The infection of cultured human cells with baboon endogenous virus (BEV) frequently leads to an association of viral DNA with a specific genetic locus (termed BEVI, for baboon endogenous virus infection) on chromosome 6. Restriction endonuclease digestion of DNA from BEV-infected human cells and their derived somatic cell clones frequently revealed a common cellular DNA sequence in the proximity of one of the junctions between cellular DNA and the integrated virus. We propose that a short cellular DNA sequence, repeated on chromosome 6 and separated by unique DNA sequences, presents a high-affinity target for the integration of BEV in human cells. PMID:6401843
The Lesch-Nyhan (LN) syndrome is a severe X chromosome-linked disease that results from a deficiency of the purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). The mutations leading to the disease are heterogeneous and frequently arise as de novo events. The authors have identified nucleotide alterations in 15 independently arising HPRT-deficiency cases by direct DNA sequencing of in vitro amplified HPRT cDNA. They also demonstrate that the direct DNA sequence analysis can be automated, further simplifying the detection of new mutations at this locus. The mutations include DNA base substitutions, small DNA deletions, a single DNA base insertion, and errors in RNA splicing. The application of these procedures allows DNA diagnosis and carrier identification by the direct detection of the mutant alleles within individual families affected by LN.
The authors have identified a protein present only in erythroid cells that binds to two adjacent sites within an enhancer region of the chicken {beta}-globin locus. Mutation of the sites, so that binding by the factor can no longer be detected in vitro, leads to a loss of enhancing ability, assayed by transient expression in primary erythrocytes. Binding sites for the erythroid-specific factor (Eryf1) are found within regulatory regions for all chicken globin genes. A strong Eryf1 binding site is also present within the enhancer of at least one human globin gene, and proteins from human erythroid cells (but not HeLa cells) bind to both the chicken and the human sites.
A regulatory locus on the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome, designated sar, is involved in the expression of cell wall proteins, some of which are potentially important in the pathogenesis of endocarditis....Full Text Available
Electrophoretic analysis of protein variation at the coagulation F13B locus has previously revealed three alleles, with alleles 1, 2, and 3 each being at high frequency in European,...Full Text Available
The product of the human GRO gene is a cytokine with inflammatory and growth-regulatory properties; GRO is also called MGSA for melanoma growth-stimulatory activity. The authors have identified two additional genes, GRO#beta# and GRO#gamma#, that share 90% and 86% identity at the deduced amino acid level with the original GRO#alpha# isolate. One amino acid substitution of proline in GRO#alpha# by leucine in GRO#beta# and GRO#gamma# leads to a large predicted change in protein conformation. Significant differences also exist in the 3' untranslated region, including different numbers of ATTTA repeats associated with mRNA instability. A 122-base-pair region in the 3' region is conserved among the three GRO genes, and a part of it is also conserved in the Chinese hamster genome, suggesting a role in regulation. DNA hybridization with oligonucleotide probes and partial sequence analysis of the genomic clones confirm that the three forms are derived from related but ...
This report describes our initial attempts at the molecular characterization of a maize controlling element. We have prepared a cDNA probe and used it to detect changes at a locus where Ds elements are found. Evidence of their presence are indicated by changes in the restriction patterns, but there is as yet no information on the physical nature of the controlling elements nor on the kinds of rearrangements they cause.
Aluminium toxicity is a major problem in agriculture worldwide. Among the cultivated triticeae, rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most Al-tolerant and represents an important potential source of Al-tolerance for improvement of wheat. The Alt4 Al-tolerance locus of rye contains a cluster of genes...
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown to be familial and heritable, in previous studies. As with most psychiatric disorders, examination of pedigrees has not revealed a consistent Mendelian mode of transmission. The response of ADHD patients to medications that inhibit the dopamine transporter, including methylphenidate, amphetamine, pemoline, and bupropion, led us to consider the dopamine transporter as a primary candidate gene for ADHD. To avoid effects of population stratification and to avoid the problem of classification of relatives with other psychiatric disorders as affected or unaffected, we used the haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) method to test for association between a VNTR polymorphism at the dopamine transporter locus (DAT1) and DSM-III-R-diagnosed ADHD (N = 49) and undifferentiated attention-deficit disorder (UADD) (N = 8) in trios composed of father, mother, and affected offspring. HHRR analysis revealed ...
Application of Programmable Digital Comparator System (PDCS) in NPP is to monitor large number of plant parameters and generate contact outputs for reactor trip, reactor setback, process interlocks etc. when parameters cross their operational bounds. Till NAPS these functions are achieved through individual Indicating Alarm Meters (IAM). PDCS used for the first time in KAPS replaces these IAMs. Since its inception, PDCS has undergone improvements in design, incorporates additional functionalities/enhanced features. Dedicated PDCS is provided in TAPP-3 and 4 for protection function. System re-configurability, on-line inter channel comparison of safety critical process parameters' values, Graphic User Interface etc. are other enhancements. From KAPS to TAPP-4 system has given many years of almost trouble-free operation. Commissioning of TAPP-3 system has been very smooth. Objective of the paper is to describe the advantage of the new system, its operating experience, ...
'The primary objective of this research project is to acquire a deeper fundamental knowledge of acoustic cavitation and cavitation chemistry, and in doing so, to ascertain how ultrasonic irradiation can be more effectively applied to environmental problems. Four on-going projects will be described in this progress report, The first project is the destruction of carbofuran in a Near-Field Acoustical Processor (NAP), and the hydrodynamic characterization of the reactor. The second project is a comprehensive study of how ultrasonic frequency influences sonochemical reaction rates; the substrate it, the preliminary portion of this study has been hydrogen peroxide formation. The third project in progress is destruction of four polychlorinated biphenyls at 20 kHz. Work so far has been at 20 kHz, but the most significant portion of this project will involve a multi-frequency (ultrasonic frequency) study. Finally, the destruction of a pesticide, dichlorvos, during ...
Although recent data established that a specific very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is defective in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the ALD gene is still unidentified. The ALD locus has...Full Text Available
By analysis of crossovers in key recombinant families and by homozygosity analysis of inbred families, the Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) locus was localized in a 300-kb interval between the X104 gene and...Full Text Available
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis designed for a multi-parent population was carried out and tested in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is a diploid cross-fertilising...Full Text Available
... 16223, 16292, and 16295, which classify them as haplogroup W (Richards et al. 2000). The sample that was ... belonged to haplogroup B, 2 individuals belonged to haplogroup W, and 1 individual belonged to ...
Multiple discrete regions at 8q24 were recently shown to contain alleles that predispose to many cancers including prostate, breast, and colon. These regions are far from any annotated gene and their...Full Text Available
Deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) are a biological marker for schizophrenia. To unravel the mechanisms that control PPI, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on 1,010 F2 mice derived...Full Text Available
Forty-one Spanish families with polycystic kidney disease 1 (PKD1) were studied for evidence of linkage disequilibrium between the disease locus and six closely linked markers. Four of these loci--three...Full Text Available
In Staphylococcus aureus, a pronounced shift in position of the acriflavin resistance locus was observed when gene order was determined by marker frequency analysis of cells of various ages. In young cells (2-hour culture), acriflavin resistance was mappe...
The increased transcription of the Cyp6g1 gene of Drosophila melanogaster, and consequent resistance to insecticides such as DDT, is a widely cited example of adaptation...Full Text Available
Aluminum toxicity is a major problem in agriculture worldwide. Among the cultivated Triticeae, rye (Secale cereale L.) is one of the most Al tolerant and represents an important potential...Full Text Available
...Colormetric System, which lie within the region bounded by the spectrum locus and lines defined by the following equations: X...intensity of a light in candela as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society's Guide for Calculating the Effective...
Populations of a common forage fish, red shiner Notropis lutrensis, were sampled from four localities on the Brazos River, Texas, affected by cold-water discharge from a hydroelectric dam and from unaltered sites in the same region. Polymorphism at the Mdh-B locus, encoding supernatant malate dehydrogenase, indicates that populations within 57 km of the dam are distinctive from other regional populations and possess a unique Mdh-B allele, have significantly higher levels of heterozygosity at the Mdh-B locus, represent a homogeneous set that have significantly different Mdh-B zygotic frequencies from other regional populations, and have significantly different Mdh-B zygotic proportions than would be expected under a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Increased levels of heterozygosity in fish within 57 km of the dam were correlated with discharge-associated fluctuations in water temperature at sampling stations.
Molybdopterin (MPT) is not produced by the Escherichia coli mutants chlA1, chlM, or chlN or by the Neurospora crassa mutant nit-1. Extracts of E. coli chlA1 contain an activity, the converting factor,...Full Text Available
We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding the human U1-70K snRNP protein, and have mapped this locus (U1AP1) to human chromosome 19. The gene produces two size classes of RNA, a major 1.7-kb...Full Text Available
We used microarrays and a previously established linkage map to localize the genetic determinants of brain gene expression for a backcross family of lake whitefish species pairs (Coregonus sp.). Our...Full Text Available
Provisional mutational spectra at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) locus in vitro have been worked out for acetaldehyde (AA) and benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide (BPDE) in human (T)-lymphocytes...Full Text Available
Recent GWAS studies focused on uncovering novel genetic loci related to AD have revealed associations with variants near CLU, CR1, PICALM and BIN1....Full Text Available
We have observed significant differences in the response to ionizing radiation of two closely related human cell lines, and now compare the effects on these lines of both low and intermediate LET radiation. Compared to TK6, WTK1 has an enhanced X-ray survival, and is also more resistant to cell killing by {alpha}-particles. The hprt locus is more mutable in WTK1 than in TK6 by both X-rays and {alpha}-particles. WTK1 is also more mutable by {alpha}-particles than by X-rays at the hprt locus. X-ray-induced mutation at the heterozygous tk locus in WTK1 is about 25 fold higher than in TK6, while {alpha}-particle-induced mutation is nearly 50 fold higher at this locus. Also, the slowly growing tk- mutants, which comprise the majority of spontaneous and X-ray-induced tk- mutants of TK6, were not induced significantly by {alpha}-particles. Previously, we showed that TK6 has a reduced capacity for recombination ...
We have identified another Drosophila GTP-binding protein (G protein) alpha subunit, dGq alpha-3. Transcripts encoding dGq alpha-3 are derived from alternative splicing of the dGq alpha locus previously...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe beta-defensin gene cluster (DEFB) at chromosome 8p23.1 is one of the most copy number (CN) variable regions of the human genome. Whereas individual DEFB CNs have been...Full Text Available
We conducted a genome-wide association study of gastric cancer (GC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in ethnic Chinese subjects in which we genotyped 551,152 single nucleotide polymorphisms...Full Text Available
Stargardt`s disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive condition characterized by a juvenile macular dystrophy. Genetic linkage analysis recently assigned the disease locus to chromosome 1p21-p13 with the best estimate for location of the gene near the locus D1S435. We performed linkage analysis in 34 North American families and 2 inbred families from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 12 highly polymorphic markers on chromosome 1p flanking D1S435 between D1S207 and D1S223 and report significant linkage for all 12 markers with no evidence for genetic heterogeneity. Two-point linkage analysis demonstrated the Stargardt`s disease locus and D1S435 are linked with a maximum lod score of 17.17 at a recombination fraction of 1%. The markers UT851, D1S188, D1S424, UT2069, and D1S236 also demonstrated recombination fractions of 1% or less with two-point lod scores of 15.86, 21.93, 16.41, 20.36, and 17.37, respectively. To ...
Rice, the world's major staple crop, is a poor source of essential micronutrients, including folates (vitamin B9). We report folate biofortification of rice seeds achieved by overexpressing two Arabidopsis thaliana genes of the pterin and para-aminobenzoate branches of the folate biosynthetic pathway from a single locus. We obtained a maximal enhancement as high as 100 times above wild type, with 100 g of polished raw grains containing up to four times the adult daily folate requirement.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease characterized by a high variability of disease severity and outcome that points to the role of environmental factors and modulating genes that shape the course...Full Text Available
Nicotiana glutinosa compensated for a mutated tumor-morphology-shooty (tms) (auxin biosynthesis) locus of Agrobacterlum tumefaciens strain A66 and...Full Text Available
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have established a variant, rs10993994, on chromosome 10q11 as being associated with prostate cancer risk. Since the variant is located outside of a protein-coding...Full Text Available
Utilizing the CEPH reference panel and genotypic data for 53 markers, we have constructed a 20-locus multipoint genetic map of human chromosome 4. New RFLPs are reported for four loci. The map integrates...Full Text Available
The human smooth muscle myosin heavy chain locus (MYH11) was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to the middle of the p arm of chromosome 16 using a genomic cosmid clone containing coding sequences of the gene as probe. Probe from coding sequence, when applied to Southern blots of a panel of hybrids containing different portions of human chromosome 16, localized the gene to 16p13.13-13.12. Coding sequence PCR primers, when used on the DNA from a CHO-mouse hybrid clone mapping panel informative for mouse chromosomes, showed that the gene was located on mouse chromosome 16. These results correct a recent assignment of MYH11 from 16q12.2 to the region of the 16p-arm inversion breakpoint seen in acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML) M4Eo and demonstrate that the conflicting data do not result from the presence of additional MYH genes on the q arm of the chromosome. Also, a new region of conserved synteny between human 16p and mouse 16 is established. 10 refs., ...
The expression of three c-onc genes (c-erb, c-myc, c-myb) was investigated in five cell lines established from fibrosarcomas induced with 20-methylcholanthrene (MCA) of Japanese quails. These cell lines showed low levels of the three c-onc genes, with the exception of two cell lines that accumulated moderate (MCAQ 1-4) and large amounts (MCAQ 3-5) of c-myc RNA. Molecular cloning and restriction endonuclease analyses indicated that expression of c-myc in these two cell lines were not associated with detectable rearrangements in the c-myc locus, that the size of the c-myc transcript (2.7 kb) in MCAQ 3-5 was similar to that of the normal c-myc messenger RNAs (mRNA) and that the transcriptional activatin observed in MCAQ 3-5 was not mediated by the LTR (long terminal repeat) of a proximate ALV (avian leukosis virus) provirus. Finally, when analyzed with the restriction enzymes Msp I and Hpa II, the c-myc locus of MCAQ 3-5 and MCAQ 1-4 was found ...
Large-scale field tracer experiments have been conducted on Ulchin and Wolsung nuclear sites for the purpose of validating FADAS and of analyzing the environmental characteristics around the nuclear site. The most influential factor in atmospheric dispersion is the meteorological condition. During the experiment, meteorological data were measured on the release point and the selected positions among sampling points. Once radioactive materials are released to the atmosphere, members of public may be exposed through the environmental media such as air, soil and foods. Therefore, to protect the public, adequate countermeasures should be taken at due time for those exposure pathways. Both processes of justification and optimization are applied to a countermeasure simultaneously for decision-making. The work scope of biological research for the radiation protection had contained the search of biological microanalytic methods for the assessment of health effect by radiation and toxic agents, ...
We present a conditional likelihood approach for testing linkage disequilibrium in nuclear families having multiple affected offspring. The likelihood, conditioned on the identity-by-descent (IBD) structure of the sibling genotypes, is unaffected by familial correlation in disease status that arises from linkage between a marker locus and the unobserved trait locus. Two such conditional likelihoods are compared: one that conditions on IBD and phase of the transmitted alleles and a second which conditions only on IBD of the transmitted alleles. Under the log-additive model, the first likelihood is equivalent to the allele-counting methods proposed in the literature. The second likelihood is valid under the added assumption of equal male and female recombination fractions. In a simulation study, we demonstrated that in sibships having two or three affected siblings the score test from each likelihood had the correct test size for testing ...
Thermodynamic states encountered during combustion of Aluminum powder in Shock-Dispersed-Fuel (SDF) explosions were analyzed with the Cheetah code. Results are displayed in the Le Chatelier diagram: the locus of states of specific internal energy versus temperature. Accuracy of the results was confirmed by comparing the fuel and products curves with the heats of detonation and combustion, and species composition as measured in bomb calorimeter experiments. Results were fit with analytic functions u = f(T) suitable for specifying the thermodynamic properties required for gas-dynamic models of combustion in explosions.
Considering the hardware characteristics of the laser-induced plasma X-ray source and the limitations of the conventional cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, a general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm has been developed at our laboratory, in which the motion locus of the X-ray source is an arbitrary curve corresponding to at least a 2{pi} continuous horizontal angular displacement in the coordinate system of the specimen. The preliminary simulation shows that the general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm consistently results in visually satisfactory images.
Considering the hardware characteristics of the laser-induced plasma X-ray source and the limitations of the conventional cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, a general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm has been developed at our laboratory, in which the motion locus of the X-ray source is an arbitrary curve corresponding to at least a 2{pi} continuous horizontal angular displacement in the coordinate system of the specimen. The preliminary simulation shows that the general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm consistently results in visually satisfactory images.
The Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a severe autosomal recessive condition, features of which are partial oculocutaneous albinism, increased susceptibility to infections, deficient natural killer cell activity, and the presence of large intracytoplasmic granulations in various cell types. Similar genetic disorders have been described in other species, including the beige mouse. On the basis of the hypothesis that the murine chromosome 13 region containing the beige locus was homologous to human chromosome 1, we have mapped the CHS locus to a 5-cM interval in chromosome segment 1q42.1-q42.2. The highest LOD score was obtained with the marker D1S235 (Z{sub max} = 5.38; {theta} = 0). Haplotype analysis enabled us to establish D1S2680 and D1S163, respectively, as the telomeric and the centromeric flanking markers. Multipoint linkage analysis confirms the localization of the CHS locus in this interval. Three YAC clones were ...
The pathological effects of lead on the renal, nervous, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems have been reviewed. Emphasis is placed on reported subclinical effects due to chronic, low-level lead...Full Text Available
The effect of thiamin on the organ distribution of lead was evaluated in CD-1 mice exposed intragastrically or intraperitoneally to a single dose of lead acetate (100 micrograms) containing 100 microCi...Full Text Available
The global problem concerning contamination of the environment because of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contribute...
BackgroundLead poisoning affects many organs in the body. Lead inhibits δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), an enzyme with two co-dominantly expressed alleles, ALAD1...Full Text Available
6 mm diameter current leads made of M1, M3 copper and L62 brass are tested for extension of operation range of current leads supplying superconducting devices submerged into the cryostat. Data characterizing the effect of material purity on lead superheating are obtained. A theoretical model permitting to obtain analytical dependences for calculating the current lead maximum temperature is proposed and the possibility of its decrease by increasing current lead diameter in the hot part is considered.
Despite successful reduction of the general lead exposure, this heavy metal is still a matter of public concern due to the fact that associations with intellectual impairment or delayed puberty are found to correlate with very low lead blood concentrations. Lead in tap water is still an important contribution to lead exposure which may cause health risk for infants. Therefore, lead pipes should be completely sanitated by exchange against pipes made from more healthy materials. (orig.)
We describe in detail the space of the two Kaehler parameters of the Calabi-Yau manifold P[sub 4][sup (1,1,1,6,9)][D. R. Morrison, 1993] by exploiting mirror symmetry. The large complex structure limit of the mirror, which corresponds to the classical large radius limit, is found by studying the monodromy of the periods about the discriminant locus, the boundary of the moduli space corresponding to singular Calabi-Yau manifolds. A symplectic basis of periods is found and the action of the Sp(6, Z) generators of the modular group is determined. From the mirror map we compute the instanton expansion of the Yukawa couplings and the generalized N=2 index, arriving at the numbers of instantons of genus zero and genus one of each bidegree. We find that these numbers can be negative, even in genus zero. We also investigate an SL(2, Z) symmetry that acts on a boundary of the moduli space. ((orig.))
We describe in detail the space of the two Kaehler parameters of the Calabi-Yau manifold P_4"("1","1","1","6","9")[D. R. Morrison, 1993] by exploiting mirror symmetry. The large complex structure limit of the mirror, which corresponds to the classical large radius limit, is found by studying the monodromy of the periods about the discriminant locus, the boundary of the moduli space corresponding to singular Calabi-Yau manifolds. A symplectic basis of periods is found and the action of the Sp(6, Z) generators of the modular group is determined. From the mirror map we compute the instanton expansion of the Yukawa couplings and the generalized N=2 index, arriving at the numbers of instantons of genus zero and genus one of each bidegree. We find that these numbers can be negative, even in genus zero. We also investigate an SL(2, Z) symmetry that acts on a boundary of the moduli space. ((orig.)).
The authors used a near full-length human ornithine [delta]-aminotransferase cDNA, huOAT6, as a probe under low stringency hybridization conditions to identify a new autosomal ornithine [delta]-aminotransferase-related sequence (OATL3). Cloning and characterization of this sequence reveal it to be a partial nonprocessed pseudogene corresponding to exon 3 and flanking intronic sequences of the ornithine [delta]-aminotransferase structural gene. Using somatic cell hybrids and fluorescence in situ hybridization, they mapped OATL3 to 10q26, adjacent to the ornithine [delta]-aminotransferase structural gene locus. 13 refs., 3 figs.
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a measure of sensorimotor gating, a pre-attentional inhibitory brain mechanism that filters extraneous stimuli. Prepulse inhibition is correlated with measures of cognition and executive functioning, and is considered an endophenotype of schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses in which patients show PPI impairments. As a first step toward identifying genes that regulate PPI, we performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) screen of PPI phenotypes in a panel of mouse chromosome substitution strains (CSSs). We identified five CSSs with altered PPI compared with the host C57BL/6J strain: CSS-4 exhibited decreased PPI, whereas CSS-10, -11, -16 and -Y exhibited higher PPI compared with C57BL/6J. These data indicate that A/J chromosomes 4, 10, 11, 16 and Y harbor...
The expression of motor activity levels in response to novel situations is under complex genetic and environmental control. Several genetic loci have been implicated in the regulation of this behavioral phenotype, but their relationship to epigenetic and epistatic interactions is relatively unknown. Here, we report on a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse chromosome 1 for novelty-induced motor activity in the open field, using chromosome substitution strains derived from a high active host strain (C57BL/6J) and a low active donor strain (A/J). The QTL for open field (horizontal distance moved) peaked at the location of Kcnj9, however, QTL detection was initially masked by an interplay of both grandparent genetic origin and genetic co-factors influencing behavior on chromosome 1. Our fi...
Abstract Hereditary primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) may develop as a solitary endocrinopathy (FIHP) or as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 1, multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2A, or hereditary HPT-jaw tumor syndrome. Inactivating germline mutations of the tumor suppressor gene CDC73 account for 14 and 50% of all FIHP and HPT-JT patients, respectively, and have also been found in almost 20% of apparently sporadic parathyroid carcinoma patients. Although more than 60 independent germline mutations have been described, to date no rearrangement affecting the CDC73 locus has been identified. By means of multiplex-PCR we found a large germline deletion affecting the whole gene in a two-generation HPT-JT family. Subsequently array-CGH and specific PCR analysis determined that the muta...
In this paper, we have designed power system stabilizer (PSS) using object-oriented method. There are several types of power system stabilizer, A proportional-integral (PI) controller is very simple for practical implementation. Therefore it has been widely employed by the industry. The methods of obtaining the gains (Ki,Kp) of PI controller are root-locus method and sub-optimal regulator approach. But these methods are cannot be applicable to nonlinear system and faulted power system. So we proposed a new method which can be applied to nonlinear system by numerical analysis method. The method of dynamic system simulation by numerical method is very difficult and complex. We proposed flexible simulation method for complex power system analysis using object-oriented programming (OOP) and applied to PI controller design. (author). 7 refs., 14 figs., 2 tabs.
Lead is a heavy metal which is widely used in paint industry, pigments, dyes, electrical components and electronics, plastic chemicals and in various other things. Since some of the lead salts are soluble in water, lead presents a potential threat to aquatic organisms. Studies dealing with invertebrates include those on mortality, growth and lead uptake in Lymnaea palustris and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in oysters and mussels. Little information exists regarding the effect of lead on the fresh water crustaceans. Hence the present investigation has been undertaken to study the uptake and loss of lead on exposure to subtoxic levels or organic and inorganic lead.
Single doses of lead (trace to 445 mg/kg) were administered per os to suckling and adult mice. Both groups exhibited dose-independent lead retention when doses of 4 to 445 mg/kg were administered. However, developmental differences in the fraction of initial dose (FID) retained were evident for all doses administered. A much larger FID was retained in both age groups following administration of carrier-free /sup 203/Pb. The results are consistent with a mechanism of gastrointestinal lead absorption comprising two or more processes. Developmental differences were also observed in organ lead concentration relative to whole body concentration for kidneys, skull and brain 6 days following lead administration. Lead retentions (relative to whole body retention) in brain and in bone were linearly related to dose of lead administered in both ...
Full text.Lead is a toxic heavy metal. Nevertheless, it has been mined and used for more than 800 years. Among the different contemporary sources of lead pollution, emissions from the combustion of leaded gasoline is of particular concern, as it can constitutes more than 90 percent of total lead emissions into the atmosphere in congested urban areas. Concentrations of lead in air and blood are strongly correlated with gasoline lead content and traffic volume. As a result of the increasing awareness about the dangers of lead to human health and the measures to manage urban air pollution, the use of leaded gasoline has been decreasing worldwide. In Lebanon, in the absence of policies to reduce the use of lead in gasoline or to favor the use of unleaded gasoline, leaded gasoline is ...
Twenty-two landrace-derived inbred lines from the Spanish Barley Core Collection (SBCC) were found to display high levels of resistance to a panel of 27 isolates of the fungus Blumeria graminis that exhibit a wide variety of virulences. Among these lines, SBCC145 showed high overall resistance and a distinctive spectrum of resistance compared with the other lines. Against this background, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the genetic basis underlying such resistance using a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between SBCC145 and the elite spring cultivar Beatrix. The population was genotyped with the 1,536-SNP Illumina GoldenGate Oligonucleotide Pool Assay (Barley OPA-1 or BOPA1 for short), whereas phenotypic analysis was performed using two B. graminis isolates. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to both isolates was identified on the long arm of chromosome 6H (6HL) and accounted for ca. 60% of the phenotypic ...
A major regulatory element required for expression of the human [alpha]-globin genes is located 40 kb upstream of the embryonic [zeta]-globin gene. To understand how this and other locus control region (LCR) elements contribute to high-level expression in erythroid cells, we have performed high-resolution, in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting. In addition, we have modified the dimethyl sulfate-based ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction in vivo footprinting procedure to permit the assessment of interactions at guanine and adenine residues, rather than guanines alone. In vivo footprinting of the human [alpha]-LCR element carried on chromosome 16 in a mouse erythroleukemia cell environment revealed protein occupancy at GATA-1, AP-1/NF-E2, and CACC/GGTGG motifs, specific differences compared with in vitro protein binding, and distinct changes in one region upon dimethyl sulfoxide-induced cellular maturation. No protein contacts were detected in nonexpressing ...
Carbon isotope discrimination (?(13) C) is considered a useful indicator for indirect selection of grain yield (GY) in cereals. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the genetic variation in ?(13) C and its relationship with GY. A doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross of two common wheat varieties, Hanxuan 10 (H10) and Lumai 14 (L14), was phenotyped for ?(13) C in the flag leaf, GY and yield associated traits in two trials contrasted by water availability, specifically, rain-fed and irrigated. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified by single locus and two locus QTL analyses. QTLs for ?(13) C were located on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3B, 5A, 7A and 7B, and QTLs for other traits on all chromosomes except 1A, 4D, 5A, 5B and 6D. The population selected for high ?(13) C had an increased frequency of QTL for high ?(13) C, GY and number of spikes per plant (NSP) when grown under rain-fed conditions and only for high ?(13) C and NSP ...
Large-scale field tracer experiments have been conducted on Ulchin, Wolsung and Daeduk sites for the purpose of validating FADAS and of analyzing the environmental characteristics around the nuclear sites. The most influential factor in atmospheric dispersion is the meteorological condition. During the experiment, meteorological data were measured on the release point and the selected positions among sampling points. Once radioactive materials are released to the atmosphere, members of public may be exposed through the environmental media such as air, soil and foods. Therefore, to protect the public, adequate countermeasures should be taken at due time for those exposure pathways. both processes, of justification and optimization are applied to a countermeasure simultaneously for decision-making. The work scope of Biological research for the radiation protection had contained the search of biological microanalytic methods for assessing the health effect by {gamma}-radiation and toxic ...
Plasma is the component of blood from which lead is free to cross cell membranes and cause organ toxicity. Plasma lead levels, however, are extremely low and difficult to measure. Urinary lead originates...Full Text Available
The gastrointestinal absorption of lead was markedly increased in human subjects who had fasted before ingesting lead. Food in the gut was found to reduce lead absorption, and the effect of dietary constituents on /sup 203/Pb absorption was investigated. The greatest reduction in absorption was caused by minerals. This dependence of lead absorption on dietary constituents complicates the establishment of safe levels of lead in food and water.
This study was designed to quantitate the dose resulting from lead exposure during the critical periods of brain development during gestation by determining: (1) if blood lead concentration in rat dams is affected by pregnancy status or duration of lead exposure, (2) if lead concentration in fetuses is associated with the duration of dam exposure, (3) the rates of lead absorption and elimination in pregnant and nonpregnant dams; and (4) the effect that prebreeding exposure on lead kinetics in the dam and upon fetus blood lead concentrations. The results of experiments in which the dams' drinking water contained 50 mg/L lead indicate blood lead levels (after normalizing by water consumption on a body weight basis) of pregnant rats are significantly higher than blood lead levels of ...
The intracellular bioavailability of lead (Pb) at low dosage levels in major target organs such as the kidney and brain appears to be largely determined by complexation with a group of low molecular...Full Text Available
Experience with visual objects leads to later improvements in identification speed and accuracy (“repetition priming”), but generally leads to reductions in neural activity in single-cell...Full Text Available
In Japan, lead has been widely used for gasoline additives, inorganic chemicals such as pigment, lead pipes/plates, and coating materials of cable. Because of the steady increase in car population and the mounting of environmental concern, lead consumption ratio for lead-acid batteries is tending to increase gradually up to 70% with decreasing the consumption for gasoline additives. This paper describes the recycling of lead-acid batteries in Japan. Since the latter half of FY 1994, the battery manufacturing industry started the new lead recycling system. The recycling ratio of the used lead-acid batteries became 90% in 1996 from 84% in 1994. In near future, it can reach to 95%, the recycling ratio in some European countries. The primary smelting occupies 53%, and the secondary smelting occupies 47%. For the conventional method by secondary ...
Children are at higher risk from lead exposure because their developing neural system is susceptible to its neurotoxic effects. We studied lead levels of paints manufactured in Nigeria in 2006. Lead levels in 5 colors of paints, each from different manufacturers were measured using flame-atomic absorption spectroscopy. We found that 96% of the paints had higher than recommended levels of lead. The mean lead level of paints ranged from 84.8 to 50,000 ppm, with mean of 14,500 ppm and median of 15,800 ppm. The main determinant of lead levels was color of the paint. As lead levels in paint sold in the past years in Nigeria are likely to be at least as high as that currently sold, it is likely that many existing houses contain dangerously high levels of lead. Efforts need to be undertaken to assess the presence of high ...
The effect of blood lead on erythrocyte membrane proteins was studied in 28 workers from a scrap lead refining factory and in 18 controls working in railway construction. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide...Full Text Available
Nursing infants may be exposed to lead from breast milk, but relatively few data exist with which to evaluate and quantify this relationship. This route of exposure constitutes a potential infant hazard...Full Text Available
In-vitro experiments using 203Pb were performed to identify the lead binding components in human peripheral blood. The distribution of lead in plasma, in the red cell membrane, and within the red cell...Full Text Available
Some of the known toxic effects of lead in mammals including man are, impaired heme synthesis, anemia, nepatopathy, nephropathy, behavioral disorders and neuropathy. However, very little is known about the effect of lead on endocrine physiology. Some data are available on lead induced impairment of thyroid function in occupationally exposed men and experimental rats. As lead nitrate is largely consumed through water and food, in this study the wild rodents Funambulus pennanti were administered lead through their drinking water and their thyroid structure, radioiodine 131-I percentage uptake and protein bound iodine (PBI) level were assessed.
... Special Purpse Lead Azide Lot #I3A-4-62 ... Standard X-ray techniques are not sufficiently sensitive ... the National Bureau of Standards, and examined ...
A female employee was exposed to lead dust for 8 h daily from 4.5.1982 to 20.5.1982. During this time conception occurred (1st day of last menses 4.5.82). Acute symptoms of lead intoxication were not observed in this subject but were in other employees. Measurements of lead content were started after the end of exposure and continued for 6 months until normal values were obtained. Because of the half-life of nearly 20 days for lead elimination from blood the estimated body burden at the end of exposure was about 1200 ppb. The fetal tissue samples contained between 0.4 (brain) and 7.9 (liver) ..mu..g lead/g dry weight. The fetal lead was mainly stored in bone, blood and liver. From the results given a delayed elimination of fetal lead is suggested.
Lead is contained as trace element in uranium ores and propagates throughout the production process to intermediate products like yellow cake or uranium oxide. The lead isotopes in such material originate from two sources: natural lead and radiogenic lead. The variability of the isotopic composition of lead in ores and yellow cakes was studied and the applicability of this parameter for nuclear forensic investigations was investigated. Furthermore, the chemical impurities contained in these materials were measured in order to identify characteristic differences between materials from different mines. For the samples investigated, it could be shown, that the lead isotopic composition varies largely from mine to mine and it may be used as one of the parameters to distinguish between materials of different origins. Some of the chemical impurities show a similar ...
Passive films formed on Alloy UNS N06690 were investigated in simulated crevice chemistries. It was found the role of lead in corrosion processes is strongly dependent on the pH value of the testing solutions. At pH 1.5 the effect of lead is narrowly noticeable; while at pH 12.7, lead has a significant influence on the electrochemical performance of alloy UNS N06690. The lead alters the surface morphologies at both pH and account for higher hydroxide content in the surface film at pH 12.7. The lead incorporation hinders the formation of spinel oxides during the passivation in alkaline solution. Nanoindentation tests indicate a significant lead-induced degradation in the mechanical properties of passive films. The passivation degradation is attributed to detrimental effects of lead via interrupting the dehydration process and hindering the ...
Although it has been established that lead is transferred in milk from mother to suckling offspring, the physiological processes and parameters involved are not well understood. Single i.v. doses (0.2 mg/kg) or p.o. doses (2 mg/kg) of radiolabeled lead were administered to lactating and nonlactating female mice, and lead concentrations in blood, plasma, and milk were determined during a 21-day period. Large differences in lead elimination were observed between lactating and nonlactation mice. A significant fraction (25%) of the initial maternal dose (absorbed dose) was transferred to the suckling pups. The ratio of lead concentration in milk to lead concentration in plasma was found to be nearly constant over time. However, the milk-to-blood concentration ratios decreased during the same period. Furthermore, the concentration of lead in milk ...
The loss of lead in various kinds of biological materials after drying and ashing is studied by using "2"0"3Pb as tracer which is intravenously injected into mice. The experimental results show that although the oven ashing can be used for determining the lead in samples of lung, kidney, and liver, etc., the oxygen plasma and high pressure digestion are the most suitable methods for the determination of lead in biological materials. (author) 5 refs.; 2 tabs.
Lead-203 [52.1 h, 279 (80.1%) KeV] has been recognized as a potentially useful tracer for tumor specific radiopharmaceuticals due to its favorable nuclear and chemical properties. This paper reports the cyclotron production of lead-203 and the labelling of monoclonal antibody B72.3, conjugated with 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)DOTA, with lead-203 in 30% yield. In vivo biodistribution and stability studies in mice are being conducted.
Contents: Lead smelter operations generating SO2 and particulate; Sulfuric acid plant technology; Lead smelters with sulfuric acid plant SO2 control; Sulfuric acid plant operation with lead sinter machine problems and solutions; SO2 control for ASARCO lea...
The effect of a number of dietary and synthetic chelating agents on the intestinal absorption of lead has been examined using the everted sac preparation and the tracer isotope /sup 203/Pb. All the agents examined increased lead transport into the serosal compartment. An explanation of the way in which these agents modify the model to describe lead transport is proposed.
Premature Failure of a Riata Defibrillator Lead. A 63-year-old woman with a St. Jude Medical Riata 1570 right ventricular lead complained of intermittent hiccups 2 months after implant. Interrogation revealed elevated pacing threshold and diaphragmatic stimulation. Pacing and shock lead impedances remained stable. No inappropriate sensing was noted. Fluoroscopic examination of the lead revealed a thin radio-opaque wire seen between the 2 defibrillator coils away from the main body of the lead. After extraction, a tear in the insulation of the lead was noted allowing the inner wire to protrude. This case illustrates a novel mechanism of insulation failure without inappropriate sensing or impedance change.-(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 1070-1072, September 2011)
Studies on the kinetics of the distribution of lead-203 in body fluids have been carried out in vitro, and in animal studies using beagle dogs. In vitro, the distribution of carrier free lead-203 between plasma and cells of canine blood at 37"0C was measured after the addition of isotope. In animal studies, activity in plasma was measured for about 150 hours, and activity in blood cells, urine and feces measured for about 400 hours after exposure to lead-203. Linear compartmental models for distribution of the isotope are presented for both in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. The models contain compartments for both untransformed lead, for isotope added in saline or citric acid, and transformed lead, as obtained by lead-203 incubation in plasma.
The purpose of the Utility Applications Program is to provide information and assistance to interested utilities on central station energy storage systems. Compressed air and underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage are the primary technical focus. Smaller utilities are the primary targets of this program, as they may not have resources to track and utilize new energy conservation developments. The program, initiated during this year-long period, consists of a series of tasks integrating and supporting energy storage implementation. Program management and technical coordination activities monitor the wide range of research ongoing both under government support and in industry and provide a locus for dissemination of results. Recently completed DOE demonstration studies provide the central data base and the DOE CAES and UPH Technology Program activities provide another major resource. In addition a UPH preliminary feasibility study in coorination with Central ...
Mutations in the mouse formin (Fmn) gene, formerly known as the limb deformity (ld) gene, give rise to recessively inherited limb deformities and renal malformations or aplasia. The Fmn gene encodes many differentially processed transcripts that are expressed in both adult and embryonic tissues. To study the genomic organization of the Fmn locus, we have used Fmn probes to isolate and characterize genomic clones spanning 500 kb. Our analysis of these clones shows that the Fmn gene is composed of at least 24 exons and spans 400 kb. We have identified two novel exons that are expressed in the developing embryonic limb bud as well as adult tissues such as brain and kidney. We have also used a microsatellite polymorphism from within the Fmn gene to map it genetically to a 2.2-cM interval between D2Mit58 and D2Mit103. 36 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
Throughout their history, Americans have believed that citizens' fulfillment of their individual duties in a participatory democracy is at least partly met through the forming of groups around important societal issues. Given the complex nature of political socialization, this study investigated identifiable determinants of social action that might be used to advantage in educating young people for citizenship in a democracy. This study attempted to differentiate among junior high, high school and college students (N=517) who were inclined and not inclined to act on their concerns about nuclear threat with selected demographic, psychological, political, and educational variables. The results of a discriminant functional analysis indicated that in comparison with the non-action group, students in the action group were characterized by reporting less trust in government, more exposure to sources of nuclear war information, more political knowledge, a more liberal political orientation, ...
In experiments designed to detect new mutations affecting hemoglobin, we irradiated the male or female parent in reciprocal crosses of two mouse strains that differ in alleles at the hemoglobin (Hba, Hbb) loci as well as at five other specific loci. Offspring were analyzed for hemoglobin properties (electrophoretic pattern, solubility, crystal pattern), serum albumin differences, erythrocyte lysis, reticulocyte count, and external appearance. Five hemoglobin variants were found among the mutants. In three, the genetic contribution from the irradiated father was not expressed with regard to the #alpha#-chain; one carried a tandem duplication (the first known case in the mouse) involving Hbb; and one probably resulted from double nondisjunction of chromosome 7. The finding that major chromosome aberratios can mimic hemoglobin mutations indicates the need, in similar experiments, to follow F_1 screening with thorough cytogenetic analysis. The variants in which there is nonexpression of ...
Marmesin was isolated from the medicinal plant, Afraegle paniculata. Its cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in Chinese hamster V79 cells when sensitized to near ultraviolet (NUV) and long wavelength ultraviolet light or black light (BL) were assayed. Marmesin was extremely cytotoxic in the dark. This cytotoxicity was photoenhanced in NUV and BL; the photoenhanced lethality being higher in NUV than in BL. The LD/sub 50/ of marmesin under NUV and BL photosensitization were 0.002 ..mu..M and (0.012 ..mu..M), respectively. In the absence of NUV and BL, marmesin's LD/sub 50/ was 0.013 ..mu..M.NUV and BL without marmesin were not significantly cytotoxic at the fluence rates of 0.29 W/m/sup 2/ and 4.2 W/m/sup 2/, respectively, for up to 20 min. In contrast to the observed high cytotoxicity of marmesin, its mutagenicity at the HGPRT locus (Asub(z)Gsup(r)) was weak. The implication of this result in the high incidence of skin cancer in Nigeria in which A. paniculata is ...
Radixin is a cytoskeletal protein that may be important in linking actin to the plasma membrane. Recent cloning of the murine and porcine radixin cDNAs revealed a protein highly homologous to ezrin and moesin. The authors have cloned and sequenced the human radixin cDNA and found the predicted amino acid sequence for the human protein to be nearly identical to those predicted for radixin in the two other species. By Southern analyses of Chinese hamster x human somatic cell hybrid DNA and of PCR products derived from hybrids, the coding gene (RDX) was mapped to 11q. Fluorescence chromosomal in situ hybridization with a cDNA plasmid further localized this gene to band 11q23. However, PCR amplification with [open quotes]radixin-specific[close quotes] primers on the hybrid DNA panel yielded an additional, very similar DNA sequence that was further characterized by direct sequencing of PCR products. This sequence represents a truncated version and the respective locus ...
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a protease inhibitor that circulates in association with plasma lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL), helps to regulate the extrinsic blood coagulation cascade. The authors have cloned a 125-kb genomic region containing the entire human TFPI gene on six overlapping cosmids and prepared a restriction map of this contig to clarify gene structure. More than half (45 kb) of the 85-kb gene is occupied with 5[prime] noncoding elements: coding begins at exon 3. A HindIII RFLP identified with one cosmid was genotyped in the CEPH panel of 559 reference families. Linkage analysis using markers on human chromosome 2 located the TFPI gene on 2q, 36 cM proximal to D2S43(pYNZ15) and 13 cM distal to the crystalline [gamma]-polypeptide locus CRYGP1(p5G1). 31 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
Chemical analyses were done on the abnormal hemoglobins of the five (101 x SEC)F_1 offspring of X- irradiated adult SEC mice to determine which hemoglobin genes were expressed in each hemoglobin variant. Three offspring of irradiated SEC males did not express either of the two kinds of #alpha#-chains normally found in all SEC mice. The deficient #alpha#-chain synthesis caused these mice to exhibit an #alpha#-thalassemia similar to human #alpha#-thalassemia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show that many erythrocytes of mice with #alpha#-thalassemia have bizarre shapes; e.g. many erythrocytes appeared flattened or had thorny projections (acanthocytes). One mutant with a tandem duplication of a segment of chromosome 7 (site of locus determining #beta#-chain structure) produced twice as much SEC as 101 #beta#-chain polypeptides. One mutant that probably arose by non-disjunction of chromosome 7's in its unirradiated 101 mother and loss of chromosome 7 from the ...
The Drosophila hairy gene encodes a basic helix- loop-helix protein that functions in at least two steps during Drosophila development: (1) during embryogenesis, when it partakes in the establishment of segments, and (2) during the larval stage, when it functions negatively in determining the pattern of sensory bristles on the adult fly. In the rat, a structurally homologous gene (RHL) behaves as an immediate-early gene in its response to growth factors and can, like that in Drosophila, suppress neuronal differentiation events. Here, the authors report the genomic cloning of the human hairy gene homolog (HRY). The coding region of the gene is contained within four exons. The predicted amino acid sequence reveals only four amino acid differences between the human and rat genes. Analysis of the DNA sequence 5[prime] to the coding region reveals a putatitve untranslated exon. To increase the value of the HRY gene as a genetic marker and to assess its potential involvement in genetic ...
We construct two families of refinements of the (projectivized) support variety of a finite dimensional module $M$ for a finite group scheme $G$. For an arbitrary finite group scheme, we associate a family of {\\it non maximal rank varieties} $\\Gamma^j(G)_M$, $1\\leq j \\leq p-1$, to a $kG$-module $M$. For $G$ infinitesimal, we construct a finer family of locally closed subvarieties $V^{\\ul a}(G)_M$ of the variety of one parameter subgroups of $G$ for any partition $\\ul a$ of $\\dim M$. For an arbitrary finite group scheme $G$, a $kG$-module $M$ of constant rank, and a cohomology class $\\zeta$ in $\\HHH^1(G,M)$ we introduce the {\\it zero locus} $Z(\\zeta) \\subset \\Pi(G)$. We show that $Z(\\zeta)$ is a closed subvariety, and relate it to the non-maximal rank varieties. We also extend the construction of $Z(\\zeta)$ to an arbitrary extension class $\\zeta \\in \\Ext^n_G(M,N)$ whenever $M$ and $N$ are $kG$-modules of constant Jordan type.
This thesis enters the field of highly compressed materials equation of state studies. In particular, it focuses on the case of laser shock compressed iron. This work indeed aims at getting to the conditions of the earth's core, comprising a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The understanding of phenomena governing the core's thermodynamics and the geodynamic process requires the knowledge of iron melting line locus around the solid-liquid interface at 3.3 Mbar. Several experiments were performed to that extent. First, an absolute measurement of iron Hugoniot was obtained. Following is a study of partially released states of iron into a window material: lithium fluoride (LiF). This configuration enables direct access to compressed iron optical properties such as reflectivity and self-emission. Interface velocity measurement is dominated by compressed LiF optical properties and is used as a pressure gauge. Using a dual wavelength ...
We investigated the in vitro phenotypic transformation of human embryo (HE) cells that were repeatedly irradiated (7.5 cGy once a week) throughout their life-span. Irradiation was repeated until the cells had accumulated 195 cGy (equivalent to the 26th passage). Samples of cells were assayed for survival by colony formation, as well as for mutation at the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) locus and for transformation by focus formation. The life-span (mean number of population doublings) of multiply irradiated cells with a total dose of 97.5 cGy was slightly but significantly prolonged over that of controls. After HE cells had accumulated 195 cGy, the maximum number of divisions increased to 130-160% of the number in non-irradiated control cells. Transformed foci were not observed until cells had accumulated 97.5 cGy, and then increased with the increasing accumulation of radiation. However, no cells showed immortality or expressed a malignant ...
We report the isolation of cDNA clones for the mouse {alpha}7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (gene symbol Acra7), the only nicotinic receptor subunit known to bind a-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain. This gene may have relevance to nicotine sensitivity and to some electrophysiologic findings in schizophrenia. The mouse {alpha}7 subunit gene encodes a protein of 502 amino acids with substantial identity to the rat (99.6%), human (92.8%), and chicken (87.5%) amino acid sequences. The {alpha}7 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 7 near the p locus with the following gene order from proximal to distal: Myod1-3.5 {+-}1.7 cM-Gas2-0.9 cM {+-} 0.9 cM-D7Mit70-1.8 {+-} 1.2 cM- Acra7-4.4 {+-}1.0 cM-Hras1-ps11/Igf1r/Snrp2a. The human gene was confirmed to map to the homologous region of human chromosome 15q13-q14. 26 refs., 3 figs.
The malM locus of Streptococcus pneumoniae was cloned into one of the two PstI sites of the multicopy S. pneumoniae plasmid pMV158. To eliminate chromosomal transformants in the simultaneous selection for tetracycline resistance (coded by pMV158) and maltose utilization, the host cells contained a chromosomal deletion of the mal gene cluster. Two clones were isolated; one with a 3.3 kb insert (pLS70) which behaved like wild type with respect to maltose utilization, and another with a 2.9 kb insert (pLS69) which behaved as though it contained a down promoter mutation. Preliminary mapping of these clones by restriction analysis placed the 0.4kb deletion on a HindIII fragment in the interior of the chromosomal insert. The recombinant plasmids were able to transform over 50% of a recipient population to Mal/sup +/. Enzyme measurements of the clones indicated an overproduction of amylomaltase, constituting up to 10% of the total cellular protein, and supported the ...
The PMS2 gene encodes a protein that is involved in DNA mismatch repair and is mutated in a subset of patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). The previously published PMS2 cDNA sequence lack an upstream in-frame stop codon preceding the presumptive initiating methionine. To evaluate the 5` terminus of the PMS2 coding region further, we isolated additional cDNA clones, RT-PCR products, and the corresponding 5` genomic segment of the PMS2 locus. The PMS2 gene transcripts were found to have heterogeneous but colinear 5` termini, one of which contained an in-frame termination codon preceding the initiating methionine. In addition, a novel gene encoding a 34.5-kDa polypeptide was found to initiate transcriptionally within PMS2 from the opposite strand. 23 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is a complex biobehavioral phenotype which affects up to 8% of the general population and often impairs social, academic, and job performance. Its origins are heterogeneous, but a significant genetic component is suggested by family and twin studies. The murine strain, coloboma, displays a spontaneously hyperactive phenotype that is responsive to dextroamphetamine and has been proposed as a genetic model for ADHD. Coloboma is a semi-dominant mutation that is caused by a hemizygous deletion of the SNAP-25 and other genes on mouse chromosome 2q. To test the possibility that the human homolog of the mouse coloboma gene(s) could be responsible for ADHD, we have carried out linkage studies with polymorphic markers in the region syntenic to coloboma (20p11-p12). Five families in which the pattern of inheritance of ADHD appears to be autosomal dominant were studied. Segregation analysis of the traits studied suggested that the best fitting model was a ...
Lethal yellow (A{sup y}) is a mutation at the mouse agouti locus in chromosome 2 that causes a number of dominant pleiotropic effects, including a completely yellow coat color, obesity, an insulin-resistant type II diabetic condition, and an increased propensity to develop a variety of spontaneous and induced tumors. Additionally, homozygosity for A{sup y} results in preimplantation lethality, which terminates development by the blastocyst stage. The A{sup y} mutation is the result of a 170-kb deletion that removes all but the promoter and noncoding first exon of another gene called Raly, which lies in the same transcriptional orientation as agouti and maps 280 kb proximal to the 3{prime} end of the agouti gene. The authors present a model for the structure of the A{sub y} allele that can explain the dominant pleiotropic effects associated with this mutation, as well as the recessive lethality, which is unrelated to the agouti gene.
This human investigation of lead absorption from the lungs utilized two forms of lead, lead chloride and lead hydroxide; the former was used in picogram amounts and the latter at microgram levels. These two species of lead were selected in an attempt to simulate the range of physicochemical properties found in atmospheric lead (urban air). Aerosols labeled with lead-203 were made of comparable aerodynamic size by using sodium chloride as the deposition-determining aerosol. After brief, mouthpiece exposures, 17 subjects were followed by serial counting with a thoracic array of scintillation detectors and two leg counters. Serial blood samples were also taken. The two exposure groups showed similar total deposition values (23 vs 26%) and the same biological retention halftimes, viz., 22.6 hr. When the retention data were corrected for ...
Calcium and phosphorus were mainly responsible for reducing the gastrointestinal absorption of lead in human subjects. The effect of calcium was greater than phosphorus, and their combined effect was more than additive. Increasing weights of calcium and phosphorus progressively reduced lead absorption. The relationship between absorption and increasing weights could be described by two negative exponentials. These effects could be explained if lead competed with calcium and phosphorus for common transport mechanisms in the gut. Milk was also found to reduce lead absorption. Adding milk to the diet of people with low dietary calcium intake could reduce the possibility of increased absorption of ingested lead.
The publication is an economic evaluation of the Bureau of Mines electrolytic process for recovering lead from scrap lead-acid batteries. In this process, scrap batteries are crushed and separated into metal and sludge fractions. The metal fraction is cast as anodes and electro-refined. Lead in the sludge fraction is converted to lead carbonate by reaction with an ammonium carbonate-ammonium bisulfite solution. The lead carbonate is then dissolved in a fluosilicic acid electrolyte from which pure lead metal is electrowon. A cost estimate is presented for a plant capable of processing 10,000 scrap batteries per day. The fixed capital cost for the plant is estimated to be $14 million on a fourth quarter 1984 basis. Operating costs are estimated to be $0.15/lb Pb recovered. Assuming a lead selling price of $0.17/lb, the interest rate of return ...
Single doses of lead (trace to 445 mg/kg) were administered per os to suckling and adult mice. Both groups exhibited dose-independent lead retention when doses of 4 to 445 mg/kg were administered. However, developmental differences in the fraction of initial dose (FID) retained were evident for all doses administered. A much larger FID was retained in both age groups following administration of carrier-free "2"0"3Pb. The results are consistent with a mechanism of gastrointestinal lead absorption comprising two or more processes. Developmental differences were also observed in organ lead concentration relative to whole body concentration for kidneys, skull and brain 6 days following lead administration. Lead retentions (relative to whole body retention) in brain and in bone were linearly related to dose of lead administered in both suckling ...
In this project, graphite is used as a substitute for lead in order to maintain the machinability of plumbing components at the level of leaded brass. Graphite dispersed in Cu alloy was observed to impart good machinability and reduce the sizes of chips during machining of plumbing components in a manner similar to lead. Copper alloys containing dispersed graphite particles could be successfully cast in several plumbing fixtures which exhibited acceptable corrosion rate, solderability, platability, and pressure tightness. The power consumption for machining of composites was also lower than that of the matrix alloy. In addition, centrifugally cast copper alloy cylinders containing graphite particles were successfully made. These cylinders can therefore be used for bearing applications, as substitutes for lead-containing copper alloys. The results indicate that copper graphite alloys developed under this ...
The first cardiac pacemaker implants occurred in the late 1950s and involved insertion of epicardial or epimyocardial leads and abdominal pulse generators. By the mid 1960s, cardiologists were making attempts to insert transvenous leads into the right ventricle. These early unipolar leads had large, polished, high polarization electrodes, no fixation device, and no lumen in which to place a stylet for lead positioning. The lead implantation procedures were usually long and the irradiation to both patient and operator excessive. Pulse generators were powered by zinc-mercury cells, which were large, unreliable, and prone to sudden output failure. Postoperative complications such as lead dislodgement, exit block, and premature power source failure were very common with most patients requiring...
Experiments have been reported previously in which lead-212 ions with lead carrier were instilled into the lungs of anaesthetised rabbits. Experiments were also reported in which bismuth-207 chloride was instilled into rabbit lung. To check that the chloride compound was cleared in the same way as ions instilled in isolation, lead-203 chloride has been instilled in three rabbits. Measurements of absorption of ionic lead have been repeated using the radon-222 daughter, lead-214. Rates of clearance from the lung of "2"0"3Pb as the chloride and "2"1"2Pb ions are compared, and retention functions are derived. Clearance from the lung of "2"1"4Pb ions is also shown, and retention functions are derived. (U.K.).
The differing susceptibility of individuals to the toxic effects of chronic lead exposure has never been fully understood. As the major intake of lead in the human is from food and beverages, any variation between individuals of the quantity of lead absorbed from the gut, and of the distribution and excretion of this lead, may account for the differences in individual susceptibility. The food and beverages themselves may have an influence, and to investigate their effects on absorption, distribution and excretion of lead, experiments were performed on normal subjects using a short lived radionuclide of lead, "2"0"3Pb, and instruments generally available in Nuclear Medicine. Lead absorption between different individuals showed a wide variation when "2"0"3Pb was taken as a single dose between meals. Minerals were found to be mainly responsible ...
To predict the response of blood lead to airborne and dietary lead requires knowledge of the rate of uptake of lead into the body from lung and gut, its subsequent partitioning between compartments, the stay time in those compartments, and its redistribution or excretion. Tracer studies with volunteers have shown no differences in systemic distribution of inorganic lead between tissues whether it is taken by inhalation, ingestion or injection. Lead is rapidly transferred from plasma to red cells, and there is slower movement thence into liver and other soft tissues, to bone, and to excreta. Work at Harwell and elsewhere with /sup 203/Pb has shown that the initial rapid distribution leaves rather over half the assimilated lead attached to red cells. The result is remarkably consistent, and applies also to dogs and baboons. The renal clearance (Vu) (ratio of U to ...
Leaded gasoline has been used as fuel for trucks and automobiles in the United States since 1924; it has been implicated as a source of lead that is deposited on the soil and eventually can be ingested by small children, contributing to their burden of this toxic metal. The lead content of 667 surface-soil samples (taken at depths of 0-5 cm) and 159 subsurface-soil samples (from depths of 25-30 cm) collected from Illinois play areas near roads was measured and related to traffic variables. The samples were collected between June and October of 1985, and their measured lead levels exceeded the average natural background level for Illinois soil. The highest lead concentrations were found in samples from the six-county metropolitan Chicago region, where both traffic volume and traffic density are higher than in the rest of the state. Regression analysis showed significant correlation ...
The project is devoted to the development of novel insoluble anodes for copper electrowinning and electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) production. The anodes are made of titanium-lead composite material produced by techniques of powder metallurgy, compaction of titanium powder, sintering and subsequent lead infiltration. The titanium-lead anode combines beneficial electrochemical behavior of a lead anode with high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of a titanium anode. In the titanium-lead anode, the titanium stabilizes the lead, preventing it from spalling, and the lead sheathes the titanium, protecting it from passivation. Interconnections between manufacturing process, structure, composition and properties of the titanium-lead composite material were investigated. The material containing 20-30 vol.% of ...
BackgroundContrast-induced nephropathy is the leading cause of in-hospital acute renal failure. This side effect of contrast agents leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and health...Full Text Available
Proteins in the ALA-D (delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase) fraction from gel filtration of erythrocyte supernatant (ES) have the highest affinity for lead among erythrocyte constituents in vivo...Full Text Available
The present status of theoretical description of deep-inelastic lepton-nucleon as well as large angle Bhabha scattering with account for radiative corrections in the leading and next-to-leading approximations are reviewed. Also considered is a build-up principle and physical programme of the photon-photon colliders
Hypoxia–ischemia (H/I) in the premature infant leads to white matter injury termed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the leading cause of subsequent neurological deficits. Glutamatergic...Full Text Available
Lyophilized human whole blood control material containing lead was prepared for internal and external quality assurance to evaluate and improve the analytical performance of lead. The samples were prepared in four different concentrations from outdated human whole blood stabilized with glucose and a citrate/phosphate buffer and provided under clean room conditions to avoid contamination. The lyophilized samples are easy to reconstitute with water. The materials were evaluated according to a statistical model. The lead concentrations in the specimens are close to blood lead levels usually following environmental and industrial exposure, particular in occupational health to the control of lead exposure at work regulations. The materials are available to the commercial as well as the scientific community. The Danish External Quality Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) for ...
Retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis, are a leading cause of untreatable blindness with substantive impact on the quality of life of affected individuals...Full Text Available
The possibility of using lead or lead-bismuth mixed oxides as positive materials in organic electrolyte lithium cells with a working voltage similar to those of conventional systems (1.5 V) has been considered. Performances and main characteristics of this new class of lithium batteries are described.
In-vitro experiments using 203Pb were performed to identify lead-binding components in human haemoglobin. Sephadex A-50 ion-exchange chromatography of haemolysate showed that different types of haemoglobin...Full Text Available
BackgroundEvidence on human semen quality as it relates to exposure to various metals, both essential (e.g., zinc, copper) and nonessential (e.g., cadmium, lead), is inconsistent....Full Text Available
Gun barrel vibrations lead to dispersion in the shot patterns. Thus, reducing these vibrations should lead to increased accuracy. Since the muzzle is the anti-node for all vibration modes and its vibrations have the greatest effect on shot dispersion, it ...
...retardation, behavioral disorders or...blood. (3) Health protection goals...protecting your health. You are strongly...an independent analysis. The two...impairment of health. One of...although most cases of lead-induced...in the form of behavioral...
Titanate nanotubes were hydrothermally synthesized and their adsorption performances for lead(II) ion removal were studied. The results showed that titanate nanotubes ruptured in the adsorption process resulting in two distinct adsorption stages, thus achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 3.752mmolg^-^1 of lead(II). Furthermore, it was found that the regeneration of titanate nanotubes loaded with the lead(II) ions can be readily achieved using the saturated EDTA disodium salt aqueous solution, thereby avoiding the trouble of disposal of adsorbent. The adsorption mechanism was also discussed in detail.
A method is proposed for the quantitative isolation of radiothallium in gas form from proton-bombarded lead of mass up to 20 g. The molten lead is kept at about 800 K in hydrofluoric-acid vapor (HF/H/sub 2/O approx. = 1) at a reduced pressure (less than or equal to4 Pa). We used 99.9% lead with the U-240 cyclotron at the Nuclear Research Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, or the phasotron at the Join Nuclear Research Institute, which gave protons at 65 and 680 MeV correspondingly.
A method is proposed for the quantitative isolation of radiothallium in gas form from proton-bombarded lead of mass up to 20 g. The molten lead is kept at about 800 K in hydrofluoric-acid vapor (HF/H_2O #approx =# 1) at a reduced pressure (#<=#4 Pa). We used 99.9% lead with the U-240 cyclotron at the Nuclear Research Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, or the phasotron at the Join Nuclear Research Institute, which gave protons at 65 and 680 MeV correspondingly.
Computational fluid dynamics(CFD) code FLUENT was used to simulate the thermal hydraulic processes occurring in conceptual design of the accelerator-driven subcritical reactor(ADSR) liquid lead target. The purpose of the analysis is to investigate the thermal hydraulic characteristics of liquid lead as ADSR target material with various target geometries and injection locations of proton beam. In the calculation analysis, the local temperature of the liquid lead target rises to the boiling temperature very rapidly. When the proton beam is injected from the bottom of the target system, the duration time to reach the boiling temperature is longer and the temperature distribution is flatter than other cases.
Production of lead-203 by proton irradiation of bismuth metal has been investigated as a replacement method for commercially available lead-203. Targets of bismuth metal (0.1 cm thick) were irradiated for periods of 1-3 hours with 90 MeV protons. After processing of the target, the estimated yield of lead-2-3 was 30 millicuries/microamp.
The use of Chelex resin for the synthesis of radioactive lead complexes has been explored. The process involved immobilization of {sup 203}Pb on the resin and subsequent elution of complexed lead by chelating agents. {sup 203}Pb complexes derived from meso- and racemic dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA, rac-DMSA) were prepared and assessed for stability in vitro.
The use of Chelex resin for the synthesis of radioactive lead complexes has been explored. The process involved immobilization of "2"0"3Pb on the resin and subsequent elution of complexed lead by chelating agents. "2"0"3Pb complexes derived from meso- and racemic dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA, rac-DMSA) were prepared and assessed for stability in vitro.
The kinetics of lead distribution was studied in suckling and adult rats 8 days after a single intraperitoneal injection of "2"0"3Pb. Marked differences were observed in the kinetics of lead retention and distribution in suckling as compared to adult rats. The rate of "2"0"3Pb disappearance was lower in the whole body, blood and kidneys, but higher in the liver, while the deposition processes predominated in the brain, femur and teeth of sucklings as compared to adult animals. (auth).
The distribution of carrier free lead-203 between plasma and cells of canine blood in vitro was measured. Activity in the plasma decreased to less than 5% of the initial blood activity during the first 15 min and then exponentially with a half time of 160 min. Incubation in cell free plasma before addition to whole blood transformed the isotope, decreasing the amount subsequently associated with cells. In animal studies, activity was measured in plasma, blood cells, urine, and feces after exposure to lead-203. In one group, the animals were exposed by intravenous injection of dilute citric acid solutions of isotope. In a second group, carrier free isotope which had been transformed by incubation in plasma was injected intravenously. The kinetics of the distribution of the isotope differed between the two experimental groups. After injection of the transformed lead, the lead-203 content of the blood cell ...
A procedure for the determination of lead in various biological and environmental samples by "2"0"3Pb radioisotope dilution substoichiometric method is presented. The accuracy of the method by comparison with the literature values of reference materials appears to be good. The standard deviation of the method is less than 10%, and detection limit is about 0.1 #mu#g of lead. (author) 5 refs.
The relationship of lead exposure to blood pressure has been examined in a longitudinal study of a cohort of 89 Boston, Massachusetts, policemen. At the baseline examination, subjects had a blood lead determination and three consecutive blood pressure measurements. Triplicate blood pressure measurements were also taken at years 3, 4, and 5. Multivariate analysis revealed that, after correction for previous systolic blood pressure, body mass index, age, and smoking, a high level of blood lead was a significant predictor of subsequent elevation of systolic pressure. Bootstrap simulations of these models provided supporting evidence for the observed associations. These data suggest that lead exposure can significantly affect systolic pressure.
Water and soil samples from the area were therefore analyzed for their lead and zinc content. Computation of pollution statuses of lead and zinc revealed topsoil lead geoaccumulation indices of ?0.143 and ?0.069 and zinc geoaccumulation indices of 1.168 and 0.713 for Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. The pollution indices were determined to be 0.499 and 0.3564 for soil in Ishiagu and Uburu respectively and also 5.11 and 2.42 for water in Ishiagu and Uburu communities respectively. Water/soil concentration ratio were found to be 0.0018 and 0.0014 for lead in Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. On the other hand, the water/soil concentration ratio for zinc was computed to be 0.001 and 0.0008 for Ishiagu and Uburu respectively. These results seem to suggest that the pollution of the environment by ...
The dithiocarbamate and thiuram compounds, including disulfiram, were compared for their efficacies in influencing tissue distribution of a trace dose of intravenously injected lead plus "2"0"3Pb in rats. The tested compounds were sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC), tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram), a complex of zinc and manganese ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (mancozeb), manganese ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (maneb), sodium monomethyldithiocarbamate (metham), zinc propylene bisdithiocarbamate (propineb), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (thiram), zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (zineb), and zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ziram). The results of this study show that interactions can occur between lead and DEDTC, DMDTC, disulfiram, metham, thiram, and ziram, resulting in increased levels of lead in brain and probably potentiation of the neurotoxic effects of lead.
Biosorption of lead from aqueous solutions by living and immobilized cell of C. freundii was examined as a function of metal concentration in a batch laboratory bioreactor. Lead concentrations were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). X-ray Energy Dispersion (EDX) analyses were made in order to determine the accumulation of lead on the cells and shell surfaces. Before and after the experiments the biomaterials and adsorbents were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Biosorption was detected over a range of initial lead concentrations from 25{times}10{sup -3} to 200{times}10{sup -3} kg/m{sup 3}. 15 refs., 4 figs.
A review is presented of the literature through 1977 on the uses of radioactive lead isotopes in metabolic studies in man, animals, and plants. These studies have been done mainly with the naturally-occurring, long-lived (22-yr half life) "2"1"0Pb, but a few were with 53-hr "2"0"3Pb or 10.6-hr "2"1"2Pb. Such studies have made possible estimates of the metabolic parameters of lead in man and animals, such as intestinal absorption, the ratio of fecal-to-urinary excretion of endogenous lead, residence time of lead in the body and in various organs, and the distribution in the body (skeleton, liver, kidney, and blood). Subsequently, these parameters and data have been used to trace the sources of lead for man, such as those from the atmosphere, food, cigarette smoke, and automobile exhaust.
The effects of lead on the development of the nervous system are of immediate concern to human health. While it is clear that lead can affect neuronal development at levels of exposure within the range found in the environment, the particular mechanism of the disruption is not readily ascertained. The goal of the authors research is to develop a model system in which the effects of lead on central nervous system development can be demonstrated. To study neuronal development in a system that minimizes such difficulties, the authors have grafted discrete brain regions derived from rat fetuses into the anterior chamber of the eye of adult hosts. The brain pieces continue organotypic development in the eye, but are isolated from possible secondary changes due to alterations in the development of the endocrine and other somatic systems because the adult host has these systems already fully developed. Using this system, they have ...
A number of preparations of residual non-living brewery yeast were examined for their ability to remove lead from solution. Those preparations included washed and un-washed intact yeast and washed and un-washed homogenates of the yeast cells. Using biosorption isotherm analysis it was found that the washed and un-washed preparations of intact, non-living yeast exhibited maximum biosorption capacities for lead of 127 and 99 mg/g dry weight biomass, respectively. The washed and un-washed cell homogenates exhibited maximum biosorption capacities of 38 and 139 mg lead/g dry weight biomass, respectively. Since it had previously been shown that these preparations of biomass were capable of removing uranium from solution by combined biosorption and precipitation processes, it was decided to examine removal of lead from solution using a form of equilibrium dialysis in which the biomass was retained within a ...
With information revolution, increased globalization and competition, supply chain has become longer and more complicated than ever before. These developments bring supply chain management to the forefront of the managements attention. Inventories are very important in a supply chain. The total investment in inventories is enormous, and the management of inventory is crucial to avoid shortages or delivery delays for the customers and serious drain on a companys financial resources. The supply chain cost increases because of the influence of lead times for supplying the stocks as well as the raw materials. Practically, the lead times will not be same through out all the periods. Maintaining abundant stocks in order to avoid the impact of high lead time increases the holding cost. Similarly, maintaining fewer stocks because of ballpark lead time may lead to shortage of stocks. This ...
A highly reliable screening method was developed for the determination of lead in tin plated layers and tin-bismuth plated layers. The contents of lead in the layers of the various samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The calibration curve for lead in the tin and tin-bismuth plated layers by using WD-XRF exhibited linear correlation from 130 #mu#g/g to 2070 #mu#g/g. Calibration curve of lead normalized with Pb-L#alpha#/Sn-K#alpha# intensity was more linear, and this method was possible to evaluate very small sample. The calibration curve for lead in the tin plated layers by using ED-XRF was good linearly, but it for lead in the tin-bismuth plated layers was affected by Pb-L#alpha# spectrum and Bi-L#alpha# spectrum overlap each other. It was effective for decreasing affect of Bi-L#alpha# spectrum by using curve ...
San Francisco bus drivers have an increased prevalence of hypertension. This study examined relationships between blood lead concentration and blood pressure in 342 drivers. The analysis reported in this study was limited to subjects not on treatment for hypertension (n = 288). Systolic and diastolic pressure varied from 102 to 173 mm Hg and from 61 to 105 mm Hg, respectively. The blood lead concentration varied from 2 to 15 ..mu..g/dL. The relationship between blood pressure and the logarithm of blood lead concentration was examined using multiple regression analysis. Covariates included age, body mass index, sex, race, and caffeine intake. The largest regression coefficient relating systolic blood pressure and blood lead concentration was 1.8 mm Hg/ln (..mu..g/dL). The coefficient for diastolic blood pressure was 2.5 mm Hg/ln (..mu..g/dL). These findings suggest effects of lead ...
Using the phasmid vector pSL5, the genomic DNA fragment of T. aquaticus YT1 which contained the thermostable DNA polymerase (Taq-polymerase) gene was cloned. The BglII fragment of this genome locus was subcloned in the BamHI site of the pUC19 plasmid. To optimize the Taq-polymerase gene expression in E. coli cells, the gene was cloned in the correct reading frame regarding the initiation ATG codon of the pPR-TGATG-1 expression vector. The gene expression in this vector was controlled by the phage lambda PR promoter and the temperature-sensitive phage lambda repressor. We used PCR to amplify the short 5'-end fragment of the Taq-polymerase gene coding for the part into which an artificial SacI site was introduced. This site has been used for cloning the PCR product into the pPR-TGATG-1 vector, and the missing gene part was cloned into the KpnI site of the PCR product from the natural cloned gene. The cells of the E. coli PVG-A1 strain, which was obtained in the end, ...
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor {alpha}7 subunit is a member of a family of ligand-gated ion channels, and is the only subunit know to bind {alpha}-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain. {alpha}-Bungarotoxin binding sites are known to be more abundant in the hippocampus of mouse strains that are particularly sensitive to nicotine-induced seizures. The {alpha}7 receptor is highly permeable to calcium, which could suggest a role in synaptic plasticity in the nervous system. Auditory gating deficiency, an abnormal response to a second auditory stimulus, is characteristic of schizophrenia. Mouse strains that exhibit a similar gating deficit have reduced hippocampal expression of the {alpha}7 subunit. We have cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA for the mouse {alpha}7 gene (Acra-7) and characterized its gene structure. The murine {alpha}7 shares amino acid identity of 99% and 93% with the rat and human {alpha}7 subunits, respectively. Using an interspecies backcross panel, the ...
A semiquantitative assay was developed and used to measure the effects of immune responses against 16 independent non-H-2 antigenic loci on erythropoietic stem cells. The assay compares repopulation in genetically anemic WBB6F1-W/Wv recipients that have normal immune responses, and in lethally irradiated WBB6F1 +/+ mice whose immune responses are suppressed by the irradiation. The differences in repopulating ability between these two types of recipients measure how immune responses affect erythropoietic stem cells. Stem cell repopulating abilities for the cells with antigens specified by the Thy-1, H-1, H-24, Ly-1, H-37, and H-17 loci were affected slightly, if at all. Repopulating abilities were moderately reduced by responses against antigens specified by H-15, 16, Ea-2, and Ly-2, 3 loci, and against the differences between the B6 and B10 genotypes, although marrow of these types cured W/Wv recipients. A surprising result occurred for the antigen specified by the H-8 ...
We report an analysis of four strains of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using biocavity laser spectroscopy. The four strains are grouped in two pairs (wild type and altered), in which one strain differs genetically at a single locus, affecting mitochondrial function. In one pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho0 strain differ by complete removal of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In the second pair, the wild-type rho+ and a rho- strain differ by knock-out of the nuclear gene encoding Cox4, an essential subunit of cytochrome c oxidase. The biocavity laser is used to measure the biophysical optic parameter Deltalambda, a laser wavelength shift relating to the optical density of cell or mitochondria that uniquely reflects its size and biomolecular composition. As such, Deltalambda is a powerful parameter that rapidly interrogates the biomolecular state of single cells and mitochondria. Wild-type cells and mitochondria produce Gaussian-like distributions ...
Airbag pressure vessels for the north-American market mainly are made by forging and by the use of steel alloys. In Europe aluminum alloys are common and the manufacturing process is extrusion of circular blanks - made from cold rolled plates - in a form applying a 100 t press at room temperature. Then by heat treatment the strength/hardness of the material is properly adjusted and after that the pressure vessel parts have to be continuously inspected with an inspection and handling cycle time of 3 s. Inspection of the axis-symmetric parts is asked for surface breaking extrusion defects as well as for surface parallel delaminations in the bulk volume. Furthermore, the material strength is a quality characteristic that has to be nondestructively registered and documented. The inspection is performed by eddy current probes and an EMAT, of which the eddy current impedance measurements are used for surface breaking extrusion defect detection and sizing (single frequency technique with ...
This dissertation deals with the control of active power flow, or load flow in electric power systems. During the last few years, interest in the possibilities to control the active power flows in transmission systems has increased significantly. There is a number of reasons for this, coming both from the application side - that is, from power system operations - and from the technological side. where advances in power electronics and related technologies have made new system components available. Load flow control is by nature a multi-input multi-output problem, since any change of load flow in one line will be complemented by changes in other lines. Strong cross-coupling between controllable components is to be expected, and the possibility of adverse interactions between these components cannot be rejected straightaway. Interactions with dynamic phenomena in the power system are also a source of concern. Three controllable components are investigated in this thesis, namely the ...
Familial Angelman syndrome (AS) can result from mutations in chromosome 15q11q13 that, when transmitted from father to child, result in no phenotypic abnormality but, when transmitted from mother to child, cause AS. These mutations therefore behave neither as dominant nor as recessive mutations but, rather, show an imprinted mode of inheritance. The authors have analyzed two sibling pairs with AS and a larger family with four AS offspring of three sisters with several recently described microsatellite polymorphisms in the AS region. AS siblings inherited the same maternal alleles at the GABRB3 and GABRA5 loci, and the unaffected siblings of AS individuals inherited the other maternal alleles at these loci. In one of the AS sibling pairs, analysis of a recombination event indicates that the mutation responsible for AS is distal to locus D15S63. This result is consistent with a previously described imprinted submicroscopic deletion causing AS, a deletion that ...
By polymerase chain reaction with arbitrary primer (AP-PCR), the possibility of transmission of genome instability to somatic cells of the offspring (F_1 generation) from male parents of mice exposed to chronic low-dose #gamma#-radiation was studied. Male mice 15 days after exposure to 10-50 cGy were mated with unirradiated females. Biopsies were taken from tale tips of two month-old mice progeny for DNA separation. Primer in the AP-PCR was 20-mer oligonucleotide flanking the micro-satellite locus Atplb2 on chromosome 11 of the mouse. Comparative analysis of individual fingerprints of AP-PCR products on DNA-templates from the offspring of irradiated and unirradiated male mice revealed an increased variability of micro-satellite-associated sequences in the genome of the offspring of males exposed to 25 and 50 cGy. DNA-fingerprints of the offspring of male mice exposed to chronic irradiation doses 10 and 25 cGy. 15 days before fertilization (at the post-meiotic stage ...
PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly virulent malignancy with no effective treatment thus requiring innovative and effective targeted therapies. The oncogene Astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) plays a seminal role in hepatocarcinogenesis and profoundly downregulates insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7 (IGFBP7). The present study focuses on analyzing potential tumor suppressor functions of IGFBP7 in HCC and the relevance of IGFBP7 downregulation in mediating AEG-1 function.EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: IGFBP7 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in HCC tissue microarray and real-time PCR and ELISA in human HCC cell lines. Dual Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to detect loss of heterozygosity at IGFBP7 locus. Stable IGFBP7-overexpressing clones were established in the background of AEG-1-overexpressing human HCC cells and were analyzed for in vitro proliferation and senescence and in vivo tumorigenesis and ...
The sterile insect release technique can often be improved by removal of females before release. Rearing efficiencies can also be increased if removal of the females occurs at early developmental stages. In order to begin to develop genetic sexing strains for the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), it was necessary to determine the best dosage of radiation for induction of viable sex linked recessive lethal mutations and to see if stocks containing induced sex linked lethals could be maintained in culture. Sex linked recessive lethal mutations can be detected by distorted sex ratios in the progeny of treated adults. However, in the pink bollworm, highly distorted sex ratios are common even in the absence of induced mutations. Therefore, a visible sex linked trait, purple eye, was used as a marker for the untreated X-chromosomes in crosses. Thus, the presence of a recessive sex linked lethal mutation induced by the radiation treatment may be detected by the combination ...
HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES IN HUMANS TYPICALLY INVOLVE TWO TYPES OF GENETIC CHANGES: those that promote hematopoietic cell proliferation and survival (often the result of activation of tyrosine kinases) and those that impair hematopoietic cell differentiation (often the result of changes in transcription factors). The multi-stage erythroleukemia induced in mice by Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) is an excellent animal model for studying the molecular basis for both of these changes. Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis for the multi-stage erythroleukemia induced by Friend SFFV. In the first stage of leukemia, the envelope protein encoded by SFFV interacts with and activates the erythropoietin (Epo) receptor and the receptor tyrosine kinase sf-Stk in erythroid cells, causing their Epo-independent proliferation, differentiation and survival. In the second stage, SFFV integration into the Sfpi1 locus activates the myeloid ...
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death (PCD), is a fundamental process that protects organismal integrity. In earlier work, we demonstrated that over-expression of either of two anti-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 family (BCL-2 or BCL-X L could elevate the frequency of radiation-induced mutations at the autosomal TK1 locus in human TK6 lymphoblasts that express wild-type TP53. Ectopic expression of BCL-X L also elevated the frequencies of double-strand break-induced gene conversion. The purpose of this study is to determine if BCL-2 family proteins promote radiation mutagenesis indirectly through their suppression of PCD, or whether the 'pro-mutagenic' function of these proteins can be separated from their anti-apoptotic function. We developed stable transfectants of TK6 cells that express a mutated form of BCL-X L with a single amino acid substitution in the BH1 domain that is known to interfere with the ability to suppress PCD (BCL-X L gly159ala). We also developed ...
The chromosomal region 17q12-q21 contains a gene (BRCA1) conferring susceptibility to early-onset familial breast and ovarian cancer. An 8000-rad radiation-reduced hybrid (RH) panel was constructed to provide a resource for long-range mapping of this region. A large fraction of the hybrids ([approximately]90%) retained detectable human chromosome 17 sequences. The complete panel of 76 hybrids was scored for the presence or absence of 22 markers from this chromosomal region, including 14 cloned genes, seven microsatellite repeats, and one anonymous DNA segment. Statistical analysis of the marker retention data employing multipoint methods provided both comprehensive and framework maps of this chromosomal region, including distance estimates between adjacent markers. The comprehensive RH map includes 17 loci and spans 179 cRays[sub (8000)]. Likelihood ratios of at least 1000:1 support the 10-locus framework order: cen-D17S250-ERBB2-(THRA1, ...
Seed dormancy is an adaptive mechanism and an important agronomic trait. Temperature during seed development strongly affects seed dormancy in wheat (Triticum aestivum) with lower temperatures producing higher levels of seed dormancy. To identify genes important for seed dormancy, we used a wheat microarray to analyze gene expression in embryos from mature seeds grown at lower and higher temperatures. We found that a wheat homolog of MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1 (MFT) was upregulated after physiological maturity in dormant seeds grown at the lower temperature. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that MFT was exclusively expressed in the scutellum and coleorhiza. Mapping analysis showed that MFT on chromosome 3A (MFT-3A) colocalized with the seed dormancy quantitative trait locus (QTL) QPhs.ocs-3A.1. MFT-3A expression levels in a dormant cultivar used for the detection of the QTL were higher after physiological maturity; this increased expression correlated with a ...
This human investigation of lead absorption from the lungs utilized two forms of lead, lead chloride and lead hydroxide; the former was used in picogram amounts and the latter at microgram levels. These two species of lead were selected in an attempt to simulate the range of physicochemical properties found in atmospheric lead (urban air). Aerosols labeled with lead-203 were made of comparable aerodynamic size (MMAD 0.25 ..mu..m +- 0.1) by using sodium chloride as the deposition-determining aerosol. After brief, mouthpiece exposures, 17 subjects were followed by serial counting with a thoracic array of 12 2-in. scintillation detectors and two 2-in. leg counters, all coupled to single channel analyzers. Serial blood samples were also taken. The two exposure groups showed similar total deposition values (23 vs 26%) and the same biological ...
The distribution of i.v. administered lead (/sup 203/Pb-acetate; 50 nmol/kg b.w.) was studied by means of autoradiography and impulse counting in pregnant C57BL mice (day 18) treated orally with dithiocarbamates. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), disulfuram or thiram (2 X 1) mmol/kg b.w.) or vehicle (gelatine) alone, was given by gavage 2 h before and immediately after the injection of lead. All three dithiocarbamates, especially thiram, changed the distribution pattern of lead. Thiram and DEDTC had the greatest effect at 4 h after lead administration, disulfiram at 24 h. In the mother, most notably the brain concentration increased (70-fold for thiram at 4 h) while that of erythrocytes and skeleton decreased (50- and 4-fold, respectively). The total fetal concentration unexpectedly showed only a moderate increase (proportional 2-fold for thiram), which may be due partly to the low maternal plasma ...
The distribution of i.v. administered lead ("2"0"3Pb-acetate; 50 nmol/kg b.w.) was studied by means of autoradiography and impulse counting in pregnant C57BL mice (day 18) treated orally with dithiocarbamates. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), disulfuram or thiram (2 X 1) mmol/kg b.w.) or vehicle (gelatine) alone, was given by gavage 2 h before and immediately after the injection of lead. All three dithiocarbamates, especially thiram, changed the distribution pattern of lead. Thiram and DEDTC had the greatest effect at 4 h after lead administration, disulfiram at 24 h. In the mother, most notably the brain concentration increased (70-fold for thiram at 4 h) while that of erythrocytes and skeleton decreased (50- and 4-fold, respectively). The total fetal concentration unexpectedly showed only a moderate increase (proportional 2-fold for thiram), which may be due partly to the low maternal plasma ...
The dose-dependent transfer of [sup 203]Pb to milk and uptake in suckling rats and mice during a three-day nursing period was studied. On day 14 of lactation, the dams were administered a single intravenous dose of lead, labelled with [sup 203]Pb, in four or five doses from 0.0005 to 2.0 mg Pb/kg b.wt. There was a linear relationship between Pb levels in plasma and milk of both species. The Pb milk: plasma ratios at 24 hr after administration were 119 and 89 in mice and rats, respectively. At 72 hr the Pb milk: plasma ratio had decreased to 72 in mice and 35 in rats. The tissue levels of lead in the suckling rats and mice were also linearly correlated with lead concentration in milk at 72 hr, showing that milk could be used as an indicator of lead exposure to the suckling offspring. It is concluded that lead is transported into rat and mouse milk to a very high extent and the ...
In-vitro experiments using "2"0"3Pb were performed to identify the lead binding components in human peripheral blood. The distribution of lead in plasma, in the red cell membrane, and within the red cell was also investigated. Studies of the distribution of "2"0"3Pb in the whole blood showed that at a lead concentration of 2.45 #mu#mol/l (50 #mu#g/100 ml) about 94% of lead had been incorporated by the erythrocytes and 6% remained in the plasma. After extraction of lipid by a methanol/chloroform mixture, about 75% of the lead was found to be associated with the protein fraction. The lipid contained about 21% of the "2"0"3Pb, the remainder being in the aqueous plasma. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of blood plasma showed that almost 90% of the "2"0"3Pb was present in the albumin fraction; the remainder was likely to be associated with high molecular weight globulins. Several ...
In the heat exchangers of power plants, scale deposition may occur, especially at the leading edge of contraction. The growth of scale can lead to an increase in pressure and cause oscillation of the water level. In our previous study, the dependence of flow on contraction geometry was analyzed numerically and empirically. It was shown that the contraction ratio of hydraulic diameter of the flow path contributed greatly to the difference in pressure drop and turbulent kinetic energy at the leading edge of the flow path. In this study, the effect of contraction geometry and flow rate on scale adhesion was studied in AVT chemistry at 270degC using a high-velocity scale-adhesion test loop. The differential pressure and the amount of scale deposited due to scale adhesion at the leading edge of the flow path increased more in a quatrefoil-type flow path than in drill-type flow path. The differential pressure ...
This study deals with the adsorption and desorption of lead (c <= 10/sup -8/ - 10/sup -3/ M), labelled with /sup 212/Pb or /sup 210/Pb, on glass in relation to pH and composition of the solution, concentration of lead and time. The prevailing mechanism of the adsorption in the pH range from 3 to 8 is the ion exchange of Pb/sup 2 +/ and PbOH/sup +/ ions in electric double layer on the surface of glass. At the higher pH values lead (c <= 10/sup -8/ - 10/sup -6/ M) is adsorbed mainly by physical adsorption or chemisorption of its hydrolyzed forms. A rather high adsorption capacity of glass, exceeding 3.10/sup -9/ M/cm/sup 2/, has been found in neutral solutions for the cationic forms of lead. The adsorbed lead can be easily desorbed with the solution of 1 M nitric acid.
The bullet evidence in the JFK assassination investigation was reexamined from metallurgical and statistical standpoints. The questioned specimens are comprised of soft lead, possibly from full-metal-jacketed Mannlicher-Carcano, 6.5-mm ammunition. During lead refining, contaminant elements are removed to specified levels for a desired alloy or composition. Microsegregation of trace and minor elements during lead casting and processing can account for the experimental variabilities measured in various evidentiary and comparison samples by laboratory analysts. Thus, elevated concentrations of antimony and copper at crystallographic grain boundaries, the widely varying sizes of grains in Mannlicher-Carcano bullet lead, and the 5-60 mg bullet samples analyzed for assassination intelligence effectively resulted in operational sampling error for the analyses. This deficiency was not considered in the original ...
Despite successful reduction of the general lead exposure, this heavy metal is still a matter of public concern due to the fact that associations with intellectual impairment or delayed puberty are found to correlate with very low lead blood concentrations. Lead in tap water is still an important contribution to lead exposure which may cause health risk for infants. Therefore, lead pipes should be completely sanitated by exchange against pipes made from more healthy materials. (orig.) [German] Trotz erfolgreicher Reduktion der allgemeinen Belastung ist Blei auch heute noch umweltmedizinisch relevant, weil es moeglicherweise bei niedrigeren als bisher angenommenen Belastungen gesundheitlich nachteilige Wirkungen, insbesondere waehrend der fruehkindlichen Entwicklung des Nervensystems, ausloest. Insbesondere Blei aus bleiernen Trinkwasserleitungen ist eine Belastung, die fuer ...
The bioavailability of lead was studied in rats fed various baby foods (Babymix-turkey, Babymix-vegetables, Frutolino-fruit, Frutamix-bananas, Babyron-S-26, Truefood), cow's milk, bread, liver and standard rat diet. Lead absorption was determined by measuring the whole body retention of "2"0"3Pb 6 days after a single oral application. Highest absorption values ranging from 17 to 20% were obtained in animals fed cow's milk and fruit foods. Rats on other human diets absorbed between 3 and 8% of the radioactive lead dose. Only in animals on rat diet lead absorption was below 1%. It is concluded that rats fed human diets show absorption values similar to those in humans. This might indicate that the bioavailability of lead is primarily dependent on dietary habits. This experimental model, if confirmed by further work, might be useful for obtaining preliminary data on the bioavailability ...
Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), secondary electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray analysis have been applied to the measurement of U-bearing particles with the intent of gleaning information concerning their history and/or origin. The lead isotopic abundances are definitive indicators that U-bearing particles have come from an ore-body, even if they have undergone chemical processing. SEM images and X-ray analysis can add further information to the study that may allude to the extent of chemical processing. The presence of 'common' lead that does not exhibit a radiogenic signature is clear evidence of anthropogenic origin. (author)
A simple highly efficient procedure has been developed for recovery of thallium radioisotopes from lead and bismuth targets irradiated by 1-GeV protons. The procedure is based on the use of extraction chromatography. The cross-sections have been determined for formation of {sup 200}Pb, {sup 201}Pb, {sup 202m}Pb, and {sup 203}Pb radioisotopes in targets from lead with natural isotopic composition, irradiated by 1-GeV protons.
A simple highly efficient procedure has been developed for recovery of thallium radioisotopes from lead and bismuth targets irradiated by 1-GeV protons. The procedure is based on the use of extraction chromatography. The cross-sections have been determined for formation of "2"0"0Pb, "2"0"1Pb, "2"0"2"mPb, and "2"0"3Pb radioisotopes in targets from lead with natural isotopic composition, irradiated by 1-GeV protons.
The possibility of using lead and lead-bismuth mixed oxides as positive active materials in organic electrolyte lithium cells with a working voltage similar to those of silver zinc cells has been considered. Button cells of SR 44 size have been developed as a test vehicle and studied under various conditions of discharge rate and storage. This paper describes the performance characteristics obtained under these conditions and suggests in conclusion the possible replacement of silver zinc cells by such systems for a large range of low-rate applications on the basis of cost effectiveness.
Dietary supplements of about 5 g/kg of a number of amino acids increased tissue lead concentrations in newly weaned rats but decreased them in older rats. The retention of both oral and intraperitoneal lead was affected. The uptake of "2"0"3Pb by tissues was reduced when methionine was given in the diet over a period of 5 weeks or when it or ethionine was given by mouth 24 h before the activity was measured. In the liver the fraction of the total activity found in the nuclei and mitochondria was increased by methionine, but in the kidney only the fraction found in nuclei was increased.
Studies of the gastrointestinal absorption of lead-203 chloride were carried out on 11 normal subjects, 7 males and 4 females. Whole body counting of these subjects after administration of 74 kBq (2 #mu#Ci) of cyclotron-produced lead-203 chloride showed a mean absorption of 21.3% of the dose with a range from 10.4 to 47.7%. The male subjects had a lower mean absorption of 18.1% of the dose compared with a mean of 26.9% in the females. Although this difference did not reach statistical significance, it is postulated that male/female differences in absorption may relate to differences in iron saturation of the subjects.
Recreational Programming (RecPro) is the discipline that encourages the study of computer programming through ludic problems. Problems that are typically studied within this discipline are similar to those of Recreational Mathematics (RecMat), which sometimes leads to the confusion of these two disciplines. The objective for RecPro is to write programs, while RecMat practitioners can use these programs to state (and prove if possible) conjectures about the solution. This interaction leads to a mathematical quality production. In an educational framework, problems in elemental number theory (those that are formulated with a basic knowledge of arithmetic) are very interesting, leading to the revision of classical unsolved problems. One of these problems is the general form of Zumkeller numbe...
A small scale biomass metal contacting experiment was performed to screen the optimal plant species for biosorption and bioaccumulation of cadmium, zinc, nickel, lead, and copper. Experiments were also conducted to test the ability of the biomass to lower the metal concentrations below the US Environmental Protection Agency surface water discharge criteria. The minimum residual concentration was 0.1 mg/L for zinc, 0.004 mg/L for lead, and about 0.01 mg/L for cadmium, nickel, and lead. Results indicate that water milfoil can be used for bioremoval of metals.
Lead is known to enter substitutionally in divalent state when doped in alkali halides. When irradiated at room temperature these lead centers (Pb"+"+) act as traps for electrons knocked off from the halogen ions and become Pb"+ and Pb"0 (for large doses of irradiation). These changes could be followed in the optical absorption studies. These lead-doped crystals after X-ray irradiation yield a thermoluminescence output smaller than that observed in 'pure' crystals. However, two new glow peaks are observed in additions to those due to F-centers. In KCl : Pb and Kbr : Pb crystals part of the F-center glow preceds the new glow peaks. The new peaks are attributed to the Pb"+ and Pb"0 centers. The glow peak temperatures and trap depths for these peaks an obtained by total-curve fitting method are reported. (author).
In response to stress, cells start transcriptional and transcription-independent programs that can lead to adaptation or death. Here, we show that multiple inducers of autophagy, including nutrient...Full Text Available
Heart failure has been singled out as an emerging epidemic, which could be the result of increased incidence and/or increased survival leading to increased prevalence. Knowledge of the responsibility...Full Text Available
PurposeTo describe etiologies and clinical characteristics of corneal opacities leading patients to seek cosmetic treatments.MethodsThe medical records...Full Text Available
The author attempts to clear up the causal 'paradox' often associated with the existence of tacyons. This leads to a discussion of the nature of tachyon messages and the problems involved in their interpretation. (W.D.L.).
Structural analysis of an acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica leads to a three-dimensional model in which a "monomeric" receptor is shown to contain subunits arranged around a central ionophoretic...Full Text Available
Lead discovery in the pharmaceutical environment is largely an industrial-scale process in which it is typical to screen 1-5 million compounds in a matter of weeks using High Throughput Screening (HTS). This process is a very costly endeavor. Typically a HTS campaign of 1 million compounds will cost anywhere from $500000 to $1000000. There is consequently a great deal of pressure to maximize the return on investment by finding fast and more effective ways to screen. A panacea that has emerged over the past few years to help address this issue is in silico screening. In silico screening is now incorporated in all areas of lead discovery; from target identification and library design, to hit analysis and compound profiling. However, as lead discovery has evolved over the past few years, so h...
Gene expression is a fundamentally stochastic process, with randomness in transcription and translation leading to significant cell-to-cell variations in mRNA and protein levels. This variation...Full Text Available
A simple method is presented for the separation of lead-203 from copper-backed thallium cyclotron targets. The procedure involves cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures. Further purification involves anion-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-hydrobromic acid mixtures. A cation-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can handle as much as 15 g of thallium and 160 mg of copper. An anion-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can separate lead from up to 200 mg of thallium and 10 mg of copper. Separations are extremely sharp and less than 0.1 ..mu..g of thallium and less than 0.1 ..mu..g of copper remain in the lead-203 fraction.
A simple method is presented for the separation of lead-203 from copper-backed thallium cyclotron targets. The procedure involves cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid and hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures. Further purification involves anion-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-hydrobromic acid mixtures. A cation-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can handle as much as 15 g of thallium and 160 mg of copper. An anion-exchange column containing 3.0 g of resin can separate lead from up to 200 mg of thallium and 10 mg of copper. Separations are extremely sharp and less than 0.1 #mu#g of thallium and less than 0.1 #mu#g of copper remain in the lead-203 fraction. (author).
will soon recreate by slamming lead nuclei into one another. S@BL image Irrelevant Regulators Pinpointing the interactions of genes with their assumed regulators grows ever more...
Objectives:Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death in both the industrialized and developing countries globally. The economic evaluation of MI is undertaken...Full Text Available
Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), a chelating agent, is an active metabolite of disulfiram (Antabus) and is used in the rubber industry. The effect of DDTC on the tissue distribution of "2"0"3Pb was studied in rats. Two groups of rats were given an i.v. injection of 100 #mu#Ci "2"0"3Pb (28.6 nmol/kg b.wt.) as lead acetate. After 10 min one group received 2 mmol/kg b.wt. of DDTC as an i.p. injection. Rats were killed 4 and 72 h after injection of "2"0"3Pb and tissue concentration and excretion of "2"0"3Pb was determined by gamma counting. The brain concentration of "2"0"3Pb in DDTC-treated rats was nine times higher than in controls after 4 h and 14 times higher after 72 h. Treatment with DDTC also increased the lead concentration in fat about seven times at both survival intervals. On the other hand, uptake of "2"0"3Pb in bone was reduced by treatment with DDTC and at 4 h also kidney and blood had a lower concentration of "2"0"3Pb in DDTC-treated ...
... Separation," AGARD,Rept 272, April 1960, ... Leading Edge Effect on Supersonic Boundary Layer Flow." ... of Gas Injection in Separated Flows." TCEA, ...
Tumour hypoxia represents a significant challenge to the curability of human tumours leading to treatment resistance and enhanced tumour progression. Tumour hypoxia can be detected by non-invasive and...Full Text Available
Periventricular white matter injury (PWMI), is the leading cause of chronic neurologic injury among survivors of preterm birth. The hallmark of PWMI is hypomyelination and a lack of mature,...Full Text Available
BackgroundCo-flowering plant species frequently share pollinators. Pollinator sharing is often detrimental to one or more of these species, leading to competition for pollination....Full Text Available
Sepsis has continuously been a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality despite current advances in chemotherapy and patient intensive care facilities. Neonates are at high risk for...Full Text Available
of Earth Science data and information management capabilities. Dale Schulz/400 . For your exceptional achievement in leading the joint LaRC/GSFC team in ...
The mechanism of lead transport is presented, and especially the particular similarities or dissimilarities between lead and calcium in this process. The absorption of these metals was determined cockerels, raised on a commercial diet or on a specified diet, using in vivo ligated loop procedure. The dose administered into the loop contained 0.5 #mu#Ci "2"0"3Pb (and/or 0.1 #mu#Ci "4"7Ca), and 0.01 mM lead acetate (and/or mM CaCl_2) in 0.5 ml 0.15 M NaCl,pH 6.5. It was shown that lead is rapidly taken up by the mucosal tissue, and slowly transferred into the body, whereas less calcium is retained by the tissue and the transfer of calcium is many times as effective as that for lead. They appear to respond in a similar manner to a low calcium intake and vitamin D treatment. Increasing luminal stable lead concentration significantly reduced the percentage of ...
Many mutations associated with retinal degeneration lead to the production of misfolded proteins by cells of the retina. Emerging evidence suggests that these abnormal proteins cause cell death...Full Text Available
The causes of autoimmune responses leading to human kidney pathology remain unknown. However, environmental agents such as microorganisms and/or xenobiotics are good candidates for that role. Metals,...Full Text Available
It is shown that plasma viscosity does not influence the magnetic island rotation directly. Nevertheless, it leads to nonstationarity of the plasma velocity. This nonstationarity is the reason of the viscosity effect on island rotation. (author)
Abstract Microbial cells are routinely dried and ground before they are used in metal biosorption studies. In this work, a metal biosorbent was prepared by drying biomass of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis in an oven at 70C for 24-h followed by grinding. Two forms of the prepared biosorbent particles, washed and unwashed, were examined for their ability to remove lead from solution. It was found that the unwashed biosorbent exhibited higher lead uptake than the washed biosorbent. Analysis of the supernatant of washed cells incubated in water and that of unwashed cells incubated in lead solution revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrates, organic acids and inorganic phosphate. Overall, the washed and unwashed cells leached, respectively, 14.5 and 13.4% of their initial dry weight (100-m...
The biosorption of lead, copper and zinc ions on Rhizopus arrhizus has been studied for three single-component and two binary systems. The equilibrium data have been analysed using the Freundlich adsorption model. The characteristic parameters for the Freundlich adsorption model have been determined and the competition coefficients for the competitive biosorption of Pb(II)-Cu(II) at pH 4.0 and 5.0, and Pb(II)-Zn(II) at pH 5.0 have been calcualted. For the individual single-component isotherms, lead has the highest biosorption capacity followed by copper, then zinc. The capacity of lead in the two binary systems is always significantly greater than those of the other metal ions, in agreement with the single-component data. Only a partial selectivity for copper ions has been obtained at pH 4.0. (orig.)
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. CHF is marked by atrial and ventricular enlargement and reduced cardiac contractility, as well as an association...Full Text Available
Cerebral periventricular white matter injury stands as a leading cause of cognitive, behavioral and motor impairment in preterm infants. There is epidemiological and histopathological evidence...Full Text Available
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease of global prevalence. The disease is characterized by synovial inflammation leading to cartilage and bone damage. Most of the conventional...Full Text Available
Tumour hypoxia represents a significant challenge to the curability of human tumours leading to treatment resistance and enhanced tumour progression. Tumour hypoxia can be detected by non-invasive and...Full Text Available
Genomic imprinting refers to the parent-of-origin-specific epigenetic marking of a number of genes. This epigenetic mark leads to a bias in expression between maternally and paternally inherited imprinted...Full Text Available
The present study was designed to investigate, in more detail, the mechanism of lead transport by the gastrointestinal tract and particularly the similarities or dissimilarities between lead and calcium in this process. The absorption of these metals was determined in 3-week-old white Leghorn cockerels, raised on a commercial diet or special diets, using an in vivo ligated loop procedure. The dose administered into the loop usually contained 0.5 ..mu..Ci /sup 203/Pb (and/or 0.1 ..mu..Ci /sup 47/Ca), 0.01 mM lead acetate (and/or 1 mM CaCl/sub 2/) in 0.5 ml of 0.15 M NaCl, pH 6.5. It was shown that lead is rapidly taken up by the intestinal tissue, and only slowly transferred into the circulation whereas calcium, also accumulated rapidly by the tissue, is rapidly released from the tissue in the serosal direction. The absorption processes of these cations show similar responses to various experimental ...
Increasing prosperity and population-growth in many developing countries are resulting in accelerated growth in population of vehicles and vehicle-kilometers traveled. In Pakistan also, the number of vehicles has jumped from 0.8 million to about 4.0 million within 20 years, showing an overall increase of more than 400%. Accordingly, the consumption of petrol (motor spirit) has increased from 828,670 metric tons to 1,189,042 metric tons. The high content of lead in petrol is a serious issue, as the end- product is the release of lead into the environment. In Pakistan, prior to July 2001, lead-content in petrol was reported to be as high as 0.35-0.84 gram per liter. The reported lead-levels in air (micrograms/cubic centimeter) in different cities of Pakistan are: Karachi (1980-81) 0.13-0.24; Peshawar (1994-95) 0.21-0.79; Lahore (1993-94) 0.15-8.36 and (1999-2000) 0.89-7.85 and Rawalpindi (1999-2000) ...
Effect of Abdominal Active Can on DFTs. Introduction: Many patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have older lead systems, which are usually not replaced at the time of pulse generator replacement unless a malfunction is noted. Therefore, optimization of defibrillation with these lead systems is clinically important. The objective of this prospective study was to determine if an active abdominal pulse generator (Can) affects chronic defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) with a dual-coil, transvenous ICD lead system. Methods and Results: The study population consisted of 39 patients who presented for routine abdominal pulse generator replacement. Each patient underwent two assessments of DFT using a step-down protocol, with the order of testing randomized. The distal right ...
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that leads to the development of a number of complications. The etiology of each diabetic complication is undoubtedly multifactorial. We will focus...Full Text Available
SummaryNineteenth-century Vienna is well known to medical historians as a leading centre of medical research and education, offering easy access to patients and corpses to students...Full Text Available
BackgroundAutofluorescence bronchoscopy is more sensitive than conventional bronchoscopy for detecting early airway mucosal lesions. Decreased specificity can lead...Full Text Available
BackgroundCystinuria is the most common inherited cause of urinary tract stones in children. It can lead to obstructive uropathy, which is a major cause of renal...Full Text Available
who was appointed in July to lead the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, made visits last week to UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA and the California Institute of...
BackgroundArtificial duplicates from pyrosequencing reads may lead to incorrect interpretation of the abundance of species and genes in metagenomic studies. Duplicated reads were...Full Text Available
The traditional wing control surfacestrailing edge ailerons and the outboard leading edge flapsare used to provide the aerodynamic force needed to twist ...
Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is a rare condition caused by mutations in the gene coding for the light chain of ferritin; it does not lead to iron overload, but it is associated...Full Text Available
To reconstruct the profiles of heavy metal levels in the South Ocean ecosystem of Antarctica, the concentrations of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in seal hairs and lake sediments spanning the past 1500?years from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and in weathering lake sediments from Nelson Island of West Antarctica were determined. The lead contents in the seal hairs and the weathering sediments show a sharp increase since the late 1800s, very likely due to anthropogenic contamination from modern industries. After the 1980s, the Pb content in seal hairs dropped by one-third, apparently due to the reduced usage of leaded gasoline in the Southern Hemisphere. Copper arises mainly from the weathering process, and its level may be substantially affected...
/sup 203/Pb(NO/sub 3/)/sub 2/ was administered i.v. to pregnant C57BL mice at different stages, from day 8 to day 18 of gestation. The whole animals or excised uteri were subjected to autoradiography or were autopsied for scintillation counting of excised organs. Lead appeared in embryonic and fetal tissues at all stages of gestation. Early (approx. day 8-11) lead was restricted mainly to the embryonic blood, suggesting that free lead was essentially not transferred to the embryo but may have been incorporated in the embryonic hemoglobin when the erythrocytes were formed in the yolk sac placenta (an extraembryonic membrane). From day 12 and later, an uptake was seen in the liver and the cartilaginous skeleton, and from day 14, a strong accumulation was found in calcified bone. This means that the overall fetal concentration increases successively with gestational age of the conceptus. The uptake in fetal liver may be ...
"2"0"3Pb(NO_3)_2 was administered i.v. to pregnant C57BL mice at different stages, from day 8 to day 18 of gestation. The whole animals or excised uteri were subjected to autoradiography or were autopsied for scintillation counting of excised organs. Lead appeared in embryonic and fetal tissues at all stages of gestation. Early (approx. day 8-11) lead was restricted mainly to the embryonic blood, suggesting that free lead was essentially not transferred to the embryo but may have been incorporated in the embryonic hemoglobin when the erythrocytes were formed in the yolk sac placenta (an extraembryonic membrane). From day 12 and later, an uptake was seen in the liver and the cartilaginous skeleton, and from day 14, a strong accumulation was found in calcified bone. This means that the overall fetal concentration increases successively with gestational age of the conceptus. The uptake in fetal liver may be related to the ...
We apply the framework developed in Target space duality I: general theory. We show that both nonabelian duality and Poisson-Lie duality are examples of the general theory. We propose how the formalism leads to a systematic study of duality by studying few scenarios that lead to open questions in the theory of Lie algebras. We present evidence that there are probably new examples of irreducible target space duality.
In this paper, the authors report on the electrical and thermal properties of Bi-2223 composite conductors prepared by the "accordion-folding method" (AFM). Thermal behavior study on AFM Bi-2223 conductors similar to those that have been successfully used to assemble the cold stage of low-loss current leads for CERN, has been performed by using a newly developed experimental apparatus that is described in detail. (7 refs).
Low-level lead exposure during early childhood has long been associated with altered neurocognitive development and diminished cognitive functions. Over nine thousand U.S. industrial facilities...Full Text Available
... The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton is one of the world's leading research centres for the study of ocean and earth sciences. Southampton General Hospital One of the country's leading teaching hospitals and the base for the University's School of Medicine. Winchester School of Art Founded in 1863, Winchester School of Art is based 12 miles (20 kilometres) north of Southampton in the historic city of Winchester,...
Airborne lead particulates collected on a membrane filter were determined by the nondestructive X-ray fluorescence method. The gamma/X radionuclide source "2"4"1Am/Ag and a scintillation detector with a NaI/Tl crystal were used for the excitation and detection, respectively, of L X-rays of Pb. One can say, with reference to the obtained results, that the sensitivity and accuracy of the measurement is more than adequate for monitoring the Pb level in air. (author).
Earlier studies have indicated that xylitol may increase the absorption and urinary excretion of dietary oxalate. It has also been indicated that xylitol increases the absorption of calcium. Intestinal absorption of lead, a divalent contaminant in the diet, is in many respects similar to that of calcium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of xylitol on the intestinal absorption of lead using two different approaches: the in situ ligated intestinal loop technique in cockerels and gastric gavage in mice.
Arsenic in soils from the Asarco Lead Smelter in East Helena, Montana was characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). As oxidation state and geochemical speciation were analyzed as a function of depth (two sampling sites) and surface distribution. These results were c...
Based on theoretical calculations of powder diffraction data it is shown that the assumption of the infinite crystal lattice for small particles is not justified, leads to significant changes of the diffraction patterns, and may lead to erroneous interpretation of the experimental results. An alternate evaluation of diffraction data of nanoparticles, based on the so-called 'apparent lattice parameter', alp, is proposed. (author)
A number of alloys of zirconium have been investigated as part of a program aimed at improving the high-temperature tensile and creep strength of zirconium. These alloys include aluminum, beryllium, lead, magnesium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zinc, binary and ternary alloys. The data indicate that aluminum, lead, molybdenum niobium, tin, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium can be used successfully to harden zirconium, and that aluminum, tin, titanium, and vanadium are particularly effective in maintaining the strength of zirconium at elevated temperatures.
A procedure for the determination of lead in soil samples by "2"0"3Pb radioisotope dilution substoichiometric method is described. Japan NIES No.2 river clay standard sample and 83-40 Tibet soil standard sample were determined. The obtained values were in good agreement with reference values. The standard deviation of the method was less then 5%. Detection limit was about 0.1 #mu#g Pb.
Chlorination of water can lead to the formation of chloropicrin. The numerous potential precursors (of various reactivities) observed during this study, confirm this hypothesis. Combination of ozonation and chlorination can also lead to the formation of this compound, dangerous to health; however, the conditions of the formation and particularly the impact of a nitration reaction in the gas phase are still not clearly defined.
We discuss the determination of the infrared singularities of massive one-loop 5-point functions with Mellin-Barnes (MB) representations. Massless internal lines may lead to poles in the {epsilon} expansion of the Feynman diagram, while unresolved massless final state particles give endpoint singularities of the phase space integrals. MB integrals are an elegant tool for their common treatment. An evaluation by taking residues leads to inverse binomial sums. (orig.)
Transport and deposition of atmospheric lead over the coastal zone of Northern Germany are investigated. It is shown that marked differences in the impact of the ecologically valuable wadden sea areas can occur between summer and winter time. Due to the formation of sea breeze systems in summer the coastal zone is likely to be less stressed than in winter when the pollutant is confined to a shallow layer above ground. (orig.) 10 refs.
The effect of velocity gradient on stagnation region heat transfer augmentation by free stream turbulence was investigated. Heat transfer was measured in the stagnation region of four models with elliptical leading edges with ratios of major to minor axes of 1:1, 1.5:1, 2.25:1, and 3:1. Four geometrically similar, square bar, square mesh, biplane grids were used to generate free stream turbulence with different intensities and length. Heat transfer measurements were made for the following ranges of parameters: Reynolds number, based on leading edge diameter, 37,000 to 228,000; dimensionless leading edge velocity gradient, 1.20 to 1.80; turbulence intensity, 1.1 to 15.9%; and length scale to leading edge diameter ratio, 0.05 to 0.30. Stagnation point heat transfer augmentation by free stream turbulence can be predicted using a modified version of a previously developed correlation for a circular ...
We report the radiation exposure dose received by the anesthesiologist and nurse in the orthopaedic operating room, when a fluoroscopic image intensifier is in use. This study was done in 12 femoral neck fracture operations performed from January to May 1995. Radiation was monitored with the MYDOSE MINIX PDM 107 made by Aloka Co. which were attached in front and behind the nurse's lead apron, in front of the lead apron of the anesthesiologist. The average imaging time was 9.78 min. The average radiation dose in front of the anesthesiologist is lead apron was 2.08#mu#SV, and in front and behind the nurse's lead apron were 5.67#mu#SV, 0.08#mu#SV respectively. This study and review of the literature indicate that the operating room anesthesiologist and nurse receive a lower exposure than the orthopaedist. We can disregard the problem of radiation exposure to the anesthesiologist and nurse during an ...
A new method for the preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of lead at the {mu}g/L level in natural waters has been established based on the formation of the thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) complex with dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) by means of synergistic extraction and back-extraction combined with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The effect of various factors (synergism with TTA and DB18C6, shaking time, preconcentration factor, composition of the extracted species, and foreign ions etc.) on the extraction and back-extraction of lead has been investigated in detail. The lead-TTA chelate in o-dichlorobenzene forms a stable adduct with DB18C6 as Pb(TTA){sub 2} DB18C6. The stability constant ({beta}) of the adduct determined by curve fitting method was log {beta} = 4.2. The amount of lead in natural waters such as tap water (Kanazawa University) and Kakehashi river (Komatsu City) ...
The relative roles of glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion in lead handling were evaluated using renal clearance technique, stop-flow analysis, and renal lead accumulation. In addition, the effect of altering acid-base status on renal handling of Pb was determined. Clearance of ultrafilterable lead was measured in anesthetized dogs during infusion of "2"0"3Pb with small doses of carrier Pb(0.5 to 50 #mu#g/kg/h). Filterable lead concentration was estimated by in vitro ultrafiltration of non-anticoagulated plasma. Fractional excretion of Pb was calculated using creatinine clearance to estimate glomerular filtration rate. Dogs in acute metabolic acidosis had the lowest fractional excretion of ultrafilterable Pb (< 0.1); those in alkalosis had high fractional Pb excretion (0.75 to 2.5) while normal dogs were intermediate (0.1 to .4). The fractional excretion of Pb during ...
The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a radioimmunoconjugate containing a lead radionuclide for therapy and scintigraphy applications. The radioimmunoconjugate evaluated consisted of a bifunctional DOTA ligand and monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3 using athymic mice bearing LS-174T tumors, human colon carcinoma xenografts. In the studies reported here, the lead-203-DOTA complex itself was first demonstrated to have in vivo stability. MAb B72.3 was then conjugated with the DOTA ligand and labeled with "2"0"3Pb, and the immunoreactivity of B72.3 was maintained. The localization of the radioimmunoconjugate to tumor tissue and other select organs paralleled that of DOTA-"1"2"5I-B72.3, suggesting a similar metabolic pattern of the two radioimmunoconjugates. Thus, the DOTA-metal complex does not alter the behavior of the radioimmunoconjugate. Tumor localization of the "2"0"3Pb-DOTA-B72.3 conjugate was demonstrated with biodistribution ...
The distribution of lead in lactating mice and suckling offspring was studied with whole body autoradiography at 4 and 24 h after a single intravenous injection of {sup 203}Pb (50 mmol Pb/kg) to the dams. In the lactating mice on day 14 of lactation, the highest uptake of radioactivity at 4 h after administration was recorded in renal cortex, skeleton and liver. A high uptake was also evident in the mannary gland. At 24 h after administration, the radioactivity had decreased in most organs except in the skeleton. In the suckling pups, exposed to lead only via dams` milk for 24 h, the highest level of radioactivity was present in the intestinal mucosa and a much lower level of radioactivity was present in the skeleton. The mammary glands from mice given three daily intravenous injections of 240 {mu}mol Pb/kg were examined with X-ray microanalysis. At 4 h after the last injection, lead was found associated with casein ...
The distribution of lead in lactating mice and suckling offspring was studied with whole body autoradiography at 4 and 24 h after a single intravenous injection of "2"0"3Pb (50 mmol Pb/kg) to the dams. In the lactating mice on day 14 of lactation, the highest uptake of radioactivity at 4 h after administration was recorded in renal cortex, skeleton and liver. A high uptake was also evident in the mannary gland. At 24 h after administration, the radioactivity had decreased in most organs except in the skeleton. In the suckling pups, exposed to lead only via dams' milk for 24 h, the highest level of radioactivity was present in the intestinal mucosa and a much lower level of radioactivity was present in the skeleton. The mammary glands from mice given three daily intravenous injections of 240 #mu#mol Pb/kg were examined with X-ray microanalysis. At 4 h after the last injection, lead was found associated with casein micelles ...
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The capacity to maintain internal ion homeostasis amidst changing conditions is particularly important for teleost fishes whose reproductive cycle is dependent upon movement from freshwater to seawater. Although the physiology of seawater osmoregulation in mitochondria-rich cells of fish gill epithelium is well understood, less is known about the underlying causes of inter- and intraspecific variation in salinity tolerance. We used a genome-scan approach in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) correlated with variation in four salinity tolerance performance traits and six body size traits. Comparative genomics approaches allowed us to infer whether allelic variation at candidate gene loci (e.g., ATP1alpha1b, NKCC1, CFTR, and cldn10e) could have underlain observed variation. RESULTS: Combined parental analyses yielded genome-wide significant QTL on linkage groups 8, 14 and 20 for salinity tolerance performance traits, and 1, 19, 20 ...
Development of selective serotonin transporter (SERT) tracers for single-photon emission tomography (SPET) is important for studying the underlying pharmacology and interaction of specific serotonin reuptake site inhibitors, commonly used antidepressants, at the SERT sites in the human brain. In search of a new tracer for imaging SERT, IDAM (5-iodo-2-[[2-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl]thio]benzyl alcohol) was developed. In vitro characterization of IDAM was carried out with binding studies in cell lines and rat tissue homogenates. In vivo binding of [[sup 125]I]IDAM was evaluated in rats by comparing the uptakes in different brain regions through tissue dissections and ex vivo autoradiography. In vitro binding study showed that IDAM displayed an excellent affinity to SERT sites (K[sub i]=0.097 nM, using membrane preparations of LLC-PK[sub 1] cells expressing the specific transporter) and showed more than 1000-fold of selectivity for SERT over norepinehrine and dopamine (expressed in ...
The Helium and Lead Observatory (HALO) is a supernova neutrino detector under development for construction at SNOLAB. It is intended to fulfill a niche as a long term, low cost, high livetime, and low maintenance, dedicated supernova detector. It will be constructed from 80 tonnes of lead, from the decommissioning of the Deep River Cosmic Ray Station, and instrumented with approximately 384 meters of {sup 3}He neutron detectors from the final phase of the SNO experiment. Charged- and Neutral-Current neutrino interactions in lead expel neutrons from the lead nuclei making a burst of detected neutrons the signature for the detection of a supernova. Existing neutrino detectors are mostly of the water Cerenkov and liquid scintillator types, which are primarily sensitive to electron anti-neutrinos via charged-current interactions on the hydrogen nuclei in these materials. By contrast, the large neutron ...
Whole-body retention and excretion following a single oral dose of radiolabeled lead (/sup 203/Pb) in chronically lead-exposed pregnant BK:W mice were examined over 10-13 days. This was compared with values in similarly treated nonpregnant females and in ip injected females. Whole-body and bone retention were greater in injected than in orally dosed nonpregnant females; gastrointestinal absorption was estimated from this difference. Whole-body retention in the pups was measured at birth and at the end of the experiment. Whole-body retentions in pregnant females and in their pups at birth were significantly raised after treatment at Gestational Day 17, but not after treatment at Gestational Day 11, 14, 20, 23, or 26. Pup body burdens at birth were significantly and positively correlated with maternal retention. Measurement of radioactivity in bone, kidney, brain, heart, and liver of adults at the end of the experiments showed significantly ...
Whole-body retention and excretion following a single oral dose of radiolabeled lead ("2"0"3Pb) in chronically lead-exposed pregnant BK:W mice were examined over 10-13 days. This was compared with values in similarly treated nonpregnant females and in ip injected females. Whole-body and bone retention were greater in injected than in orally dosed nonpregnant females; gastrointestinal absorption was estimated from this difference. Whole-body retention in the pups was measured at birth and at the end of the experiment. Whole-body retentions in pregnant females and in their pups at birth were significantly raised after treatment at Gestational Day 17, but not after treatment at Gestational Day 11, 14, 20, 23, or 26. Pup body burdens at birth were significantly and positively correlated with maternal retention. Measurement of radioactivity in bone, kidney, brain, heart, and liver of adults at the end of the experiments showed significantly ...
We study the three-nucleon force in chiral effective field theory with explicit {delta}-resonance degrees of freedom. We show that up to next-to-next-to-leading order, the only contribution to the isospin symmetric three-nucleon force involving the spin-3/2 degrees of freedom is given by the two-pion-exchange diagram with an intermediate delta, frequently called the Fujita-Miyazawa force. We also analyze the leading isospin-breaking corrections due to the delta. For that, we give the first quantitative analysis of the delta quartet mass splittings in chiral effective field theory including the leading electromagnetic corrections. The charge-symmetry breaking three-nucleon force due to an intermediate delta excitation is small, of the order of a few keV.
Recent work has shown that natural hydrocarbon emissions can significantly affect the levels of urban and regional tropospheric ozone. We report on the reactivities of these biogenic trace gases, particularly isoprene, focusing on their importance in the production of aldehydes and peroxy radicals, leading to increased levels of hydrogen over regional forests. Hydrogen peroxide can lead to the wet oxidation of sulfur dioxide to acidic sulfate in aerosols, fogs, and clouds. In turn, acidic sulfate can act to as a light scattering aerosol and a source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), potentially leading to global cooling. Aerosol sulfate and other dissolved organic and inorganic compounds can also play important roles as a greenhouse species in the lower troposphere.
"2"0"3Pb, an ideal radionuclide for toxicological studies, can be artificially produced by bombardment of a thallium target but due to the extreme toxicity of thallium the lead has to be separated completely from the thallium. A single step method is here described consisting of removing the thallium from a dilute acid chloride solution using a continuous ethyl ether extraction. Essentially all of the thallium and almost none of the lead is removed in a 3-hr extraction. Because the ether is recycled, only about 30 ml are needed. If other contaminants are introduced from the bombardment and its subsequent manipulations, an additional step is used in which the lead is extracted from an iodide solution with methyl isopropyl keton. (U.K.).
Human exposure to environmental chemicals is most correctly characterized as exposure to mixtures of these agents. The metals/metalloids, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), are among the leading toxic agents detected in the environment. Exposure to these elements, particularly at chronic low dose levels, is still a major public health concern. Concurrent exposure to Pb, Cd, or As may produce additive or synergistic interactions or even new effects that are not seen in single component exposures. Evaluating these interactions on a mechanistic basis is essential for risk assessment and management of metal/metalloid mixtures. This paper will review a number of individual studies that addressed interactions of these metals/metalloids in both experimental and human exposure studies with...
High energy consumption and the world population increase will lead to a shrinking use of fossil fuels. The combustion of Fossil fuel leads to the increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere which leads to the probable increase of global warming. Therefore, concerns about carbon dioxide emissions may discourage widespread dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the development and use of renewable energy systems employing a variety of technologies Renewable energy systems have themselves an environmental impact. Land use and material employed are two areas that may have an adverse impact to the positive environmental picture of the renewable energy systems. The objective of this paper is to analyze these impacts with the use of a very powerful tool, the Life Cycle Assessment. (author)
Differential cross sections for dijet photoproduction in association with a leading neutron using the reaction e{sup +}+p{yields}e{sup +}+n+jet+jet+X{sub r} have been measured with the ZEUS detector at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 6.4 pb{sup -1}. The fraction of dijet events with a leading neutron in the final state was studied as a function of the jet kinematic variables. The cross sections were measured for jet transverse energies E{sub T}{sup jet}>6 GeV, neutron energy E{sub n}>400 GeV, and neutron production angle {theta}{sub n}<0.8 mrad. The data are broadly consistent with factorization of the lepton and hadron vertices and with a simple one-pion-exchange model.
The feather has been widely used as a indicator tissue of metal exposure in birds. The feathers were collected from Tuskegee University poultry farm (TUPF) and Harrison Poultry farm (HPF) chicken and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy for lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, and copper contaminations. The mean levels of lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, and copper in TUPF chicken were 3.67, 0.13, 12.23, 0.22, and 7.71 ppm, respectively, and in HPF chicken were 5.32, 0.096, 11.03, 0.15, and 8.06 ppm, respectively. The mean levels of these metals did not show any significant difference between TUPF and HPF chicken.
The loss of seal of the H9 channel in vacuum, freeing the entire cross section of the front part, leads to a fast leak that progresses rapidly. The effect of depressurizing the reflector can leads to shutdown of the shutdown rod pumps. The source changer associated with the channel fills completely before the valve closes. All of the leak water remains contained within the source changer containment. After the valves open, cooling of the fuel element is handled by natural convection, requiring a reversal of the flow between the plates. This changeover, which takes place at a relatively low pressure level, could lead to local boiling in the fuel element. Consequently, irreversible transformations cannot be excluded as possibilities for the fuel element and even for the control rod. Subsequently, the can is refilled with heavy water with establishment of the usual pressure levels.
Haemocyanin serves as normal transporter of oxygen in many Arthropods. The oxygen equilibrium curves have been described for the haemocyanins of many Arthropods and Molluscs. Oxygen equilibrium curves of the blood reveal the relationship between the oxygen tension and the percentage saturation of the haemocyanin. The shape of the oxygen equilibrium curves vary in position from sigmoid to hyperbolic in different animals or even undulatory as shown in some chitons. Oxygen equilibrium curves are known to be influenced by pH, temperature and inorganic ions. The effect of environmental pollutants like the heavy metals on the oxygen equilibrium curves of the fresh water crab has not been previously reported. One of the toxic heavy metals with regard to aquatic organisms is lead. Hence the present study was designed to determine the effect of organic and inorganic lead on the oxygen equilibrium curve of the fresh water crab, Barytelphusa guerini.
National soil quality criteria for the protection of ecological receptors, including livestock and wildlife, are currently under development in Canada. Based on an evaluation of direct soil contact and soil and food ingestion pathways for sensitive species, soil quality criteria for lead, copper, arsenic, cadmium and mercury for three land use categories have been derived. The draft values, in mg/kg soil, for agricultural, residential/parkland, commercial/industrial land uses are: mercury, 4, 4, 30; copper, 62, 62, 100; cadmium, 10, 10, 27; lead, 70, 250, 400; arsenic, 17, 17, 26. Critical data requirements in developing soil quality criteria are also reviewed.
A method of using fungi in removing heavy metal from wastewater was discussed. Fungi for this purpose can be obtained inexpensively, and on a constant basis from industrial fermentation processes. The biosorption of lead, cadmium and nickel on fungal stock cultures, was investigated. In these experiments, the fungal stock used was Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonfier. Alkali pre-treatment of the fungal biomass improved the metal biosorptive capacity in comparison to live cells. The effect of alkali treatment, however, varied,showing highest biosorptive capacity for lead and least for nickel. Results showed that metal biosorption of metallic ions increased with an increase in pH from 3.2 to 4.0. Equilibrium times of five hours were observed for the biosorption of lead and cadmium, while the equilibrium time for nickel was three hours. 10 refs., 3 tabs., 7 figs.
A stiff skin forms on surface areas of a flat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) upon exposure to focused ion beam (FIB) leading to ordered surface wrinkles. By controlling the FIB fluence and area of exposure...Full Text Available
A public health emergency such as an influenza pandemic will lead to shortages of mechanical ventilators, critical care beds, and other potentially life saving treatments. This will raise difficult...Full Text Available
Exercise training is known to induce an increase in free radical production potentially leading to enhanced muscle injury. Vitamins C and E are well known antioxidants that may prevent muscle cell damage....Full Text Available
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures often lead to pain and disability. They can be successfully treated, and possibly prevented, by injecting cement into the vertebral body, a procedure known as vertebroplasty....Full Text Available
BackgroundDiabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the manifestations of diabetic retinopathy leading to loss of central vision and visual acuity. It manifests itself with swelling...Full Text Available
Accessory cusp present on the occlusal surface may seldom pose problems. While its presence may not be a cause for alarm in most instances, it can sometimes lead to serious consequences if it is damaged....Full Text Available
This paper describes a long term course of research into the fundamentals of two phase flow regime dynamics that had lead to a differential description of regime properties. The development has included experiment, microscale simulation, and mathematical averaging to produce a dynamic equation for interfacial area.
AbstractThere is an urgent need for innovative therapies against ovarian cancer, one of the leading causes of death from gynecological cancers in the United States. Immunotherapy employing...Full Text Available
Iron overload is common in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), but the mechanisms leading to overload are unknown. Here, we determined iron levels and the expression...Full Text Available
HIV-1 nonsubtype B variants account for the majority of HIV infections worldwide. Drug resistance in individuals who have never undergone antiretroviral therapy can lead to early failure and...Full Text Available
Recommended treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon-α and/or nucleos(t)ide analogues does not lead to a satisfactory result. Induction of HBV-specific T cells by therapeutic...Full Text Available
A discussion is given in a popular manner of the solar powered aircraft Solair I. The achievements of the designer are detailed, and trial runs leading up to the first successful flight are given. Technical data of Solair I are listed, and brief news items about it are presented.
Krabbe disease (KD) is an inherited neurological disorder caused by the deficiency of galactocerebrosidase activity resulting in accumulation of psychosine, which leads to energy depletion,...Full Text Available
BackgroundResponse shift theory suggests that improvements in health lead patients to change their internal standards and re-assess former health states as worse than initially rated...Full Text Available
Cervical spinal cord hemisection rostral to the phrenic nucleus leads to paralysis of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm in adult rats. Respiratory function can be restored to the paralyzed hemidiaphragm...Full Text Available
With specific energy of more than 200 Wh/kg, the Electric Fuel zinc-air battery delivers as much as eight times the energy of lead-acid traction battery, more than twice the energy of the nearest advanced-battery competitor, and as much energy as a tank of gasoline. (author)
BackgroundStreptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen and is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults in Vietnam. Systematic data on the antimicrobial...Full Text Available
Breast cancer is a leading cause of female deaths worldwide. In Malaysia, it is the most common form of female cancer while Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common form of breast cancer....Full Text Available
The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is one of the leading causative agents of death in immunocompromised individuals. It harbors an arsenal of cell wall anchored factors that are implicated...Full Text Available
Aging is a risk factor for heart failure, which is a leading cause of death world-wide. Elderly patients are more likely than young patients to experience a myocardial infarction (MI) and are...Full Text Available
BackgroundSensory information from mechanoreceptors in the skin, muscles, tendons, and joint structures plays an important role in joint stability. A joint injury can lead to disruption...Full Text Available
The mouse is the leading organism for disease research. A rich resource of genetic variation occurs naturally in inbred and special strains owing to spontaneous mutations. However, one can also obtain...Full Text Available
Instructional systems design is a process for assessing learning needs, creating instructional programs, and evaluating effectiveness of learning. We discuss the benefits of including instructional systems design theory and practice in the curriculum, with an emphasis on making the process relevant for student nurse anesthetists. PMID:10488275
Decay heat removal analyses for lead-bismuth cooled natural circulation reactors are described in this paper. A combined multi-dimensional plant dynamics code (MSG-COPD) has been developed to conduct the system analysis for the natural circulation reactors. For the preliminary study, transient analysis has been performed for a 100 MWe lead-bismuth-cooled reactor designed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). In addition, decay heat removal characteristics of a 400 MWe lead-bismuth-cooled natural circulation reactor designed by Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) has been evaluated by using MSG-COPD. PRACS (Primary Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System) is prepared for the JNC's concept to get sufficient heat removal capacity. During 2000 sec after the transient, the outlet temperature shows increasing tendency up to the maximum temperature of 430 Centigrade, because the buoyancy force in a primary ...
Gas exchange between the plant and the environment is severely hampered when plants are submerged, leading to oxygen and energy deficits. A straightforward way to reduce these shortages of oxygen and...Full Text Available
Digestion of plant chromatin from Brassica pekinensis and Matthiola incana with staphylococcus nuclease leads to a DNA repeat of 175 plus or minus 8 and a core size of 140 base pairs. DNase I digestion...Full Text Available
Disorders of mitochondrial fat metabolism lead to sudden death in infants and children. Although survival is possible, the underlying molecular mechanisms which enable this outcome have not yet been...Full Text Available
The homologous sequences observed for many calcium binding proteins such as parvalbumin, troponin C, the myosin light chains, and calmodulin has lead to the hypothesis that these proteins have homologous...Full Text Available
A certain model of one-dimensional detonation waves leads to a Stefan problem: the unknown f satisfies Burgers equations on the two sides of a moving discontinuity at which it is given (f, say) and the jump in it derivative (corresponding to the exothermi...
Biomass fuel burning leads to high levels of suspended particulate matter and hazardous chemicals in the indoor environment in countries where it is in common use, contributing significantly to indoor...Full Text Available
Most insects are thought to fly by creating a leading-edge vortex that remains attached to the wing as it translates through a stroke. In the species examined so far, stroke amplitude is large, and...Full Text Available
Constitutive activation of the transcription factor Stat5 in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells leads to various hematopoietic malignancies including myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Our recent study...Full Text Available
We present experimental evidence for self-organization of nickel microparticles in silicon under certain thermodynamic conditions of nickel diffusion doping. The concentration and distribution of the microparticles in silicon are very uniform. Additional anneals lead to self-ordering of the impurity microparticles.
In all mammals, tissue inflammation leads to pain and behavioral sensitization to thermal and mechanical stimuli called hyperalgesia. We studied pain mechanisms in the African naked mole-rat, an unusual...Full Text Available
A retrospective study of the relationship of season to the absorption of radiolead in laboratory rats was performed using data representing 305 animals from 36 experiments over 6 calendar years. Male...Full Text Available
BackgroundSymptomatic heterotopic ossification (HO) in multiple trauma patients may lead to follow up surgery, furthermore the long-term outcome can be restricted. Knowledge of the...Full Text Available
IntroductionIrradiation of normal, non-malignant bone during cancer therapy can lead to atrophy and increased risk of fracture at several skeletal sites, particularly...Full Text Available
Activation of the innate immune system results in a rapid microbicidal response against microorganisms, which needs to be fine-tuned because uncontrolled immune responses can lead to infection and cancer,...Full Text Available
BackgroundPresumptive treatment of all febrile patients with anti-malarials leads to massive over-treatment. The aim was to assess the effect of implementing malaria rapid diagnostic...Full Text Available
Cruciferous plants are known to produce over a hundred different mustard oil glycosides, which are derived from methionine, phenylalanine, or tryptophan. In oil-producing crops like Brassica napus (canola),...Full Text Available
We used two high profile articles as cases to demonstrate that use of fishery landings data can lead to faulty interpretations about the condition of fishery ecosystems. One case uses the mean trophic...Full Text Available
AbstractBackgroundIonizing radiation (IR) initiates intracellular oxidative stress through enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that attack DNA leading...Full Text Available
Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the EGF receptor (EGFR) initiates signal transduction, ultimately leading to altered gene expression. Ligand-activated EGFR is also rapidly internalized...Full Text Available
BackgroundRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) which are of poor quality tend to exaggerate the effect estimate and lead to wrong or misleading conclusions. The aim of this study...Full Text Available
BackgroundLung cancer diagnosis in tissue material with commonly used histological techniques is sometimes inconvenient and in a number of cases leads to ambiguous conclusions. Frequently...Full Text Available
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity and long-term disability of non-anomalous infants. Previous studies have identified a prior early spontaneous preterm birth as...Full Text Available
ORDINARY HUMAN REASONING MAY LEAD PATIENTS to provide an unreliable history of past experiences because of errors in comprehension, recall, evaluation and expression. Comprehension of a question may...Full Text Available
Strong aqueous ammonium hydroxide used to remove N-acyl protecting groups from synthetic oligoribonucleotides causes removal of some alkylsilyl protecting groups from 2'-hydroxyls and leads to chain...Full Text Available
Chronic neurogenous pain is often an extremely difficult condition to manage. In the orofacial region, trauma from injury or dental procedures may lead to the development of severe neuralgic pains and...Full Text Available
This program focused on practice-level service change as a means of improving patient care and developing leadership skills of 19 general practitioners (GPs) and aimed to: promote and support change...Full Text Available
BackgroundWith the advent of increasingly efficient means to obtain genetic information, a great insurgence of data has resulted, leading to the need for methods for analyzing this...Full Text Available
(1-x)(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-xAgSbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by normal sintering. The effects of the AgSbO3 on the phase structure and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were systematically studied. These results show that the AgSbO3-modified (K0.50Na0.50)NbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics form stable solution with orthorhombic structure, and the Curie temperature and the polymorphic phase transition of the ceramics decreased with increasing AgSbO3. The result shows that the piezoelectric properties of the ceramics strongly depend on the AgSbO3. The ceramics with x=0.05 possess optimum properties (d33=192 pC/N, kp=43%, Tc=348degreeC, To-t=145degreeC, ?r632, and tan d3.5%). These results indicate that the ceramic is a promising candidate material for lead-free piezoe...
Pharmacokinetics is studied, radiation doses to patients when using domestic thallium-201 chloride in diagnosis of the heart ischemic disease is estimated; contribution into the total dose of thallium-201 (1.5 %), thallium-201 (0.2 %) and lead-201 + lead-203 (0.05 %) radionuclide impurities is also determined. Internal doses were estimated for a heterogeneous phantom of a standard man; the calculations were carried out using a computer. Scanning of patients which were treated with radiopharmaceuticals to be diagnosed was carried out using a whole body counter and gamma-chamber. Large intestine, kidneys and thyroid are the critical organs when using thallium-201 chloride. The highest contribution into the dose to organs and the whole body from thallium-200 and thallium-202 impurities being contained in thallium-201, doesn't exceed 8.6 %. The contribution into the dose from lead-201 and lead-203 may be ...
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB; Sanfilippo syndrome type B) is a metabolic disorder with devastating clinical characteristics starting in early childhood and leading to premature death. A...Full Text Available
An explicit proposal for experiments leading to abrupt transitions in spatially extended bacterial populations in a Petri dish is presented on the basis of an exact formula obtained through an analytic...Full Text Available
Ovarian carcinoma is now the leading cause of death among women. Surgery has reached its limits, and further aggressive surgery will result in an inordinate morbidity and mortality. Ovarian carcinoma...Full Text Available
BackgroundWe have previously reported that low concentrations of cigarette smoke extract induce DNA damage without leading to apoptosis or necrosis in human bronchial epithelial...Full Text Available
Feb 24, 2000 ... NASA computer experts have been using a supercomputer to improve the NASA/ DeBakey miniature heart assist pump, leading to on-going human ...
Bone remodeling is necessary to avoid microdamage accumulation, which could lead to whole-bone failure. Previous studies have shown that this bone-repair mechanism is triggered by osteocyte apoptosis....Full Text Available
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms among the aging male population. Epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical studies indicate that...Full Text Available
BackgroundGrapevine is subjected to numerous pests and diseases resulting in the use of phytochemicals in large quantities. The will to decrease the use of phytochemicals leads to...Full Text Available
Mutations in SPTBN2, the gene encoding β-III spectrin, cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 in humans (SCA5), a neurodegenerative disorder resulting in loss of motor...Full Text Available
BackgroundPrevious research has shown that internet education can lead to short-term improvements in clinicians' knowledge, confidence and communication practices. We wished to better...Full Text Available
Although research demonstrates many negative family outcomes associated with single-parent households, little is known about processes that lead to positive outcomes for these families. Using...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlthough dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure (HF), the mechanism underlying DCM is not well understood. Previously, it has been demonstrated...Full Text Available
Blindness leads to a major reorganization of neural pathways associated with touch. Because incoming somatosensory information influences motor output, it is plausible that motor plasticity occurs in...Full Text Available
Background and ObjectiveCervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the gynecological cancers worldwide, especially in developing countries. It...Full Text Available
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease in humans and is characterized by progressive cyst formation, renal enlargement, and abnormal tubular development....Full Text Available
Recent technological advances have lead to the ability to generate large amounts of data for model and non-model organisms. Whereas, in the past, there have been a relatively small number of central...Full Text Available
The gram-negative plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria is the causative agent of bacterial spot disease in pepper and tomato plants, which leads to economically...Full Text Available
Simulations with a regional chemical transport model show that anthropogenic emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) lead to a dramatic diurnal...Full Text Available
Colonization of barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Salome) roots by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, leads to elevated levels...Full Text Available
Hyperproliferation of the colonic epithelium, leading to expansion of colonic crypt progenitors, is a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer. Overexpression of progastrin, a nonamidated and incompletely...Full Text Available
BackgroundPregnant women are more susceptible to severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which can lead to poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Few data exist on the...Full Text Available
Previous studies have documented diagnostic bias and noted that its reduction could eliminate misdiagnosis and improve mental health service delivery. Few studies have investigated clinicians'...Full Text Available
It is now widely accepted that novel infectious disease can be a leading cause of serious population decline and even outright extinction in some invertebrate and vertebrate groups (e.g., amphibians)....Full Text Available
Although most self-reactive T cells are eliminated in the thymus, mechanisms to inactivate or control T cells specific for extrathymic antigens are required and exist in the periphery. By investigating...Full Text Available
A Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance investigation was performed by NIOSH on February 1-4, 1977, at ASARCO, East Helena, Montana, a facility engaged in lead smelting. The survey was prompted by a request from the Regional OSHA Director in referenc...
BackgroundCalcium homeostasis is a known target of several environmental toxicants including lead and mercury.ObjectiveOur goal was to determine...Full Text Available
BackgroundHepatitis C virus is a major cause of chronic liver diseases which can lead to permanent liver damage, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. The presently available treatment...Full Text Available
The major neuropathological correlate of cerebral palsy in premature infants is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a disorder of the immature cerebral white matter. Cerebral ischemia leading...Full Text Available
Campylobacter is one of the leading causes of food-borne gastroenteritis and has a high prevalence in poultry. Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni 327 is a subspecies...Full Text Available
Cigarette smoke (CS) induces recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lungs leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in lung inflammation and injury. Nicotinamide...Full Text Available
BackgroundPlaster ingestion forming gastric bezoar is a strange way to attempt suicide and this method has not yet been reported. It may lead to a mechanical obstruction of the gut,...Full Text Available
An experimental investigation of heat transfer characteristics for various configurations of air jets impinging on the leading edge inner surface of a gas turbine blade wall is presented. Three configurations were investigated, namely a slot jet, a round ...
Alkyl halides react rapidly with purines and pyrimidines in the presence of fluoride ion. Alkylation of thymidine leads to novel dimeric nucleoside derivatives bridged through N3. Alkylation of thymidine...Full Text Available
IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, but currently available non-invasive screening programs have achieved only...Full Text Available
BackgroundDiagnostic delay in patients with tuberculosis (TB) leads to ongoing TB transmission, higher mortality rates and increased patient and government health expenditure. Qualitative...Full Text Available
A prevailing theory proposes that the brain's two visual pathways, the ventral and dorsal, lead to differing visual processing and world representations for conscious perception than those for action....Full Text Available
BackgroundAlzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia among senile subjects. It has been proposed that AD can be caused...Full Text Available
Examination of a painful hip is fairly concise and reliable at detecting the presence of a hip joint problem. Hip joint disorders often go undetected, leading to the development of secondary disorders....Full Text Available
BackgroundCancer constitutes a serious burden of disease worldwide and has become the second leading cause of death in China. Alcohol consumption is causally associated with the...Full Text Available
The biosorption of lead (II) and copper (II) ions, single component and binary systems, by dried P. putida was investigated in a batch system. The effects of initial pH, temperature, initial single and binary mixture concentrations on the biosorption kinetics and equilibrium uptake of each component, both single and binary mixtures were investigated. The bacterial biomass exhibited the highest single and binary lead (II) and copper (II) ions uptake capacity at 25 and 30 deg. C, respectively, the initial pH value of 5.5 and at the initial metal ions concentration of 100 mg dm{sup -3}. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm constants were evaluated at different temperatures. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir model, although they could be modeled by the Freundlich equation. The thermodynamics constants of the adsorption process: ...
Epignathus is an extremely rare oropharyngeal teratoma that commonly arises from the palate, leading to a high mortality (80–100%) due to airway obstruction in the neonatal period. We present...Full Text Available
This article reports of the nickel-metal-hydride battery and its ability to compete with the lead-acid battery in electric-powered vehicles. The topics of the article include development of the battery, the impetus for development in California environmental law, battery performance, packaging for the battery's hazardous materials, and the solid electrolyte battery.
The electric power consumption of electric cars and the demand they will pose on electric utilities are considered. The increased amount of travel will require more electric power in summer, while space heating makes larger demands in winter. This leads to nearly flat demand on electric utilities throughout the year. 5 refs.
Background:During transurethral resection surgery (TUR), accidental stimulation of the obturator nerve can cause violent adductor contraction, leading to serious intraoperative...Full Text Available
Both deficiency and excess of growth hormone (GH) are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. GH replacement in otherwise healthy subjects leads to complications, whereas individuals with...Full Text Available
In electron beam therapy, tissue overdose due to electrons backscattered from lead has been profusely studied. To quantify this dose enhancement effect, an electron backscatter factor (EBF) wasdefined as the ratio of dose at the tissue-inhomogeneity interface with and without the scatterer present. The dependence of the EBF on energy at the scatterer surface is not well known for energies lower than 3 MeV which is the most frequent clinical situation. In this work, we have done Monte Carlo calculations with the GEANT code to study EBF in lead at this energy range. The applicability of this code and the developed procedure for dose estimation has been experimentally verified. The dependence of the EBF on the beam energy incident on the scatterer has been studied for different nominal beam energies incident at the phantom's surface. The results show a trend of increase of EBF with the beam energy incident on the scatterer between 0.5 and ...
A paradoxical metabolic imbalance in inorganic phosphate occurs from the early onset of diabetes and may lead to a reduction of high energy phosphates and tissue hypoxia. These changes take place in...Full Text Available
The display of proteins such as feed enzymes at the surface of bacterial spore systems has a great potential use for animal feed. Feed enzymes increase the digestibility of nutrients, leading to greater...Full Text Available
Acetaminophen (APAP), a widely used analgesic and antipyretic that is considered to be relatively safe at recommended doses, is the leading cause of drug-induced liver failure in the United States....Full Text Available
In order to identify novel high value antibacterial targets it is desirable to delineate whether the inactivation of the target enzyme will lead to bacterial death or stasis. This knowledge is particularly...Full Text Available
Details of ion transporting abnormalities in cystic fibrosis airway epithelium are now known. The central hypothesis, that excessive drying of the airway surfaces is a primary event that leads to all...Full Text Available
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Standard chemotherapy has been shown to improve quality of life and has a modest influence on overall survival. This modest improvement in...Full Text Available
Cryptic invasions are a largely unrecognized type of biological invasion that lead to underestimation of the total numbers and impacts of invaders because of the difficulty in detecting them. The distribution...Full Text Available
Theoretical work supported by this grant has lead to the concept of the specific pinning force Q and the development of new methods to sum elementary interaction forces to find Q. Pinning due to changes in transition temperature or thermodynamic critical field in thin layers (e.g., a grain boundary), is greatly reduced due to the proximity effect and the stress field interaction due to the dislocations in the grain boundary has been shown to be negligible. The crystalline anisotropy (CA) and electron scattering (ES) interactions have been computed for the first time for an arbitrary boundary. Experiments on niobium bicrystals, polycrystalline niobium thin foils doped with oxygen, lead-bismuth alloy thin films and lead-bismuth alloy films in which either lead or thallium has been allowed to diffuse down the grain boundaries and out into the grains provide evidence that confirms the predictions of the ...
The extensive diversity of Plasmodium falciparum antigens is a major obstacle to a broadly effective malaria vaccine but population genetics has rarely been used to guide vaccine design....Full Text Available
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a leading cause of diarrhea in travelers to countries where the disease is endemic and causes a major disease burden in the indigenous population,...Full Text Available
IntroductionColonoscopic perforation is a rare but serious complication of colonoscopy. Factors known to increase the risk of perforation include colonic strictures, extensive diverticulosis,...Full Text Available
The collapse of major histocompatiblity complex (MHC) class-I-dependent immune privilege can lead to autoimmune disease or fetal rejection. Pragmatic and instructive models are needed to clarify the...Full Text Available
Social opportunities and work demands have caused humans to become increasingly active during the late evening hours, leading to a shift from the predominantly diurnal lifestyle of our ancestors...Full Text Available
Hookworms, bloodfeeding intestinal nematodes, infect nearly one billion people in resource limited countries and are a leading cause of anemia and malnutrition. Like other nematodes, hookworms...Full Text Available
BackgroundChronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain (CNSMSP) may develop in childhood and adolescence, leading to disability and reduced quality of life that continues into adulthood....Full Text Available
Rationale: Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) leads to an unacceptably high mortality. In this regard, the antiinflammatory properties of inhaled carbon monoxide (CO) may provide...Full Text Available
BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States as well as globally. Epidemiological studies show that regular fruit and vegetable consumption...Full Text Available
Global hypomethylation has been shown to increase genome instability potentially leading to increased cancer risk. We determined whether global methylation in blood leukocyte DNA was associated...Full Text Available
This book contains 8 papers including the topics of: Spray and Flame Structure in Diesel Combustion; Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Diesel Injection Transients; Lead-Fuel Governor System - Dual-Fuel Engine; Fuel Spray Modeling in Swirling Flows.
AimsA better understanding of the ionic mechanisms for cardiac automaticity can lead to better strategies for engineering bio-artificial pacemakers. Here, we attempted to better...Full Text Available
BackgroundThyroid hormones are important regulators of brain development. During critical periods of development, even transient disorders in thyroid hormone availability may lead...Full Text Available
Familial defective apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 is a genetic disease that leads to hypercholesterolemia and to an increased serum concentration of low density lipoproteins that bind defectively to the...Full Text Available
BackgroundMutations of the amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) are found in familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and some lead to the elevated production...Full Text Available
Pharmacologic or genetic deletion of components of the renin-angiotensin system leads to postnatal kidney injury, but the roles of these components in kidney development are unknown. To test the hypothesis...Full Text Available
PurposeCataract is the leading cause of blindness and is associated with oxidative damage and protein modification in the lens. In the present study, we have employed proteomic and...Full Text Available
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process leading to enhanced cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and vasa vasorum (VV) neovascularization. While both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypercholesterolemia...Full Text Available
Even in healthy individuals, aging leads to deterioration in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, and dark adaptation. Little is known about the neural mechanisms that drive the...Full Text Available
In multiple sclerosis (MS), oligodendrocyte and myelin destruction lead to demyelination with subsequent axonal loss. Experimental demyelination in rodents has highlighted the activation of the subventricular...Full Text Available
Using an expanded nuclear data base, the activation of nitrogen, aluminum, iron, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, and lead were calculated for the first wall positions of the STARFIRE and MARS conceptual fusion reactors.
Methods of acidizing a subterranean well formation, acidizing compositions, and sequestering additives for preventing the precipitation of metal compounds in the formation are described. Use of the methods and chemicals described should lead to improved formation permeability as compared to use of previous methods and chemicals. 12 claims.
Ataxin-3, the protein involved in Machado-Joseph disease, is able to bind ubiquitylated substrates and act as a deubiquitylating enzyme in vitro, and it has been involved in the modulation of protein...Full Text Available
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are leading causes of morbidity across all populations, with heritability estimates of ∼80% indicating a substantial genetic component. Population genetics...Full Text Available
To reconstruct the profiles of heavy metal levels in the South Ocean ecosystem of Antarctica, the concentrations of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in seal hairs and lake sediments spanning the past 1500 years from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and in weathering lake sediments from Nelson Island of West Antarctica were determined. The lead contents in the seal hairs and the weathering sediments show a sharp increase since the late 1800s, very likely due to anthropogenic contamination from modern industries. After the 1980s, the Pb content in seal hairs dropped by one-third, apparently due to the reduced usage of leaded gasoline in the Southern Hemisphere. Copper arises mainly from the weathering process, and its level may be substantially affected by climatic conditions. The concentrations of Cd, As, and Zn do not show any clear temporal trends.
Histone H2AX phosphorylation on a serine four residues from the carboxyl terminus (producing γH2AX) is a sensitive marker for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSBs may lead to cancer...Full Text Available
In addition to inducing new transcriptional activities that lead within a few hours to the accumulation of heat shock proteins (Hsps), heat shock activates within minutes the major signaling transduction...Full Text Available
by American scientists, ecosystems containing a greater number of plant species, produce more biomass.This result ...to meet the increasing demand for land for farmland planted with monocultures, buildings and roads.For ...have hypothesized that greater ecological diversity (diversity of plant and animal species) leads to a greater
This paper deals with dynamic reliability of embedded systems. It presents a method for deriving feared scenarios (which might lead the system to a critical situation) in Petri nets. A classical way to obtain scenarios in Petri nets is to generate the reachability graph. However, for complex systems, it leads to the state space explosion. To avoid this problem, in our approach, Petri net reachability is translated into provability of linear logic sequents. Linear logic bases are introduced and used to formally define scenarios and minimality of scenarios. These definitions allow the method to produce only pertinent scenarios. The steps of the method are described and illustrated through a landing-gear system example.
A rechargeable cell is disclosed which is characterized in the following manner. A positive electrode is formed from a manganese oxide electrode material. This manganese oxide electrode material contains a heavy metal selected from the group comprising lead, bismuth, and mixtures of lead and bismuth. The cell also contains a negative electrode of zinc. A separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An alkaline electrolyte consisting essentially of an alcohol and an alkaline hydroxide is also contained in the rechargeable cell in contact with both the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
The cold fusion reactions leading to superheavy elements with Z=104-116 has been discussed in our model recently [5]. Presently we shortly discuss our model and extend our consideration to fusion reactions ("8"6Kr, "8"7Rb, "8"8Sr)+"2"0"8Pb and "8"6Kr+"2"0"9Bi leading to elements with Z=118-120. The available experimental cross-section data for the reactions are well described.
In this paper, it is suggested that the selection method of optimal parameter of power system stabilizer (PSS) with robustness in low frequency oscillation for power system using real variable elitism genetic algorithm (RVEGA). The optimal parameters were selected in the case of power system stabilizer with one lead compensator, and two lead compensator. Also, the frequency responses characteristics of PSS, the system eigenvalues criterion and the dynamic characteristics were considered in the normal load and the heavy load, which proved usefulness of RVEGA compare with Yu's compensator design theory. (author). 20 refs., 15 figs., 8 tabs.
Open descendants extend conformal field theory to unoriented surfaces with boundaries. The construction rests on two types of generalizations of the fusion algebra. The first is needed even in the relatively simple case of diagonal models. It leads to a new tensor that satisfies the fusion algebra, but whose entries are signed integers. The second is needed when dealing with non-diagonal models, where Cardy's ansatz does not apply. It leads to a new tensor with positive integer entries, that satisfies a set of polynomial equations and encodes the classification of the allowed boundary operators. (orig.).
Within the APROS simulation environment we have built a thermo-hydraulic model of a conceptual fusion power plant which is water cooled and uses lithium-lead for tritium breeding. For the safety assessment of this design we have studied an accident sequence which starts from a loss or coolant flow then leads to first wall breach and pressurisation of the vacuum vessel. Simulations have revealed strong pressure transients which can be alleviated by design changes. One goal is to verify the adequacy of the containment design: it remains intact at least 14 h without any mitigating efforts. Estimates for radioactive releases are obtained. (author)
An experiment has been performed to investigate the chemical reaction between the liquid phases of the eutectic lithium-lead (Li/sub 17/Pb/sub 83/) and water. The reactants and products were constrained within a closed reaction vessel, allowing the extent of reaction to be determined from the partial pressure of the hydrogen reaction product. The data from the tests showed that the extent of reaction did not depend upon the water temperature. The data also indicated that the extent of reaction passed through a maximum as the initial liquid metal temperature was varied from 350 to 500 C, and a model was developed to explain this behavior. 11 refs., 3 figs.
The influence of motion of ions and electron temperature on nonlinear one-dimensional plasma waves with velocity close to the speed of light in vacuum investigated. It is shown that although the wavebreaking field weakly depends on mass of ions, the nonlinear relativistic wavelength essentially changes. The nonlinearity leads to the increase of the strong plasma wavelength, while the motion of ions leads to the decrease of the wavelength. Both hydrodynamic approach and kinetic one, based on Vlasov-Poisson equations, are used to investigate the relativistic strong plasma waves in a warm plasma. The existence of relativistic solitons in a thermal plasma is predicted.
...Investigating Biochar: from Source to Sink (Overview - Research) The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship is leading national collaborative research analysing the properties ...and potential of a variety of biochars to improve soil health and sequester carbon. The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship is leading national collaborative research ...analysing the properties and potential of a variety of biochars to improve soil health and sequester carbon. Biochar, sustainable agriculture, soil,...carbon, SAF, pyrolysis, fertiliser, biochar, soil types, greenhouse gas, herbicide, pesticide, bioenergy, soil science, carbon-rich solid, ...
We discuss the inclusive production of D{sup *{+-}} mesons in {gamma}p collisions at DESY HERA, based on a calculation at next-to-leading order in the general-mass variable-flavor-number scheme. In this approach, MS subtraction is applied in such a way that large logarithmic corrections are resummed in universal parton distribution and fragmentation functions and finite mass terms are taken into account. We present detailed numerical results for a comparison with data obtained at HERA and discuss various sources of theoretical uncertainties. (orig.)
A significant asymmetry in baryon/antibaryon yields in the central region of high energy collisions is observed when the initial state has non-zero baryon charge. This asymmetry is connected with the possibility of a baryon charge diffusion in rapidity space. Evidently, such a diffusion should decrease the baryon charge in the fragmentation region leading to the corresponding decrease of the multiplicity of leading baryons. As a result, a new mechanism for Feynman scaling violation in the fragmentation region is obtained. We present the quantitative predictions for the Feynman scaling violation at LHC energies and even at highier energies that can be important for cosmic ray physics.
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, has been designated as Lead Center for the Exploratory Battery Technology Development and Testing Project, which is sponsored by the US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Storage and Distribution. In this capacity, Sandia is responsible for the engineering development of advanced rechargeable batteries for both mobile and stationary energy storage applications. This report details the technical achievements realized in pursuit of the Lead Center's goals during calendar year 1989. 4 refs., 84 figs., 18 tabs.
Electron beam therapy has often been used for radiation therapy of carcinomas of the buccal mucosa, though side effects, including stomatitis and dermatitis, are known to exist. We experimented using the additional back scatter and transit with the phantom under a lead plate within the irradiation field, in order to better focus the dose on the target volume moreover, we fabricated a mouthpiece fitted with a lead plate shaped to the target volume, and with respect to the influence of the mouthpiece on stomatitis and dermatitis, obtained good clinical results. (author).
Electron beam therapy has often been used for radiation therapy of carcinomas of the buccal mucosa, though side effects, including stomatitis and dermatitis, are known to exist. We experimented using the additional back scatter and transit with the phantom under a lead plate within the irradiation field, in order to better focus the dose on the target volume moreover, we fabricated a mouthpiece fitted with a lead plate shaped to the target volume, and with respect to the influence of the mouthpiece on stomatitis and dermatitis, obtained good clinical results. (author).
The common envelope phase of binary star evolution plays a central role in many evolutionary pathways leading to the formation of compact objects in short period systems. Using three dimensional hydrodynamical computations, we review the major features of this evolutionary phase, focusing on the conditions that lead to the successful ejection of the envelope and, hence, survival of the system as a post common envelope binary. Future hydrodynamical calculations at high spatial resolution are required to delineate the regime in parameter space for which systems survive as compact binary systems from those for which the two components of the system merge into a single rapidly rotating star. Recent algorithmic developments will facilitate the attainment of this goal.
Lead-acid batteries, one of eight types, account for about 70% of annualized control costs facing the battery manufacturing industry as a result of EPA's guidelines. This report is the industry's response. It makes counter recommendations for effluent limitations, discusses selected control technologies and effluent limitations, makes control cost estimates, and provides an economic impact analysis and a benefits effectiveness analysis.
An alkali-like ion interaction with inner electrons of an alkali-like ion leads to a significant increase in the photoionization cross section of the outer s electron. This occurs not only for ground-state ions with one s electron in the outer shell, but also when the outer s electron is in an excited state. The reason for this amplification, in addition to coherent enhancement in summing of the correlation amplitudes, is that the zero in the direct amplitude occurs below threshold. This leads to a constructive interference with the correlation amplitude above the photoionization threshold, in contrast to a destructive interference in the case of a neutral atom with the same electronic configuration, for which the zero occurs above threshold. Results of this research were published.
The open source Scala language is a Java--based dynamic scripting, functional programming language. Moreover, this highly scalable scripting language lends itself well to building Cloud--based/deliverable Software as a Service (SaaS) online applications. Written by Lift Scala web framework founder and lead Dave Pollak, Beginning Scala takes a down--to--earth approach to teaching Scala that leads you through simple examples that can be combined to build complex, scalable systems and applications. This book introduces you to the Scala programming language and then guides you through Scala constr
The paper considers the cyclic variations in performance parameters of a dual fuel engine fuelled with methane. It is shown that such an engine does display cyclic variations that are greater than the corresponding diesel operation, yet smaller than comparable spark ignition operation. The extent of cyclic variation in peak cylinder pressure and ignition delay increases, for any power output, as the pilot diesel quantity is reduced and the extent of gas substitution is increased. The use of extremely small pilots in the unmodified engine can lead to erratic engine performance. Greater cyclic variations are associated with low lead rather than high load operation.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis is used for simultaneously determination of macrocomponents in ferroelectric materials LLZT. Pb, Zr, Ti have been determined by "2"0"3Pb, "8"9Zr and "4"8Sc nuclides created by fast neutron (14.5 MeV) activation. Application of paraffine as neutron moderator and reflector allows to simultaneously determine lanthanum by "1"4"0La nuclide. It has been shown that zirconium, titanium and lanthanum can be determined with the accuracy of #+-#0.1 mas. % and lead - #+-#0.7 mas. %.
Characteristics of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) elements were studied by directly irradiating them with a 400 MeV/n Xe beam. The elements were sensitive to 10{sup 4} Xe ions and their output amplitudes were proportional to the beam intensity. An ensemble of those output amplitudes displayed a Bragg-curve-like response towards the range of 400 MeV/n Xe ion. We discuss the potential of PZT elements as a radiation detector and their application to high-intensity and high-energy detectors. (author)
Steam generators (SGs) in PWRs and CANDUs are designed for at least a 30-year operating life. However, in the 15-25 years that SGs tubed with Alloy 600 have operated commercially, they have experienced reduced reliability, mainly due to SG tubing degradation. One of the degradation mechanisms that Alloy 600 SG tubing has suffered from is lead-induced stress corrosion cracking (PbSCC) in AVT and near-neutral SG environments. In contrast to Alloy 600 tubing, test data obtained in high temperature water indicate that Alloy 800 is resistant to cracking by lead and lead compounds. For Alloy 800 (cold worked, shot peened), the most aggressive environment is reported to be alkaline with minor concentration of PbO (80 ppm). Work by Max Helie et al. also concluded that Alloy 800 is not sensitive to lead assisted SCC for pH values close to neutrality, whereas it could be affected in high alkaline conditions. The ...
Steam generators (SGs) in PWRs and CANDUs are designed for at least a 30-year operating life. However, in the 15-25 years that SGs tubed with Alloy 600 have operated commercially, they have experienced reduced reliability, mainly due to SG tubing degradation. One of the degradation mechanisms that Alloy 600 SG tubing has suffered from is lead-induced stress corrosion cracking (PbSCC) in AVT and near-neutral SG environments. In contrast to Alloy 600 tubing, test data obtained in high temperature water indicate that Alloy 800 is resistant to cracking by lead and lead compounds. For Alloy 800 (cold worked, shot peened), the most aggressive environment is reported to be alkaline with minor concentration of PbO (80 ppm). Work by Max Helie et al. also concluded that Alloy 800 is not sensitive to lead assisted SCC for pH values close to neutrality, whereas it could be affected in high alkaline conditions. The ...
The number of reports concerning the chemical toxicology of metals which are released in the environment by natural as well as anthropogenic sources, have been increasing constantly. Lead, cadmium, and manganese have found a variety of uses in industry, craft, and agriculture owing to their physical and chemical properties. The environmental burden of heavy metals has been rising substantially by smelter emission in air and waste sewage in water. Further, organic compounds of lead and manganese used as antiknock substances in gasoline are emitted into the atmosphere by automobile exhaustion. Such environmental contamination of air, water, soil, and food is a serious threat to all living kinds. Although these metals are known to produce their toxic effects on a variety of body systems, much emphasis has been placed on their effects on the nervous system owing to apparent association of relatively low or ...
The majority of experimental and population studies of blood lead (PbB) and environmental lead, including the Omaha study, have utilized the Goldsmith-Hexter log-log or power function model. Comparison was made of the log-log model and a linear model of total exposure as they described the Omaha Study of 1074 PbBs from children ages 1-18 years as related to air (PbA), soil (PbS), and housedust (PbHD) lead. The data fit of the linear model was statistically equivalent to the power model and the predicted curves were biologically more plausible. The linear model avoids the mathematical limitations of the power model which predicts PbB zero at PbA zero. From the Omaha data, this model, ln PbB = ln (..beta../sub 0/ + B/sub 1/ PbA + B/sub 2/ PbS + ..beta../sub 3/ PbHD) predicts that PbB increases 1.92 ..mu..g/dl as PbA increases 1.0 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/. Since PbS and PbHD increase with PbA, however, the increases in total exposure ...
This paper describes the unique challenges involved in achieving compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Public Law 94-580) Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) treatment standards for four types of mixed wastes generated throughout the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex: (1) radioactively contaminated lead acid batteries; (2) radioactively contaminated cadmium-, mercury-, and silver-containing batteries; (3) mercury-bearing mixed wastes; and (4) radioactive lead solids. For each of these mixed waste types, the paper identifies the strategy pursued by DOE's Office of Pollution Prevention and Resource Conservation Policy and Guidance (EH-43) in coordination with other DOE elements and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet the compliance challenge. Specifically, a regulatory interpretation was obtained from EPA agreeing that the LDR treatment standard for wastes in the D008 'Radioactive ...
There is a renewed interest in straight wing vertical axis wind turbines (SW-VAWT) which are usually installed on the roofs of high buildings in cities, urban areas and high mountain areas for independent electric power supply. SW-VAWTs have the advantages of simple design and low cost, as well as wind direction independence compared to the horizontal system. However, when SW-VAWTs are installed in cold regions, ice, snow and other attachments can affect its performance. In this study, clay was attached to the leading edge of the blade surface to determine how the performance of SW-VAWTs are affected by the mechanism of icing. Wind tunnel tests were used to study the rotational performance and power performance of the turbine blades. Icing prevention was also investigated. The attachment of clay on the leading edge of blade surface made the rotational performance of the SW-VAWT worse. The attachment of clay on the leading ...
The collapse of a massive star's core, followed by a neutrino-driven, asymmetric supernova explosion, can naturally lead to pulsar recoils and neutron star kicks. Here, we present a two-dimensional, radiation-hydrodynamic simulation in which core collapse leads to significant acceleration of a fully-formed, nascent neutron star (NS) via an induced, neutrino-driven explosion. During the explosion, a ~10% anisotropy in the low-mass, high-velocity ejecta lead to recoil of the high-mass neutron star. At the end of our simulation, the NS has achieved a velocity of ~150 km s$^{-1}$ and is accelerating at ~350 km s$^{-2}$, but has yet to reach the ballistic regime. The recoil is due almost entirely to hydrodynamical processes, with anisotropic neutrino emission contributing less than 2% to the overall kick magnitude. Since the observed distribution of neutron star kick velocities peaks at ~300-400 km s$^{-1}$, recoil due to ...
The classical theory of collisional broadening and shift parameters (?, ?) of an isolated spectral line was used to obtain simple analytical formulas for calculating both ? and ?. These formulas were obtained on the assumption that the short range interaction is effective only in the broadening while the long range is effective in the shift of the spectral line. These parameters ? and ? depend on the limiting phase shifts responsible for broadening ?b and shift ??. It was found that the values of ?b and ?? are not equal to each other as was proposed by Weisskopf ?b=??=1. The maximum and average values of ?b (?bmax, ?bav) and ?? (??max, ??av) were obtained by numerical evaluation, using different inverse power potentials. By introducing these parameters into the approximated formulas for ? and ? using Van der Waals and Lennard-Jones potential, it was found that the results of calculations for (? and ?) with different atomic transitions perturbed by different inert gases are in close ...
The behavior of lead in the graphite furnace during the individual steps of the temperature program was investigated by means of /sup 203/Pb as a radiotracer. The matrix systems include HCl and HNO/sub 3/ solutions, 1% NaCl solution, blood, serum, urine, and the solid samples bovine liver and orchard leaves. Without matrix modificaton, a pyrolysis temperature of up to 500/sup 0/C can be used for all samples. Significant stabilization effects can be achieved in the preatomization steps by using NH/sub 4/H/sub 2/PO/sub 4/ and ammonia as matrix modifiers and by addition of hydrogen to the flowing argon gas. It was found that the use of a L'vov platform also helps to eliminate the matrix effects. With respect to lead stabilization and elimination of matrix effects, optimum experimental conditions are achieved by simultaneous use of a L'vov platform and NH/sub 4/H/sub 2/PO/sub 4/ as the matrix modifier. 34 references, 5 figures, 1 ...
The behavior of lead in the graphite furnace during the individual steps of the temperature program was investigated by means of "2"0"3Pb as a radiotracer. The matrix systems include HCl and HNO_3 solutions, 1% NaCl solution, blood, serum, urine, and the solid samples bovine liver and orchard leaves. Without matrix modificaton, a pyrolysis temperature of up to 500"0C can be used for all samples. Significant stabilization effects can be achieved in the preatomization steps by using NH_4H_2PO_4 and ammonia as matrix modifiers and by addition of hydrogen to the flowing argon gas. It was found that the use of a L'vov platform also helps to eliminate the matrix effects. With respect to lead stabilization and elimination of matrix effects, optimum experimental conditions are achieved by simultaneous use of a L'vov platform and NH_4H_2PO_4 as the matrix modifier. 34 references, 5 figures, 1 table.
The performance and lifetime of energy storage in batteries are an important part of many renewable based energy systems. Not only do batteries impact on the system performance but they are also a significant expenditure when considering the whole life cycle costs. Poor prediction of lifetime can, therefore, lead to uncertainty in the viability of the system in the long term. This report details the work undertaken to investigate and develop two different battery life prediction methodologies with specific reference to their use in hybrid renewable energy systems. Alongside this, results from battery tests designed to exercise batteries in similar modes to those that they experience in hybrid systems have also been analysed. These have yielded battery specific parameters for use in the prediction software and the first results in the validation process of the software are also given. This work has been part of the European Union Benchmarking research project ...
Absorption of lead is known to be enhanced during infancy. In this study, the sites of intestinal accumulation of Pb by suckling rats have been determined under various conditions using "2"0"3Pb as a tracer. When "2"0"3Pb was administered intragastrically (IG) as a soluble salt, accumulation occurred primarily in the duodenum, regardless of dose and vehicle. In contrast, when rat pups suckled from a dam which had received "2"0"3Pb, the only region of the small intestine showing accumulation of radioactivity was the ileum. To confirm that these differences were not related to the route of administration, rat milk was labeled with "2"0"3Pb and was then used for IG administration. Once again, accumulation (4 hr post-administration) was confined to the ileum. When the dose was increased 10-fold, milk Pb displayed some accumulation in duodenal tissue, but very much less than that of soluble Pb at the same time and dosage. At 20 hr postadministration, there was ...
2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a new orally active heavy metal chelator for the treatment of childhood Pb intoxication on an outpatient basis. The influence of DMSA, as well as other chelating agents, on gastrointestinal 203Pb absorption and whole-body "2"0"3Pb retention was examined. Groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (230-260 g) were gavaged with a solution containing approximately 25 mg/kg Pb [as Pb(NO_3)2] plus 15 microCi "2"0"3Pb. Some groups were then immediately given 0.11 mmol/kg of either DMSA, CaNa2EDTA, D-penicillamine, or BAL by oral gavage, while other groups received the same drugs by ip injection. Control groups received solutions of the drug vehicles po or ip. Whole-body Pb retention and gastrointestinal Pb absorption (whole body retention + urinary Pb excretion) were significantly decreased in rats that received DMSA po. This finding implies that the use of DMSA to treat childhood lead intoxication on an outpatient basis is not associated with a ...
We investigate the two-body decay modes {rho}{rho}, {pi}{pi}{sup *} (1300) and {sigma}{sigma} of the f{sub 0}(1500), all leading to the four pion decay channel, in a three-state mixing scheme, where the f{sub 0}(1500) is a mixture of the lowest lying scalar glueball with the nearby isoscalar states of the 0{sup ++}Q Q-bar nonet. In the leading order of this scheme, the decay mechanism of the f{sub 0}(1500) proceeds dominantly via its quarkonium components, which can be described in the framework of the {sup 3}P{sub 0} pair creation model. We predict the hierarchy of decay branching ratios B with B({rho}{rho}) {>=} B({pi}{pi}) {>=} B({sigma}{sigma}) > B({pi}{pi}{sup *}), providing a key signature of the proposed mixing scheme in this leading order approach. (authors)
(abridged) Observations clearly show that low-mass AGB stars can provide a nucleosynthesis site of the s-process. Recent stellar evolution models indicate that radiative burning of C13 between thermal pulses in low-mass AGB stars may indeed provide the needed neutrons. Some mixing between the proton-rich envelope and the carbon-rich core may lead to the production of C13. However, the responsible physical mechanism is not yet unambiguously identified. We present stellar model calculations with overshoot and rotation. Overshoot, with a time-dependent and exponentially decaying efficiency, leads to a partial mixture of protons and C12 during the third dredge-up. According to the depth-dependent ratio of protons and C12, a small C13-pocket forms underneath a N14-rich layer. Overshoot does not allow for any mixing during the interpulse phase. Rotation introduces mixing driven by large angular velocity gradients which form at the envelope-core ...
This paper studies the way in which confinement leads to chiral symmetry breaking (CSB) through a gap equation. We argue that entropic effects cut off infrared singularities in the standard confining effective propagator $1/p^4$, which should be replaced by $1/(p^2+m^2)^2$ for a finite mass $m\\sim K_F/M(0)$ [$M(0)$ is the zero-momentum value of the running quark mass]. Extension of an old calculation of the author yields a specific estimate for $m$. This cutoff propagator shows semi-quantitatively two critical properties of confinement: 1) a negative contribution to the confining potential coming from entropic forces; 2) an infrared cutoff required by gauge invariance and CSB itself. Entropic effects lead to a proliferation of pion branches and a $\\bar{q}q$ condensate, and contribute a negative term $\\sim -K_F/M(0)$ to the effective pion Hamiltonian allowing for a massless pion in the presence of positive kinetic energy and string energy. ...
This report discusses the development of transition metal oxide semiconductors for photoelectrolysis of water. More specifically, it involves preparation of TiO/sub 2/ films by sputtering and evaluating their physicochemical characteristics primarily as they relate to the behaviour of the films as photoanodes. Impedance, photoelectrochemical, and photoconduction properties of TiO/sub 2/ films sputtered in pure O/sub 2/ onto heated substrates have been determined as a function of O/sub 2/ pressure during sputtering, film thickness, Pt overcoating, and cathodic treatment. The capacitance data before cathodic treatment are of the form expected. The capacitance is essentially independent of potential, while for potentials increasingly cathodic of this value, the capacitance increases very rapidly. Cathodic treatment alters the impedance characteristics of the films but leads to either no detectible change in their photoelectrochemical properties or to an increase in ...
To seek for a promising concept of a heavy liquid metal coolant (HLMC) fast reactor plant, Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute and the electric utilities conducted conceptual design study on various types of plant concepts and compared these concepts based on technical feasibility and economical perspective. A comparative design study is performed on Lead-Bismuth cooled reactors with forced and natural convection cooling. Eliminating an intermediate cooling system makes the heat transport system simple and can decrease the amount of the weight of NSSS. Based on the estimation of the amount materials, the plant internal load etc., a construction cost of these plants are evaluated approximately 2/3 times of that of LWRs at present. And, the nitride fuel makes breeding ratio of 1.2 with 150 GWd/t of burnup. The results of unprotected event analyses such as UTOP and ULOF show that both of concepts have possible features to withstand unprotected events due to ...
No-carrier-added astatine radionuclides produced in the {sup 7}Li-irradiated lead matrix were separated from bulk lead nitrate target by complexing At with insulin, followed by dialysis. The method offers simultaneous separation of At from lead as well as its complexation with insulin. The At-insulin complex might be a potential radiopharmaceutical in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The stability of At-insulin complex was checked by dialysis against deionized water and Ringer lactate (RL) solution. It has been found that the half-life of At-insulin complex is about {approx}12 h, when dialyzed against deionized water and is only 6 h, when dialyzed against RL solution having the same composition as blood serum. The 6 h half-life of this Insulin-At complex is perfect for killing cancer cells from external cell surfaces as the half-life of internalization of insulin molecule inside the cell is 7-12 h.
No-carrier-added astatine radionuclides produced in the "7Li-irradiated lead matrix were separated from bulk lead nitrate target by complexing At with insulin, followed by dialysis. The method offers simultaneous separation of At from lead as well as its complexation with insulin. The At-insulin complex might be a potential radiopharmaceutical in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The stability of At-insulin complex was checked by dialysis against deionized water and Ringer lactate (RL) solution. It has been found that the half-life of At-insulin complex is about #approx#12 h, when dialyzed against deionized water and is only 6 h, when dialyzed against RL solution having the same composition as blood serum. The 6 h half-life of this Insulin-At complex is perfect for killing cancer cells from external cell surfaces as the half-life of internalization of insulin molecule inside the cell is 7-12 h.
W have introduced template-synthesized metal phosphate nanoparticle labels for electrochemical immunoassay. Such use of an apoferritin template offers a simple and convenient route to prepare metallic nanoparticle labels for electrochemical immunoassays and avoid the complicated and time-consuming nanoparticle synthesis process (QD synthesis). Releasing metal ions from metal phosphate in an acetate buffer (pH 4.6) eliminates the harsh condition in the traditional metallic nanoparticle dissolution (e.g., strong acid dissolution of QDs and gold nanoparticles). This method is ultrasensitive and its DL is low to 77fM. The simultaneous detection of multiple protein targets is easily performed by using different metal phosphate nanoparticle labels (cadmium phosphate and lead phosphate). This approach can be extended to prepare multiple metal (such as zinc, lead, cadmium, copper, indium, gold, silver) phosphate nanoparticle labels or hybrid metal ...
Traditionally wafer bumps are made from Pb containing solders. Over 20 years ago IBM recognized that {sup 210}Pb has a decay chain resulting in a 5.4 MeV alpha particle that induces soft errors. A variety of efforts to produce and characterize low alpha Pb ensued. Work at Honeywell over the past several years has shown that low alpha lead activity does not follow the decay signature predicted from {sup 210}Pb secular equilibrium. Data are presented indicating that smelting has a minimal effect on {sup 210}Pb/{sup 210}Po secular equilibrium and that other trace radionuclides are the alpha source. The implications of these data to possible alpha emitter sources in lead free solders are discussed, along with a method developed by Honeywell to remove alpha emitters from lead free solder components.
We present a Poincare covariant Faddeev equation, which enables the simultaneous prediction of meson and baryon observables using the leading order in a truncation of the Dyson-Schwinger equations that can systematically be improved. The solution describes a nucleon's dressed-quark core. The evolution of the nucleon mass with current-quark mass is discussed. A nucleon-photon current, which can produce nucleon form factors with realistic Q{sup 2} evolution, is described. Axial-vector diquark correlations lead to a neutron Dirac form factor that is negative, with r{sub 1}{sup nu}>r{sub 1}{sup nd}. The proton electric-magnetic form factor ratio falls with increasing Q{sup 2}.
Contamination of certain areas of Europe with radiocaesium from the Chernobyl accident led to a higher {sup 137}Cs accumulation (i.e. 300-600 Bq kg{sup -1}) in grain and to potential post-accident contamination of broiler chickens. In future, such contamination may require a simple determination of the {sup 137}Cs activity concentration in broiler chicken meat which would lead to measures for preventing the recommended limits of radionuclide contamination of the meat for human consumption from being exceeded. This paper describes the development of a rapid method for the in vivo monitoring of the broiler chicken using a lead-shielded sodium iodide detector. The method enables simply fixed live chicken to be monitored, the results showing a good correlation (R{sup 2}=0.98) with measurements of meat from chicken previously monitored in vivo prior to slaughter.
We have computed the next-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the Gross-Llewellyn Smith sum rule for deep inelastic neutrino-nucleon scattering and to the Bjorken sum rule for polarized electron-nucleon scattering. This involved the proper treatment of #gamma#_5 inside the loop integrals within dimensional regularization. We find that the difference between the two sum rules are entirely due to a class of six three-loop graphs and is of the order of 1% of the leading QCD term (O(#alpha#_s)). Hence the Q"2 behavior of both sum rules should be nearly the same if the physics is described adequately by the lower order terms of perturbative QCD. (orig.).
We present a strong-weak coupling duality for quantum mechanical potentials. Similarly to what happens in quantum field theory, it relates two problems with inverse couplings, leading to a mapping of the strong coupling regime into the weak one, giving information from the nonperturbative region of the parameters space. It can be used to solve exactly power-type potentials and to extract deep information about the energy spectra of polynomial ones. We present a strong-weak coupling duality for quantum mechanical potentials. Similarly to what happens in quantum field theory, it relates two problems with inverse couplings, leading to a mapping of the strong coupling regime into the weak one, giving information from the nonperturbative region of the parameters space. It can be used to solve exactly power-type potentials and to extract deep information about the energy spectra of polynomial ones.
Bismuth radioisotopes, produced by 50-MeV proton bombardment of a lead target in a cyclotron, are separated from the lead target material by ion-exchange chromatography on a column containing 5.0 ml of Chelex 100. After a decay period of 24 hr, the /sup 203/Pb formed in situ is eluted from the column and then separated from /sup 200/Tl and /sup 201/Tl on a second ion-exchange column containing 0.5 ml of Chelex 100. Separations are sharp and carrier-free /sup 203/Pb is obtained.
In the Carpathian Basin, significant percentage of watershed area and floodplains of rivers are utilised agriculturally. Several potential sources of poisonous metal pollution have been identified in these areas. Because of spills from some of them a few severe accidents have happened especially in the watershed area of Tisza River during the last decades. The motivation of our present work was to produce {sup 62,65}Zn and {sup 203}Pb radioisotopes because they can be used especially as tracers for studying the kinetics of uptake, transport and accumulation of zinc and lead by plants under different circumstances. (orig.)
In the Carpathian Basin, significant percentage of watershed area and floodplains of rivers are utilised agriculturally. Several potential sources of poisonous metal pollution have been identified in these areas. Because of spills from some of them a few severe accidents have happened especially in the watershed area of Tisza River during the last decades. The motivation of our present work was to produce "6"2","6"5Zn and "2"0"3Pb radioisotopes because they can be used especially as tracers for studying the kinetics of uptake, transport and accumulation of zinc and lead by plants under different circumstances. (orig.)
The following method is proposed as a supplement to main patent 2419107, which deals with the filling of tubular plates surrounding the lead cores: the flat materials which are used to produce the jacket tubes are prepared before forming into jacket tubes by a film producing aqueous carboxy-methyl cellulose solution closing the pores. The preparation can be done by coating the flat material with a soluble foil. After pressing the paste in, the tubular plates are dried and after cooling are dipped into sulphuric acid with a specific gravity of 1.24 g/cm/sup 3/. The carboxy-methyl cellulose is dissolved and the permeability of the tube walls for electrolyte is restored after only 15 minutes.
This paper examines Pippenger's (2011) proposed solution to the forward bias puzzle, which is based on the covered interest parity (CIP) condition. It is argued that the CIP-based approach does not solve this well known and long-standing puzzle in international finance in a meaningful way. Moreover, it is shown that empirical results from such an approach follow mechanically from the identity-like nature of the theory of covered interest parity, which, aside from small deviations due to transaction costs, is assumed to hold in all periods (as if it were an identity). We show that rather than leading to new insights, the simple reconfiguration of CIP to solve for the time t+1 spot exchange rate leads to tautological expressions that, when estimated, might appear to successfully explain the ...
We apply the method of coadjoint orbits of \\winf-algebra to the problem of non-relativistic fermions in one dimension. This leads to a geometric formulation of the quantum theory in terms of the quantum phase space distribution of the fermi fluid. The action has an infinite series expansion in the string coupling, which to leading order reduces to the previously discussed geometric action for the classical fermi fluid based on the group $w_\\infty$ of area-preserving diffeomorphisms. We briefly discuss the strong coupling limit of the string theory which, unlike the weak coupling regime, does not seem to admit of a two dimensional space-time picture. Our methods are equally applicable to interacting fermions in one dimension.
...The RSPB: Great crested grebe A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us Home England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales About Overview Awards & recognition Contact us Facts and figures History How we are run Inspiring work Job vacancies Looking to the future Media centre Offices The RSPB view ...status: Green Listen Get Flash player Play sound 1 videoLatin name Podiceps cristatusFamily Grebes (Podicipedidae)Overview A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. ...
As the world's largest creditor nation, with some of the world's largest banks and leading industries, Japan is often portrayed as an economic and financial superpower. With long-established 'Western-style' financial institutions to represent it in all the world's major financial capitals and markets, a technologically savvy Japan is often said to be positioning itself to lead Asia, the Asia/Pacific region, or even the entire world, into the marvels of the twenty-first century. Against this continuing rhetorical backdrop, however, fundamental questions arise as to Japan's ability to internationalize in today's increasingly globalized world economy. Domestically, only a very limited presence is permitted to the foreigner in the Japanese economy, especially in the commanding heights of finan...
We consider low-energy nucleons at next-to-next-to-leading order in lattice chiral effective field theory. Three-body interactions first appear at this order, and we discuss several methods for determining three-body interaction coefficients on the lattice. We compute the energy of the triton and low-energy neutron-deuteron scattering phase shifts in the spin-doublet and spin-quartet channels using Luescher's finite-volume method. In the four-nucleon system we calculate the energy of the {alpha}-particle using auxiliary fields and projection Monte Carlo. (orig.)
When clinoptilolite is immobilized in cement-based composites, a series of reactions occur, leading to release of Cs. These reactions occur in three overlapping stages: a rapid ion exchange, followed by a somewhat slower reaction between clinoptilolite and principally the Ca(OH)_2 component of cement, and, in the longer term, slower reactions with C-S-H leading either to formation of low-lime C-S-H at temperatures below 100"0C or 11 A (1.1 nm) tobermorite at higher temperatures. Kinetic data are presented to evaluate the rate of physical consumption of the zeolites at 70 and 150"0C. Reactions occurring above 100"0C appear to result in the development of extensive microcracking of cement-zeolite composites containing 50% zeolite.
In the present study, element interdiffusions at the cofired interface of 9/1 Ag/Pd electrode and lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-based ferroelectrics were investigated using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Intense interdiffusions at the interface were observed while Ag and Pd could penetrate into the ceramics for about 1 {mu}m. Ag-doping experiments were carried out to further study the effects of Ag diffusion on electrical properties of the ceramics. The results showed that Ag could be incorporated into solid solution of the ceramics as Ag{sup +}. As a whole, the Curie temperature (Tc) and dielectric constant of the ceramics decreased with Ag addition. However, Ag addition had no obvious effect on the insulation resistivity. The results inferred that Ag{sup +} could substitute for Pb{sup 2+} at A site of ABO{sub 3} lattice, thereby oxygen vacancies were generated.
Electric supply industry is facing deregulation all over the world. Under deregulated power supply scenario, power transmission congestion has become more intensified and recurrent, as compared to conventional regulated power system. Congestion may lead to violation of voltage or transmission capacity limits, thus threatens the power system security and reliability. Also the growing congestion may lead to unanticipated divergent electricity pricing. Owing to these facts congestion management has become a crucial issue in the deregulated power system scenario. Fast and precise prediction of nodal congestion prices in real time deregulated/spot power market may enable market participants and system operators to keep pace with the congestion by taking preventive measures like transaction resc...
This experiment investigated the effects of free-stream turbulence intensity, length scale, Reynolds number, and leading-edge velocity gradient on stagnation-region heat transfer. Heat transfer was measured in the stagnation region of four models with elliptical leading edges downstream of five turbulence-generating grids. Stagnation-region heat transfer augmentation increased with decreasing length scale but an optimum scale was not found. A correlation was developed that fit heat transfer data for isotropic turbulence to within {+-}4 percent but did not predict data for anisotropic turbulence. Stagnation heat transfer augmentation caused by turbulence was unaffected by the velocity gradient. The data of other researchers compared well with the correlation. A method of predicting heat transfer downstream of the stagnation point was developed. 28 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.
This experiment investigated the effects of free-stream turbulence intensity, length scale, Reynolds number, and leading-edge velocity gradient on stagnation-region heat transfer. Heat transfer was measured in the stagnation region of four models with elliptical leading edges downstream of five turbulence-generating grids. Stagnation-region heat transfer augmentation increased with decreasing length scale but an optimum scale was not found. A correlation was developed that fit heat transfer data for isotropic turbulence to within #+-#4 percent but did not predict data for anisotropic turbulence. Stagnation heat transfer augmentation caused by turbulence was unaffected by the velocity gradient. The data of other researchers compared well with the correlation. A method of predicting heat transfer downstream of the stagnation point was developed. 28 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.
The influence of the regimes of modification of carbon fibers by an argon ion beam on the change in the angle of their wetting by an epoxy oligomer has been investigated. It has been shown that ion-beam treatment of carbon fibers leads to a considerable decrease in the wetting angles (the difference between the wetting angles for non modified and modified fibers is up to 32.2-38.7). Accordingly, there is also an increase in the value of the equilibrium work of adhesion by 36.2-41.6% in the contact zone. It has been established that ion-beam treatment of carbon fibers by argon ions leads to an increase in the shear strength when microplastics based on them are formed. (authors)
Dark Matter annihilation (DMA) may yield an excess of gamma rays and antimatter particles, like antiprotons and positrons, above the background from cosmic ray interactions. Several signatures, ranging from the positron excess, as observed by HEAT, AMS-01 and PAMELA, the gamma ray excess, as observed by the EGRET spectrometer, the WMAP-haze, and constraints from antiprotons, as observed by CAPRICE, BESS and PAMELA, have been discussed in the literature. Unfortunately, the different signatures all lead to different WIMP masses, indicating that at least some of these interpretations are likely to be incorrect. Here we review them and discuss their relative merits and uncertainties. New x-ray data from ROSAT suggests non-negligible convection in our Galaxy, which leads to an order of magnitude uncertainty in the yield of charged particles from DMA, since even a rather small convection will let drift the charged particles in the halo to outer ...
There is currently great interest in combining focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscopy technologies for advanced studies of polymeric materials and biological microstructures, as well as for sophisticated nanoscale fabrication and prototyping. Irradiation of electrically insulating materials with a positive ion beam in high vacuum can lead to the accumulation of charge, causing deflection of the ion beam. The resultant image drift has significant consequences upon the accuracy and quality of FIB milling, imaging and chemical vapour deposition. A method is described for suppressing ion beam drift using a defocused, low-energy primary electron beam, leading to the derivation of a mathematical expression to correlate the ion and electron beam energies and currents with other parameters required for electrically stabilizing these challenging materials.
In this paper we demonstrate the electrodeposition of nickel, a common ferromagnetic material, in various magnetically desirable shapes including nanowires, nanoparticles and highly faceted shells. In order to obtain three dimensional mesostructures, the electrochemical deposition of nickel was performed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) under different electrolyte composition and deposition potential conditions. Under potentiostatic deposition at one distinct potential negative with respect to the reversible potential of nickel, three stages of nucleation and growth take place leading to a complex morphology of deposits. However, dual-pulse potential deposition and electrodeposition in low pH solutions causing hydrogen evolution, lead to nickel deposits in the form of nanowires...
During fluoroscopy the examiner is usually protected by a radiation-reducing body shield, leaving the thyroid unprotected. The fact that the thyroid is located in a region of the neck usually covered by the shirt collar led to the idea of designing a tie with lead core, providing easy and ''decorative'' reduction of the radiation dose. Sonographic examinations were carried out in 20 volunteers (10 men, 10 women) to determine the size of the gland and its coverage by such a tie. The reduction of the surface and organ dose was assessed using film dosimetry with scattered radiation, the body of the examiner being simulated by an Alderson phantom. On average 88% of the thyroid gland surface area was covered. Surface dose was reduced to 1%, and organ dose to 10% of the value without the protection tie. (Author).
During fluoroscopy the examiner is usually protected by a radiation-reducing body shield, leaving the thyroid unprotected. The fact that the thyroid is located in a region of the neck usually covered by the shirt collar led to the idea of designing a tie with lead core, providing easy and ''decorative'' reduction of the radiation dose. Sonographic examinations were carried out in 20 volunteers (10 men, 10 women) to determine the size of the gland and its coverage by such a tie. The reduction of the surface and organ dose was assessed using film dosimetry with scattered radiation, the body of the examiner being simulated by an Alderson phantom. On average 88% of the thyroid gland surface area was covered. Surface dose was reduced to 1%, and organ dose to 10% of the value without the protection tie. (Author).
Flow visualization experiments are conducted in water tunnel for low aspect ratio cropped wings at low Reynolds number. The experimental results show that the model sweep angle ? influences the formation and development of the leading-edge vortex. For wings with ? =0?, the dominant flow structure is transverse vortex. When ??26?, the dual vortex structure can be observed at some angles of attack, and it is confirmed that the dual vortex is a special structure for flow over low aspect ratio wing at low Reynolds number. For ??56? wings, the dual vortex structure can be observed in a large range of attack angles. Moreover, in comparison with the outer vortex, the breakdown position of the primary vortex is delayed, and the larger the ?, the later the breakdown location at the same angle of at...
The thermal stability and deformability of Mn-Al-C alloys containing 0.6 pct C are investigated experimentally as a function of excess phase content. It is shown that an increase in Mn content from 68.9 to 73.5 pct leads to increased stability of the high-temperature epsilon phase. The enrichment of the system Mn-Al-Cu in Mn and Al above the optimum composition leads to the formation of nonmagnetic excess phases, eta and beta, which reduce the magnetization of the alloy. In addition, a decrease in thermal stability is observed in the alloy with 73.5 pct Mn due to the decomposition of the ferromagnetic phase. 7 references.
A method is described for determination of aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, nickel, lead, strontium, zinc, titanium and vanadium in iron ore. After dissolution, a 1 gram sample of iron ore is applied to a column of AGI-X8 anion exchange resin (chloride form), in 100 ml of 7M HCl. Aluminium, chromium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, nickel, lead, strontium, titanium and vanadium are eluted with 7M HCl; iron, copper and cobalt are eluted with 0.5M HCl; cadmium and zinc are eluted with 2M HNO_3. Iron is subsequently removed from copper and cobalt by a solvent extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone. The elements are determined in the eluates by atomic absorption spectrometry, except for titanium and vanadium, which are determined spectrophotometrically.
The radioactive isotopes of lead are reviewed with respect to their choice for in vitro tracer studies. The #gamma#-photon energy and absence of particle emission in the decay of "2"0"3Pb makes it particularly suitable for these applications. Reaction yields of "2"0"3Pb using "2"0"3Tl targets and proton, deuteron, "3He and "4He beams are listed. Using the preferred reaction "2"0"3Tl (d, 2n)"2"0"3Pb with a 15 MeV deuteron beam, yields of about 75 #mu#Ci #mu#Ahr"-"1, after chemical separation, are reported. Details of target design and chemical separation are given. (U.K.).
We investigate the reaction pn {yields}d{pi} {pi} in the framework of Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT). For the first time a complete calculation of the leading-order contributions is presented. We identify various diagrams that are of equal importance as compared to those recognized in earlier works. The diagrams at leading order behave as expected by the power counting. Also for the first time the nucleon-nucleon interaction in the initial, intermediate and final state is included consistently and found to be very important. Although the perturbative series for the production operator is expected to converge very slowly, this study provides the theoretical basis for a future evaluation of the non-resonant contributions in two-pion production reactions in nucleon-nucleon collisions. (orig.)
The use of dendrimers for preparing chemically sensitive interfaces for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using surface acoustic wave (SAW) device transducers is described. Specifically, the synthesis of the dendrimers and the means by which they are affixed to SAW devices is discussed, followed by a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the surface-confined dendrimers and a discussion of their interaction with different VOCs. Most of these preliminary experiments focus on dendrimer surface modification using benzoylchloride, which leads to phenyl terminal groups linked to the dendrimer via amide groups. The results of this study lead us to conclude that dendrimers: (1) provide general specificity towards classes of functional groups and are therefore suitable for array-based sensing schemes; (2) are intermediate in structure between monolayers and polymers and exhibit the desirable properties of both; (3) can be straightforwardly ...
Banning CFCs in foamed insulations has led to an intensive search for alternatives which do not incur the penalty of increased thickness. The most promising of these are silica aerogels, which have proven to be the leading material, when it comes to thermal insulation and environmental protection. Refrigerators insulated with aerogels have been tested and compared to conventionally insulated ones. Results showed a substantial contribution to the energy performance. Boiler manufacturers using aerogel have been able to reduce energy consumption of water heaters by 20%. Float glass elements evacuated and filled with aerogel as well as aerogel insulated polyester lightwalls and bubble skylights yield excellent U-values and significantly reduced energy losses in buildings. (author)
Background and aims. The multiplicity of vaccine injections during childhood leads to iterative painful and stressful experiences which may lead in turn to anticipated pain and then possibly to a true needle phobia. We aimed at evaluating a multifactorial strategy of pain management combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches during vaccination, as compared to usual care, in 4- to 12-year-old children. Methods. In all, 239 children were enroled by 25 family practitioners in an open-label study. After a pseudo-randomization, usual pain management (n = 132) was compared to a multifactorial strategy (n = 107) associating preliminary application of an anesthesic patch, preferential use of specified vaccines, child education by the parents and the doctor, parental accompaniment...