Sample records for vaher alida kiis

  1. [Clinical aspects, imaging and neuropathology of Kii ALS/PDC].

    PubMed

    Kokubo, Yasumasa

    2007-11-01

    During 1996 and 2006, we examined clinically 37 patients and neuropathologically 13 autopsy cases with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex of the Kii peninsula (Kii ALS/PDC). The ages of onset were between 52 years and 74 years (mean age: 65.3 years). The male to female ratio was 1:1.85. The ratio of positive family history where ALS or PDC occurred within the fourth degree of the relatives was 78.4% in the patients with Kii ALS/PDC. The average duration of the illness was 6.47 years. Kii ALS/PDC was divided into five clinical subtypes, pure ALS form, ALS with dementia form, PDC with parkinsonism predominant form, PDC with dementia predominant form (that is called late-life dementia in Guam) and PDC with ALS features form. Unique pigmentary retinopathy was found in 33.3% of the patients with Kii ALS/PDC. CT/MRI images showed atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes and SPECT images showed a decrease in the blood flow of the frontal and temporal lobes. The cardiac 123I-MIBG uptake was decreased in 4 out of 8 patients with ALS/PDC and the decrease in uptake correlated with the modified Hoehn-Yahr staging. The cardinal neuropathological features of Kii ALS/PDC were abundant neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) associated with loss of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex and the brain stem, and findings of ALS neuropathology. Ultrastructurally, NFTs consisted of paired helical filaments. Tau protein, a main component of NFTs, was consisted of 3R and 4R tau isoforms, and phosphoryrated at 18 sites of tau phosphoryrated sites. The neurons of dentate gyrus of hippocampus and anterior horn cells were stained with anti-TDP-43 antibody. The clinical and neuropathological aspects of Kii ALS/PDC are regarded as being identical with those of Guam ALS/PDC.

  2. Neuropsychological study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia complex in Kii peninsula, Japan

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The Kii peninsula of Japan is one of the foci of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) in the world. The purpose of this study is to clarify the neuropsychological features of the patients with ALS/PDC of the Kii peninsula (Kii ALS/PDC). Methods The medical interview was done on 13 patients with Kii ALS/PDC, 12 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, 10 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, 10 patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration and 10 patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. These patients and their carer/spouse were asked to report any history of abulia-apathy, hallucination, personality change and other variety of symptoms. Patients also underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and neuropsychological tests comprising the Mini Mental State Examination, Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices, verbal fluency, and Paired-Associate Word Learning Test and some of them were assessed with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Results All patients with Kii ALS/PDC had cognitive dysfunction including abulia-apathy, bradyphrenia, hallucination, decrease of extraversion, disorientation, and delayed reaction time. Brain MRI showed atrophy of the frontal and/or temporal lobes, and SPECT revealed a decrease in cerebral blood flow of the frontal and/or temporal lobes in all patients with Kii ALS/PDC. Disorientation, difficulty in word recall, delayed reaction time, and low FAB score were recognized in Kii ALS/PDC patients with cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions The core neuropsychological features of the patients with Kii ALS/PDC were characterized by marked abulia-apathy, bradyphrenia, and hallucination. PMID:25041813

  3. 3D Electromagnetic Imaging of Fluid Distribution Below the Kii Peninsula, SW Japan Forearc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kinoshita, Y.; Ogawa, Y.; Ichiki, M.; Yamaguchi, S.; Fujita, K.; Umeda, K.; Asamori, K.

    2017-12-01

    Although Kii peninsula is located in the forearc of southwest Japan, it has high temperature hot springs and fluids from mantle are inferred from the isotopic ratio of helium. Non-volcanic tremors underneath the Kii Peninsula suggest rising fluids from the slab.Previously, in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula, wide band magnetotelluric measurements were carried out (Fujita et al. ,1997; Umeda et al., 2004). These studies could image the existence of the conductivity anomaly in the shallow and deep crust, however they used two dimensional inversions and three-dimensionality is not fully taken into consideration. As part of the "Crustal Dynamics" project, we have measured 20 more stations so that the whole wide-band MT stations constitute grids for three-dimensional modeling of the area. In total we have 51 wide-band magnetotelluric sites. Preliminary 3d inverse modeling showed the following features. (1) The high resistivity in the eastern Kii Peninsula at depths of 5-40km. This may imply consolidated magma body of Kumano Acidic rocks underlain by resistive Philippine Sea Plate which subducts with a low dip angle. (2) The northwestern part of Kii Peninsula has the shallow low resistivity in the upper crust, around which high seismicity is observed. (3) The northwestern part of the survey area has a deeper conductor. This implies a wedge mantle where the Philippine Sea subduction has a higher dip angle.

  4. Nitrative Stress and Tau Accumulation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) in the Kii Peninsula, Japan

    PubMed Central

    Hata, Yukiko; Ma, Ning; Yoneda, Misao; Morimoto, Satoru; Okano, Hideyuki; Murayama, Shigeo; Kawanishi, Shosuke; Kuzuhara, Shigeki; Kokubo, Yasumasa

    2018-01-01

    Objective: The Kii Peninsula of Japan is known to be a high incidence area of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (Kii ALS/PDC) with tauopathy. Nitrative stress and oxidative stress on ALS/PDC and their relationship to tau pathology were clarified. Methods: Seven patients with Kii ALS/PDC (3 males and 4 females, average age 70.7 years, 3 with ALS, 2 with ALS with dementia, and 2 with PDC) were analyzed in this study. Five patients with Alzheimer's disease and five normal aged subjects were used as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded temporal lobe sections (the hippocampal area including hippocampus, prosubiculum, subiculum, presubiculum, and parahippocampal gyri) using antibodies to detect phosphorylated tau (anti-AT-8), nitrated guanine (anti-8-NG), anti-iNOS, anti-NFκB, and oxidized guanine (anti-8-OHdG) antibodies. Results: Most hippocampal neurons of Kii ALS/PDC patients were stained with anti-8-NG, anti-iNOS, anti-NFκB, and anti-8-OHdG antibodies and some AT-8 positive neurons were co-stained with anti-8-NG antibody. The numbers of 8-NG positive neurons and 8-OHdG positive neurons were greater than AT-8 positive neurons and the number of 8-NG positive neurons was larger in patients with Kii ALS/PDC than in controls. Conclusion: Nitrative and oxidative stress may take priority over tau accumulation and lead to the neurodegeneration in Kii ALS/PDC. PMID:29403345

  5. Nitrative Stress and Tau Accumulation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) in the Kii Peninsula, Japan.

    PubMed

    Hata, Yukiko; Ma, Ning; Yoneda, Misao; Morimoto, Satoru; Okano, Hideyuki; Murayama, Shigeo; Kawanishi, Shosuke; Kuzuhara, Shigeki; Kokubo, Yasumasa

    2017-01-01

    Objective: The Kii Peninsula of Japan is known to be a high incidence area of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (Kii ALS/PDC) with tauopathy. Nitrative stress and oxidative stress on ALS/PDC and their relationship to tau pathology were clarified. Methods: Seven patients with Kii ALS/PDC (3 males and 4 females, average age 70.7 years, 3 with ALS, 2 with ALS with dementia, and 2 with PDC) were analyzed in this study. Five patients with Alzheimer's disease and five normal aged subjects were used as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded temporal lobe sections (the hippocampal area including hippocampus, prosubiculum, subiculum, presubiculum, and parahippocampal gyri) using antibodies to detect phosphorylated tau (anti-AT-8), nitrated guanine (anti-8-NG), anti-iNOS, anti-NFκB, and oxidized guanine (anti-8-OHdG) antibodies. Results: Most hippocampal neurons of Kii ALS/PDC patients were stained with anti-8-NG, anti-iNOS, anti-NFκB, and anti-8-OHdG antibodies and some AT-8 positive neurons were co-stained with anti-8-NG antibody. The numbers of 8-NG positive neurons and 8-OHdG positive neurons were greater than AT-8 positive neurons and the number of 8-NG positive neurons was larger in patients with Kii ALS/PDC than in controls. Conclusion: Nitrative and oxidative stress may take priority over tau accumulation and lead to the neurodegeneration in Kii ALS/PDC.

  6. Astrocytes express specific variants of CaM KII delta and gamma, but not alpha and beta, that determine their cellular localizations.

    PubMed

    Vallano, M L; Beaman-Hall, C M; Mathur, A; Chen, Q

    2000-04-01

    Multiple isoforms of type II Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaM KII) are composed of two major neuron-specific subunits, designated alpha and beta, and two less well-characterized subunits that are also expressed in non-neuronal tissues, designated delta and gamma. Regulated expression of these 4 gene products, and several variants produced by alternative splicing, shows temporal and regional specificity and influences intracellular targeting. We used immunoblotting and RT-PCR to analyze subunit and variant expression and distribution in cultured cerebellar astrocytes and neurons, and whole cerebellar cortex from rodent brain. The data indicate that: (i) astrocytes express a single splice variant of delta, namely delta(2); (ii) like neurons, astrocytes express two forms of CaM KII gamma; gamma(B) and gamma(A); (iii) these CaM KII variants are enriched in the supernate fraction in astrocytes, and the particulate fraction in neurons; (iv) unlike neurons, astrocytes do not express detectable levels of alpha or beta subunits or their respective splice variants. The results indicate that neurons and astrocytes express distinct CaM KII subunits and variants that localize to distinct subcellular compartments and, by inference, exert distinct cellular functions. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  7. [Molecular genetic analysis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) in the Kii peninsula].

    PubMed

    Hara, Kenju; Kuwano, Ryozo; Miyashita, Akinori; Kokubo, Yasumasa; Sasaki, Ryogen; Nakahara, Yasuo; Goto, Jun; Nishizawa, Masatoyo; Kuzuhara, Shigeki; Tsuji, Shoji

    2007-11-01

    Recent clinical research have revealed that more than 70% of the patients with ALS/PDC, which is highly prevalent in Hohara area in the Kii peninsula, have family history. 80% of Guamanian patients, who have identical pathological findings to those of ALS/PDC in Kii, are also known to have family history with non-Mendelian trait. These facts suggest strong genetic predisposition to ALS/PDC in both Kii and Guam. However, no genes associated with ALS/PDC have been identified by molecular genetic studies using candidate gene approach. To identify the causative or susceptibility genes for ALS/PDC, we have conducted a genomewide linkage analysis for five families with ALS/PDC in Hohara. The fact that affected individuals were ascertained in successive generations suggest an autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance, while the presence of consanguinity suggests an autosomal recessive (AR) inheritance. Although we can raise possibilities of AD model with incomplete penetrance or AR model with high gene frequency (pseudo-dominant model), the mode of inheritance of ALS/PDC families is complicated and controversial. Therefore, we are also conducting model-free (non-parametric) linkage analysis to identify the disease locus without setting mode of inheritance. More family members and detailed clinical evaluations are required to obtain the convincing evidence of linkage.

  8. Seismic structure off the Kii Peninsula, Japan, deduced from passive- and active-source seismographic data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamamoto, Yojiro; Takahashi, Tsutomu; Kaiho, Yuka; Obana, Koichiro; Nakanishi, Ayako; Kodaira, Shuichi; Kaneda, Yoshiyuki

    2017-03-01

    We conduct seismic tomography to model subsurface seismicity between 2010 and 2012 and structural heterogeneity off the Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan, and to investigate their relationships with segmentation of the Nankai and Tonankai seismogenic zones of the Nankai Trough. In order to constrain both the shallow and deep structure of the offshore seismogenic segments, we use both active- and passive-source data recorded by both ocean-bottom seismometers and land seismic stations. The relocated microearthquakes indicate a lack of seismic activity in the Tonankai seismogenic segment off Kumano, whereas there was active intraslab seismicity in the Kii Channel area of the Nankai seismogenic segment. Based on comparisons among the distribution of seismicity, age, and spreading rate of the subducting Philippine Sea plate, and the slip-deficit distribution, we conclude that seismicity in the subducting slab under the Kii Channel region nucleated from structures in the Philippine Sea slab that pre-date subduction and that fluids released by dehydration are related to decreased interplate coupling of these intraslab earthquakes. Our velocity model clearly shows the areal extent of two key structures reported in previous 2-D active-source surveys: a high-velocity zone beneath Cape Shionomisaki and a subducted seamount off Cape Muroto, both of which are roughly circular and of 15-20 km radius. The epicenters of the 1944 Tonankai and 1946 Nankai earthquakes are near the edge of the high-velocity body beneath Cape Shionomisaki, suggesting that this anomalous structure is related to the nucleation of these two earthquakes. We identify several other high- and low-velocity zones immediately above the plate boundary in the Tonankai and Nankai seismogenic segments. In comparison with the slip-deficit model, some of the low-velocity zones appear to correspond to an area of strong coupling. Our observations suggest that, unlike the Japan Trench subduction zone, in our study area

  9. 3D Seismic Velocity Structure Around Philippine Sea Slab Subducting Beneath Kii Peninsula, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shibutani, T.; Imai, M.; Hirahara, K.; Nakao, S.

    2013-12-01

    Kii Peninsula is a part of the source area of Nankai Trough megaquakes and the region through which the strong seismic waves propagate to big cities in Kansai such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and so on. Moreover, the rupture starting point is thought to be possibly at off the peninsula. Therefore, it is important for simulations of the megaquakes and the strong motions to estimate accurately the configuration of the Philippine Sea slab and the seismic velocity structure around the slab and to investigate properties and conditions of the plate boundary surface. Deep low frequency events (DLFEs) are widely distributed from western Shikoku to central Tokai at 30 - 40 km depths on the plate boundary (Obara, 2002). Results from seismic tomography and receiver function analyses revealed that the oceanic crust of the Philippine Sea plate had a low velocity and a high Vp/Vs ratio (Hirose et al., 2007; Ueno et al., 2008). Hot springs with high 3He/4He ratios are found in an area between central Kinki and Kii Peninsula despite in the forearc region (Sano and Wakita, 1985). These phenomena suggest the process that H2O subducting with the oceanic crust dehydrates at the depths, causes the DLFEs, and moves to shallower depths. We carried out linear array seismic observations in the Kii Peninsula since 2004 in order to estimate the structure of the Philippine Sea slab and the surrounding area. We have performed receiver function analyses for four profile lines in the dipping direction of the slab and two lines in the perpendicular direction so far. We estimated three dimensional shapes of seismic velocity discontinuities such as the continental Moho, the upper surface of the oceanic crust and the oceanic Moho (Imai et al., 2013, this session). In addition, we performed seismic tomography with a velocity model embedded the discontinuities and observed travel times at stations in the linear arrays, and successfully estimated 3D seismic velocity structure around the Philippine Sea

  10. Slow Earthquakes in the Microseism Frequency Band (0.1-1.0 Hz) off Kii Peninsula, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaneko, Lisa; Ide, Satoshi; Nakano, Masaru

    2018-03-01

    It is difficult to detect the signal of slow deformation in the 0.1-1.0 Hz frequency band between tectonic tremors and very low frequency events, where microseism noise is dominant. Here we provide the first evidence of slow earthquakes in this microseism band, observed by the DONET1 ocean bottom seismometer network, after an Mw 5.8 earthquake off Kii Peninsula, Japan, on 1 April 2016. The signals in the microseism band were accompanied by signals from active tremors, very low frequency events, and slow slip events that radiated from the shallow plate interface. We report the detection and locations of events across five frequency bands, including the microseism band. The locations and timing of the events estimated in the different frequency bands are similar, suggesting that these signals radiated from a common source. The observed variations in detectability for each band highlight the complexity of the slow earthquake process.

  11. Alida Gerritsen | NREL

    Science.gov Websites

    research, such as proteomics and metabolomics, in order to develop a greater understanding of the organisms used for renewable energy resources. Research Interests Bioinformatics Novel analysis pipelines Education Ph.D., Evolutionary Biology, University of Oregon B.S., Biology, St. Lawrence University

  12. Large Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami found in lacustrine deposits through late Holocene-time along the western coast of Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Okamura, M.; Matsuoka, H.; Tsuzuki, M.; Toraya, K.

    2015-12-01

    We continue paleo-seismic studies through Late Holocene-time in coastal marsh ponds along the Nankai Trough . These ponds which are co-seismic subsidence areas have continuous muddy sediment stratigraphy and sporadic tsunami induced coarse material. Well controlled age data has been collected from the core-sample that contains plant remains under anoxic sedimentary environment . Total 21 cores collected from two coastal ponds Ashihama-ike and Zasa-ike which locate behind beach-ridge along southeastern coast of Kii Peninsula under Tokai/Tonankai Earthquake assumption areas. Tsunami events are recognized after eighty AMS C-14 dating through recent (core top) to 7300 yBP interval. Among these interval, two remarkable events found in sediment, which are 2050yBP to 2300yBP (=2K event) and 1000yBP to 1100 yBP. 2k event consists thick sand, well rounded gravel in chaotic mud and wood fragment derived from forests surrounding lakes. Later event is correspond to the historical Ninna Nankai earthquake (AD887, 26 August under the old lunar calendar). Rather small events are occurred in 3500yBP and 1100yBP. These events are found from both of two ponds which has two kilometers in distance each other. Cores bottom are composed of 7400yBP huge-tsunami event caused simultaneously by the Kikai-caldera eruption (over 170 cubic km ejecta) is just covered with the Kikai-Akahoya (K-Ah) tephra. The 2K and volcanic tsunami events have also found widely, not only Kii Peninsula but southern Shikoku (Tokushima Pref. and Kochi Pref.) and Kyushu through the Nankai Trough.

  13. Adult T-cell leukemia on the east coast of Kii Peninsula--presentation of an anti-ATLA-negative case.

    PubMed

    Karitani, Y; Kobayashi, T; Koh, T; Iwata, Y; Tanaka, I; Minami, N; Shirakawa, S

    1983-01-01

    Nineteen patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) have been found in the last seven years along the east coast of Kii Peninsula in Japan. The leukemic cells were of the immunologically inducer/helper T-cell phenotype. The prognosis was very poor (median survival time, 85 days), and most of the patients had fatal complications of pulmonary infections. Antibody against ATL-associated antigen (anti-ATLA) was detected in sera from 9 of 10 patients who were born along the coast. However, it was not detected in one patient who was born in a district surrounded by mountains. Although he had neither superficial lymphadenopathy nor skin lesions, he showed rapid clinical deterioration. His leukemic cells appeared to be extremely bizarre with marked nuclear deformation compared with those of the other patients. In surface marker studies the leukemic cells reacted positively with OKT3, OKT4 and OKIa-1 monoclonal antibodies. The characteristics of the anti-ATLA-negative case are discussed in comparison with the other ATL cases.

  14. Subduction structure beneath the eastern part of the Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan, revealed by dense seismic array observation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurashimo, E.; Iidaka, T.; Tsumura, N.; Iwasaki, T.

    2016-12-01

    The Nankai trough region, where the Philippine Sea Plate (PHS) subducts beneath the SW Japan arc, is a well-known seismogenic zone of interplate earthquakes. In recent years, various slip motions with a different time scale, including episodic tremors and very low-frequency earthquakes have been recognized at or near the updip and downdip limits of seismogenic zone [e.g., Obara, 2002; Ito and Obara, 2006]. Revealing structural factors that control the fault slip behavior is important to understand the earthquake rupture dynamics. In 2006, active-source seismic experiment was conducted to obtain the subduction structure beneath the eastern part of the Kii Peninsula [Iwasaki et al., 2008]. Iwasaki et al. (2008) provided the geometry of the subducting PHS and the overlying crustal structure. However, little is known about the deeper part of the plate boundary, especially Vp/Vs structure in and around the source region of the tremor. Previous studies indicate the fluid pressure on a plate interface is one of the key factors to understand the fault slip process [e.g., Saffer and Tobin, 2011]. Seismic velocity variation provides important information on the fluid-related heterogeneous structure. Passive seismic data is useful to obtain a deep image including the S-wave velocity. Therefore, we conducted passive seismic experiment in the eastern part of the Kii Peninsula. Ninety 3-component portable seismographs were installed on a 90-km-long line nearly parallel to the direction of the subduction of the PHS. Waveforms were continuously recorded during a six-month period from May, 2015. Seismic data from 116 permanent stations around the survey line were also incorporated into our analysis to obtain a high-resolution velocity model. Arrival times of 356 local earthquakes were used in a joint inversion for earthquake locations and 3-D Vp and Vp/Vs structures. Velocity structures are resolved down to 50 km depth. Clustered tremors are located in and around the low Vp and

  15. Origin of amagmatic hydrothermal solutions inferred from TL, FT and K-Ar dating, and fluid inclusion data: A case study in the southern part of Kii Peninsula, SW Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hanamuro, T.; Umeda, K.; Maeda, K.

    2008-12-01

    Although there is no known evidence of volcanism during the Pliocene nor the Quaternary in the Kii Peninsula, it has long been recognized to host several hot springs with discharge temperatures greater than 60°C. In addition, numerous small-scale vein-type metal deposits are distributed around the southern part of the peninsula, with a heat source thought to be the Middle Miocene acidic magmatism associated with Kumano Acidic Rocks. The results of the TL (Thermoluminescence), FT (Fission Track) and K-Ar dating of altered rocks from these hot spring areas showed that the vein-type ore deposits and their surrounding altered rocks experienced high temperature hydrothermal alteration related to acidic magmatism in the Middle Miocene, whereas relatively low temperature alteration has occurred since the Pliocene in the Hongu and Totsukawa hot spring areas [Hanamuro et al., 2008]. Chemical and isotope data were obtained for fluid inclusions trapped in hydrothermal minerals in the peripheral parts of the high-temperature hot springs and in vein-type ore deposits. The hot spring inclusions indicate temperatures reached ~100°C with salinities of about 2 wt % (NaCl equiv.). In contrast, the inclusions in the vein-type deposits are characterized by high temperature fluids (>260°C) with high salinity (>5 wt %). The 3He/4He ratios of the hot spring inclusions have relatively high values, generally in agreement with those of the present-day hydrothermal fluids, indicating a significant contribution by deep source gases (i.e., mantle helium). These results suggest that the amagmatic hydrothermal system related to high-temperature hot springs in the southern Kii Peninsula have formed since the Pliocene and were caused by high temperature fluids with a lower crust provenance, presumably supplied from the subducting slab of the Philippine Sea Plate (PHS) [Umeda et al., 2006]. After a hiatus of about 4 Ma, the PHS resumed subduction beneath the SW Japan Arc at around 6 Ma [Kamata

  16. Anisotropic structures of oceanic slab and mantle wedge in a deep low-frequency tremor zone beneath the Kii Peninsula, SW Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saiga, Atsushi; Kato, Aitaro; Kurashimo, Eiji; Iidaka, Takashi; Okubo, Makoto; Tsumura, Noriko; Iwasaki, Takaya; Sakai, Shin'ichi; Hirata, Naoshi

    2013-03-01

    is an important feature of elastic wave propagation in the Earth and can arise from a variety of ordered architectures such as fractures with preferential alignments or preferred crystal orientations. We studied the regional variations in shear wave anisotropy around a deep Low-Frequency Earthquake (LFE) zone beneath the Kii Peninsula, SW Japan, using waveforms of local earthquakes observed by a dense linear array along the LFE zone. The fast directions of polarization are subparallel to the strike of the margin for both crustal and intraslab earthquakes. The delay time of the split shear waves in intraslab earthquakes is larger than that in crustal earthquakes and shows a down-dip variation across the LFE zone. This indicates that anisotropy exists in the mantle wedge and in the lower crust and/or oceanic slab. We explain the observed delay time of 0.015-0.045 s by suggesting that the mantle wedge consists of a deformed, 1-15 km thick serpentine layer if the mantle wedge is completely serpentinized. In addition to high-fluid pressures within the oceanic crust, the sheared serpentine layer may be a key factor driving LFEs in subduction zones.

  17. Slow earthquakes in microseism frequency band (0.1-2 Hz) off the Kii peninsula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaneko, L.; Ide, S.; Nakano, M.

    2017-12-01

    Slow earthquakes are divided into deep tectonic tremors, very low frequency (VLF) events, and slow slip events (SSE), each of which is observed in a different frequency band. Tremors are observed above 2 Hz, and VLF signals are visible mainly in 0.01-0.05 Hz. It was generally very difficult to find signals of slow underground deformation at frequencies between them, i.e., 0.1-2Hz, where microseism noise is dominant. However, after a Mw 5.9 plate boundary earthquake off the Kii peninsula on April 1st, 2016, sufficiently large signals have been observed in the microseism band, accompanied with signals from active tremors, VLFEs, and SSEs by the ocean bottom seismometer network DONET maintained by JAMSTEC and NIED. This is the first observation of slow earthquakes in the microseism frequency band. Here we report the detection and location of events in this band, and compare them with the spatial and temporal distributions of ordinary tectonic tremors above 2 Hz and VLF events. We used continuous records of 20 broadband seismometers of DONET from April 1st to 12th. We detected events by calculating arrival time differences between stations using an envelope correlation method of Ide (2010). Unlike ordinary applications, we repeated analyses for seismograms bandpass-filtered in four separated frequency bands, 0.1-1, 1-2, 2-4, and 4-8 Hz. For each band, we successfully detected events and determined their hypocenter locations. Many VLF events have also been detected in this region in the frequency band of 0.03-0.05 Hz, with location and focal mechanism using a method of Nakano et al. (2008). In the 0.1-1 Hz microseism band, hypocenters were determined mainly on April 10th, when microseism noises are small and signal amplitudes are quite large. In several time windows, events were detected in all four bands, and located within the 2-sigma error ellipses, with similar source time functions. Sometimes, events were detected in two or three bands, suggesting wide variations

  18. Corrosion Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior at Notched Hole in 7075-T6 Under Biaxial and Uniaxial Fatigue with Different Phases

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-09-17

    defined by the angle = ∗ at which the stress component σθθ(θ) takes the maximum value, according to Erdogan and Sih [10] (Figure 2.7). Thus, to...find the crack propagation direction according to Erdogan and Sih criterion, the following equation is used: 24 � =∗ = 0 (2.27...becomes: Erdogan and Sih criterion: ∗ = −2 KII KI + 4.6667 � KII KI � 3 + ⋯ (2.36) Sih Cha criterion: ∗ = −2 KII KI + 8.7271 � KII KI � 3

  19. Estimation of fault geometry of a slow slip event off the Kii Peninsula, southwest of Japan, detected by DONET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suzuki, K.; Nakano, M.; Hori, T.; Takahashi, N.

    2015-12-01

    The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology installed permanent ocean bottom observation network called Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET) off the Kii Peninsula, southwest of Japan, to monitor earthquakes and tsunamis. We detected the long-term vertical displacements of sea floor from the ocean-bottom pressure records, starting from March 2013, at several DONET stations (Suzuki et al., 2014). We consider that these displacements were caused by the crustal deformation due to a slow slip event (SSE).  We estimated the fault geometry of the SSE by using the observed ocean-bottom displacements. The ocean-bottom displacements were obtained by removing the tidal components from the pressure records. We also subtracted the average of pressure changes taken over the records at stations connected to each science node from each record in order to remove the contributions due to atmospheric pressure changes and non-tidal ocean dynamic mass variations. Therefore we compared observed displacements with the theoretical ones that was subtracted the average displacement in the fault geometry estimation. We also compared observed and theoretical average displacements for the model evaluation. In this study, the observed average displacements were assumed to be zero. Although there are nine parameters in the fault model, we observed vertical displacements at only four stations. Therefore we assumed three fault geometries; (1) a reverse fault slip along the plate boundary, (2) a strike slip along a splay fault, and (3) a reverse fault slip along the splay fault. We obtained that the model (3) gives the smallest residual between observed and calculated displacements. We also observed that this SSE was synchronized with a decrease in the background seismicity within the area of a nearby earthquake cluster. In the future, we will investigate the relationship between the SSE and the seismicity change.

  20. Functional Probiotic Characterization and In Vivo Cholesterol-Lowering Activity of Lactobacillus helveticus Isolated from Fermented Cow Milk.

    PubMed

    Damodharan, Karthiyaini; Palaniyandi, Sasikumar Arunachalam; Yang, Seung Hwan; Suh, Joo-Won

    2016-10-28

    We characterized the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus helveticus strains KII13 and KHI1 isolated from fermented cow milk by in vitro and in vivo studies. The strains exhibited tolerance to simulated orogastrointestinal condition, adherence to Caco-2 cells, and antimicrobial activity. Both L. helveticus strains produced bioactive tripeptides, isoleucylprolyl-proline and valyl-prolyl-proline, during fermentation of milk. KII13 showed higher in vitro cholesterol-lowering activity (47%) compared with KHI1 (28%) and L. helveticus ATCC 15009 (22%), and hence, it was selected for in vivo study of cholesterol-lowering activity in atherogenic diet-fed hypercholesterolemic mice. For the study, mice were divided into four groups ( viz ., normal diet control group, atherogenic diet control group (HCD), KII13- atherogenic diet group (HCD-KII13), and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121-atherogenic diet group (HCD- L.ac ) as positive control). The serum total cholesterol level was significantly decreased by 8.6% and 7.78% in the HCD-KII13 and HCD- L.ac groups ( p < 0.05), respectively, compared with the HCD group. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in both HCD-KII13 and HCD- L.ac groups were decreased by 13% and 11%, respectively, compared with the HCD group (both, p < 0.05). Analysis of cholesterol metabolism-related gene expression in mice liver showed increased expression of LDLR and SREBF2 genes in mice fed with KII13. By comparing all the results, we conclude that L. helveticus KII13 could be used as a potential probiotic strain to produce antihypertensive peptides and reduce serum cholesterol.

  1. Induction as Knowledge Integration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, Benjamin D.; Rosenbloom, Paul S.

    1996-01-01

    Two key issues for induction algorithms are the accuracy of the learned hypothesis and the computational resources consumed in inducing that hypothesis. One of the most promising ways to improve performance along both dimensions is to make use of additional knowledge. Multi-strategy learning algorithms tackle this problem by employing several strategies for handling different kinds of knowledge in different ways. However, integrating knowledge into an induction algorithm can be difficult when the new knowledge differs significantly from the knowledge the algorithm already uses. In many cases the algorithm must be rewritten. This paper presents Knowledge Integration framework for Induction (KII), a KII, that provides a uniform mechanism for integrating knowledge into induction. In theory, arbitrary knowledge can be integrated with this mechanism, but in practice the knowledge representation language determines both the knowledge that can be integrated, and the costs of integration and induction. By instantiating KII with various set representations, algorithms can be generated at different trade-off points along these dimensions. One instantiation of KII, called RS-KII, is presented that can implement hybrid induction algorithms, depending on which knowledge it utilizes. RS-KII is demonstrated to implement AQ-11, as well as a hybrid algorithm that utilizes a domain theory and noisy examples. Other algorithms are also possible.

  2. Rapid Expansion of Phenylthiocarbamide Non-Tasters among Japanese Macaques

    PubMed Central

    Suzuki-Hashido, Nami; Hayakawa, Takashi; Matsui, Atsushi; Go, Yasuhiro; Ishimaru, Yoshiro; Misaka, Takumi; Abe, Keiko; Hirai, Hirohisa; Satta, Yoko; Imai, Hiroo

    2015-01-01

    Bitter taste receptors (TAS2R proteins) allow mammals to detect and avoid ingestion of toxins in food. Thus, TAS2Rs play an important role in food choice and are subject to complex natural selection pressures. In our previous study, we examined nucleotide variation in TAS2R38, a gene expressing bitter taste receptor for phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), in 333 Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) from 9 local populations in Japan. We identified a PTC “non-taster” TAS2R38 allele in Japanese macaques that was caused by a loss of the start codon. This PTC non-taster allele was only found in a limited local population (the Kii area), at a frequency of 29%. In this study, we confirmed that this allele was present in only the Kii population by analyzing an additional 264 individuals from eight new populations. Using cellular and behavioral experiments, we found that this allele lost its receptor function for perceiving PTC. The nucleotide sequences of the allele including flanking regions (of about 10 kb) from 23 chromosomes were identical, suggesting that a non-taster allele arose and expanded in the Kii population during the last 13,000 years. Genetic analyses of non-coding regions in Kii individuals and neighboring populations indicated that the high allele frequency in the Kii population could not be explained by demographic history, suggesting that positive selection resulted in a rapid increase in PTC non-tasters in the Kii population. The loss-of-function that occurred at the TAS2R38 locus presumably provided a fitness advantage to Japanese macaques in the Kii population. Because TAS2R38 ligands are often found in plants, this functional change in fitness is perhaps related to feeding habit specificity. These findings should provide valuable insights for elucidating adaptive evolutionary changes with respect to various environments in wild mammals. PMID:26201026

  3. Prominent reflector beneath around the segmentation boundary between Tonankai-Nankai earthquake area

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakanishi, A.; Shimomura, N.; Fujie, G.; Kodaira, S.; Obana, K.; Takahashi, T.; Yamamoto, Y.; Yamashita, M.; Takahashi, N.; Kaneda, Y.; Mochizuki, K.; Kato, A.; Iidaka, T.; Kurashimo, E.; Shinohara, M.; Takeda, T.; Shiomi, K.

    2013-12-01

    In the Nankai Trough subduction seismogenic zone, the Nankai and Tonankai earthquakes had often occurred simultaneously, and caused a great event. In most cases, first break of such large events of Nankai Trough usually begins from southwest off the Kii Peninsula so far. The idea of split Philippine Sea plate between the Kii Peninsula and the Shikoku Island, which explains seismicity, tectonic background, receiver function image and historical plate motion, was previously suggested. Moreover, between the Kii Peninsula and the Shikoku Island, there is a gap of deep low-frequency events observed in the belt-like zone along the strike of the subducting Philippine Sea plate. In 2010 and 2011, we conducted the large-scale high-resolution wide-angle and reflection (MCS) seismic study, and long-term observation from off Shikoku and Kii Peninsula. Marine active source seismic data have been acquired along grid two-dimensional profiles having the total length of ~800km/year. A three-dimensional seismic tomography using active and passive seismic data observed both land and ocean bottom stations have been also performed. From those data, we found a possible prominent reflector imaged in the offshore side in the Kii channel at the depth of ~18km. The velocity just beneath the reflector cannot be determined due to the lack of ray paths. Based of the amplitude information, we interpret the reflector as the forearc Moho based on the velocity gap (from ~6.4km/s to ~7.4km/s). However, the reflector is shallower than the forearc Moho of other area along the Nankai Trough. Similar reflectors are recognized along other seismic profiles around the Kii channel. In this presentation, we will show the result of structure analysis to understand the peculiar structure including the prominent reflector around the Kii channel. Relation between the structure and the existence of the segmentation of the Nankai megathrust earthquake or seismic gap of the deep low-frequency events will be also

  4. Long-term temperature monitoring at the biological community site on the Nankai accretionary prism off Kii Peninsula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goto, S.; Hamamoto, H.; Yamano, M.; Kinoshita, M.; Ashi, J.

    2008-12-01

    Nankai subduction zone off Kii Peninsula is one of the most intensively surveyed areas for studies on the seismogenic zone. Multichannel seismic reflection surveys carried out in this area revealed the existence of splay faults that branched from the subduction zone plate boundary [Park et al., 2002]. Along the splay faults, reversal of reflection polarity was observed, indicating elevated pore fluid pressure along the faults. Cold seepages with biological communities were discovered along a seafloor outcrop of one of the splay faults through submersible observations. Long-term temperature monitoring at a biological community site along the outcrop revealed high heat flow carried by upward fluid flow (>180 mW/m2) [Goto et al., 2003]. Toki et al. [2004] estimated upward fluid flow rates of 40-200 cm/yr from chloride distribution of interstitial water extracted from sediments in and around biological community sites along the outcrop. These observation results suggest upward fluid flow along the splay fault. In order to investigate hydrological nature of the splay fault, we conducted long-term temperature monitoring again in the same cold seepage site where Goto et al. [2003] carried out long-term temperature monitoring. In this presentation, we present results of the temperature monitoring and estimate heat flow carried by upward fluid flow from the temperature records. In this long-term temperature monitoring, we used stand-alone heat flow meter (SAHF), a probe-type sediment temperature recorder. Two SAHFs (SAHF-3 and SAHF-4) were used in this study. SAHF-4 was inserted into a bacterial mat, within several meters of which the previous long-term temperature monitoring was conducted. SAHF-3 was penetrated into ordinary sediment near the bacterial mat. The sub-bottom temperature records were obtained for 8 months. The subsurface temperatures oscillated reflecting bottom- water temperature variation (BTV). For sub-bottom temperatures measured with SAHF-3 (outside of

  5. Correlation mass method for analysis of neutrinos from supernova 1987A

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chiu, Hong-Yee; Chan, Kwing L.; Kondo, Yoji

    1988-01-01

    Application of a time-energy correlation method to the Kamiokande II (KII) observations of neutrinos apparently emitted from supernova 1987A has yielded a neutrino rest mass of 3.6 eV. A Monte Carlo analysis shows a reconfirming probabilty distribution for the neutrino rest mass peaked at 2.8, and dropping to 50 percent of the peak at 1.4 and 4.8 eV. Although the KII data indicate a very short time scale of emission, over an extended period on the order of 10 sec, both data from the Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven experiment and the KII data show a tendency for the more energetic neutrinos to be emitted earlier at the source, suggesting the possibility of cooling.

  6. Kumano Geopark Project: Community Regeneration by Interconnecting Tourism Study with Geoscience in Wakayama, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakakushi, T.; Hisatomi, K.; Takasu, H.; Konomatsu, M.

    2011-12-01

    This paper presents our community-regeneration project in Wakayama, Japan. Wakayama Prefecture is the southwestern part of the Kii Peninsula. The Kumano region is the southern part of Wakayama. The Kii Peninsula has a UNESCO World Heritage (cultural heritage), registered in 2004 July as Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Heritage has been widely utilized to attract tourists to the region. However, the Kii Peninsula has not only the cultural heritage but many geoscientifically important natural heritages such as the volcano-plutonic complex including well exposed ring dyke in the Kumano region. A Geopark can be described as a region which has a system to apply the Earth's heritages so that people can enjoy and scientifically understand Earth. Authorization by the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) enables a region to claim as Global Geopark. Similarly, Japan Geoparks Network enables it domestically in Japan. To be authorized, there are some important factors, for example; the importance and conservation of the Earth's heritage (geophysical, geological, etc.); devices to communicate mechanism, structure, origin, and history of Earth plainly and interestingly with visitors; sustainable and cooperative systems linking the administrative organizations, residents, researchers, tourism bureaus, and so on. Our goal is to be officially authorized the Kii Peninsula as Kumano Geopark by JGN (and furthermore, by GGN if possible). We also try to discuss this issue in the light of tourism management. The authorization by JGN (or GGN) may work as regional branding. By raising the value of the Kumano regional brand (or the ``brand equity'' of Kumano), we may contribute the community regeneration.

  7. Reactivity and operational stability of N-tailed TAMLs through kinetic studies of the catalyzed oxidation of orange II by H2 O2 : synthesis and X-ray structure of an N-phenyl TAML.

    PubMed

    Warner, Genoa R; Mills, Matthew R; Enslin, Clarissa; Pattanayak, Shantanu; Panda, Chakadola; Panda, Tamas Kumar; Gupta, Sayam Sen; Ryabov, Alexander D; Collins, Terrence J

    2015-04-13

    The catalytic activity of the N-tailed ("biuret") TAML (tetraamido macrocyclic ligand) activators [Fe{4-XC6 H3 -1,2-(NCOCMe2 NCO)2 NR}Cl](2-) (3; N atoms in boldface are coordinated to the central iron atom; the same nomenclature is used in for compounds 1 and 2 below), [X, R=H, Me (a); NO2 , Me (b); H, Ph (c)] in the oxidative bleaching of Orange II dye by H2 O2 in aqueous solution is mechanistically compared with the previously investigated activator [Fe{4-XC6 H3 -1,2-(NCOCMe2 NCO)2 CMe2 }OH2 ](-) (1) and the more aggressive analogue [Fe(Me2 C{CON(1,2-C6 H3 -4-X)NCO}2 )OH2 ](-) (2). Catalysis by 3 of the reaction between H2 O2 and Orange II (S) occurs according to the rate law found generally for TAML activators (v=kI kII [Fe(III) ][S][H2 O2 ]/(kI [H2 O2 ]+kII [S]) and the rate constants kI and kII at pH 7 both decrease within the series 3 b>3 a>3 c. The pH dependency of kI and kII was investigated for 3 a. As with all TAML activators studied to-date, bell-shaped profiles were found for both rate constants. For kI , the maximal activity was found at pH 10.7 marking it as having similar reactivity to 1 a. For kII , the broad bell pH profile exhibits a maximum at pH about 10.5. The condition kI ≪kII holds across the entire pH range studied. Activator 3 b exhibits pronounced activity in neutral to slightly basic aqueous solutions making it worthy of consideration on a technical performance basis for water treatment. The rate constants ki for suicidal inactivation of the active forms of complexes 3 a-c were calculated using the general formula ln([S0 ]/[S∞ ])=(kII /ki )[Fe(III) ]; here [Fe(III) ], [S0 ], and [S∞ ] are the total catalyst concentration and substrate concentration at time zero and infinity, respectively. The synthesis and X-ray characterization of 3 c are also described. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Geometry of slab, intraslab stress field and its tectonic implication in the Nankai trough, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, J.; Kono, Y.

    2002-07-01

    The characteristics of geometry of slabs and the intraslab stress field in the Nankai subduction zone, Japan, were analyzed based on highly accurate hypocentral data and focal mechanism solutions. The results suggest that the shallow seismic zone of the Philippine Sea slab subducts with dip angels between 10 and 22 degrees beneath Shikoku and the Kii peninsula, and between 11 and 40 degrees beneath Kyushu. Two types of seismogenic stress field exist within the slab. The stress field of down-dip compression type can be seen in the slab beneath Shikoku and the Kii peninsula, where the horizontal component of regional compression stress is NNW. On the other hand the stress field of down-dip extension type within the slab is dominant in the region from western Shikoku to Kyushu, where the direction of horizontal compressive stress is near WWN. The existence of the two types of stress field is related to the differences of slab geometry and slab age of the subduciton zone. These properties imply that slab beneath Kyushu (40 Ma) probably is older than that beneath Shikoku and the Kii peninsula (11-20 Ma). The young slab of the oceanic Philippine Sea plate subducts with a shallow angle beneath the Eurasian plate in Shikoku and the Kii peninsula. The subduction has encountered strong resistance there, resulting in a down-dip compression stress field. The down-dip extension stress field may be related to the older slab of the Philippine Sea plate which subducts beneath Kyushu with a steeper dip angle.

  9. Along-strike variations in seismic structure of the locked-sliding transition on the plate boundary beneath the southern part of Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kurashimo, E.; Iidaka, T.; Iwasaki, T.; Saiga, A.; Umeyama, E.; Tsumura, N.; Sakai, S.; Hirata, N.

    2013-12-01

    The Nankai trough region, where the Philippine Sea Plate (PHS) subducts beneath the SW Japan arc, is a well-known seismogenic zone of interplate earthquakes. A narrow zone of nonvolcanic tremor has been found in the SW Japan fore-arc, along strike of the arc (Obara, 2002). The epicentral distribution of tremor corresponds to the locked-sliding transition estimated from thermal and deformation models (Hyndman et al., 1995). The spatial distribution of the tremor is not homogeneous in a narrow belt but is spatially clustered. Obara [2002] suggested fluids as a source for tremor because of the long duration and the mobility of the tremor activity. The behavior of fluids at the plate interface is a key factor in understanding fault slip processes. Seismic reflection characteristics and seismic velocity variations can provide important information on the fluid-related heterogeneity of structure around plate interface. However, little is known about the deeper part of the plate boundary, especially the transition zone on the subducting plate. To reveal the seismic structure of the transition zone, we conducted passive and active seismic experiments in the southern part of Kii Peninsula, SW Japan. Sixty 3-component portable seismographs were installed on a 60-km-long line (SM-line) nearly perpendicular to the direction of the subduction of the PHS with approximately 1 km spacing. To improve accuracy of hypocenter locations, we additionally deployed six 3-component seismic stations around the survey line. Waveforms were continuously recorded during a five-month period from December, 2009. In October of 2010, a deep seismic profiling was also conducted. 290 seismometers were deployed on the SM-line with about 200 m spacing, on which five explosives shots were fired as controlled seismic sources. Arrival times of local earthquakes and explosive shots were used in a joint inversion for earthquake locations and 3-D Vp and Vp/Vs structures, using the iterative damped least

  10. Mixed Mode Fracture of Plasma Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings: Effects of Anisotropy and Heterogeneity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhu, Dongming; Choi, Sung R.; Ghosn, Louis L.

    2008-01-01

    The combined mode I-mode II fracture behavior of anisotropic ZrO2-8wt%Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings was determined in asymmetric flexure loading at both ambient and elevated temperatures. A fracture envelope of KI versus KII was determined for the coating material at ambient and elevated temperatures. Propagation angles of fracture as a function of KI/KII were also determined. The mixed-mode fracture behavior of the microsplat coating material was modeled using Finite Element approach to account for anisotropy and micro cracked structures, and predicted in terms of fracture envelope and propagation angle using mixed-mode fracture theories.

  11. Hydrology and Water and Sediment Quality at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge near Kahuku, Island of Oahu, Hawaii

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hunt, Charles D.; De Carlo, Eric H.

    2000-01-01

    The James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge occupies two lowland marsh and pond complexes on the northern coastal plain of Oahu: the mostly natural ponds and wetlands of the Punamano Unit and the constructed ponds of the Kii Unit. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Refuge primarily to protect and enhance habitat for four endangered species of Hawaiian waterbirds. Kii Unit is fed by artesian wells and rainfall, whereas Punamano Unit is fed naturally by rainfall, runoff, and ground-water seepage. Streams drain from the uplands into lowland ditches that pass through Kii Unit on their way to the ocean. A high-capacity pump transfers water from the inner ditch terminus at Kii to the ocean outlet channel. Stormwaters also exit the inner ditch system over flood-relief swales near the outlet pump and through a culvert with a one-way valve. A hydrologic investigation was done from November 1996 through February 1998 to identify and quantify principal inflows and outflows of water to and from the Refuge, identify hydraulic factors affecting flooding, document ground-water/surface-water interactions, determine the adequacy of the current freshwater supply, and determine water and sediment quality. These goals were accomplished by installing and operating a network of stream-gaging stations, meteorology stations, and shallow ground-water piezometers, by computing water budgets for the two Refuge units, and by sampling and analyzing water and pond-bottom sediments for major ions, trace metals, and organic compounds. Streamflow during the study was dominated by winter stormflows, followed by a gradual recession of flow into summer 1997, as water that had been stored in alluvial fans drained to lowland ditches. Outflow at the ditch terminus in 1997 was 125 million gallons greater than measured inflow to the coastal plain, mainly reflecting gains from ground water along the ditches between outlying gages and the ditch terminus. Of the measured 1997 outflow, 98 percent

  12. Investigation of the environmental change pattern of Japan

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maruyasu, T. (Principal Investigator)

    1973-01-01

    The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery clearly identifies the relationships between the status of erosion, effluent patterns affected by the coastal current, and the cultural construction activities. Simple photographic techniques can be used for detecting water mass distribution separately from cloud cover and also noise caused by reflected sunlight from wave surfaces. Polluted water does not diffuse continuously into the oceanic water, but forms masses in the water in the Kuroshio area. The polluted or turbid water in the area just north of the Tomogashima Channel, the south outlet of the Osaka Bay, shows that the northward tidal current runs in a clockwise eddy at the tidal period when the imagery was taken. Such an eddy-like pattern of tidal current had never been revealed by conventional oceanographic data. A front between an oceanic water mass and a polluted water mass runs in a NW-SE direction in the central part of the Osaka Bay. The patterns of turbid water discharged from the Kii River and Yoshino River show a northward tidal current in the North Kii Straits. The pattern of lighter turbid or polluted water located in the northwest region of the North Kii straits suggests the existence of a clockwise eddy in the straits.

  13. KIDFamMap: a database of kinase-inhibitor-disease family maps for kinase inhibitor selectivity and binding mechanisms

    PubMed Central

    Chiu, Yi-Yuan; Lin, Chih-Ta; Huang, Jhang-Wei; Hsu, Kai-Cheng; Tseng, Jen-Hu; You, Syuan-Ren; Yang, Jinn-Moon

    2013-01-01

    Kinases play central roles in signaling pathways and are promising therapeutic targets for many diseases. Designing selective kinase inhibitors is an emergent and challenging task, because kinases share an evolutionary conserved ATP-binding site. KIDFamMap (http://gemdock.life.nctu.edu.tw/KIDFamMap/) is the first database to explore kinase-inhibitor families (KIFs) and kinase-inhibitor-disease (KID) relationships for kinase inhibitor selectivity and mechanisms. This database includes 1208 KIFs, 962 KIDs, 55 603 kinase-inhibitor interactions (KIIs), 35 788 kinase inhibitors, 399 human protein kinases, 339 diseases and 638 disease allelic variants. Here, a KIF can be defined as follows: (i) the kinases in the KIF with significant sequence similarity, (ii) the inhibitors in the KIF with significant topology similarity and (iii) the KIIs in the KIF with significant interaction similarity. The KIIs within a KIF are often conserved on some consensus KIDFamMap anchors, which represent conserved interactions between the kinase subsites and consensus moieties of their inhibitors. Our experimental results reveal that the members of a KIF often possess similar inhibition profiles. The KIDFamMap anchors can reflect kinase conformations types, kinase functions and kinase inhibitor selectivity. We believe that KIDFamMap provides biological insights into kinase inhibitor selectivity and binding mechanisms. PMID:23193279

  14. 77 FR 15395 - Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993-OPEN MOBILE ALLIANCE

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-03-15

    ... Inc., Fremont, CA; Bouygues Telecom, Boulogne Billancourt Cedex, FRANCE; BROADCOM GPS SPAIN SL, Irvine... Corporation to KII Corporation, Minato-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN; LG Telecom LTD. to LG Uplus Corp., Mapo-gu, Seoul...

  15. First Observation of Coseismic Seafloor Crustal Deformation due to M7 Class Earthquakes in the Philippine Sea Plate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tadokoro, K.; Ikuta, R.; Ando, M.; Okuda, T.; Sugimoto, S.; Besana, G. M.; Kuno, M.

    2005-12-01

    The Mw7.3 and 7.5 earthquakes (Off Kii-Peninsula Earthquakes) occurred close to the source region of the anticipated Tonankai Trough in September 5, 2004. The focal mechanisms of the two earthquakes have no low angle nodal planes, which shows that the earthquakes are intraplate earthquakes in the Philippine Sea Plate. We observed coseismic horizontal displacement due to the Off Kii-Peninsula Earthquakes by means of a system for observing seafloor crustal deformation, which is the first observation of coseismic seafloor displacement in the world. We have developed a system for observing seafloor crustal deformation. The observation system is composed of 1) acoustic measurement between a ship transducer and sea-bottom transponders, and 2) kinematic GPS positioning of the observation vessel. We have installed a seafloor benchmark close to the epicenters of the Off Kii-Peninsula Earthquakes. The benchmark is composed of three sea-bottom transponders. The location of benchmark is defined as the weight center of the three transponders. We can determine the location of benchmark with an accuracy of about 5 cm at each observation. We have repeatedly measured the seafloor benchmark six times up to now: 1) July 12-16 and 21-22, 2004, 2) November 9-10, 3) January 19, 2005, 4) May 18-20, 5) July 19-20, and 6) August 18-19 and 29-30. The Off Kii-Peninsula Earthquakes occurred during the above monitoring period. The coseismic horizontal displacement of about 21 cm toward SSE was observed at our seafloor benchmark. The displacement is 3.5 times as large as the maximum displacement observed by on land GPS network in Japan, GEONET. The monitoring of seafloor crustal deformation is effective to detect the deformations associated with earthquakes occurring in ocean areas. This study is promoted by "Research Revolution 2002" of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. We are grateful to the captain and crews of Research Vessel, Asama, of Mie Prefectural

  16. The impact of surfactants on Fe(III)-TAML-catalyzed oxidations by peroxides: accelerations, decelerations, and loss of activity.

    PubMed

    Banerjee, Deboshri; Apollo, Frank M; Ryabov, Alexander D; Collins, Terrence J

    2009-10-05

    Iron(III) complexes of tetraamidato macrocyclic ligands (TAMLs), [Fe{4-XC(6)H(3)-1,2-(NCOCMe(2)NCO)(2)CR(2)}(OH(2))](-), 1 (1 a: X = H, R = Me; 1 b: X = COOH, R = Me); 1 c: X = CONH(CH(2))(2)COOH, R = Me; 1 d: CONH(CH(2))(2)NMe(2), R = Me; 1 e: X = CONH(CH(2))(2)NMe(3) (+), R = Me; 1 f: X = H, R = F), have been tested as catalysts for the oxidative decolorization of Orange II and Sudan III dyes by hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of micelles that are neutral (Triton X-100), positively charged (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB), and negatively charged (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS). The previously reported mechanism of catalysis involves the formation of an oxidized intermediate from 1 and ROOH (k(I)) followed by dye bleaching (k(II)). The micellar effects on k(I) and k(II) have been separately studied and analyzed by using the Berezin pseudophase model of micellar catalysis. The largest micellar acceleration in terms of k(I) occurs for the 1 a-tBuOOH-CTAB system. At pH 9.0-10.5 the rate constant k(I) increased by approximately five times with increasing CTAB concentration and then gradually decreased. There was no acceleration at higher pH, presumably owing to the deprotonation of the axial water ligand of 1 a in this pH range. The k(I) value was only slightly affected by SDS (in the oxidation of Orange II), but was strongly decelerated by Triton X-100. No oxidation of the water-insoluble, hydrophobic dye Sudan III was observed in the presence of the SDS micelles. The k(II) value was accelerated by cationic CTAB micelles when the hydrophobic primary oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide was used. It is hypothesized that tBuOOH may affect the CTAB micelles and increase the binding of the oxidized catalysts. The tBuOOH-CTAB combination accelerated both of the catalysis steps k(I) and k(II).

  17. Analysis of crack propagation in roller bearings using the boundary integral equation method - A mixed-mode loading problem

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ghosn, L. J.

    1988-01-01

    Crack propagation in a rotating inner raceway of a high-speed roller bearing is analyzed using the boundary integral method. The model consists of an edge plate under plane strain condition upon which varying Hertzian stress fields are superimposed. A multidomain boundary integral equation using quadratic elements was written to determine the stress intensity factors KI and KII at the crack tip for various roller positions. The multidomain formulation allows the two faces of the crack to be modeled in two different subregions, making it possible to analyze crack closure when the roller is positioned on or close to the crack line. KI and KII stress intensity factors along any direction were computed. These calculations permit determination of crack growth direction along which the average KI times the alternating KI is maximum.

  18. Household decision-making around food in rural Tajikistan: a cross-sectional study to help extension workers in the field

    PubMed Central

    Wood, Elizabeth A.; McNamara, Katharine; Kowalewska, Agata; Ludgate, Nargiza

    2018-01-01

    This study was conducted to research and develop recommendations for gender transformative approaches that will address misconceptions around food and nutrition, and reducing barriers around dietary diversity within rural Khatlon Province, Tajikistan. Most of the population in Tajikistan live in rural areas and spend a large part of their income on food. While stunting in children under 5 years has decreased, acute malnutrition and the number of underweight children has increased. This is a qualitative, cross-sectional study that involved secondary data analysis, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) to gauge appropriate interventions for agricultural extension agents seeking to improve the nutritional outcomes of their communities. In February of 2017, data were collected from 4 KIIs and 15 FGDs that were stratified as mothers with young children, mothers-in-law, and husbands, across 12 different villages. Analysis of the KIIs and FGDs included NVivo software for coding and to uncover the most salient themes and characteristics from each. The participants of this study reported several misconceptions and taboos surrounding certain foods, especially during pregnancy, and food practices for children under the age of 5 years. Results also indicated a household hierarchy of decision-making surrounding food that included who buys, cooks, and decides what to buy. The findings of this study will be used as a springboard to launch gender-responsive and nutrition-sensitive interventions through the local agricultural extension agents. PMID:29599685

  19. Combined Mode I and Mode II Fracture of Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, Sung R.; Zhu, Dongming; Miller, Robert A.

    2003-01-01

    The mode I, mode II, and combined mode I-mode II fracture behavior of ZrO2 - 8wt%Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings was determined in asymmetric flexure loading at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Precracks were introduced in test specimens using the single-edge-v-notched beam (SEVNB) method incorporated with final diamond polishing to achieve sharp crack tips. A fracture envelope of KI versus KII was determined for the coating material at ambient and elevated temperatures. Propagation angles of fracture as a function of KI/KII were also determined. The mixed-mode fracture behaviors of the coating material were compared with those of monolithic advanced ceramics determined previously. The mixed-mode fracture behavior of the plasma- sprayed thermal barrier coating material was predicted in terms of fracture envelope and propagation angle using mixed-mode fracture theories.

  20. Age of the Subducting Philippine Sea Slab and Mechanism of Low-Frequency Earthquakes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hua, Yuanyuan; Zhao, Dapeng; Xu, Yixian; Liu, Xin

    2018-03-01

    Nonvolcanic low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) usually occur in young and warm subduction zones under condition of near-lithostatic pore fluid pressure. However, the relation between the LFEs and the subducting slab age has never been documented so far. Here we estimate the lithospheric age of the subducting Philippine Sea (PHS) slab beneath the Nankai arc by linking seismic tomography and a plate reconstruction model. Our results show that the LFEs in SW Japan take place in young parts ( 17-26 Myr) of the PHS slab. However, no LFE occurs beneath the Kii channel where the PHS slab is very young ( 15 Myr) and thin ( 29 km), forming an LFE gap there. According to the present results and previous works, we think that the LFE gap at the Kii channel is caused by joint effects of several factors, including the youngest slab age, high temperature, low fluid content, high permeability of the overlying plate, a slab tear, and hot upwelling flow below the PHS slab.

  1. Chemical and physical investigations on the charge transfer interaction of organic donors with iodine and its application as non-traditional organic conductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Refat, Moamen S.; Sharshar, T.; Adam, Abdel Majid A.; Elsabawy, Khaled M.; Hemeda, O. M.

    2014-09-01

    The iso-leucine-iodide and methionine-iodide charge-transfer complexes were prepared and characterized using different spectroscopic techniques. The iodide charge-transfer complexes were synthesized by grinding KI-I2-amino acid with 1:1:1 M ratio in presence of few drops of methanol solvent. The structures of both solid amino acid iodide charge-transfer complexes are discussed with the help of the obtained results of the infrared and Raman laser spectra, Uv-vis. electronic spectra and thermal analyses. The electrical properties (AC resistivity and dielectric constant) of both complexes were investigated. The positron annihilation Doppler broadening (PADB) spectroscopies were also used to probe the structural changes of both complexes. The PADB line-shape parameters (S and W) were found to be dependent on the structure, electronic configuration of the charge transfer complex. The PADB technique is a powerful tool to probe the structural features of the KI-I2-amino acid complexes.

  2. 42 CFR 489.20 - Basic commitments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... furnished after December 31, 1990. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse-midwife services, as defined in section...) Services performed by a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who meets the applicable definition...

  3. Role of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to aortic constriction in mice.

    PubMed

    Lairez, O; Cognet, T; Schaak, S; Calise, D; Guilbeau-Frugier, C; Parini, A; Mialet-Perez, J

    2013-06-01

    Serotonin, in addition to its fundamental role as a neurotransmitter, plays a critical role in the cardiovascular system, where it is thought to be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Indeed, we recently found that mice with deletion of monoamine oxidase A had enhanced levels of blood and cardiac 5-HT, which contributed to exacerbation of hypertrophy in a model of experimental pressure overload. 5-HT2A receptors are expressed in the heart and mediate a hypertrophic response to 5-HT in cardiac cells. However, their role in cardiac remodeling in vivo and the signaling pathways associated are not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, M100907, on the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac 5-HT2A receptor expression was transiently increased after TAC, and was recapitulated in cardiomyocytes, as observed with 5-HT2A in situ labeling by immunohistochemistry. Selective blockade of 5-HT2A receptors prevented the development of cardiac hypertrophy, as measured by echocardiography, cardiomyocyte area and heart weight-to-body weight ratio. Interestingly, activation of calmodulin kinase (CamKII), which is a core mechanism in cardiac hypertrophy, was reduced in cardiac samples from M100907-treated TAC mice compared to vehicle-treated mice. In addition, phosphorylation of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), a downstream partner of CamKII was significantly diminished in M100907-treated TAC mice. Thus, our results show that selective blockade of 5-HT2A receptors has beneficial effect in the development of cardiac hypertrophy through inhibition of the CamKII/HDAC4 pathway.

  4. Crack stability and branching at interfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thomson, Robb

    1995-11-01

    The various events that occur at a crack on an interface are explored, and described in terms of a simple graphical construction called the crack stability diagram. For simple Griffith cleavage in a homogeneous material, the stability diagram is a sector of a circle in the space of stress intensity factors, KI/KII. The Griffith circle is limited in both positive and negative KII directions by nonblunting dislocation emission on the cleavage plane. For a branching plane inclined at an angle to the original cleavage plane, both cleavage and emission (which blunts the crack) can be described as a balance between an elastic driving force and a lattice resistance for the event. We use an analytic expression obtained by Cotterell and Rice for cleavage, and show that it is an excellent approximation, but show that the lattice resistance includes a cornering resistance, in addition to the standard surface energy in the final cleavage criterion. Our discussion of the lattaice resistance is derived from simulations in two-dimensional hexagonal lattices with UBER force laws with a variety of shapes. Both branching cleavage and blunting emission can be described in terms of a stability diagram in the space of the remote stress intensity factors, and the competition between events on the initial cleavage plane and those on the branching plane can be described by overlays of the two appropriate stability diagrams. The popular criterion that kII=0 on the branching plane is explored for lattices and found to fail significantly, because the lattice stabilizes cleavage by the anisotropy of the surface energy. Also, in the lattice, dislocation emission must must always be considered as an alternative competing event to branching.

  5. Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems II. Volume 3219

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-05-21

    08] N. S. Kopeika, D. Sadot, I. Dror, Ben-Gurion Univ. of the Negev (Israel) 52 Characteristics of shipborne targets in warm coastal... Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel ABSTRACT A recent paper by Belen’kii proposed an inner scale turbulence MTF theory model to explain one of the many types of

  6. 42 CFR 412.404 - Conditions for payment under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (iii) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (iv) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (v) Qualified psychologist...

  7. 42 CFR 412.404 - Conditions for payment under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ...) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (iii) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (iv) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (v) Qualified psychologist...

  8. 42 CFR 412.404 - Conditions for payment under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ...) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (iii) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (iv) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (v) Qualified psychologist...

  9. 42 CFR 419.22 - Hospital outpatient services excluded from payment under the hospital outpatient prospective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (c) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (d) Certified nurse-midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (e) Services of qualified...

  10. 42 CFR 412.509 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    .... (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  11. 42 CFR 419.22 - Hospital outpatient services excluded from payment under the hospital outpatient prospective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (c) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (d) Certified nurse-midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (e) Services of qualified...

  12. 42 CFR 412.404 - Conditions for payment under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ...) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (iii) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (iv) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (v) Qualified psychologist...

  13. 42 CFR 412.404 - Conditions for payment under the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services of...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ...) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (iii) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (iv) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (v) Qualified psychologist...

  14. 42 CFR 412.509 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    .... (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  15. 42 CFR 412.509 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    .... (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  16. 42 CFR 412.509 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    .... (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  17. 42 CFR 412.509 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    .... (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  18. Continuing professional development for medical, nursing, and midwifery cadres in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa: A qualitative evaluation

    PubMed Central

    Pintye, Jillian; Jacob, Sheena; Chung, Michael H.; Middleton, Lyn; Iliffe, Jill; Kim, H. Nina

    2017-01-01

    Background As innovations in the prevention and treatment of HIV and TB advance, continuing professional development (CPD) of health care workers (HCWs) remains a high priority, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where dual TB/HIV epidemics are compounded by severe HCW shortages. There is further need to examine CPD programs to identify challenges and effective solutions to strengthen HIV/TB-related CPD. Methods Qualitative evaluations in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa (RSA) were conducted using key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) in each country to identify barriers and enablers of effective HIV/TB-related CPD. Key stakeholders represented CPD implementers, regulators, and developers. HCWs were purposively sampled from high disease burden districts; each HCW completed brief, semi-structured questionnaires and participated in a FGD. KII and FGD results were combined into key themes spanning across countries using a grounded theory approach. Results Fifty-two KIIs were conducted: 17 in Malawi, 19 in Tanzania and 16 in RSA. Eighty-nine HCWs (24 from Malawi, 38 from Tanzania and 27 from RSA) completed questionnaires and participated in FGDs. Primarily, lack of sustainable financial resources and limitations in coordination of CPD result in poor accountability for CPD oversight and reduce CPD quality assurance. Healthcare worker shortages limit CPD opportunities, creating disparities in CPD access. CPD irrelevance and imbalance between HCW-identified CPD needs and current programs reduce enthusiasm for CPD. Facility-level constraints, including poor infrastructure and weak supply chains, restrict implementation of CPD skills and knowledge. Challenges are more severe in rural settings. Conclusion To address identified gaps, sustainable funding, strong leadership and collaboration at every level are needed to strengthen CPD regulation and accreditation systems; increase CPD accessibility in the workplace; and create enabling environments

  19. Challenges to implementing Gavi's health system strengthening support in Chad and Cameroon: results from a mixed-methods evaluation.

    PubMed

    Dansereau, Emily; Miangotar, Yodé; Squires, Ellen; Mimche, Honoré; El Bcheraoui, Charbel

    2017-11-16

    Since 2005, Gavi has provided health system strengthening (HSS) grants to address bottlenecks affecting immunization services. This study is the first to evaluate the Gavi HSS implementation process in either Cameroon or Chad, two countries with significant health system challenges and poor achievement on the child and maternal health Millennium Development Goals. We triangulated quantitative and qualitative data including financial records, document review, field visit questionnaires, and key informant interviews (KII) with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Gavi, and other partners. We conducted a Root Cause Analysis of key implementation challenges, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. We conducted 124 field visits and 43 KIIs in Cameroon, and 57 field visits and 39 KIIs in Chad. Cameroon's and Chad's HSS programs were characterized by delayed disbursements, significant deviations from approved expenditures, and reprogramming of funds. Nearly a year after the programs were intended to be complete, many district and facility-level activities were only partially implemented and significant funds remained unabsorbed. Root causes of these challenges included unpredictable Gavi processes and disbursements, poor communication between the countries and Gavi, insufficient country planning without adequate technical assistance, lack of country staff and leadership, and weak country systems to manage finances and promote institutional memory. Though Chad and Cameroon both critically needed support to strengthen their weak health systems, serious challenges drastically limited implementation of their Gavi HSS programs. Implementation of future HSS programs in these and similar settings can be improved by transparent and reliable procedures and communication from Gavi, proposals that account for countries' programmatic capacity and the potential for delayed disbursements, implementation practices that foster learning and adaptation

  20. Continuing professional development for medical, nursing, and midwifery cadres in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa: A qualitative evaluation.

    PubMed

    Feldacker, Caryl; Pintye, Jillian; Jacob, Sheena; Chung, Michael H; Middleton, Lyn; Iliffe, Jill; Kim, H Nina

    2017-01-01

    As innovations in the prevention and treatment of HIV and TB advance, continuing professional development (CPD) of health care workers (HCWs) remains a high priority, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where dual TB/HIV epidemics are compounded by severe HCW shortages. There is further need to examine CPD programs to identify challenges and effective solutions to strengthen HIV/TB-related CPD. Qualitative evaluations in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa (RSA) were conducted using key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) in each country to identify barriers and enablers of effective HIV/TB-related CPD. Key stakeholders represented CPD implementers, regulators, and developers. HCWs were purposively sampled from high disease burden districts; each HCW completed brief, semi-structured questionnaires and participated in a FGD. KII and FGD results were combined into key themes spanning across countries using a grounded theory approach. Fifty-two KIIs were conducted: 17 in Malawi, 19 in Tanzania and 16 in RSA. Eighty-nine HCWs (24 from Malawi, 38 from Tanzania and 27 from RSA) completed questionnaires and participated in FGDs. Primarily, lack of sustainable financial resources and limitations in coordination of CPD result in poor accountability for CPD oversight and reduce CPD quality assurance. Healthcare worker shortages limit CPD opportunities, creating disparities in CPD access. CPD irrelevance and imbalance between HCW-identified CPD needs and current programs reduce enthusiasm for CPD. Facility-level constraints, including poor infrastructure and weak supply chains, restrict implementation of CPD skills and knowledge. Challenges are more severe in rural settings. To address identified gaps, sustainable funding, strong leadership and collaboration at every level are needed to strengthen CPD regulation and accreditation systems; increase CPD accessibility in the workplace; and create enabling environments for CPD implementation. Together

  1. C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion and Guam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Parkinsonism-dementia complex.

    PubMed

    Dombroski, Beth A; Galasko, Douglas R; Mata, Ignacio F; Zabetian, Cyrus P; Craig, Ulla-Katrina; Garruto, Ralph M; Oyanagi, Kiyomitsu; Schellenberg, Gerard D

    2013-06-01

    High-prevalence foci of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) exist in Japanese on the Kii Peninsula of Japan and in the Chamorros of Guam. Clinical and neuropathologic similarities suggest that the disease in these 2 populations may be related. Recent findings showed that some of the Kii Peninsula ALS cases had pathogenic C9orf72 repeat expansions, a genotype that causes ALS in Western populations. To perform genotyping among Guam residents to determine if the C9orf72 expanded repeat allele contributes to ALS-PDC in this population and to evaluate LRRK2 for mutations in the same population. Case-control series from neurodegenerative disease research programs on Guam that screened residents for ALS, PDC, and dementia. Study participants included 24 with ALS and 22 with PDC and 43 older control subjects with normal cognition ascertained between 1956 and 2006. All but one participant were Chamorro, the indigenous people of Guam. A single individual of white race/ethnicity with ALS was ascertained on Guam during the study. Participants were screened for C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat length. Participants with repeat numbers in great excess of 30 were considered to have pathogenic repeat expansions. LRRK2 was screened for point mutations by DNA sequencing. We found a single individual with an expanded pathogenic hexanucleotide repeat. This individual of white race/ethnicity with ALS was living on Guam at the time of ascertainment but had been born in the United States. All Chamorro participants with ALS and PDC and control subjects had normal repeats, ranging from 2 to 17 copies. No pathogenic LRRK2 mutations were found. Unlike participants with ALS from the Kii Peninsula, C9orf72 expansions do not cause ALS-PDC in Chamorros. Likewise, LRRK2 mutations do not cause Guam ALS-PDC.

  2. Cancer cell uptake behavior of Au nanoring and its localized surface plasmon resonance induced cell inactivation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chu, Che-Kuan; Tu, Yi-Chou; Chang, Yu-Wei; Chu, Chih-Ken; Chen, Shih-Yang; Chi, Ting-Ta; Kiang, Yean-Woei; Yang, Chih-Chung

    2015-02-01

    Au nanorings (NRIs), which have the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength around 1058 nm, either with or without linked antibodies, are applied to SAS oral cancer cells for cell inactivation through the LSPR-induced photothermal effect when they are illuminated by a laser of 1065 nm in wavelength. Different incubation times of cells with Au NRIs are considered for observing the variations of cell uptake efficiency of Au NRI and the threshold laser intensity for cell inactivation. In each case of incubation time, the cell sample is washed for evaluating the total Au NRI number per cell adsorbed and internalized by the cells based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement. Also, the Au NRIs remaining on cell membrane are etched with KI/I2 solution to evaluate the internalized Au NRI number per cell. The threshold laser intensities for cell inactivation before washout, after washout, and after KI/I2 etching are calibrated from the circular area sizes of inactivated cells around the illuminated laser spot center with various laser power levels. By using Au NRIs with antibodies, the internalized Au NRI number per cell increases monotonically with incubation time up to 24 h. However, the number of Au NRI remaining on cell membrane reaches a maximum at 12 h in incubation time. The cell uptake behavior of an Au NRI without antibodies is similar to that with antibodies except that the uptake NRI number is significantly smaller and the incubation time for the maximum NRI number remaining on cell membrane is delayed to 20 h. By comparing the threshold laser intensities before and after KI/I2 etching, it is found that the Au NRIs remaining on cell membrane cause more effective cancer cell inactivation, when compared with the internalized Au NRIs.

  3. Electrochemical approach for passivating steel and other metals and for the simultaneous production of a biocide to render water potable

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1972-01-01

    Potentiostatic polarization curves indicated that the cathodic reactions in deaerated KI-I2 water solutions were due to iodine reduction and hydrogen evolution. In the presence of oxygen an additional reduction wave appeared. Anodic polarization curves revealed that iodine could be produced in the region of potential from +600 to +1000 nv vs. SCE.

  4. U.S. EPA, Pesticide Product Label, ABCO WKS-65 BRUSH KILLER, 11/11/1911

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    2011-04-14

    ... pl'h~ "I.nto. I" t'", ',I> IJv •• ,lur.· ,nh •• ""if '," p ..... Ufo ' 1 uJot ur ,I"rr hr •• h •• 1 ,., .'fIt'" I nm I'IR.:{"TII I~'i FOR I,:,J: J:A.!lo' 1" KII.I "'fllJS A~I) ... 1 ... " ...

  5. 42 CFR 410.42 - Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... a fee schedule basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the...

  6. 42 CFR 412.50 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  7. 42 CFR 412.50 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  8. 42 CFR 410.42 - Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... a fee schedule basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the...

  9. 42 CFR 409.10 - Included services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... basis. (4) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (5) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (6) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (7) Qualified psychologist...

  10. 42 CFR 412.50 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  11. 42 CFR 409.10 - Included services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... basis. (4) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (5) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (6) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (7) Qualified psychologist...

  12. 42 CFR 410.42 - Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... a fee schedule basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the...

  13. 42 CFR 419.22 - Hospital outpatient services excluded from payment under the hospital outpatient prospective...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... basis. (b) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (c) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (d) Certified nurse-midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (e) Services of...

  14. 42 CFR 410.42 - Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... a fee schedule basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the...

  15. 42 CFR 419.22 - Hospital services excluded from payment under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... chapter for payment on a fee schedule basis. (b) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (c) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (d) Certified nurse-midwife services, as defined in section 1861(gg...

  16. 42 CFR 412.50 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  17. 42 CFR 412.50 - Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (5) Qualified psychologist...

  18. 42 CFR 409.10 - Included services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... basis. (4) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (5) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (6) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (7) Qualified psychologist...

  19. 42 CFR 409.10 - Included services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... basis. (4) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (5) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (6) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (7) Qualified psychologist...

  20. 42 CFR 409.10 - Included services.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... basis. (4) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (5) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (6) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Act. (7) Qualified psychologist...

  1. 42 CFR 410.42 - Limitations on coverage of certain services furnished to hospital outpatients.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... a fee schedule basis. (2) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (3) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (4) Certified nurse mid-wife services, as defined in section 1861(gg) of the...

  2. Community Revitalization by Geotourism: Tourism Study with Geoscience in Wakayama, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakakushi, T.; Hisatomi, K.; Konomatsu, M.; Furukubo, A.

    2012-12-01

    This paper presents our community-revitalization project in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Wakayama Prefecture is the southwestern part of the Kii Peninsula. The Kii Peninsula, especially its southern part, has many geoscientifically important natural heritages such as the volcano-plutonic complex including well exposed ring dyke in the Kumano region. Those geoheritages have been considered just as on-site educational tools, and not received enough attentions as contents for geotours. UNESCO defines that a Geopark is a geographical area where geological heritage sites are part of a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. UNESCO also describes that it is necessary to also include and highlight sites of ecological, archaeological, historical and cultural value within each Geopark. In many societies, natural, cultural and social history are inextricably linked and cannot be separated. We plan to have the region registered as a geopark by Japan (or Global) Geopark Network. In the context of community-revitalization, a "regional brand" has drawn attention for its potential to attract tourists. A Geopark may contribute to establish a regional brand.

  3. 42 CFR 419.22 - Hospital services excluded from payment under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... meet the requirements of § 415.102(a) of this chapter for payment on a fee schedule basis. (b) Nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. (c) Physician assistant services, as defined in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of the Act. (d) Certified nurse-midwife...

  4. Structural variation along the southwestern Nankai seismogenic zone related to various earthquake phenomena

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakanishi, A.; Shimomura, N.; Kodaira, S.; Obana, K.; Takahashi, T.; Yamamoto, Y.; Sato, T.; Kashiwase, K.; Fujimori, H.; Kaneda, Y.; Mochizuki, K.; Kato, A.; Iidaka, T.; Kurashimo, E.; Shinohara, M.; Takeda, T.; Shiomi, K.

    2011-12-01

    In the Nankai Trough subduction seismogenic zone, the Nankai and Tonankai earthquakes had often occurred simultaneously, and caused a great event. In order to reduce a great deal of damage to coastal area from both strong ground motion and tsunami generation, it is necessary to understand rupture synchronization and segmentation of the Nankai megathrust earthquake. For a precise estimate of the rupture area of the Nankai megathrust event, it is important to know the geometry of the subducting Philippine Sea plate and deep subduction structure along the Nankai Trough. To obtain the deep subduction structure of the coseismic rupture area of the Nankai earthquake in 1946 off Shikoku area, the large-scale high-resolution wide-angle seismic study was conducted in 2009 and 2010. In this study, 201 and 200 ocean bottom seismographs were deployed off the Shikoku Island and the Kii channel respectively. A tuned airgun system (7800 cu. in.) shot every 200m along 13 profiles. Airgun shots were also recorded along an onshore seismic profile (prepared by ERI, univ. of Tokyo and NIED) prolonged from the offshore profile off the Kii Peninsula. Long-term observation was conducted for ~9 months by 21 OBSs off the Shikoku area and 20 OBSs off the Kii channel.This research is part of 'Research concerning Interaction Between the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai Earthquakes' funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Structural images of the overriding plate indicate the old accreted sediments (the Cretaceous-Tertiary accretionary prism) with the velocity greater than 6km/s extend seaward from off the Shikoku to the Hyuga-nada. Moreover, the young accreted sediments become relatively thinner eastward from off the cape Ashizuri to Muroto. These structural variations might be related to the different rupture pattern of the Nankai event. Structural image of the deep low frequency earthquakes and tremors is shown by using the airgun shots recorded at onshore

  5. Perceptions of human papillomavirus vaccination of adolescent schoolgirls in western Uganda and their implications for acceptability of HPV vaccination: a qualitative study.

    PubMed

    Turiho, Andrew Kampikaho; Okello, Elialilia Sarikieli; Muhwezi, Wilson Winstons; Katahoire, Anne Ruhweza

    2017-08-30

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been perceived in diverse ways some of which encourage its uptake while others could potentially deter its acceptability. This study explored community member's perceptions about HPV vaccination in Ibanda district and the implications of the perceptions for acceptability of HPV vaccination. The study was conducted following initial vaccination of adolescent schoolgirls in the district between 2008 and 2011. This qualitative study employed focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). FGDs were conducted with schoolgirls and parents/guardians and KIIs were conducted with school teachers, health workers and community leaders. Transcripts from the FGDs and KIIs were coded and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti (v. 6). The HPV vaccination was understood to safely prevent cervical cancer, which was perceived to be a severe incurable disease. Vaccinations were perceived as protection against diseases like measles and polio that were known to kill children. These were major motivations for girls' and parents' acceptance of HPV vaccination. Parents' increased awareness that HPV is sexually transmitted encouraged their support for vaccination of their adolescent daughters against HPV. There were reports however of some initial fears and misconceptions about HPV vaccination especially during its introduction. These initially discouraged some parents and girls but over the years with no major side effects reported, girls reported that they were willing to recommend the vaccination to others and parents also reported their willingness to get their daughters vaccinated without fear. Health workers and teachers interviewed however explained that, some concerns stilled lingered in the communities. The perceived benefits and safety of HPV vaccination enhanced girls' and parents' acceptability of HPV vaccination. The initial rumors, fears and concerns about HPV vaccination that reportedly discouraged some girls and

  6. Stakeholders’ perceptions on factors influencing male involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services in Blantyre, Malawi

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Male Involvement (MI) in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) services is essential in a patriarchal society where men are decision makers of the household. Male partners have a role in the woman’s risk of acquiring HIV, uptake of HIV testing and participation in Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) prevention programmes. Although MI is important for uptake of PMTCT interventions, it remains low in Africa. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that promote and hinder MI in PMTCT services in antenatal care (ANC) services in Blantyre, Malawi. Understanding of the factors that influence MI will assist in developing strategies that will involve men more in the programme thereby improving the uptake of PMTCT and HIV testing and counselling services by women and men respectively. Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 at South Lunzu Health Centre (SLHC) in Blantyre, Malawi. It consisted of six face to face Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with health care workers and four Focus Group discussions (FGDs) with 18 men and 17 pregnant women attending antenatal care at the clinic. The FGDs were divided according to sex and age. All FGDs and KIIs were digitally recorded and simultaneously transcribed and translated verbatim into English. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Participants in both FGDs and KIIs identified the following barriers: lack of knowledge of MI in PMTCT, socioeconomic factors, relationship issues, timidity to be seen in a woman’s domain, unplanned and or extramarital pregnancies, fear of knowing one's HIV status, unwillingness to be associated with the service, health facility based factors, peer influence and cultural factors. The factors that would potentially promote male involvement were categorized into community, health facility and personal or family level factors. Conclusions The factors that may

  7. Next Generation 3D Mixed Mode Fracture Propagation Theory Including HCF-LCF Interaction (Preprint)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-01-01

    vectors. Depending on processing symmetries, the six principal fracture resistance values may not all be unique. If they are all equal, and l m=1...detail, see [26]. Table 1. Inco 718 Crack Kink angle Data Measured Kink Angles Spec No RI RII RIII KI+ KII+ KIII+ Mean Beq Primary Secondary In Phase 1...R. Ingraffea, “Interactive Finite-Element Analyses of Fracture Processes : An Integrated Approach”, Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, Vol

  8. A qualitative study of the feasibility and community perception on the effectiveness of artemether-lumefantrine use in the context of home management of malaria in south-west Nigeria

    PubMed Central

    Ajayi, Ikeoluwapo O; Falade, Catherine O; Olley, Benjamin O; Yusuf, Bidemi; Gbotosho, Sola; Iyiola, Toyin; Olaniyan, Omobola; Happi, Christian; Munguti, Kaendi; Pagnoni, Franco

    2008-01-01

    Background In Nigeria ACT use at the community level has not been evaluated and the use of antimalarial drugs (commonly chloroquine (CQ)) at home has been shown to be largely incorrect. The treatment regimen of ACT is however more complicated than that of CQ. There is thus a need to determine the feasibility of using ACT at the home level and determine community perception on its use. Methods A before and after qualitative study using key informant interviews (KII) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted in selected villages in Ona-Ara local government area. At baseline, 14 FGDs and 14 KIIs were conducted. Thereafter, community medicine distributors (CMDs) were trained in each village to dispense artemeter-lumenfantrine (AL) to febrile children aged 6–59 months presumed to have uncomplicated malaria. After one year of drug distribution, nine KIIs and 10 FGDs were conducted. Participants and key informants were mothers and fathers with children under five years, traditional heads of communities, opinion leaders and health workers. Results None of the participants have heard of AL prior to study. Participants were favourably disposed to introduction of AL into the community. Mothers/caregivers were said to have used AL in place of the orthodox drugs and herbs reported commonly used prior to study after commencement of AL distribution. The use of CMDs for drug distribution was acceptable to the participants and they were judged to be efficient as they were readily available, distributed correct dose of AL and mobilised the community effectively. AL was perceived to be very effective and no significant adverse event was reported. Major concerns to the sustainability of the program were the negative attitudes of health workers towards discharge of their duties, support to the CMDs and the need to provide CMDs incentives. In addition regular supply of drugs and adequate supervision of CMDs were advised. Conclusion Our findings showed that the use of AL at home

  9. Tremor Hypocenters Form a Narrow Zone at the Plate Interface in Two Areas of SW Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Armbruster, J. G.

    2015-12-01

    The tremor detectors developed for accurately locating tectonic tremor in Cascadia [Armbruster et al., JGR 2014] have been applied to data from the HINET seismic network in Japan. In the overview by Obara [Science 2002] there are three strong sources of tectonic tremor in southwest Japan: Shikoku, Kii Pen. and Tokai. The daily epicentral distributions of tremor on the HINET web site allow the identification of days when tremor in each source is active. The worst results were obtained in Shikoku, in spite of the high level of tremor activity observed there by others. This method requires a clear direct arrival of the S and P waves at the stations for coherence to be seen, so scattering and shear wave splitting are possible reasons for poor results there. Relatively wide station spacing, 19-30 km, is another possible reason. The best results were obtained in Tokai with stations STR, HRY and TYE spacing 18-19 km, and Kii Pen. with stations KRT, HYS and KAW spacing 15-22 km. In both of those areas the three station detectors see strong episodes of tremor. If detections with three stations are located by constraining them to the plate interface, a pattern of persistent sources is seen, with some intense sources. This is similar to what was seen in Cascadia. Detections with four stations give S and P arrival times of high accuracy. In Tokai the hypocenters form a narrow, 2-3 km thick, zone dipping to the north, consistent with the plate interface there. In Kii Pen. the hypocenters dip to the northwest in a thin, 2-3 km thick, zone but approximately 5 km shallower than a plate interface model for this area [Yoshioka and Murakami, GJI 2007]. The overlap of tremor sources in the 12 years analyzed here suggests relative hypocentral location errors as small as 2-3 km. We conclude that the methods developed in Cascadia will work in Japan but the typical spacing of HINET stations, ~20 km, is greater than the optimum distance found in analysis of data from Cascadia, 8 to 15 km.

  10. Paleoseismic events inferred from marine seismogenic turbidites of the eastern Nankai Trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Okutsu, N.; Ashi, J.; Omura, A.; Yamaguchi, A.; Suganuma, Y.; Kanamatsu, T.; Murayama, M.

    2016-12-01

    Paleoseismology using marine seismogenic turbidites is a developing field especially in subduction margins. However, very fine-grained turbidites are difficult to distinguish from hemipelagic mud. The primary focus of this study is to understand the characteristics of the muddy turbidites. The second focus is to discuss the muddy turbidites distributions and their ages from a longer sediment core, and understand the paleoseismic records of eastern Nankai Trough, Japan. The samples used in this study include multiple cores and a piston core which were collected from the sedimentary basin southwest off Kii Peninsula during the R/V Shinsei Maru KS-14-8 cruise. The sampling site is located at the ENE-WSW elongated basin between the accretionary prism and the forearc basin off Kumano without terrestrial sediment supply. The basin exhibits a terminal basin that captures all sediments supplied from outside. From the multiple core samples, the Cs-137 and Pb- 210 concentration distribution indicates that the muddy sediment layer in the upper 17 cm was formed from the 2004 off the Kii Peninsula earthquake. Visual observation and X-ray CT scans were conducted alongside other measurements for anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, electrical resistivity, and X-ray fluorescence core scanning (XRF). Muddy seismogenic turbidites associated with the 2004 off the Kii Peninsula earthquake have thick homogeneous clay layer above the silty lamination. The magnetic susceptibility decreases upwards in the lamination. This specific feature is thought to have formed as the muddy turbiditity current slowly decelerated and slowly settled down the slope. From the results of XRF core scanning, Ca and Fe have a peak at basement of turbidites, and decrease upwards. Ca is thought to correspond to amount of the foraminiferas. In piston core, we observed the same sedimentary and magnetic characteristics as the multiple cores. Based on stratigraphic information

  11. Households' perception of climate change and human health risks: A community perspective

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Bangladesh has been identified as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world concerning the adverse effects of climate change (CC). However, little is known about the perception of CC from the community, which is important for developing adaptation strategies. Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey of respondents from two villages--one from the northern part and the other from the southern part of Bangladesh. A total of 450 households were selected randomly through multistage sampling completed a semi-structure questionnaire. This was supplemented with 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 15 key informant interviews (KIIs). Results Over 95 percent of the respondents reported that the heat during the summers had increased and 80.2 percent reported that rainfall had decreased, compared to their previous experiences. Approximately 65 percent reported that winters were warmer than in previous years but they still experienced very erratic and severe cold during the winter for about 5-7 days, which restricted their activities with very destructive effect on agricultural production, everyday life and the health of people. FGDs and KIIs also reported that overall winters were warmer. Eighty point two percent, 72.5 percent and 54.7 percent survey respondents perceived that the frequency of water, heat and cold related diseases/health problems, respectively, had increased compared to five to ten years ago. FGDs and KIIs respondents were also reported the same. Conclusions Respondents had clear perceptions about changes in heat, cold and rainfall that had occurred over the last five to ten years. Local perceptions of climate variability (CV) included increased heat, overall warmer winters, reduced rainfall and fewer floods. The effects of CV were mostly negative in terms of means of living, human health, agriculture and overall livelihoods. Most local perceptions on CV are consistent with the evidence regarding the vulnerability of Bangladesh to CC

  12. A Structural Weight Estimation Program (SWEEP) for Aircraft. Volume 6 - Wing and Empennage Module. Appendix A: General Information for Module Flow Charts and Listings. Appendix B: Program Flow Charts, Overlays (8,0), (14,0), (15,0), (16,0) and (17,0)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1974-06-01

    reimi /oifi I mew oo n ni I • I t»M • »’ - (I/O.. -iISIII »7. . ISIll • »I/ISM • ^■>l niKii • mi i Wi’iOui...flll>»tlllll"r A ’ torn». • rami nm • reiMi ni»i • ocm .. • cioie • i it CKDIII • nsiiii 1 IMIBl • TCIII TWllTI ■ TCm miai • «ein

  13. Development of an Adaptive Kalman Target Tracking Filter and Predictor for Fire Control Applications

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-03-01

    future work in lite area of prefiltering. the author believcs that an even greater amount of data compression can be achieced by using simple data...TT~ KII~ OT’ WHE~ -TCAPNS1 7 TCKt4 ATQIx - lP.TKKI C F(N) - rTE-1jIl-rIC CO-OCING Vrf ’-Or - 1.FUT(K-1* C P(494E) - ERROP C0VT,’-C~ "ATTX - I’JPU1t-z/K

  14. Eclogitization of the Subducted Oceanic Crust and Its Implications for the Mechanism of Slow Earthquakes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xinyang; Zhao, Dapeng; Suzuki, Haruhiko; Li, Jiabiao; Ruan, Aiguo

    2017-12-01

    The generating mechanism and process of slow earthquakes can help us to better understand the seismogenic process and the petrological evolution of the subduction system, but they are still not very clear. In this work we present robust P and S wave tomography and Poisson's ratio images of the subducting Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Kii peninsula in Southwest Japan. Our results clearly reveal the spatial extent and variation of a low-velocity and high Poisson's ratio layer which is interpreted as the remnant of the subducted oceanic crust. The low-velocity layer disappears at depths >50 km, which is attributed to crustal eclogitization and consumption of fluids. The crustal eclogitization and destruction of the impermeable seal play a key role in the generation of slow earthquakes. The Moho depth of the overlying plate is an important factor affecting the depth range of slow earthquakes in warm subduction zones due to the transition of interface permeability from low to high there. The possible mechanism of the deep slow earthquakes is the dehydrated oceanic crustal rupture and shear slip at the transition zone in response to the crustal eclogitization and the temporal stress/strain field. A potential cause of the slow event gap existing beneath easternmost Shikoku and the Kii channel is the premature rupture of the subducted oceanic crust due to the large tensional force.

  15. Reproductive health laws and fertility decline in Ghana.

    PubMed

    Finlay, Jocelyn E; Fox, Ashley M

    2013-11-01

    An unresolved debate in demography concerns the causal sequence between the supply of contraception and the demand for smaller families in fertility decline. Through a mixed-methods approach, we explored the effect of a sudden increase in access to legal abortion on subsequent fertility decline when Ghana's criminal code was amended in 1985. Using Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys, we constructed a panel of women aged 15-34 years and undertook a spline regression analysis to examine the effect of legal changes in 1985 and fertility decline controlling for social determinants of fertility. In addition, we conducted 17 key informant interviews (KIIs) to understand the reasons for the legal change and competing explanations for fertility decline. Multivariate results indicated that the timing of the liberalization of the abortion law coincided with the onset of Ghana's fertility decline. The KIIs indicated that the reasons for the liberalization of reproductive health laws were in response to famine and physician advocacy. While the timing of the abortion law liberalization coincided with the fertility decline in Ghana, we are unable to decouple the effect of the legal change from the effects of a severe famine that affected the region at the same time. Further research on documented and undocumented abortion in Ghana should be conducted to validate the contribution of legal abortion to fertility decline. © 2013.

  16. Assessing Acceptability of a Diagnostic and Malaria Treatment Package Delivered by Community Health Workers in Malaria-Endemic Settings of Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Uganda.

    PubMed

    Jegede, Ayodele S; Oshiname, Frederick O; Sanou, Armande K; Nsungwa-Sabiiti, Jesca; Ajayi, IkeOluwapo O; Siribié, Mohamadou; Afonne, Chinenye; Sermé, Luc; Falade, Catherine O

    2016-12-15

     The efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and rectal artesunate for severe malaria in children is proven. However, acceptability of a package of interventions that included use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), ACTs, and rectal artesunate when provided by community health workers (CHWs) is uncertain. This study assessed acceptability of use of CHWs for case management of malaria using RDTs, ACTs, and rectal artesunate.  The study was carried out in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Uganda in 2015 toward the end of an intervention using CHWs to provide diagnosis and treatment. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with parents of sick children, community leaders, and health workers to understand whether they accepted the package for case management of malaria using CHWs. Transcripts from FGDs and KII recordings were analyzed using content analysis. The findings were described, interpreted, and reported in the form of narratives.  Treatment of malaria using the CHWs was acceptable to caregivers and communities. The CHWs were perceived to be accessible, diligent, and effective. There were no physical, social, or cultural barriers to accessing the CHWs' services. Respondents were extremely positive about the intervention and were concerned that CHWs had limited financial and nonfinancial incentives that would reduce their motivation and willingness to continue.  Treatment of malaria using CHWs was fully accepted. CHWs should be compensated, trained, and well supervised.  ISRCTN13858170. © 2016 World Health Organization; licensee Oxford Journals.

  17. Integrated absolute dating approach for terrestrial records of past climate using trapped charge methods (INTERTRAP) - the blessing and turmoil of implementing for the first time an ERC grant at a Romanian university

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Timar-Gabor, Alida; Buylaert, Jan-Pieter

    2017-04-01

    This year marks European Research Council`s (ERC) 10th anniversary. Romania is celebrating as well 10 years as a member state of the European Union. Over the past decade Romania has made significant progress in supporting research development at the national level. However, when it comes to excellent frontier research as supported by the ERC, Romania`s involvement and visibility at a European level remains very low. Considering only young researchers, according to ERC statistics only 142 proposals hosted by institutions in Romania have been submitted in the Starting and Consolidator Grant schemes in the last 3 years (2014-2016). For corresponding funding schemes at a national level Romania`s Executive Agency for Financing Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI) received over 2000 applications only in 2016. The success rate of ERC proposals hosted by Romania is even more concerning (less than 3%) with only 4 projects out of 142 being granted. In 2015, Dr Alida Timar-Gabor was awarded an ERC starting grant (grant agreement No [678106]; INTERTRAP) which is the first ERC project to be implemented in a Romanian university. In the INTERTRAP project Dr Timar-Gabor and her team aims to achieve significant improvement in quartz based luminescence dating and to develop new absolute dating techniques for Quaternary sediments. During the implementation of the project a new state-of-the-art luminescence and electron spin resonance laboratory, unique in Eastern Europe and one of the only two or three in the world, will be set up. Dr. Alida Timar-Gabor, PI of INTERTRAP, is the founder and leader of the only absolute dating laboratory in Romania that was founded in 2008. She has defended her PhD in 2010 and supervised and co-supervised 10 other PhD students since then. She holds various national and international awards. Her career path has been significantly influenced by a strong network of international collaborations. In this presentation she will give an overview of

  18. 'I thought they were going to handle me like a queen but they didn't': A qualitative study exploring the quality of care provided to women at the time of birth.

    PubMed

    Lambert, Jaki; Etsane, Elsie; Bergh, Anne-Marie; Pattinson, Robert; van den Broek, Nynke

    2018-07-01

    To explore experiences of care during labour and birth from the perspectives of both the healthcare provider and women receiving care, to inform recommendations for how the quality of care can be improved and monitored, and, to identify the main aspects of care that are important to women. A descriptive phenomenological approach. 53 interviews and 10KII as per table 1 took place including in-depth interviews (IDI), focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) conducted with women, healthcare providers, managers and policy makers. Following verbatim transcription thematic framework analysis was used to describe the lived experience of those interviewed. 11 public healthcare facilities providing maternity care in urban Tshwane District, Gauteng Province (n = 4) and rural Waterberg District, Limpopo Province (n = 7), South Africa. Women who had given birth in the preceding 12 weeks (49 women, 7 FGD and 23 IDI); healthcare providers working in the labour wards (33 healthcare providers; nurses, midwives, medical staff, 5 FGD, 18 IDI; managers and policy makers (10 KII). Both women and healthcare providers largely feel alone and unsupported. There is mutual distrust between women and healthcare providers exacerbated by word of mouth and the media. A lack of belief in women's ability to make appropriate choices negates principles of choice and consent. Procedure- rather than patient-centred care is prioritised by healthcare providers. Although healthcare providers know the principles of good quality care, this was not reflected in the care women described as having received. Beliefs and attitudes as well as structural and organisational problems make it difficult to provide good quality care. Caring behaviour and environment as well as companionship are the most important needs highlighted by women. Professional hierarchy is rarely seen as supportive by healthcare providers but when present, good leadership changes the culture and experience of

  19. Three-dimensional distribution of random velocity inhomogeneities at the Nankai trough seismogenic zone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Takahashi, T.; Obana, K.; Yamamoto, Y.; Nakanishi, A.; Kaiho, Y.; Kodaira, S.; Kaneda, Y.

    2012-12-01

    The Nankai trough in southwestern Japan is a convergent margin where the Philippine sea plate is subducted beneath the Eurasian plate. There are major faults segments of huge earthquakes that are called Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai earthquakes. According to the earthquake occurrence history over the past hundreds years, we must expect various rupture patters such as simultaneous or nearly continuous ruptures of plural fault segments. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) conducted seismic surveys at Nankai trough in order to clarify mutual relations between seismic structures and fault segments, as a part of "Research concerning Interaction Between the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai Earthquakes" funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. This study evaluated the spatial distribution of random velocity inhomogeneities from Hyuga-nada to Kii-channel by using velocity seismograms of small and moderate sized earthquakes. Random velocity inhomogeneities are estimated by the peak delay time analysis of S-wave envelopes (e.g., Takahashi et al. 2009). Peak delay time is defined as the time lag from the S-wave onset to its maximal amplitude arrival. This quantity mainly reflects the accumulated multiple forward scattering effect due to random inhomogeneities, and is quite insensitive to the inelastic attenuation. Peak delay times are measured from the rms envelopes of horizontal components at 4-8Hz, 8-16Hz and 16-32Hz. This study used the velocity seismograms that are recorded by 495 ocean bottom seismographs and 378 onshore seismic stations. Onshore stations are composed of the F-net and Hi-net stations that are maintained by National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) of Japan. It is assumed that the random inhomogeneities are represented by the von Karman type PSDF. Preliminary result of inversion analysis shows that spectral gradient of PSDF (i.e., scale dependence of

  20. Products and kinetics of the liquid-phase reaction of glyoxal catalyzed by ammonium ions (NH4(+)).

    PubMed

    Nozière, Barbara; Dziedzic, Pawel; Córdova, Armando

    2009-01-08

    Glyoxal, a common atmospheric gas, has been reported to be depleted in some regions of the atmosphere. The corresponding sink could be accounted for by reactions in or at the surface of atmospheric particles, but these reactions were not identified. Recently, we showed that inorganic ammonium ions, NH(4)(+), are efficient catalysts for reactions of carbonyl compounds, including glyoxal, in the liquid phase. To determine whether ammonium-catalyzed reactions can contribute to depletion of glyoxal in the atmosphere, the reactivity of this compound in aqueous solutions containing ammonium salts (ammonium sulfate, chloride, fluoride, and phosphate) at 298 K has been studied. The products identified by LC-HRMS and UV absorption revealed a mechanism involving two distinct pathways: a Bronsted acid pathway and an iminium pathway. The kinetics of the iminium pathway was studied by monitoring formation of a specific product. This pathway was second order in glyoxal in most of the solutions studied and should therefore be second order in most ammonium-containing aerosols in the atmosphere. The corresponding rate constant, k(II) (M(-1) s(-1)), increased strongly with ammonium ion activity, a(NH(4)(+)), and pH: k(II) (M(-1) s(-1)) = (2 +/- 1) x 10(-10) exp((1.5 +/- 0.8)aNH(4)(+)) exp((2.5 +/- 0.2)pH). This iminium pathway is a lower limit for the ammonium-catalyzed consumption of glyoxal, but the contribution of the acid pathway is expected to be small in tropospheric aerosols. With these results the reactive uptake of glyoxal on ammonium-containing aerosols was estimated and shown to be a possible explanation for depletion of this compound in Mexico City.

  1. Axions and SN 1987A: Axion trapping

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burrows, Adam; Ressell, M. Ted; Turner, Michael S.

    1990-01-01

    If an axion of mass between about 10(exp -3) and 10 eV exists, axion emission would have significantly affected the cooling of the nascent neutron star associated with SN 1987A. For an axion of mass greater than about 10(exp -2) eV axions would, like neutrinos, have a mean-free path that is smaller than the size of a neutron star, and thus would become trapped and radiated from an axion sphere. The trapping regime is treated by using numerical models of the initial cooling of a hot neutron star that incorporate a diffusion approximation for axion-energy transport. The axion opacity due to inverse nucleon-nucleon, axion bremsstrahlung is computed; and then the numerical models are used to calculate the integrated axion luminosity, the temperature of the axion sphere, and the effect of axion emission on the neutrino bursts detected by the Kamiokande II (KII) and Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven (IMB) water-Cherenkov detectors. The larger the axion mass, the stronger the trapping and the smaller the axion luminosity. The estimate of the axion mass is confirmed above which trapping is so strong that axion emission does not significantly affect the neutrino burst. Based upon the neutrino-burst duration - the most sensitive barometer of axion cooling - it is concluded that for an axion mass greater than about 3 eV axion emission would not have had a significant effect on the neutrino bursts detected by KII and IMB. It is strongly suggested that an axion with mass in the interval 10(exp -3) to 3 eV is excluded by the observation of neutrinos from SN 1987A.

  2. 3D geometry of a plate boundary fault related to the 2016 Off-Mie earthquake in the Nankai subduction zone, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsuji, Takeshi; Minato, Shohei; Kamei, Rie; Tsuru, Tetsuro; Kimura, Gaku

    2017-11-01

    We used recent seismic data and advanced techniques to investigate 3D fault geometry over the transition from the partially coupled to the fully coupled plate interface inboard of the Nankai Trough off the Kii Peninsula, Japan. We found that a gently dipping plate boundary décollement with a thick underthrust layer extends beneath the entire Kumano forearc basin. The 1 April 2016 Off-Mie earthquake (Mw6.0) and its aftershocks occurred, where the plate boundary décollement steps down close to the oceanic crust surface. This location also lies beneath the trenchward edge of an older accretionary prism (∼14 Ma) developed along the coast of the Kii peninsula. The strike of the 2016 rupture plane was similar to that of a formerly active splay fault system in the accretionary prism. Thus, the fault planes of the 2016 earthquake and its aftershocks were influenced by the geometry of the plate interface as well as splay faulting. The 2016 earthquake occurred within the rupture area of large interplate earthquakes such as the 1944 Tonankai earthquake (Mw8.1), although the 2016 rupture area was much smaller than that of the 1944 event. Whereas the hypocenter of the 2016 earthquake was around the underplating sequence beneath the younger accretionary prism (∼6 Ma), the 1944 great earthquake hypocenter was close to oceanic crust surface beneath the older accretionary prism. The variation of fault geometry and lithology may influence the degree of coupling along the plate interface, and such coupling variation could hinder slip propagation toward the deeper plate interface in the 2016 event.

  3. Visualization of Green's Function Anomalies for Megathrust Source in Nankai Trough by Reciprocity Method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petukhin, A.; Miyakoshi, K.; Tsurugi, M.; Kawase, H.; Kamae, K.

    2014-12-01

    Effect of various areas (asperities or SMGA) in the source of a megathrust subduction zone earthquake on the simulated long-period ground motions is studied. For this case study we employed a source fault model proposed by HERP (2012) for future M9-class event in the Nankai trough. Velocity structure is 3-D JIVSM model developed for long-period ground motion simulations. The target site OSKH02 "Konohana" is located in center of the Osaka basin. Green's functions for large number of sub-sources (>1000) were calculated by FDM using the reciprocity approach. Depths, strike and dip angles of sub-sources are adjusted to the shape of upper boundary of the Philippine Sea plate. The target period range is 4-20sec. Strongly nonuniform distribution of peak amplitudes of Green's functions is observed (see Figure), and two areas have anomalously large amplitudes: (1) a large along-strike elongated area just south of Kii peninsula and (2) a similar area south of Kii peninsula but shifted toward the Nankai trough. Elongation of the first anomaly fits well 10-15km isolines of the depth distribution of the Philippine Sea plate, while target site is located in the direction perpendicular to these isolines. For this reason, preliminarily we suppose that plate shape may have critical effect on the simulated ground motions, via a cumulative effect of sub-source radiation patterns and specific strike and dip angle distributions. Analysis of the time delay of the peak arrivals at OKSH02 demonstrates that Green's functions from the second anomaly, located in shallow part of plate boundary, are mostly composed of surface waves.

  4. Stress-intensity factors for cracks emanating from the loaded fastener hole

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shivakumar, V.; Hsu, Y. C.

    1977-01-01

    Using a series approach and the Muskhelishvili formulation in the two-dimensional theory of elasticity, stress-intensity factors K are derived for problems in which cracks emanate radially from the boundary of an arbitrarily loaded internal circular hole in an infinite plate. Numerical values are obtained for K(I) and K(II) for radial cracks from a hole containing a loose-fitted pin or rivet that is pulled perpendicular to the crack direction in the plane of the plate. The method is a general one for determining K for a set of symmetrically emanating radial cracks for a variety of concentrated or distributed tractions on the circular hole.

  5. Fuel/Engine/Airframe Trade-Off Study. Operational Effects of Increased Freeze Point Fuels.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-08-01

    BOIGCOPN i IPD.O 116o’ D i I I I I , , - - - - - i - -i -31 at -do K- SKO K0211 K 0,, . -- -1 KOE14- KO ?15 10 210 31 40 M0 6od 0 MIE lfll UTEs ___e...119 iI~ I .... . - i i ! i ti i - - _.. I ,__ 1 I -==..= f{ .2f. - - - - - - - - - -4 - -- I- I -’ " "’ I ’ - KOSU4: ’ KO 507, ’ t ! K0509 -Zo _ 1 KII l...l UE._ __ , 0 KOS !O , ____ REVISED DT KC-13S DAA Figure C-25 CHIECK TRACK S " - ___.__ ,_,ORS, CASE COLLD YS_ THE BOEING COMPANY E C-26 ~120 i - .- I

  6. Are Fatigue and Depressive Symptoms Related to Cognitive Limitations in Occupationally Active Breast Cancer Survivors?

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-05-10

    PUBLIC HEALTH I’ll. D. Degrees 1111 ncll.,ci pi iIlal\\ -[ IllU " ill)! IIl!Cctiou:; Diseases -\\i"iLcLlLlr 8 : (’ell lliolo)!y -NelimscicIlcC I...kdlth (! k)II.) J/lIsta ofSciel1ce Degrees l’lIhllc l!c,dtll ,\\llIsters /)egrees 111’dllll ,\\tillliIli,lr,ltioll 8 : Policy -\\Iililarv i\\1ctiic,ti...Iliot()r\\ . - -1)llblie 1 !c,Jith - Illll’le’al \\;kdieinc 8 : IIYtlicllc Graduate h’i/llmtioll Office k,1I1llr S MetedI’, I’h,!),. Associatc Dcan

  7. Barriers to male involvement in contraceptive uptake and reproductive health services: a qualitative study of men and women's perceptions in two rural districts in Uganda.

    PubMed

    Kabagenyi, Allen; Jennings, Larissa; Reid, Alice; Nalwadda, Gorette; Ntozi, James; Atuyambe, Lynn

    2014-03-05

    Spousal communication can improve family planning use and continuation. Yet, in countries with high fertility rates and unmet need, men have often been regarded as unsupportive of their partner's use of family planning methods. This study examines men and women's perceptions regarding obstacles to men's support and uptake of modern contraceptives. A qualitative study using 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected men aged 15-54 and women aged 15-49 as well as eight key informant interviews (KIIs) with government and community leaders was conducted in 2012 in Bugiri and Mpigi Districts, Uganda. Open-ended question guides were used to explore men and women's perceptions regarding barriers to men's involvement in reproductive health. All FGDs and KIIs were recorded, translated, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Five themes were identified as rationale for men's limited involvement: (i) perceived side effects of female contraceptive methods which disrupt sexual activity, (ii) limited choices of available male contraceptives, including fear and concerns relating to vasectomy, (iii) perceptions that reproductive health was a woman's domain due to gender norms and traditional family planning communication geared towards women, (iv) preference for large family sizes which are uninhibited by prolonged birth spacing; and (v) concerns that women's use of contraceptives will lead to extramarital sexual relations. In general, knowledge of effective contraceptive methods was high. However, lack of time and overall limited awareness regarding the specific role of men in reproductive health was also thought to deter men's meaningful involvement in issues related to fertility regulation. Decision-making on contraceptive use is the shared responsibility of men and women. Effective development and implementation of male-involvement family planning initiatives should address barriers to men's supportive

  8. Assessment of strategies for male involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in Blantyre, Malawi.

    PubMed

    Nyondo, Alinane Linda; Muula, Adamson Sinjani; Chimwaza, Angela Faith

    2013-12-16

    Despite the documented benefits of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services, the uptake remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of male involvement (MI) may be one of the reasons for this. However, there are limited data on strategies for MI in PMTCT. The objective of this study was to identify strategies that may promote MI in PMTCT services in antenatal care (ANC) services in Blantyre, Malawi. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 at South Lunzu Health Centre (SLHC) in Blantyre, Malawi. It consisted of six face-to-face key informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare workers and four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 18 men and 17 pregnant women attending ANC at SLHC. The FGDs were divided according to sex and age. All FGDs and KIIs were digitally recorded and simultaneously transcribed and translated verbatim into English. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Three major themes with several subcategories emerged. Theme 1 was a gatekeeping strategy with two subcategories: (1) healthcare workers refusing service provision to women accessing antenatal clinic without their partners and (2) women refusing ANC attention in the absence of a partner. Theme 2 comprised extending invitations and had six subcategories: (1) word of mouth, (2) card invites, (3) woman's health passport book invites, (4) telephonic invites, (5) use of influential people, and (6) home visits. Theme 3 was information education and communication, such as health education forums and advertisements. Of all the strategies, an invitation card addressed to the male partner was most preferred by study participants. There are several strategies by which men may be involved in PMTCT. Healthcare workers should offer a pregnant woman all strategies available for MI for her to select the appropriate one. Further research and consultations with men should continue to achieve higher levels

  9. Barriers to male involvement in contraceptive uptake and reproductive health services: a qualitative study of men and women’s perceptions in two rural districts in Uganda

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Spousal communication can improve family planning use and continuation. Yet, in countries with high fertility rates and unmet need, men have often been regarded as unsupportive of their partner’s use of family planning methods. This study examines men and women’s perceptions regarding obstacles to men’s support and uptake of modern contraceptives. Methods A qualitative study using 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected men aged 15–54 and women aged 15–49 as well as eight key informant interviews (KIIs) with government and community leaders was conducted in 2012 in Bugiri and Mpigi Districts, Uganda. Open-ended question guides were used to explore men and women’s perceptions regarding barriers to men’s involvement in reproductive health. All FGDs and KIIs were recorded, translated, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Results Five themes were identified as rationale for men’s limited involvement: (i) perceived side effects of female contraceptive methods which disrupt sexual activity, (ii) limited choices of available male contraceptives, including fear and concerns relating to vasectomy, (iii) perceptions that reproductive health was a woman’s domain due to gender norms and traditional family planning communication geared towards women, (iv) preference for large family sizes which are uninhibited by prolonged birth spacing; and (v) concerns that women’s use of contraceptives will lead to extramarital sexual relations. In general, knowledge of effective contraceptive methods was high. However, lack of time and overall limited awareness regarding the specific role of men in reproductive health was also thought to deter men’s meaningful involvement in issues related to fertility regulation. Conclusion Decision-making on contraceptive use is the shared responsibility of men and women. Effective development and implementation of male-involvement family planning

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

    Frank, Evan A.; Birch, M. Eileen; Yadav, Jagjit S., E-mail: Jagjit.Yadav@uc.edu

    Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are rapidly emerging as high-priority occupational toxicants. CNT powders contain fibrous particles that aerosolize readily in places of manufacture and handling, posing an inhalation risk for workers. Studies using animal models indicate that lung exposure to CNTs causes prolonged inflammatory responses and diffuse alveolar injury. The mechanisms governing CNT-induced lung inflammation are not fully understood but have been suggested to involve alveolar macrophages (AMs). In the current study, we sought to systematically assess the effector role of AMs in vivo in the induction of lung inflammatory responses to CNT exposures and investigate their cell type-specific mechanisms. Multi-wallmore » CNTs characterized for various physicochemical attributes were used as the CNT type. Using an AM-specific depletion and repopulation approach in a mouse model, we unambiguously demonstrated that AMs are major effector cells necessary for the in vivo elaboration of CNT-induced lung inflammation. We further investigated in vitro AM responses and identified molecular targets which proved critical to pro-inflammatory responses in this model, namely MyD88 as well as MAPKs and Ca{sup 2} {sup +}/CamKII. We further demonstrated that MyD88 inhibition in donor AMs abrogated their capacity to reconstitute CNT-induced inflammation when adoptively transferred into AM-depleted mice. Taken together, this is the first in vivo demonstration that AMs act as critical effector cell types in CNT-induced lung inflammation and that MyD88 is required for this in vivo effector function. AMs and their cell type-specific mechanisms may therefore represent potential targets for future therapeutic intervention of CNT-related lung injury. - Highlights: • Demonstrated in vivo effector role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in CNT toxicity • MyD88, MAPKs, and Ca{sup 2} {sup +}/CamKII are required for AM inflammatory responses in vitro. • MyD88 signaling is required for in vivo

  11. Lessons from implementing mass drug administration for soil transmitted helminths among pre-school aged children during school based deworming program at the Kenyan coast.

    PubMed

    Musuva, Rosemary M; Matey, Elizabeth; Masaku, Janet; Odhiambo, Gladys; Mwende, Faith; Thuita, Isaac; Kihara, Jimmy; Njomo, Doris

    2017-06-14

    The 2012 London declaration which committed to "sustaining, expanding and extending drug access programmes to ensure the necessary supply of drugs and other interventions to help control soil-transmitted helminths (STH) by 2020" has seen many countries in Africa roll out mass drug administration (MDA) especially among school age children. In Kenya, however, during the National school-based deworming exercise, pre-school aged children (PSAC) have to access treatment at primary schools as the pre-school teachers are not trained to carry out deworming. With studies being conducted on the effectiveness of MDAs, the experiences of key education stakeholders which could improve the programme by giving best practices, and challenges experienced have not been documented. This was a cross-sectional qualitative study using Focus group discussions (FGDs) and Key informant interviews (KIIs). It was conducted in 4 sub-counties with high STH prevalence at the Kenyan coast (Matuga, Malindi, Lunga Lunga and Msambweni) to understand best practices for implementing MDA among PSAC.FGDs categorized by gender were conducted among local community members, whereas KIIs involved pre-school teachers, primary school teachers, community health extension workers (CHEWs) and opinion leaders. Participants were purposefully selected with the saturation model determining the number of interviews and focus groups. Voice data collected was transcribed verbatim then coded and analyzed using ATLAS.Ti version 6. Majority of the primary school teachers and CHEWs reported that they were satisfied with the method of mobilization used and the training tools. This was however not echoed by the pre-school teachers, parents and chiefs who complained of being left out of the process. Best practices mentioned included timely drug delivery, support from pre-school teachers, and management of side effects. Overcrowding during the drug administration day, complexity of the forms (for instance the 'S form') and

  12. Assessment of strategies for male involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services in Blantyre, Malawi

    PubMed Central

    Nyondo, Alinane Linda; Muula, Adamson Sinjani; Chimwaza, Angela Faith

    2013-01-01

    Background Despite the documented benefits of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services, the uptake remains low in sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of male involvement (MI) may be one of the reasons for this. However, there are limited data on strategies for MI in PMTCT. Objective The objective of this study was to identify strategies that may promote MI in PMTCT services in antenatal care (ANC) services in Blantyre, Malawi. Study design An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013 at South Lunzu Health Centre (SLHC) in Blantyre, Malawi. It consisted of six face-to-face key informant interviews (KIIs) with healthcare workers and four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 18 men and 17 pregnant women attending ANC at SLHC. The FGDs were divided according to sex and age. All FGDs and KIIs were digitally recorded and simultaneously transcribed and translated verbatim into English. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results Three major themes with several subcategories emerged. Theme 1 was a gatekeeping strategy with two subcategories: (1) healthcare workers refusing service provision to women accessing antenatal clinic without their partners and (2) women refusing ANC attention in the absence of a partner. Theme 2 comprised extending invitations and had six subcategories: (1) word of mouth, (2) card invites, (3) woman's health passport book invites, (4) telephonic invites, (5) use of influential people, and (6) home visits. Theme 3 was information education and communication, such as health education forums and advertisements. Of all the strategies, an invitation card addressed to the male partner was most preferred by study participants. Conclusions There are several strategies by which men may be involved in PMTCT. Healthcare workers should offer a pregnant woman all strategies available for MI for her to select the appropriate one. Further research and

  13. “Research participants want to feel they are better off than they were before research was introduced to them”: engaging cameroonian rural plantation populations in HIV research

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background During a period of evolving international consensus on how to engage communities in research, facilitators and barriers to participation in HIV prevention research were explored in a rural plantation community in the coastal region of Cameroon. Methods A formative rapid assessment using structured observations, focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KIIs) was conducted with a purposive non-probabilistic sample of plantation workers and their household members. Eligibility criteria included living or working >1 year within the plantation community and age >18 years. Both rapid and in-depth techniques were used to complete thematic analysis. Results Sixty-five persons participated in the study (6 FGDs and 12 KIIs). Participants viewed malaria and gastrointestinal conditions as more common health concerns than HIV. They identified three factors as contributing to HIV risk: concurrent sexual relationships, sex work, and infrequent condom use. Interviewees perceived that the community would participate in HIV research if it is designed to: (1) improve community welfare, (2) provide comprehensive health services and treatment for illnesses, (3) protect the personal information of participants, especially those who test positive for HIV, (4) provide participant incentives, (5) incorporate community input, and (6) minimize disruptions to “everyday life”. Barriers to participation included: (1) fear of HIV testing, (2) mistrust of researchers given possible disrespect or intolerance of plantation community life and lack of concern for communication, (3) time commitment demands, (3) medical care and treatment that would be difficult or costly to access, and (4) life disruptions along with potential requirements for changes in behaviour (i.e., engage in or abstain from alcohol use and sex activities). Conclusions Consistent with UNAIDS guidelines for good participatory practice in HIV prevention research, study participants placed a

  14. LSD and DOB: interaction with 5-HT2A receptors to inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated transmission in the rat prefrontal cortex.

    PubMed

    Arvanov, V L; Liang, X; Russo, A; Wang, R Y

    1999-09-01

    Both the phenethylamine hallucinogen (-)-1-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenyl-2-aminopropane (DOB), a selective serotonin 5-HT2A,2C receptor agonist, and the indoleamine hallucinogen D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, which binds to 5-HT1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, 1F, 2A, 2C, 5, 6, 7, dopamine D1 and D2, and alpha1 and alpha2 adrenergic receptors), but not their non-hallucinogenic congeners, inhibited N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced inward current and NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the forceps minor in pyramidal cells of the prefrontal cortical slices. The inhibitory effect of hallucinogens was mimicked by 5-HT in the presence of selective 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The inhibitory action of DOB, LSD and 5-HT on the NMDA transmission was blocked by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonists R-(+)-alpha-(2, 3-dimethoxyphenil)-1-[4-fluorophenylethyl]-4-piperidineme thanol (M100907) and ketanserin. However, at low concentrations, when both LSD and DOB by themselves only partially depressed the NMDA response, they blocked the inhibitory effect of 5-HT, suggesting a partial agonist action. Whereas N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulphonamide (W-7, a calmodulin antagonist) and N-[2-[[[3-(4'-chlorophenyl)- 2-propenyl]methylamino]methyl]phenyl]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4'-methoxy-b enzenesulphonamide phosphate (KN-93, a Ca2+/CaM-KII inhibitor), but not the negative control 2-[N-4'methoxybenzenesulphonyl]amino-N-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-propeny l-N -methylbenzylamine phosphate (KN-92), blocked the inhibitory action of LSD and DOB, the selective protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine was without any effect. We conclude that phenethylamine and indoleamine hallucinogens may exert their hallucinogenic effect by interacting with 5-HT2A receptors via a Ca2+/CaM-KII-dependent signal transduction pathway as partial agonists and modulating the NMDA receptors-mediated sensory, perceptual, affective and cognitive processes.

  15. Seismicity around the source areas of the 1946 Nankai and the 1944 Tonankai earthquakes detected from data recorded at DONET stations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suzuki, K.; Kamiya, S.; Takahashi, N.

    2016-12-01

    The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) installed DONET (Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis) off the Kii Peninsula, southwest of Japan, to monitor earthquakes and tsunamis. Stations of DONET1, which are distributed in Kumano-nada, and DONET2, which are distributed off Muroto, were installed by August 2011 and April 2016, respectively. After the installation of all of the 51 stations, DONET was transferred to National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED). NIED and JAMSTEC have now corroborated in the operation of DONET since April 2016. To investigate the seismicity around the source areas of the 1946 Nankai and the 1944 Tonankai earthquakes, we detected earthquakes from the records of the broadband seismometers installed to DONET. Because DONET stations are apart from land stations, we can detect smaller earthquakes than by using only land stations. It is important for understanding the stress state and seismogenic mechanism to monitoring the spatial-temporal seismicity change. In this study we purpose to evaluate to the seismicity around the source areas of the Nankai and the Tonankai earthquakes by using our earthquake catalogue. The frequency-magnitude relationships of earthquakes in the areas of DONET1&2 had an almost constant slope of about -1 for earthquakes of ML larger than 1.5 and 2.5, satisfying the Gutenberg-Richter law, and the slope of smaller earthquakes approached 0, reflecting the detection limits. While the most of the earthquakes occurred in the aftershock area of the 2004 off the Kii Peninsula earthquakes, very limited activity was detected in the source region of the Nankai and Tonankai earthquake except for the large earthquake (MJMA = 6.5) on 1st April 2016 and its aftershocks. We will evaluate the detection limit of the earthquake in more detail and investigate the spatial-temporal seismicity change with waiting the data store.

  16. Urban settings do not ensure access to services: findings from the immunisation programme in Kampala Uganda.

    PubMed

    Babirye, Juliet N; Engebretsen, Ingunn M S; Rutebemberwa, Elizeus; Kiguli, Juliet; Nuwaha, Fred

    2014-03-06

    Previous studies on vaccination coverage in developing countries focus on individual- and community-level barriers to routine vaccination mostly in rural settings. This paper examines health system barriers to childhood immunisation in urban Kampala Uganda. Mixed methods were employed with a survey among child caretakers, 9 focus group discussions (FGDs), and 9 key informant interviews (KIIs). Survey data underwent descriptive statistical analysis. Latent content analysis was used for qualitative data. Of the 821 respondents in the survey, 96% (785/821) were mothers with a mean age of 26 years (95% CI 24-27). Poor geographical access to immunisation facilities was reported in this urban setting by FGDs, KIIs and survey respondents (24%, 95% CI 21-27). This coupled with reports of few health workers providing immunisation services led to long queues and long waiting times at facilities. Consumers reported waiting for 3-6 hours before receipt of services although this was more common at public facilities. Only 33% (95% CI 30-37) of survey respondents were willing to wait for three or more hours before receipt of services. Although private-for-profit facilities were engaged in immunisation service provision their participation was low as only 30% (95% CI 27-34) of the survey respondents utilised these facilities. The low participation could be due to lack of financial support for immunisation activities at these facilities. This in turn could explain the rampant informal charges for services in this setting. Charges ranged from US$ 0.2 to US$4 and these were more commonly reported at private (70%, 95% CI 65-76) than at public (58%, 95% CI 54-63) facilities. There were intermittent availability of vaccines and transport for immunisation services at both private and public facilities. Complex health system barriers to childhood immunisation still exist in this urban setting; emphasizing that even in urban areas with great physical access, there are hard to reach people

  17. Community Perceptions on Integrating Animal Vaccination and Health Education by Veterinary and Public Health Workers in the Prevention of Brucellosis among Pastoral Communities of South Western Uganda

    PubMed Central

    Kansiime, Catherine; Atuyambe, Lynn M.; Asiimwe, Benon B.; Mugisha, Anthony; Mugisha, Samuel; Guma, Victor; Rwego, Innocent B.; Rutebemberwa, Elizeus

    2015-01-01

    Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of veterinary, public health, and economic significance in most developing countries, yet there are few studies that show integrated human and veterinary health care intervention focusing on integration at both activity and actors levels. The aim of our study, therefore, was to explore community perceptions on integration of animal vaccination and health education by veterinary and public health workers in the management of brucellosis in Uganda. Methods This study used a qualitative design where six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that were homogenous in nature were conducted, two from each sub-county, one with the local leaders, and another with pastoralists and farmers. Five Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with two public health workers and three veterinary extension workers from three sub-counties in Kiruhura district, Uganda were conducted. All FGDs were conducted in the local language and tape recorded with consent from the participants. KIIs were in English and later transcribed and analyzed using latent content data analysis method. Results All the groups mentioned that they lacked awareness on brucellosis commonly known as Brucella and its vaccination in animals. Respondents perceived improvement in human resources in terms of training and recruiting more health personnel, facilitation of the necessary activities such as sensitization of the communities about brucellosis, and provision of vaccines and diagnostic tests as very important in the integration process in the communities. The FGD participants also believed that community participation was crucial for sustainability and ownership of the integration process. Conclusions The respondents reported limited knowledge of brucellosis and its vaccination in animals. The community members believed that mass animal vaccination in combination with health education about the disease is important and possible if it involves government and all other stakeholders such

  18. On the Extreme Order Statistics for a Stationary Sequence.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-07-01

    n- n n-a [on] n n-.n ’[on] n 5 ur p[\\(k) su (aT) !£ --<lim P[M kOT) ] n-" O n < n 2 by (2.1) and (2.2), it is easily seen that P[M (k) < u ( r ...8217 ; 0 i< n IS1, - ( r , i7 k-i1 2 k-ii "’’ .- (k) -OTk i ( s) - . Corollary 3.2 P[" [on] < = e [k 1 7 n (i’T)] + o (I)-.’]v =I Z ! i=Z n where 7 (i;T) is...tends to o by (3.3). Thusn r n kn n I (X > 0) converges in distribution to a Poisson variable with mean m=I ~n,m OT, from which the result easily follows

  19. An Improved Treatment of External Boundary for Three-Dimensional Flow Computations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsynkov, Semyon V.; Vatsa, Veer N.

    1997-01-01

    We present an innovative numerical approach for setting highly accurate nonlocal boundary conditions at the external computational boundaries when calculating three-dimensional compressible viscous flows over finite bodies. The approach is based on application of the difference potentials method by V. S. Ryaben'kii and extends our previous technique developed for the two-dimensional case. The new boundary conditions methodology has been successfully combined with the NASA-developed code TLNS3D and used for the analysis of wing-shaped configurations in subsonic and transonic flow regimes. As demonstrated by the computational experiments, the improved external boundary conditions allow one to greatly reduce the size of the computational domain while still maintaining high accuracy of the numerical solution. Moreover, they may provide for a noticeable speedup of convergence of the multigrid iterations.

  20. Path (un)predictability of two interacting cracks in polycarbonate sheets using Digital Image Correlation.

    PubMed

    Koivisto, J; Dalbe, M-J; Alava, M J; Santucci, S

    2016-08-31

    Crack propagation is tracked here with Digital Image Correlation analysis in the test case of two cracks propagating in opposite directions in polycarbonate, a material with high ductility and a large Fracture Process Zone (FPZ). Depending on the initial distances between the two crack tips, one may observe different complex crack paths with in particular a regime where the two cracks repel each other prior to being attracted. We show by strain field analysis how this can be understood according to the principle of local symmetry: the propagation is to the direction where the local shear - mode KII in fracture mechanics language - is zero. Thus the interactions exhibited by the cracks arise from symmetry, from the initial geometry, and from the material properties which induce the FPZ. This complexity makes any long-range prediction of the path(s) impossible.

  1. Mathematical and computational aspects of nonuniform frictional slip modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gorbatikh, Larissa

    2004-07-01

    A mechanics-based model of non-uniform frictional sliding is studied from the mathematical/computational analysis point of view. This problem is of a key importance for a number of applications (particularly geomechanical ones), where materials interfaces undergo partial frictional sliding under compression and shear. We show that the problem is reduced to Dirichlet's problem for monotonic loading and to Riemman's problem for cyclic loading. The problem may look like a traditional crack interaction problem, however, it is confounded by the fact that locations of n sliding intervals are not known. They are to be determined from the condition for the stress intensity factors: KII=0 at the ends of the sliding zones. Computationally, it reduces to solving a system of 2n coupled non-linear algebraic equations involving singular integrals with unknown limits of integration.

  2. NanTroSEIZE observatories: Installation of a long-term borehole monitoring systems offshore the Kii Peninsula, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kopf, A.; Saffer, D. M.; Davis, E. E.; Araki, E.; Kinoshita, M.; Lauer, R. M.; Wheat, C. G.; Kitada, K.; Kimura, T.; Toczko, S.; Eguchi, N. O.; Science Parties, E.

    2010-12-01

    The IODP Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) is a multi-expedition drilling program designed to investigate fault mechanics, fault slip behavior, and strain accumulation along subduction megathrusts, through coring, logging, and long-term monitoring experiments. One key objective is the development and installation of a borehole observatory network extending from locations above the outer, presumably aseismic accretionary wedge to the seismogenic and interseismically locked plate interface, to record seismicity and slip transients, monitor strain accumulation, document hydraulic transients associated with deformation events, and quantify in situ pore fluid pressure and temperature. As part of recent NanTroSEIZE operations, borehole instruments have been developed for deployment at two sites: (1) Site C0010, which penetrates a major out-of-sequence thrust fault termed the “megasplay” at ca. 400 mbsf, and (2) Site C0002 in the Kumano forearc basin at a location that overlies both the updip edge of the inferred interseismically locked portion of the plate interface, and clusters of very low frequency thrust and reverse earthquakes located within the accretionary prism and potentially on the megasplay fault. In 2009, Site C0010 was drilled and cased with screens to access the megasplay fault, and a simple pore pressure and temperature monitoring system (a ”smartplug”) was installed. The simple observatory unit includes pressure and temperature sensors and a data logging package mounted beneath a mechanically set retrievable casing packer, and includes two pressure sensors, one in hydraulic communication with the formation through the casing screens below the packer, and the other to the open borehole above the packer to record hydrostatic reference pressure and ocean loading signals. Temperatures are recorded within the instrument package using a platinum thermometer and by a self-contained miniature temperature logger (MTL). In fall 2010, the smartplug will be retrieved and replaced with an upgraded instrument package that also includes an autonomous osmotic geochemical sampling system and microbial colonization experiment. Fall 2010 operations will also drill and case Site C0002 to ca. 1000 m depth and install a newly developed multi-sensor permanent observatory system, which includes a volumetric strainmeter, a broadband seismometer, tiltmeter, thermister string, and multi-level pore-pressure sensors. The strain, seismometer, and tilt sensors will be cemented with the basal mudstones of the Kumano basin, and pore pressure will be monitored within both the underlying accretionary prism and within the lower basin sediments. The observatory will ultimately be connected to the seafloor fiber-optic cable network DONET. Here, we report on the retrieval of the smartplug, installation and configuration of the new multi-sensor permanent observatory, and preliminary data obtained from the smartplug deployment.

  3. A critique of the Uganda district league table using a normative health system performance assessment framework.

    PubMed

    KirungaTashobya, Christine; Ssengooba, Freddie; Nabyonga-Orem, Juliet; Bataringaya, Juliet; Macq, Jean; Marchal, Bruno; Musila, Timothy; Criel, Bart

    2018-05-10

    In 2003 the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) introduced the District League Table (DLT) to track district performance. This review of the DLT is intended to add to the evidence base on Health Systems Performance Assessment (HSPA) globally, with emphasis on Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), and provide recommendations for adjustments to the current Ugandan reality. A normative HSPA framework was used to inform the development of a Key Informant Interview (KII) tool. Thirty Key Informants were interviewed, purposively selected from the Ugandan health system on the basis of having developed or used the DLT. KII data and information from published and grey literature on the Uganda health system was analyzed using deductive analysis. Stakeholder involvement in the development of the DLT was limited, including MoH officials and development partners, and a few district technical managers. Uganda policy documents articulate a conceptually broad health system whereas the DLT focuses on a healthcare system. The complexity and dynamism of the Uganda health system was insufficiently acknowledged by the HSPA framework. Though DLT objectives and indicators were articulated, there was no conceptual reference model and lack of clarity on the constitutive dimensions. The DLT mechanisms for change were not explicit. The DLT compared markedly different districts and did not identify factors behind observed performance. Uganda lacks a designated institutional unit for the analysis and presentation of HSPA data, and there are challenges in data quality and range. The critique of the DLT using a normative model supported the development of recommendation for Uganda district HSPA and provides lessons for other LMICs. A similar approach can be used by researchers and policy makers elsewhere for the review and development of other frameworks. Adjustments in Uganda district HSPA should consider: wider stakeholder involvement with more district managers including political

  4. Acceptability of lifelong treatment among HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (Option B+) in selected health facilities in Zimbabwe: a qualitative study.

    PubMed

    Chadambuka, Addmore; Katirayi, Leila; Muchedzi, Auxilia; Tumbare, Esther; Musarandega, Reuben; Mahomva, Agnes I; Woelk, Godfrey

    2017-07-25

    Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) adopted 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) guidelines recommending initiation of HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (PPBW) on lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) irrespective of clinical stage (Option B+). Option B+ was officially launched in Zimbabwe in November 2013; however the acceptability of life-long ART and its potential uptake among women was not known. A qualitative study was conducted at selected sites in Harare (urban) and Zvimba (rural) to explore Option B+ acceptability; barriers, and facilitators to ART adherence and service uptake. In-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with PPBW, healthcare providers, and community members. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated; data were coded and analyzed in MaxQDA v10. Forty-three IDIs, 22 FGDs, and five KIIs were conducted. The majority of women accepted lifelong ART. There was however, a fear of commitment to taking lifelong medication because they were afraid of defaulting, especially after cessation of breastfeeding. There was confusion around dosage; and fear of side effects, not having enough food to take drugs, and the lack of opportunities to ask questions in counseling. Participants reported the need for strengthening community sensitization for Option B+. Facilitators included receiving a simplified pill regimen; ability to continue breastfeeding beyond 6 months like HIV-negative women; and partner, community and health worker support. Barriers included distance of health facility, non-disclosure of HIV status, poor male partner support and knowing someone who had negative experience on ART. This study found that Option B+ is generally accepted among PPBW as a means to strengthen their health and protect their babies. Consistent with previous literature, this study demonstrated the

  5. Institutional capacity for health systems research in East and Central African Schools of Public Health: strengthening human and financial resources.

    PubMed

    Simba, Daudi; Mukose, Aggrey; Bazeyo, William

    2014-06-02

    Despite its importance in providing evidence for health-related policy and decision-making, an insufficient amount of health systems research (HSR) is conducted in low-income countries (LICs). Schools of public health (SPHs) are key stakeholders in HSR. This paper, one in a series of four, examines human and financial resources capacities, policies and organizational support for HSR in seven Africa Hub SPHs in East and Central Africa. Capacity assessment done included document analysis to establish staff numbers, qualifications and publications; self-assessment using a tool developed to capture individual perceptions on the capacity for HSR and institutional dialogues. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were held with Deans from each SPH and Ministry of Health and non-governmental officials, focusing on perceptions on capacity of SPHs to engage in HSR, access to funding, and organizational support for HSR. A total of 123 people participated in the self-assessment and 73 KIIs were conducted. Except for the National University of Rwanda and the University of Nairobi SPH, most respondents expressed confidence in the adequacy of staffing levels and HSR-related skills at their SPH. However, most of the researchers operate at individual level with low outputs. The average number of HSR-related publications was only <1 to 3 per staff member over a 6-year period with most of the publications in international journals. There is dependency on external funding for HSR, except for Rwanda, where there was little government funding. We also found that officials from the Ministries of Health often formulate policy based on data generated through ad hoc technical reviews and consultancies, despite their questionable quality. There exists adequate skilled staff for HSR in the SPHs. However, HSR conducted by individuals, fuelled by Ministries' of Health tendency to engage individual researchers, undermines institutional capacity. This study underscores the need to form effective

  6. Combined Mode I and Mode II Fracture of Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choi, Sung R.; Zhu, Dongming; Miller, Robert A.

    2003-01-01

    The mode I, mode II, and combined mode I-mode II fracture behavior of ZrO2- 8wt%Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings was determined in asymmetric flexure loading at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Precracks were introduced in test specimens using the single-edge-v-notched beam (SEVNB) method incorporated with final diamond polishing to achieve sharp crack tips. A fracture envelope of KI versus KII was determined for the coating material at ambient and elevated temperatures. Propagation angles of fracture as a function of K(sub I)/K(sub II) were also determined. The mixed-mode fracture behaviors of the coating material were compared with those of monolithic advanced ceramics determined previously. The mixed-mode fracture behavior of the plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coating material was predicted in terms of fracture envelope and propagation angle using mixed-mode fracture theories.

  7. Wnt3a regulates proliferation and migration of HUVEC via canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways

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

    Samarzija, Ivana; Sini, Patrizia; Schlange, Thomas

    2009-08-28

    Untangling the signaling pathways involved in endothelial cell biology is of central interest for the development of antiangiogenesis based therapies. Here we report that Wnt3a induces the proliferation and migration of HUVECs, but does not affect their survival. Wnt3a-induced proliferation was VEGFR signaling independent, but reduced upon CamKII inhibition. In a search for the downstream mediators of Wnt3a's effects on HUVEC biology, we found that Wnt3a treatment leads to phosphorylation of DVL3 and stabilization of {beta}-catenin. Moreover, under the same conditions we observed an upregulation in c-MYC, TIE-2 and GJA1 mRNA transcripts. Although treatment of HUVECs with Wnt5a induced DVL3more » phosphorylation, we did not observe any of the other effects seen upon Wnt3a stimulation. Taken together, our data indicate that Wnt3a induces canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in HUVECs, and stimulates their proliferation and migration.« less

  8. Maximizing Efficiency and Effectiveness of Information Data Banks,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-05-01

    I n . ’ p cc :‘ i I c , I ’ 1m , ,’ ’ , n , r , or, I total coSts ~~:‘ ‘, h~ igb ; ,j ’~~” Oil ’1 U t u ’ n , ‘os.’d j r,:’,-r’n-’,’ut , n. .‘cu...Su~l iJi, ,’ l um p ,,’ c ‘‘ I ’ Luv ’ r id Si , 5I.mr~ I r n Ru’s k 1a smk Or i ’lll ult ’’tl K e n t R R o ~ 3R 1- I ‘ s I l l - I ) SI - S T I ...kiiL~ _ .1!a ~1 I I ( AGARD-R-657 LAtGA~R1D~1 ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ i ~~ i :~~,j

  9. [3D structure of DKK1 indicates its involvement in both canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways].

    PubMed

    Khalili, S; Rasaee, M J; Bamdad, T

    2017-01-01

    Dikkoppf-1 (DKK1) is an antagonist of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The importance of DKK1 as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent in a wide range of diseases along with its significance in a variety of biological processes accentuate the necessity to decipher its 3D structure that would pave the way towards the development of relevant selective inhibitors. A DKK1 structure model predicted by the Robetta server with structural refinements including a 10 ns molecular dynamics run was subjected to functional and docking analyses. We hypothesize that the N-terminal region of the DKK1 molecule could be functionally important for both canonical and noncanonical Wnt pathways. Moreover, it seems that DKK1 could be involved in interactions with the Frizzled receptors, leading to the activation of the Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway (activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) Pathway) and Wnt/Ca^(2+) pathway (activation of CamKII).

  10. Increased atrial arrhythmia susceptibility induced by intense endurance exercise in mice requires TNFα

    PubMed Central

    Aschar-Sobbi, Roozbeh; Izaddoustdar, Farzad; Korogyi, Adam S.; Wang, Qiongling; Farman, Gerrie P.; Yang, FengHua; Yang, Wallace; Dorian, David; Simpson, Jeremy A.; Tuomi, Jari M.; Jones, Douglas L.; Nanthakumar, Kumaraswamy; Cox, Brian; Wehrens, Xander H.T.; Dorian, Paul; Backx, Peter H.

    2015-01-01

    Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia that, for unknown reasons, is linked to intense endurance exercise. Our studies reveal that 6 weeks of swimming or treadmill exercise improves heart pump function and reduces heart-rates. Exercise also increases vulnerability to AF in association with inflammation, fibrosis, increased vagal tone, slowed conduction velocity, prolonged cardiomyocyte action potentials and RyR2 phosphorylation (CamKII-dependent S2814) in the atria, without corresponding alterations in the ventricles. Microarray results suggest the involvement of the inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, in exercised-induced atrial remodelling. Accordingly, exercise induces TNFα-dependent activation of both NFκB and p38MAPK, while TNFα inhibition (with etanercept), TNFα gene ablation, or p38 inhibition, prevents atrial structural remodelling and AF vulnerability in response to exercise, without affecting the beneficial physiological changes. Our results identify TNFα as a key factor in the pathology of intense exercise-induced AF. PMID:25598495

  11. Striatal Tyrosine Hydroxylase Is Stimulated via TAAR1 by 3-Iodothyronamine, But Not by Tyramine or β-Phenylethylamine.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaoqun; Mantas, Ioannis; Alvarsson, Alexandra; Yoshitake, Takashi; Shariatgorji, Mohammadreza; Pereira, Marcela; Nilsson, Anna; Kehr, Jan; Andrén, Per E; Millan, Mark J; Chergui, Karima; Svenningsson, Per

    2018-01-01

    The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is expressed by dopaminergic neurons, but the precise influence of trace amines upon their functional activity remains to be fully characterized. Here, we examined the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine (β-PEA) compared to 3-iodothyronamine (T 1 AM). Immunoblotting and amperometry were performed in dorsal striatal slices from wild-type (WT) and TAAR1 knockout (KO) mice. T 1 AM increased TH phosphorylation at both Ser 19 and Ser 40 , actions that should promote functional activity of TH. Indeed, HPLC data revealed higher rates of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) accumulation in WT animals treated with T 1 AM after the administration of a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor. These effects were abolished both in TAAR1 KO mice and by the TAAR1 antagonist, EPPTB. Further, they were specific inasmuch as Ser 845 phosphorylation of the post-synaptic GluA1 AMPAR subunit was unaffected. The effects of T 1 AM on TH phosphorylation at both Ser 19 (CamKII-targeted), and Ser 40 (PKA-phosphorylated) were inhibited by KN-92 and H-89, inhibitors of CamKII and PKA respectively. Conversely, there was no effect of an EPAC analog, 8-CPT-2Me-cAMP, on TH phosphorylation. In line with these data, T 1 AM increased evoked striatal dopamine release in TAAR1 WT mice, an action blunted in TAAR1 KO mice and by EPPTB. Mass spectrometry imaging revealed no endogenous T 1 AM in the brain, but detected T 1 AM in several brain areas upon systemic administration in both WT and TAAR1 KO mice. In contrast to T 1 AM, tyramine decreased the phosphorylation of Ser 40 -TH, while increasing Ser 845 -GluA1 phosphorylation, actions that were not blocked in TAAR1 KO mice. Likewise, β-PEA reduced Ser 40 -TH and tended to promote Ser 845 -GluA1 phosphorylation. The D 1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 blocked tyramine-induced Ser 845 -GluA1 phosphorylation, but had no effect on tyramine- or β-PEA-induced Ser 40 -TH phosphorylation

  12. Evaluation of climate-induced waterlogging hazards in the south-west coast of Bangladesh using Geoinformatics.

    PubMed

    Tareq, Syed M; Tauhid Ur Rahman, M; Zahedul Islam, A Z M; Baddruzzaman, A B M; Ashraf Ali, M

    2018-03-19

    Climate-induced waterlogging has been significantly affecting the lives and livelihood of people in the south-west coastal region of Bangladesh for a couple of decades. The objective of this study is to investigate the waterlogging hazards of Tala, a south-western coastal Upazila of Bangladesh by analyzing satellite image. An empirical model based on velocity of flow, depth of flow, and inundation depth has been proposed to assess waterlogging hazard in pre monsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon period. Landsat TM images for the years 1989, 2000, and 2011 were analyzed by using Geoinformatics including GIS and remote sensing techniques to quantify the water hazard. Three dominant land use classes such as "water," "vegetation," and "bare lands and others" were selected to identify the land use land cover change. Both FGD (focus group discussions) and KII (key informant interviews) were also accomplished to assess the waterlogging hazard. It was revealed that 0.7% of the study area (246 ha) was under water in 1989, which increased alarmingly to 34% (11,525 ha) in 2011. There was an increase in 62.9% of water bodies during 1989 to 2000, which was further expanded to 77% during 2000 to 2011. Satellite image analysis between 2011 and 2015 also showed that nearly 89% of the waterlogged area including floodplain is inundated by tidal saline water that supports shrimp cultivation. On the contrary, 11% of the waterlogged area was occupied by trapped rain water. Confirmation of saline water and fresh water was done by measuring electrical conductivity and conducting "mouth taste" during field visit. The decreasing rate of "bare lands and others" category indicates that there is around 69.4% of reduction in this category to accommodate the increasing water covering areas. The hazard model shows that the middle part of the Tala along with the flood plain of the Kabodak River usually have to suffer waterlogged in both pre monsoon and post monsoon period. It was found that low

  13. S-wave velocity structure in the Nankai accretionary prism derived from Rayleigh admittance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tonegawa, Takashi; Araki, Eiichiro; Kimura, Toshinori; Nakamura, Takeshi; Nakano, Masaru; Suzuki, Kensuke

    2017-04-01

    Two cabled seafloor networks with 22 and 29 stations (DONET 1 and 2: Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquake and Tsunamis) have been constructed on the accretionary prism at the Nankai subduction zone of Japan since March 2010. The observation periods of DONET 1 and 2 exceed more than 5 years and 10 months, respectively. Each station contains broadband seismometers and absolute and differential pressure gauges. In this study, using Rayleigh waves of microseisms and earthquakes, we calculate the Rayleigh admittance (Ruan et al., 2014, JGR) at the seafloor for each station, i.e., an amplitude transfer function from pressure to displacement, particularly for the frequencies of 0.1-0.2 Hz (ambient noise) and 0.04-0.1 Hz (earthquake signal), and estimate S-wave velocity (Vs) structure beneath stations in DONET 1 and 2. We calculated the displacement seismogram by removing the instrument response from the velocity seismogram for each station. The pressure record observed at the differential pressure gauge was used in this study because of a high resolution of the pressure observation. In addition to Rayleigh waves of microseisms, we collected waveforms of Rayleigh waves for earthquakes with an epicentral distance of 15-90°, M>5.0, and focal depth shallower than 50 km. In the frequency domain, we smoothed the transfer function of displacement/pressure with the Parzen window of ±0.01 Hz. In order to determine one-dimensional Vs profiles, we performed a nonlinear inversion technique, i.e., simulated annealing. As a result, Vs profiles obtained at stations near the land show simple Vs structure, i.e., Vs increases with depth. However, some profiles located at the toe of the acceretionary prism have a low-velocity zone (LVZ) at a depth of 5-7 km within the accretinary sediment. The velocity reduction is approximately 5-20 %. Park et al. (2010) reported such a large reduction in P-wave velocity in the region of DONET 1 (eastern network and southeast of the Kii

  14. Source Model of the MJMA 6.5 Plate-Boundary Earthquake at the Nankai Trough, Southwest Japan, on April 1, 2016, Based on Strong Motion Waveform Modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Asano, K.

    2017-12-01

    An MJMA 6.5 earthquake occurred offshore the Kii peninsula, southwest Japan on April 1, 2016. This event was interpreted as a thrust-event on the plate-boundary along the Nankai trough where (Wallace et al., 2016). This event is the largest plate-boundary earthquake in the source region of the 1944 Tonankai earthquake (MW 8.0) after that event. The significant point of this event regarding to seismic observation is that this event occurred beneath an ocean-bottom seismic network called DONET1, which is jointly operated by NIED and JAMSTEC. Since moderate-to-large earthquake of this focal type is very rare in this region in the last half century, it is a good opportunity to investigate the source characteristics relating to strong motion generation of subduction-zone plate-boundary earthquakes along the Nankai trough. Knowledge obtained from the study of this earthquake would contribute to ground motion prediction and seismic hazard assessment for future megathrust earthquakes expected in the Nankai trough. In this study, the source model of the 2016 offshore the Kii peninsula earthquake was estimated by broadband strong motion waveform modeling using the empirical Green's function method (Irikura, 1986). The source model is characterized by strong motion generation area (SMGA) (Miyake et al., 2003), which is defined as a rectangular area with high-stress drop or high slip-velocity. SMGA source model based on the empirical Green's function method has great potential to reproduce ground motion time history in broadband frequency range. We used strong motion data from offshore stations (DONET1 and LTBMS) and onshore stations (NIED F-net and DPRI). The records of an MJMA 3.2 aftershock at 13:04 on April 1, 2016 were selected for the empirical Green's functions. The source parameters of SMGA are optimized by the waveform modeling in the frequency range 0.4-10 Hz. The best estimate of SMGA size is 19.4 km2, and SMGA of this event does not follow the source scaling

  15. Inhibition of human alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases by acetaminophen: Assessment of the effects on first-pass metabolism of ethanol.

    PubMed

    Lee, Yung-Pin; Liao, Jian-Tong; Cheng, Ya-Wen; Wu, Ting-Lun; Lee, Shou-Lun; Liu, Jong-Kang; Yin, Shih-Jiun

    2013-11-01

    Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used over-the-counter analgesic, antipyretic medications. Use of acetaminophen and alcohol are commonly associated. Previous studies showed that acetaminophen might affect bioavailability of ethanol by inhibiting gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). However, potential inhibitions by acetaminophen of first-pass metabolism (FPM) of ethanol, catalyzed by the human ADH family and by relevant aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes, remain undefined. ADH and ALDH both exhibit racially distinct allozymes and tissue-specific distribution of isozymes, and are principal enzymes responsible for ethanol metabolism in humans. In this study, we investigated acetaminophen inhibition of ethanol oxidation with recombinant human ADH1A, ADH1B1, ADH1B2, ADH1B3, ADH1C1, ADH1C2, ADH2, and ADH4, and inhibition of acetaldehyde oxidation with recombinant human ALDH1A1 and ALDH2. The investigations were done at near physiological pH 7.5 and with a cytoplasmic coenzyme concentration of 0.5 mM NAD(+). Acetaminophen acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor for ADH enzymes, with the slope inhibition constants (Kis) ranging from 0.90 mM (ADH2) to 20 mM (ADH1A), and the intercept inhibition constants (Kii) ranging from 1.4 mM (ADH1C allozymes) to 19 mM (ADH1A). Acetaminophen exhibited noncompetitive inhibition for ALDH2 (Kis = 3.0 mM and Kii = 2.2 mM), but competitive inhibition for ALDH1A1 (Kis = 0.96 mM). The metabolic interactions between acetaminophen and ethanol/acetaldehyde were assessed by computer simulation using inhibition equations and the determined kinetic constants. At therapeutic to subtoxic plasma levels of acetaminophen (i.e., 0.2-0.5 mM) and physiologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (10 mM) and acetaldehyde (10 μm) in target tissues, acetaminophen could inhibit ADH1C allozymes (12-26%) and ADH2 (14-28%) in the liver and small intestine, ADH4 (15-31%) in the stomach, and ALDH1A1 (16-33%) and ALDH2 (8.3-19%) in all 3 tissues. The

  16. Microstructural effects on fracture toughness of polycrystalline ceramics in combined mode I and mode II loading

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Singh, D.; Shetty, D. K.

    1988-01-01

    Fracture toughness of polycrystalline alumina and ceria partially-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (CeO2-TZP) ceramics were assessed in combined mode I and mode II loading using precracked disk specimens in diametral compression. Stress states ranging from pure mode I, combined mode I and mode II, and pure mode II were obtained by aligning the center crack at specific angles relative to the loading diameter. The resulting mixed-mode fracture toughness envelope showed significant deviation to higher fracture toughness in mode II relative to the predictions of the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Critical comparison with corresponding results on soda-lime glass and fracture surface observations showed that crack surface resistance arising from grain interlocking and abrasion was the main source of the increased fracture toughness in mode II loading of the polycrystalline ceramics. The normalized fracture toughness for pure mode II loading, (KII/KIc), increased with increasing grain size for the CeO2-TZP ceramics. Quantitative fractography confirmed an increased percentage of transgranular fracture of the grains in mode II loading.

  17. More support for mothers: a qualitative study on factors affecting immunisation behaviour in Kampala, Uganda

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background The proportion of Ugandan children who are fully vaccinated has varied over the years. Understanding vaccination behaviour is important for the success of the immunisation programme. This study examined influences on immunisation behaviour using the attitude-social influence-self efficacy model. Methods We conducted nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers and fathers. Eight key informant interviews (KIIs) were held with those in charge of community mobilisation for immunisation, fathers and mothers. Data was analysed using content analysis. Results Influences on the mother's immunisation behaviour ranged from the non-supportive role of male partners sometimes resulting into intimate partner violence, lack of presentable clothing which made mothers vulnerable to bullying, inconvenient schedules and time constraints, to suspicion against immunisation such as vaccines cause physical disability and/or death. Conclusions Immunisation programmes should position themselves to address social contexts. A community programme that empowers women economically and helps men recognise the role of women in decision making for child health is needed. Increasing male involvement and knowledge of immunisation concepts among caretakers could improve immunisation. PMID:21942999

  18. Chemical mechanism of the Gram stain and synthesis of a new electron-opaque marker for electron microscopy which replaces the iodine mordant of the stain.

    PubMed Central

    Davies, J A; Anderson, G K; Beveridge, T J; Clark, H C

    1983-01-01

    Crystal violet (hexamethyl-para-rosaniline chloride) interacts with aqueous KI-I2 during the Gram stain via a simple metathetical anion exchange to produce a chemical precipitate. There is an apparent 1:1 stoichiometry between anion (I-) and cation (hexamethyl-para-rosaniline+) during the reaction and, since the small chloride anion is replaced by the bulkier iodide, the complex formed becomes insoluble in water. It is this same precipitate which forms in the cellular substance of bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative types) and which initiates the Gram reaction. Potassium trichloro(eta 2-ethylene)-platinum(II), as an electronopaque marker for electron microscopy, was chemically synthesized, and it produced an anion in aqueous solution which was compatible with crystal violet for the Gram stain. It interacted with crystal violet in a similar manner as iodide to produce an insoluble complex which was chemically and physically analogous to the dye-iodide precipitate. This platinum anion therefore allows the Gram staining mechanism to be followed by electron microscopy. Images PMID:6195147

  19. Slow toxins, biologic markers, and long-latency neurodegenerative disease in the western Pacific region.

    PubMed

    Spencer, P S; Kisby, G E; Ludolph, A C

    1991-05-01

    The western Pacific parkinsonism-dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis complex is a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder found among inhabitants of Guam, New Guinea (Irian Jaya, Indonesia) and Japan (Kii Peninsula, Honshu). Nonviral environmental factors peculiar to the affected populations seem to play a prominent etiologic role. Although cause-effect relationships cannot be established by epidemiologic studies alone, we have shown in all three affected population groups that individuals develop the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis variant of this disorder after heavy exposure to the raw or incompletely detoxified seed of neurotoxic cycad plants. Since long periods may elapse between cycad exposure and the appearance of neurological disease in humans, cycads may harbor a "slow toxin" that causes the postmitotic neuron to undergo slow irreversible degeneration. Two cycad neurotoxins are recognized, one of which (cycasin) is known to have long-latency effects (tumorigenesis) on mitotic neurons and replicating cells in other tissues. This paper explores the possible relationship between tumorigenesis and long-latency neurotoxicity, and discusses possible biologic markers of cycad exposure and subclinical neurodegenerative disease.

  20. Long-latency neurodegenerative disease in the western Pacific.

    PubMed

    Spencer, P S; Kisby, G E; Ludolph, A C

    1991-08-01

    The western Pacific parkinsonism-dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis complex is a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder found among inhabitants of Guam, New Guinea (Irian Jaya, Indonesia) and Japan (Kii Peninsula, Honshu). Nonviral environmental factors peculiar to the affected populations seem to play a prominent etiologic role. Although cause-effect relationships cannot be established by epidemiologic studies alone, we have shown in all three affected population groups that individuals develop the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis variant of this disorder after heavy exposure to the raw or incompletely detoxified seed of neurotoxic cycad plants. Since long periods may elapse between cycad exposure and the appearance of neurological disease in humans, cycads may harbor a "slow toxin" that causes the postmitotic neuron to undergo slow irreversible degeneration. Two cycad neurotoxins are recognized, one of which (cycasin) is known to have long-latency effects (tumorigenesis) on mitotic neurons and replicating cells in other tissues. This paper explores the possible relationship between tumorigenesis and long-latency neurotoxicity, and discusses possible biologic markers of cycad exposure and subclinical neurodegenerative disease.

  1. Pore-forming toxin-mediated ion dysregulation leads to death receptor-independent necroptosis of lung epithelial cells during bacterial pneumonia

    PubMed Central

    González-Juarbe, Norberto; Bradley, Kelley Margaret; Shenoy, Anukul Taranath; Gilley, Ryan Paul; Reyes, Luis Felipe; Hinojosa, Cecilia Anahí; Restrepo, Marcos Ignacio; Dube, Peter Herman; Bergman, Molly Ann; Orihuela, Carlos Javier

    2017-01-01

    We report that pore-forming toxins (PFTs) induce respiratory epithelial cell necroptosis independently of death receptor signaling during bacterial pneumonia. Instead, necroptosis was activated as a result of ion dysregulation arising from membrane permeabilization. PFT-induced necroptosis required RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL, and could be induced in the absence or inhibition of TNFR1, TNFR2 and TLR4 signaling. We detected activated MLKL in the lungs from mice and nonhuman primates experiencing Serratia marcescens and Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia, respectively. We subsequently identified calcium influx and potassium efflux as the key initiating signals responsible for necroptosis; also that mitochondrial damage was not required for necroptosis activation but was exacerbated by MLKL activation. PFT-induced necroptosis in respiratory epithelial cells did not involve CamKII or reactive oxygen species. KO mice deficient in MLKL or RIP3 had increased survival and reduced pulmonary injury during S. marcescens pneumonia. Our results establish necroptosis as a major cell death pathway active during bacterial pneumonia and that necroptosis can occur without death receptor signaling. PMID:28387756

  2. Pore-forming toxin-mediated ion dysregulation leads to death receptor-independent necroptosis of lung epithelial cells during bacterial pneumonia.

    PubMed

    González-Juarbe, Norberto; Bradley, Kelley Margaret; Shenoy, Anukul Taranath; Gilley, Ryan Paul; Reyes, Luis Felipe; Hinojosa, Cecilia Anahí; Restrepo, Marcos Ignacio; Dube, Peter Herman; Bergman, Molly Ann; Orihuela, Carlos Javier

    2017-05-01

    We report that pore-forming toxins (PFTs) induce respiratory epithelial cell necroptosis independently of death receptor signaling during bacterial pneumonia. Instead, necroptosis was activated as a result of ion dysregulation arising from membrane permeabilization. PFT-induced necroptosis required RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL, and could be induced in the absence or inhibition of TNFR1, TNFR2 and TLR4 signaling. We detected activated MLKL in the lungs from mice and nonhuman primates experiencing Serratia marcescens and Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia, respectively. We subsequently identified calcium influx and potassium efflux as the key initiating signals responsible for necroptosis; also that mitochondrial damage was not required for necroptosis activation but was exacerbated by MLKL activation. PFT-induced necroptosis in respiratory epithelial cells did not involve CamKII or reactive oxygen species. KO mice deficient in MLKL or RIP3 had increased survival and reduced pulmonary injury during S. marcescens pneumonia. Our results establish necroptosis as a major cell death pathway active during bacterial pneumonia and that necroptosis can occur without death receptor signaling.

  3. Implications of δCP = -90∘ towards determining hierarchy and octant at T2K and T2K-II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghosh, Monojit; Goswami, Srubabati; Raut, Sushant K.

    2017-02-01

    The T2K experiment has provided the first hint for the best-fit value for the leptonic CP phase δCP ˜- 90∘ from neutrino data. This is now corroborated by the NOνA neutrino runs. We study the implications for neutrino mass hierarchy and octant of 𝜃23 in the context of this data assuming that the true value of δCP in nature is - 90∘. Based on simple arguments on degeneracies in the probabilities, we show that a clear signal of δCP = -90∘ coming from T2K neutrino (antineutrino) data is only possible if the true hierarchy is normal and the true octant is higher (lower). Thus, if the T2K neutrino and antineutrino data are fitted separately and both give the true value of δCP = -90∘, this will imply that nature has chosen the true hierarchy to be normal and 𝜃23 ≈ 45∘. However, we find that the combined fit of neutrino and antineutrino data will still point to true hierarchy as normal but the octant of 𝜃23 will remain undetermined. We do our analysis for both, the current projected exposure (7.8 × 1021 pot) and planned extended exposure (20 × 1021 pot). We also present the CP discovery potential of T2K emphasizing on the role of antineutrinos. We find that one of the main contributions of the antineutrino data is to remove the degenerate solutions with the wrong octant. Thus, the antineutrino run plays a more significant role for those hierarchy-octant combinations for which this degeneracy is present. If this degeneracy is absent, then only neutrino run gives a better result for fixed 𝜃13. However, if we marginalize over 𝜃13 then, sensitivity corresponding to mixed run can be better than pure neutrino run.

  4. Seismic anisotropy from walk-around VSP data in the Kumano basin south of Kii Peninsula (IODP Site C0009A)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsuji, T.; Hino, R.; Sanada, Y.; Park, J.; No, T.; Araki, E.; Kinoshita, M.; Bangs, N. L.; von Huene, R.; Moore, G. F.

    2010-12-01

    We estimated seismic anisotropy from the walk-around Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) data in Site C0009A obtained during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 319. It is generally agreed that seismic anisotropy within sediments is related to the cracks. For vertical cracks (Horizontal Transverse Isotropy; HTI), the fast velocity direction coincides with the direction of crack alignment, while the degree of velocity difference provides information about crack density (Crampin, 1985). If cracks are produced by a regional tectonic stress field, seismic anisotropy can be used to estimate stress orientation and magnitude. In unconsolidated sequence, furthermore, the stress-induced anisotropy can be observed due to increasing contact between grains (Johnson et al., 1998). In this case (increasing grain-contact), the fast velocity direction from walk-around VSP experiment is also consistent with the principal horizontal stress direction. Site C0009A is located in the Kumano basin where ~1350m unconsolidated Kumano basin sediment overlies the accretionary prism. During VSP operations, we obtained walk-away, walk-around, and zero-offset VSP data (Saffer et al., 2009). We used mainly walk-around VSP data to study seismic anisotropy. In the walk-around VSP experiments, R/V Kairei deployed 4 air-gun strings (128 L total volume) and generated 275 shots. The shooting interval was 30s and the distance from the borehole was a constant 3.5 km. We deployed the Vertical Seismic Imager (VSI) wireline tool into the borehole between 2989 and 3218m below the sea surface (935-1164m below seafloor). This interval corresponds to the bottom of the Kumano basin sediment section. From the walk-around VSP data, we obtained the following anisotropic parameters: (1) P-wave velocity anisotropy derived from azimuthal velocity analysis (Grechka and Tsvankin, 1998), (2) P-wave amplitude variation with azimuth (AVAZ), and (3) S-wave amplitude variation with azimuth associated with S-wave splitting (Haacke et al., 2009). We observed the S-wave splitting both from the upgoing and downgoing converted S-waves. These analyses demonstrate that the P-wave velocity anisotropy within the Kumano basin sediment (above the VSI tool) is ~5 %. The fast velocity direction and strong amplitude direction are aligned with the convergence vector of the Philippine Sea plate. The fast velocity as well as strong amplitude is clearly observed for at 180 degree from the convergence vector. Therefore the dip of the Kumano basin sequence (Tilted Transverse Isotropy; TTI) should have only a subtle effect on our results. These results indicate that the maximum horizontal stress orientation is the subduction direction at Site C0009C. This observation is consistent with the principal stress orientation estimated from borehole breakout at same borehole (Kinoshita et al., 2008).

  5. HPV8-E6 Interferes with Syntenin-2 Expression through Deregulation of Differentiation, Methylation and Phosphatidylinositide-Kinase Dependent Mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Marx, Benjamin; Miller-Lazic, Daliborka; Doorbar, John; Majewski, Slawomir; Hofmann, Kay; Hufbauer, Martin; Akgül, Baki

    2017-01-01

    The E6 oncoproteins of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) of genus alpha contain a short peptide sequence at the carboxy-terminus, the PDZ binding domain, with which they interact with the corresponding PDZ domain of cellular proteins. Interestingly, E6 proteins from papillomaviruses of genus beta (betaPV) do not encode a comparable PDZ binding domain. Irrespective of this fact, we previously showed that the E6 protein of HPV8 (betaPV type) could circumvent this deficit by targeting the PDZ protein Syntenin-2 through transcriptional repression (Lazic et al., 2012). Despite its high binding affinity to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P 2 ), very little is known about Syntenin-2. This study aimed to extend the knowledge on Syntenin-2 and how its expression is controlled. We now identified that Syntenin-2 is expressed at high levels in differentiating and in lower amounts in keratinocytes cultured in serum-free media containing low calcium concentration. HPV8-E6 led to a further reduction of Syntenin-2 expression only in cells cultured in low calcium. In the skin of patients suffering from Epidermodysplasia verruciformis, who are predisposed to betaPV infection, Syntenin-2 was expressed in differentiating keratinocytes of non-lesional skin, but was absent in virus positive squamous tumors. Using 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, which causes DNA demethylation, Syntenin-2 transcription was profoundly activated and fully restored in the absence and presence of HPV8-E6, implicating that E6 mediated repression of Syntenin-2 transcription is due to promoter hypermethylation. Since Syntenin-2 binds to PI(4,5)P 2 , we further tested whether the PI(4,5)P 2 metabolic pathway might govern Syntenin-2 expression. PI(4,5)P 2 is generated by the activity of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-5-kinase type I (PIP5KI) or phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate-4-kinase type II (PIP4KII) isoforms α, β and γ. Phosphatidylinositide kinases have recently been identified as regulators

  6. Knowledge, attitude and practices in relation to prevention and control of schistosomiasis infection in Mwea Kirinyaga county, Kenya.

    PubMed

    Mwai, J; Njenga, S; Barasa, M

    2016-08-18

    Schistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in Kenya. Inadequate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on causative factors are some of the critical factors for the increased prevalence. The study assessed KAP on the control and prevention of schistosomiasis infection in Mwea division, Kirinyaga County-Kenya. Four hundred and sixty five house-hold heads were enrolled in this study by use of simple random sampling technique. The study employed an analytical descriptive cross sectional design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A pretested structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discusions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) guides were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests and Fisher's exact tests were computed where applicable. Data from the FGDs and KIIs were analyzed using NUID.IST NUIRO.6 software. Significant associations between knowledge and demographic factors i.e. age (p = 0.011), education level (p = 0.046), were reported. Handwashing after visiting the toilet (p = 0.001), having a toilet facility at home (p = 0.014); raring animals at home (p = 0.031), households being affected by floods (p = 0.005) and frequency of visits to the paddies (p = 0.037) had a significant association with respondents practices and schistosomiasis infection. Further significance was reported on households being affected by floods during the rainy season (p < 0.001), sources of water in a household (p < 0.047) and having a temporary water body in the area (p = 0.024) with increase in schistosomiasis infection. Results revealed that respondents practices were not significantly associated with gender (p = 0.060), marital status (p = 0.71), wearing of protective gear (p = 0.142) and working on the paddies (p = 0.144). This study reveals that knowledge about the cause, transmission, symptoms and prevention of schistosomiasis among the Mwea

  7. Effects of sea water on elongated duration of ground motion as well as variation in its amplitude for offshore earthquakes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Todoriki, Masaru; Furumura, Takashi; Maeda, Takuto

    2017-01-01

    We investigated the effects of sea water on the propagation of seismic waves using a 3-D finite-difference-method simulation of seismic wave propagation following offshore earthquakes. When using a 1-D layered structure, the simulation results showed strong S- to P-wave conversion at the sea bottom; accordingly, S-wave energy was dramatically decreased by the sea water layer. This sea water de-amplification effect had strong frequency dependence, therefore resembling a low-pass filter in which the cut-off frequency and damping coefficients were defined by the thickness of the sea water layer. The sea water also acted to elongate the duration of Rayleigh wave packet. The importance of the sea water layer in modelling offshore earthquakes was further demonstrated by a simulation using a realistic 3-D velocity structure model with and without sea water for a shallow (h = 14 km) outer-rise Nankai Trough event, the 2004 SE Off Kii Peninsula earthquake (Mw = 7.2). Synthetic seismograms generated by the model when sea water was included were in accordance with observed seismograms for long-term longer period motions, particularly those in the shape of Rayleigh waves.

  8. Transient crustal movement in the northern Izu-Bonin arc starting in 2004: A large slow slip event or a slow back-arc rifting event?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arisa, Deasy; Heki, Kosuke

    2016-07-01

    The Izu-Bonin arc lies along the convergent boundary where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. Horizontal velocities of continuous Global Navigation Satellite System stations on the Izu Islands move eastward by up to 1 cm/year relative to the stable part of the Philippine Sea Plate suggesting active back-arc rifting behind the northern part of the arc. Here, we report that such eastward movements transiently accelerated in the middle of 2004 resulting in 3 cm extra movements in 3 years. We compare three different mechanisms possibly responsible for this transient movement, i.e. (1) postseismic movement of the 2004 September earthquake sequence off the Kii Peninsula far to the west, (2) a temporary activation of the back-arc rifting to the west dynamically triggered by seismic waves from a nearby earthquake, and (3) a large slow slip event in the Izu-Bonin Trench to the east. By comparing crustal movements in different regions, the first possibility can be shown unlikely. It is difficult to rule out the second possibility, but current evidence support the third possibility, i.e. a large slow slip event with moment magnitude of 7.5 may have occurred there.

  9. Understanding and mitigating HIV-related resource-based stigma in the era of antiretroviral therapy.

    PubMed

    Holmes, Kathleen; Winskell, Kate

    2013-01-01

    The perception in low-resource settings that investment of resources in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is wasted because AIDS is both an incurable and deadly disease is known as resource-based stigma. In this paper, we draw on in-depth interviews (IDI), focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KII) with 77 HIV-positive microfinance participants and nongovernmental organization leaders to examine resource-based stigma in the context of increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) at an individual, household, and community level in Côte d'Ivoire. The purpose of this exploratory paper is to examine: (1) resource-based stigmatization in the era of ART and (2) the relationship among microfinance, a poverty-reduction intervention, and HIV stigmatization. The frequency with which resource-based stigma was discussed by respondents suggests that it is an important component of HIV-related stigma in this setting. It affected PLHIV's access to material as well as social resources, leading to economic discrimination and social devaluation. Participation in village savings and loans groups, however, mitigated resource-based HIV stigma, suggesting that in the era of increased access to antiretroviral therapy, economic programs should be considered as one possible HIV stigma-reduction intervention.

  10. Silica nanoparticles are less toxic to human lung cells when deposited at the air–liquid interface compared to conventional submerged exposure

    PubMed Central

    Saathoff, Harald; Leisner, Thomas; Al-Rawi, Marco; Simon, Michael; Seemann, Gunnar; Dössel, Olaf; Mülhopt, Sonja; Paur, Hanns-Rudolf; Fritsch-Decker, Susanne

    2014-01-01

    Summary Background: Investigations on adverse biological effects of nanoparticles (NPs) in the lung by in vitro studies are usually performed under submerged conditions where NPs are suspended in cell culture media. However, the behaviour of nanoparticles such as agglomeration and sedimentation in such complex suspensions is difficult to control and hence the deposited cellular dose often remains unknown. Moreover, the cellular responses to NPs under submerged culture conditions might differ from those observed at physiological settings at the air–liquid interface. Results: In order to avoid problems because of an altered behaviour of the nanoparticles in cell culture medium and to mimic a more realistic situation relevant for inhalation, human A549 lung epithelial cells were exposed to aerosols at the air–liquid interphase (ALI) by using the ALI deposition apparatus (ALIDA). The application of an electrostatic field allowed for particle deposition efficiencies that were higher by a factor of more than 20 compared to the unmodified VITROCELL deposition system. We studied two different amorphous silica nanoparticles (particles produced by flame synthesis and particles produced in suspension by the Stöber method). Aerosols with well-defined particle sizes and concentrations were generated by using a commercial electrospray generator or an atomizer. Only the electrospray method allowed for the generation of an aerosol containing monodisperse NPs. However, the deposited mass and surface dose of the particles was too low to induce cellular responses. Therefore, we generated the aerosol with an atomizer which supplied agglomerates and thus allowed a particle deposition with a three orders of magnitude higher mass and of surface doses on lung cells that induced significant biological effects. The deposited dose was estimated and independently validated by measurements using either transmission electron microscopy or, in case of labelled NPs, by fluorescence analyses

  11. Source to point of use drinking water changes and knowledge, attitude and practices in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Onabolu, B.; Jimoh, O. D.; Igboro, S. B.; Sridhar, M. K. C.; Onyilo, G.; Gege, A.; Ilya, R.

    In many Sub-Saharan countries such as Nigeria, inadequate access to safe drinking water is a serious problem with 37% in the region and 58% of rural Nigeria using unimproved sources. The global challenge to measuring household water quality as a determinant of safety is further compounded in Nigeria by the possibility of deterioration from source to point of use. This is associated with the use of decentralised water supply systems in rural areas which are not fully reticulated to the household taps, creating a need for an integrated water quality monitoring system. As an initial step towards establishing the system in the north west and north central zones of Nigeria, The Katsina State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, responsible for ensuring access to safe water and adequate sanitation to about 6 million people carried out a three pronged study with the support of UNICEF Nigeria. Part 1 was an assessment of the legislative and policy framework, institutional arrangements and capacity for drinking water quality monitoring through desk top reviews and Key Informant Interviews (KII) to ascertain the institutional capacity requirements for developing the water quality monitoring system. Part II was a water quality study in 700 households of 23 communities in four local government areas. The objectives were to assess the safety of drinking water, compare the safety at source and household level and assess the possible contributory role of end users’ Knowledge Attitudes and Practices. These were achieved through water analysis, household water quality tracking, KII and questionnaires. Part III was the production of a visual documentary as an advocacy tool to increase awareness of the policy makers of the linkages between source management, treatment and end user water quality. The results indicate that except for pH, conductivity and manganese, the improved water sources were safe at source. However there was a deterioration in water quality between source and

  12. Characterizing structures on borehole images and logging data of the Nankai trough accretionary prism: new insights

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jurado, Maria Jose

    2016-04-01

    IODP has extensively used the D/V Chikyu to drill the Kumano portion of the Nankai Trough, including two well sites within the Kumano Basin. IODP Expeditions 338 and 348 drilled deep into the inner accretionary prism south of the Kii Peninsula collecting a suite of LWD data, including natural gamma ray, electrical resistivity logs and borehole images, suitable to characterize structures (fractures and faults) inside the accretionary prism. Structural interpretation and analysis of logging-while-drilling data in the deep inner prism revealed intense deformation of a generally homogenous lithology characterized by bedding that dips steeply (60-90°) to the NW, intersected by faults and fractures. Multiple phases of deformation are characterized. IODP Expedition borehole images and LWD data acquired in the last decade in previous and results of NantroSEIZE IODP Expeditions (314, 319) were also analyzed to investigate the internal geometries and structures of the Nankai Trough accretionary prism. This study focused mainly on the characterization of the different types of structures and their specific position within the accretionary prism structures. New structural constraints and methodologies as well as a new approach to the characterization of study of active structures inside the prism will be presented.

  13. Uplift rates of the marine terraces in the south coast of Japan deduced from in situ cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yokoyama, Y.; Nagano, G.; Nakamura, A.; Maemoku, H.; Miyairi, Y.; Matsuzaki, H.

    2015-12-01

    Marine terraces are low-relief platforms located along coastal areas. They are formed by waves action with the changes in the relative sea level (RSL) that is affected by combined effects of the eustatic sea level (ESL) and the tectonic movements (e.g. uplift, subsidence and isostatic effect). Therefore, determining the ages and the elevations of the marine terraces allows us to reconstruct the ESL and/or the tectonic history of the study area. The Kii Peninsula and the southern coast of the Shikoku Island are located along the Nankai Trough where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting under the Eurasian plate. There exist relatively well-preserved marine terraces along the coastal line with the elevation of ca. 50 -100 m. Because of this unique tectonic setting, the terraces are regarded as the suitable counterparts to reconstruct uplift history of the south coast of Japan. However, the ages of these terraces are poorly understood due to the lack of the ash layers that is suitable for the tephrochronology. In this study, we determine the age of the marine terraces using terrestrial in-situ cosmogenic radionuclides (TCN), 10Be and 26Al. This is the first age estimation of the marine terraces in Japan using TCN, allowing us to determine the uplift rates and the seismic history of the region.

  14. Changing the role of the traditional birth attendant in Somaliland.

    PubMed

    Pyone, Thidar; Adaji, Sunday; Madaj, Barbara; Woldetsadik, Tadesse; van den Broek, Nynke

    2014-10-01

    To explore the feasibility of changing the role of the traditional birth attendant (TBA) to act as birth companion and promoter of skilled birth attendance. Between 2008 and 2012, 75 TBAs received 3days of training and were paid US $5 for each patient brought to any of five healthcare facilities in Maroodi Jeex, Somaliland. Health facilities were upgraded (infrastructure, drugs and equipment, staff training, and incentivization). Eight key informant interviews (KIIs) and 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 32 TBAs and 32 mothers were conducted. A framework approach was used for analysis. TBAs adopted their new role easily; instead of conducting home births and referring women to a facility only at onset of complications, they accompanied or referred mothers to a nearby facility for delivery, prenatal care, or postnatal care. Both TBAs and mothers accepted this new role, resulting in increased deliveries at health facilities. Facilitating factors included the creation of an enabling environment at the health facility, acceptance of the TBA by health facility staff, and monetary incentivization. Changing the role of the TBA to support facility-based delivery is feasible and acceptable. Further research is needed to see whether this is replicable and can be scaled-up. Copyright © 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Targeted Deletion of the Gene Encoding the La Autoantigen (Sjögren's Syndrome Antigen B) in B Cells or the Frontal Brain Causes Extensive Tissue Loss

    PubMed Central

    Gaidamakov, Sergei; Maximova, Olga A.; Chon, Hyongi; Blewett, Nathan H.; Wang, Hongsheng; Crawford, Amanda K.; Day, Amanda; Tulchin, Natalie; Crouch, Robert J.; Morse, Herbert C.; Blitzer, Robert D.

    2014-01-01

    La antigen (Sjögren's syndrome antigen B) is a phosphoprotein associated with nascent precursor tRNAs and other RNAs, and it is targeted by autoantibodies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and neonatal lupus. Increased levels of La are associated with leukemias and other cancers, and various viruses usurp La to promote their replication. Yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe) genetically depleted of La grow and proliferate, whereas deletion from mice causes early embryonic lethality, raising the question of whether La is required by mammalian cells generally or only to surpass a developmental stage. We developed a conditional La allele and used it in mice that express Cre recombinase in either B cell progenitors or the forebrain. B cell Mb1Cre La-deleted mice produce no B cells. Consistent with αCamKII Cre, which induces deletion in hippocampal CA1 cells in the third postnatal week and later throughout the neocortex, brains develop normally in La-deleted mice until ∼5 weeks and then lose a large amount of forebrain cells and mass, with evidence of altered pre-tRNA processing. The data indicate that La is required not only in proliferating cells but also in nondividing postmitotic cells. Thus, La is essential in different cell types and required for normal development of various tissue types. PMID:24190965

  16. On the Definition of Surface Potentials for Finite-Difference Operators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsynkov, S. V.; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    For a class of linear constant-coefficient finite-difference operators of the second order, we introduce the concepts similar to those of conventional single- and double-layer potentials for differential operators. The discrete potentials are defined completely independently of any notion related to the approximation of the continuous potentials on the grid. We rather use all approach based on differentiating, and then inverting the differentiation of a function with surface discontinuity of a particular kind, which is the most general way of introducing surface potentials in the theory of distributions. The resulting finite-difference "surface" potentials appear to be solutions of the corresponding continuous potentials. Primarily, this pertains to the possibility of representing a given solution to the homogeneous equation on the domain as a variety of surface potentials, with the density defined on the domain's boundary. At the same time the discrete surface potentials can be interpreted as one specific realization of the generalized potentials of Calderon's type, and consequently, their approximation properties can be studied independently in the framework of the difference potentials method by Ryaben'kii. The motivation for introducing and analyzing the discrete surface potentials was provided by the problems of active shielding and control of sound, in which the aforementioned source terms that drive the potentials are interpreted as the acoustic control sources that cancel out the unwanted noise on a predetermined region of interest.

  17. Distribution of dehalogenation activity in subseafloor sediments of the Nankai Trough subduction zone

    PubMed Central

    Futagami, Taiki; Morono, Yuki; Terada, Takeshi; Kaksonen, Anna H.; Inagaki, Fumio

    2013-01-01

    Halogenated organic matter buried in marine subsurface sediment may serve as a source of electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration of subseafloor microbes. Detection of a diverse array of reductive dehalogenase-homologous (rdhA) genes suggests that subseafloor organohalide-respiring microbial communities may play significant ecological roles in the biogeochemical carbon and halogen cycle in the subseafloor biosphere. We report here the spatial distribution of dehalogenation activity in the Nankai Trough plate-subduction zone of the northwest Pacific off the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Incubation experiments with slurries of sediment collected at various depths and locations showed that degradation of several organohalides tested only occurred in the shallow sedimentary basin, down to 4.7 metres below the seafloor, despite detection of rdhA in the deeper sediments. We studied the phylogenetic diversity of the metabolically active microbes in positive enrichment cultures by extracting RNA, and found that Desulfuromonadales bacteria predominate. In addition, for the isolation of genes involved in the dehalogenation reaction, we performed a substrate-induced gene expression screening on DNA extracted from the enrichment cultures. Diverse DNA fragments were obtained and some of them showed best BLAST hit to known organohalide respirers such as Dehalococcoides, whereas no functionally known dehalogenation-related genes such as rdhA were found, indicating the need to improve the molecular approach to assess functional genes for organohalide respiration. PMID:23479745

  18. Distribution of dehalogenation activity in subseafloor sediments of the Nankai Trough subduction zone.

    PubMed

    Futagami, Taiki; Morono, Yuki; Terada, Takeshi; Kaksonen, Anna H; Inagaki, Fumio

    2013-04-19

    Halogenated organic matter buried in marine subsurface sediment may serve as a source of electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration of subseafloor microbes. Detection of a diverse array of reductive dehalogenase-homologous (rdhA) genes suggests that subseafloor organohalide-respiring microbial communities may play significant ecological roles in the biogeochemical carbon and halogen cycle in the subseafloor biosphere. We report here the spatial distribution of dehalogenation activity in the Nankai Trough plate-subduction zone of the northwest Pacific off the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Incubation experiments with slurries of sediment collected at various depths and locations showed that degradation of several organohalides tested only occurred in the shallow sedimentary basin, down to 4.7 metres below the seafloor, despite detection of rdhA in the deeper sediments. We studied the phylogenetic diversity of the metabolically active microbes in positive enrichment cultures by extracting RNA, and found that Desulfuromonadales bacteria predominate. In addition, for the isolation of genes involved in the dehalogenation reaction, we performed a substrate-induced gene expression screening on DNA extracted from the enrichment cultures. Diverse DNA fragments were obtained and some of them showed best BLAST hit to known organohalide respirers such as Dehalococcoides, whereas no functionally known dehalogenation-related genes such as rdhA were found, indicating the need to improve the molecular approach to assess functional genes for organohalide respiration.

  19. Plasticity in the Rat Prefrontal Cortex: Linking Gene Expression and an Operant Learning with a Computational Theory

    PubMed Central

    Rapanelli, Maximiliano; Lew, Sergio Eduardo; Frick, Luciana Romina; Zanutto, Bonifacio Silvano

    2010-01-01

    The plasticity in the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) of rodents or lateral prefrontal cortex in non human primates (lPFC), plays a key role neural circuits involved in learning and memory. Several genes, like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element binding (CREB), Synapsin I, Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc), c-jun and c-fos have been related to plasticity processes. We analysed differential expression of related plasticity genes and immediate early genes in the mPFC of rats during learning an operant conditioning task. Incompletely and completely trained animals were studied because of the distinct events predicted by our computational model at different learning stages. During learning an operant conditioning task, we measured changes in the mRNA levels by Real-Time RT-PCR during learning; expression of these markers associated to plasticity was incremented while learning and such increments began to decline when the task was learned. The plasticity changes in the lPFC during learning predicted by the model matched up with those of the representative gene BDNF. Herein, we showed for the first time that plasticity in the mPFC in rats during learning of an operant conditioning is higher while learning than when the task is learned, using an integrative approach of a computational model and gene expression. PMID:20111591

  20. Studies of the inner shelf and coastal sedimentation environment of the Beaufort Sea from ERTS-1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reimnitz, E. (Principal Investigator)

    1972-01-01

    The author has identified the following significant results. Field studies of the initiation of river flow onto the frozen Arctic Ocean were made by a group of scientists from May 15 to June 10, 1972. A time lapse camera mounted on a 40-ft. tower near the mouth of the Kaparuk River, west of Prudhoe Bay, provided a detailed 10-day record (24 hours a day) of flow direction and water level. It is believed that wind build-up, discharge variance of the river, and through-ice drainage rates are the prime factors influencing overflow onto the sea ice. Current meter, transmissometer, temperature, salinity, and thermoprobe data were collected from holes drilled in the shorefast ice from seal holes and from the river water overflow. Depth and a real distribution of the overflow water were monitored from the ice using snowmobiles, and from the air using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Photographic records were made on 35mm KII, KX, Ektachrome IR, Plus X, and IR black and white film. A simple two camera frame permitted simultaneous exposures of two types of film. Preliminary comparisons of the IR and conventional films, both color and black and white, showed no advantage to using the infrared film. However, the low altitude photography taken during this study will be very helpful in the interpretation of ERTS-1 imagery.

  1. Impacts of tides on tsunami propagation due to potential Nankai Trough earthquakes in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Han Soo; Shimoyama, Tomohisa; Popinet, Stéphane

    2015-10-01

    The impacts of tides on extreme tsunami propagation due to potential Nankai Trough earthquakes in the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), Japan, are investigated through numerical experiments. Tsunami experiments are conducted based on five scenarios that consider tides at four different phases, such as flood, high, ebb, and low tides. The probes that were selected arbitrarily in the Bungo and Kii Channels show less significant effects of tides on tsunami heights and the arrival times of the first waves than those that experience large tidal ranges in inner basins and bays of the SIS. For instance, the maximum tsunami height and the arrival time at Toyomaesi differ by more than 0.5 m and nearly 1 h, respectively, depending on the tidal phase. The uncertainties defined in terms of calculated maximum tsunami heights due to tides illustrate that the calculated maximum tsunami heights in the inner SIS with standing tides have much larger uncertainties than those of two channels with propagating tides. Particularly in Harima Nada, the uncertainties due to the impacts of tides are greater than 50% of the tsunami heights without tidal interaction. The results recommend simulate tsunamis together with tides in shallow water environments to reduce the uncertainties involved with tsunami modeling and predictions for tsunami hazards preparedness. This article was corrected on 26 OCT 2015. See the end of the full text for details.

  2. Modern pollen assemblages and vegetational history of the moraines of the Klutlan Glacier and its surroundings, Yukon Territory, Canada*1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Birks, H. J. B.

    1980-07-01

    Modern pollen assemblages have been studied from surficial lake muds and moss polsters collected from five vegetated ice-cored moraines of the Klutlan Glacier. The youngest vegetated moraine (K-II) is characterized by high pollen values for Salix and Hedysarum, K-III by high Salix and Shepherdia canadensis and low Hedysarum and Picea, K-IV by high Betula, Salix, and Shepherdia, and K-V and the Harris Creek moraine (HCM) by high Picea. Variations are summarized by canonical variates analysis. A percentage pollen diagram from Gull Lake on the upland east of the glacier records vegetational development since the deposition of the White River volcanic ash 1220 14C yr ago. An initial species-rich treeless vegetation was replaced by birch-alder-willow shrub-tundra, and this by open Picea glauca forest similar to present vegetation around the lake. Sites on HCM show two basic stratigraphies. Triangle Lake reflects vegetational succession from Salix-Shepherdia canadensis scrub similar to that on K-III today, through open Picea woodland of K-IV type, to closed Picea forests of K-V and HCM. Heart Lake and Cotton Pond reflect vegetational development following melting of ice underlying the spruce forests of HCM. These two types are summarized by positioning the fossil spectra on the first two canonical variate axes of the modern surface spectra.

  3. Amplification of tsunami heights by delayed rupture of great earthquakes along the Nankai trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Imai, K.; Satake, K.; Furumura, T.

    2010-04-01

    We investigated the effect of delayed rupture of great earthquakes along the Nankai trough on tsunami heights on the Japanese coast. As the tsunami source, we used a model of the 1707 Hoei earthquake, which consists of four segments: Tokai, Tonankai, and two Nankai segments. We first searched for the worst case, in terms of coastal tsunami heights, of rupture delay time on each segment, on the basis of superposition principle for the linear long wave theory. When the rupture starts on the Tonankai segment, followed by rupture on the Tokai segment 21 min later, as well as the eastern and western Nankai segments 15 and 28 min later, respectively, the average coastal tsunami height becomes the largest. To quantify the tsunami amplification, we compared the coastal tsunami heights from the delayed rupture with those from the simultaneous rupture model. Along the coasts of the sea of Hyu'uga and in the Bungo Channel, the tsunami heights become significantly amplified (>1.4 times larger) relative to the simultaneous rupture. Along the coasts of Tosa Bay and in the Kii Channel, the tsunami heights become amplified about 1.2 times. Along the coasts of the sea of Kumano and Ise Bay, and the western Enshu coast, the tsunami heights become slightly smaller for the delayed rupture. Along the eastern Enshu coast, the coast of Suruga Bay, and the west coast of Sagami Bay, the tsunami heights become amplified about 1.1 times.

  4. ATRX, a member of the SNF2 family of helicase/ATPases, is required for chromosome alignment and meiotic spindle organization in metaphase II stage mouse oocytes.

    PubMed

    De La Fuente, Rabindranath; Viveiros, Maria M; Wigglesworth, Karen; Eppig, John J

    2004-08-01

    ATRX is a centromeric heterochromatin binding protein belonging to the SNF2 family of helicase/ATPases with chromatin remodeling activity. Mutations in the human ATRX gene result in X-linked alpha-thalassaemia with mental retardation (ATRX) syndrome and correlate with changes in methylation of repetitive DNA sequences. We show here that ATRX also functions to regulate key stages of meiosis in mouse oocytes. At the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, ATRX was found associated with the perinucleolar heterochromatin rim in transcriptionally quiescent oocytes. Phosphorylation of ATRX during meiotic maturation is dependent upon calcium calmodulin kinase (CamKII) activity. Meiotic resumption also coincides with deacetylation of histone H4 at lysine 5 (H4K5 Ac) while ATRX and histone H3 methylated on lysine 9 (H3K9) remained bound to the centromeres and interstitial regions of condensing chromosomes, respectively. Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) with trichostatin A (TSA) disrupted ATRX binding to the centromeres of hyperacetylated chromosomes resulting in abnormal chromosome alignments at metaphase II (MII). Similarly, while selective ablation of ATRX by antibody microinjection and RNA interference (RNAi) had no effect on the progression of meiosis, it had severe consequences for the alignment of chromosomes on the metaphase II spindle. These results suggest that genome-wide epigenetic modifications such as global histone deacetylation are essential for the binding of ATRX to centromeric heterochromatin. Moreover, centromeric ATRX is required for correct chromosome alignment and organization of a bipolar meiotic metaphase II spindle.

  5. A 3 Kilometer Deep Window on the Interior of the Modern Nankai Accretionary Wedge: First Results from IODP Expedition 348

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tobin, Harold; Hirose, Takehiro; Demian, Saffer

    2014-05-01

    IODP Site C0002 at the Nankai Trough is now the deepest hole ever drilled in scientific ocean drilling, at 3058 meters below sea floor so far, and the first hole anywhere to access the deep interior of an active convergent margin. Site C0002 is part of the NanTroSEIZE transect off the Kii-Kumano region of Japan, imaged with 3D seismic reflection and drilled on a series of Chikyu expeditions to shed light on the processes around the up-dip edge of seismogenic locking and slip. At Site C0002, riser drilling has passed through the approximately 900 m thick Kumano forearc basin and pierced the underlying Miocene age accretionary wedge. Limited coring, extensive LWD logging, and continuous observations on drill cuttings reveal the materials and processes in the deep interior of the inner wedge. Predominantly fine-grained mudstones with common turbiditic sands were encountered, complexly deformed and exhibiting well-developed scaly clay fabrics, variable bedding dip with very steep dips prevailing, and veins that become more abundant with depth. The biostratigraphic age of the sediments in the lowermost part of the hole is thought to be ~ 9 - 11 Ma, with an assumed age of accretion of 3-5 Ma. Physical properties suggest that the inner wedge from 1600 - 3000 mbsf has quite homogeneous properties. Evidence from borehole logging, drilling parameters, and samples for the state of stress and pore pressure in this never-before accessed tectonic environment will be presented.

  6. Tsunami Scenarios Based on Interseismic Models Along the Nankai Trough, Japan, From Seafloor and Onshore Geodesy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watanabe, Shun-ichi; Bock, Yehuda; Melgar, Diego; Tadokoro, Keiichi

    2018-03-01

    The recent availability of Global Positioning System-Acoustic seafloor geodetic observations enables us to resolve the spatial distribution of the slip deficit rate near the Nankai trough, southwestern Japan. Considering a tectonic block model and the transient deformation due to the major earthquakes in this area, the slip deficit rate between the two relevant blocks can be estimated. In this study, we remove the time-dependent postseismic deformation of the 2004 southeastern off the Kii Peninsula earthquakes (MJMA 7.1, 7.4), which had led to the underestimation of the slip deficit rate in earlier studies. We model the postearthquake viscoelastic relaxation using the 3D finite element model with bi-viscous Burgers rheology, as well as the afterslip on the finite faults. The corrected Global Positioning System-Acoustic and land-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems data are aligned to the existing tectonic model and used to estimate the slip deficit rate on the plate boundary. We then calculate the coseismic displacements and tsunami wave propagation with the simple assumption that a hundred years of constant slip deficit accumulation was released instantaneously. To evaluate the influence of uncertainties in the plate interface geometry on a tsunami model for the Nankai trough, we investigated two different geometries and performed checkerboard inversion simulations. Although the two models indicate roughly similar results, the peak height of the tsunami wave and its arrival time at several points are significantly different in terms of the expected hazard.

  7. Visual Biopsy by Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Signal Amplification.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Wenjie; Yang, Sheng; Yang, Jinfeng; Li, Jishan; Zheng, Jing; Qing, Zhihe; Yang, Ronghua

    2016-11-01

    Visual biopsy has attracted special interest by surgeons due to its simplicity and practicality; however, the limited sensitivity of the technology makes it difficult to achieve an early diagnosis. To circumvent this problem, herein, we report a visual signal amplification strategy for establishing a marker-recognizable biopsy that enables early cancer diagnosis. In our proposed approach, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) was selected as a potential underlying marker for its compact relationship in cancer progression. For selective recognition of H 2 O 2 in the process of visual biopsy, a benzylbenzeneboronic acid pinacol ester-decorated copolymer, namely, PMPC-Bpe, was synthesized, affording the final formation of the H 2 O 2 -responsive micelles in which amylose was trapped. The presence of H 2 O 2 activates the boronate ester recognition site and induces it releasing abundant indicator amylose, leading to signal amplification. The indicator came across the solution of KI/I 2 added to the sample, and the formative amylose-KI/I 2 complex has a distinct blue color at 574 nm for visual amplification detection. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated by visualizing the H 2 O 2 content of cancer at different stages and three kinds of actual cancerous samples. As far as we know, this is the first paradigm to rationally design a signaling amplification-based molecular recognizable biopsy for visual and sensitive disease identification, which will extend new possibilities for marker-recognition and signal amplification-based biopsy in disease progressing.

  8. Slow slip rate and excitation efficiency of deep low-frequency tremors beneath southwest Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Daiku, Kumiko; Hiramatsu, Yoshihiro; Matsuzawa, Takanori; Mizukami, Tomoyuki

    2018-01-01

    We estimated the long-term average slip rate on the plate interface across the Nankai subduction zone during 2002-2013 using deep low-frequency tremors as a proxy for short-term slow slip events based on empirical relations between the seismic moment of short-term slow slip events and tremor activities. The slip rate in each region is likely to compensate for differences between the convergence rate and the slip deficit rate of the subducting Philippine Sea plate estimated geodetically, although the uncertainty is large. This implies that the strain because of the subduction of the plate is partially stored as the slip deficit and partially released by slow slip events during the interseismic period. The excitation efficiency of the tremors for the slow slip events differs among regions: it is high in the northern Kii region. Some events in the western Shikoku region show a somewhat large value. Antigorite serpentinite of two types exists in the mantle wedge beneath southwest Japan. Slips with more effective excitation of tremors presumably occur in high-temperature conditions in the antigorite + olivine stability field. Other slip events with low excitation efficiency are distributed in the antigorite + brucite stability field. Considering the formation reactions of these minerals and their characteristic structures, events with high excitation efficiency can be correlated with a high pore fluid pressure condition. This result suggests that variation in pore fluid pressure on the plate interface affects the magnitude of tremors excited by slow slip events.

  9. Initial results from the Nankai Trough shallow splay and frontal thrust (IODP Expedition 316): Implications for fluid flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Screaton, E.; Kimura, G.; Curewitz, D.; Scientists, E.

    2008-12-01

    Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 316 examined the frontal thrust and the shallow portion of the megasplay fault offshore of the Kii peninsula, and was the third drilling expedition of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE). NanTroSEIZE will integrate seafloor observations, drilling, and observatories to investigate the processes controlling slip along subduction zone plate boundary fault systems. Site C0004 examined a shallow portion of the splay fault system where it overrides slope basin sediments. Site C0008, located in the slope basin 1 km seaward of Site C0004, provided a reference site for the footwall sediments. Results of drilling indicate that the footwall sediments have dewatered significantly, suggesting permeable routes for fluid escape. These high-permeability pathways might be provided by coarse-grained layers within the slope sediments. In situ dewatering and multiple fluid escape paths will tend to obscure any geochemical signature of flow from depth. Sites C0006 and C0007 examined the frontal thrust system. Although poorly recovered, coarse-grained trench sediments were sampled within the footwall. These permeable sediments would be expected to allow rapid escape of any fluid pressures due to loading. At both sites, low porosities are observed at shallow depths, suggesting removal of overlying material. This observation is consistent with interpretations that the prism is unstable and currently in a period of collapse. Anomalously low temperatures were measured within boreholes at these sites. One possible explanation for the low temperatures is circulation of seawater along normal faults in the unstable prism.

  10. Feasibility and acceptability of delivering adolescent health interventions alongside HPV vaccination in Tanzania

    PubMed Central

    Watson-Jones, Deborah; Lees, Shelley; Mwanga, Joseph; Neke, Nyasule; Changalucha, John; Broutet, Nathalie; Maduhu, Ibrahim; Kapiga, Saidi; Chandra-Mouli, Venkatraman; Bloem, Paul; Ross, David A

    2016-01-01

    Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination offers an opportunity to strengthen provision of adolescent health interventions (AHI). We explored the feasibility of integrating other AHI with HPV vaccination in Tanzania. Methods: A desk review of 39 policy documents was preceded by a stakeholder meeting with 38 policy makers and partners. Eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) with health and education policy makers and district officials were conducted to further explore perceptions of current programs, priorities and AHI that might be suitable for integration with HPV vaccination. Results: Fourteen school health interventions (SHI) or AHI are currently being implemented by the Government of Tanzania. Most are delivered as vertical programmes. Coverage of current programs is not universal, and is limited by financial, human resource and logistic constraints. Limited community engagement, rumours, and lack of strategic advocacy has affected uptake of some interventions, e.g. tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization. Stakeholder and KI perceptions and opinions were limited by a lack of experience with integrated delivery and AHI that were outside an individual’s area of expertise and experience. Deworming and educational sessions including reproductive health education were the most frequently mentioned interventions that respondents considered suitable for integrated delivery with HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Given programme constraints, limited experience with integrated delivery and concern about real or perceived side-effects being attributed to the vaccine, it will be very important to pilot-test integration of AHI/SHI with HPV vaccination. Selected interventions will need to be simple and quick to deliver since health workers are likely to face significant logistic and time constraints during vaccination visits. PMID:26768827

  11. Home is best: Why women in rural Zimbabwe deliver in the community

    PubMed Central

    Mhloyi, Marvellous

    2017-01-01

    Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe has unprecedentedly risen over the last two and half decades although a decline has been noted recently. Many reasons have been advanced for the rising trend, including deliveries without skilled care, in places without appropriate or adequate facilities to handle complications. The recent decline has been attributed to health systems strengthening through a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism. On the other hand, the proportion of community deliveries has also been growing steadily over the years and in this study we investigate why. We used twelve (12) focus group discussions with child-bearing women and eight (8) key informant interviews (KIIs). Four (4) were traditional birth attendants and four (4) were spiritual birth attendants. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data in Ethnography software. The study shows that women prefer community deliveries due to perceived low economic, social and opportunity costs involved; pliant and flexible services offered; and diminishing quality and appeal of institutional maternity services. We conclude that rural women are very economic, logical and rational in making choices on place of delivery. Delivering in the community offers financial, social and opportunity advantages to disenfranchised women, particularly in remote rural areas. We recommend for increased awareness of the dangers of community deliveries; establishment of basic obstetric care facilities in the community and more efficient emergency referral systems. In the long-term, there should be a sustainable improvement of the public health delivery system to make it accessible, affordable and usable by the public. PMID:28793315

  12. Evidence for Two Neutrino Bursts from SN1987A

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valentim, Rodolfo; Horvath, Jorge E.; Rangel, Eraldo M.

    The SN1987A in the Giant Magellanic Cloud was an amazing and extraordinary event because it was detected in real time for different neutrinos experiments (νs) around the world. Approximate ˜ 25 events were observed in three different experiments: Kamiokande II (KII) ˜ 12, Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven (IMB) ˜ 8 e Baksan ˜ 5, plus a contrived burst at Mont Blanc (Liquid Scintillator Detector - LSD) later dismissed because of energetic requirements (Aglietta et al. 1988). The neutrinos have an important play role into the neutron star newborn: at the moment when the supernova explodes the compact object remnant is freezing by neutrinos ( ˜ 99% energy is lost in the few seconds of the explosion). The work is motivated by neutrinos’ event in relation arrival times where there is a temporal gap between set of events ( ˜ 6s). The first part of dataset came from the ordinary mechanism of freezing and the second part suggests different mechanism of neutrinos production. We tested two models of cooling for neutrinos from SN1987A: 1st an exponential cooling is an ordinary model of cooling and 2nd a two-step temperature model that it considers two bursts separated with temporal gap. Our analysis was done with Bayesian tools (Bayesian Information Criterion - BIC) The result showed strong evidence in favor of a two-step model against one single exponential cooling (ln Bij > 5.0), and suggests the existence of two neutrino bursts at the moment the neutron star was born.

  13. Near-field observations of an offshore Mw 6.0 earthquake from an integrated seafloor and subseafloor monitoring network at the Nankai Trough, southwest Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wallace, L. M.; Araki, E.; Saffer, D.; Wang, X.; Roesner, A.; Kopf, A.; Nakanishi, A.; Power, W.; Kobayashi, R.; Kinoshita, C.; Toczko, S.; Kimura, T.; Machida, Y.; Carr, S.

    2016-11-01

    An Mw 6.0 earthquake struck 50 km offshore the Kii Peninsula of southwest Honshu, Japan on 1 April 2016. This earthquake occurred directly beneath a cabled offshore monitoring network at the Nankai Trough subduction zone and within 25-35 km of two borehole observatories installed as part of the International Ocean Discovery Program's NanTroSEIZE project. The earthquake's location close to the seafloor and subseafloor network offers a unique opportunity to evaluate dense seafloor geodetic and seismological data in the near field of a moderate-sized offshore earthquake. We use the offshore seismic network to locate the main shock and aftershocks, seafloor pressure sensors, and borehole observatory data to determine the detailed distribution of seafloor and subseafloor deformation, and seafloor pressure observations to model the resulting tsunami. Contractional strain estimated from formation pore pressure records in the borehole observatories (equivalent to 0.37 to 0.15 μstrain) provides a key to narrowing the possible range of fault plane solutions. Together, these data show that the rupture occurred on a landward dipping thrust fault at 9-10 km below the seafloor, most likely on the plate interface. Pore pressure changes recorded in one of the observatories also provide evidence for significant afterslip for at least a few days following the main shock. The earthquake and its aftershocks are located within the coseismic slip region of the 1944 Tonankai earthquake (Mw 8.0), and immediately downdip of swarms of very low frequency earthquakes in this region, illustrating the complex distribution of megathrust slip behavior at a dominantly locked seismogenic zone.

  14. Home is best: Why women in rural Zimbabwe deliver in the community.

    PubMed

    Dodzo, Munyaradzi Kenneth; Mhloyi, Marvellous

    2017-01-01

    Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe has unprecedentedly risen over the last two and half decades although a decline has been noted recently. Many reasons have been advanced for the rising trend, including deliveries without skilled care, in places without appropriate or adequate facilities to handle complications. The recent decline has been attributed to health systems strengthening through a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism. On the other hand, the proportion of community deliveries has also been growing steadily over the years and in this study we investigate why. We used twelve (12) focus group discussions with child-bearing women and eight (8) key informant interviews (KIIs). Four (4) were traditional birth attendants and four (4) were spiritual birth attendants. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data in Ethnography software. The study shows that women prefer community deliveries due to perceived low economic, social and opportunity costs involved; pliant and flexible services offered; and diminishing quality and appeal of institutional maternity services. We conclude that rural women are very economic, logical and rational in making choices on place of delivery. Delivering in the community offers financial, social and opportunity advantages to disenfranchised women, particularly in remote rural areas. We recommend for increased awareness of the dangers of community deliveries; establishment of basic obstetric care facilities in the community and more efficient emergency referral systems. In the long-term, there should be a sustainable improvement of the public health delivery system to make it accessible, affordable and usable by the public.

  15. Frictional Properties of the Nankai Trough Accretionary Mud Samples Collected from 1000-3000 mbsf at IODP Site C0002

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kanagawa, K.; Hoshino, K.; Abe, K.; Sawai, M.

    2016-12-01

    We conducted triaxial friction experiments on the Nankai Trough accretionary mud samples collected from 1000-3000 mbsf (meters below seafloor) at IODP Site C0002 off Kii Peninsula, at confining pressures of 44-83 MPa, pore water pressures of 32-50 MPa and temperatures of 51-98°C equivalent to their in situ conditions, and at axial displacement rates changed stepwise among 0.1, 1 and 10 µm/s, in order to investigate their frictional properties changing with depth. XRD analyses of tested mud samples revealed that the content of total clay minerals tends to increase with depth from 30 to 60 wt%, while the smectite fraction in total clay minerals decreases with depth from 0.75 to 0.3. Because the temperature at 3000 mbsf reaches 100°C, this decrease in smectite fraction with depth is likely due to the progress of smectite dehydration with increasing temperature. Friction experiments on tested mud samples revealed that the steady-state friction coefficient at an axial displacement rate of 1 µm/s tends to decrease with depth from 0.5 to 0.3, according to the increasing content of total clay minerals with depth. Velocity dependence of steady-state friction also tends to decrease with depth, likely reflecting a decrease in smectite fraction in total clay minerals. Although velocity dependence of steady-state friction is mostly positive at depths down to 3000 mbsf, it is locally neutral or negative at depths deeper than 2000 mbsf, implying that faulting at these depths is conditionally stable and possibly accompanied by slow slip events.

  16. The correlation between Salter's criteria for avascular necrosis of the femoral head and Kalamchi's prognostic classification following the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

    PubMed

    Tsukagoshi, Y; Kamegaya, M; Kamada, H; Saisu, T; Morita, M; Kakizaki, J; Tomaru, Y; Yamazaki, M

    2017-08-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between Salter's criteria and Kalamchi's classification of avascular necrosis in patients treated for developmental dysphasia of the hip (DDH). The study involved a retrospective analysis of 123 patients (123 hips) with DDH treated by operative and non-operative reduction before the age of two years, with a minimum follow-up of ten years. Salter's criteria (S1 to S4) were determined from radiographs obtained at one to two years post-reduction, whilst the Kalamchi grade was determined from radiographs obtained at ten or more years of age. Early post-reduction radiographs were also used to evaluate the centre-head distance discrepancy (CHDD) and the occurrence of a dome-shaped deformity of the proximal femoral metaphysis (D-shaped metaphysis). The prognosis was described as good (Kalamchi grade K0 or KI), fair (Kalamchi grade KII) or poor (Kalamchi grade KIII or KIV) for analysis and correlation with the early Salter criteria, CHDD and D-shaped metaphysis. S1 and S2 criteria were predictive of a poor prognosis. The outcome following S3, S4 and S3 + S4 varied; 18 (40%) had a good prognosis, 17 (38%) a fair prognosis and ten (22%) a poor prognosis. A CHDD ≥ 10% and a D-shaped metaphysis were also predictive of a poor prognosis. The Salter criteria were predictive of the Kalamchi grade of avascular necrosis in patients with DDH aged ten or more years after reduction of the hip. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1115-20. ©2017 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery.

  17. Chronic Fluoxetine Induces Activity Changes in Recovery From Poststroke Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment.

    PubMed

    Vahid-Ansari, Faranak; Albert, Paul R

    2018-01-01

    Poststroke depression (PSD) is a common outcome of stroke that limits recovery and is only partially responsive to chronic antidepressant treatment. In order to elucidate changes in the cortical-limbic circuitry associated with PSD and its treatment, we examined a novel mouse model of persistent PSD. Focal endothelin-1-induced ischemia of the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in male C57BL6 mice resulted in a chronic anxiety and depression phenotype. Here, we show severe cognitive impairment in spatial learning and memory in the stroke mice. The behavioral and cognitive phenotypes were reversed by chronic (4-week) treatment with fluoxetine, alone or with voluntary exercise (free-running wheel), but not by exercise alone. To assess chronic cellular activation, FosB + cells were co-labeled for markers of glutamate/pyramidal (VGluT1-3/CaMKIIα), γ-aminobutyric acid (GAD67), and serotonin (TPH). At 6 weeks poststroke versus sham (or 4 days poststroke), left mPFC stroke induced widespread FosB activation, more on the right (contralesional) than on the left side. Stroke activated glutamate cells of the mPFC, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and raphe serotonin neurons. Chronic fluoxetine balanced bilateral neuronal activity, reducing total FosB and FosB/CamKII + cells (mPFC, nucleus accumbens), and unlike exercise, increasing FosB/GAD67 + cells (septum, amygdala) or both (hippocampus, raphe). In summary, chronic antidepressant but not exercise mediates recovery in this unilateral ischemic PSD model that is associated with region-specific reversal of stroke-induced pyramidal cell hyperactivity and increase in γ-aminobutyric acidergic activity. Targeted brain stimulation to restore brain activity could provide a rational approach for treating clinical PSD.

  18. Improving the accuracy of flood forecasting with transpositions of ensemble NWP rainfall fields considering orographic effects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Wansik; Nakakita, Eiichi; Kim, Sunmin; Yamaguchi, Kosei

    2016-08-01

    The use of meteorological ensembles to produce sets of hydrological predictions increased the capability to issue flood warnings. However, space scale of the hydrological domain is still much finer than meteorological model, and NWP models have challenges with displacement. The main objective of this study to enhance the transposition method proposed in Yu et al. (2014) and to suggest the post-processing ensemble flood forecasting method for the real-time updating and the accuracy improvement of flood forecasts that considers the separation of the orographic rainfall and the correction of misplaced rain distributions using additional ensemble information through the transposition of rain distributions. In the first step of the proposed method, ensemble forecast rainfalls from a numerical weather prediction (NWP) model are separated into orographic and non-orographic rainfall fields using atmospheric variables and the extraction of topographic effect. Then the non-orographic rainfall fields are examined by the transposition scheme to produce additional ensemble information and new ensemble NWP rainfall fields are calculated by recombining the transposition results of non-orographic rain fields with separated orographic rainfall fields for a generation of place-corrected ensemble information. Then, the additional ensemble information is applied into a hydrologic model for post-flood forecasting with a 6-h interval. The newly proposed method has a clear advantage to improve the accuracy of mean value of ensemble flood forecasting. Our study is carried out and verified using the largest flood event by typhoon 'Talas' of 2011 over the two catchments, which are Futatsuno (356.1 km2) and Nanairo (182.1 km2) dam catchments of Shingu river basin (2360 km2), which is located in the Kii peninsula, Japan.

  19. Compliance with driver's license laws and illegal licensing among commercial bus drivers in Lagos, Nigeria: policy implications and evidence for action.

    PubMed

    Okafor, I P; Odeyemi, K A; Dolapo, D C; Adegbola, A A

    2014-09-01

    To determine the level of compliance with driver's license laws among commercial bus drivers in Lagos, Nigeria. Two intercity motor parks were selected by simple random sampling and all consenting minibus drivers participated in the study. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were also conducted with selected officials in the driver training and licensing authorities. Compliance with the minimum age for driving was high (93.6%), so also was having driving test prior to driver's license procurement (83.3%). Formal driver training and VA testing were very low, (26.1% and 32.9% respectively) Overall, only 9.3% of them were found to have fulfilled all the pre-license obligations before obtaining their first driver's license. The odds of a driver with a secondary education having formal driver training is 3.33 times higher than those with no education (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.01-11.35). Drivers who were 60 years or older were 3.62 times more likely to be compliant than those who were between 20-29 years (OR 3.62, 95% CI 0.56-29.19). For the 98.3% of them who possessed valid licenses, 52.3% of them obtained them illegally. All the key officials saw RTIs as a serious public health problem but faced several challenges in the course of their work. Overall compliance with pre-license regulations was very poor. There is need for a review and strict enforcement of driver's license laws to improve compliance. Also vital are fostering inter-sectoral collaboration and improvement in the operations of all establishments involved in driver training and license procurement in Nigeria.

  20. Analysis of Genetic Variation and Phylogeny of the Predatory Bug, Pilophorus typicus, in Japan using Mitochondrial Gene Sequences

    PubMed Central

    Ito, Katsura; Nishikawa, Hiroshi; Shimada, Takuji; Ogawa, Kohei; Minamiya, Yukio; Tomoda, Masafumi; Nakahira, Kengo; Kodama, Rika; Fukuda, Tatsuya; Arakawa, Ryo

    2011-01-01

    Pilophorus typicus (Distant) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a predatory bug occurring in East, Southeast, and South Asia. Because the active stages of P. typicus prey on various agricultural pest insects and mites, this species is a candidate insect as an indigenous natural enemy for use in biological control programs. However, the mass releasing of introduced natural enemies into agricultural fields may incur the risk of affecting the genetic integrity of species through hybridization with a local population. To clarify the genetic characteristics of the Japanese populations of P. typicus two portions of the mitochondrial DNA, the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) (534 bp) and the cytochrome B (cytB) (217 bp) genes, were sequenced for 64 individuals collected from 55 localities in a wide range of Japan. Totals of 18 and 10 haplotypes were identified for the COI and cytB sequences, respectively (25 haplotypes over regions). Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood method revealed the existence of two genetically distinct groups in P. typicus in Japan. These groups were distributed in different geographic ranges: one occurred mainly from the Pacific coastal areas of the Kii Peninsula, the Shikoku Island, and the Ryukyu Islands; whereas the other occurred from the northern Kyushu district to the Kanto and Hokuriku districts of mainland Japan. However, both haplotypes were found in a single locality of the southern coast of the Shikoku Island. COI phylogeny incorporating other Pilophorus species revealed that these groups were only recently differentiated. Therefore, use of a certain population of P. typicus across its distribution range should be done with caution because genetic hybridization may occur. PMID:21526929

  1. Network Supervision of Adult Experience and Learning Dependent Sensory Cortical Plasticity.

    PubMed

    Blake, David T

    2017-06-18

    The brain is capable of remodeling throughout life. The sensory cortices provide a useful preparation for studying neuroplasticity both during development and thereafter. In adulthood, sensory cortices change in the cortical area activated by behaviorally relevant stimuli, by the strength of response within that activated area, and by the temporal profiles of those responses. Evidence supports forms of unsupervised, reinforcement, and fully supervised network learning rules. Studies on experience-dependent plasticity have mostly not controlled for learning, and they find support for unsupervised learning mechanisms. Changes occur with greatest ease in neurons containing α-CamKII, which are pyramidal neurons in layers II/III and layers V/VI. These changes use synaptic mechanisms including long term depression. Synaptic strengthening at NMDA-containing synapses does occur, but its weak association with activity suggests other factors also initiate changes. Studies that control learning find support of reinforcement learning rules and limited evidence of other forms of supervised learning. Behaviorally associating a stimulus with reinforcement leads to a strengthening of cortical response strength and enlarging of response area with poor selectivity. Associating a stimulus with omission of reinforcement leads to a selective weakening of responses. In some preparations in which these associations are not as clearly made, neurons with the most informative discharges are relatively stronger after training. Studies analyzing the temporal profile of responses associated with omission of reward, or of plasticity in studies with different discriminanda but statistically matched stimuli, support the existence of limited supervised network learning. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:977-1008, 2017. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  2. Exploring Maternal Health Care-Seeking Behavior of Married Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh: A Social-Ecological Approach.

    PubMed

    Shahabuddin, Asm; Nöstlinger, Christiana; Delvaux, Thérèse; Sarker, Malabika; Delamou, Alexandre; Bardají, Azucena; Broerse, Jacqueline E W; De Brouwere, Vincent

    2017-01-01

    The huge proportion of child marriage contributes to high rates of pregnancies among adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Despite substantial progress in reducing maternal mortality in the last two decades, the rate of adolescent pregnancy remains high. The use of skilled maternal health services is still low in Bangladesh. Several quantitative studies described the use of skilled maternal health services among adolescent girls. So far, very little qualitative evidence exists about attitudes and practices related to maternal health. To fill this gap, we aimed at exploring maternal health care-seeking behavior of adolescent girls and their experiences related to pregnancy and delivery in Bangladesh. A prospective qualitative study was conducted among thirty married adolescent girls from three Upazilas (sub-districts) of Rangpur district. They were interviewed in two subsequent phases (2014 and 2015). To triangulate and validate the data collected from these married adolescent girls, key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with different stakeholders. Data analysis was guided by the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) including four levels of factors (individual, interpersonal and family, community and social, and organizational and health systems level) which influenced the maternal health care-seeking behavior of adolescent girls. While adolescent girls showed little decision making-autonomy, interpersonal and family level factors played an important role in their use of skilled maternal health services. In addition, community and social factors and as well as organizational and health systems factors shaped adolescent girls' maternal health care-seeking behavior. In order to improve the maternal health of adolescent girls, all four levels of factors of SEM should be taken into account while developing health interventions targeting adolescent girls.

  3. Feasibility and acceptability of delivering adolescent health interventions alongside HPV vaccination in Tanzania.

    PubMed

    Watson-Jones, Deborah; Lees, Shelley; Mwanga, Joseph; Neke, Nyasule; Changalucha, John; Broutet, Nathalie; Maduhu, Ibrahim; Kapiga, Saidi; Chandra-Mouli, Venkatraman; Bloem, Paul; Ross, David A

    2016-07-01

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination offers an opportunity to strengthen provision of adolescent health interventions (AHI). We explored the feasibility of integrating other AHI with HPV vaccination in Tanzania. A desk review of 39 policy documents was preceded by a stakeholder meeting with 38 policy makers and partners. Eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) with health and education policy makers and district officials were conducted to further explore perceptions of current programs, priorities and AHI that might be suitable for integration with HPV vaccination. Fourteen school health interventions (SHI) or AHI are currently being implemented by the Government of Tanzania. Most are delivered as vertical programmes. Coverage of current programs is not universal, and is limited by financial, human resource and logistic constraints. Limited community engagement, rumours, and lack of strategic advocacy has affected uptake of some interventions, e.g. tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization. Stakeholder and KI perceptions and opinions were limited by a lack of experience with integrated delivery and AHI that were outside an individual's area of expertise and experience. Deworming and educational sessions including reproductive health education were the most frequently mentioned interventions that respondents considered suitable for integrated delivery with HPV vaccine. Given programme constraints, limited experience with integrated delivery and concern about real or perceived side-effects being attributed to the vaccine, it will be very important to pilot-test integration of AHI/SHI with HPV vaccination. Selected interventions will need to be simple and quick to deliver since health workers are likely to face significant logistic and time constraints during vaccination visits. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

  4. Metal Ionophore Treatment Restores Dendritic Spine Density and Synaptic Protein Levels in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

    PubMed Central

    Adlard, Paul A.; Bica, Laura; White, Anthony R.; Nurjono, Milawaty; Filiz, Gulay; Crouch, Peter J.; Donnelly, Paul S.; Cappai, Roberto

    2011-01-01

    We have previously demonstrated that brief treatment of APP transgenic mice with metal ionophores (PBT2, Prana Biotechnology) rapidly and markedly improves learning and memory. To understand the potential mechanisms of action underlying this phenomenon we examined hippocampal dendritic spine density, and the levels of key proteins involved in learning and memory, in young (4 months) and old (14 months) female Tg2576 mice following brief (11 days) oral treatment with PBT2 (30 mg/kg/d). Transgenic mice exhibited deficits in spine density compared to littermate controls that were significantly rescued by PBT2 treatment in both the young (+17%, p<0.001) and old (+32%, p<0.001) animals. There was no effect of PBT2 on spine density in the control animals. In the transgenic animals, PBT2 treatment also resulted in significant increases in brain levels of CamKII (+57%, p = 0.005), spinophilin (+37%, p = 0.04), NMDAR1A (+126%, p = 0.02), NMDAR2A (+70%, p = 0.05), pro-BDNF (+19%, p = 0.02) and BDNF (+19%, p = 0.04). While PBT2-treatment did not significantly alter neurite-length in vivo, it did increase neurite outgrowth (+200%, p = 0.006) in cultured cells, and this was abolished by co-incubation with the transition metal chelator, diamsar. These data suggest that PBT2 may affect multiple aspects of snaptic health/efficacy. In Alzheimer's disease therefore, PBT2 may restore the uptake of physiological metal ions trapped within extracellular β-amyloid aggregates that then induce biochemical and anatomical changes to improve cognitive function. PMID:21412423

  5. Varenicline in Autism: Theory and Case Report of Clinical and Biochemical Changes.

    PubMed

    Mostafavi, Mojdeh; Hardy, Paul; Arnold, L Eugene

    2016-11-01

    To explore the potential benefits of varenicline (CHANTIX ® ), a highly specific partial agonist of neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), for autistic symptoms, and present resulting biochemical changes in light of dopamine-related genotype. The clinical and biochemical changes exhibited by a 19-year-old severely autistic man following the use of low-dose varenicline in an ABA experiment of nature, and his genotype, were extracted from chart review. Clinical outcome was measured by the Ohio Autism Clinical Impression Scale and 12 relevant urine and saliva metabolites were measured by Neuroscience Laboratory. With varenicline, this patient improved clinically and autonomic biochemical indicators in saliva and urine normalized, including dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), epinephrine, norepinephrine, taurine, and histamine levels. In addition, with varenicline, the dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) antibody titer as well as the percent of baseline calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity dropped significantly. When varenicline stopped, he deteriorated; when it was resumed, he again improved. Doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg daily were tried before settling on a dose of 1.5 mg daily. He has remained on varenicline for over a year with no noticeable side effects. This report is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second to demonstrate positive effects of varenicline in autism, the first to show it in a severe case, and the first to show normalization of biochemical parameters related to genotype. As with the previous report, these encouraging results warrant further controlled research before clinical recommendations can be made.

  6. Elevated TMEM106B levels exaggerate lipofuscin accumulation and lysosomal dysfunction in aged mice with progranulin deficiency.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Xiaolai; Sun, Lirong; Brady, Owen Adam; Murphy, Kira A; Hu, Fenghua

    2017-01-26

    Mutations resulting in haploinsufficiency of progranulin (PGRN) cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43-positive inclusions (FTLD-TDP), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Accumulating evidence suggest a crucial role of progranulin in maintaining proper lysosomal function during aging. TMEM106B has been identified as a risk factor for frontotemporal lobar degeneration with progranulin mutations and elevated mRNA and protein levels of TMEM106B are associated with increased risk for frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Increased levels of TMEM106B alter lysosomal morphology and interfere with lysosomal degradation. However, how progranulin and TMEM106B interact to regulate lysosomal function and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) disease progression is still unclear. Here we report that progranulin deficiency leads to increased TMEM106B protein levels in the mouse cortex with aging. To mimic elevated levels of TMEM106B in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) cases, we generated transgenic mice expressing TMEM106B under the neuronal specific promoter, CamKII. Surprisingly, we found that the total protein levels of TMEM106B are not altered despite the expression of the TMEM106B transgene at mRNA and protein levels, suggesting a tight regulation of TMEM106B protein levels in the mouse brain. However, progranulin deficiency results in accumulation of TMEM106B protein from the transgene expression during aging, which is accompanied by exaggerated lysosomal abnormalities and increased lipofuscin accumulation. In summary, our mouse model nicely recapitulates the interaction between progranulin and TMEM106B in human patients and supports a critical role of lysosomal dysfunction in the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) disease progression.

  7. Complex thrusting at the toe of the Nankai accretionary prism, NanTroSEIZE Kumano transect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, G. F.; Park, J.; Kodaira, S.; Kaneda, Y.

    2009-12-01

    Seismic reflection data collected over the past 10 years by the Institute for Research on Earth Evolution (IFREE) of Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) image a zone of complex thrusting at the toe of the Nankai accretionary prism south of Kii Peninsula, Honshu, Japan. The frontal part of the Nankai prism west of Shionomisaki Canyon (SC) at ~136° E, including the Muroto and Ashizuri Transects off Shikoku, is generally formed of imbricate thrusts with spacing of ~ 1-3 km that dip ~25-35° landward and sole into a prominent décollement. Out-of-sequence thrusts (OOSTs) are usually restricted to the landward margin of this imbricate thrust zone. East of SC, in the Kumano Transect area, the imbricate thrust zone is bounded on its seaward edge by a frontal thrust block that is ~5-6 km wide and consists of several OOSTs. The frontal thrust dips ~5-10° under this ~2-4 km thick block, emplacing this thrust sheet over the trench floor. The number and character of thrusts within the frontal thrust block vary laterally along strike. The 2006 Kumano 3D seismic data set images details of one segment of this complex frontal thrust block. Out-of-sequence faulting has led to underplating of several smaller thrust slices and movement along oblique ramps has led to a complex pattern of faulting that cannot be recognized in even closely-spaced 2D seismic lines. The frontal thrust block is further modified by subduction of seamounts and ridges that have caused large slumps of material from the block.

  8. 'Nurture the sprouting bud; do not uproot it'. Using saving groups to save for maternal and newborn health: lessons from rural Eastern Uganda.

    PubMed

    Ekirapa-Kiracho, Elizabeth; Paina, Ligia; Muhumuza Kananura, Rornald; Mutebi, Aloysius; Jane, Pacuto; Tumuhairwe, Juliet; Tetui, Moses; Kiwanuka, Suzanne N

    2017-08-01

    Saving groups are increasingly being used to save in many developing countries. However, there is limited literature about how they can be exploited to improve maternal and newborn health. This paper describes saving practices, factors that encourage and constrain saving with saving groups, and lessons learnt while supporting communities to save through saving groups. This qualitative study was done in three districts in Eastern Uganda. Saving groups were identified and provided with support to enhance members' access to maternal and newborn health. Fifteen focus group discussions (FGDs) and 18 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to elicit members' views about saving practices. Document review was undertaken to identify key lessons for supporting saving groups. Qualitative data are presented thematically. Awareness of the importance of saving, safe custody of money saved, flexible saving arrangements and easy access to loans for personal needs including transport during obstetric emergencies increased willingness to save with saving groups. Saving groups therefore provided a safety net for the poor during emergencies. Poor management of saving groups and detrimental economic practices like gambling constrained saving. Efficient running of saving groups requires that they have a clear management structure, which is legally registered with relevant authorities and that it is governed by a constitution. Saving groups were considered a useful form of saving that enabled easy acess to cash for birth preparedness and transportation during emergencies. They are like 'a sprouting bud that needs to be nurtured rather than uprooted', as they appear to have the potential to act as a safety net for poor communities that have no health insurance. Local governments should therefore strengthen the management capacity of saving groups so as to ensure their efficient running through partnerships with non-governmental organizations that can provide support to such groups.

  9. Durability of polymer/metal interfaces under cyclic loading

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, Tianbao

    Fatigue crack growth along metal/epoxy interface was examined in an aqueous environment and under mixed-mode conditions. A stress corrosion cracking mechanism was identified in this process. The fatigue crack growth rate in an aqueous environment was increased by several orders of magnitude and the fatigue threshold decreased by a factor of 10. The loss of adhesion in the aqueous environment was induced by the hydration of the surface oxide which resulted in a hydroxide with poor adhesion to the substrate metal. Self-assembled monolayer of long chain alkyl phosphonic acid and amino phosphonic acid were synthesized to enhance the adhesion and improve the durability of Al/epoxy interfacial bonding system. The same approach was taken to promote adhesion between copper and epoxy, where a two-component coupling system of 11-mercapto-1-undercanol and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane provided the most significant improvement in the copper/epoxy adhesion. The mixed-mode was applied by a piezoelectric actuator. Subcritical crack growth was observed along the epoxy/aluminum interface and the growth rate was found to depend on the magnitude of the applied electric field. Kinetics of the crack growth was correlated with the piezoelectric driving force. The resulting crack growth behavior was compared with the results from the conventional mechanical testing technique. Large differences were found between these two methods. Using this newly developed technique, effects of loading mode and frequency were studied. The fatigue resistance was found to increase with the mode II component and was expressed as a function of the KII/K I ratio. A strong frequency effect was observed for the subcritical crack growth along the Al/Epoxy interface, their fatigue resistance increased with the testing frequency.

  10. Exploring Maternal Health Care-Seeking Behavior of Married Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh: A Social-Ecological Approach

    PubMed Central

    Shahabuddin, Asm; Nöstlinger, Christiana; Delvaux, Thérèse; Sarker, Malabika; Delamou, Alexandre; Bardají, Azucena; Broerse, Jacqueline E. W.; De Brouwere, Vincent

    2017-01-01

    Background The huge proportion of child marriage contributes to high rates of pregnancies among adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Despite substantial progress in reducing maternal mortality in the last two decades, the rate of adolescent pregnancy remains high. The use of skilled maternal health services is still low in Bangladesh. Several quantitative studies described the use of skilled maternal health services among adolescent girls. So far, very little qualitative evidence exists about attitudes and practices related to maternal health. To fill this gap, we aimed at exploring maternal health care-seeking behavior of adolescent girls and their experiences related to pregnancy and delivery in Bangladesh. Methods and Findings A prospective qualitative study was conducted among thirty married adolescent girls from three Upazilas (sub-districts) of Rangpur district. They were interviewed in two subsequent phases (2014 and 2015). To triangulate and validate the data collected from these married adolescent girls, key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with different stakeholders. Data analysis was guided by the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) including four levels of factors (individual, interpersonal and family, community and social, and organizational and health systems level) which influenced the maternal health care-seeking behavior of adolescent girls. While adolescent girls showed little decision making-autonomy, interpersonal and family level factors played an important role in their use of skilled maternal health services. In addition, community and social factors and as well as organizational and health systems factors shaped adolescent girls’ maternal health care-seeking behavior. Conclusions In order to improve the maternal health of adolescent girls, all four levels of factors of SEM should be taken into account while developing health interventions targeting adolescent girls. PMID:28095432

  11. Artificial Boundary Conditions for Computation of Oscillating External Flows

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsynkov, S. V.

    1996-01-01

    In this paper, we propose a new technique for the numerical treatment of external flow problems with oscillatory behavior of the solution in time. Specifically, we consider the case of unbounded compressible viscous plane flow past a finite body (airfoil). Oscillations of the flow in time may be caused by the time-periodic injection of fluid into the boundary layer, which in accordance with experimental data, may essentially increase the performance of the airfoil. To conduct the actual computations, we have to somehow restrict the original unbounded domain, that is, to introduce an artificial (external) boundary and to further consider only a finite computational domain. Consequently, we will need to formulate some artificial boundary conditions (ABC's) at the introduced external boundary. The ABC's we are aiming to obtain must meet a fundamental requirement. One should be able to uniquely complement the solution calculated inside the finite computational domain to its infinite exterior so that the original problem is solved within the desired accuracy. Our construction of such ABC's for oscillating flows is based on an essential assumption: the Navier-Stokes equations can be linearized in the far field against the free-stream back- ground. To actually compute the ABC's, we represent the far-field solution as a Fourier series in time and then apply the Difference Potentials Method (DPM) of V. S. Ryaben'kii. This paper contains a general theoretical description of the algorithm for setting the DPM-based ABC's for time-periodic external flows. Based on our experience in implementing analogous ABC's for steady-state problems (a simpler case), we expect that these boundary conditions will become an effective tool for constructing robust numerical methods to calculate oscillatory flows.

  12. ‘Nurture the sprouting bud; do not uproot it’. Using saving groups to save for maternal and newborn health: lessons from rural Eastern Uganda

    PubMed Central

    Ekirapa-Kiracho, Elizabeth; Paina, Ligia; Muhumuza Kananura, Rornald; Mutebi, Aloysius; Jane, Pacuto; Tumuhairwe, Juliet; Tetui, Moses; Kiwanuka, Suzanne N

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Background: Saving groups are increasingly being used to save in many developing countries. However, there is limited literature about how they can be exploited to improve maternal and newborn health. Objectives: This paper describes saving practices, factors that encourage and constrain saving with saving groups, and lessons learnt while supporting communities to save through saving groups. Methods: This qualitative study was done in three districts in Eastern Uganda. Saving groups were identified and provided with support to enhance members’ access to maternal and newborn health. Fifteen focus group discussions (FGDs) and 18 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to elicit members’ views about saving practices. Document review was undertaken to identify key lessons for supporting saving groups. Qualitative data are presented thematically. Results: Awareness of the importance of saving, safe custody of money saved, flexible saving arrangements and easy access to loans for personal needs including transport during obstetric emergencies increased willingness to save with saving groups. Saving groups therefore provided a safety net for the poor during emergencies. Poor management of saving groups and detrimental economic practices like gambling constrained saving. Efficient running of saving groups requires that they have a clear management structure, which is legally registered with relevant authorities and that it is governed by a constitution. Conclusions: Saving groups were considered a useful form of saving that enabled easy acess to cash for birth preparedness and transportation during emergencies. They are like ‘a sprouting bud that needs to be nurtured rather than uprooted’, as they appear to have the potential to act as a safety net for poor communities that have no health insurance. Local governments should therefore strengthen the management capacity of saving groups so as to ensure their efficient running through partnerships with

  13. Retroperitoneal access for robotic renal surgery.

    PubMed

    Anderson, Barrett G; Wright, Alec J; Potretzke, Aaron M; Figenshau, R Sherburne

    2018-01-01

    Retroperitoneal access for robotic renal surgery is an effective alternative to the commonly used transperitoneal approach. We describe our contemporary experience and technique for attaining retroperitoneal access. We outline our institutional approach to retroperitoneal access for the instruction of urologists at the beginning of the learning curve. The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position. The first incision is made just inferior to the tip of the twelfth rib as described by Hsu, et al. After the lumbodorsal fascia is traversed, the retroperitoneal space is dilated with a round 10 millimeter AutoSutureTM (Covidien, Mansfield, MA) balloon access device. The following trocars are used: A 130 millimeter KiiR balloon trocar (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), three robotic, and one assistant. Key landmarks for the access and dissection are detailed. 177 patients underwent a retroperitoneal robotic procedure from 2007 to 2015. Procedures performed include 158 partial nephrectomies, 16 pyeloplasties, and three radical nephrectomies. The robotic fourth arm was utilized in all cases. When compared with the transperitoneal approach, the retroperitoneal approach was associated with shorter operative times and decreased length of stay (1). Selection bias and surgeon preference accounted for the higher proportion of patients who underwent partial nephrectomy off-camp via the retroperitoneal approach. Retroperitoneal robotic surgery may confer several advantages. In patients with previous abdominal surgery or intra-abdominal conditions, the retroperitoneum can be safely accessed while avoiding intraperitoneal injuries. The retroperitoneum also provides a confined space that may minimize the sequelae of potential complications including urine leak. Moreover, at our institution, retroperitoneal robotic surgery is associated with shorter operative times and a decreased length of stay when compared with the transperitoneal approach (2). In selected

  14. Comparison between Observed Tsunami Heights and Numerical Simulation of the 1854 Ansei-Tokai Earthquake Tsunami in Gokasho Bay, central Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naruhashi, R.; Satake, K.; Heidarzadeh, M.; Harada, T.

    2014-12-01

     Gokasho Bay is a blockade inner bay which has typical ria coasts and drowned valleys. It is located in the central Kii Peninsula and faces the Nankai Trough subduction zone. This Kumano-nada coastal area has been repeatedly striked by historical great tsunamis. For the 1854 Ansei-Tokai earthquake and its tsunami, there are comparatively many historical records including historical documents and oral traditions for tsunami behavior and damages along the coast. Based on these records, a total of 42 tsunami heights were measured by using a laser range finder and a hand level on the basis of spot elevation given by 1/2500 topographical maps. The average inundation height of whole bay area was approximately 4 - 5 m. On the whole, in the closed-off section of the bay, large values were obtained. For example, the average value in Gokasho-ura town area was 4 m, and the maximum run-up height along the Gokasho river was 6.8 m. Particularly in Konsa, located in the most closed-off section of the bay, tsunami heights ranged between 4 - 11 m, and were higher than those in other districts. It was comparatively high along the eastern coast and eastern baymouth. We simulate the distribution of the tsunami wave heights using numerical modeling, and compare the simulation results and above-mentioned actual historical data and results of our field survey. Based on fault models by Ando (1975), Aida (1981), and Annaka et al. (2003), the tsunami simulation was performed. After comparing the calculated results by three fault models, the wave height based on the model by Annaka et al. (2003) was found to have better agreement with observations. Moreover, the wave height values in a closed-off section of bay and at the eastern baymouth are high consistent with our survey data.

  15. Subcellular Organization of CaMKII in Rat Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Jin-Dong; Kennedy, Mary B.; Weinberg, Richard J.

    2015-01-01

    Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-KII) plays a key role in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term synaptic plasticity; its location is critical for signal transduction, and may provide clues that further elucidate its function. We therefore examined the subcellular localization of CaMKII in CA1 stratum radiatum of adult rat hippocampus, by using immuno-electron microscopy after chemical fixation. When tissue was fixed quickly, the concentration of CaMKIIα (assessed by pre-embedding immunogold) was significantly higher in dendritic shafts than in spine heads. However, when tissue was fixed 5 minutes after perfusion with normal saline, the density of labeling decreased in dendritic shaft while increasing in spine heads, implying rapid translocation into the spine during brief perimortem stress. Likewise, in quickly fixed tissue, CaMKII within spine heads was found at comparable concentrations in the “proximal” half (adjacent to the spine neck) and the “distal” half (containing the postsynaptic density [PSD]), whereas after delayed fixation, label density increased in the distal side of the spine head, suggesting that CaMKII within the spine head moves toward the PSD during this interval. To estimate its distribution at the synapse in vivo, we performed postembedding immunogold staining for CaMKII in quick-fixed tissue, and found that the enzyme did not concentrate primarily within the central matrix of the PSD. Instead, labeling density peaked ∼40 nm inside the postsynaptic membrane, at the cytoplasmic fringe of the PSD. Labeling within 25 nm of the postsynaptic membrane concentrated at the lateral edge of the synapse. This lateral “PSD core” pool of CaMKII may play a special role in synaptic plasticity. PMID:23749614

  16. Gas hydrate saturation and distribution in the Kumano Forearc Basin of the Nankai Trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jia, Jihui; Tsuji, Takeshi; Matsuoka, Toshifumi

    2017-02-01

    The Kumano Forearc Basin is located to the south-east of the Kii Peninsula, Japan, overlying the accretionary prism in the Nankai Trough. The presence of gas hydrate in submarine sediments of the forearc basin has resulted in the widespread occurrence of bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) on seismic profiles, and has caused distinct anomalies in logging data in the region. We estimated the in situ gas hydrate saturation from logging data by using three methods: effective rock physics models, Archie's equation, and empirical relationships between acoustic impedance (AI) and water-filled porosity. The results derived from rock physics models demonstrate that gas hydrates are attached to the grain surfaces of the rock matrix and are not floating in pore space. By applying the empirical relationships to the AI distribution derived from model-based AI inversion of the three-dimensional (3D) seismic data, we mapped the spatial distribution of hydrate saturation within the Kumano Basin and characterised locally concentrated gas hydrates. Based on the results, we propose two different mechanisms of free gas supply to explain the process of gas hydrate formation in the basin: (1) migration along inclined strata that dip landwards, and (2) migration through the faults or cracks generated by intensive tectonic movements of the accretionary prism. The dipping strata with relatively low AI in the forearc basin could indicate the presence of hydrate formation due to gas migration along the dipping strata. However, high hydrate concentration is observed at fault zones with high pore pressures, thus the second mechanism likely plays an important role in the genesis of gas hydrates in the Kumano Basin. Therefore, the tectonic activities in the accretionary wedge significantly influence the hydrate saturation and distribution in the Kumano Forearc Basin.

  17. An Application of the Difference Potentials Method to Solving External Problems in CFD

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ryaben 'Kii, Victor S.; Tsynkov, Semyon V.

    1997-01-01

    Numerical solution of infinite-domain boundary-value problems requires some special techniques that would make the problem available for treatment on the computer. Indeed, the problem must be discretized in a way that the computer operates with only finite amount of information. Therefore, the original infinite-domain formulation must be altered and/or augmented so that on one hand the solution is not changed (or changed slightly) and on the other hand the finite discrete formulation becomes available. One widely used approach to constructing such discretizations consists of truncating the unbounded original domain and then setting the artificial boundary conditions (ABC's) at the newly formed external boundary. The role of the ABC's is to close the truncated problem and at the same time to ensure that the solution found inside the finite computational domain would be maximally close to (in the ideal case, exactly the same as) the corresponding fragment of the original infinite-domain solution. Let us emphasize that the proper treatment of artificial boundaries may have a profound impact on the overall quality and performance of numerical algorithms. The latter statement is corroborated by the numerous computational experiments and especially concerns the area of CFD, in which external problems present a wide class of practically important formulations. In this paper, we review some work that has been done over the recent years on constructing highly accurate nonlocal ABC's for calculation of compressible external flows. The approach is based on implementation of the generalized potentials and pseudodifferential boundary projection operators analogous to those proposed first by Calderon. The difference potentials method (DPM) by Ryaben'kii is used for the effective computation of the generalized potentials and projections. The resulting ABC's clearly outperform the existing methods from the standpoints of accuracy and robustness, in many cases noticeably speed up

  18. Community participation for malaria elimination in Tafea Province, Vanuatu: Part I. Maintaining motivation for prevention practices in the context of disappearing disease.

    PubMed

    Atkinson, Jo-An M; Fitzgerald, Lisa; Toaliu, Hilson; Taleo, George; Tynan, Anna; Whittaker, Maxine; Riley, Ian; Vallely, Andrew

    2010-04-12

    In the 1990s, the experience of eliminating malaria from Aneityum Island, Vanuatu is often given as evidence for the potential to eliminate malaria in the south-west Pacific. This experience, however, cannot provide a blueprint for larger islands that represent more complex social and environmental contexts. Community support was a key contributor to success in Aneityum. In the context of disappearing disease, obtaining and maintaining community participation in strategies to eliminate malaria in the rest of Tafea Province, Vanuatu will be significantly more challenging. Nine focus group discussions (FGDs), 12 key informant interviews (KIIs), three transect walks and seven participatory workshops were carried out in three villages across Tanna Island to investigate community perceptions and practices relating to malaria prevention (particularly relating to bed nets); influences on these practices including how malaria is contextualized within community health and disease priorities; and effective avenues for channelling health information. The primary protection method identified by participants was the use of bed nets, however, the frequency and motivation for their use differed between study villages on the basis of the perceived presence of malaria. Village, household and personal cleanliness were identified by participants as important for protection against malaria. Barriers and influences on bed net use included cultural beliefs and practices, travel, gender roles, seasonality of mosquito nuisance and risk perception. Health care workers and church leaders were reported to have greatest influence on malaria prevention practices. Participants preferred receiving health information through visiting community health promotion teams, health workers, church leaders and village chiefs. In low malaria transmission settings, a package for augmenting social capital and sustaining community participation for elimination will be essential and includes: 'sentinel sites

  19. Development of Download System for Waveform Data Observed at Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System installed in the Nankai Trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsuboi, Seiji; Horikawa, Hiroki; Takaesu, Morifumi; Sueki, Kentaro; Araki, Eiichiro; Sonoda, Akira; Takahashi, Narumi

    2016-04-01

    The Nankai Trough in southwest Japan is one of most active subduction zone in the world. Great mega-thrust earthquakes repeatedly occurred every 100 to 150 years in this area, it's anticipated to occur in the not distant future. For the purpose of elucidation of the history of mega-splay fault activity, the physical properties of the geological strata and the internal structure of the accretionary prism, and monitoring of diastrophism in this area, we have a plan, Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiments (NanTroSEIZE), as a part of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). We have a plan to install the borehole observation system in a few locations by the NanTroSEIZE. This system is called Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System, it consists of various sensors in the borehole such as a broadband seismometer, a tiltmeter, a strainmeter, geophones and accelerometer, thermometer array as well as pressure ports for pore-fluid pressure monitoring. The signal from sensors is transmitted to DONET (Dense Ocean-floor Network System for Earthquake and Tsunamis) in real time. During IODP Exp. 332 in December 2010, the first Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System was installed into the C0002 borehole site located 80 km off the Kii Peninsula, 1938 m water depth in the Nankai Trough. We have developed a web application system for data download, Long-Term Borehole Monitoring Data Site. Based on a term and sensors which user selected on this site, user can download monitoring waveform data (e.g. broadband seismometer data, accelerometer data, strainmeter data, tiltmeter data) in near real-time. This system can make the arbitrary data which user selected a term and sensors, and download it simply. Downloadable continuous data is provided in seed format, which includes sensor informations. In addition, before data download, user can check that data is abailable or not by data check function. In this presentation, we show our web application system and discuss our future plans for

  20. Artificial Boundary Conditions Based on the Difference Potentials Method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsynkov, Semyon V.

    1996-01-01

    While numerically solving a problem initially formulated on an unbounded domain, one typically truncates this domain, which necessitates setting the artificial boundary conditions (ABC's) at the newly formed external boundary. The issue of setting the ABC's appears to be most significant in many areas of scientific computing, for example, in problems originating from acoustics, electrodynamics, solid mechanics, and fluid dynamics. In particular, in computational fluid dynamics (where external problems present a wide class of practically important formulations) the proper treatment of external boundaries may have a profound impact on the overall quality and performance of numerical algorithms. Most of the currently used techniques for setting the ABC's can basically be classified into two groups. The methods from the first group (global ABC's) usually provide high accuracy and robustness of the numerical procedure but often appear to be fairly cumbersome and (computationally) expensive. The methods from the second group (local ABC's) are, as a rule, algorithmically simple, numerically cheap, and geometrically universal; however, they usually lack accuracy of computations. In this paper we first present a survey and provide a comparative assessment of different existing methods for constructing the ABC's. Then, we describe a relatively new ABC's technique of ours and review the corresponding results. This new technique, in our opinion, is currently one of the most promising in the field. It enables one to construct such ABC's that combine the advantages relevant to the two aforementioned classes of existing methods. Our approach is based on application of the difference potentials method attributable to V. S. Ryaben'kii. This approach allows us to obtain highly accurate ABC's in the form of certain (nonlocal) boundary operator equations. The operators involved are analogous to the pseudodifferential boundary projections first introduced by A. P. Calderon and then

  1. Seeking environmental causes of neurodegenerative disease and envisioning primary prevention.

    PubMed

    Spencer, Peter S; Palmer, Valerie S; Kisby, Glen E

    2016-09-01

    Pathological changes of the aging brain are expressed in a range of neurodegenerative disorders that will impact increasing numbers of people across the globe. Research on the causes of these disorders has focused heavily on genetics, and strategies for prevention envision drug-induced slowing or arresting disease advance before its clinical appearance. We discuss a strategic shift that seeks to identify the environmental causes or contributions to neurodegeneration, and the vision of primary disease prevention by removing or controlling exposure to culpable agents. The plausibility of this approach is illustrated by the prototypical neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PDC). This often-familial long-latency disease, once thought to be an inherited genetic disorder but now known to have a predominant or exclusive environmental origin, is in the process of disappearing from the three heavily affected populations, namely Chamorros of Guam and Rota, Japanese residents of Kii Peninsula, Honshu, and Auyu and Jaqai linguistic groups on the island of New Guinea in West Papua, Indonesia. Exposure via traditional food and/or medicine (the only common exposure in all three geographic isolates) to one or more neurotoxins in seed of cycad plants is the most plausible if yet unproven etiology. Neurotoxin dosage and/or subject age at exposure might explain the stratified epidemic of neurodegenerative disease on Guam in which high-incidence ALS peaked and declined before that of PD, only to be replaced today by a dementing disorder comparable to Alzheimer's disease. Exposure to the Guam environment is also linked to the delayed development of ALS among a subset of Chamorro and non-Chamorro Gulf War/Era veterans, a summary of which is reported here for the first time. Lessons learned from this study and from 65 years of research on ALS-PDC include the exceptional value of initial, field-based informal investigation of

  2. Possible strain partitioning structure between the Kumano fore-arc basin and the slope of the Nankai Trough accretionary prism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martin, Kylara M.; Gulick, Sean P. S.; Bangs, Nathan L. B.; Moore, Gregory F.; Ashi, Juichiro; Park, Jin-Oh; Kuramoto, Shin'ichi; Taira, Asahiko

    2010-05-01

    A 12 km wide, 56 km long, three-dimensional (3-D) seismic volume acquired over the Nankai Trough offshore the Kii Peninsula, Japan, images the accretionary prism, fore-arc basin, and subducting Philippine Sea Plate. We have analyzed an unusual, trench-parallel depression (a "notch") along the seaward edge of the fore-arc Kumano Basin, just landward of the megasplay fault system. This bathymetric feature varies along strike, from a single, steep-walled, ˜3.5 km wide notch in the northeast to a broader, ˜5 km wide zone with several shallower linear depressions in the southwest. Below the notch we found both vertical faults and faults which dip toward the central axis of the depression. Dipping faults appear to have normal offset, consistent with the extension required to form a bathymetric low. Some of these dipping faults may join the central vertical fault(s) at depth, creating apparent flower structures. Offset on the vertical faults is difficult to determine, but the along-strike geometry of these faults makes predominantly normal or thrust motion unlikely. We conclude, therefore, that the notch feature is the bathymetric expression of a transtensional fault system. By considering only the along-strike variability of the megasplay fault, we could not explain a transform feature at the scale of the notch. Strike-slip faulting at the seaward edge of fore-arc basins is also observed in Sumatra and is there attributed to strain partitioning due to oblique convergence. The wedge and décollement strength variations which control the location of the fore-arc basins may therefore play a role in the position where an along-strike component of strain is localized. While the obliquity of convergence in the Nankai Trough is comparatively small (˜15°), we believe it generated the Kumano Basin Edge Fault Zone, which has implications for interpreting local measured stress orientations and suggests potential locations for strain-partitioning-related deformation in other

  3. Possible Strain Partitioning Between the Kumano Forearc Basin and the Slope of the Nankai Trough Accretionary Prism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martin, K. M.; Gulick, S. P.; Bangs, N. L.; Ashi, J.; Moore, G. F.; Nakamura, Y.; Tobin, H. J.

    2008-12-01

    A 12 km wide, 56 km long, three-dimensional (3-D) seismic volume acquired over the Nankai Trough offshore the Kii Peninsula, Japan images the Nankai accretionary prism, forearc basin and the subducting Philippine Sea Plate. We have analyzed an unusual, trench-parallel ~1200 m deep depression (a "notch") along the seaward edge of the Kumano forearc basin, just landward of the shallowest branch of the previously- mapped splay-fault system. The shape of this feature varies along strike, from a single, steep-walled, ~3.5 km wide notch in the northeast, to a broader, ~6 km wide zone with several shallower linear bathymetric lows in the southwest. We have mapped the area below the notch and found both vertical faults and faults which dip toward the central axis of the depression. Some dipping faults appear to have normal offset, consistent with the formation of a bathymetric low. Some of these dipping faults may join the central vertical fault(s) at depth, creating apparent flower structures. Offset on the vertical faults is more difficult to determine, but the dip and along-strike geometry of these faults makes predominantly normal or thrust motion unlikely. We conclude, therefore, that the notch feature is the bathymetric expression of a transtensional fault system. Possible causes for such a system in the forearc include variations in splay fault geometry and strain partitioning. By considering only the along-strike variability of the mapped splay fault, we were unable to explain a transform feature at the scale of the notch. Strike-slip faulting at the seaward edge of forearc basins is also observed in Sumatra and is there attributed to strain partitioning due to oblique convergence. The wedge and décollment strength variations which control the location of the forearc basins may therefore play a role in the position where the along-strike component of deformation is localized. While the obliquity of convergence in the Nankai trough is comparatively small (13

  4. Tsunami Scenario in the Nankai Trough, Japan, Based on the GPS-A and GNSS Velocities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bock, Y.; Watanabe, S. I.; Melgar, D.; Tadokoro, K.

    2017-12-01

    We present two local tsunami scenarios for the Nankai trough, Japan, an area of significant seismic risk, using GPS-A and GNSS velocities and two different plate interface geometries to better assess the slip deficit rate. We expand on the work of Yokota et al. [2016, Nature] by: (1) Adding seafloor data collected by Nagoya University [Tadokoro et al., 2012 GRL] at the Kumano basin, (2) Aligning the geodetic data to the Nankai block (forearc sliver) to the tectonic model of Loveless and Meade [2010 JGR] - the earlier work ignored block boundaries such as the Median Tectonic Line (MTL) and may have overestimated the slip deficit rate, (3) Considering two different plate interface geometries - it is essential to use the accurate depth of the plate interface, especially for the offshore region where the faults are located near the observation sites, (4) Estimating and correcting for the postseismic displacements of the 2004 southeastern off the Kii Peninsula earthquakes (MJMA 7.1, 7.4). Based upon the refined model, we calculate the coseismic displacements and tsunami wave propagation assuming that a hundred years of constant slip deficit accumulation is released instantaneously. We used the open source software GeoClaw v5.3.1, which solves the two-dimensional shallow water equations with the finite volume technique [LeVeque, 2002 Cambridge University Press], for the local tsunami scenarios. We present the expected tsunami propagation models and wave profiles based on the geodetically-derived distribution of slip, stressing the importance of identifying fault locations and geometries. The location of the downdip edge of the coseismic rupture is essential to assess whether the coastal area would subside or not. The sensitivity to the plate interface geometries is increased in the near-trough region. From the point of view of disaster prevention, subsidence at the southern coast would heighten the tsunami runup distance (e.g., at gauges in Shimotsu and Irago). Further

  5. Determination of Focal Mechanisms of Non-Volcanic Tremors Based on S-Wave Polarization Data Corrected for the Effects of Anisotropy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Imanishi, K.; Uchide, T.; Takeda, N.

    2014-12-01

    We propose a method to determine focal mechanisms of non-volcanic tremors (NVTs) based on S-wave polarization angles. The successful retrieval of polarization angles in low S/N tremor signals owes much to the observation that NVTs propagate slowly and therefore they do not change their location immediately. This feature of NVTs enables us to use a longer window to compute a polarization angle (e.g., one minute or longer), resulting in a stack of particle motions. Following Zhang and Schwartz (1994), we first correct for the splitting effect to recover the source polarization angle (anisotropy-corrected angle). This is a key step, because shear-wave splitting distorts the particle motion excited by a seismic source. We then determine the best double-couple solution using anisotropy-corrected angles of multiple stations. The present method was applied to a tremor sequence at Kii Peninsula, southwest Japan, which occurred at the beginning of April 2013. A standard splitting and polarization analysis were subject to a one-minute-long moving window to determine the splitting parameters as well as anisotropy-corrected angles. A grid search approach was performed at each hour to determine the best double-couple solution satisfying one-hour average polarization angles. Most solutions show NW-dipping low-angle planes consistent with the plate boundary or SE-dipping high-angle planes. Because of 180 degrees ambiguity in polarization angles, the present method alone cannot distinguish compressional quadrant from dilatational one. Together with the observation of very low-frequency earthquakes near the present study area (Ito et al., 2007), it is reasonable to consider that they represent shear slip on low-angle thrust faults. It is also noted that some of solutions contain strike-slip component. Acknowledgements: Seismograph stations used in this study include permanent stations operated by NIED (Hi-net), JMA, Earthquake Research Institute, together with Geological Survey of

  6. Impacts of two super typhoons on the Kuroshio and marginal seas on the Pacific coast of Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tada, Hiroaki; Uchiyama, Yusuke; Masunaga, Eiji

    2018-02-01

    High-resolution downscaling ocean modeling was conducted to investigate the impacts of two super typhoons on the Kuroshio in the fall of 2014 off the Kyushu and Shikoku Islands, Japan. The model result was compared with field observations and satellite altimetry. The synoptic and mesoscale oceanic structures around the Kuroshio exhibit a good reproducibility. The typhoons generated near-inertial oscillations (NIOs) and near-inertial internal waves (NIIWs) around the Kuroshio path, particularly on the right side of the typhoon tracks. The NIOs developed in the mixed layer to alter the direction of the Kuroshio by 30°. The associated velocity off the Shikoku and Kyushu Islands was significantly decelerated by 0.2 ms-1. The velocity almost vanished off Kyushu Island and thus induced an unstable fluctuating path shortly after both typhoons passed over that region. The NIIWs were also excited at the thermocline, resulting in the oscillation of the Kuroshio path occurred in the entire water column. In contrast, off Shikoku Island, the typhoons shifted the Kuroshio path northward to enhance the interactions with the topographies. This shift caused considerable eddy shedding from the capes that resulted in mesoscale counterclockwise circulations as cyclonic quasi-standing eddies with a shedding period of 3 days in the north of the Kuroshio path. The magnitude, direction, and meridional location of the path of the Kuroshio prominently fluctuated with the propagation of these eddies, manifested off Shikoku Island. Furthermore, these eddies induced sporadic northward intrusions of the Kuroshio warm water through the Kii Channel into the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), where a weak but persisting southward outflow prevails under normal conditions. Therefore, the process could collectively be called the "typhoon-Kuroshio-eddy interaction", which conceptually differs from the "typhoon-eddy-Kuroshio interaction" in the previous studies, where the Kuroshio was modulated by eddy collision

  7. Estimation of the spatiotemporal evolution of slow slip events in the Tokai region, central Japan, during 1994 - 2016 using GNSS data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sakaue, H.; Nishimura, T.; Fukuda, J.; Kato, T.

    2017-12-01

    In the Tokai region, central Japan, the long-term slow slip events (L-SSEs) observed on the subducting Philippine Sea Plate (PSP) from 2000 to 2005 and since 2013. Moreover, many short-term slow slip events (S-SSEs) have been observed in the Tokai region since 1996. Sakaue et al. (2017) reported that the spatiotemporal evolution of an L-SSE and S-SSEs on the PSP beneath the Tokai region from 2013 to 2015. This study is probably the first case that migration of slip for S-SSE (Mw < 6.0) was estimated solely using GNSS data in southwest Japan.We, here, extend our analysis period to be from 1994 to 2016. The GIPSY-OASIS II software was used to estimate daily coordinates of GNSS stations operated by GSI and JUNCO (the Japanese University Consortium for GPS Research) in the Tokai region. It is well known that GNSS time series have many systematic signals that do not result from SSEs. These systematic signals include, for example, seasonal variations, cosiesmic and post-seismic deformation of the 2004 off Southeast Kii Peninsula eqrthquake and the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake (Mw. 9.0), crustal deformation of volcanic activity on Miyake-jima island and so on. After removing these systematic signals, we applied a modified Network Inversion Filter (NIF) [Fukuda et al., 2008]. The original NIF [Segall & Matthews, 1997] assumes a constant hyperparameter for the temporal smoothing of slip rates and thus often results in oversmoothing of slip rates. The modified NIF assumes a time-variable hyperparameter, so that changes in slip rates are effectively extracted from GNSS time series.The results indicate that not only the spatiotemporal evolutions of the 2000 Tokai L-SSE and the 2013 L-SSE but also the spatiotemporal evolution of S-SSEs are estimated. We will present a comparison of the spatiotemporal evolutions between the 2000 Tokai L-SSE and the 2013 L-SSE and possible dependence of the occurrence style of S-SSEs on the occurrence of the L-SSEs.

  8. A socio-ecological perspective of access to and acceptability of HIV/AIDS treatment and care services: a qualitative case study research.

    PubMed

    Yakob, Bereket; Ncama, Busisiwe Purity

    2016-02-16

    Access to healthcare is an essential element of health development and a fundamental human right. While access to and acceptability of healthcare are complex concepts that interact with different socio-ecological factors (individual, community, institutional and policy), it is not known how these factors affect HIV care. This study investigated the impact of socio-ecological factors on access to and acceptability of HIV/AIDS treatment and care services (HATCS) in Wolaita Zone of Ethiopia. Qualitative case study research was conducted in six woredas (districts). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 68 participants in 11 groups (six with people using antiretroviral therapy (ART) and five with general community members). Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with 28 people involved in HIV care, support services and health administration at different levels. Individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with eight traditional healers and seven defaulters from (ART). NVIVO 10 was used to assist qualitative content data analysis. A total of 111 people participated in the study, of which 51 (45.9%) were male and 60 (54.1%) were female, while 58 (53.3%) and 53 (47.7%) were urban and rural residents, respectively. The factors that affect access to and acceptability of HATCS were categorized in four socio-ecological units of analysis: client-based factors (awareness, experiences, expectations, income, employment, family, HIV disclosure and food availability); community-based factors (care and support, stigma and discrimination and traditional healing); health facility-based factors (interactions with care providers, availability of care, quality of care, distance, affordability, logistics availability, follow up and service administration); and policy and standards (healthcare financing, service standards, implementation manuals and policy documents). A socio-ecological perspective provides a useful framework to investigate the interplay among

  9. Velocity-porosity relationships for slope apron and accreted sediments in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 315 Site C0001

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashimoto, Y.; Tobin, H. J.; Knuth, M.

    2010-12-01

    In this study, we focused on the porosity and compressional wave velocity of marine sediments to examine the physical properties of the slope apron and the accreted sediments. This approach allows us to identify characteristic variations between sediments being deposited onto the active prism and those deposited on the oceanic plate and then carried into the prism during subduction. For this purpose we conducted ultrasonic compressional wave velocity measurements on the obtained core samples with pore pressure control. Site C0001 in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment transect of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program is located in the hanging wall of the midslope megasplay thrust fault in the Nankai subduction zone offshore of the Kii peninsula (SW Japan), penetrating an unconformity at ˜200 m depth between slope apron sediments and the underlying accreted sediments. We used samples from Site C0001. Compressional wave velocity from laboratory measurements ranges from ˜1.6 to ˜2.0 km/s at hydrostatic pore pressure conditions estimated from sample depth. The compressional wave velocity-porosity relationship for the slope apron sediments shows a slope almost parallel to the slope for global empirical relationships. In contrast, the velocity-porosity relationship for the accreted sediments shows a slightly steeper slope than that of the slope apron sediments at 0.55 of porosity. This higher slope in the velocity-porosity relationship is found to be characteristic of the accreted sediments. Textural analysis was also conducted to examine the relationship between microstructural texture and acoustic properties. Images from micro-X-ray CT indicated a homogeneous and well-sorted distribution of small pores both in shallow and in deeper sections. Other mechanisms such as lithology, clay fraction, and abnormal fluid pressure were found to be insufficient to explain the higher velocity for accreted sediments. The higher slope in velocity-porosity relationship for

  10. New insight into the role of the β3 subunit of the GABAA-R in development, behavior, body weight regulation, and anesthesia revealed by conditional gene knockout

    PubMed Central

    Ferguson, Carolyn; Hardy, Steven L; Werner, David F; Hileman, Stanley M; DeLorey, Timothy M; Homanics, Gregg E

    2007-01-01

    Background The β3 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA-R) has been reported to be important for palate formation, anesthetic action, and normal nervous system function. This subunit has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of Angelman syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. To further investigate involvement of this subunit, we previously produced mice with a global knockout of β3. However, developmental abnormalities, compensation, reduced viability, and numerous behavioral abnormalities limited the usefulness of that murine model. To overcome many of these limitations, a mouse line with a conditionally inactivated β3 gene was engineered. Results Gene targeting and embryonic stem cell technologies were used to create mice in which exon 3 of the β3 subunit was flanked by loxP sites (i.e., floxed). Crossing the floxed β3 mice to a cre general deleter mouse line reproduced the phenotype of the previously described global knockout. Pan-neuronal knockout of β3 was achieved by crossing floxed β3 mice to Synapsin I-cre transgenic mice. Palate development was normal in pan-neuronal β3 knockouts but ~61% died as neonates. Survivors were overtly normal, fertile, and were less sensitive to etomidate. Forebrain selective knockout of β3 was achieved using α CamKII-cre transgenic mice. Palate development was normal in forebrain selective β3 knockout mice. These knockouts survived the neonatal period, but ~30% died between 15–25 days of age. Survivors had reduced reproductive fitness, reduced sensitivity to etomidate, were hyperactive, and some became obese. Conclusion Conditional inactivation of the β3 gene revealed novel insight into the function of this GABAA-R subunit. The floxed β3 knockout mice described here will be very useful for conditional knockout studies to further investigate the role of the β3 subunit in development, ethanol and anesthetic action, normal physiology, and pathophysiologic processes. PMID:17927825

  11. Community participation for malaria elimination in Tafea Province, Vanuatu: Part I. Maintaining motivation for prevention practices in the context of disappearing disease

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background In the 1990s, the experience of eliminating malaria from Aneityum Island, Vanuatu is often given as evidence for the potential to eliminate malaria in the south-west Pacific. This experience, however, cannot provide a blueprint for larger islands that represent more complex social and environmental contexts. Community support was a key contributor to success in Aneityum. In the context of disappearing disease, obtaining and maintaining community participation in strategies to eliminate malaria in the rest of Tafea Province, Vanuatu will be significantly more challenging. Method Nine focus group discussions (FGDs), 12 key informant interviews (KIIs), three transect walks and seven participatory workshops were carried out in three villages across Tanna Island to investigate community perceptions and practices relating to malaria prevention (particularly relating to bed nets); influences on these practices including how malaria is contextualized within community health and disease priorities; and effective avenues for channelling health information. Results The primary protection method identified by participants was the use of bed nets, however, the frequency and motivation for their use differed between study villages on the basis of the perceived presence of malaria. Village, household and personal cleanliness were identified by participants as important for protection against malaria. Barriers and influences on bed net use included cultural beliefs and practices, travel, gender roles, seasonality of mosquito nuisance and risk perception. Health care workers and church leaders were reported to have greatest influence on malaria prevention practices. Participants preferred receiving health information through visiting community health promotion teams, health workers, church leaders and village chiefs. Conclusion In low malaria transmission settings, a package for augmenting social capital and sustaining community participation for elimination will be

  12. Contrasts in the Behavior of Tremor Episodes in Cascadia and Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Armbruster, J. G.

    2016-12-01

    Tectonic tremor is observed in episodes with varying duration, intensity and spatial extent. In Cascadia the POLARIS broadband deployment, 2003-2006, provides good coverage of the southern Vancouver Island region with strong, widely distributed tremor sources extending 100 km along the plate interface. There the tremor can be classified into major episodes occurring at 14 month intervals with duration 20-30 days and minor episodes lasting hours to 10 days. Within that shorter duration minor episodes can produce strong signals. There is a clear pattern that minor episodes are located at the deeper part of the plate interface, 43-50 km deep. Major episodes are mostly generated from the shallower, 33-43 km deep, portion of the plate interface with some activation of the deeper sources. This suggests a simple mechanism of stress loading from below, transmitted upward by the tremor/slow-slip episodes. We compare this to the northern Kii Peninsula region of southwest Japan which has strong tremor sources extending 100 km along strike covered by HINET stations and find differences. The spectrum of episode durations in Japan, from less than an hour to 13 days, are not easily classified into major and minor. The range in depth observed in Japan is narrower than in Cascadia, 34-45 km for 98% of the clustered events. Here we divide the episodes into three groups based on their spatial extent. Large episodes occur at intervals of 6 months and occupy the southern 2/3, northern 2/3 or whole of the 100 km long zone. The small episodes are predominately seen from paired sources at the top and bottom of the active zone located where large episodes terminate. Intermediate episodes are the fewest in number and extend from the bottom to the top, often encompassing pairs of small sources. The observations in Japan will require a more complex model of stress loading. These results were achieved with the cross-station location method. The envelope location method might not have

  13. External Boundary Conditions for Three-Dimensional Problems of Computational Aerodynamics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tsynkov, Semyon V.

    1997-01-01

    We consider an unbounded steady-state flow of viscous fluid over a three-dimensional finite body or configuration of bodies. For the purpose of solving this flow problem numerically, we discretize the governing equations (Navier-Stokes) on a finite-difference grid. The grid obviously cannot stretch from the body up to infinity, because the number of the discrete variables in that case would not be finite. Therefore, prior to the discretization we truncate the original unbounded flow domain by introducing some artificial computational boundary at a finite distance of the body. Typically, the artificial boundary is introduced in a natural way as the external boundary of the domain covered by the grid. The flow problem formulated only on the finite computational domain rather than on the original infinite domain is clearly subdefinite unless some artificial boundary conditions (ABC's) are specified at the external computational boundary. Similarly, the discretized flow problem is subdefinite (i.e., lacks equations with respect to unknowns) unless a special closing procedure is implemented at this artificial boundary. The closing procedure in the discrete case is called the ABC's as well. In this paper, we present an innovative approach to constructing highly accurate ABC's for three-dimensional flow computations. The approach extends our previous technique developed for the two-dimensional case; it employs the finite-difference counterparts to Calderon's pseudodifferential boundary projections calculated in the framework of the difference potentials method (DPM) by Ryaben'kii. The resulting ABC's appear spatially nonlocal but particularly easy to implement along with the existing solvers. The new boundary conditions have been successfully combined with the NASA-developed production code TLNS3D and used for the analysis of wing-shaped configurations in subsonic (including incompressible limit) and transonic flow regimes. As demonstrated by the computational experiments

  14. Community participation for malaria elimination in tafea province, vanuatu: part ii. social and cultural aspects of treatment-seeking behaviour

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Early diagnosis and prompt effective case management are important components of any malaria elimination strategy. Tafea Province, Vanuatu has a rich history of traditional practices and beliefs, which have been integrated with missionary efforts and the introduction of modern constructions of health. Gaining a detailed knowledge of community perceptions of malarial symptomatology and treatment-seeking behaviours is essential in guiding effective community participation strategies for malaria control and elimination. Method An ethnographic study involving nine focus group discussions (FGD), 12 key informant interviews (KII) and seven participatory workshops were carried out on Tanna Island, Vanuatu. Villages in areas of high and low malaria transmission risk were selected. Four ni-Vanuatu research officers, including two from Tanna, were trained and employed to conduct the research. Data underwent thematic analysis to examine treatment-seeking behaviour and community perceptions of malaria. Results Malaria was perceived to be a serious, but relatively new condition, and in most communities, identified as being apparent only after independence in 1980. Severe fever in the presence of other key symptoms triggered a diagnosis of malaria by individuals. Use of traditional or home practices was common: perceived vulnerability of patient and previous experience with malaria impacted on the time taken to seek treatment at a health facility. Barriers to health care access and reasons for delay in care-seeking included the availability of health worker and poor community infrastructure. Conclusion Due to programme success of achieving low malaria transmission, Tafea province has been identified for elimination of malaria by 2012 in the Government of Vanuatu Malaria Action Plans (MAP). An effective malaria elimination programme requires interactions between the community and its leaders, malaria workers and health providers for success in diagnosis and prompt

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

    PubMed

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

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

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

    PubMed Central

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

    2016-01-01

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

  17. Reasons for Preference of Home Delivery with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Rural Bangladesh: A Qualitative Exploration

    PubMed Central

    Sarker, Bidhan Krishna; Rahman, Musfikur; Rahman, Tawhidur; Hossain, Jahangir; Reichenbach, Laura; Mitra, Dipak Kumar

    2016-01-01

    Background and Objectives Although Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality in the last decade, childbirth assisted by skilled attendants has not increased as much as expected. An objective of the Bangladesh National Strategy for Maternal Health 2014–2024 is to reduce maternal mortality to 50/100,000 live births. It also aims to increase deliveries with skilled birth attendants to more than 80% which remains a great challenge, especially in rural areas. This study explores the underlying factors for the major reliance on home delivery with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) in rural areas of Bangladesh. Methods This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. Data were collected between December 2012 and February 2013 in Sunamganj district of Sylhet division and data collection methods included key informant interviews (KII) with stakeholders; formal and informal health service providers and health managers; and in-depth interviews (IDI) with community women to capture a range of information. Key questions were asked of all the study participants to explore the question of why women and their families prefer home delivery by TBA and to identify the factors associated with this practice in the local community. Results The study shows that home delivery by TBAs remain the first preference for pregnant women. Poverty is the most frequently cited reason for preferring home delivery with a TBA. Other major reasons include; traditional views, religious fallacy, poor road conditions, limited access of women to decision making in the family, lack of transportation to reach the nearest health facility. Apart from these, community people also prefer home delivery due to lack of knowledge and awareness about service delivery points, fear of increased chance of having a caesarean delivery at hospital, and lack of female doctors in the health care facilities. Conclusions The study findings provide us a better understanding of the reasons

  18. Development of Download System for Waveform Data Observed at Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System installed in the Nankai Trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Horikawa, H.; Takaesu, M.; Sueki, K.; Araki, E.; Sonoda, A.; Takahashi, N.; Tsuboi, S.

    2015-12-01

    The Nankai Trough in southwest Japan is one of most active subduction zone in the world. Great mega-thrust earthquakes repeatedly occurred every 100 to 150 years in this area, it's anticipated to occur in the not distant future. For the purpose of elucidation of the history of mega-splay fault activity, the physical properties of the geological strata and the internal structure of the accretionary prism, and monitoring of diastrophism in this area, we have a plan, Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiments (NanTroSEIZE), as a part of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP).We have a plan to install the borehole observation system in a few locations by the NanTroSEIZE. This system is called Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System, it consists of various sensors in the borehole such as a broadband seismometer, a tiltmeter, a strainmeter, geophones and accelerometer, thermometer array as well as pressure ports for pore-fluid pressure monitoring. The signal from sensors is transmitted to DONET (Dense Ocean-floor Network System for Earthquake and Tsunamis) in real-time. During IODP Exp. 332 in December 2010, the first Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System was installed into the C0002 borehole site located 80 km off the Kii Peninsula, 1938 m water depth in the Nankai Trough.We have developed a web application system for data download, Long-Term Borehole Monitoring Data Site (*1). Based on a term and sensors which user selected on this site, user can download monitoring waveform data (e.g. broadband seismometer data, accelerometer data, strainmeter data, tiltmeter data) in near real-time. This system can make the arbitrary data which user selected a term and sensors, and download it simply. Downloadable continuous data is provided in seed format, which includes sensor information. In addition, before data download, user can check that data is available or not by data check function.In this presentation, we briefly introduce NanTroSEIZE and then show our web

  19. Effects of Long-Period Ground Motion on Distant Basins: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Comparison with Japanese Cases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Koketsu, K.; Ikegami, Y.; Kimura, T.; Miyake, H.

    2006-12-01

    Large earthquakes at shallow depths can excite long-period ground motions affecting large-scale structures in distant sedimentary basins. For example, the 1985 Michoacan, Mexico, earthquake caused 20,000 fatalities in Mexico City at an epicentral distance of 400 km, and the 2003 Tokachi-oki, Japan, earthquake damaged oil tanks in the Yufutsu basin 250 km away (Koketsu et al., 2005). Similar long-range effects were also observed during the 2004 off Kii-peninsula earthquake (Miyake and Koketsu, 2005). In order to examine whether the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the Los Angeles (LA) basin are in such a case or not, we simulate long- period ground motions in almost whole California caused by the earthquake using the finite element method (FEM) with a voxel mesh (Koketsu et al., 2004). The LA basin is located at a distance of about 600 km from the source region of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The 3-D heterogeneous velocity structure model for the ground motion simulation is constructed based on the SCEC Unified Velocity Model for southern California and USGS Bay Area Velocity Model for northern California. The source model of the earthquake is constructed according to Wald et al. (1993). Since we use a mesh with intervals of 500m, the voxel FEM can compute seismic waves with frequencies lower than 0.2 Hz. Although ground motions in the south of the source region are smaller than those in the north because of the rupture directivity effect, we can see fairly developed long- period ground motions in the LA basin in the preliminary result of Kimura et al. (2006). However, we obtained only 8cm/s and 25km/s for PGV and peak velocity response spectrum in the LA basin. We modeled the velocity structure up to a depth of only 20km neglecting the Moho reflections, and we did not include layers with Vs smaller than 1.0 km/s. In this study, we include deeper parts and use a more accurate velocity structure model with low-velocity sediments of Vs smaller than 1.0 km/s.

  20. Exploring provider and community responses to the new malaria diagnostic and treatment regime in Solomon Islands.

    PubMed

    Wijesinghe, Rushika S; Atkinson, Jo-An M; Bobogare, Albino; Wini, Lyndes; Whittaker, Maxine

    2011-01-10

    Improvements in availability and accessibility of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for malaria treatment and the emergence of multi-drug-resistant parasites have prompted many countries to adopt ACT as the first-line drug. In 2009, Solomon Islands (SI) likewise implemented new national treatment guidelines for malaria. The ACT, Coartem® (artemether-lumefantrine) is now the primary pharmacotherapy in SI for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, Plasmodium vivax malaria or mixed infections. Targeted treatment is also recommended in the new treatment regime through maintenance of quality microscopy services and the introduction of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). Ascertaining the factors that influence community and provider acceptance of and adherence to the new treatment regime will be vital to improving the effectiveness of this intervention and reducing the risk of development of drug resistance. In order to understand community and prescriber perceptions and acceptability of the new diagnostic and treatment interventions, 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 key informant interviews (KII) were carried out in rural and urban villages of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands four months subsequent to roll out of these interventions. Lack of access to microscopy or distrust in the accuracy of diagnostic tools were reported by some participants as reasons for the ongoing practice of presumptive treatment of malaria. Lack of confidence in RDT accuracy has negatively impacted its acceptability. Coartem® had good acceptability among most participants, however, some rural participants questioned its effectiveness due to lack of side effects and the larger quantity of tablets required to be taken. Storing of left over medication for subsequent fever episodes was reported as common. To address these issues, further training and supportive supervision of healthcare workers will be essential, as will the engagement of influential community members in health promotion

  1. Nurses' lifestyle behaviours, health priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle: a qualitative descriptive study.

    PubMed

    Phiri, Lindokuhle P; Draper, Catherine E; Lambert, Estelle V; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L

    2014-01-01

    Nurses have an increased risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), along with a high prevalence of obesity, poor eating habits and insufficient physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine the health concerns, health priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle among nurses and hospital management staff from public hospitals in the Western Cape Metropole, South Africa. Participants were purposively sampled (n = 103), and included management personnel (n = 9), night shift (n = 57) and day-shift nurses (n = 36). Twelve focus groups (FGDs) were conducted with nursing staff to obtain insight into nurses' health concerns, lifestyle behaviours and worksite health promotion programmes (WHPPs). Seven key informant interviews (KII) were conducted with management personnel, to gain their perspective on health promotion in the worksite. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data with the assistance of Atlas.ti Qualitative Data Analysis Software. Night shift nurses frequently identified weight gain and living with NCDs such as hypertension as their main health concerns. Being overweight was perceived to have a negative impact on work performance. All nurses identified backache and exposure to tuberculosis (TB) as occupation-related health concerns, and both management and nurses frequently reported a stressful working environment. Nurses frequently mentioned lack of time to prepare healthy meals due to long working hours and being overtired from work. The hospital environment was perceived to have a negative influence on the nurses' lifestyle behaviours, including food service that offered predominantly unhealthy foods. The most commonly delivered WHPPs included independent counselling services, an online employee wellness programme offered by the Department of Health and wellness days in which clinical measures, such as blood glucose were measured. Nurses identified a preference for WHPPs that provided access to fitness facilities or

  2. Integrative proteomic analysis of the NMDA NR1 knockdown mouse model reveals effects on central and peripheral pathways associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.

    PubMed

    Wesseling, Hendrik; Guest, Paul C; Lee, Chi-Ming; Wong, Erik Hf; Rahmoune, Hassan; Bahn, Sabine

    2014-01-01

    Over the last decade, the transgenic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) NR1-knockdown mouse (NR1(neo-/-)) has been investigated as a glutamate hypofunction model for schizophrenia. Recent research has now revealed that the model also recapitulates cognitive and negative symptoms in the continuum of other psychiatric diseases, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As previous studies have mostly focussed on behavioural readouts, a molecular characterisation of this model will help to identify novel biomarkers or potential drug targets. Here, we have used multiplex immunoassay analyses to investigate peripheral analyte alterations in serum of NR1(neo-/-) mice, as well as a combination of shotgun label-free liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, bioinformatic pathway analyses, and a shotgun-based 40-plex selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assay to investigate altered molecular pathways in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. All findings were cross compared to identify translatable findings between the brain and periphery. Multiplex immunoassay profiling led to identification of 29 analytes that were significantly altered in sera of NR1(neo-/-) mice. The highest magnitude changes were found for neurotrophic factors (VEGFA, EGF, IGF-1), apolipoprotein A1, and fibrinogen. We also found decreased levels of several chemokines. Following this, LC-MS(E) profiling led to identification of 48 significantly changed proteins in the frontal cortex and 41 in the hippocampus. In particular, MARCS, the mitochondrial pyruvate kinase, and CamKII-alpha were affected. Based on the combination of protein set enrichment and bioinformatic pathway analysis, we designed orthogonal SRM-assays which validated the abnormalities of proteins involved in synaptic long-term potentiation, myelination, and the ERK-signalling pathway in both brain regions. In contrast, increased levels of proteins involved in neurotransmitter metabolism and release were found only in the frontal cortex

  3. Reasons for Preference of Home Delivery with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Rural Bangladesh: A Qualitative Exploration.

    PubMed

    Sarker, Bidhan Krishna; Rahman, Musfikur; Rahman, Tawhidur; Hossain, Jahangir; Reichenbach, Laura; Mitra, Dipak Kumar

    2016-01-01

    Although Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality in the last decade, childbirth assisted by skilled attendants has not increased as much as expected. An objective of the Bangladesh National Strategy for Maternal Health 2014-2024 is to reduce maternal mortality to 50/100,000 live births. It also aims to increase deliveries with skilled birth attendants to more than 80% which remains a great challenge, especially in rural areas. This study explores the underlying factors for the major reliance on home delivery with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) in rural areas of Bangladesh. This was a qualitative cross-sectional study. Data were collected between December 2012 and February 2013 in Sunamganj district of Sylhet division and data collection methods included key informant interviews (KII) with stakeholders; formal and informal health service providers and health managers; and in-depth interviews (IDI) with community women to capture a range of information. Key questions were asked of all the study participants to explore the question of why women and their families prefer home delivery by TBA and to identify the factors associated with this practice in the local community. The study shows that home delivery by TBAs remain the first preference for pregnant women. Poverty is the most frequently cited reason for preferring home delivery with a TBA. Other major reasons include; traditional views, religious fallacy, poor road conditions, limited access of women to decision making in the family, lack of transportation to reach the nearest health facility. Apart from these, community people also prefer home delivery due to lack of knowledge and awareness about service delivery points, fear of increased chance of having a caesarean delivery at hospital, and lack of female doctors in the health care facilities. The study findings provide us a better understanding of the reasons for preference for home delivery with TBA among this

  4. Coping Strategies for Landslide and Flood Disasters: A Qualitative Study of Mt. Elgon Region, Uganda.

    PubMed

    Osuret, Jimmy; Atuyambe, Lynn M; Mayega, Roy William; Ssentongo, Julius; Tumuhamye, Nathan; Mongo Bua, Grace; Tuhebwe, Doreen; Bazeyo, William

    2016-07-11

    The occurrence of landslides and floods in East Africa has increased over the past decades with enormous Public Health implications and massive alterations in the lives of those affected. In Uganda, the Elgon region is reported to have the highest occurrence of landslides and floods making this area vulnerable. This study aimed at understanding both coping strategies and the underlying causes of vulnerability to landslides and floods in the Mt. Elgon region. We conducted a qualitative study in three districts of Bududa, Manafwa and Butalejja in the Mt. Elgon region in eastern Uganda. Six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and eight Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted. We used trained research assistants (moderator and note taker) to collect data. All discussions were audio taped, and were transcribed verbatim before analysis. We explored both coping strategies and underlying causes of vulnerability. Data were analysed using latent content analysis; through identifying codes from which basis categories were generated and grouped into themes. The positive coping strategies used to deal with landslides and floods included adoption of good farming methods, support from government and other partners, livelihood diversification and using indigenous knowledge in weather forecasting and preparedness. Relocation was identified as unsustainable because people often returned back to high risk areas. The key underlying causes of vulnerability were; poverty, population pressure making people move to high risk areas, unsatisfactory knowledge on disaster preparedness and, cultural beliefs affecting people's ability to cope. This study revealed that deep rooted links to poverty, culture and unsatisfactory knowledge on disaster preparedness were responsible for failure to overcome the effects to landslides and floods in disaster prone communities of Uganda. However, good farming practices and support from the government and implementation partners were shown to be effective

  5. Comparison of Tsunami height Distributions of the 1960 and the 2010 Chilean Earthquakes on the Coasts of the Japanese Islands

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsuji, Y.; Takahashi, T.; Imai, K.

    2010-12-01

    The tsunami of the Chilean Earthquake (Mw8.8) of February 27, 2010 was detected also on the coasts of the Japanese Islands about 23 hours after the occurrence of the main shock. It caused no human damage. There was slight house damage manly in Miyagi prefecture, south part of Sanriku coast; six and fifty one houses were flooded above and below the floor, respectively. It caused remarkable fishery loss of 75 Million US$ mainly due to breaking of cultivation rafts. The tsunami of the 1960 Chilean Earthquake(Mw9.5) also hit the Japanese coasts more severely. It caused more immense damage than the 2010 tsunami; 142 people were killed, 1,581 houses were entirely destroyed, and 1,256 houses were swept away. Most of damage occurred in the districts of Sanriku coast, where inundation heights exceeded six meters at several points. We made field survey along the Japanese coast, visited offices of fishermen’s cooperatives at over 300 fishery ports, gathered eyewitnesses counts, and obtained information of the inundation limit, arrival time, and building and fishery damage. On the basis of the information of inundation, we measured tsunami heights. We obtained data of tsunami height at more than two hundred points (Tsuji et al., 2010). The distributions of the two tsunamis of the 1960 and the 2010 Chilean earthquakes on the coasts along the Japanese Islands are shown as Fig. 1. The maximum height of 2.2 meters was recorded at Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. The heights of the 2010 tsunami were generally one third of those of the 1960 tsunami. An eminent peak appears at Sanriku coast commonly for both tsunamis. In addition smaller peaks also appear commonly at the coasts of the east part of Hokkaido, near the top of Boso peninsula, near the top of Izu Peninsula, the east coast of Kii Peninsula, Tokushima prefecture, eastern part of Shikoku, and near the Cape Ashizuri in western part of Shikoku. Fig. 1 Trace height distributions of the tsunamis of the 1960(red) and the 2010

  6. Probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment based on the long-term evaluation of subduction-zone earthquakes along the Sagami Trough, Japan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirata, K.; Fujiwara, H.; Nakamura, H.; Osada, M.; Ohsumi, T.; Morikawa, N.; Kawai, S.; Maeda, T.; Matsuyama, H.; Toyama, N.; Kito, T.; Murata, Y.; Saito, R.; Takayama, J.; Akiyama, S.; Korenaga, M.; Abe, Y.; Hashimoto, N.; Hakamata, T.

    2017-12-01

    30 years (from Jan. 1, 2014). Present-time hazard model showed relatively high possibility over 0.1% along the Boso Peninsula. Long-time averaged hazard model showed highest possibility over 3% along the Boso Peninsula and relatively high possibility over 0.1 % along wide coastal areas on Pacific side from Kii Peninsula to Fukushima prefecture.

  7. Assessing resources for implementing a community directed intervention (CDI) strategy in delivering multiple health interventions in urban poor communities in Southwestern Nigeria: a qualitative study.

    PubMed

    Ajayi, Ikeoluwapo O; Jegede, Ayodele S; Falade, Catherine O; Sommerfeld, Johannes

    2013-10-24

    Many simple, affordable and effective disease control measures have had limited impact due to poor access especially by the poorer populations (urban and rural) and inadequate community participation. A proven strategy to address the problem of access to health interventions is the Community Directed Interventions (CDI) approach, which has been used successfully in rural areas. This study was carried out to assess resources for the use of a CDI strategy in delivering health interventions in poorly-served urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. A formative study was carried out in eight urban poor communities in the Ibadan metropolis in the Oyo State. Qualitative methods comprising 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members and 73 key informant interviews (KIIs) with community leaders, programme managers, community-based organisations (CBOs), non-government organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders at federal, state and local government levels were used to collect data to determine prevalent diseases and healthcare delivery services, as well as to explore the potential resources for a CDI strategy. All interviews were audio recorded. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. Malaria, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea and measles were found to be prevalent in children, while hypertension and diabetes topped the list of diseases among adults. Healthcare was financed mainly by out-of-pocket expenses. Cost and location were identified as hindrances to utilisation of health facilities; informal cooperatives (esusu) were available to support those who could not pay for care. Immunisation, nutrition, reproductive health, tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy, environmental health, malaria and HIV/AIDs control programmes were the ongoing interventions. Delivery strategies included house-to-house, home-based treatment, health education and campaigns. Community participation in the planning, implementation and monitoring of development projects was

  8. Estimation of Dynamic Friction Process of the Akatani Landslide Based on the Waveform Inversion and Numerical Simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yamada, M.; Mangeney, A.; Moretti, L.; Matsushi, Y.

    2014-12-01

    Understanding physical parameters, such as frictional coefficients, velocity change, and dynamic history, is important issue for assessing and managing the risks posed by deep-seated catastrophic landslides. Previously, landslide motion has been inferred qualitatively from topographic changes caused by the event, and occasionally from eyewitness reports. However, these conventional approaches are unable to evaluate source processes and dynamic parameters. In this study, we use broadband seismic recordings to trace the dynamic process of the deep-seated Akatani landslide that occurred on the Kii Peninsula, Japan, which is one of the best recorded large slope failures. Based on the previous results of waveform inversions and precise topographic surveys done before and after the event, we applied numerical simulations using the SHALTOP numerical model (Mangeney et al., 2007). This model describes homogeneous continuous granular flows on a 3D topography based on a depth averaged thin layer approximation. We assume a Coulomb's friction law with a constant friction coefficient, i. e. the friction is independent of the sliding velocity. We varied the friction coefficients in the simulation so that the resulting force acting on the surface agrees with the single force estimated from the seismic waveform inversion. Figure shows the force history of the east-west components after the band-pass filtering between 10-100 seconds. The force history of the simulation with frictional coefficient 0.27 (thin red line) the best agrees with the result of seismic waveform inversion (thick gray line). Although the amplitude is slightly different, phases are coherent for the main three pulses. This is an evidence that the point-source approximation works reasonably well for this particular event. The friction coefficient during the sliding was estimated to be 0.38 based on the seismic waveform inversion performed by the previous study and on the sliding block model (Yamada et al., 2013

  9. Development of a numerical procedure for mixed mode K-solutions and fatigue crack growth in FCC single crystal superalloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ranjan, Srikant

    2005-11-01

    Fatigue-induced failures in aircraft gas turbine and rocket engine turbopump blades and vanes are a pervasive problem. Turbine blades and vanes represent perhaps the most demanding structural applications due to the combination of high operating temperature, corrosive environment, high monotonic and cyclic stresses, long expected component lifetimes and the enormous consequence of structural failure. Single crystal nickel-base superalloy turbine blades are being utilized in rocket engine turbopumps and jet engines because of their superior creep, stress rupture, melt resistance, and thermomechanical fatigue capabilities over polycrystalline alloys. These materials have orthotropic properties making the position of the crystal lattice relative to the part geometry a significant factor in the overall analysis. Computation of stress intensity factors (SIFs) and the ability to model fatigue crack growth rate at single crystal cracks subject to mixed-mode loading conditions are important parts of developing a mechanistically based life prediction for these complex alloys. A general numerical procedure has been developed to calculate SIFs for a crack in a general anisotropic linear elastic material subject to mixed-mode loading conditions, using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). The procedure does not require an a priori assumption of plane stress or plane strain conditions. The SIFs KI, KII, and KIII are shown to be a complex function of the coupled 3D crack tip displacement field. A comprehensive study of variation of SIFs as a function of crystallographic orientation, crack length, and mode-mixity ratios is presented, based on the 3D elastic orthotropic finite element modeling of tensile and Brazilian Disc (BD) specimens in specific crystal orientations. Variation of SIF through the thickness of the specimens is also analyzed. The resolved shear stress intensity coefficient or effective SIF, Krss, can be computed as a function of crack tip SIFs and the

  10. Drilling into the deep interior of the Nankai accretionary prism: Preliminary results of IODP NanTroSEIZE Expedition 348

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tobin, H. J.; Hirose, T.; Saffer, D. M.; Toczko, S.; Maeda, L.

    2014-12-01

    International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 348, the latest advance of the NanTroSEIZE project, started on 13 September 2013 and was completed on 29 January 2014. During Expedition 348, the drilling vessel Chikyu advanced the ultra-deep riser hole at Site C0002, located 80 km offshore of the Kii Peninsula, from a depth of 860 meters below sea floor (mbsf) to 3058.5 mbsf, the world record for the deepest scientific ocean drilling, and cased it for future deepening. The drilling operation successfully obtained data on formation physical properties from logging while drilling (LWD) tools, as well as from lithological analyses of cuttings and core from the interior of the active accretionary prism at the Nankai Trough. IODP Site C0002 is the currently only borehole to access the deep interior of an active convergent margin. Preliminary scientific results of Expedition 348 are as follows: (1) Fine-grained turbiditic mudstones with coarser silty and sandy interbeds, exhibiting steep dips (between ~60 and 90 degrees) are predominant in the prism down to ~3000 mbsf. The biostratigraphic age of the sediments in the lowermost part of the hole is thought to be 9-11 Ma, with an assumed age of accretion of 3-5 Ma. (2) Slickenlined surfaces, deformation bands and mineral veins are present throughout the drilled interval, while well-developed scaly clay fabrics are increasingly observed below ~2200 mbsf. A substantial fault zone with well-developed foliation was successfully cored from the deep interior of the prism at ~2205 mbsf. (3) Porosity generally decreases from ~60% to ~20% from the seafloor to 3000 mbsf. However, physical properties including grain density, electrical conductivity and P-wave velocity suggest fairly homogeneous properties in the interior of the prism between ~2000 and 3000 mbsf. (4) Mud gas analysis during the riser drilling indicates that a source of methane gas shifts from microbial origin to thermogenic at around 2325 mbsf. (5) The maximum

  11. Acoustic and mechanical properties of Nankai accretionary prism core samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raimbourg, Hugues; Hamano, Yozo; Saito, Saneatsu; Kinoshita, Masataka; Kopf, Achim

    2011-04-01

    We studied undeformed sediment and accreted strata recently recovered by Ocean Drilling Program/Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (ODP/IODP) drilling in Nankai Trough convergent margin to unravel the changes in physical properties from initial deposition to incipient deformation. We have derived acoustic (Vp) and mechanical (uniaxial poroelastic compliance, compaction amplitude) properties of samples from various drill sites along the Muroto (ODP 1173) and Kii transects (IODP C0001, C0002, C0006, and C0007) from isotropic loading tests where confining and pore pressure were independently applied. We quantified the dependence of Vp on both effective (Peff) and confining (Pc) pressure, which can be used to correct atmospheric pressure measurements of Vp. Experimental Vp obtained on core samples extrapolated to in situ conditions are slightly higher than logging-derived velocities, which can be attributed either to velocity dispersion or to the effect of large-scale faults and weak zones on waves with longer wavelength. In the high-porosity (30%-60%) tested sediments, velocities are controlled at first order by porosity and not by lithology, which is in agreement with our static measurements of drained framework incompressibility, much smaller than fluid incompressibility. Rather than framework incompressibility, shear modulus is probably the second-order control on Vp, accounting for most of the difference between actual Vp and the prediction by Wood's (1941) suspension model. We also quantified the mechanical state of Nankai samples in terms of anisotropy, diagenesis, and consolidation. Both acoustic and mechanical parameters reveal similar values in vertical and horizontal directions, attesting to the very low anisotropy of the tested material. When considering the porous samples of the Upper Shikoku Basin sediments (Site 1173) as examples of diagenetically cemented material, several mechanical and acoustic attributes appeared as reliable experimental indicators of

  12. Governance of Local Disaster Management Committees in line with SOD in Bangladesh

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Siddiquee, S. A.

    2016-12-01

    Due to its geographical location Bangladesh has always been prone to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, tidal surges, tornadoes, river-bank erosion and many more. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Both open-ended and close-ended questions were asked. Questionnaire, KII and district gathering consultation tools were used to collect information from respondents in both the government organizations and NGOs. A total of 51 Disaster Management Committees (DMCs) in five districts that were vulnerable to flood, river-bank erosion, drought and cyclone were taken as sample to analyze the current situation of the disaster management committee. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Surprisingly, the study has found that only 38.9% DMC members are informed about Disaster Management Act and 36.76% are aware about their roles and responsibilities in the Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD). Although the selected districts are extremely prone to disasters and District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs), Upazila Disaster Management Committees (UzDMCs) and Union Disaster Management Committees (UDMCs) are holding regular meetings as per the SOD to mitigate the problems. The scenario has been found that the committees are the pillars of exchanging and coordinating the different departments to act collaboratively. 43.80% of DMCs have Risk Reduction Action Plan (RRAP) according to the Risk Reduction Action Plan. It was found that 23.3% of DMCs have developed volunteer groups and 26% of DMCs have arranged community awareness building programs. The study has also found that 34% of Union Parishads have incorporated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into their Annual Development Plan (ADP). It is alarming that even though Bangladesh is one of the prime victims of climate change, encountering severe and frequent disasters like Sidr, Aila and Mahasen, 66% of the sample Union Parishads did not

  13. Tidal modulation of slow slip events in the Nankai trough subduction zone detected by borehole strainmeters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kikuchi, J.; Ide, S.; Matsumoto, N.

    2016-12-01

    , suggesting that tremors almost directly represent SSE, as suggested by previous studies [e.g., Hirose & Obara, 2006]. However, the correspondence is not always apparent. For example, a similar analysis in the eastern Kii peninsula yields significant difference between observation and calculation.

  14. Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia.

    PubMed

    Teshome, Elias; Zenebe, Mulumebet; Metaferia, Henok; Biadgilign, Sibhatu

    2014-01-01

    There are various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia among which the 'Idir' is a social and financial institution widespread both in urban and rural areas of the country. So the objectives of this study is to investigate how women members perceive the contribution of iddirs toward improving their lives and to determine whether and to what extent participation in iddirs has social impacts on their lives. A cross-sectional qualitative study using Key Informant In-Depth Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was conducted in Addis Ababa, Addis Ketema Sub-city. Ethiopia. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview questionnaire and FGD guideline. Analysis of the data was made manually using thematic framework analysis method. Though their iddir doesn't provide financial assistance, all the participants revealed the importance of installing credit mechanisms in their iddirs. However, they mentioned the inability of their respective iddirs in assisting members with their financial needs. One major difficulty mentioned was lack of capital. The participants demonstrated that the contribution of iddir in their well-being was more indispensable than the contributions of other voluntary associations they are acquainted with, such as iqub and mahiber. Especially iddir was regarded as crucial and unique in meeting emotional needs. As well, iddirs' meetings are ideal places where women share experience; discuss issues of pressing concern and their worries. Other benefit of iddir include opportunities for social interaction, risk sharing and development of friendships, dispute resolution, Sharing and using timely information more effectively, Lower level of funeral services anxiety, Improvement of self confidence and leadership role, reciprocity and coexistence and trust. Women's iddirs are the viable basis in the creation of social network which plays crucial roles in providing solutions to social and economic challenges women are facing. There

  15. Qualitative analysis of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever within the smallholder pig value chains in Uganda.

    PubMed

    Dione, Michel; Ouma, Emily; Opio, Felix; Kawuma, Brian; Pezo, Danilo

    2016-12-01

    A study was undertaken between September 2014 and December 2014 to assess the perceptions of smallholder pig value chain actors of the risks and practices associated with the spread of African swine fever (ASF) disease within the pig value chains. Data was collected from 136 value chain actors and 36 key informants through 17 group discussions and two key informant interview (KII) sessions respectively using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools. Results from this study revealed that according to value chain actors and stakeholders, the transporting, slaughtering, and collecting/bulking nodes represent the highest risk, followed by the inputs and services (feeds and drugs) supply nodes. The processing, whole sale and consumption nodes represented the lowest risk. Value chain actors are aware of the disease and its consequences to the pig industry, however biosecurity measures are poorly implemented at all nodes. As for the causes, value chain actors pointed to several factors, such as inadequate knowledge of mechanisms for the spread of the disease, poor enforcement of regulations on disease control, and low capacities of actors to implement biosecurity measures, amongst others. Although traders, butchers and veterinary practitioners accepted that they played an important role in the spread of the virus, they did not perceive themselves as key actors in the control of the disease; instead, they believed that only farmers should adopt biosecurity measures on their farms because they keep the pigs for a longer period. Most of the recommendations given by the value chain actors for controlling and preventing ASF disease were short term, and targeted mainly pig producers. These recommendations included: the establishment of live pig collection centres so that traders and brokers do not have to directly access pig farms, capacity building of value chain actors on application of biosecurity, enactment and enforcement of by-laws on live pig movements and establishment

  16. Frictional Behavior of Altered Basement Approaching the Nankai Trough

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saffer, D. M.; Ikari, M.; Rooney, T. O.; Marone, C.

    2017-12-01

    The frictional behavior of basement rocks plays an important role in subduction zone faulting and seismicity. This includes earthquakes seaward of the trench, large megathrust earthquakes where seamounts are subducting, or where the plate interface steps down to basement. In exhumed subduction zone rocks such as the Shimanto complex in Japan, slivers of basalt are entrained in mélange which is evidence of basement involvement in the fault system. Scientific drilling during the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) recovered basement rock from two reference sites (C0011 and C0012) located seaward of the trench offshore the Kii Peninsula during Integrated Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expeditions 322 and 333. The basement rocks are pillow basalts that appear to be heterogeneously altered, resulting in contrasting dense blue material and more vesicular gray material. Major element geochemistry shows differences in silica, calcium oxides and loss-on-ignition between the two types of samples. Minor element geochemistry reveals significant differences in vanadium, chromium, and barium. X-ray diffraction on a bulk sample powder representing an average composition shows a phyllosilicate content of 20%, most of which is expandable clays. We performed laboratory friction experiments in a biaxial testing apparatus as either intact sample blocks, or as gouge powders. We combine these experiments with measurements of Pennsylvania slate for comparison, including a mixed-lithology intact block experiment. Intact Nankai basement blocks exhibit a coefficient of sliding friction of 0.73; for Nankai basement powder, slate powder, slate blocks and slate-on-basement blocks the coefficient of sliding friction ranges from 0.44 to 0.57. At slip rates ranging from 3x10-8 to 3x10-4 m/s we observe predominantly velocity-strengthening frictional behavior, indicating a tendency for stable slip. At rates of < 1x10-6 m/s some velocity-weakening was observed, specifically in

  17. Oxidation of methanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropanol with human alcohol dehydrogenases and the inhibition by ethanol and 4-methylpyrazole.

    PubMed

    Lee, Shou-Lun; Shih, Hsuan-Ting; Chi, Yu-Chou; Li, Yeung-Pin; Yin, Shih-Jiun

    2011-05-30

    Human alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) include multiple isozymes with broad substrate specificity and ethnic distinct allozymes. ADH catalyzes the rate-limiting step in metabolism of various primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols. The oxidation of common toxic alcohols, that is, methanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropanol by the human ADHs remains poorly understood. Kinetic studies were performed in 0.1M sodium phosphate buffer, at pH 7.5 and 25°C, containing 0.5 mM NAD(+) and varied concentrations of substrate. K(M) values for ethanol with recombinant human class I ADH1A, ADH1B1, ADH1B2, ADH1B3, ADH1C1, and ADH1C2, and class II ADH2 and class IV ADH4 were determined to be in the range of 0.12-57 mM, for methanol to be 2.0-3500 mM, for ethylene glycol to be 4.3-2600mM, and for isopropanol to be 0.73-3400 mM. ADH1B3 appeared to be inactive toward ethylene glycol, and ADH2 and ADH4, inactive with methanol. The variations for V(max) for the toxic alcohols were much less than that of the K(M) across the ADH family. 4-Methylpyrazole (4MP) was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ethanol for ADH1A, ADH1B1, ADH1B2, ADH1C1 and ADH1C2, and a noncompetitive inhibitor for ADH1B3, ADH2 and ADH4, with the slope inhibition constants (K(is)) for the whole family being 0.062-960 μM and the intercept inhibition constants (K(ii)), 33-3000 μM. Computer simulation studies using inhibition equations in the presence of alternate substrate ethanol and of dead-end inhibitor 4MP with the determined corresponding kinetic parameters for ADH family, indicate that the oxidation of the toxic alcohols up to 50mM are largely inhibited by 20 mM ethanol or by 50 μM 4MP with some exceptions. The above findings provide an enzymological basis for clinical treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning by 4MP or ethanol with pharmacogenetic perspectives. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Results of NanTroSEIZE Expeditions Stages 1 & 2: Deep-sea Coring Operations on-board the Deep-sea Drilling Vessel Chikyu and Development of Coring Equipment for Stage 3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shinmoto, Y.; Wada, K.; Miyazaki, E.; Sanada, Y.; Sawada, I.; Yamao, M.

    2010-12-01

    The Nankai-Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) has carried out several drilling expeditions in the Kumano Basin off the Kii-Peninsula of Japan with the deep-sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyu. Core sampling runs were carried out during the expeditions using an advanced multiple wireline coring system which can continuously core into sections of undersea formations. The core recovery rate with the Rotary Core Barrel (RCB) system was rather low as compared with other methods such as the Hydraulic Piston Coring System (HPCS) and Extended Shoe Coring System (ESCS). Drilling conditions such as hole collapse and sea conditions such as high ship-heave motions need to be analyzed along with differences in lithology, formation hardness, water depth and coring depth in order to develop coring tools, such as the core barrel or core bit, that will yield the highest core recovery and quality. The core bit is especially important in good recovery of high quality cores, however, the PDC cutters were severely damaged during the NanTroSEIZE Stages 1 & 2 expeditions due to severe drilling conditions. In the Stage 1 (riserless coring) the average core recovery was rather low at 38 % with the RCB and many difficulties such as borehole collapse, stick-slip and stuck pipe occurred, causing the damage of several of the PDC cutters. In Stage 2, a new design for the core bit was deployed and core recovery was improved at 67 % for the riserless system and 85 % with the riser. However, due to harsh drilling conditions, the PDC core bit and all of the PDC cutters were completely worn down. Another original core bit was also deployed, however, core recovery performance was low even for plate boundary core samples. This study aims to identify the influence of the RCB system specifically on the recovery rates at each of the holes drilled in the NanTroSEIZE coring expeditions. The drilling parameters such as weight-on-bit, torque, rotary speed and flow rate, etc., were analyzed

  19. Initiation and development of slickenlined surfaces in clay-rich material of the Nankai Trough accretionary prism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crespo-Blanc, Ana; Schleicher, Anja

    2016-04-01

    During the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 348, which is part of the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (stage 3), the drilling vessel Chikyu advanced the deep riser hole at Site C0002, located 80 km offshore of the Kii Peninsula (Japan), from a depth of 860 meters below sea floor (mbsf) to 3058.5 mbsf. Underlying the Kumano Basin sediments, the Nankai accretionary prism appears, below 975.5 mbsf. It accreted during Upper Miocene to Pliocene times and is formed mainly by turbiditic silty claystone with rarely observed sandstone intercalations. Cuttings from both the 1-4 mm and >4 mm size fractions were investigated, showing slickenlined surfaces and deformation bands together with carbonate veins throughout the entire section from 1045.5 until 3058.5 mbsf. A scaly fabric is increasingly observed below approximately 2400 mbsf. Clay-rich cuttings were selected at different depth for specific SEM-EDS analysis, in order to investigate the initiation and development of the slickenlined surfaces, from both a structural and mineralogical point of view. Two end-members of the slickenlined surface types were observed: a) isolated smooth and uniform planes, between 20 and 50 μm long, formed by single grains of smectite with marked lineations and frequently jagged boundaries and b) microfaults (longer than 100 μm) with sharp boundaries to the undeformed rock, formed by aggregates of illite and smectite and with a well-developed lineation. In transition between these two end-member types, planes that are apparently unconnected draw a single plane and show subparallel lineations. Concerning the orientation of the slickenlines, it seems to be coherent with that observed in an array of conjugated faults, i.e. all the slickenlines belong to the same plane, in turn sub-perpendicular to the intersection of conjugated planes. These observations suggest that the slickenlined surfaces initiated along single grains of smectite and that with increasing

  20. Regional distribution of volcaniclastic layer and its implication for segmentation of the Nankai seismogenic zone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sasaki, T.; Lim, J.; Higashi, M.; Park, J.

    2010-12-01

    The Nankai Trough is known as one of the best-suited convergent plate margins for studying accretionary prism growth as well as subduction zone earthquakes. Along the Nankai accretionary margin off southwest Japan, the Shikoku Basin which formed 26-15 Ma as backarc spreading in the Philippine Sea Plate is being subducted about 4 cm/year to the northwest. The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) penetrated the Nankai accretionary prism and the incoming sedimentary section along the Ashizuri and Muroto transects, off Shikoku Island. Also, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), which represented just one part of a multi-stage project known as the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) has been conducting drilling cruises now. IODP Expedition 322 in 2009, the coring was carried out at two drilling sites on the northern part of the Shikoku Basin in the subducting Philippine Sea plate. One of the major achievements of Expedition 322 is a discovery of late Miocene (10.2-7.6 Ma) tuffaceous and volcaniclastic sandstone layer (Underwood et al., IODP Prel. Rept. 322, 2009) that has not been previously recognized in the Nankai Trough. Based on age and volcanic sand content analysis, these volcaniclastic layers were unique to the Shikoku Basin off Kii Peninsula. The closest source of this volcanic layer was supposed to be the Izu-Bonin arc. Subducted sediments ultimately affect subduction zone geochemistry, thermal structure, and seismogenesis. High porosity of the volcaniclastic sandstone layer suggests the transportation of fluid to the subduction zone, it might affect the initiation and evolution of the decollement zone or plate boundary fault in the Nankai Trough. We interpreted single channel and multichannel seismic reflection profiles that have been acquired in the Nankai Trough margin by Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) since the year of 1997. We tried to map the major seismic layers such as

  1. Surface sediment remobilization triggered by earthquakes in the Nankai forearc region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Okutsu, N.; Ashi, J.; Yamaguchi, A.; Irino, T.; Ikehara, K.; Kanamatsu, T.; Suganuma, Y.; Murayama, M.

    2017-12-01

    Submarine landslides triggered by earthquakes generate turbidity currents (e.g. Piper et al., 1988; 1999). Recently several studies report that the remobilization of the surface sediment triggered by earthquakes can also generate turbidity currents. However, studies that proposed such process are still limited (e.g. Ikehara et al., 2016; Mchugh et al., 2016; Moernaut et al., 2017). The purpose of this study is to examine those sedimentary processes in the Nankai forearc region, SW Japan using sedimentary records. We collected 46 cm-long multiple core (MC01) and a 6.7 m-long piston core (PC03) from the small basin during the R/V Shinsei Maru KS-14-8 cruise. The small confined basin, which is our study site, block the paths of direct sediment supply from river-submarine canyon system. The sampling site is located at the ENE-WSW elongated basin between the accretionary prism and the forearc basin off Kumano without direct sediment supply from river-submarine canyon system. The basin exhibits a confined basin that captures almost of sediments supplied from outside. Core samples are mainly composed of silty clay or very fine sand. Cs-137 measurement conducted on a MC01 core shows constantly high value at the upper 17 cm section and no detection below it. Moreover, the sedimentary structure is similar to fine-grained turbidite described by Stow and Shanmgam (1980), we interpret the upper 17 cm of MC01 as muddy turbidite. Grain size distribution and magnetic susceptibility also agree to this interpretation. Rapid sediment deposition after 1950 is assumed and the most likely event is the 2004 off Kii peninsula earthquakes (Mw=6.6-7.4). By calculation from extent of provenance area, which are estimated by paleocurrent analysis and bathymetric map, and thickness of turbidite layer we conclude that surface 1 cm of slope sediments may be remobilized by the 2004 earthquakes. Muddy turbidites are also identified in a PC03 core. The radiocarbon age gap of 170 years obtained

  2. Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment along Nankai Trough (2) a comprehensive assessment including a variety of earthquake source areas other than those that the Earthquake Research Committee, Japanese government (2013) showed

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirata, K.; Fujiwara, H.; Nakamura, H.; Osada, M.; Morikawa, N.; Kawai, S.; Ohsumi, T.; Aoi, S.; Yamamoto, N.; Matsuyama, H.; Toyama, N.; Kito, T.; Murashima, Y.; Murata, Y.; Inoue, T.; Saito, R.; Takayama, J.; Akiyama, S.; Korenaga, M.; Abe, Y.; Hashimoto, N.

    2016-12-01

    aperiodicity of 0.22, as the median of the values (0.20 to 0.24)that ERC (2013) recommended, suggests that several coastal segments along the southwest coast of Shikoku Island, the southeast coast of Kii Peninsula, and the west coast of Izu Peninsula show over 26 % in exceedance probability that maximum water rise exceeds 10 meters at any coastal point within the next 30 years.

  3. Development of new exploration tools for seabed mineral resources - Result of R/V YOKOSUKA research cruise YK09-09 -

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harada, M.; Sayanagi, K.; Kasaya, T.; Sawa, T.; Goto, T.; Tada, N.; Ichihara, H.; Asada, M.; Nakajima, T.; Isezaki, N.

    2009-12-01

    Detailed information on subsurface structure under seafloor is necessary for the estimation of seabed resources such as the hydrothermal deposit and methane hydrate. Although advantages of geophysical exploration near seafloor are expected for the seabed resource survey, efficient method has not been well-established. The authors started a project to develop exploration tools for seabed resources under the financial support of MEXT-Japan. We carry out research and development mainly regarding measurement of the magnetic field with high-resolution and high-sampling rate electric exploration devices with accurately controlled active source signals. Developed tools will be mounted underwater platforms such as deep-tow system, ROV (remotely operated vehicle), and AUV (autonomous undersea vehicle). We carried out the research cruise (vessel: JAMSTEC R/V YOKOSUKA YK09-09, cruise period: 19-29 July 2009, area surveyed: Kumano-nada, off Kii Peninsula, Japan) to investigate the performance of developed equipments for magnetic exploration. We mounted an Overhauser and two flux-gate magnetometers on the deep-tow and the AUV URASHIMA. To inspect the efficiency of equipments, it is better to measure the magnetic anomaly which is caused by known magnetic source. Therefore, we made a magnetic target which is consisted of 50 neodymium magnets. Before the navigation, the magnetic target was put under water and its position was measured by the acoustic method. The depth of target is about 2,050 meters, and the measurement was performed in the circle of a radius of about 300 meters. The vehicles were navigated at heights of 25 meters for AUV, and about 15 meters for deep-tow. Each of underwater navigation was practiced for two times. Both performances were carried out successfully, which means that we detected the significant magnetic anomalies caused by the target. We will be able to estimate three-dimensional distribution of anomalous magnetic field, and the source property of

  4. A brittle (normal?) shear zone cored in Site C0002 of Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (IODP Expedition 348)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crespo-Blanc, Ana; Sample, James; Brown, Kevin; Otsubo, Makoto; Yamamoto, Yuzuru

    2016-04-01

    Integrated Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 348, which belongs to the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment, conducted riser-drilling to make deeper an existing hole at Site C0002, up to 3058.5 meters below seafloor (mbsf). This site is located 80 km SE of the Kii Peninsula (Japan) in the Kumano forearc basin, in turn situated on top of the Nankai accretionary prism. Cuttings (875.5-3058.5 mbsf) and cores (2163.0-2217.5 mbsf) were collected in the upper Miocene to Pliocene turbiditic silty claystone with few intercalations of sandstone which characterize the accretionary prism lithological units. A remarkably preserved fault zone has been cored around 2205 mbsf (core section Hole C0002P-348-5R-4). It is characterized by 34 cm of fault breccia, in which an anastomosed cataclastic foliation is present. The rocks of the damaged zone are formed by silty claystone with an incipient scaly fabric and scarce levels of sandstones. Extra-large thin sections were made along the whole core section. In the brittle shear zone, they reveal a catalogue of deformation structures characteristic of a high structural level. In particular, almond-type structures and arrays of microfaults cutting the stratification are the most common structures and outline the cataclastic foliation. The occurrence of calcite veins in the recovered cores is limited to this fault zone, which is indicative of its role as fluid path, accompanied by carbonate cementation. Generally fault veins have lower δ18O values than carbonate cements in the sedimentary matrix, consistent with veins forming at higher temperatures and/or from a fluid more strongly depleted in 18O. A continuum of the relationships between calcite veins and cataclastic deformation is observed, from veins that precipitated early in the fault history, with calcite grains broken during subsequent deformation, to late veins which seal the almond-type structures within the claystones. The geometry of the calcite grains within the

  5. The Mont Blanc neutrinos from SN 1987A: Could they have been monochromatic (8 MeV) tachyons with m2 = - 0.38 keV2?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ehrlich, Robert

    2018-05-01

    According to conventional wisdom the 5 h early Mont Blanc burst probably was not associated with SN 1987A, but if it was genuine, some exotic physics explanation had to be responsible. Here we consider one truly exotic explanation, namely faster-than-light neutrinos having mν2 = - 0.38 keV2. It is shown that the Mont Blanc burst is consistent with the distinctive signature of that explanation i.e., an 8 MeV antineutrino line from SN 1987A. It is further shown that a model of core collapse supernovae involving dark matter particles of mass 8 MeV would in fact yield an 8 MeV antineutrino line. Moreover, that dark matter model predicts 8 MeV ν ,νbar and e+e- pairs from the galactic center, a place where one would expect large amounts of dark matter to collect. The resulting e+ would create γ - rays from the galactic center, and a fit to MeV γ - ray data yields the model's dark matter mass, as well as the calculated source temperature and angular size. These good fits give indirect experimental support for the existence of an 8 MeV antineutrino line from SN 1987A. More direct support comes from the spectrum of N ∼ 1000 events recorded by the Kamiokande-II detector on the day of SN 1987A, which appear to show an 8 MeV line atop the detector background. This νbar line, if genuine, has been well-hidden for 30 years because it occurs very close to the peak of the background. This fact might ordinarily justify extreme skepticism. In the present case, however, a more positive view is called for based on (a) the very high statistical significance of the result (30σ), (b) the use of a detector background independent of the SN 1987A data using a later K-II data set, and (c) the observation of an excess above the background spectrum whose central energy and width both agree with that of an 8 MeV νbar line broadened by 25% resolution. Most importantly, the last observation is in accord with the prior prediction of an 8 MeV νbar line based on the Mont Blanc data, and

  6. Testing failure surface prediction methods and deposit reconstruction for the landslides cluster occurring during Talas Typhoon (Japan)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jaboyedoff, Michel; Chigira, Masahiro; Arai, Noriyuki; Derron, Marc-Henri; Rudaz, Benjamin; Tsou, Ching-Ying

    2016-04-01

    Talas Typhoon hit Japan from 2 to 5 September 2011. It induced more than 70 deep-seated landslides in Kii peninsula. The hi-resolution topography of these landslides have been acquired by aerial 1 m LiDAR digital elevation models (DEM) before (pre-DEM) and after (post-DEM) the events (data from Nara prefectural Government and the Kinki Regional development Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism). This extraordinary opportunity allows us to test methods to construct failure surface geometries, buried valley topographies and/or to rebuild deposits surfaces. We tested the sloping base local level method (SLBL) on 5 deep seated landslides which occurred during Typhoon Talas (Akatani, Kitamata, Nagatono, Shimizu and Akatani-East; see Chigira et al., 2013). The SLBL corresponds to a quadratic surface with a constant second derivative in all x-y directions. This curvature can be based on the knowledge of the length of the landslide and its maximum thickness. We used mainly hillshade DEM, slope maps and Coltop schemes to define the limits of landslides and to interpret their structures. Different attempts were performed to reconstruct the failure surface and deposits depending on a priori knowledge. Basically the morphological features extracted from the pre-DEM were used to delineate the limits of the landslides. The curvature of the failure surface was obtained by "expert" interpretations. The failure surfaces obtained using SLBL are in good agreement with the failure surface observed on the post-DEM. The results are improved when (1) they are adjusted to obtain similar estimate of the volume deduced by Chigira et al. (2013), and when (2) the contours of the landslides used comes from an interpretation of both post and pre-DEM. In order to obtain the expansion coefficient some of these landslide, the missing volume of the deposits (by river erosion) were calculated using inverse SLBL. The coefficient of expansion ranges from 13% to 30

  7. Anomalously high porosity in subduction inputs to the Nankai Trough (SW Japan) potentially caused by volcanic ash and pumice

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huepers, A.; Ikari, M.; Underwood, M.; Kopf, A.

    2013-12-01

    At convergent margins, the sedimentary section seaward of the trench on the subducting oceanic lithosphere provides the source material for accretionary prisms and eventually becomes the host rock of the plate boundary megathrust. The mechanical properties of the sediments seaward of the subduction zone have therefore a first order control on subduction zone forearc mechanics and hydrogeology. At the Nankai Trough (SW Japan) the majority of sediment approaching the subduction zone is clay-rich. Scientific drilling expeditions in the framework of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) have revealed an anomalous zone of high porosity in a major lithologic unit known as the Upper Shikoku Basin facies (USB), which is associated with elevated volcanic ash content and high amounts of silica in the interstitial water. The existence of the high porosity zone has previously been associated with advanced silica cementation, driven by the dual diagenetic transition of opal-A to opal-CT, and opal-CT to quartz. However, temperature estimates from recent drilling expeditions offshore the Kii peninsula reveal different in situ temperatures at the proposed diagenetic boundary in the Shikoku Basin. Furthermore, laboratory measurements using core samples from the USB show that cohesive strength is not elevated in the high porosity zone, suggesting that a process other than cementation may be responsible. The USB sediment is characterized by abundant volcanic ash and pumice, therefore the high porosity zone in the USB may be closely linked to the mechanical behavior of this phase. We conducted consolidation tests in the range 0.1 to 8 MPa effective vertical stress on artificial ash-smectite and pumice-smectite mixtures, as well as intact and remolded natural samples from the IODP Sites C0011 and C0012 to investigate the role of the volcanic constituent on porosity loss with progressive burial. Our results show that both remolded and intact

  8. Upward extension of the Nankai accretionary prism megasplay fault into slope basin strata. Insights from drilling at IODP Expedition 338 Site C0022

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fabbri, O.; Oohashi, K.; Kanagawa, K.; Yamaguchi, A.

    2013-12-01

    Megasplay faults have been recognized on seismic reflection profiles across several convergent margins in the world. Understanding the behavior of these faults during large to very large inter-plate earthquakes is a major challenge in assessing strong-motion and tsunami hazards at or near subduction zones. One of the goals of the IODP NanTroSEIZE project is to drill across and to obtain data from the megasplay fault crossing the Nankai accretionary prism off Kii peninsula (Kumano transect), SW Japan. This fault is considered to have been activated during the 1944 Tonankai earthquake (Baba et al., 2006 ; Moore et al., 2007). Drilling and coring during IODP Expedition 316 (Expedition 316 Scientists, 2009) showed that the megasplay fault at 300 mbsf at Site C0004 consists in a 60 m thick package of fractured and brecciated rocks. Combined analysis of 3D reflection data in the vicinity of Site C0004 and core data from sites C0004 and C0008 (Strasser et al., 2009 ; Kimura et al., 2011) suggest that the lower boundary of the megasplay fault ceased activity at about 1.55 Ma while its upper boundary has remained active since about 1.95 Ma and probably 1.24 Ma. In order to determine whether the megasplay fault upper boundary crosscuts slope sediments or is sealed by them, drilling at IODP Site C0022 was carried out during Expedition 338. Two 420 m deep holes were drilled: C0022A (LWD) and C0022B (coring). At Hole C0022A, LWD resistivity images show that the 85-105.5 mbsf interval is fractured and extends above and below a ca. 1 m thick interval characterized by a low resistivity value at 100-101 mbsf. Structures observed in cores from Hole C0022B confirm LWD data. While gently dipping elsewhere, bedding in the 73-146 mbsf interval is steep, commonly exceeding 30°. This bedding dip increase may be a consequence of fault activity (folding ?). Though the low-resistivity interval at 100-101 mbsf could not be sampled at Hole C0022B (no recovery between 95.5 and 99.5 mbsf

  9. An improvement of the GPS buoy system for detecting tsunami at far offshore

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kato, T.; Terada, Y.; Nagai, T.; Kawaguchi, K.; Koshimura, S.; Matsushita, Y.

    2012-12-01

    We have developed a GPS buoy system for detecting a tsunami before its arrival at coasts and thereby mitigating tsunami disaster. The system was first deployed in 1997 for a short period in the Sagami bay, south of Tokyo, for basic experiments, and then deployed off Ofunato city, northeastern part of Japan, for the period 2001-2004. The system was then established at about 13km south of Cape Muroto, southwestern part of Japan, since 2004. Five tsunamis of about 10cm have been observed in these systems, including 2001 Peru earthquake (Mw8.3), 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake (Mw8.3), 2004 Off Kii Peninsula earthquake (Mw7.4), 2010 Chile earthquake (Mw8.8), and 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw9.0). These experiments clearly showed that GPS buoy is capable of detecting tsunami with a few centimeter accuracy and can be monitored in near real time by applying an appropriate filter, real-time data transmission using radio and dissemination of obtained records of sea surface height changes through internet. Considering that the system is a powerful tool to monitor sea surface variations due to wind as well as tsunami, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism implemented the system in a part of the Nationwide Ocean Wave information network for Ports and HArbourS (NOWPHAS) system and deployed the system at 15 sites along the coasts around the Japanese Islands. The system detected the tsunami due to the 11th March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake with higher than 6m of tsunami height at the site Off South Iwate (Kamaishi). The Japan Meteorological Agency that was monitoring the record updated the level of the tsunami warning to the greatest value due to the result. Currently, the GPS buoy system uses a RTK-GPS which requires a land base for obtaining precise location of the buoy by a baseline analysis. This algorithm limits the distance of the buoy to, at most, 20km from the coast as the accuracy of positioning gets much worse as the baseline distance becomes longer

  10. Improvement in the observation system for the GPS/A seafloor positioning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujimoto, H.; Kido, M.; Osada, Y.

    2010-12-01

    GPS/Acoustic seafloor positioning has become an indispensable geodetic observation for the monitoring of crustal activities near plate boundaries. There remain, however, substantial differences from GPS observation on land. Our group in Tohoku University has been working to cope with the problems under the program of the DONET, JAMSTEC.One of critical problems regarding the present GPS/A observation lies in the campaign style observation spending one or two days to measure the position of an array of acoustic transponders (PXPs) once or twice a year. It is similar to the triangulation observation on land before the age of the GPS. Chadwell et al. (2009, AGU Fall Meeting) made a step forward for this problem by carrying out a continuous GPS/A observation with a moored buoy. We are also developing a system using a moored small buoy. Precision of seafloor positioning by GPS/A is another critical problems. Considering that plate motions are several centimeters per year in most cases, precision of a few centimeters by GPS/A is a big difference from a few millimeters by GPS on land. We estimate that lateral variations in the sound velocity in the ocean can be a key to improve the precision in the positioning and to reduce the required time for the measurement, we have tried to estimate the lateral variations in the acoustic velocity by using 4-5 PXPs (Kido et al., 2006; Kido et al., this meeting). Long-term attitude stability of the position of a PXP deployed on thick sediment has been a basic problem in the GPS/A observation. While a pillar of a GPS antenna for an observation point is set up firmly on the ground, a PXP is deployed on the seafloor after a free fall from the sea surface. It is a serious problem to detect coseismic crustal movements on the seafloor. M7-class earthquakes occurred in 2004 off Kii Peninsula, Central Japan, gave us an opportunity to study the problem. By using an ROV (remotely operated vehicle), we visually observed ten PXPs in 2006, seven of

  11. Accretion-powered Compact Binaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mauche, Christopher W.

    2003-12-01

    Preface; The workshop logo; A short history of the CV workshop F. A. Córdova; Part I. Observations: 1. Low mass x-ray binaries A. P. Cowley, P. C. Schmidtke, D. Crampton, J. B. Hutchings, C. A. Haswell, E. L. Robinson, K. D. Horne, H. M. Johnston, S. R. Kulkarni, S. Kitamoto, X. Han, R. M. Hjellming, R. M. Wagner, S. L. Morris, P. Hertz, A. N. Parmar, L. Stella, P. Giommi, P. J. Callanan, T. Naylor, P. A. Charles, C. D. Bailyn, J. N. Imamura, T. Steiman-Cameron, J. Kristian, J. Middleditch, L. Angelini and J. P. Noris; 2. Nonmagnetic cataclysmic variables R. S. Polidan, C. W. Mauche, R. A. Wade, R. H. Kaitchuck, E. M. Schlegel, P. A. Hantzios, R. C. Smith, J. H. Wood, F. Hessman, A. Fiedler, D. H. P. Jones, J. Casares, P. A. Charles, J. van Paradijs, E. Harlaftis, T. Naylor, G. Sonneborn, B. J. M. Hassall, K. Horne, C. A. la Dous, A. W. Shafter, N. A. Hawkins, D. A. H. Buckley, D. J. Sullivan, F. V. Hessman, V. S. Dhillon, T. R. Marsh, J. Singh, S. Seetha, F. Giovannelli, A. Bianchini, E. M. Sion, D. J. Mullan, H. L. Shipman, G. Machin, P. J. Callanan, S. B. Howell, P. Szkody, E. M. Schlegel and R. F. Webbink; 3. Magnetic cataclysmic variables C. Hellier, K. O. Mason, C. W. Mauche, G. S. Miller, J. C. Raymond, F. K. Lamb, J. Patterson, A. J. Norton, M. G. Watson, A. R. King, I. M. McHardy, H. Lehto, J. P. Osborne, E. L. Robinson, A. W. Shafter, S. Balachandran, S. R. Rosen, J. Krautter, W. Buchholz, D. A. H. Buckley, I. R. Tuoly, D. Crampton, B. Warner, R. M. Prestage, B. N. Ashoka, M. Mouchet, J. M. Bonnet-Bidaud, J. M. Hameury, P. Szkody, P. Garnavich, S. Howell, T. Kii, M. Cropper, K. Mason, J. Bailey, D. T. Wickramasinghe, L. Ferrario, K. Beuermann, A. D. Schwope, H.-C. Thomas, S. Jordan, J. Schachter, A. V. Filippenko, S. M. Kahn, F. B. S. Paerels, K. Mukai, M. L. Edgar, S. Larsson, R. F. Jameson, A. R. King, A. Silber, R. Remillard, H. Bradt, M. Ishida, T. Ohashi and G. D. Schmidt; Part II. Accretion Theory: 4. Nonmagnetic W. Kley, F. Geyer, H. Herold, H

  12. New step toward geodetic range observations at the sea floor with the BBOBS system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shiobara, H.; Shinohara, M.; Isse, T.

    2011-12-01

    is estimated less than 60 Pa from the maximum frequency deviation of the MCXO, but it will be negligible by using a small chip scale atomic clock (CSAC), which is available now, as the frequency standard. The second one is a tilt observation just beneath the sea floor by using the BBOBS-NX system, which had been tested 6 times in 2008 - 2010 by free falling deployment with appropriate penetration to the sea floor sediment. The tilt is measured by using two horizontal mass position (acceleration) signals of the broadband sensor. The noise reduction ratio in horizontal components of the BBOBS-NX compared with those of the BBOBS staying on the sea floor is more than 10 in the period range longer than 10 s. It means the possibility of the BBOBS-NX system for the tilt observation in the geodetic range. As we didn't record the mass position signal continuously, a test observation was performed by using the same sensor of the BBOBS-NX at the ERI's Nokogiriyama observatory in 2010. The result is comparable with that of the water tube tilt-meter there in the diurnal Earth tide range. In July 2011, we started a test observation of the tilt measurement at the sea floor SE off Kii peninsula by using the BBOBS-NX as the feasibility study. The deployment was ideally performed by the ROV, and the recovery is planned in January 2012.

  13. Influence of pH and ionic strength (NaCl/Na2SO4) on the reaction HO Cl/ClO- + NO2-

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marcellos da Rosa, M.; Zetzsch, C.

    2003-04-01

    Equilibria such as HOCl + NO_2^- leftrightarrow ClNO_2 + OH^- and ClNO_2 + H_2O leftrightarrow NO_3^- + 2H^+ + Cl^- play an important role in halogen activation in the troposphere. We studied the oxidation of NO_2^- by HOCl/ClO^- in aqueous phase by stopped-flow measurements at different ionic strengths (bidestilled water, 0.1M NaCl, 1.0M NaCl and 1.0M Na_2SO^4) at various pH values (4.0, 5.5, 6.2 and 10.0) at 293K. The experiments were performed using a SX.18MV Applied Photophysics spectrophotometer, observing the exponential decay of HOCl/ClO^- at λ = 290nm between 10ms and 100s. HOCl (pK_a= 7.50) was obtained by bubbling N_2 with 1% Cl_2 through bidestilled water. The pH of the aqueous solutions of HOCl was determined by a pH meter (CG820, Schott) with a glass electrode N6180 (calibrated with standard buffer solutions at pH = 3.0, 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0), and the pH values were adjusted by dropwise addition of HClO_4 or NaOH. The concentrations of HOCl (ɛHOCl (230nm) = 100M-1cm-1) ([HOCl] = 1.3mM - 10mM) and ClO- (ɛClO- (292nm) = 350 M-1cm-1) ([ClO^-] = 1.3mM - 5mM) were determined by UV spectrometry (Kontron UVIKON 860) at a resolution of 2 nm in 1 cm cells at various pH values. The concentration range of NO_2^- was between 5mM and 50mM. The following second-order rate constant kII were obtained at 293K at various pH values (in units of M-1s-1) in H_2O: pH 4.0, (5.6±0.3)\\cdot 10^3; pH 5.5, (5.0±0.4)\\cdot 10^3; pH 10.0, 3.9±0.4; in 0.1M NaCl: pH 5.5, (4.3±0.4)\\cdot 10^3; pH 10.0, 2.6±0.4; in 1.0M NaCl: pH 5.5, (4.0±0.3); pH 10.0, 0.7±0.2 and in 1.0M Na_2SO_4: pH 5.5, (3.0±0.3)\\cdot 10^3; pH 10.0, 1.9±0.4. There is a strong effect of the pH on the reaction HOCl/ClO^- + NO_2^-, as reflected in the ratio kII_a(pH 5.5, HOCl)/kII_b(pH 10.0, ClO^-): in H_2O (kII_a ˜ 1200 \\cdot kII_b), in 0.1M NaCl (kII_a ˜ 1900 \\cdot kII_b), in 1.0M NaCl (kII_a ˜ 5700 \\cdot kII_b) and in 1.0 M Na_2SO_4 (kII_a ˜ 1500 \\cdot kII_b). A mechanism for the oxidation of NO

  14. Critical flaw size in silicon nitride ball bearings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levesque, George Arthur

    factor (SIF) trends observed from parametrically varying different physical effects are plotted and discussed. Included are developments in contact algorithms for 3D nonplanar cracks, meshing of nonplanar cracks for SIFs, parametric studies via MATLAB and other subroutines in python and FORTRAN. Establishing Fracture Parameters: the fracture toughness, K c, is determined by using numerical techniques on experimental tests namely the Brazilian disc test and a novel compression test on an indented ball. The fatigue threshold for mixed-mode loading, Keff, is determined by using a combination of numerical modeling and results from the V-ring single ball RCF test. CFS Determination: the range of 3D non-planar surface flaw geometries subject to RCF are simulated to calculate mixed mode SIFs to determine the critical flaw size, or the largest allowable flaw that does not grow under service conditions. The CFS results are presented as a function of Hertzian contact stress, traction magnitude, and crack size. Empirical Equations: accurate empirical equations (response functions) for the KI, KII, and K III SIFs for semi-elliptical surface cracks subjected to RCF as a function of the contact patch diameter, angle of crack to the surface, max pressure, position along the crack front, and aspect ratio of the crack are developed via parametric 3D FEA. Statistical Probability of Failure: since the variability in mechanical properties for brittle materials is high a probabilistic investigation of variations in flaw size, flaw orientation, fracture toughness, and Hertzian load on failure probability is conducted to statistically determine the probability of ball failure for an existing flaw subjected to the service conditions. (Full text of this dissertation may be available via the University of Florida Libraries web site. Please check http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/etd.html)

  15. Kinetic study of heterogeneous reaction of deliquesced NaCl particles with gaseous HNO3 using particle-on-substrate stagnation flow reactor approach.

    PubMed

    Liu, Y; Cain, J P; Wang, H; Laskin, A

    2007-10-11

    Heterogeneous reaction kinetics of gaseous nitric acid with deliquesced sodium chloride particles NaCl(aq) + HNO3(g) --> NaNO3(aq) + HCl(g) were investigated with a novel particle-on-substrate stagnation flow reactor (PS-SFR) approach under conditions, including particle size, relative humidity, and reaction time, directly relevant to the atmospheric chemistry of sea salt particles. Particles deposited onto an electron microscopy grid substrate were exposed to the reacting gas at atmospheric pressure and room temperature by impingement via a stagnation flow inside the reactor. The reactor design and choice of flow parameters were guided by computational fluid dynamics to ensure uniformity of the diffusion flux to all particles undergoing reaction. The reaction kinetics was followed by observing chloride depletion in the particles by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (CCSEM/EDX). The validity of the current approach was examined first by conducting experiments with median dry particle diameter D(p) = 0.82 microm, 80% relative humidity, particle loading densities 4 x 10(4) kII = 5.7 x 10(-15) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) in the limit of zero particle loading and by assuming that the substrate is inert to HNO3. Under this loading condition the experimental, net reaction uptake coefficient was found to be gamma(net) = 0.11 with an uncertainty factor of 3. Additional experiments examined

  16. Raman spectroscopy of detrital garnet from the (U)HP terrane of eastern Papua New Guinea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andò, Sergio; Baldwin, Suzanne L.; Fitzgerald, Paul G.; Malusà, Marco G.; Aliatis, Irene; Vezzoli, Giovanni; Garzanti, Eduardo

    2013-04-01

    ). Earth Pl. Sci. Lett. 310:21-32. Malusà M.G., Garzanti E. 2012. Actualistic snapshot of the early Oligocene Alps: the Alps-Apennines knot detangled. Terra Nova 24:1-6. Mange M.A., Morton A.C. 2007. Geochemistry of Heavy Minerals. In: Mange, M.A. & Wright, D.T. (Eds) Heavy Minerals in Use, Developments in Sedimentology 58:345-391. Win K.S., Takeuchi M., Tokiwa T. 2007. Changes in detrital garnet assemblages related to transpressive uplifting associated with strike-slip faulting: an example from the Cretaceous System in Kii Peninsula, southwest Japan. Sedim. Geol. 201:412-431.