlet and taft solvatochromic parameters and HPLC analysis in dosage forms.

PubMed

Sanli, Senem; Akmese, Bediha; Altun, Yuksel

2013-01-01

In this study, ionization constant (pKa) values were determined by using the dependence of the retention factor on the pH of the mobile phase for four ionizable drugs, namely, risperidone (RI), clozapine (CL), olanzapine (OL), and sertindole (SE). The effect of the mobile phase composition on the pKa was studied by measuring the pKa at different acetonitrile-water mixtures in an HPLC-UV method. To explain the variation of the pKa values obtained over the whole composition range studied, the quasi-lattice quasi-chemical theory of preferential solvation was applied. The pKa values of drugs were correlated with the Kamlet and Taft solvatochromic parameters. Kamlet and Taft's general equation was reduced to two terms by using combined factor analysis and target factor analysis in these mixtures: the independent term and the hydrogen-bond donating ability a. The HPLC-UV method was successfully applied for the determination of RI, OL, and SE in pharmaceutical dosage forms. CL was chosen as an internal standard. Additionally, the repeatability, reproducibility, selectivity, precision, and accuracy of the method in all media were investigated and calculated.

[Early Greek medicine and Plato's cosmology].

PubMed

Rhee, Kee-Bag

2004-06-01

The purpose of this paper is to show the influence of Early greek medicine on Plato's Cosmology. Alcmaeon holds that health depends on proportion (equality; isonomia) or proportioned mixture of opposing factors. This notion dominated nearly all greek medicine, and also influenced Plato's cosmology greatly. Generally each greek doctors believed that man consisted of opposing factors, though these are designated differently. Alcmaeon takes powers - hot and dry, cold and hot, vitter, sweet and the rest as those factors. On the other hand, Philistion of Locri adopts the four element theory of Empedocles. He conceives that human body as a mixture of the four elements, and health consists in proportion of these opposing four element, basically as Alcmaeon. This notion is accepted by Plato. Only Plato differs from Philistion in that he doesn't consider the four elements as the ultimate factors. In Timaeus Plato explain that the Demiourgos constructed the four elements through introducing 'proportion' into the primitive materials (the oppositives) by means of shapes and numbers. And Plato thinks that the cosmic body and soul was constructed basically in the same way as the four elements. This is true of the human body and soul. Also Plato explicates diseases from standpoint of proportion or symmetry. Moreover according to Philebus, the good states (i.e. 'health', 'music', 'season' etc) in the cosmos arises out of the right mixture of the limit and the unlimited. In the other word this mixture is proportioned mixture of the oppositives by aid of ratios. In short Plato believes that both the cosmos itself and the good states s proportioned mixture of the oppositives. Thus Plato' cosmology is fundamentally based upon Alcmaeon's or Philistion's concept of Health.

Design guidelines for adapting scientific research articles: An example from an introductory level, interdisciplinary program on soft matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langbeheim, Elon; Safran, Samuel A.; Yerushalmi, Edit

2013-01-01

We present design guidelines for using Adapted Primary Literature (APL) as part of current interdisciplinary topics to introductory physics students. APL is a text genre that allows students to comprehend a scientific article, while maintaining the core features of the communication among scientists, thus representing an authentic scientific discourse. We describe the adaptation of a research paper by Nobel Laureate Paul Flory on phase equilibrium in polymer-solvent mixtures that was presented to high school students in a project-based unit on soft matter. The adaptation followed two design strategies: a) Making explicit the interplay between the theory and experiment. b) Re-structuring the text to map the theory onto the students' prior knowledge. Specifically, we map the theory of polymer-solvent systems onto a model for binary mixtures of small molecules of equal size that was already studied in class.

Enzymatic activities for lignin monomer intermediates highlight the biosynthetic pathway of syringyl monomers in Robinia pseudoacacia.

PubMed

Shigeto, Jun; Ueda, Yukie; Sasaki, Shinya; Fujita, Koki; Tsutsumi, Yuji

2017-01-01

Most of the known 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) isoforms lack CoA-ligation activity for sinapic acid. Therefore, there is some doubt as to whether sinapic acid contributes to sinapyl alcohol biosynthesis. In this study, we characterized the enzyme activity of a protein mixture extracted from the developing xylem of Robinia pseudoacacia. The crude protein mixture contained at least two 4CLs with sinapic acid 4-CoA ligation activity. The crude enzyme preparation displayed negligible sinapaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, but showed ferulic acid 5-hydroxylation activity and 5-hydroxyferulic acid O-methyltransferase activity; these activities were retained in the presence of competitive substrates (coniferaldehyde and 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde, respectively). 5-Hydroxyferulic acid and sinapic acid accumulated in the developing xylem of R. pseudoacacia, suggesting, in part at least, sinapic acid is a sinapyl alcohol precursor in this species.

The Cusp Catastrophe Model as Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Mixture Structural Equation Models

PubMed Central

Chow, Sy-Miin; Witkiewitz, Katie; Grasman, Raoul P. P. P.; Maisto, Stephen A.

2015-01-01

Catastrophe theory (Thom, 1972, 1993) is the study of the many ways in which continuous changes in a system’s parameters can result in discontinuous changes in one or several outcome variables of interest. Catastrophe theory–inspired models have been used to represent a variety of change phenomena in the realm of social and behavioral sciences. Despite their promise, widespread applications of catastrophe models have been impeded, in part, by difficulties in performing model fitting and model comparison procedures. We propose a new modeling framework for testing one kind of catastrophe model — the cusp catastrophe model — as a mixture structural equation model (MSEM) when cross-sectional data are available; or alternatively, as an MSEM with regime-switching (MSEM-RS) when longitudinal panel data are available. The proposed models and the advantages offered by this alternative modeling framework are illustrated using two empirical examples and a simulation study. PMID:25822209

Assembly of the intrinsic factor domains and oligomerization of the protein in the presence of cobalamin.

PubMed

Fedosov, Sergey N; Fedosova, Natalya U; Berglund, Lars; Moestrup, Søren K; Nexø, Ebba; Petersen, Torben E

2004-11-30

Human intrinsic factor (IF) was purified from the recombinant plant Arabidopsis thaliana by affinity chromatography. Cobalamin (Cbl) saturated protein was separated by gel filtration into peaks I and II, which contained according to SDS electrophoresis the 50 kDa full-length protein IF(50) and a mixture of two fragments, respectively. Two components of peak II were identified as the 30 kDa N-terminal peptide IF(30) and the 20 kDa C-terminal glycopeptide IF(20). Measurements of M(w) under the nondenaturing conditions were conducted by static light scattering. They revealed 100 kDa IF dimers in peak I, whereas 50 kDa cleaved monomers were found in peak II. The protein devoid of Cbl dissociated to the elementary units incapable of association in the absence of Cbl. The individual proteolytic fragments bound Cbl at high concentration of the ligand; however, neither IF(30).Cbl nor IF(20).Cbl oligomerized. A mixture of two fragments IF(30) + IF(20) and Cbl produced a firm complex, IF(30+20).Cbl, which could not associate to dimers. In contrast to IF(30+20).Cbl, the saturated full-length monomers IF(50).Cbl dimerized with K(d) approximately 1 microM. We suggest a two-domain organization of the full-length protein, where two distant units, IF(30) and IF(20), can be assembled only by Cbl. They are connected by a protease-sensitive link, whose native structure is likely to be important for dimerization. However, linkage between two domains is not compulsory for Cbl binding. Advantages of the two-domain structure of IF are discussed.

Study of hydraulic properties of binary beads mixture as porous media in sustainable urban drainage system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullah, Muhammad Faiz; Puay, How Tion; Zakaria, Nor Azazi

2017-10-01

Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) such as swales and rain gardens is showing growing popularity as a green technology for stormwater management and it can be used in all types of development to provide a natural approach to managing drainage. Soil permeability is a critical factor in selecting the right SuDS technique for a site. On this basis, we have set up a laboratory experiment to investigate the porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity of single size and binary (two sizes) mixture using column-test as a preliminary investigation with two sets of glass beads with different sizes are used in this study. The porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity for varies volume fraction of the course and fine glass beads were measured. It was found that the porosity of the binary mixture does not increase with the increment of the ratio of coarse to fine beads until the volume fraction of fine particles is equal to the coarse component. Saturated hydraulic conductivity result shows that the assumption of random packing was not achieved at the higher coarse ratio where most of the fine particles tend to sit at the bottom of the column forming separate layers which lower the overall hydraulic conductivity value.

Panic disorder and its subtypes: a comprehensive analysis of panic symptom heterogeneity using epidemiological and treatment seeking samples

PubMed Central

Roberson-Nay, R.; Kendler, K. S.

2014-01-01

Background Panic disorder (PD) is a heterogeneous syndrome that can present with a variety of symptom profiles that potentially reflect distinct etiologic pathways. The present study represents the most comprehensive examination of phenotypic variance in PD with and without agoraphobia for the purpose of identifying clinically relevant and etiologically meaningful subtypes. Method Latent class (LC) and factor mixture analysis were used to examine panic symptom data ascertained from three national epidemiologic surveys [Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA), National Comorbidity Study (NCS), National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), Wave 1], a twin study [Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (VATSPSUD)] and a clinical trial (Cross-National Collaborative Panic Study [CNCPS]). Results Factor mixture models (versus LC) generally provided better fit to panic symptom data and suggested two panic classes for the ECA, VATSPSUD and CNCPS, with one class typified by prominent respiratory symptoms. The NCS yielded two classes, but suggested both qualitative and quantitative differences. The more contemporary NESARC sample supported a two and three class model, with the three class model suggesting two variants of respiratory panic. The NESARC’s three class model continued to provide the best fit when the model was restricted to a more severe form of PD/panic disorder with agoraphobia. Conclusions Results from epidemiologic and clinical samples suggest two panic subtypes, with one subtype characterized by a respiratory component and a second class typified by general somatic symptoms. Results are discussed in light of their relevance to the etiopathogenesis of PD. PMID:21557895

Theory and tests of two-phase turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, D. G.

1982-01-01

A theoretical model for two-phase turbines was developed. Apparatus was constructed for testing one- and two-stage turbines (using speed decrease from stage to stage). Turbines were tested with water and nitrogen mixtures and refrigerant 22. Nozzle efficiencies were 0.78 (measured) and 0.72 (theoretical) for water and nitrogen mixtures at a water/nitrogen mixture ratio of 68, by mass; and 0.89 (measured) and 0.84 (theoretical) for refrigerant 22 expanding from 0.02 quality to 0.28 quality. Blade efficiencies (shaft power before windage and bearing loss divided by nozzle jet power) were 0.63 (measured) and 0.71 (theoretical) for water and nitrogen mixtures and 0.62 (measured) and 0.63 (theoretical) for refrigerant 22 with a single stage turbine, and 0,70 (measured) and 0.85 (theoretical) for water and nitrogen mixtures with a two-stage turbine.

A Decision Mixture Model-Based Method for Inshore Ship Detection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images

PubMed Central

Bi, Fukun; Chen, Jing; Zhuang, Yin; Bian, Mingming; Zhang, Qingjun

2017-01-01

With the rapid development of optical remote sensing satellites, ship detection and identification based on large-scale remote sensing images has become a significant maritime research topic. Compared with traditional ocean-going vessel detection, inshore ship detection has received increasing attention in harbor dynamic surveillance and maritime management. However, because the harbor environment is complex, gray information and texture features between docked ships and their connected dock regions are indistinguishable, most of the popular detection methods are limited by their calculation efficiency and detection accuracy. In this paper, a novel hierarchical method that combines an efficient candidate scanning strategy and an accurate candidate identification mixture model is presented for inshore ship detection in complex harbor areas. First, in the candidate region extraction phase, an omnidirectional intersected two-dimension scanning (OITDS) strategy is designed to rapidly extract candidate regions from the land-water segmented images. In the candidate region identification phase, a decision mixture model (DMM) is proposed to identify real ships from candidate objects. Specifically, to improve the robustness regarding the diversity of ships, a deformable part model (DPM) was employed to train a key part sub-model and a whole ship sub-model. Furthermore, to improve the identification accuracy, a surrounding correlation context sub-model is built. Finally, to increase the accuracy of candidate region identification, these three sub-models are integrated into the proposed DMM. Experiments were performed on numerous large-scale harbor remote sensing images, and the results showed that the proposed method has high detection accuracy and rapid computational efficiency. PMID:28640236

A Decision Mixture Model-Based Method for Inshore Ship Detection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images.

PubMed

Bi, Fukun; Chen, Jing; Zhuang, Yin; Bian, Mingming; Zhang, Qingjun

2017-06-22

With the rapid development of optical remote sensing satellites, ship detection and identification based on large-scale remote sensing images has become a significant maritime research topic. Compared with traditional ocean-going vessel detection, inshore ship detection has received increasing attention in harbor dynamic surveillance and maritime management. However, because the harbor environment is complex, gray information and texture features between docked ships and their connected dock regions are indistinguishable, most of the popular detection methods are limited by their calculation efficiency and detection accuracy. In this paper, a novel hierarchical method that combines an efficient candidate scanning strategy and an accurate candidate identification mixture model is presented for inshore ship detection in complex harbor areas. First, in the candidate region extraction phase, an omnidirectional intersected two-dimension scanning (OITDS) strategy is designed to rapidly extract candidate regions from the land-water segmented images. In the candidate region identification phase, a decision mixture model (DMM) is proposed to identify real ships from candidate objects. Specifically, to improve the robustness regarding the diversity of ships, a deformable part model (DPM) was employed to train a key part sub-model and a whole ship sub-model. Furthermore, to improve the identification accuracy, a surrounding correlation context sub-model is built. Finally, to increase the accuracy of candidate region identification, these three sub-models are integrated into the proposed DMM. Experiments were performed on numerous large-scale harbor remote sensing images, and the results showed that the proposed method has high detection accuracy and rapid computational efficiency.

Development of Experimental Setup of Metal Rapid Prototyping Machine using Selective Laser Sintering Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, S. N.; Mulay, A. V.; Ahuja, B. B.

2018-04-01

Unlike in the traditional manufacturing processes, additive manufacturing as rapid prototyping, allows designers to produce parts that were previously considered too complex to make economically. The shift is taking place from plastic prototype to fully functional metallic parts by direct deposition of metallic powders as produced parts can be directly used for desired purpose. This work is directed towards the development of experimental setup of metal rapid prototyping machine using selective laser sintering and studies the various parameters, which plays important role in the metal rapid prototyping using SLS technique. The machine structure in mainly divided into three main categories namely, (1) Z-movement of bed and table, (2) X-Y movement arrangement for LASER movements and (3) feeder mechanism. Z-movement of bed is controlled by using lead screw, bevel gear pair and stepper motor, which will maintain the accuracy of layer thickness. X-Y movements are controlled using timing belt and stepper motors for precise movements of LASER source. Feeder mechanism is then developed to control uniformity of layer thickness metal powder. Simultaneously, the study is carried out for selection of material. Various types of metal powders can be used for metal RP as Single metal powder, mixture of two metals powder, and combination of metal and polymer powder. Conclusion leads to use of mixture of two metals powder to minimize the problems such as, balling effect and porosity. Developed System can be validated by conducting various experiments on manufactured part to check mechanical and metallurgical properties. After studying the results of these experiments, various process parameters as LASER properties (as power, speed etc.), and material properties (as grain size and structure etc.) will be optimized. This work is mainly focused on the design and development of cost effective experimental setup of metal rapid prototyping using SLS technique which will gives the feel of metal rapid prototyping process and its important parameters.

Evaluation of an in vitro system to simulate equine foregut digestion and the influence of acidity on protein and fructan degradation in the horse's stomach.

PubMed

Strauch, S; Wichert, B; Greef, J M; Hillegeist, D; Zeyner, A; Liesegang, A

2017-06-01

The aim of this study was to improve an in vitro system in order to gather optimized information on the digestion of different forages in the horse's upper gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, foregut digestion of several forages was simulated in vitro (Part 1). The effect of different pH values on in vitro fructan degradation of two selected grasses (Part 2) was tested subsequently. Part 1: We hypothesized that our system produces representative results simulating digestive processes in the upper alimentary tract, but neglects microbial fermentation. In vitro digestion of six forages (grass mixture for horses, grass mixture for cows (GMC), tall fescue, English perennial ryegrass (ER), white clover, lucerne) was performed in two phases with pepsin and pancreatin. The results are consistent with current data from in vivo studies, including a degradation of crude protein and monosaccharides as well as a relative increase in fibres. Interestingly, a loss of fructan was measured in two feedstuffs (ER/GMC: 4.1/4.4% DM fructan before and 0.59/0.00% DM after simulated foregut digestion). Part 2: As fructans are thought not to be fragmented by digestive enzymes, another hypothesis was developed: acidic hydrolysis leads to a degradation of fructans. To evaluate the influence of gastric pH on the digestion of fructan and protein, different pH values (2, 3 and 4) were adjusted in a second series of in vitro foregut digestion trials with ER and GMC. As expected, the highest degradation of protein was seen at the lowest pH (protein in ER/GMC at pH 2: 6.11/8.28% DM and at pH 4: 7.73/10.64% DM), whereas fructan degradation was highest at pH 4 (fructan in ER/GMC at pH 2: 1.63/1.95% DM and at pH 4: 1.31/0.91% DM). We presume that not only acidic hydrolysis but also plant enzymes cause the loss of fructans in an acidic environment. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Understanding the human health effects of chemical mixtures.

PubMed Central

Carpenter, David O; Arcaro, Kathleen; Spink, David C

2002-01-01

Most research on the effects of chemicals on biologic systems is conducted on one chemical at a time. However, in the real world people are exposed to mixtures, not single chemicals. Although various substances may have totally independent actions, in many cases two substances may act at the same site in ways that can be either additive or nonadditive. Many even more complex interactions may occur if two chemicals act at different but related targets. In the extreme case there may be synergistic effects, in which case the effects of two substances together are greater than the sum of either effect alone. In reality, most persons are exposed to many chemicals, not just one or two, and therefore the effects of a chemical mixture are extremely complex and may differ for each mixture depending on the chemical composition. This complexity is a major reason why mixtures have not been well studied. In this review we attempt to illustrate some of the principles and approaches that can be used to study effects of mixtures. By the nature of the state of the science, this discussion is more a presentation of what we do not know than of what we do know about mixtures. We approach the study of mixtures at three levels, using specific examples. First, we discuss several human diseases in relation to a variety of environmental agents believed to influence the development and progression of the disease. We present results of selected cellular and animal studies in which simple mixtures have been investigated. Finally, we discuss some of the effects of mixtures at a molecular level. PMID:11834461

The Stingless Bee Melipona solani Deposits a Signature Mixture and Methyl Oleate to Mark Valuable Food Sources.

PubMed

Alavez-Rosas, David; Malo, Edi A; Guzmán, Miguel A; Sánchez-Guillén, Daniel; Villanueva-Gutiérrez, Rogel; Cruz-López, Leopoldo

2017-10-01

Stingless bees foraging for food improve recruitment by depositing chemical cues on valuable food sites or pheromone marks on vegetation. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and bioassays, we showed that Melipona solani foragers leave a mixture composed mostly of long chain hydrocarbons from their abdominal cuticle plus methyl oleate from the labial gland as a scent mark on rich food sites. The composition of hydrocarbons was highly variable among individuals and varied in proportions, depending on the body part. A wide ratio of compounds present in different body parts of the bees elicited electroantennogram responses from foragers and these responses were dose dependent. Generally, in bioassays, these bees prefer to visit previously visited feeders and feeders marked with extracts from any body part of conspecifics. The mean number of visits to a feeder was enhanced when synthetic methyl oleate was added. We propose that this could be a case of multi-source odor marking, in which hydrocarbons, found in large abundance, act as a signature mixture with attraction enhanced through deposition of methyl oleate, which may indicate a rich food source.

Color-binding errors during rivalrous suppression of form.

PubMed

Hong, Sang Wook; Shevell, Steven K

2009-09-01

How does a physical stimulus determine a conscious percept? Binocular rivalry provides useful insights into this question because constant physical stimulation during rivalry causes different visual experiences. For example, presentation of vertical stripes to one eye and horizontal stripes to the other eye results in a percept that alternates between horizontal and vertical stripes. Presentation of a different color to each eye (color rivalry) produces alternating percepts of the two colors or, in some cases, a color mixture. The experiments reported here reveal a novel and instructive resolution of rivalry for stimuli that differ in both form and color: perceptual alternation between the rivalrous forms (e.g., horizontal or vertical stripes), with both eyes' colors seen simultaneously in separate parts of the currently perceived form. Thus, the colors presented to the two eyes (a) maintain their distinct neural representations despite resolution of form rivalry and (b) can bind separately to distinct parts of the perceived form.

Measurements comparison of oxygenated volatile organic compounds at a rural site during the 1995 SOS Nashville Intensive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apel, E. C.; Calvert, J. G.; Riemer, D.; Pos, W.; Zika, R.; Kleindienst, T. E.; Lonneman, W. A.; Fung, K.; Fujita, E.; Shepson, P. B.; Starn, T. K.; Roberts, P. T.

1998-09-01

Simultaneous measurements of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) by four independent research groups at the Youth Incorporated (YI) site during the 1995 Southern Oxidants Study Nashville Intensive, between July 4 and 30, 1995, provided a unique opportunity to compare results from different techniques. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) coated C18 (C18AtmAA) and Si-Gel (Si-GelMTE) cartridges were compared with each other and with two sorbent-based preconcentration gas chromatographic (GC) techniques coupled with mass spectrometric (MS) detection (GC/MSUM and GC/MSPU) or flame ionization detection GC/FIDUM· The experiment consisted of both a laboratory (part A) and an ambient air comparison (part B). In part A of the study, standard mixtures of OVOCs were diluted in a flowing gas stream of humidified, purified air, both with and without addition of O3, and distributed to participant's instrumentation. Concentrations were compared with the expected values based on known cylinder concentrations and dilution factors. In part B of the study, the instruments sampled ambient air from a common glass manifold. Species intercompared were formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and propanal. The C18AtmAA data were typically higher than the Si-GelMTE data for the four intercompared compounds, and possible explanations are given. Agreement between the cartridge systems and the GC/MS, GC/FID systems for comeasured compounds was poorer than expected but improved towards the end of the experiment. The GC/MS systems tracked each other well for acetone, but there were differences in the absolute concentration values. These results show that improvements in the accuracy and comparability of techniques should be of high priority.

Nonnegative matrix factorization: a blind sources separation method to extract content of fluorophores mixture media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Kenneth J.; Chen, Jun

2014-03-01

The fluorophores of malignant human breast cells change their compositions that may be exposed in the fluorescence spectroscopy and blind source separation method. The content of the fluorophores mixture media such as tryptophan, collagen, elastin, NADH, and flavin were varied according to the cancer development. The native fluorescence spectra of these key fluorophores mixture media excited by the selective excitation wavelengths of 300 nm and 340 nm were analyzed using a blind source separation method: Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF). The results show that the contribution from tryptophan, NADH and flavin to the fluorescence spectra of the mixture media is proportional to the content of each fluorophore. These data present a possibility that native fluorescence spectra decomposed by NMF can be used as potential native biomarkers for cancer detection evaluation of the cancer.

Comparison of solid-phase cytometry and the plate count method for the evaluation of the survival of bacteria in pharmaceutical oils.

PubMed

De Prijck, K; Peeters, E; Nelis, H J

2008-12-01

To compare the survival of four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in pharmaceutical oils, including jojoba oil/tea tree oil, carbol oil, jojoba oil and sesame oil. Oils were spiked with the test bacteria in a concentration of 10(4) CFU ml(-1). Bacteria were extracted from oils with phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.5% Tween 20. Aliquots of the pooled water layers were analysed by solid-phase cytometry and plate counting. Plate counts dropped to zero for all test strains exposed for 24 h to three of the four oils. In contrast, significant numbers of viable cells were still detected by SPC, except in the jojoba oil/tea tree oil mixture and partly in sesame oil. Exposure of bacteria for 24 h to the two oils containing an antimicrobial led to a loss of their culturability but not necessarily of their viability. The antibacterial activity of the jojoba oil/tea tree oil mixture supersedes that of carbol oil. These in vitro data suggest that the jojoba oil/tea tree oil mixture more than carbol oil inhibits bacterial proliferation when used for intermittent self-catherization.

Balanced Rotating Spray Tank and Pipe Cleaning and Cleanliness Verification System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Caimi, Raoul E. B. (Inventor); Thaxton, Eric A. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A system for cleaning and verifying the cleanliness of the interior surfaces of hollow items, such as small bottles, tanks, pipes and tubes, employs a rotating spray head for supplying a gas-liquid cleaning mixture to the item's surface at a supersonic velocity. The spray head incorporates a plurality of nozzles having diverging cross sections so that the incoming gas-liquid mixture is first converged within the spray head and then diverged through the nozzles, thereby accelerating the mixture to a supersonic velocity. In the preferred embodiment, three nozzles are employed; one forwardly facing nozzle at the end of the spray head and two oppositely facing angled nozzles exiting on opposite sides of the spray head which balance each other, and therefore impart no net side load on the spray head. A drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spray head and at the same time move the head back and forth within the item to be cleaned. The drive mechanism acts on a long metal tube to which the spray head is fixed, and thus no moving parts are exposed to the interior surfaces of the items to be cleaned, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.

Analysis of the Sensitivity of K-Type Molecular Sieve-Deposited MWNTs for the Detection of SF6 Decomposition Gases under Partial Discharge

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaoxing; Li, Xin; Luo, Chenchen; Dong, Xingchen; Zhou, Lei

2015-01-01

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is widely utilized in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). However, part of SF6 decomposes into different components under partial discharge (PD) conditions. Previous research has shown that the gas responses of intrinsic and 4 Å-type molecular sieve-deposited multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to SOF2 and SO2F2, two important decomposition components of SF6, are not obvious. In this study, a K-type molecular sieve-deposited MWNTs sensor was developed. Its gas response characteristics and the influence of the mixture ratios of gases on the gas-sensing properties were studied. The results showed that, for sensors with gas mixture ratios of 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1, the resistance change rate increased by nearly 13.0% after SOF2 adsorption, almost 10 times that of MWNTs sensors, while the sensors’ resistance change rate with a mixture ratio of 10:1 reached 17.3% after SO2F2 adsorption, nearly nine times that of intrinsic MWNT sensors. Besides, a good linear relationship was observed between concentration of decomposition components and the resistance change rate of sensors. PMID:26569245

Analysis of the Sensitivity of K-Type Molecular Sieve-Deposited MWNTs for the Detection of SF₆ Decomposition Gases under Partial Discharge.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoxing; Li, Xin; Luo, Chenchen; Dong, Xingchen; Zhou, Lei

2015-11-11

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is widely utilized in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). However, part of SF6 decomposes into different components under partial discharge (PD) conditions. Previous research has shown that the gas responses of intrinsic and 4 Å-type molecular sieve-deposited multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to SOF2 and SO2F2, two important decomposition components of SF6, are not obvious. In this study, a K-type molecular sieve-deposited MWNTs sensor was developed. Its gas response characteristics and the influence of the mixture ratios of gases on the gas-sensing properties were studied. The results showed that, for sensors with gas mixture ratios of 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1, the resistance change rate increased by nearly 13.0% after SOF2 adsorption, almost 10 times that of MWNTs sensors, while the sensors' resistance change rate with a mixture ratio of 10:1 reached 17.3% after SO2F2 adsorption, nearly nine times that of intrinsic MWNT sensors. Besides, a good linear relationship was observed between concentration of decomposition components and the resistance change rate of sensors.

VACCINATION AGAINST YELLOW FEVER WITH IMMUNE SERUM AND VIRUS FIXED FOR MICE

PubMed Central

Sawyer, W. A.; Kitchen, S. F.; Lloyd, Wray

1932-01-01

1. After preliminary experiments in monkeys, 15 persons were actively immunized by a single injection of a dried mixture of living yellow fever virus, fixed for mice, and human immune serum, with separate injections of enough additional serum to make up the amount required for protection. 2. One person was similarly immunized by injecting immune serum and dried virus separately. 3. By titration of the sera of vaccinated persons in mice, it was shown that the immunity rose in a few weeks to a height comparable to that reached after an attack of yellow fever, and remained there throughout an observation period of 6 months. 4. Yellow fever virus could not be recovered from the blood of vaccinated persons or monkeys, except when the latter had received less than the minimal effective amount of immune serum. 5. Neutralization of yellow fever virus by immune serum took place very slowly in vitro at room temperature in our experiments, and could not have been an appreciable factor in vaccination with the serum virus mixtures. 6. A mixture of fixed virus and immune serum retained its immunizing power for 8 months when dried in the frozen state and sealed in glass. 7. It appears that the immunizing reaction after yellow fever vaccination was a part of a true infectious process, as was also the observed leucopenia. PMID:19870044

Influence of bitumen type on cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures used in pavement overlays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaskula, P.; Szydlowski, C.; Stienss, M.

2018-05-01

Cracking is one of the predominant distresses occurring in flexible pavements, especially in old pavements that were rehabilitated with an asphalt overlay. In such cases asphalt mixtures should be designed to ensure high resistance to reflective cracking because new asphalt layers are exposed to existing cracks of the old pavement. The nature of these cracks can be various (transverse, longitudinal as well as crazy cracking). One factor that minimizes this type of distress is the proper mix design process, which should involve selection of specific bitumen binder and mineral mix gradation. However, still there is no universally adopted laboratory test method that would allow to clearly assess resistance of asphalt mixtures to reflective cracking. This paper describes the usage of one of the devices developed to test asphalt mixtures in terms of such distress – Texas Overlay Tester. For this test, samples prepared in laboratory conditions (i.e. compacted with the use of Superpave Gyratory Compactor) as well as obtained in the field (by core drilling) can be used. The results are obtained not only quickly and easily, but also with sufficient repeatability. The described method characterizes both crack initiation and crack propagation properties of asphalt mixtures. In this work one type of mineral mixture was tested with 4 different types of bitumen (one neat bitumen, two ordinary polymer-modified and one polymer-modified with high polymer content). For selected cases extra additives (rubber and loose fibres) were also tested. In total, six asphalt mixtures were tested. A ranking of the used binders was created on the basis of the results in order to conclude which bitumen would ensure the best performance characteristics in terms of reflective cracking. The results have clearly shown that deliberate choice of the binder used in the asphalt mixture for the overlay will significantly improve its reflective cracking resistance or even fatigue resistance.

NGS-based likelihood ratio for identifying contributors in two- and three-person DNA mixtures.

PubMed

Chan Mun Wei, Joshua; Zhao, Zicheng; Li, Shuai Cheng; Ng, Yen Kaow

2018-06-01

DNA fingerprinting, also known as DNA profiling, serves as a standard procedure in forensics to identify a person by the short tandem repeat (STR) loci in their DNA. By comparing the STR loci between DNA samples, practitioners can calculate a probability of match to identity the contributors of a DNA mixture. Most existing methods are based on 13 core STR loci which were identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Analyses based on these loci of DNA mixture for forensic purposes are highly variable in procedures, and suffer from subjectivity as well as bias in complex mixture interpretation. With the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, the sequencing of billions of DNA molecules can be parallelized, thus greatly increasing throughput and reducing the associated costs. This allows the creation of new techniques that incorporate more loci to enable complex mixture interpretation. In this paper, we propose a computation for likelihood ratio that uses NGS (next generation sequencing) data for DNA testing on mixed samples. We have applied the method to 4480 simulated DNA mixtures, which consist of various mixture proportions of 8 unrelated whole-genome sequencing data. The results confirm the feasibility of utilizing NGS data in DNA mixture interpretations. We observed an average likelihood ratio as high as 285,978 for two-person mixtures. Using our method, all 224 identity tests for two-person mixtures and three-person mixtures were correctly identified. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental Investigation of Bio-Sealants Used for Pavement Preservation and Development of a New Strength Test for Asphalt Binders at Low Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Debaroti

Surface treatment using sealants as a mean of pavement preservation is an important tool for cost-effectively extending service life of pavement. Sealants have become an important tool for cost-effectively extending the service life pavements. Due to the combined negative effects of asphalt aging and thermal cracking, it is always more challenging to choose an appropriate preservation technique for pavements built in cold-regions. Asphalt aging and thermal cracking negatively affect pavements built in cold climates. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effects of sealants in laboratory conditions before application in the field to ensure effective performance. However, preservation activities cannot effectively address major distresses, such as low-temperature cracking, that can occur when the pavement was built from the very beginning with less durable materials. Therefore, an essential requirement to mitigate low-temperature cracking of pavements for asphalt materials used in the construction of pavement built in cold- regions is ensuring proper fracture properties of the asphalt materials used in construction. This study has two parts. In the first part, a laboratory evaluation of the effects of adding bio-sealants to both asphalt binder and mixture is performed. The goal is to obtain relevant properties of treated asphalt materials to understand the mechanism by which sealants improve pavement performance. For asphalt binders, a dynamic shear rheometer and a bending beam rheometer were used to obtain rheological properties of treated and untreated asphalt binders. For asphalt mixtures, field cores from both untreated and treated sections were collected and thin beam specimens were prepared from the cores to compare the creep and strength properties of the field-treated and laboratory-treated mixture. It is observed that the oil-based sealants have a significant softening effect on the control binder compared to the water-based sealant and traditional emulsion. Oil-based sealants increased rutting and fatigue potential of the binder and helped the low-temperature cracking resistance. For asphalt mixtures, different trends are observed for the field samples compared to the laboratory prepared samples. Similar to binder results, significant differences are observed between the asphalt mixtures treated with oil-based and water-based sealants, respectively. Additional analyses were performed to better understand the sealant effects. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the sealant products could not be detected in mixture samples collected from the surface of the treated section. Semi-empirical Hirsch model was able to predict asphalt mixture creep stiffness from binder stiffness. The results of a distress survey of the test sections correlated well with the laboratory findings. In the second part, a news binder strength testing method is proposed with the goal to provide an effective tool for selecting asphalt binders that are crack resistant. A modified Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) is used to perform three-point bending strength tests, at constant loading rate, on asphalt binder beams at low temperature. Based on the results, a protocol for selecting the most crack resistant material from binders with similar rheological properties is proposed.

Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Triterpenes from Pluchea quitoc DC. Aerial Parts

PubMed Central

Nobre da Silva, Francisco Alcione; de Farias Freire, Sônia Maria; da Rocha Borges, Marilene Oliveira; Vidal Barros, Francisco Erivaldo; da de Sousa, Maria; de Sousa Ribeiro, Maria Nilce; Pinheiro Guilhon, Giselle Maria Skelding; Müller, Adolfo Henrique; Romão Borges, Antonio Carlos

2017-01-01

Background: Pluchea quitoc DC. (Asteraceae), a medicinal plant known as “quitoco,” “caculucage,” “tabacarana” and “madre-cravo,” is indicated for inflammatory conditions such as bronchitis, arthritis, and inflammation in the uterus and digestive system. Objective: This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the triterpenes compounds obtained from P. quitoc aerial parts. Materials and Methods: The triterpenes compounds β-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol in a mixture (T); β-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture (Ta); β-amyrin, taraxasterol, pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture with β-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol myristates (Tafe) were analyzed in the models of nociception and inflammation. The evaluation of antinociceptive activity was carried out by the acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick tests while leukocyte migration to the peritoneal cavity was used for anti-inflammatory profile. Results: The oral administration of T or Tafe (40 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) to mice reduced acetic acid-induced writhing. The tail-flick response of mice was not affected by T or Tafe (40 mg/kg). T or Tafe (40 mg/kg) and Ta (70 mg/kg) also inhibited peritoneal leukocyte infiltration following the injection of carrageenan. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity of the triterpenes β-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol that were decreased when these were acetylated; while the acetylated triterpenes in mixture with myristyloxy triterpenes improved this activity. These compounds seem, at least in part, to be related to the plant’s reported activity. SUMMARY The mixtures of hydroxylated, acetylated, and myristate triterpenes isolated from hexanic extracts of Pluchea quitoc DC. were analyzed in the models of nociception and inflammation in mice. The results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and peripheral antinociceptive activity of the triterpenes β-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol. This study showed too that the activity of triterpenes may be decreased by their being acetylated, while the acetylated triterpenes in mixture with myristate triterpenes improved this activity. Abbreviations Used: T: Triterpenes compounds β-amyrin, taraxasterol, and pseudo-taraxasterol in a mixture, Ta: Triterpenes compounds β-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture, Tafe: Triterpenes compounds β-amyrin, taraxasterol, pseudo-taraxasterol acetates in a mixture with β-amyrin, taraxasterol and pseudo-taraxasterol myristates, Ctrl: Control, Indo: Indomethacin, Dexa: Dexamethasone, EtOAc: Ethyl acetate, MeOH: Methanol. PMID:29333034

Heat transfer and friction factor of composite TiO2-SiO2 nanofluids in water-ethylene glycol (60:40) mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabil, M. F.; Azmi, W. H.; Hamid, K. A.; Mamat, R.

2017-10-01

The need for high performance of heat transfer has been evaluated by finding different ways to enhance heat transfer rate in fluid. One of the methods is the combination of two or more nanoparticles and it is known as hybrid/composite nanofluids which can give better performance of heat transfer. Thus, the present study focused on combination of Titanium oxide (TiO2) and Silicon oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles dispersed in 60:40 volume ratio of water and ethylene glycol mixture as the base fluid. The TiO2-SiO2 hybrid nanofluids are prepared using two-step method for different concentration of 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0%. The experimental determination of heat transfer coefficients are conducted in the Reynolds numbers range from 2000 to 10000 at a bulk temperature of 30°C. The experiments are undertaken for constant heat flux in a circular tube. The Nusselt number of composite TiO2- SiO2 nanofluids is observed to be higher than the base fluid. The finding on heat transfer coefficient shows that 3.0% volume concentration is the highest enhancement with 45.9% compared with base fluid. While at concentration 2.0% and 2.5%, the enhancement recorded were 29.4% and 33.2%, respectively. The friction factor of nanofluids shows a decreased with the increasing of Reynolds numbers. However, the friction factor slightly increased with the increased of concentration.

Factors and processes governing the C-14 content of carbonate in desert soils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amundson, Ronald; Wang, Yang; Chadwick, Oliver; Trumbore, Susan; Mcfadden, Leslie; Mcdonald, Eric; Wells, Steven; Deniro, Michael

1994-01-01

A model is presented describing the factors and processes which determine the measured C-14 ages of soil calcium carbonate. Pedogenic carbonate forms in isotopic equilium with soil CO2. Carbon dioxide in soils is a mixture of CO2 derived from two biological sources: respiration by living plant roots and respiration of microorganisms decomposing soil humus. The relative proportion of these two CO2 sources can greatly affect the initial C-14 content of pedogenic carbonate: the greater the contribution of humus-derived CO2, the greater the initial C-14 age of the carbonate mineral. For any given mixture of CO2 sources, the steady-state (14)CO2 distribution vs. soil depth can be described by a production/diffusion model. As a soil ages, the C-14 age of soil humus increases, as does the steady-state C-14 age of soil CO2 and the initial C-14 age of any pedogenic carbonate which forms. The mean C-14 age of a complete pedogenic carbonate coating or nodule will underestimate the true age of the soil carbonate. This discrepancy increases the older a soil becomes. Partial removal of outer (and younger) carbonate coatings greatly improves the relationship between measured C-14 age and true age. Although the production/diffusion model qualitatively explains the C-14 age of pedogenic carbonate vs. soil depth in many soils, other factors, such as climate change, may contribute to the observed trends, particularily in soils older than the Holocene.

Light emitting diode excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Hart, Sean J; JiJi, Renée D

2002-12-01

An excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence instrument has been developed using a linear array of light emitting diodes (LED). The wavelengths covered extend from the upper UV through the visible spectrum: 370-640 nm. Using an LED array to excite fluorescence emission at multiple excitation wavelengths is a low-cost alternative to an expensive high power lamp and imaging spectrograph. The LED-EEM system is a departure from other EEM spectroscopy systems in that LEDs often have broad excitation ranges which may overlap with neighboring channels. The LED array can be considered a hybrid between a spectroscopic and sensor system, as the broad LED excitation range produces a partially selective optical measurement. The instrument has been tested and characterized using fluorescent dyes: limits of detection (LOD) for 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)-anthracene and rhodamine B were in the mid parts-per-trillion range; detection limits for the other compounds were in the low parts-per-billion range (< 5 ppb). The LED-EEMs were analyzed using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), which allowed the mathematical resolution of the individual contributions of the mono- and dianion fluorescein tautomers a priori. Correct identification and quantitation of six fluorescent dyes in two to six component mixtures (concentrations between 12.5 and 500 ppb) has been achieved with root mean squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) of less than 4.0 ppb for all components.

Experiment on the factors for enhancing the susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug by ultrasound microbubbles.

PubMed

Zhao, Ying-Zheng; Gao, Hui-Sheng; Zhou, Zhi-Cai; Tang, Qin-Qin; Lu, Cui-Tao; Jin, Zhuo; Tian, Ji-Lai; Xu, Yan-Yan; Tian, Xin-Qiao; Wang, Lee; Kong, Fan-Lei; Li, Xiao-Kun; Huang, Pin-Tong; He, Hui-Liao; Wu, Yan

2010-07-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors for enhancing the susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug by ultrasound microbubbles. Ultrasound (US) combined with phospholipid-based microbubbles (MB) was used to enhance the susceptibility of colon cancer cell line SWD-620 to anticancer drugs Topotecan hydrochloride (TOP). Experiments were designed to investigate the influence of main factors on cell viability and cell inhibition, such as US intensity, MB concentration, drug combination with MB, asynchronous action between US triggered cavitation and drug entering cell, MB particle size. US exposure for 10 sec with US probe power at 0.6 W/cm(2) had satisfied cell viability. Treated with US combined with 15% MB, cell viability maintained more than 85% and cell inhibition 86.16%. Under optimal US combined with MB, TOP showed much higher cell inhibition than that of only TOP group. Cell inhibition under short delayed time (<2 h) for TOP addition did not show obvious difference. In terms of MB particle size, the order of cell inhibition was: Mixture > Micron bubble part > Nanometer bubble part. US combined with MB can enhance the susceptibility of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug, which may provide a potential method for US-mediated tumor chemotherapy.

Two-Ply Composite Membranes with Separation Layers from Chitosan and Sulfoethylcellulose on a Microporous Support Based on Poly(diphenylsulfone-N-phenylphthalimide).

PubMed

Kononova, Svetlana V; Kruchinina, Elena V; Petrova, Valentina A; Baklagina, Yulia G; Romashkova, Kira A; Orekhov, Anton S; Klechkovskaya, Vera V; Skorik, Yury A

2017-12-14

Two-ply composite membranes with separation layers from chitosan and sulfoethylcellulose were developed on a microporous support based on poly(diphenylsulfone- N -phenylphthalimide) and investigated by use of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. The pervaporation properties of the membranes were studied for the separation of aqueous alcohol (ethanol, propan-2-ol) mixtures of different compositions. When the mixtures to be separated consist of less than 15 wt % water in propan-2-ol, the membranes composed of polyelectrolytes with the same molar fraction of ionogenic groups (-NH₃⁺ for chitosan and -SO₃ - for sulfoethylcellulose) show high permselectivity (the water content in the permeate was 100%). Factors affecting the structure of a non-porous layer of the polyelectrolyte complex formed on the substrate surface and the contribution of that complex to changes in the transport properties of membranes are discussed. The results indicate significant prospects for the use of chitosan and sulfoethylcellulose for the formation of highly selective pervaporation membranes.

I. Cognitive and instructional factors relating to students' development of personal models of chemical systems in the general chemistry laboratory II. Solvation in supercritical carbon dioxide/ethanol mixtures studied by molecular dynamics simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anthony, Seth

Part I. Students' participation in inquiry-based chemistry laboratory curricula, and, in particular, engagement with key thinking processes in conjunction with these experiences, is linked with success at the difficult task of "transfer"---applying their knowledge in new contexts to solve unfamiliar types of problems. We investigate factors related to classroom experiences, student metacognition, and instructor feedback that may affect students' engagement in key aspects of the Model-Observe-Reflect-Explain (MORE) laboratory curriculum - production of written molecular-level models of chemical systems, describing changes to those models, and supporting those changes with reference to experimental evidence---and related behaviors. Participation in introductory activities that emphasize reviewing and critiquing of sample models and peers' models are associated with improvement in several of these key aspects. When students' self-assessments of the quality of aspects of their models are solicited, students are generally overconfident in the quality of their models, but these self-ratings are also sensitive to the strictness of grades assigned by their instructor. Furthermore, students who produce higher-quality models are also more accurate in their self-assessments, suggesting the importance of self-evaluation as part of the model-writing process. While the written feedback delivered by instructors did not have significant impacts on student model quality or self-assessments, students' resubmissions of models were significantly improved when students received "reflective" feedback prompting them to self-evaluate the quality of their models. Analysis of several case studies indicates that the content and extent of molecular-level ideas expressed in students' models are linked with the depth of discussion and content of discussion that occurred during the laboratory period, with ideas developed or personally committed to by students during the laboratory period being likely to appear in students' post-laboratory refined models. These discussions during the laboratory period are primarily prompted by factors external to the students or their laboratory groups such as questions posed by the instructor or laboratory materials. Part II. Solvation of polar molecules within non-polar supercritical carbon dioxide is often facilitated by the introduction of polar cosolvents as entrainers, which are believed to preferentially surround solute molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations of supercritical carbon dioxide/ethanol mixtures reveal that ethanol molecules form hydrogen-bonded aggregates of varying sizes and structures, with cyclic tetramers and pentamers being unusually prevalent. The dynamics of ethanol molecules within these mixtures at a range of thermodynamic conditions can largely be explained by differences in size and structure in these aggregates. Simulations that include solute molecules reveal enhancement of the polar cosolvent around hydrogen-bonding sites on the solute molecules, corroborating and helping to explain previously reported experimental trends in solute mobility.

Joint genome-wide prediction in several populations accounting for randomness of genotypes: A hierarchical Bayes approach. II: Multivariate spike and slab priors for marker effects and derivation of approximate Bayes and fractional Bayes factors for the complete family of models.

PubMed

Martínez, Carlos Alberto; Khare, Kshitij; Banerjee, Arunava; Elzo, Mauricio A

2017-03-21

This study corresponds to the second part of a companion paper devoted to the development of Bayesian multiple regression models accounting for randomness of genotypes in across population genome-wide prediction. This family of models considers heterogeneous and correlated marker effects and allelic frequencies across populations, and has the ability of considering records from non-genotyped individuals and individuals with missing genotypes in any subset of loci without the need for previous imputation, taking into account uncertainty about imputed genotypes. This paper extends this family of models by considering multivariate spike and slab conditional priors for marker allele substitution effects and contains derivations of approximate Bayes factors and fractional Bayes factors to compare models from part I and those developed here with their null versions. These null versions correspond to simpler models ignoring heterogeneity of populations, but still accounting for randomness of genotypes. For each marker loci, the spike component of priors corresponded to point mass at 0 in R S , where S is the number of populations, and the slab component was a S-variate Gaussian distribution, independent conditional priors were assumed. For the Gaussian components, covariance matrices were assumed to be either the same for all markers or different for each marker. For null models, the priors were simply univariate versions of these finite mixture distributions. Approximate algebraic expressions for Bayes factors and fractional Bayes factors were found using the Laplace approximation. Using the simulated datasets described in part I, these models were implemented and compared with models derived in part I using measures of predictive performance based on squared Pearson correlations, Deviance Information Criterion, Bayes factors, and fractional Bayes factors. The extensions presented here enlarge our family of genome-wide prediction models making it more flexible in the sense that it now offers more modeling options. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cycle performance testing of nonazeotropic mixtures of HFC-142A/HCFC-124 and HFC-32/HCFC-124 with enhanced surface heat exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vineyard, E. A.; Conklin, J. C.; Brown, A. J.

In an effort to improve the efficiency of residential heat pumps using alternative refrigerants, two nonazeotropic refrigerant mixtures (NARM's) were tested over a range of heat exchanger capacities to determine their cooling mode performance at US Department of Energy (DOE) heat pump rating conditions of 82 F (27.8 C). The two mixtures, 30% HFC-32/70% HCFC-124 and 75% HFC-143a/25% HCFC-124, were selected on the basis of a previous study that screened refrigerant pairs using such factors as boiling point, stability, ozone depletion potential (ODP), and coefficient of performance (COP) to determine suitable candidates for residential heat pump performance. Three refrigerant-side heat transfer enhancements were tested to determine improvements to overall system performance. Comparisons were made on the basis of the COP as a function of capacity. The results for one of the heat exchanger combinations, a segmented evaporator and finned condenser, were quite promising. Improvements in COP, relative to that for HCFC-22, were from 9 to 17% for the 30% HFC-32/70% HCFC-124 mixture and from 5 to 9% for the 75% HFC-143a/25% HCFC-124 NARM. Another combination, a smooth tube evaporator with a perforated foil insert and finned condenser, had similar gains at low capacities but experienced decreased performance at the higher capacities. The final combination, a smooth tube evaporator with a perforated foil insert and smooth tube condenser with a bent tab insert resulted in poor performance.

On the measurement of stability in over-time data.

PubMed

Kenny, D A; Campbell, D T

1989-06-01

In this article, autoregressive models and growth curve models are compared. Autoregressive models are useful because they allow for random change, permit scores to increase or decrease, and do not require strong assumptions about the level of measurement. Three previously presented designs for estimating stability are described: (a) time-series, (b) simplex, and (c) two-wave, one-factor methods. A two-wave, multiple-factor model also is presented, in which the variables are assumed to be caused by a set of latent variables. The factor structure does not change over time and so the synchronous relationships are temporally invariant. The factors do not cause each other and have the same stability. The parameters of the model are the factor loading structure, each variable's reliability, and the stability of the factors. We apply the model to two data sets. For eight cognitive skill variables measured at four times, the 2-year stability is estimated to be .92 and the 6-year stability is .83. For nine personality variables, the 3-year stability is .68. We speculate that for many variables there are two components: one component that changes very slowly (the trait component) and another that changes very rapidly (the state component); thus each variable is a mixture of trait and state. Circumstantial evidence supporting this view is presented.

[A study of the properties of tablets from mixtures of two size degrees of alpha-lactose monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose].

PubMed

Muzíková, J

2006-03-01

The paper examines the strength and disintegration time of compacts from the mixtures of two types of Tablettosas. Tablettosa 70 and Tablettosa 100 with microcrystalline cellulose represented by Vivapur 102. The mixtures of dry binders were prepared in the ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3. The effect of two concentrations of the lubricant magnesium stearate on the strength and disintegration time of compacts was also examined. Tablet strength increased with higher representation of microcrystalline cellulose in the mixture, and decreased with higher stearate concentration. The compacts from the mixtures with Tablettosa 100 showed higher strength. Disintegration time was highest in the compacts with the largest perccintage of microcrystalline cellulose, and longer in the case of the mixtures with Tablettosa 100. Stearate did not exert a negative effect on disintegration time. In the mixtures of Tablettosas with Vivapur 102 in a ratio of 1:1, the effect of the model active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid on the above-mentioned properties of tablets was tested. acetylsalicylic acid produced a further decrease in the strength of compacts and shortened the disintegration time in more instances in the cased of the mixtures with Tahlettosa 100.

Pesticides in Ground Water of Central and Western Maryland

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ator, Scott W.; Reyes, Betzaida

2008-01-01

Selected pesticides and degradates (products of pesticide degradation) are detectable in ground water in many parts of central and western Maryland, although concentrations are generally less than 0.1 micrograms per liter. Ground-water samples collected recently (1994-2003) from 72 wells in areas of Maryland underlain by consolidated carbonate, crystalline, or siliciclastic aquifers (areas north and west of the Fall Line) were analyzed for selected pesticides and degradates. Pesticides were typically detected in mixtures of multiple compounds in ground water, and degradates were commonly detected, often at greater concentrations than their respective parent compounds. No pesticides were observed at concentrations greater than established standards for drinking water, and nearly all observed concentrations were below other health-based guidelines. Although such standards and guidelines are generally much greater than measured concentrations in ground water, they do not exist for many detected compounds (particularly degradates), or for mixtures of multiple compounds. The distribution of pesticides and degradates in ground water is related to application practices, as well as chemical and environmental factors that affect the fate and movement of individual compounds.

Comprehensive evaluation of direct injection mass spectrometry for the quantitative profiling of volatiles in food samples

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Although qualitative strategies based on direct injection mass spectrometry (DIMS) have recently emerged as an alternative for the rapid classification of food samples, the potential of these approaches in quantitative tasks has scarcely been addressed to date. In this paper, the applicability of different multivariate regression procedures to data collected by DIMS from simulated mixtures has been evaluated. The most relevant factors affecting quantitation, such as random noise, the number of calibration samples, type of validation, mixture complexity and similarity of mass spectra, were also considered and comprehensively discussed. Based on the conclusions drawn from simulated data, and as an example of application, experimental mass spectral fingerprints collected by direct thermal desorption coupled to mass spectrometry were used for the quantitation of major volatiles in Thymus zygis subsp. zygis chemotypes. The results obtained, validated with the direct thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method here used as a reference, show the potential of DIMS approaches for the fast and precise quantitative profiling of volatiles in foods. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantitative mass spectrometry’. PMID:27644978

A comparative study of mixture cure models with covariate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leng, Oh Yit; Khalid, Zarina Mohd

2017-05-01

In survival analysis, the survival time is assumed to follow a non-negative distribution, such as the exponential, Weibull, and log-normal distributions. In some cases, the survival time is influenced by some observed factors. The absence of these observed factors may cause an inaccurate estimation in the survival function. Therefore, a survival model which incorporates the influences of observed factors is more appropriate to be used in such cases. These observed factors are included in the survival model as covariates. Besides that, there are cases where a group of individuals who are cured, that is, not experiencing the event of interest. Ignoring the cure fraction may lead to overestimate in estimating the survival function. Thus, a mixture cure model is more suitable to be employed in modelling survival data with the presence of a cure fraction. In this study, three mixture cure survival models are used to analyse survival data with a covariate and a cure fraction. The first model includes covariate in the parameterization of the susceptible individuals survival function, the second model allows the cure fraction to depend on covariate, and the third model incorporates covariate in both cure fraction and survival function of susceptible individuals. This study aims to compare the performance of these models via a simulation approach. Therefore, in this study, survival data with varying sample sizes and cure fractions are simulated and the survival time is assumed to follow the Weibull distribution. The simulated data are then modelled using the three mixture cure survival models. The results show that the three mixture cure models are more appropriate to be used in modelling survival data with the presence of cure fraction and an observed factor.

Understanding the Effectiveness of Natural Compound Mixtures in Cancer through Their Molecular Mode of Action

PubMed Central

Aung, Thazin Nwe; Qu, Zhipeng; Kortschak, R. Daniel; Adelson, David L.

2017-01-01

Many approaches to cancer management are often ineffective due to adverse reactions, drug resistance, or inadequate target specificity of single anti-cancer agents. In contrast, a combinatorial approach with the application of two or more anti-cancer agents at their respective effective dosages can achieve a synergistic effect that boosts cytotoxicity to cancer cells. In cancer, aberrant apoptotic pathways allow cells that should be killed to survive with genetic abnormalities, leading to cancer progression. Mutations in apoptotic mechanism arising during the treatment of cancer through cancer progression can consequently lead to chemoresistance. Natural compound mixtures that are believed to have multiple specific targets with minimal acceptable side-effects are now of interest to many researchers due to their cytotoxic and chemosensitizing activities. Synergistic interactions within a drug mixture enhance the search for potential molecular targets in cancer cells. Nonetheless, biased/flawed scientific evidence from natural products can suggest false positive therapeutic benefits during drug screening. In this review, we have taken these factors into consideration when discussing the evidence for these compounds and their synergistic therapeutic benefits in cancer. While there is limited evidence for clinical efficacy for these mixtures, in vitro data suggest that these preparations merit further investigation, both in vitro and in vivo. PMID:28304343

Evaluation of the performance and response of the bacharach TLV sniffer and H-Nu photoionization gas analyzer to common hydrocarbon solvents.

PubMed

Chelton, C F; Zakraysek, N; Lautner, G M; Confer, R G

1983-10-01

Two direct reading instruments, the H-Nu PI 101 photoionization analyzer and the J.W. Bacharach TLV Sniffer, were evaluated under laboratory conditions to determine their performance characteristics when challenged by vapors of common hydrocarbon solvent mixtures. Each instrument was evaluated against the manufacturer's recommended test solvent for rise time, fall time, noise, span drift, zero drift, position sensitivity, battery life, and recharge time. The precision, accuracy, and operating linear range were also determined for the test solvents and some petroleum solvent mixtures which are common refinery products. For these latter mixtures, correction factors are presented which allow for an improved estimate of ambient concentrations when monitoring with each of these instruments. All tests except operating humidity range were performed by challenging each instrument with a known concentration of hydrocarbon generated by evaporating calculated liquid volumes into a static chamber. Humidity tests were performed using a dynamic dilution apparatus generating a fixed concentration of hydrocarbon while relative humidity was varied. Concentrations in both systems were verified by gas injection into gas chromatograph. Each instrument performed well when challenged by manufacturers' recommended test solvents. Humidity was shown to influence each instrument's readings. Also, the instruments were shown to have application as monitors of airborne concentrations of common hydrocarbon solvent mixtures.

Understanding the Effectiveness of Natural Compound Mixtures in Cancer through Their Molecular Mode of Action.

PubMed

Aung, Thazin Nwe; Qu, Zhipeng; Kortschak, R Daniel; Adelson, David L

2017-03-17

Many approaches to cancer management are often ineffective due to adverse reactions, drug resistance, or inadequate target specificity of single anti-cancer agents. In contrast, a combinatorial approach with the application of two or more anti-cancer agents at their respective effective dosages can achieve a synergistic effect that boosts cytotoxicity to cancer cells. In cancer, aberrant apoptotic pathways allow cells that should be killed to survive with genetic abnormalities, leading to cancer progression. Mutations in apoptotic mechanism arising during the treatment of cancer through cancer progression can consequently lead to chemoresistance. Natural compound mixtures that are believed to have multiple specific targets with minimal acceptable side-effects are now of interest to many researchers due to their cytotoxic and chemosensitizing activities. Synergistic interactions within a drug mixture enhance the search for potential molecular targets in cancer cells. Nonetheless, biased/flawed scientific evidence from natural products can suggest false positive therapeutic benefits during drug screening. In this review, we have taken these factors into consideration when discussing the evidence for these compounds and their synergistic therapeutic benefits in cancer. While there is limited evidence for clinical efficacy for these mixtures, in vitro data suggest that these preparations merit further investigation, both in vitro and in vivo.

Combined Effects of Prenatal Exposures to Environmental Chemicals on Birth Weight.

PubMed

Govarts, Eva; Remy, Sylvie; Bruckers, Liesbeth; Den Hond, Elly; Sioen, Isabelle; Nelen, Vera; Baeyens, Willy; Nawrot, Tim S; Loots, Ilse; Van Larebeke, Nick; Schoeters, Greet

2016-05-12

Prenatal chemical exposure has been frequently associated with reduced fetal growth by single pollutant regression models although inconsistent results have been obtained. Our study estimated the effects of exposure to single pollutants and mixtures on birth weight in 248 mother-child pairs. Arsenic, copper, lead, manganese and thallium were measured in cord blood, cadmium in maternal blood, methylmercury in maternal hair, and five organochlorines, two perfluorinated compounds and diethylhexyl phthalate metabolites in cord plasma. Daily exposure to particulate matter was modeled and averaged over the duration of gestation. In single pollutant models, arsenic was significantly associated with reduced birth weight. The effect estimate increased when including cadmium, and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) co-exposure. Combining exposures by principal component analysis generated an exposure factor loaded by cadmium and arsenic that was associated with reduced birth weight. MECPP induced gender specific effects. In girls, the effect estimate was doubled with co-exposure of thallium, PFOS, lead, cadmium, manganese, and mercury, while in boys, the mixture of MECPP with cadmium showed the strongest association with birth weight. In conclusion, birth weight was consistently inversely associated with exposure to pollutant mixtures. Chemicals not showing significant associations at single pollutant level contributed to stronger effects when analyzed as mixtures.

Urdu translation and validation of shorter version of Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) on Pakistani bank employees.

PubMed

Akhter, Noreen

2017-10-01

To translate, adapt and validate shorter version of positive affect and negative affect scale on Pakistani corporate employees. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi from October 2014 to December 2015. The study was completed into two independent parts. In part one, the scale was translated by forward translation. Then it was pilot-tested and administered on customer services employees from commercial banks and the telecommunication sector. Data of the pilot study was analysed by using exploratory factor analysis to extract the initial factor of positive affect and negative affect scale. Part two comprised the main study. Commercial bank employees were included in the sample using convenient sampling technique. Data of the main study was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis in order to establish construct validity of positive affect and negative affect scale. There were145 participants in the first part of the study and 495 in the second. Results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of positive affect and negative affect scale suggesting that the scale has two distinct domains, i.e. positive affect and negative affect. The shorter version of positive affect and negative affect scale was found to be a valid and reliable measure.

Approximation of the breast height diameter distribution of two-cohort stands by mixture models III Kernel density estimators vs mixture models

Treesearch

Rafal Podlaski; Francis A. Roesch

2014-01-01

Two-component mixtures of either the Weibull distribution or the gamma distribution and the kernel density estimator were used for describing the diameter at breast height (dbh) empirical distributions of two-cohort stands. The data consisted of study plots from the Å wietokrzyski National Park (central Poland) and areas close to and including the North Carolina section...

Experimental method for estimation of compaction in the Oxfordian bedded limestones of the southern Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, Southern Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kochman, Alicja; Matyszkiewicz, Jacek

2013-12-01

Kochman, A. and Matyszkiewicz, J. 2013. Experimental method for estimation of compaction in the Oxfordian bedded limestones of the southern Krakow-Częstochowa Upland, Southern Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica, 63(4), 681-696. Warszawa. The Upper Jurassic carbonates exposed in the southern part of the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland are well known for their significant facies diversity related to the presence of microbial and microbial-sponge carbonate buildups and bedded detrital limestone in between. Both the buildups and detrital limestones revealed differential susceptibility to compaction which, apart from differential subsidence of the Palaeozoic basement and synsedimentary faulting, was one of the factors controlling seafloor palaeorelief in the Late Jurassic sedimentary basin. The compaction of the detrital limestones has been estimated with an experimental oedometric method in which specially prepared mixtures made of ground limestones from a quarry in the village of Żary were subjected to oedometer tests. The diameters of the detrital grains and their percentages in the limestones were determined by microscopic examinations of thin sections. The diameters were assigned to predetermined classes corresponding to the Udden-Wentworth scale. The rock samples were then ground down to the grain sizes observed in thin sections. From such materials, mixtures were prepared of grain size distributions corresponding to those observed in thin sections. After adding water the mixtures were subjected to oedometer tests. Analysis of the compression of such mixtures under specific loads enabled preparation of a mathematical formula suitable for the estimation of mechanical compaction of the limestone. The obtained values varied from 27.52 to 55.53% for a load corresponding to 300 metres burial depth. The most significant effect of mechanical compaction was observed for loads representing only 2 metres burial depth. Further loading resulted in a much smaller reduction in sample height. The results of the oedometer tests cannot be used directly to determine compaction of the detrital limestones. Mainly because microscopic observations of thin sections of the experimental material show that chemical compaction was also an important factor influencing thickness reduction of the limestones.

Volumetric Properties of the Mixture Pentafluoroethane C2HF5 + C2H4F2 1,1-Difluoroethane (LB1530, VMSD1541)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cibulka, I.; Hnědkovský, L.; Fontaine, J.-C.; Sosnkowska-Kehiaian, K.; Kehiaian, H. V.

This document is part of Subvolume A `Binary Liquid Systems of Nonelectrolytes' of Volume 23 `Volumetric Properties of Mixtures and Solutions' of Landolt-Börnstein Group IV `Physical Chemistry'. It corresponds to the data set LB1530 of the ELBT database.

21 CFR 74.1331 - D&C Red No. 31.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) Color additive mixtures for drug use made with D&C Red No. 31 may contain only those diluents that are suitable and that are listed in part 73 of this chapter as safe for use in color additive mixtures for... Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL LISTING OF COLOR...

SOT Risk Assessment: Complex mixtures of anti-androgens at concentrations below individual chemical effect levels produces reproductive tract malformations in the male rat

EPA Science Inventory

This product is an invited webinar to the Society of Toxicology Risk Assessment Specialty Section (co-hosted by the Mixtures Specialty Section) as part of their monthly webinar series. The webinar is scheduled for 3:00PM on Wednesday September 13th.

ASSESSMENT OF DE-71, A COMMERCIAL POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE) MIXTURE, IN THE EDSP MALE AND FEMALE PUBERTAL PROTOCOLS

EPA Science Inventory

DE-71, a commercial mixture, was used to test the sensitivity of the female and male pubertal protocol to detect thyroid active chemicals. These protocols are being evaluated for the U.S. EPA's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program as part of a Tier I Screening Battery. To exa...

Laboratory assessment of Activated Protein C Resistance/Factor V-Leiden and performance characteristics of a new quantitative assay.

PubMed

Amiral, Jean; Vissac, Anne Marie; Seghatchian, Jerard

2017-12-01

Activated Protein C Resistance is mainly associated to a factor V mutation (RQ506), which induces a deficient inactivation of activated factor V by activated protein C, and is associated to an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis in affected individuals, caused by the prolonged activated factor V survival. Its prevalence is mainly in Caucasians (about 5%), and this mutation is absent in Africans and Asians. Presence of Factor V-Leiden is usually evidenced with clotting methods, using a two-step APTT assay performed without or with APC: prolongation of blood coagulation time is decreased if this factor is present. The R506Q Factor V-Leiden mutation is now usually characterized using molecular biology, and this technique tends to become the first intention assay for characterization of patients. Both techniques are qualitative, and allow classifying tested individuals as heterozygotes or homozygotes for the mutation, when present. A new quantitative assay for Factor V-Leiden, using a one-step clotting method, has been developed, and designed with highly purified human coagulation proteins. Clotting is triggered with human Factor Xa, in presence of calcium and phospholipids (mixture which favours APC action over clotting process). Diluted tested plasma, is supplemented with a clotting mixture containing human fibrinogen, prothrombin, and protein S at a constant concentration. APC is added, and clotting is initiated with calcium. Calibration is performed with a pool of plasmas from patients carrying the R506Q Factor V mutation, and its mixtures with normal plasma. Homozygous patients have clotting times of about <40sec; heterozygous patients have clotting times of about 40-60sec and normal individuals yield clotting times >70sec. Factor V-Leiden concentration is usually >75% in homozygous patients, 30-60% in heterozygous patients and below 5% in normal. The assay is insensitive to clotting factor deficiencies (II, VII, VIII: C, IX, X), dicoumarol or heparin therapies, and has no interference with lupus anticoagulant (LA). This new assay for Factor V-Leiden can be easily used in any coagulation laboratory, is performed as a single test, and is quantitative. This assay has a high robustness, is accurate and presents a good intra- (<3%) and inter-assay (<5%) variability. It contributes solving most of the laboratory issues faced when testing factor V-Leiden. Quantitation of Factor V-L could contribute to a better assessment of thrombotic risk in affected patients, as this complication is first associated to and caused by the presence of a defined amount of FVa. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection of mastitis in dairy cattle by use of mixture models for repeated somatic cell scores: a Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling.

PubMed

Odegård, J; Jensen, J; Madsen, P; Gianola, D; Klemetsdal, G; Heringstad, B

2003-11-01

The distribution of somatic cell scores could be regarded as a mixture of at least two components depending on a cow's udder health status. A heteroscedastic two-component Bayesian normal mixture model with random effects was developed and implemented via Gibbs sampling. The model was evaluated using datasets consisting of simulated somatic cell score records. Somatic cell score was simulated as a mixture representing two alternative udder health statuses ("healthy" or "diseased"). Animals were assigned randomly to the two components according to the probability of group membership (Pm). Random effects (additive genetic and permanent environment), when included, had identical distributions across mixture components. Posterior probabilities of putative mastitis were estimated for all observations, and model adequacy was evaluated using measures of sensitivity, specificity, and posterior probability of misclassification. Fitting different residual variances in the two mixture components caused some bias in estimation of parameters. When the components were difficult to disentangle, so were their residual variances, causing bias in estimation of Pm and of location parameters of the two underlying distributions. When all variance components were identical across mixture components, the mixture model analyses returned parameter estimates essentially without bias and with a high degree of precision. Including random effects in the model increased the probability of correct classification substantially. No sizable differences in probability of correct classification were found between models in which a single cow effect (ignoring relationships) was fitted and models where this effect was split into genetic and permanent environmental components, utilizing relationship information. When genetic and permanent environmental effects were fitted, the between-replicate variance of estimates of posterior means was smaller because the model accounted for random genetic drift.

Investigation of compression behavior of PE/EVA foam injection molded parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spina, Roberto

2017-10-01

The main objective of the presented work is to evaluate the compression behavior of a polymeric foam blend by using a robust framework for the testing sequence of foaming injection molded parts, with the aim of establishing a standard testing cycle for the evaluation of new matrix material. The research purpose is to assess parameters influencing compression behavior and give useful suggestions for the implementation of a finite element analysis. The polymeric blend consisted of a mixture of low density polyethylenes (LDPEs), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and an azodicarbonamide (ADC). The thermal, rheological and compression properties of the blend are fully described, as well as the injection molding process for two specimen types.

Equivalence of internal and external mixture schemes of single scattering properties in vector radiative transfer

PubMed Central

Mukherjee, Lipi; Zhai, Peng-Wang; Hu, Yongxiang; Winker, David M.

2018-01-01

Polarized radiation fields in a turbid medium are influenced by single-scattering properties of scatterers. It is common that media contain two or more types of scatterers, which makes it essential to properly mix single-scattering properties of different types of scatterers in the vector radiative transfer theory. The vector radiative transfer solvers can be divided into two basic categories: the stochastic and deterministic methods. The stochastic method is basically the Monte Carlo method, which can handle scatterers with different scattering properties explicitly. This mixture scheme is called the external mixture scheme in this paper. The deterministic methods, however, can only deal with a single set of scattering properties in the smallest discretized spatial volume. The single-scattering properties of different types of scatterers have to be averaged before they are input to deterministic solvers. This second scheme is called the internal mixture scheme. The equivalence of these two different mixture schemes of scattering properties has not been demonstrated so far. In this paper, polarized radiation fields for several scattering media are solved using the Monte Carlo and successive order of scattering (SOS) methods and scattering media contain two types of scatterers: Rayleigh scatterers (molecules) and Mie scatterers (aerosols). The Monte Carlo and SOS methods employ external and internal mixture schemes of scatterers, respectively. It is found that the percentage differences between radiances solved by these two methods with different mixture schemes are of the order of 0.1%. The differences of Q/I, U/I, and V/I are of the order of 10−5 ~ 10−4, where I, Q, U, and V are the Stokes parameters. Therefore, the equivalence between these two mixture schemes is confirmed to the accuracy level of the radiative transfer numerical benchmarks. This result provides important guidelines for many radiative transfer applications that involve the mixture of different scattering and absorptive particles. PMID:29047543

MAFsnp: A Multi-Sample Accurate and Flexible SNP Caller Using Next-Generation Sequencing Data

PubMed Central

Hu, Jiyuan; Li, Tengfei; Xiu, Zidi; Zhang, Hong

2015-01-01

Most existing statistical methods developed for calling single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data are based on Bayesian frameworks, and there does not exist any SNP caller that produces p-values for calling SNPs in a frequentist framework. To fill in this gap, we develop a new method MAFsnp, a Multiple-sample based Accurate and Flexible algorithm for calling SNPs with NGS data. MAFsnp is based on an estimated likelihood ratio test (eLRT) statistic. In practical situation, the involved parameter is very close to the boundary of the parametric space, so the standard large sample property is not suitable to evaluate the finite-sample distribution of the eLRT statistic. Observing that the distribution of the test statistic is a mixture of zero and a continuous part, we propose to model the test statistic with a novel two-parameter mixture distribution. Once the parameters in the mixture distribution are estimated, p-values can be easily calculated for detecting SNPs, and the multiple-testing corrected p-values can be used to control false discovery rate (FDR) at any pre-specified level. With simulated data, MAFsnp is shown to have much better control of FDR than the existing SNP callers. Through the application to two real datasets, MAFsnp is also shown to outperform the existing SNP callers in terms of calling accuracy. An R package “MAFsnp” implementing the new SNP caller is freely available at http://homepage.fudan.edu.cn/zhangh/softwares/. PMID:26309201

Structure and effective interactions in three-component hard sphere liquids.

PubMed

König, A; Ashcroft, N W

2001-04-01

Complete and simple analytical expressions for the partial structure factors of the ternary hard sphere mixture are obtained within the Percus-Yevick approximation and presented as functions of relative packing fractions and relative hard sphere diameters. These solutions follow from the Laplace transform method as applied to multicomponent systems by Lebowitz [Phys. Rev. 133, A895 (1964)]. As an important application, we examine effective interactions in hard sphere liquid mixtures using the microscopic information contained in their partial structure factors. Thus the ensuring pair potential for an effective one-component system is obtained from the correlation functions by using an approximate inversion, and examples of effective potentials for three-component hard sphere mixtures are given. These mixtures may be of particular interest for the study of the packing aspects of melts that form glasses or quasicrystals, since noncrystalline solids often emerge from melts with at least three atomic constituents.

Leaf spring made of fiber-reinforced resin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hori, J.

1986-01-01

A leaf spring made of a matrix reinforced by at least two types of reinforcing fibers with different Young's modulus is described in this Japanese patent. At least two layers of reinforcing fibers are formed by partially arranging the reinforcing fibers toward the direction of the thickness of the leaf spring. A mixture of different types of reinforced fibers is used at the area of boundary between the two layers of reinforced fibers. The ratio of blending of each type of reinforced fiber is frequently changed to eliminate the parts where discontinuous stress may be applied to the leaf spring. The objective of this invention is to prevent the rapid change in Young's modulus at the boundary area between each layer of reinforced fibers in the leaf spring.

ARS-Media for Excel: A Spreadsheet Tool for Calculating Media Recipes Based on Ion-Specific Constraints

PubMed Central

Niedz, Randall P.

2016-01-01

ARS-Media for Excel is an ion solution calculator that uses “Microsoft Excel” to generate recipes of salts for complex ion mixtures specified by the user. Generating salt combinations (recipes) that result in pre-specified target ion values is a linear programming problem. Excel’s Solver add-on solves the linear programming equation to generate a recipe. Calculating a mixture of salts to generate exact solutions of complex ionic mixtures is required for at least 2 types of problems– 1) formulating relevant ecological/biological ionic solutions such as those from a specific lake, soil, cell, tissue, or organ and, 2) designing ion confounding-free experiments to determine ion-specific effects where ions are treated as statistical factors. Using ARS-Media for Excel to solve these two problems is illustrated by 1) exactly reconstructing a soil solution representative of a loamy agricultural soil and, 2) constructing an ion-based experiment to determine the effects of substituting Na+ for K+ on the growth of a Valencia sweet orange nonembryogenic cell line. PMID:27812202

ARS-Media for Excel: A Spreadsheet Tool for Calculating Media Recipes Based on Ion-Specific Constraints.

PubMed

Niedz, Randall P

2016-01-01

ARS-Media for Excel is an ion solution calculator that uses "Microsoft Excel" to generate recipes of salts for complex ion mixtures specified by the user. Generating salt combinations (recipes) that result in pre-specified target ion values is a linear programming problem. Excel's Solver add-on solves the linear programming equation to generate a recipe. Calculating a mixture of salts to generate exact solutions of complex ionic mixtures is required for at least 2 types of problems- 1) formulating relevant ecological/biological ionic solutions such as those from a specific lake, soil, cell, tissue, or organ and, 2) designing ion confounding-free experiments to determine ion-specific effects where ions are treated as statistical factors. Using ARS-Media for Excel to solve these two problems is illustrated by 1) exactly reconstructing a soil solution representative of a loamy agricultural soil and, 2) constructing an ion-based experiment to determine the effects of substituting Na+ for K+ on the growth of a Valencia sweet orange nonembryogenic cell line.

Influence of lipids on the interfacial disposition of respiratory syncytical virus matrix protein.

PubMed

McPhee, Helen K; Carlisle, Jennifer L; Beeby, Andrew; Money, Victoria A; Watson, Scott M D; Yeo, R Paul; Sanderson, John M

2011-01-04

The propensity of a matrix protein from an enveloped virus of the Mononegavirales family to associate with lipids representative of the viral envelope has been determined using label-free methods, including tensiometry and Brewster angle microscopy on lipid films at the air-water interface and atomic force microscopy on monolayers transferred to OTS-treated silicon wafers. This has enabled factors that influence the disposition of the protein with respect to the lipid interface to be characterized. In the absence of sphingomyelin, respiratory syncytial virus matrix protein penetrates monolayers composed of mixtures of phosphocholines with phosphoethanolamines or cholesterol at the air-water interface. In ternary mixtures composed of sphingomyelin, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol, the protein exhibits two separate behaviors: (1) peripheral association with the surface of sphingomyelin-rich domains and (2) penetration of sphingomyelin-poor domains. Prolonged incubation of the protein with mixtures of phosphocholines and phosphoethanolamines leads to the formation of helical protein assemblies of uniform diameter that demonstrate an inherent propensity of the protein to assemble into a filamentous form.

Investigation of Variations in the Equivalent Number of Looks for Polarimetric Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Dingsheng; Anfinsen, Stian Normann; Tao, Ding; Qiu, Xiaolan

2015-04-01

Current estimators of equivalent number of looks (ENL) have already been able to adapt the full-polarimetric SAR data and work in an unsupervised way. However, for some complex SAR scenes, the existing unsupervised estimation procedure would underestimate the ENL value, as the influence of inhomogeneous factor surpasses the allowance. Before determining further solution, this paper first investigates deviations in the estimated ENL that are observed when processing polarimetric synthetic aperture radar images of ocean surfaces. Even for surface that appears to be homogeneous, the estimated ENL is significantly different in cross-polarimetric (cross-pol) and co-polarimetric (co-pol) channels. We have formulated two hypotheses for the cause of this. Both hypotheses reflect that the mixtures are different in each channel, which leads us to question the validity of using the polarimetric information as a whole to eliminate mixture influence, in terms of accuracy and rationality. In the paper, we proposes a new unsupervised estimation procedure to avoid the mixture influence and with robust capability to obtain accurate ENL estimation even for some complex SAR scene.

Acyl chain conformational ordering of individual components in liquid-crystalline bilayers of mixtures of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidic acids. A comparative FTIR and 2H NMR study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Wolfgang; Blume, Alfred

1995-09-01

The conformational ordering of the acyl chains of all possible binary 1:1 mixtures containing the phospholipids DMPC, DMPA, DPPC, and DPPA was investigated using FTIR and 2H NMR spectroscopy. One of the components was always labelled with perdeuterated chains to be able to observe the individual behaviour of the two components. From the temperature dependence of the frequencies of the symmetric and antisymmetric CH 2- and CD 2-stretching vibrations the transition temperatures were determined. The integral intensities of the conformation sensitive CH 2-wagging bands at ca. 1368 cm -1(gtg' and gtg sequences), 1356 cm -1 (double gauche), and 1342 cm -1 (end gauche) can be converted to numbers of gauche conformers per acyl chain using calibration factors published by Senak et al. J. Phys. Chem. 95 (1991) 2565. The 2H NMR quadrupolar splittings of the CD 2-segments of the perdeuterated lipid components are affected not only by trans-gauche isomerizations but also by long axis rotations and restricted wobbling motions of the acyl chains. The values of the average gauche probability overlinep3 from FTIR spectroscopy and the average order parameters overlineSCD, the order parameter of the terminal methyl groups SCDCD 3 and the average order parameter for the plateau region overlineSCDPlat of components in the mixtures are compared to those of the pure lipids evaluated in a previous publication Tuchtenhagen et al. Eur. Biophys. J. 23 (1994) 323. The conformational behaviour of lipids in mixtures is mainly influenced by head groups interactions, PAs always being more ordered than the corresponding PCs. Depending on absolute chain length and on chain length differences between the two components different conformational behaviour is observed for the two components in the mixtures, indicating non-ideal mixing and formation of micro-domains in the liquid-crystalline phase. Increases in order at the chain ends with a concomitant decrease in probabilities for end gauche conformations give hints to chain interdigitation in the liquid-crystalline phase.

High Degree of Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase Sequencing of Plasma Samples from Heavily Treated Patients

PubMed Central

Shafer, Robert W.; Hertogs, Kurt; Zolopa, Andrew R.; Warford, Ann; Bloor, Stuart; Betts, Bradley J.; Merigan, Thomas C.; Harrigan, Richard; Larder, Brendon A.

2001-01-01

We assessed the reproducibility of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease sequencing using cryopreserved plasma aliquots obtained from 46 heavily treated HIV-1-infected individuals in two laboratories using dideoxynucleotide sequencing. The rates of complete sequence concordance between the two laboratories were 99.1% for the protease sequence and 99.0% for the RT sequence. Approximately 90% of the discordances were partial, defined as one laboratory detecting a mixture and the second laboratory detecting only one of the mixture's components. Only 0.1% of the nucleotides were completely discordant between the two laboratories, and these were significantly more likely to occur in plasma samples with lower plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. Nucleotide mixtures were detected at approximately 1% of the nucleotide positions, and in every case in which one laboratory detected a mixture, the second laboratory either detected the same mixture or detected one of the mixture's components. The high rate of concordance in detecting mixtures and the fact that most discordances between the two laboratories were partial suggest that most discordances were caused by variation in sampling of the HIV-1 quasispecies by PCR rather than by technical errors in the sequencing process itself. PMID:11283081

Effects of three veterinary antibiotics and their binary mixtures on two green alga species.

PubMed

Carusso, S; Juárez, A B; Moretton, J; Magdaleno, A

2018-03-01

The individual and combined toxicities of chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and enrofloxacin (ENF) have been examined in two green algae representative of the freshwater environment, the international standard strain Pseudokichneriella subcapitata and the native strain Ankistrodesmus fusiformis. The toxicities of the three antibiotics and their mixtures were similar in both strains, although low concentrations of ENF and CTC + ENF were more toxic in A. fusiformis than in the standard strain. The toxicological interactions of binary mixtures were predicted using the two classical models of additivity: Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA), and compared to the experimentally determined toxicities over a range of concentrations between 0.1 and 10 mg L -1 . The CA model predicted the inhibition of algal growth in the three mixtures in P. subcapitata, and in the CTC + OTC and CTC + ENF mixtures in A. fusiformis. However, this model underestimated the experimental results obtained in the OTC + ENF mixture in A. fusiformis. The IA model did not predict the experimental toxicological effects of the three mixtures in either strain. The sum of the toxic units (TU) for the mixtures was calculated. According to these values, the binary mixtures CTC + ENF and OTC + ENF showed an additive effect, and the CTC + OTC mixture showed antagonism in P. subcapitata, whereas the three mixtures showed synergistic effects in A. fusiformis. Although A. fusiformis was isolated from a polluted river, it showed a similar sensitivity with respect to P. subcapitata when it was exposed to binary mixtures of antibiotics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of excess dielectric properties and Kirkwood correlation parameter of binary mixtures of benzaldehyde and methanol at different temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, N. S.; Vankar, H. P.; Rana, V. A.

2018-05-01

Static permittivity (ɛ0) and permittivity at optical frequency (ɛ∞) of the Benzaldehyde (BZ), Methanol (MeOH) and their binary mixtures were measured in the temperature range from 293.15 K to 323.15 K (in the interval of 10 K). From the ɛ0 and ɛ∞ other parameters such as effective Kirkwood correlation factor (geff), corrective Kirkwood correction factor (gf), Bruggman factor (fB), excess permittivity (ɛ0E ) and permittivity at optical frequency (ɛ∞E ) were evaluated.

A simplistic model for identifying prominent web users in directed multiplex social networks: a case study using Twitter networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loucif, Hemza; Boubetra, Abdelhak; Akrouf, Samir

2016-10-01

This paper aims to describe a new simplistic model dedicated to gauge the online influence of Twitter users based on a mixture of structural and interactional features. The model is an additive mathematical formulation which involves two main parts. The first part serves to measure the influence of the Twitter user on just his neighbourhood covering his followers. However, the second part evaluates the potential influence of the Twitter user beyond the circle of his followers. Particularly, it measures the likelihood that the tweets of the Twitter user will spread further within the social graph through the retweeting process. The model is tested on a data set involving four kinds of real-world egocentric networks. The empirical results reveal that an active ordinary user is more prominent than a non-active celebrity one. A simple comparison is conducted between the proposed model and two existing simplistic approaches. The results show that our model generates the most realistic influence scores due to its dealing with both explicit (structural and interactional) and implicit features.

Oral Administration of a Select Mixture of Bacillus Probiotics Affects the Gut Microbiota and Goblet Cell Function following Escherichia coli Challenge in Newly Weaned Pigs of Genotype MUC4 That Are Supposed To Be Enterotoxigenic E. coli F4ab/ac Receptor Negative.

PubMed

Zhang, Wei; Zhu, Yao-Hong; Zhou, Dong; Wu, Qiong; Song, Dan; Dicksved, Johan; Wang, Jiu-Feng

2017-02-01

Structural disruption of the gut microbiota and impaired goblet cell function are collateral etiologic factors in enteric diseases. Low, moderate, or high doses of a Bacillus licheniformis-B. subtilis mixture (BLS mix) were orally administered to piglets of genotype MUC4 that are supposed to be F4-expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain (F4 + ETEC) F4ab/ac receptor negative (i.e., MUC4-resistant piglets) for 1 week before F4 + ETEC challenge. The luminal contents were collected from the mucosa of the colon on day 8 after F4 + ETEC challenge. The BLS mix attenuated E. coli-induced expansion of Bacteroides uniformis, Eubacterium eligens, Acetanaerobacterium, and Sporobacter populations. Clostridium and Turicibacter populations increased following F4 + ETEC challenge in pigs pretreated with low-dose BLS mix. Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus salivarius populations increased after administration of BLS mix during E. coli infection. The beneficial effects of BLS mix were due in part to the expansion of certain Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Turicibacter populations, with a corresponding increase in the number of goblet cells in the ileum via upregulated Atoh1 expression, in turn increasing MUC2 production and thus preserving the mucus barrier and enhancing host defenses against enteropathogenic bacteria. However, excessive BLS mix consumption may increase the risk for enteritis, partly through disruption of colonic microbial ecology, characterized by expansion of Proteobacteria and impaired goblet cell function in the ileum. Our findings suggest that oral administration of BLS mix reprograms the gut microbiota and enhances goblet cell function to ameliorate enteritis. The present study is important for improving our understanding of the protective role of probiotics against Escherichia coli infection in piglets. Structural disruption of the gut microbiota and impaired goblet cell function are collateral etiologic factors in enteric diseases. In this study, low, moderate, or high doses of a Bacillus licheniformis-B. subtilis mixture (BLS mix) were orally administered to MUC4-resistant piglets for 1 week before the F4-expressing ETEC strain (F4 + ETEC) challenge. Our findings suggest that oral administration of BLS mix reprograms the gut microbiota and enhances goblet cell function to ameliorate enteritis. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Oral Administration of a Select Mixture of Bacillus Probiotics Affects the Gut Microbiota and Goblet Cell Function following Escherichia coli Challenge in Newly Weaned Pigs of Genotype MUC4 That Are Supposed To Be Enterotoxigenic E. coli F4ab/ac Receptor Negative

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wei; Zhou, Dong; Wu, Qiong; Song, Dan; Dicksved, Johan; Wang, Jiu-Feng

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Structural disruption of the gut microbiota and impaired goblet cell function are collateral etiologic factors in enteric diseases. Low, moderate, or high doses of a Bacillus licheniformis-B. subtilis mixture (BLS mix) were orally administered to piglets of genotype MUC4 that are supposed to be F4-expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain (F4+ ETEC) F4ab/ac receptor negative (i.e., MUC4-resistant piglets) for 1 week before F4+ ETEC challenge. The luminal contents were collected from the mucosa of the colon on day 8 after F4+ ETEC challenge. The BLS mix attenuated E. coli-induced expansion of Bacteroides uniformis, Eubacterium eligens, Acetanaerobacterium, and Sporobacter populations. Clostridium and Turicibacter populations increased following F4+ ETEC challenge in pigs pretreated with low-dose BLS mix. Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus salivarius populations increased after administration of BLS mix during E. coli infection. The beneficial effects of BLS mix were due in part to the expansion of certain Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Turicibacter populations, with a corresponding increase in the number of goblet cells in the ileum via upregulated Atoh1 expression, in turn increasing MUC2 production and thus preserving the mucus barrier and enhancing host defenses against enteropathogenic bacteria. However, excessive BLS mix consumption may increase the risk for enteritis, partly through disruption of colonic microbial ecology, characterized by expansion of Proteobacteria and impaired goblet cell function in the ileum. Our findings suggest that oral administration of BLS mix reprograms the gut microbiota and enhances goblet cell function to ameliorate enteritis. IMPORTANCE The present study is important for improving our understanding of the protective role of probiotics against Escherichia coli infection in piglets. Structural disruption of the gut microbiota and impaired goblet cell function are collateral etiologic factors in enteric diseases. In this study, low, moderate, or high doses of a Bacillus licheniformis-B. subtilis mixture (BLS mix) were orally administered to MUC4-resistant piglets for 1 week before the F4-expressing ETEC strain (F4+ ETEC) challenge. Our findings suggest that oral administration of BLS mix reprograms the gut microbiota and enhances goblet cell function to ameliorate enteritis. PMID:27881419

Predicting mixture toxicity of seven phenolic compounds with similar and dissimilar action mechanisms to Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.nov.Q67.

PubMed

Huang, Wei Ying; Liu, Fei; Liu, Shu Shen; Ge, Hui Lin; Chen, Hong Han

2011-09-01

The predictions of mixture toxicity for chemicals are commonly based on two models: concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA). Whether the CA and IA can predict mixture toxicity of phenolic compounds with similar and dissimilar action mechanisms was studied. The mixture toxicity was predicted on the basis of the concentration-response data of individual compounds. Test mixtures at different concentration ratios and concentration levels were designed using two methods. The results showed that the Weibull function fit well with the concentration-response data of all the components and their mixtures, with all relative coefficients (Rs) greater than 0.99 and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) less than 0.04. The predicted values from CA and IA models conformed to observed values of the mixtures. Therefore, it can be concluded that both CA and IA can predict reliable results for the mixture toxicity of the phenolic compounds with similar and dissimilar action mechanisms. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Poisson Mixture Regression Models for Heart Disease Prediction.

PubMed

Mufudza, Chipo; Erol, Hamza

2016-01-01

Early heart disease control can be achieved by high disease prediction and diagnosis efficiency. This paper focuses on the use of model based clustering techniques to predict and diagnose heart disease via Poisson mixture regression models. Analysis and application of Poisson mixture regression models is here addressed under two different classes: standard and concomitant variable mixture regression models. Results show that a two-component concomitant variable Poisson mixture regression model predicts heart disease better than both the standard Poisson mixture regression model and the ordinary general linear Poisson regression model due to its low Bayesian Information Criteria value. Furthermore, a Zero Inflated Poisson Mixture Regression model turned out to be the best model for heart prediction over all models as it both clusters individuals into high or low risk category and predicts rate to heart disease componentwise given clusters available. It is deduced that heart disease prediction can be effectively done by identifying the major risks componentwise using Poisson mixture regression model.

Poisson Mixture Regression Models for Heart Disease Prediction

PubMed Central

Erol, Hamza

2016-01-01

Early heart disease control can be achieved by high disease prediction and diagnosis efficiency. This paper focuses on the use of model based clustering techniques to predict and diagnose heart disease via Poisson mixture regression models. Analysis and application of Poisson mixture regression models is here addressed under two different classes: standard and concomitant variable mixture regression models. Results show that a two-component concomitant variable Poisson mixture regression model predicts heart disease better than both the standard Poisson mixture regression model and the ordinary general linear Poisson regression model due to its low Bayesian Information Criteria value. Furthermore, a Zero Inflated Poisson Mixture Regression model turned out to be the best model for heart prediction over all models as it both clusters individuals into high or low risk category and predicts rate to heart disease componentwise given clusters available. It is deduced that heart disease prediction can be effectively done by identifying the major risks componentwise using Poisson mixture regression model. PMID:27999611

A combination of two antibodies recognizing non-overlapping epitopes of HER2 induces kinase activity-dependent internalization of HER2.

PubMed

Szymanska, Monika; Fosdahl, Anne M; Nikolaysen, Filip; Pedersen, Mikkel W; Grandal, Michael M; Stang, Espen; Bertelsen, Vibeke

2016-10-01

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB2) is overexpressed in a number of human cancers. HER2 is the preferred heterodimerization partner for other epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members and is considered to be resistant to endocytic down-regulation, properties which both contribute to the high oncogenic potential of HER2. Antibodies targeting members of the EGFR family are powerful tools in cancer treatment and can function by blocking ligand binding, preventing receptor dimerization, inhibiting receptor activation and/or inducing receptor internalization and degradation. With respect to antibody-induced endocytosis of HER2, various results are reported, and the effect seems to depend on the HER2 expression level and whether antibodies are given as individual antibodies or as mixtures of two or more. In this study, the effect of a mixture of two monoclonal antibodies against non-overlapping epitopes of HER2 was investigated with respect to localization and stability of HER2. Individual antibodies had limited effect, but the combination of antibodies induced internalization and degradation of HER2 by multiple endocytic pathways. In addition, HER2 was phosphorylated and ubiquitinated upon incubation with the antibody combination, and the HER2 kinase activity was found to be instrumental in antibody-induced HER2 down-regulation. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Depletion optimization of lumped burnable poisons in pressurized water reactors

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

Kodah, Z.H.

1982-01-01

Techniques were developed to construct a set of basic poison depletion curves which deplete in a monotonical manner. These curves were combined to match a required optimized depletion profile by utilizing either linear or non-linear programming methods. Three computer codes, LEOPARD, XSDRN, and EXTERMINATOR-2 were used in the analyses. A depletion routine was developed and incorporated into the XSDRN code to allow the depletion of fuel, fission products, and burnable poisons. The Three Mile Island Unit-1 reactor core was used in this work as a typical PWR core. Two fundamental burnable poison rod designs were studied. They are a solidmore » cylindrical poison rod and an annular cylindrical poison rod with water filling the central region.These two designs have either a uniform mixture of burnable poisons or lumped spheroids of burnable poisons in the poison region. Boron and gadolinium are the two burnable poisons which were investigated in this project. Thermal self-shielding factor calculations for solid and annular poison rods were conducted. Also expressions for overall thermal self-shielding factors for one or more than one size group of poison spheroids inside solid and annular poison rods were derived and studied. Poison spheroids deplete at a slower rate than the poison mixture because each spheroid exhibits some self-shielding effects of its own. The larger the spheroid, the higher the self-shielding effects due to the increase in poison concentration.« less

Production Strategies for Production-Quality Parts for Aerospace Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cawley, J. D.; Best, J. E.; Liu, Z.; Eckel, A. J.; Reed, B. D.; Fox, D. S.; Bhatt, R.; Levine, Stanley R. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

A combination of rapid prototyping processes (3D Systems' stereolithography and Sanders Prototyping's ModelMaker) are combined with gelcasting to produce high quality silicon nitride components that were performance tested under simulated use conditions. Two types of aerospace components were produced, a low-force rocket thruster and a simulated airfoil section. The rocket was tested in a test stand using varying mixtures of H2 and O2, whereas the simulated airfoil was tested by subjecting it to a 0.3 Mach jet-fuel burner flame. Both parts performed successfully, demonstrating the usefulness of the rapid prototyping in efforts to effect materials substitution. In addition, the simulated airfoil was used to explore the possibility of applying thermal/environmental barrier coatings and providing for internal cooling of ceramic parts. It is concluded that this strategy for processing offers the ceramic engineer all the flexibility normally associated with investment casting of superalloys.

Evaluation of the nephrotoxicity of complex mixtures containing organics and metals: advantages and disadvantages of the use of real-world complex mixtures.

PubMed

Simmons, J E; Yang, R S; Berman, E

1995-02-01

As part of a multidisciplinary health effects study, the nephrotoxicity of complex industrial waste mixtures was assessed. Adult, male Fischer 344 rats were gavaged with samples of complex industrial waste and nephrotoxicity evaluated 24 hr later. Of the 10 tested samples, 4 produced increased absolute or relative kidney weight, or both, coupled with a statistically significant alteration in at least one of the measured serum parameters (urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREAT), and BUN/CREAT ratio). Although the waste samples had been analyzed for a number of organic chemicals and 7 of the 10 samples were analyzed also for 12 elemental metals and metalloids, their nephrotoxicity was not readily predicted from the partial chemical characterization data. Because the chemical form or speciation of the metals was unknown, it was not possible to estimate their contribution to the observed biological response. Various experimental approaches, including use of real-world complex mixtures, chemically defined synthetic mixtures, and simple mixtures, will be necessary to adequately determine the potential human health risk from exposure to complex chemical mixtures.

Mechanism-based classification of PAH mixtures to predict carcinogenic potential

DOE PAGES

Tilton, Susan C.; Siddens, Lisbeth K.; Krueger, Sharon K.; ...

2015-04-22

We have previously shown that relative potency factors and DNA adduct measurements are inadequate for predicting carcinogenicity of certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PAH mixtures, particularly those that function through alternate pathways or exhibit greater promotional activity compared to benzo[ a]pyrene (BaP). Therefore, we developed a pathway based approach for classification of tumor outcome after dermal exposure to PAH/mixtures. FVB/N mice were exposed to dibenzo[ def,p]chrysene (DBC), BaP or environmental PAH mixtures (Mix 1-3) following a two-stage initiation/promotion skin tumor protocol. Resulting tumor incidence could be categorized by carcinogenic potency as DBC>>BaP=Mix2=Mix3>Mix1=Control, based on statistical significance. Gene expression profilesmore » measured in skin of mice collected 12 h post-initiation were compared to tumor outcome for identification of short-term bioactivity profiles. A Bayesian integration model was utilized to identify biological pathways predictive of PAH carcinogenic potential during initiation. Integration of probability matrices from four enriched pathways (p<0.05) for DNA damage, apoptosis, response to chemical stimulus and interferon gamma signaling resulted in the highest classification accuracy with leave-one-out cross validation. This pathway-driven approach was successfully utilized to distinguish early regulatory events during initiation prognostic for tumor outcome and provides proof-of-concept for using short-term initiation studies to classify carcinogenic potential of environmental PAH mixtures. As a result, these data further provide a ‘source-to outcome’ model that could be used to predict PAH interactions during tumorigenesis and provide an example of how mode-of-action based risk assessment could be employed for environmental PAH mixtures.« less

Organic matter characteristics in boreal forest soils under stands of silver birch, Norway spruce, and Norway spruce with a mixture of silver birch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolander, A.; Kitunen, V.

2012-04-01

The aim was to study how tree species and a tree species mixture affect microbial C and N transformations and two major plant secondary compound groups, terpenes and phenolic compounds in soil. The study site was a tree-species experiment in middle-eastern part of Finland containing plots of 43-year-old silver birch, Norway spruce and Norway spruce with a mixture of silver birch (22 and 37 % birch of the total stem number). Soil was podzol and humus type mor. Samples were taken from the organic layer. C and N in the microbial biomass, rates of C mineralization (CO2 evolution), net N mineralization and nitrification, and concentrations of total water-soluble phenolic compounds, condensed tannins and different kind of terpenes were measured. Amounts of C and N in the microbial biomass and the rates of C mineralization and net N mineralization were all lower under spruce than birch, and particularly net N mineralization was stimulated by birch mixture. Concentrations of total water-soluble phenolic compounds were on a similar level, irrespective of tree species. However, there were less low-molecular-weight phenolics and more high-molecular-weight phenolics under spruce than birch. Concentrations of condensed tannins and both sesqui- and diterpenes were all higher under spruce than birch but the concentrations of triterpenes were similar in all soils. The difference between tree species was greatest with monoterpenes which were measured from both organic layer and soil atmosphere: high concentrations under spruce and negligible under birch. Birch mixture tended to decrease the concentrations of condensed tannins and mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes.

FTIR gas chromatographic analysis of perfumes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diederich, H.; Stout, Phillip J.; Hill, Stephen L.; Krishnan, K.

1992-03-01

Perfumes, natural or synthetic, are complex mixtures consisting of numerous components. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques have been extensively utilized for the analysis of perfumes and essential oils. A limited number of perfume samples have also been analyzed by FT-IR gas chromatographic (GC-FTIR) techniques. Most of the latter studies have been performed using the conventional light pipe (LP) based GC-FTIR systems. In recent years, cold-trapping (in a matrix or neat) GC-FTIR systems have become available. The cold-trapping systems are capable of sub-nanogram sensitivities. In this paper, comparison data between the LP and the neat cold-trapping GC- FTIR systems is presented. The neat cold-trapping interface is known as Tracer. The results of GC-FTIR analysis of some commercial perfumes is also presented. For comparison of LP and Tracer GC-FTIR systems, a reference (synthetic) mixture containing 16 major and numerous minor constituents was used. The components of the mixture are the compounds commonly encountered in commercial perfumes. The GC-FTIR spectra of the reference mixture was obtained under identical chromatographic conditions from an LP and a Tracer system. A comparison of the two sets of data thus generated do indeed show the enhanced sensitivity level of the Tracer system. The comparison also shows that some of the major components detected by the Tracer system were absent from the LP data. Closer examination reveals that these compounds undergo thermal decomposition on contact with the hot gold surface that is part of the LP system. GC-FTIR data were obtained for three commercial perfume samples. The major components of these samples could easily be identified by spectra search against a digitized spectral library created using the Tracer data from the reference mixture.

Laboratory and field measurements of upwelled radiance and reflectance spectra of suspended James River sediments near Hopewell, Virginia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whilock, C. H.; Witte, W. G.; Gurganus, E. A.; Usry, J. W.

1978-01-01

Spectral reflectance characteristics of suspended Bermuda Hundred and Bailey Bay bottom sediments taken from the Hopewell, Va., area were measured in the laboratory for water mixture total suspended solids concentrations between 4 and 173 parts per million. Field spectral reflectance measurements were made of the James River waters near Bermuda Hundred on two occasions. The results of these tests indicate that both Bermuda Hundred and Bailey Bay suspended sediments produce their strongest reflectance in the green and red regions of the spectrum.

Detection of Potential TNA and RNA Nucleoside Precursors in a Prebiotic Mixture by Pure Shift Diffusion-Ordered NMR Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Islam, Saidul; Aguilar, Juan A; Powner, Matthew W; Nilsson, Mathias; Morris, Gareth A; Sutherland, John D

2013-01-01

In the context of prebiotic chemistry, one of the characteristics of mixed nitrogenous-oxygenous chemistry is its propensity to give rise to highly complex reaction mixtures. There is therefore an urgent need to develop improved spectroscopic techniques if onerous chromatographic separations are to be avoided. One potential avenue is the combination of pure shift methodology, in which NMR spectra are measured with greatly improved resolution by suppressing multiplet structure, with diffusion-ordered spectroscopy, in which NMR signals from different species are distinguished through their different rates of diffusion. Such a combination has the added advantage of working with intact mixtures, allowing analyses to be carried out without perturbing mixtures in which chemical entities are part of a network of reactions in equilibrium. As part of a systems chemistry approach towards investigating the self-assembly of potentially prebiotic small molecules, we have analysed the complex mixture arising from mixing glycolaldehyde and cyanamide, in a first application of pure shift DOSY NMR to the characterisation of a partially unknown reaction composition. The work presented illustrates the potential of pure shift DOSY to be applied to chemistries that give rise to mixtures of compounds in which the NMR signal resolution is poor. The direct formation of potential RNA and TNA nucleoside precursors, amongst other adducts, was observed. These preliminary observations may have implications for the potentially prebiotic assembly chemistry of pyrimidine threonucleotides, and therefore of TNA, by using recently reported chemistries that yield the activated pyridimidine ribonucleotides. PMID:23371787

Influence of different types of low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose on tableting, disintegration, and floating behaviour of floating drug delivery systems

PubMed Central

Diós, Péter; Pernecker, Tivadar; Nagy, Sándor; Pál, Szilárd; Dévay, Attila

2014-01-01

The object of the present study is to evaluate the effect of application of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC) 11 and B1 as excipients promoting floating in gastroretentive tablets. Directly compressed tablets were formed based on experimental design. Face-centred central composite design was applied with two factors and 3 levels, where amount of sodium alginate (X1) and L-HPC (X2) were the numerical factors. Applied types of L-HPCs and their 1:1 mixture were included in a categorical factor (X3). Studied parameters were floating lag time, floating time, floating force, swelling behaviour of tablets and dissolution of paracetamol, which was used as a model active substance. Due to their physical character, L-HPCs had different water uptake and flowability. Lower flowability and lower water uptake was observed after 60 min at L-HPC 11 compared to L-HPC B1. Shorter floating times were detected at L-HPC 11 and L-HPC mixtures with 0.5% content of sodium alginate, whereas alginate was the only significant factor. Evaluating results of drug release and swelling studies on floating tablets revealed correlation, which can serve to help to understand the mechanism of action of L-HPCs in the field development of gastroretentive dosage forms. PMID:26702261

Two and three-dimensional prediffuser combustor studies with air-water mixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Laing, Peter; Ehresman, C. M.; Murthy, S. N. B.

1993-01-01

Two- and three-dimensional gas turbine prediffuser-combustor sectors were experimentally studied under a number of mixture and flow conditions in a tunnel operating with a two-phase, air-liquid film-droplet mixture. It is concluded that water vaporization in the combustor causes changes in both local gas temperature and state of vitiation and reduces reaction rates. Substantial accumulation of water and water vapor takes place in pocket over the combustor volume, even when the air-water mixture is steady in time. The accuracy of determining combustor performance changes increases with a better knowledge of the state of the air-water mixture in the primary zone. To establish flame-out conditions it is considered to be necessary to combine the prediction of detailed flowfield and chemical activity with that of flame stability and motion characteristics.

A Twin Factor Mixture Modeling Approach to Childhood Temperament: Differential Heritability

PubMed Central

Scott, Brandon G.; Lemery-Chalfant, Kathryn; Clifford, Sierra; Tein, Jenn-Yun; Stoll, Ryan; Goldsmith, H. Hill

2016-01-01

Twin factor mixture modeling was used to identify temperament profiles, while simultaneously estimating a latent factor model for each profile with a sample of 787 twin pairs (Mage =7.4 years; SD = .84; 49% female; 88.3% Caucasian), using mother- and father-reported temperament. A 4-profile, 1-factor model fit the data well. Profiles included ‘Regulated, Typical Reactive’, ‘Well-regulated, Positive Reactive’, ‘Regulated, Surgent’, and ‘Dysregulated, Negative Reactive.’ All profiles were heritable, with heritability lower and shared environment also contributing to membership in the ‘Regulated, Typical Reactive’ and ‘Dysregulated, Negative Reactive’ profiles. PMID:27291568

An assessment of the information content of likelihood ratios derived from complex mixtures.

PubMed

Marsden, Clare D; Rudin, Norah; Inman, Keith; Lohmueller, Kirk E

2016-05-01

With the increasing sensitivity of DNA typing methodologies, as well as increasing awareness by law enforcement of the perceived capabilities of DNA typing, complex mixtures consisting of DNA from two or more contributors are increasingly being encountered. However, insufficient research has been conducted to characterize the ability to distinguish a true contributor (TC) from a known non-contributor (KNC) in these complex samples, and under what specific conditions. In order to investigate this question, sets of six 15-locus Caucasian genotype profiles were simulated and used to create mixtures containing 2-5 contributors. Likelihood ratios were computed for various situations, including varying numbers of contributors and unknowns in the evidence profile, as well as comparisons of the evidence profile to TCs and KNCs. This work was intended to illustrate the best-case scenario, in which all alleles from the TC were detected in the simulated evidence samples. Therefore the possibility of drop-out was not modeled in this study. The computer program DNAMIX was then used to compute LRs comparing the evidence profile to TCs and KNCs. This resulted in 140,000 LRs for each of the two scenarios. These complex mixture simulations show that, even when all alleles are detected (i.e. no drop-out), TCs can generate LRs less than 1 across a 15-locus profile. However, this outcome was rare, 7 of 140,000 replicates (0.005%), and associated only with mixtures comprising 5 contributors in which the numerator hypothesis includes one or more unknown contributors. For KNCs, LRs were found to be greater than 1 in a small number of replicates (75 of 140,000 replicates, or 0.05%). These replicates were limited to 4 and 5 person mixtures with 1 or more unknowns in the numerator. Only 5 of these 75 replicates (0.004%) yielded an LR greater than 1,000. Thus, overall, these results imply that the weight of evidence that can be derived from complex mixtures containing up to 5 contributors, under a scenario in which no drop-out is required to explain any of the contributors, is remarkably high. This is a useful benchmark result on top of which to layer the effects of additional factors, such as drop-out, peak height, and other variables. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Multi-targeted Approach to Suppress Tumor-Promoting Inflammation

PubMed Central

Samadi, Abbas K.; Georgakilas, Alexandros G.; Amedei, Amedeo; Amin, Amr; Bishayee, Anupam; Lokeshwar, Bal L.; Grue, Brendan; Panis, Carolina; Boosani, Chandra S.; Poudyal, Deepak; Stafforini, Diana M.; Bhakta, Dipita; Niccolai, Elena; Guha, Gunjan; Rupasinghe, H.P. Vasantha; Fujii, Hiromasa; Honoki, Kanya; Mehta, Kapil; Aquilano, Katia; Lowe, Leroy; Hofseth, Lorne J.; Ricciardiello, Luigi; Ciriolo, Maria Rosa; Singh, Neetu; Whelan, Richard L.; Chaturvedi, Rupesh; Ashraf, S. Salman; Kumara, HMC Shantha; Nowsheen, Somaira; Mohammed, Sulma I.; Helferich, William G.; Yang, Xujuan

2015-01-01

Cancers harbor significant genetic heterogeneity and patterns of relapse following many therapies are due to evolved resistance to treatment. While efforts have been made to combine targeted therapies, significant levels of toxicity have stymied efforts to effectively treat cancer with multi-drug combinations using currently approved therapeutics. We discuss the relationship between tumor-promoting inflammation and cancer as part of a larger effort to develop a broad-spectrum therapeutic approach aimed at a wide range of targets to address this heterogeneity. Specifically, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, cyclooxygenase-2, transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB, tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein kinase B, and CXC chemokines are reviewed as important antiinflammatory targets while curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, lycopene, and anthocyanins are reviewed as low-cost, low toxicity means by which these targets might all be reached simultaneously. Future translational work will need to assess the resulting synergies of rationally designed antiinflammatory mixtures (employing low-toxicity constituents), and then combine this with similar approaches targeting the most important pathways across the range of cancer hallmark phenotypes. PMID:25951989

Unemployment among breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Carlsen, Kathrine; Ewertz, Marianne; Dalton, Susanne Oksbjerg; Badsberg, Jens Henrik; Osler, Merete

2014-05-01

Though about 20% of working age breast cancer survivors do not return to work after treatment, few studies have addressed risk factors for unemployment. The majority of studies on occupational consequences of breast cancer focus on non-employment, which is a mixture of sickness absence, unemployment, retirement pensions and other reasons for not working. Unemployment in combination with breast cancer may represent a particular challenge for these women. The aim of the present study is therefore to analyze the risk for unemployment in the years following diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. This study included 14,750 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Denmark 2001-2009 identified through a population-based clinical database and linked with information from Danish administrative population based registers for information on labour market affiliation, socio-demography and co-morbid conditions. Multivariable analyses were performed by Cox's proportional hazard models. Two years after treatment, 81% of patients were still part of the work force, 10% of which were unemployed. Increasing duration of unemployment before breast cancer was associated with an adjusted HR = 4.37 (95% CI: 3.90-4.90) for unemployment after breast cancer. Other risk factors for unemployment included low socioeconomic status and demography, while adjuvant therapy did not increase the risk of unemployment. Duration of unemployment before breast cancer was the most important determinant of unemployment after breast cancer treatment. This allows identification of a particularly vulnerable group of patients in need of rehabilitation.

Migraine Subclassification via a Data-Driven Automated Approach Using Multimodality Factor Mixture Modeling of Brain Structure Measurements.

PubMed

Schwedt, Todd J; Si, Bing; Li, Jing; Wu, Teresa; Chong, Catherine D

2017-07-01

The current subclassification of migraine is according to headache frequency and aura status. The variability in migraine symptoms, disease course, and response to treatment suggest the presence of additional heterogeneity or subclasses within migraine. The study objective was to subclassify migraine via a data-driven approach, identifying latent factors by jointly exploiting multiple sets of brain structural features obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Migraineurs (n = 66) and healthy controls (n = 54) had brain MRI measurements of cortical thickness, cortical surface area, and volumes for 68 regions. A multimodality factor mixture model was used to subclassify MRIs and to determine the brain structural factors that most contributed to the subclassification. Clinical characteristics of subjects in each subgroup were compared. Automated MRI classification divided the subjects into two subgroups. Migraineurs in subgroup #1 had more severe allodynia symptoms during migraines (6.1 ± 5.3 vs. 3.6 ± 3.2, P = .03), more years with migraine (19.2 ± 11.3 years vs 13 ± 8.3 years, P = .01), and higher Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores (25 ± 22.9 vs 15.7 ± 12.2, P = .04). There were not differences in headache frequency or migraine aura status between the two subgroups. Data-driven subclassification of brain MRIs based upon structural measurements identified two subgroups. Amongst migraineurs, the subgroups differed in allodynia symptom severity, years with migraine, and migraine-related disability. Since allodynia is associated with this imaging-based subclassification of migraine and prior publications suggest that allodynia impacts migraine treatment response and disease prognosis, future migraine diagnostic criteria could consider allodynia when defining migraine subgroups. © 2017 American Headache Society.

Argentinean cultivars of Vitis vinifera grow better than European ones when cultured in vitro under salinity.

PubMed

Cavagnaro, Juan B; Ponce, María T; Guzmán, Javier; Cirrincione, Miguel A

2006-04-01

Argentinean Vitis vinifera cultivars although originated from Europe, have clear ampelographic and genotypic differences as compared with the European cultivars currently used in wine making. In vitro evaluation of salt tolerance has been used in many species. Our hypothesis was that Argentinean cultivars are more tolerant to salinity than European ones. Three European cultivars, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and four Argentincan cultivars, Cereza, Criolla Chica, Pedro Gimcnez and Torrontes Riojano were tested by in vitro culture. Treatments included: 1) Control, 2) 60 mEq/L of a mixture of three parts of NaCl and one part of CaCl2 and 3) 90 mEq/L of the salt mixture. Results from two experiments (I and II) are reported. No differences were found in plant survival, expressed as % of the respective control, among cultivars. Leaf area, leaf, stem and total dry matter (DM) in Experiment I and leaf area, leaf number and leaf, stem, root and total DM in Experiment II, were higher in Argentinean cultivars than in European ones. We conclude that Argentinean cultivars show better performance in growing under salinity, especially in the highest salt concentration. Differences among cultivars, inside each group, were found for most of the measured variables.

Pesticide Mixtures, Endocrine Disruption, and Amphibian Declines: Are We Underestimating the Impact?

PubMed Central

Hayes, Tyrone B.; Case, Paola; Chui, Sarah; Chung, Duc; Haeffele, Cathryn; Haston, Kelly; Lee, Melissa; Mai, Vien Phoung; Marjuoa, Youssra; Parker, John; Tsui, Mable

2006-01-01

Amphibian populations are declining globally at an alarming rate. Pesticides are among a number of proposed causes for these declines. Although a sizable database examining effects of pesticides on amphibians exists, the vast majority of these studies focus on toxicological effects (lethality, external malformations, etc.) at relatively high doses (parts per million). Very few studies focus on effects such as endocrine disruption at low concentrations. Further, most studies examine exposures to single chemicals only. The present study examined nine pesticides (four herbicides, two fungicides, and three insecticides) used on cornfields in the midwestern United States. Effects of each pesticide alone (0.1 ppb) or in combination were examined. In addition, we also examined atrazine and S-metolachlor combined (0.1 or 10 ppb each) and the commercial formulation Bicep II Magnum, which contains both of these herbicides. These two pesticides were examined in combination because they are persistent throughout the year in the wild. We examined larval growth and development, sex differentiation, and immune function in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). In a follow-up study, we also examined the effects of the nine-compound mixture on plasma corticosterone levels in male African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). Although some of the pesticides individually inhibited larval growth and development, the pesticide mixtures had much greater effects. Larval growth and development were retarded, but most significantly, pesticide mixtures negated or reversed the typically positive correlation between time to metamorphosis and size at metamorphosis observed in controls: exposed larvae that took longer to metamorphose were smaller than their counterparts that metamorphosed earlier. The nine-pesticide mixture also induced damage to the thymus, resulting in immunosuppression and contraction of flavobacterial meningitis. The study in X. laevis revealed that these adverse effects may be due to an increase in plasma levels of the stress hormone corticosterone. Although it cannot be determined whether all the pesticides in the mixture contribute to these adverse effects or whether some pesticides are effectors, some are enhancers, and some are neutral, the present study revealed that estimating ecological risk and the impact of pesticides on amphibians using studies that examine only single pesticides at high concentrations may lead to gross underestimations of the role of pesticides in amphibian declines. PMID:16818245

Effect of Non-laminar Regime on the Efficiency of a Thermal Diffusion Column. Report No. 26; INFLUENCIA DEL REGIMEN NO LAMINAR SOBRE LA EFICIENCIA DE UNA COLUMNA DE DIFUSION TERMICA. Informe No. 26

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

Espanol, C.E.

1960-01-01

The effect of the appearance of localized perturbations on the separation factor and operation time of a thermal diffusion column is studied. The separation factor of a column was obtained experimentally and the enrichment was recorded continuously as a function of time by measurement of the thermal conductivity of the gaseous mixture at the foot and head of the column. A mixture of Ar and CO/sub 2/ was used as it behaves as an isotopic mixture. The results showed the linear decrease of the separation factor with the number of stages and the operation time practically does not vary. Themore » introduction of localized turbulences in a thermal diffusion column reduces the column yield. (J.S.R.)« less

Effect of nitric oxide on photochemical ozone formation in mixtures of air with molecular chlorine and with trichlorofluoromethane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, D. A.; Wong, E. L.

1978-01-01

Ozone formation in a reaction chamber at room temperature and atmospheric pressure were studied for the photolysis of mixtures of NO with either Cl2 or CFCl3 in air. Both Cl2 + NO and CFCl3 + NO in air strongly inhibited O3 formation during the entire 3 to 4 hour reaction. A chemical mechanism that explains the results was presented. An important part of this mechanism was the formation and destruction of chlorine nitrate. Computations were performed with this same mechanism for CFCl3-NO-air mixtures at stratospheric temperatures, pressures, and concentrations. Results showed large reductions in steady-state O3 concentrations in these mixtures as compared with pure air.

Preferential methanogenic biodegradation of short-chain n-alkanes by microbial communities from two different oil sands tailings ponds.

PubMed

Mohamad Shahimin, Mohd Faidz; Foght, Julia M; Siddique, Tariq

2016-05-15

Oil sands tailings ponds harbor diverse anaerobic microbial communities capable of methanogenic biodegradation of solvent hydrocarbons entrained in the tailings. Mature fine tailings (MFT) from two operators (Albian and CNRL) that use different extraction solvents were incubated with mixtures of either two (n-pentane and n-hexane) or four (n-pentane, n-hexane, n-octane and n-decane) n-alkanes under methanogenic conditions for ~600 d. Microbes in Albian MFT began methane production by ~80 d, achieving complete depletion of n-pentane and n-hexane in the two-alkane mixture and their preferential biodegradation in the four-alkane mixture. Microbes in CNRL MFT preferentially metabolized n-octane and n-decane in the four-alkane mixture after a ~80 d lag but exhibited a lag of ~360 d before commencing biodegradation of n-pentane and n-hexane in the two-alkane mixture. 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing revealed Peptococcaceae members as key bacterial n-alkane degraders in all treatments except CNRL MFT amended with the four-alkane mixture, in which Anaerolineaceae, Desulfobacteraceae (Desulfobacterium) and Syntrophaceae (Smithella) dominated during n-octane and n-decane biodegradation. Anaerolineaceae sequences increased only in cultures amended with the four-alkane mixture and only during n-octane and n-decane biodegradation. The dominant methanogens were acetoclastic Methanosaetaceae. These results highlight preferential n-alkane biodegradation by microbes in oil sands tailings from different producers, with implications for tailings management and reclamation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Superfluid and Insulating Phases of Fermion Mixtures in Optical Lattices

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

Iskin, M.; Sa de Melo, C. A. R.

2007-08-24

The ground state phase diagram of fermion mixtures in optical lattices is analyzed as a function of interaction strength, fermion filling factor, and tunneling parameters. In addition to standard superfluid, phase-separated or coexisting superfluid-excess-fermion phases found in homogeneous or harmonically trapped systems, fermions in optical lattices have several insulating phases, including a molecular Bose-Mott insulator (BMI), a Fermi-Pauli (band) insulator (FPI), a phase-separated BMI-FPI mixture or a Bose-Fermi checkerboard (BFC). The molecular BMI phase is the fermion mixture counterpart of the atomic BMI found in atomic Bose systems, the BFC or BMI-FPI phases exist in Bose-Fermi mixtures, and lastly themore » FPI phase is particular to the Fermi nature of the constituent atoms of the mixture.« less

Secondhand Smoke-Prevalent Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Binary Mixture-Induced Specific Mitogenic and Pro-inflammatory Cell Signaling Events in Lung Epithelial Cells.

PubMed

Osgood, Ross S; Upham, Brad L; Bushel, Pierre R; Velmurugan, Kalpana; Xiong, Ka-Na; Bauer, Alison K

2017-05-01

Low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LMW PAHs; < 206.3 g/mol) are prevalent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants, presenting a human health concern, and have not been as thoroughly studied as the high MW PAHs. LMW PAHs exert their pulmonary effects, in part, through P38-dependent and -independent mechanisms involving cell-cell communication and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators known to contribute to lung disease. Specifically, we determined the effects of two representative LMW PAHs, 1-methylanthracene (1-MeA) and fluoranthene (Flthn), individually and as a binary PAH mixture on the dysregulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and connexin 43 (Cx43), activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK), and induction of inflammatory mediators in a mouse non-tumorigenic alveolar type II cell line (C10). Both 1-MeA, Flthn, and the binary PAH mixture of 1-MeA and Flthn dysregulated GJIC in a dose and time-dependent manner, reduced Cx43 protein, and activated the following MAPKs: P38, ERK1/2, and JNK. Inhibition of P38 MAPK prevented PAH-induced dysregulation of GJIC, whereas inhibiting ERK and JNK did not prevent these PAHs from dysregulating GJIC indicating a P38-dependent mechanism. A toxicogenomic approach revealed significant P38-dependent and -independent pathways involved in inflammation, steroid synthesis, metabolism, and oxidative responses. Genes in these pathways were significantly altered by the binary PAH mixture when compared with 1-MeA and Flthn alone suggesting interactive effects. Exposure to the binary PAH mixture induced the production and release of cytokines and metalloproteinases from the C10 cells. Our findings with a binary mixture of PAHs suggest that combinations of LMW PAHs may elicit synergistic or additive inflammatory responses which warrant further investigation and confirmation. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Secondhand Smoke-Prevalent Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Binary Mixture-Induced Specific Mitogenic and Pro-inflammatory Cell Signaling Events in Lung Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Osgood, Ross S.; Upham, Brad L.; Bushel, Pierre R.; Velmurugan, Kalpana; Xiong, Ka-Na

2017-01-01

Abstract Low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LMW PAHs; < 206.3 g/mol) are prevalent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants, presenting a human health concern, and have not been as thoroughly studied as the high MW PAHs. LMW PAHs exert their pulmonary effects, in part, through P38-dependent and -independent mechanisms involving cell-cell communication and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators known to contribute to lung disease. Specifically, we determined the effects of two representative LMW PAHs, 1-methylanthracene (1-MeA) and fluoranthene (Flthn), individually and as a binary PAH mixture on the dysregulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and connexin 43 (Cx43), activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK), and induction of inflammatory mediators in a mouse non-tumorigenic alveolar type II cell line (C10). Both 1-MeA, Flthn, and the binary PAH mixture of 1-MeA and Flthn dysregulated GJIC in a dose and time-dependent manner, reduced Cx43 protein, and activated the following MAPKs: P38, ERK1/2, and JNK. Inhibition of P38 MAPK prevented PAH-induced dysregulation of GJIC, whereas inhibiting ERK and JNK did not prevent these PAHs from dysregulating GJIC indicating a P38-dependent mechanism. A toxicogenomic approach revealed significant P38-dependent and -independent pathways involved in inflammation, steroid synthesis, metabolism, and oxidative responses. Genes in these pathways were significantly altered by the binary PAH mixture when compared with 1-MeA and Flthn alone suggesting interactive effects. Exposure to the binary PAH mixture induced the production and release of cytokines and metalloproteinases from the C10 cells. Our findings with a binary mixture of PAHs suggest that combinations of LMW PAHs may elicit synergistic or additive inflammatory responses which warrant further investigation and confirmation. PMID:28329830

Next-generation air measurement technologies | Science ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This is a presentation at a workshop in Chicago on emerging air monitoring technologies, hosted by a local nonprofit. The audience is composed of a mixture of technical backgrounds. This presentation will be part of an opening panel and the goal is to give an overview of the state of science on emerging air sensor technology. This is a presentation at a workshop in Chicago on emerging air monitoring technologies, hosted by a local nonprofit. The audience is composed of a mixture of technical backgrounds. This presentation will be part of an opening panel and the goal is to give an overview of the state of science on emerging air sensor technology.

Orientational glasses. II. Calculation of critical thresholds in ACNxMn{1-x} mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galam, Serge; Depondt, Philippe

1992-10-01

Using a simple steric hindrance based idea, critical thresholds which occur in the phase diagram of ACNxMn{1-x} mixtures, where A stands for K, Na or Rb while Mn represents Br, Cl or I, are calculated. The cyanide density x is divided into a free-to-reorient part x_r, and a frozen-in part x_f. The latter term x_f is calculated from microscopic characteristics of the molecules involved. Two critical thresholds x_c and x_d for the disappearance of respectively, ferroelastic transitions and ferroelastic domains are obtained. The calculated values are in excellent agreement with available experimental results. Predictions are made for additionnal mixtures. Une idée simple d'encombrement stérique permet de calculer des seuils critiques qui apparaissent dans le diagramme de phase de mélanges ACNxMn{1-x}, où A représente K, Na ou Rb, et Mn, des atoms du type Br, Cl ou I. La concentration x du cyanure est divisée en une partie x_r de molécules libres de se réorienter, et une partie de molécules gelées x_f. Ce dernier terme x_f est calculé à partir des caractéristiques microscopiques des molécules concernées. Deux seuils critiques x_c et x_d pour la disparition respectivement des transitions et des domaines ferroelastiques sont obtenus. Les valeurs calculées sont en excellent accord avec les résultats expérimentaux disponibles. Des prédictions sont faites pour d'autres mélanges.

Method of Fatigue-Life Prediction for an Asphalt Mixture Based on the Plateau Value of Permanent Deformation Ratio.

PubMed

Sun, Yazhen; Fang, Chenze; Wang, Jinchang; Yuan, Xuezhong; Fan, Dong

2018-05-03

Laboratory predictions for the fatigue life of an asphalt mixture under cyclic loading based on the plateau value (PV) of the permanent deformation ratio (PDR) were carried out by three-point bending fatigue tests. The influence of test conditions on the recovery ratio of elastic deformation (RRED), the permanent deformation (PD) and PDR, and the trends of RRED, PD, and PDR were studied. The damage variable was defined by using PDR, and the relation of the fatigue life to PDR was determined by analyzing the damage evolution process. The fatigue equation was established based on the PV of PDR and the fatigue life was predicted by analyzing the relation of the fatigue life to the PV. The results show that the RRED decreases with the increase of the number of loading cycles, and the elastic recovery ability of the asphalt mixture gradually decreases. The two mathematical models proposed are based on the change laws of the RRED, and the PD can well describe the change laws. The RRED or the PD cannot well predict the fatigue life because they do not change monotonously with the fatigue life, and one part of the deformation causes the damage and the other part causes the viscoelastic deformation. The fatigue life decreases with the increase of the PDR. The average PDR in the second stage is taken as the PV, and the fatigue life decreases in a power law with the increase of the PV. The average relative error of the fatigue life predicted by the fatigue equation to the test fatigue life is 5.77%. The fatigue equation based on PV can well predict the fatigue life.

Separation of Ce and La from Synthetic Chloride Leach Solution of Monazite Sand by Precipitation and Solvent Extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banda, Raju; Jeon, Ho Seok; Lee, Man Seung

2014-12-01

Precipitation and solvent extraction experiments have been performed to recover light rare earths from simulated monazite sand chloride leach solutions. Precipitation conditions were obtained to recover Ce by adding NaClO as an oxidant. Among some cationic extractants (PC 88A, D2EHPA, Cyanex 272, LIX 63), PC 88A showed the best performance to separate La from the resulting chloride solution. Furthermore, the mixture of PC 88A with other solvating (TBP, TOPO) and amine extractants (Alamine 336, Aliquat 336) was tested to increase the separation factor of La from Pr and Nd. The use of mixed extractants greatly enhanced the separation of La from the two other metals. McCabe-Thiele diagrams for the extraction of Pr and Nd with the PC 88A/Alamine 336 mixture were constructed.

Cellular structure of lean hydrogen flames in microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patnaik, G.; Kailasanath, K.

1990-01-01

Detailed, time-dependent, two-dimensional numerical simulations of premixed laminar flames have been used to study the initiation and subsequent development of cellular structures in lean hydrogen-air flames. The model includes detailed hydrogen-oxygen combustion with 24 elementary reactions of eight reactive species and a nitrogen diluent, molecular diffusion of all species, thermal conduction, viscosity, and convection. This model has been used to study the nonlinear evolution of cellular flame structure and shows that cell splitting, as observed in experiments, can be predicted numerically for sufficiently reactive mixtures. The structures that evolved also resembled the cellular structures observed in experiments. The present study shows that the 'cell-split limit' postulated from experimental observations is an intrinsic property of the mixture and that external factors such as heat losses are not necessary to cause this limit.

Profiling oil sands mixtures from industrial developments and natural groundwaters for source identification.

PubMed

Frank, Richard A; Roy, James W; Bickerton, Greg; Rowland, Steve J; Headley, John V; Scarlett, Alan G; West, Charles E; Peru, Kerry M; Parrott, Joanne L; Conly, F Malcolm; Hewitt, L Mark

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to identify chemical components that could distinguish chemical mixtures in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that had potentially migrated to groundwater in the oil sands development area of northern Alberta, Canada. In the first part of the study, OSPW samples from two different tailings ponds and a broad range of natural groundwater samples were assessed with historically employed techniques as Level-1 analyses, including geochemistry, total concentrations of naphthenic acids (NAs) and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). While these analyses did not allow for reliable source differentiation, they did identify samples containing significant concentrations of oil sands acid-extractable organics (AEOs). In applying Level-2 profiling analyses using electrospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF/MS) to samples containing appreciable AEO concentrations, differentiation of natural from OSPW sources was apparent through measurements of O2:O4 ion class ratios (ESI-HRMS) and diagnostic ions for two families of suspected monoaromatic acids (GC × GC-TOF/MS). The resemblance between the AEO profiles from OSPW and from 6 groundwater samples adjacent to two tailings ponds implies a common source, supporting the use of these complimentary analyses for source identification. These samples included two of upward flowing groundwater collected <1 m beneath the Athabasca River, suggesting OSPW-affected groundwater is reaching the river system.

Surface modification of active material structures in battery electrodes

DOEpatents

Erickson, Michael; Tikhonov, Konstantin

2016-02-02

Provided herein are methods of processing electrode active material structures for use in electrochemical cells or, more specifically, methods of forming surface layers on these structures. The structures are combined with a liquid to form a mixture. The mixture includes a surface reagent that chemically reacts and forms a surface layer covalently bound to the structures. The surface reagent may be a part of the initial liquid or added to the mixture after the liquid is combined with the structures. In some embodiments, the mixture may be processed to form a powder containing the structures with the surface layer thereon. Alternatively, the mixture may be deposited onto a current collecting substrate and dried to form an electrode layer. Furthermore, the liquid may be an electrolyte containing the surface reagent and a salt. The liquid soaks the previously arranged electrodes in order to contact the structures with the surface reagent.

Reducing Dangerous Effects of Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine as a Liquid Propellant by Addition of Hydroxyethylhydrazine, Part II, Performance with Several Oxidizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keshavarz, Mohammad Hossein; Ramadan, Alireza; Mousaviazar, Ali; Zali, Abbas; Shokrollahi, Arash

2011-07-01

This work continues the study of suitable binary liquid mixtures of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and hydroxyethylhydrazine (HEH) to reduce the harmful effects of pure UDMH. The synthesized HEH was mixed with UDMH up to 40 wt% of HEH to study the performance and properties of binary liquid mixtures of UDMH/HEH. The existence of strong hydrogen bonding between HEH and UDMH provides low-volatile mixtures of these hydrazine derivatives. The addition of HEH significantly reduces the vapor pressure of UDMH, thus reducing the known UDMH health risk to inhalation exposure. Specific impulse was used to study performance of binary mixture UDMH/HEH with respect to pure UDMH. A binary mixture of UDMH/HEH reacts spontaneously in contact with nitrogen tetroxide, red fuming nitric acid (RFNA), and inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IRFNA).

Dimensionally stable metallic hydride composition

DOEpatents

Heung, Leung K.

1994-01-01

A stable, metallic hydride composition and a process for making such a composition. The composition comprises a uniformly blended mixture of a metal hydride, kieselguhr, and a ballast metal, all in the form of particles. The composition is made by subjecting a metal hydride to one or more hydrogen absorption/desorption cycles to disintegrate the hydride particles to less than approximately 100 microns in size. The particles are partly oxidized, then blended with the ballast metal and the kieselguhr to form a uniform mixture. The mixture is compressed into pellets and calcined. Preferably, the mixture includes approximately 10 vol. % or more kieselguhr and approximately 50 vol. % or more ballast. Metal hydrides that can be used in the composition include Zr, Ti, V, Nb, Pd, as well as binary, tertiary, and more complex alloys of La, Al, Cu, Ti, Co, Ni, Fe, Zr, Mg, Ca, Mn, and mixtures and other combinations thereof. Ballast metals include Al, Cu and Ni.

Speech Enhancement Using Gaussian Scale Mixture Models

PubMed Central

Hao, Jiucang; Lee, Te-Won; Sejnowski, Terrence J.

2011-01-01

This paper presents a novel probabilistic approach to speech enhancement. Instead of a deterministic logarithmic relationship, we assume a probabilistic relationship between the frequency coefficients and the log-spectra. The speech model in the log-spectral domain is a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The frequency coefficients obey a zero-mean Gaussian whose covariance equals to the exponential of the log-spectra. This results in a Gaussian scale mixture model (GSMM) for the speech signal in the frequency domain, since the log-spectra can be regarded as scaling factors. The probabilistic relation between frequency coefficients and log-spectra allows these to be treated as two random variables, both to be estimated from the noisy signals. Expectation-maximization (EM) was used to train the GSMM and Bayesian inference was used to compute the posterior signal distribution. Because exact inference of this full probabilistic model is computationally intractable, we developed two approaches to enhance the efficiency: the Laplace method and a variational approximation. The proposed methods were applied to enhance speech corrupted by Gaussian noise and speech-shaped noise (SSN). For both approximations, signals reconstructed from the estimated frequency coefficients provided higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and those reconstructed from the estimated log-spectra produced lower word recognition error rate because the log-spectra fit the inputs to the recognizer better. Our algorithms effectively reduced the SSN, which algorithms based on spectral analysis were not able to suppress. PMID:21359139

Purification and some properties of the protein component of tissue thromboplastin from human brain.

PubMed Central

Bjorklid, E; Storm, E

1977-01-01

The protein component of tissue thromboplastib (Factor III) from human brain was purified by extraction of a microsomal fraction with sodium deoxycholate, gel filtration of the extract on Sephadex G-100 and preparative polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. The product, apoprotein III, was homogeneous by anayltical polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, and it induced monospecific antibodies in rabbits and goat as shown by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. Amino acid- and carbohydrate-analysis data for apoprotein III are presented. The carbohydrate moiety of the protein consists of fucose, mannose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminate, amounting to a total content of 6.3g/100g. The apoprotein alone had no procoagulant activity. When Factor III was reconstituted by combining the pure apoprotein with a purified lipid fraction from the deoxycholate extract of crude Factor III, a high and optimal procoagulant activity was obtained at a phospholipid/protein ratio of 1.1g/g. Phosphatidylethanolamine alone had a weak but significant ability to restore activity, whereas phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine separately had almost none. Two-component mixtures were on average more effective, and three-component mixtures far more effective, than the single phospholipids. The inclusion of a small amount of phosphatidylserine was very important for high activity. Images Fig. 2. PLATE 1 PMID:889578

Online Reinforcement Learning Using a Probability Density Estimation.

PubMed

Agostini, Alejandro; Celaya, Enric

2017-01-01

Function approximation in online, incremental, reinforcement learning needs to deal with two fundamental problems: biased sampling and nonstationarity. In this kind of task, biased sampling occurs because samples are obtained from specific trajectories dictated by the dynamics of the environment and are usually concentrated in particular convergence regions, which in the long term tend to dominate the approximation in the less sampled regions. The nonstationarity comes from the recursive nature of the estimations typical of temporal difference methods. This nonstationarity has a local profile, varying not only along the learning process but also along different regions of the state space. We propose to deal with these problems using an estimation of the probability density of samples represented with a gaussian mixture model. To deal with the nonstationarity problem, we use the common approach of introducing a forgetting factor in the updating formula. However, instead of using the same forgetting factor for the whole domain, we make it dependent on the local density of samples, which we use to estimate the nonstationarity of the function at any given input point. To address the biased sampling problem, the forgetting factor applied to each mixture component is modulated according to the new information provided in the updating, rather than forgetting depending only on time, thus avoiding undesired distortions of the approximation in less sampled regions.

Detection of cocrystal formation based on binary phase diagrams using thermal analysis.

PubMed

Yamashita, Hiroyuki; Hirakura, Yutaka; Yuda, Masamichi; Teramura, Toshio; Terada, Katsuhide

2013-01-01

Although a number of studies have reported that cocrystals can form by heating a physical mixture of two components, details surrounding heat-induced cocrystal formation remain unclear. Here, we attempted to clarify the thermal behavior of a physical mixture and cocrystal formation in reference to a binary phase diagram. Physical mixtures prepared using an agate mortar were heated at rates of 2, 5, 10, and 30 °C/min using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Some mixtures were further analyzed using X-ray DSC and polarization microscopy. When a physical mixture consisting of two components which was capable of cocrystal formation was heated using DSC, an exothermic peak associated with cocrystal formation was detected immediately after an endothermic peak. In some combinations, several endothermic peaks were detected and associated with metastable eutectic melting, eutectic melting, and cocrystal melting. In contrast, when a physical mixture of two components which is incapable of cocrystal formation was heated using DSC, only a single endothermic peak associated with eutectic melting was detected. These experimental observations demonstrated how the thermal events were attributed to phase transitions occurring in a binary mixture and clarified the relationship between exothermic peaks and cocrystal formation.

The mathematics of a successful deconvolution: a quantitative assessment of mixture-based combinatorial libraries screened against two formylpeptide receptors.

PubMed

Santos, Radleigh G; Appel, Jon R; Giulianotti, Marc A; Edwards, Bruce S; Sklar, Larry A; Houghten, Richard A; Pinilla, Clemencia

2013-05-30

In the past 20 years, synthetic combinatorial methods have fundamentally advanced the ability to synthesize and screen large numbers of compounds for drug discovery and basic research. Mixture-based libraries and positional scanning deconvolution combine two approaches for the rapid identification of specific scaffolds and active ligands. Here we present a quantitative assessment of the screening of 32 positional scanning libraries in the identification of highly specific and selective ligands for two formylpeptide receptors. We also compare and contrast two mixture-based library approaches using a mathematical model to facilitate the selection of active scaffolds and libraries to be pursued for further evaluation. The flexibility demonstrated in the differently formatted mixture-based libraries allows for their screening in a wide range of assays.

Device for measuring the fluid density of a two-phase mixture

DOEpatents

Cole, Jack H.

1980-01-01

A device for measuring the fluid density of a two-phase mixture flowing through a tubular member. A rotor assembly is rotatively supported within the tubular member so that it can also move axially within the tubular member. The rotor assembly is balanced against a pair of springs which exert an axial force in the opposite direction upon the rotor assembly. As a two-phase mixture flows through the tubular member it contacts the rotor assembly causing it to rotate about its axis. The rotor assembly is forced against and partially compresses the springs. Means are provided to measure the rotational speed of the rotor assembly and the linear displacement of the rotor assembly. From these measurements the fluid density of the two-phase mixture is calculated.

Aquatic community structure in Mediterranean edge-of-field waterbodies as explained by environmental factors and the presence of pesticide mixtures.

PubMed

Pereira, Ana Santos; Dâmaso-Rodrigues, Maria Luísa; Amorim, Ana; Daam, Michiel A; Cerejeira, Maria José

2018-06-16

Studies addressing the predicted effects of pesticides in combination with abiotic and biotic factors on aquatic biota in ditches associated with typical Mediterranean agroecosystems are scarce. The current study aimed to evaluate the predicted effects of pesticides along with environmental factors and biota interactions on macroinvertebrate, zooplankton and phytoplankton community compositions in ditches adjacent to Portuguese maize and tomato crop areas. Data was analysed with the variance partitioning procedure based on redundancy analysis (RDA). The total variance in biological community composition was divided into the variance explained by the multi-substance potentially affected fraction [(msPAF) arthropods and primary producers], environmental factors (water chemistry parameters), biotic interactions, shared variance, and unexplained variance. The total explained variance reached 39.4% and the largest proportion of this explained variance was attributed to msPAF (23.7%). When each group (phytoplankton, zooplankton and macroinvertebrates) was analysed separately, biota interactions and environmental factors explained the largest proportion of variance. Results of this study indicate that besides the presence of pesticide mixtures, environmental factors and biotic interactions also considerably influence field freshwater communities. Subsequently, to increase our understanding of the risk of pesticide mixtures on ecosystem communities in edge-of-field water bodies, variations in environmental and biological factors should also be considered.

Personal care product preservatives: risk assessment and mixture toxicities with an industrial wastewater.

PubMed

Carbajo, Jose B; Perdigón-Melón, Jose A; Petre, Alice L; Rosal, Roberto; Letón, Pedro; García-Calvo, Eloy

2015-04-01

The aquatic toxicity of eight preservatives frequently used in personal care products (PCPs) (iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, bronopol, diazolidinyl urea, benzalkonium chloride, zinc pyrithione, propylparaben, triclosan and a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone) was assessed by means of two different approaches: a battery of bioassays composed of single species tests of bacteria (Vibrio fischeri and Pseudomonas putida) and protozoa (Tetrahymena thermophila), and a whole biological community resazurin-based assay using activated sludge. The tested preservatives showed considerable toxicity in the studied bioassays, but with a marked difference in potency. In fact, all biocides except propylparaben and diazolidinyl urea had EC50 values lower than 1 mg L(-1) in at least one assay. Risk quotients for zinc pyrithione, benzalkonium chloride, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate and triclosan as well as the mixture of the studied preservatives exceeded 1, indicating a potential risk for the process performance and efficiency of municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs). These four single biocides explained more than 95% of the preservative mixture risk in all bioassays. Each individual preservative was also tested in combination with an industrial wastewater (IWW) from a cosmetics manufacturing facility. The toxicity assessment was performed on binary mixtures (preservative + IWW) and carried out using the median-effect principle, which is a special case of the concept of Concentration Addition (CA). Almost 70% of all experiments resulted in EC50 values within a factor of 2 of the values predicted by the median-effect principle (CI values between 0.5 and 2). The rest of the mixtures whose toxicity was mispredicted by CA were assessed with the alternative concept of Independent Action (IA), which showed higher predictive power for the biological community assay. Therefore, the concept used to accurately predict the toxicity of mixtures of a preservative with a complex industrial wastewater depends on degree of biological complexity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pacific Northwest Laboratory annual report for 1984 to the DOE Office of Energy Research. Part 1. Biomedical sciences

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

Felton, D.L.

1985-02-01

Research progress is reported in the following areas: (1) evaluation of possible health effects among nuclear workers; (2) dose-effect relationship studies of carcinogenesis from both nuclear materials and complex mixtures; (3) microbial mutagenesis studies with 6-aminochrysene and benzo(a)pyrene in coal-derived complex mixtures; and (4) a variety of studies relating to noncarcinogenic and nonmutagenic endpoints, including teratology, perinatal studies and studies to determine absorption, metabolism, and doses to critical tissues and organs of coal-derived mixtures and radionuclides. Items have been individually abstracted for the data base. (ACR)

Inert electrode containing metal oxides, copper and noble metal

DOEpatents

Ray, Siba P.; Woods, Robert W.; Dawless, Robert K.; Hosler, Robert B.

2001-01-01

A cermet composite material is made by treating at an elevated temperature a mixture comprising a compound of iron and a compound of at least one other metal, together with an alloy or mixture of copper and a noble metal. The alloy or mixture preferably comprises particles having an interior portion containing more copper than noble metal and an exterior portion containing more noble metal than copper. The noble metal is preferably silver. The cermet composite material preferably includes alloy phase portions and a ceramic phase portion. At least part of the ceramic phase portion preferably has a spinel structure.

Inert electrode containing metal oxides, copper and noble metal

DOEpatents

Ray, Siba P.; Woods, Robert W.; Dawless, Robert K.; Hosler, Robert B.

2000-01-01

A cermet composite material is made by treating at an elevated temperature a mixture comprising a compound of iron and a compound of at least one other metal, together with an alloy or mixture of copper and a noble metal. The alloy or mixture preferably comprises particles having an interior portion containing more copper than noble metal and an exterior portion containing more noble metal than copper. The noble metal is preferably silver. The cermet composite material preferably includes alloy phase portions and a ceramic phase portion. At least part of the ceramic phase portion preferably has a spinel structure.

TWO-PHASE FLOW OF TWO HFC REFRIGERANT MIXTURES THROUGH SHORT-TUBE ORIFICES

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of an experimental investigation to develop an acceptable flow model for short tube orifice expansion devices used in heat pumps. The refrigerants investigated were two hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) mixtures considered hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22 replacem...

Chronic toxicity and hazard assessment of an inorganic mixture simulating irrigation drainwater to razorback sucker and bonytail

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hamilton, Steven J.; Buhl, Kevin J.; Bullard, Fern A.; Little, Edward E.

2000-01-01

We conducted two 90 day chronic toxicity studies with two endangered fish, razorback sucker and bonytail. Swim-up larvae were exposed in a reconstituted water simulating the middle Green River. The toxicant mixture simulated the environmental ratio and concentrations of inorganics reported in a Department of the Interior study for the mouth of Ashley Creek on the Green River, and was composed of nine elements. The mixture was tested at 1X, 2X, 4X, 8X, and 16X where X was the measured environmental concentration (2 μg/L arsenic, 630 μg/L boron, 10 μg/L copper, 5 μg/L molybdenum, 51 μg/L selenate, 8 μg/L selenite, 33 μg/L uranium, 2 μg/L vanadium, and 20 μg/L zinc). Razorback sucker had reduced survival after 60 days exposure to the inorganic mixture at 8X, whereas growth was reduced after 30 and 60 days at 2X and after 90 days at 4X. Bonytail had reduced survival after 30 days exposure at 16X, whereas growth was reduced after 30, 60, and 90 days at 8X. Swimming performance of razorback sucker and bonytail were reduced after 60 and 90 days of exposure at 8X. Whole-body residues of copper, selenium, and zinc increased in a concentration-response manner and seemed to be regulated at 90 days of exposure at 4X and lower treatments for razorback sucker, and at 8X and lower for bonytail. Adverse effects occurred in fish with whole-body residues of copper, selenium, and zinc similar to those causing similar effects in other fish species. Comparison of adverse effect concentrations with measured environmental concentrations showed a high hazard to the two endangered fish. Irrigation activities may be a contributing factor to the decline of these endangered fishes in the middle Green River. 

Dual output acoustic wave sensor for molecular identification

DOEpatents

Frye, Gregory C.; Martin, Stephen J.

1991-01-01

A method of identification and quantification of absorbed chemical species by measuring changes in both the velocity and the attenuation of an acoustic wave traveling through a thin film into which the chemical species is sorbed. The dual output response provides two independent sensor responses from a single sensing device thereby providing twice as much information as a single output sensor. This dual output technique and analysis allows a single sensor to provide both the concentration and the identity of a chemical species or permits the number of sensors required for mixtures to be reduced by a factor of two.

What can be learned from optical two-color diffusion and thermodiffusion experiments on ternary fluid mixtures?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gebhardt, M.; Köhler, W.

2015-02-01

A number of optical techniques have been developed during the recent years for the investigation of diffusion and thermodiffusion in ternary fluid mixtures, both on ground and on-board the International Space Station. All these methods are based on the simultaneous measurement of refractive index changes at two different wavelengths. Here, we discuss and compare different techniques with the emphasis on optical beam deflection (OBD), optical digital interferometry, and thermal diffusion forced Rayleigh scattering (TDFRS). We suggest to formally split the data evaluation into a phenomenological parameterization of the measured transients and a subsequent transformation from the refractive index into the concentration space. In all experiments, the transients measured at two different detection wavelengths can be described by four amplitudes and two eigenvalues of the diffusion coefficient matrix. It turns out that these six parameters are subjected to large errors and cannot be determined reliably. Five good quantities, which can be determined with a high accuracy, are the stationary amplitudes, the initial slopes as defined in TDFRS experiments and by application of a heuristic criterion for similar curves, a certain mean diffusion coefficient. These amplitudes and slopes are directly linked to the Soret and thermodiffusion coefficients after transformation with the inverse contrast factor matrix, which is frequently ill-conditioned. Since only five out of six free parameters are reliably determined, including the single mean diffusion coefficient, the determination of the four entries of the diffusion matrix is not possible. We apply our results to new OBD measurements of the symmetric (mass fractions 0.33/0.33/0.33) ternary benchmark mixture n-dodecane/isobutylbenzene/1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and existing literature data for the same system.

Factors associated with sources, transport, and fate of volatile organic compounds and their mixtures in aquifers of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Squillace, P.J.; Moran, M.J.

2007-01-01

Factors associated with sources, transport, and fate of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater from aquifers throughout the United States were evaluated using statistical methods. Samples were collected from 1631 wells throughout the conterminous United States between 1996 and 2002 as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. Water samples from wells completed in aquifers used to supply drinking water were analyzed for more than 50 VOCs. Wells were primarily rural domestic water supplies (1184), followed by public water supplies (216); the remaining wells (231) supplied a variety of uses. The median well depth was 50 meters. Age-date information shows that about 60% of the samples had a fraction of water recharged after 1953. Chloroform, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and perchloroethene were some of the frequently detected VOCs. Concentrations generally were less than 1 ??g/L. Source factors include, in order of importance, general land-use activity, septic/sewer density, and sites where large concentrations of VOCs are potentially released, such as leaking underground storage tanks. About 10% of all samples had VOC mixtures that were associated with concentrated sources; 20% were associated with dispersed sources. Important transport factors included well/screen depth, precipitation/groundwater recharge, air temperature, and various soil characteristics. Dissolved oxygen was strongly associated with VOCs and represents the fate of many VOCs in groundwater. Well type (domestic or public water supply) was also an important explanatory factor. Results of multiple analyses show the importance of (1) accounting for both dispersed and concentrated sources of VOCs, (2) measuring dissolved oxygen when sampling wells to help explain the fate of VOCs, and (3) limiting the type of wells sampled in monitoring networks to avoid unnecessary variance in the data, or controlling for this variance during data analysis.

High-density volatiles in the system C-O-H-N for the calibration of a laser Raman microprobe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chou, I.-Ming; Pasteris, J.D.; Seitz, J.C.

1990-01-01

Three methods have been used to produce high-density volatiles in the system C-O-H-N for the calibration of a laser Raman microprobe (LRM): synthetic fluid-inclusion, sealed fused-quartz-tube, and high-pressure-cell methods. Because quantitative interpretation of a Raman spectrum of mixed-volatile fluid inclusions requires accurate knowledge of pressure- and composition-sensitive Raman scattering efficiencies or quantification factors for each species, calibrations of these parameters for mixtures of volatiles of known composition and pressure are necessary. Two advantages of the synthetic fluid-inclusion method are that the inclusions can be used readily in complementary microthermometry (MT) studies and that they have sizes and optical properties like those in natural samples. Some disadvantages are that producing H2O-free volatile mixtures is difficult, the composition may vary from one inclusion to another, the exact composition and density of the inclusions are difficult to obtain, and the experimental procedures are complicated. The primary advantage of the method using sealed fused-quartz tubes is its simplicity. Some disadvantages are that exact compositions for complex volatile mixtures are difficult to predict, densities can be approximated only, and complementary MT studies on the tubes are difficult to conduct. The advantages of the high-pressure-cell method are that specific, known compositions of volatile mixtures can be produced and that their pressures can be varied easily and are monitored during calibration. Some disadvantages are that complementary MT analysis is impossible, and the setup is bulky. Among the three methods for the calibration of an LRM, the high-pressure-cell method is the most reliable and convenient for control of composition and total pressure. We have used the high-pressure cell to obtain preliminary data on 1. (1) the ratio of the Raman quantification factors for CH4 and N2 in an equimolar CH4N2 mixture and 2. (2) the spectral peak position of ??1 of CH4 in that mixture, as well as in pure CH4, at pressures up to 690 bars. These data were successfully applied to natural inclusions from the Duluth Complex in order to derive their compositions and total pressures. ?? 1990.

Aggregate mixture found to increase safety on roads : fact sheet.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-11-01

Constructing a safe and durable highway system in Louisiana has long been a major concern for highway engineers. Open-graded friction course (OGFC) mixtures have shown to improve wet weather visibility, which can be a leading factor in causing wet we...

Persistent activation of DNA damage signaling in response to complex mixtures of PAHs in air particulate matter

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

Jarvis, Ian W.H., E-mail: Ian.Jarvis@ki.se; Bergvall, Christoffer, E-mail: Christoffer.Bergvall@anchem.su.se; Bottai, Matteo, E-mail: Matteo.Bottai@ki.se

2013-02-01

Complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in air particulate matter (PM) and have been associated with many adverse human health effects including cancer and respiratory disease. However, due to their complexity, the risk of exposure to mixtures is difficult to estimate. In the present study the effects of binary mixtures of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP) and complex mixtures of PAHs in urban air PM extracts on DNA damage signaling was investigated. Applying a statistical model to the data we observed a more than additive response for binary mixtures of BP and DBP on activation of DNAmore » damage signaling. Persistent activation of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) was observed at significantly lower BP equivalent concentrations in air PM extracts than BP alone. Activation of DNA damage signaling was also more persistent in air PM fractions containing PAHs with more than four aromatic rings suggesting larger PAHs contribute a greater risk to human health. Altogether our data suggests that human health risk assessment based on additivity such as toxicity equivalency factor scales may significantly underestimate the risk of exposure to complex mixtures of PAHs. The data confirms our previous findings with PAH-contaminated soil (Niziolek-Kierecka et al., 2012) and suggests a possible role for Chk1 Ser317 phosphorylation as a biological marker for future analyses of complex mixtures of PAHs. -- Highlights: ► Benzo[a]pyrene (BP), dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DBP) and air PM PAH extracts were compared. ► Binary mixture of BP and DBP induced a more than additive DNA damage response. ► Air PM PAH extracts were more potent than toxicity equivalency factor estimates. ► Larger PAHs (> 4 rings) contribute more to the genotoxicity of PAHs in air PM. ► Chk1 is a sensitive marker for persistent activation of DNA damage signaling from PAH mixtures.« less

Concrete pavement mixture design and analysis (MDA) : factors influencing drying shrinkage.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-10-01

This literature review focuses on factors influencing drying shrinkage of concrete. Although the factors are normally interrelated, they : can be categorized into three groups: paste quantity, paste quality, and other factors.

Part II--Factors Associated with School Nurse Ratios: Key State Informants' Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maughan, Erin

2009-01-01

This paper is the second of a two-part series examining factors influencing school nurse to pupil staffing ratios. The paper reports data from a qualitative study exploring the social and political factors that potentially influence ratios. Interviews were conducted with 30 key state informants from these states. Content analysis of the data…

Enhancing the Benefit of the Chemical Mixture Methodology: A Report on Methodology Testing and Potential Approaches for Improving Performance

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

Yu, Xiao-Ying; Yao, Juan; He, Hua

2012-01-01

Extensive testing shows that the current version of the Chemical Mixture Methodology (CMM) is meeting its intended mission to provide conservative estimates of the health effects from exposure to airborne chemical mixtures. However, the current version of the CMM could benefit from several enhancements that are designed to improve its application of Health Code Numbers (HCNs) and employ weighting factors to reduce over conservatism.

Microwave dielectric study of polar liquids at 298 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maharolkar, Aruna P.; Murugkar, A.; Khirade, P. W.

2018-05-01

Present paper deals with study of microwave dielectric properties like dielectric constant, viscosity, density and refractive index for the binary mixtures of Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and Methanol over the entire concentration range were measured at 298K. The experimental data further used to determine the excess properties viz. excess static dielectric constant, excess molar volume, excess viscosity& derived properties viz. molar refraction&Bruggman factor. The values of excess properties further fitted with Redlich-Kister (R-K Fit) equation to calculate the binary coefficients and standard deviation. The resulting excess parameters are used to indicate the presence of intermolecular interactions and strength of intermolecular interactions between the molecules in the binary mixtures. Excess parameters indicate structure breaking factor in the mixture predominates in the system.

Use of Non-Apical Assay Data in an Integrated Approach to Testing and Assessment of Chemical Mixtures in the Environment: the Advent of Adverse Outcome Pathway Footprinting

EPA Science Inventory

This speaker abstract is part of a session proposal for the 2018 Society of Toxicology annual meeting. I am proposing to speak about the use of new approach methods and data, such as AOPs, in mixtures risk assessment. I have developed an innovative approach called AOP footprint...

Factors that influence the efficiency of a fluidized-bed-type tribo-electrostatic separator for mixed granular plastics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dascalescu, L.; Fati, O.; Bilici, M.; Rahou, F.; Dragan, C.; Samuila, A.; Iuga, A.

2011-06-01

Fluidized bed devices have already been used as tribochargers for various industrial electrostatic separation processes. In the present paper, the authors investigate the behaviour of polyamide - polycarbonate granular plastic mixtures in a parallelepiped bed, the height of which is roughly 2 times its length or width, so that the collisions between granules become the prevailing tribocharging mechanism. Two of the opposite walls of the tribocharging chamber consist of metallic plates connected to two DC high-voltage supplies of opposite polarities, so that the charged particles are attracted to the electrodes and separated while still in the fluidized state. The collecting hoppers are designed as Faraday cups connected to two electrometers, thus allowing the instantaneous measurement of the charge carried by the separated particles. Experimental design methodology was employed for the optimization of the tribo-aero-electrostatic separation process, the input variables being the high-voltage applied to the electrodes and the duration of the tribocharging. Higher voltages applied to the electrode system do not necessarily lead to larger quantities of collected products but improve the purity of the concentrates. The composition of the mixture influences the outcome of the process.

Spatially dependent biotic and abiotic factors drive survivorship and physical structure of green roof vegetation.

PubMed

Aloisio, Jason M; Palmer, Matthew I; Giampieri, Mario A; Tuininga, Amy R; Lewis, James D

2017-01-01

Plant survivorship depends on biotic and abiotic factors that vary at local and regional scales. This survivorship, in turn, has cascading effects on community composition and the physical structure of vegetation. Survivorship of native plant species is variable among populations planted in environmentally stressful habitats like urban roofs, but the degree to which factors at different spatial scales affect survivorship in urban systems is not well understood. We evaluated the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on survivorship, composition, and physical structure of two native perennial species assemblages, one characterized by a mixture of C 4 grasses and forbs (Hempstead Plains, HP) and one characterized by a mixture of C 3 grasses and forbs (Rocky Summit, RS), that were initially sown at equal ratios of growth forms (5:1:4; grass, N-fixing forb and non-N-fixing forb) in replicate 2-m 2 plots planted on 10 roofs in New York City (New York, USA). Of 24 000 installed plants, 40% survived 23 months after planting. Within-roof factors explained 71% of variation in survivorship, with biotic (species identity and assemblage) factors accounting for 54% of the overall variation, and abiotic (growing medium depth and plot location) factors explaining 17% of the variation. Among-roof factors explained 29% of variation in survivorship and increased solar radiation correlated with decreased survivorship. While growing medium properties (pH, nutrients, metals) differed among roofs there was no correlation with survivorship. Percent cover and sward height increased with increasing survivorship. At low survivorship, cover of the HP assemblage was greater compared to the RS assemblage. Sward height of the HP assemblage was about two times greater compared to the RS assemblage. These results highlight the effects of local biotic and regional abiotic drivers on community composition and physical structure of green roof vegetation. As a result, initial green roof plant composition and roof microclimate may have long-term effects on community dynamics, ecosystem function, and urban biodiversity. © 2016 by the Ecological Society of America.

Disruption of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) by hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) present in the marine environment.

PubMed

Legradi, Jessica; Dahlberg, Anna-Karin; Cenijn, Peter; Marsh, Göran; Asplund, Lillemor; Bergman, Åke; Legler, Juliette

2014-12-16

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) are of growing concern, as they have been detected in both humans and wildlife and have been shown to be toxic. Recent studies have indicated that OH-PBDEs can be more toxic than PBDEs, partly due to their ability to disrupt oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), an essential process in energy metabolism. In this study, we determined the OXPHOS disruption potential of 18 OH-PBDE congeners reported in marine wildlife using two in vitro bioassays, namely the classic rat mitochondrial respiration assay, and a mitochondrial membrane potential assay using zebrafish PAC2 cells. Single OH-PBDE congeners as well as mixtures were tested to study potential additive or synergistic effects. An environmental mixture composed of seven OH-PBDE congeners mimicking the concentrations reported in Baltic blue mussels were also studied. We report that all OH-PBDEs tested were able to disrupt OXPHOS via either protonophoric uncoupling and/or inhibition of the electron transport chain. Additionally we show that OH-PBDEs tested in combinations as found in the environment have the potential to disrupt OXPHOS. Importantly, mixtures of OH-PBDEs may show very strong synergistic effects, stressing the importance of further research on the in vivo impacts of these compounds in the environment.

The dielectric properties of soil-water mixtures at microwave frequencies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, J. R.

1979-01-01

Recent measurements on the dielectric constants of soil-water mixtures show the existence of two frequency regions in which the dielectric behavior of these mixtures was quite different. At the frequencies of 1.4 GHz to 5 GHz, there were strong evidences that the variations of the dielectric (epsilon) with water content (W) depended on soil type. While the real part of epsilon for sandy soils rose rapidly with the increase in W, epsilon for the high-clay content soils rose only slowly with W. As a consequence, epsilon was generally higher for the sandy soils than for the high-clay content soils at a given W. On the other hand, most of the measurements at frequencies 1 GHz indicated the increase of epsilon with W independent of soil types. At a given W, epsilon' (sandy soil) approximately equals epsilon (high-clay content soil) within the precision of the measurements. These observational features can be satisfactorily interpreted in terms of a simple dielectric relaxation model, with an appropriate choice of the mean relaxation frequency f(m) and the range of the activation energy (beta). It was found that smaller f(m) and larger beta were required for the high-clay content soils than the sandy soils in order to be consistent with the measured data.

Using the liquid nature of the stationary phase in countercurrent chromatography. IV. The cocurrent CCC method.

PubMed

Berthod, Alain; Hassoun, Mahmoud

2006-05-26

The retention volumes of solutes in countercurrent chromatography (CCC) are directly proportional to their distribution coefficients, K(D) in the biphasic liquid system used as mobile and stationary phase in the CCC column. The cocurrent CCC method consists in putting the liquid "stationary" phase in slow motion in the same direction as the mobile phase. A mixture of five steroid compounds of widely differing polarities was used as a test mixture to evaluate the capabilities of the method with the biphasic liquid system made of water/methanol/ethyl acetate/heptane 6/5/6/5 (v/v) and a 53 mL CCC column of the coil planet centrifuge type. It is shown that the chromatographic resolution obtained in cocurrent CCC is very good because the solute band broadening is minimized as long as the solute is located inside the "stationary" phase. Pushing the method at its limits, it is demonstrated that the five steroids can still be (partly) separated when the flow rate of the two liquid phases is the same (2 mL/min). This is due to the higher volume of upper phase (72% of the column volume) contained inside the CCC column producing a lower linear speed compared to the aqueous lower phase linear speed. The capabilities of the cocurrent CCC method compare well with those of the gradient elution method in HPLC. Continuous detection is a problem due to the fact that two immiscible liquid phases elute from the column. It was partly solved using an evaporative light scattering detector.

Adsorption properties of biologically active derivatives of quaternary ammonium surfactants and their mixtures at aqueous/air interface II. Dynamics of adsorption, micelles dissociation and cytotoxicity of QDLS.

PubMed

Rojewska, Monika; Prochaska, Krystyna; Olejnik, Anna; Rychlik, Joanna

2014-07-01

The main aim of our study was analysis of adsorption dynamics of mixtures containing quaternary derivatives of lysosomotropic substance (QDLS). Two types of equimolar mixtures were considered: the ones containing two derivatives of lysosomotropic substances (DMALM-12 and DMGM-12) as well as the catanionic mixtures i.e. the systems containing QDLS and DBSNa. Dynamic surface tension measurements of surfactant mixtures were made. The results suggested that the diffusivity of the mixed system could be treated as the average value of rates of diffusion of individual components, micelles and ion pairs, which are present in the mixtures studied. Moreover, an attempt was made to explain the influence of the presence of micelles in the mixtures on their adsorption dynamics. The compounds examined show interesting biological properties which can be useful, especially for drug delivery in medical treatment. In vitro cytotoxic activities of the mixtures studied towards human cancer cells were evaluated. Most of the mixtures showed a high antiproliferative potential, especially the ones containing DMALM-12. Each cancer cell line used demonstrated different sensitivity to the same dose of the mixtures tested. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Time-fixed rendezvous by impulse factoring with an intermediate timing constraint. [for transfer orbits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, R. N.; Kibler, J. F.; Young, G. R.

1974-01-01

A method is presented for factoring a two-impulse orbital transfer into a three- or four-impulse transfer which solves the rendezvous problem and satisfies an intermediate timing constraint. Both the time of rendezvous and the intermediate time of a alinement are formulated as any element of a finite sequence of times. These times are integer multiples of a constant plus an additive constant. The rendezvous condition is an equality constraint, whereas the intermediate alinement is an inequality constraint. The two timing constraints are satisfied by factoring the impulses into collinear parts that vectorially sum to the original impulse and by varying the resultant period differences and the number of revolutions in each orbit. Five different types of solutions arise by considering factoring either or both of the two impulses into two or three parts with a limit for four total impulses. The impulse-factoring technique may be applied to any two-impulse transfer which has distinct orbital periods.

A Hierarchical Framework for State-Space Matrix Inference and Clustering.

PubMed

Zuo, Chandler; Chen, Kailei; Hewitt, Kyle J; Bresnick, Emery H; Keleş, Sündüz

2016-09-01

In recent years, a large number of genomic and epigenomic studies have been focusing on the integrative analysis of multiple experimental datasets measured over a large number of observational units. The objectives of such studies include not only inferring a hidden state of activity for each unit over individual experiments, but also detecting highly associated clusters of units based on their inferred states. Although there are a number of methods tailored for specific datasets, there is currently no state-of-the-art modeling framework for this general class of problems. In this paper, we develop the MBASIC ( M atrix B ased A nalysis for S tate-space I nference and C lustering) framework. MBASIC consists of two parts: state-space mapping and state-space clustering. In state-space mapping, it maps observations onto a finite state-space, representing the activation states of units across conditions. In state-space clustering, MBASIC incorporates a finite mixture model to cluster the units based on their inferred state-space profiles across all conditions. Both the state-space mapping and clustering can be simultaneously estimated through an Expectation-Maximization algorithm. MBASIC flexibly adapts to a large number of parametric distributions for the observed data, as well as the heterogeneity in replicate experiments. It allows for imposing structural assumptions on each cluster, and enables model selection using information criterion. In our data-driven simulation studies, MBASIC showed significant accuracy in recovering both the underlying state-space variables and clustering structures. We applied MBASIC to two genome research problems using large numbers of datasets from the ENCODE project. The first application grouped genes based on transcription factor occupancy profiles of their promoter regions in two different cell types. The second application focused on identifying groups of loci that are similar to a GATA2 binding site that is functional at its endogenous locus by utilizing transcription factor occupancy data and illustrated applicability of MBASIC in a wide variety of problems. In both studies, MBASIC showed higher levels of raw data fidelity than analyzing these data with a two-step approach using ENCODE results on transcription factor occupancy data.

Method of preventing oxidation of graphite fireproof material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamauchi, S.; Suzuki, H.

1981-01-01

A method of preventing oxidation of graphite fireproof material is given. A blend of 1 to 33 weight parts alumina and 3 to 19 parts of K2O + Na2O in 100 parts of SiO2 is pulverized followed by addition of 5 to 160 parts of silicon carbide powder in 100 parts of the mixture. This is thoroughly blended and coated on the surface of graphite fireproof material.

Role of litter decomposition sensitivity to water content in non-additive litter mixture effect: theoretical demonstration and validation with a peatland litter experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gogo, Sébastien; Leroy, Fabien; Zoccatelli, Renata; Bernard-Jannin, Léonard; Laggoun-Défarge, Fatima

2017-04-01

In this work, we showed theoretically that differences in litter water content, evaporation rate and reaction rate sensitivity to water content can give account of non-additive litter mixture effect. More specifically two litters with the same dependence to litter water content and contrasted water content, and 2 litters with contrasted decomposition sensitivity to litter water content can exert synergistic mixture effect on decomposition when the 2 litters interact. In these situations, water can flow from the wettest to the driest litter, changing the whole reaction rate without changing the whole litter water content. The reaction rate increase of the litter receiving the water was relatively more important than the reaction rate decrease of the litter supplying the water. These theoretical considerations were validated with experimental data. Sphagnum rubellum and Molinia caerulea decompose faster in measured mixture than expected from the rates obtained in monoculture incubation. Sphagnum rubellum litter can contain more water, which evaporates at a slower rate than Molinia caerulea. It is thus proposed that water flowed from Sphagnum rubellum litter to the Molinia caerulea litter, with a substantial increase of the decomposition of the latter. The physical and biochemical litter characteristics towards water explains a fraction of the synergistic effect of mixing the 2 litters, which suggests that other factors intervene in this effect, such as the carbon substrate.

Inactivation of pathogens during aerobic composting of fresh and aged dairy manure and different carbon amendments.

PubMed

Erickson, Marilyn C; Liao, Jean; Jiang, Xiuping; Doyle, Michael P

2014-11-01

Two separate studies were conducted to address the condition and the type of feedstocks used during composting of dairy manure. In each study, physical (temperature), chemical (ammonia, volatile acids, and pH), and biological (Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) parameters were monitored during composting in bioreactors to assess the degree to which they were affected by the experimental variables and, ultimately, the ability of the chemical and physical parameters to predict the fate of pathogens during composting. Compost mixtures that contained either aged dairy manure or pine needles had reduced heat generation; therefore, pathogen reduction took longer than if fresh manure or carbon amendments of wheat straw or peanut hulls were used. Based on regression models derived from these results, ammonia concentration, in addition to heat, were the primary factors affecting the degree of pathogen inactivation in compost mixtures formulated to an initial carbon-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 40:1, whereas, the pH of the compost mixture along with the amount of heat exposure were most influential in compost mixtures formulated to an initial C:N ratio of 30:1. Further studies are needed to validate these models so that additional criteria in addition to time and temperature can be used to evaluate the microbiological safety of composted manures.