Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) content is increased in many types of tumor cells. We have investigated the mechanism by which resveratrol, a stilbene that is pro-apoptotic in many tumor cell lines, causes apoptosis in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma UMSCC-22B cells by a mechanism involving cellular COX-2. UMSCC-22B cells treated with resveratrol for 24 h, with or without selected inhibitors, were examined: (1) for the presence of nuclear activated ERK1/2, p53 and COX-2, (2) for evidence of apoptosis, and (3) by chromatin immunoprecipitation to demonstrate p53 binding to the p21 promoter. Stilbene-induced apoptosis was concentration-dependent, and associated with ERK1/2 activation, serine-15 p53 phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of these proteins. These effects were blocked by ...
Identification of factors that determine individual patient risk for recurrence and progression in superficial papillary carcinoma of the bladder is a subject of extensive research as it would be a major outcome in patient management. It has been well recognized that traditional prognostic markers as tumor grade and stage are not accurate enough in predicting biological behavior. A large number of markers have been investigated as potential prognostic factors and relatively few can help in predicting outcome. Material and Methods: Forty-nine cases undergoing complete transurethral resection for primary superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma were subjected to clinicopathologic evaluation as well as immunohistochemical staining for p53, bcl-2, cytokeratin 20 and Ki-67. The CAS-200 image analyzer was used to estimate the Ki-67 labeling index. Results: Recurrence was observed in 19 cases (38.8%) and progression in 7 ...
p53 is one of the most mutated tumor suppressors in human cancers and as such has been intensively studied for a long time. p53 is a major orchestrator of the cellular response to a broad array...Full Text Available
The p53 tumour suppressor plays a pivotal role in the prevention of oncogenic transformation. Cancers frequently evade the potent antitumour surveillance mechanisms of p53 through mutation of the TP53...Full Text Available
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent cutaneous neoplasm, with a generally favorable clinical behavior. Sometimes, indeed, it recurs after therapy and/or metastasizes. As point mutations in the coding sequence of the p53 tumor suppressor gene have been implicated in the progression of many human tumors, we studied the expression of p53 protein on this neoplasia. We tested immunohistochemically the positivity for p53 protein (NCL-p53-CM1, YLEM) on 19 cases of morphologically "non aggressive" BCC (BCC1) and on 19 "aggressive" BCC (BCC2), all with one or more relapses and 3 with distant metastases also. Results were related to clinico-pathological and follow-up data. All but one BCC2 were found positive for p53 protein. Conversely, only 2 cases of BCC1 exhibited low ...
We previously reported that acetaminophen (APAP) caused apoptosis of C6 glioma cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that the level of p53, which usually stimulates apoptosis, might be increased...Full Text Available
Five studies show that disabling p53, an essential tumour-suppressor protein, improves the efficiency of stem-cell production. Are these results a ‘heads up’ that cancer cells...Full Text Available
p53 plays a critical role in tumor suppression. As a transcription factor, in response to stress signals, p53 regulates its target genes and initiates stress responses, including cell cycle arrest,...Full Text Available
A method has been developed to predict the effects of mutations in the p53 cancer suppressor gene. The new method uses novel parameters combined with previously established parameters. The most important...Full Text Available
Aim—To study p53 expression in relation to proliferative status in normal and nondysplastic, dysplastic and malignant lesions of the oral mucosa.Method—The...Full Text Available
Histone Arg methylation and Lys acetylation have been found to cooperatively regulate the expression of p53 target genes. Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) is an enzyme that citrullinates...Full Text Available
To analyze the proposed growth-inhibitory function of wild-type p53, we compared simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication in primary rhesus monkey kidney (PRK) cells, which express wild-type p53, and...Full Text Available
The tumor suppressor p53 is often inactivated in breast cancer cells because the overexpression of its repressors (e.g., MDM2 and MDMX). Restoration of p53 activity by small molecules through counteracting...Full Text Available
Purpose/Objective: The role of programmed cell death (apoptosis) as a cellular response to cancer therapy such as radiation or chemotherapy is the subject of much study, and manipulation of the apoptotic response in tumor cells may be valuable in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Both p53 dependent and independent apoptotic pathways have been identified; p53 is mutated in at least 50 % of human cancers and a majority of radiation resistant tumors contain p53 mutations. This study is designed to examine the induction of programmed cell death in a human colon carcinoma cell line that possesses two mutated p53 alleles. Ionizing radiation alone, or in combination with the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), were used to elicit the apoptotic response. This study will focus on whether these treatments can induce ...
Cell death after irradiation occurs by apoptosis in certain cell populations in tissues. The phenomenon also occurs after high linear energy transfer (LET) irradiation, and the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is 3 to 4 (with respect to low-LET radiation and apoptosis in intestinal crypts) for neutrons with energies of 14 MeV and up to 600 MeV. It is thought that p53 plays a role in the phenomenon, as radiation-induced apoptosis is not observed in p53-null animals. (orig.).
Aim: Several studies have investigated the expression of the cytokeratins (CKs), vimentin, the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), the oestrogen receptor (ER), and the progesterone...Full Text Available
The side effects of cancer therapy on normal tissues limit the success of therapy. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated for numerous chemotherapeutic agents including doxorubicin...Full Text Available
AIM: To investigate the role of metallothionein in colorectal tumours and the possible relation with other factors associated with tumour progression: expression of cathepsin D (CD), CD44, p53, Rb,...Full Text Available
We present changes in the p53 gene in a group of 70 thyroid tumours and 40 blood samples obtained from children from Belarus. Three thyroid tumours show a polymorphism in exon 6 (codon 213) and 5 tumours show a polymorphism in intron 6, 37 bp upstream to the 5'-end of exon 7. Only one patient has a mutation in exon 7 (codon 258) resulting in an amino acid substitution in the protein p53. The distribution of polymorphisms in the 40 blood samples was as follows: three patients had a polymorphism in exon 6 and two persons had a polymorphism in intron 6. One polymorphism in intron 6 was also found in the group of 30 healthy children from Belarus. The fact that the differences in the sequence in p53 found in the tumours was also seen in the blood of these patients demonstrates that they are polymorphisms not induced by radiation exposure. It is difficult to conclude, ...
Normal cells, both in vivo and in vitro, become quiescent after serial cell proliferation. During this process, cells can develop immortality with genomic instability,...Full Text Available
BackgroundCyclooxygenase (cox) is the rate-limiting enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and contributes to the inflammatory process. Cyclooxygenase-2...Full Text Available
Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of biologic (p53, Ki-67) and clinical factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx after radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials: Between 1985 and 1995, a total of 102 patients with 104 tumor sites were entered onto the study. Fifty-five primary tumors (53%) involved the tonsils, 26 (25%) the soft palate, and 23 (22%) the base of the tongue. Median age was 53 years (range 36-80 years). The clinical T- and N-categories (UICC 1997) were: T1 (30), T2 (47), T3 (22), T4 (5), N0 (33), N1 (28), N2 (42), and N3 (1). Histologically-clear margins were achieved in all patients by initial surgery. Postoperative RT to the primary and regional lymphatics was given, to a total of 60 Gy in 6 weeks, and single daily fractions of 2 Gy. The expression of the nuclear p53- and Ki-67-labeling index (LI) was investigated by immunostaining using ...
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 ...
Using a syngeneic p53-null mouse mammary gland tumor model that closely mimics human breast cancer, we have identified, by limiting dilution transplantation and in vitro mammosphere assay, a Lin(-)CD29(H)CD24(H) subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells. Upon subsequent transplantation, this subpopulation generated heterogeneous tumors that displayed properties similar to the primary tumor. Analysis of biomarkers suggests the Lin(-)CD29(H)CD24(H) subpopulation may have arisen from a bipotent mammary progenitor. Differentially expressed genes in the Lin(-)CD29(H)CD24(H) mouse mammary gland tumor-initiating cell population include those involved in DNA damage response and repair, as well as genes involved in epigenetic regulation previously shown to be critical for stem cell self-renewal. These studies provide in vitro and in vivo data that support the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis. Furthermore, this ...
TP63, a member of the TP53 gene family, is a nuclear marker of myoepithelial cells. Antibody against p63 is frequently used to aid in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma, as well as in the identification of myoepithelial cells in other tissues including the breast. p63 is also a marker for squamous cell carcinoma. Recently, it was found that all p53 family members are involved in regulating the process of muscle differentiation through the retinoblastoma (RB) protein. Ablation of these p53 family functions blocks the differentiation program and promotes malignant transformation by enabling cooperating oncogenes to transform myoblasts. We therefore studied p63 expression in a number of neoplasms with myogenic differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining for p63 was performed on paraffin se...
Physiological properties involved in divergent cadmium (Cd) accumulation among rice genotypes were characterized using the indica cultivar ‘Habataki’ (high Cd in grains)...Full Text Available
As a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Power Plant the larger part of Belarus turned out to be polluted by radionuclides. At present isotopes of Cs, Sr and Pu, characterized by long half-lives are most dangerous for the health of the population of the polluted territories. The aim of the present work was to characterize plant species with high "1"3"7Cs and "9"0Sr accumulation ability and to determine the dependence of the accumulation on the treatment with biologically active substances. (author)
Purpose: To analyze p53, bcl-2, c-myc, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression changes and examine their relationship with various antioxidant enzymes in esophageal carcinoma patients. Methods and Materials: Patients in Group 1 underwent transhiatal esophagectomy and those in Group 2 were administered chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery after 4 weeks of neoadjuvant therapy. Results: The relationship analysis among the various protein markers and antioxidant enzymes showed an inverse correlation between bcl-2 and superoxide dismutase/catalase in tumor tissues, irrespective of the treatment arm followed. An important positive association was observed between bcl-2 and reduced glutathione levels in the tumor tissue of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Another apoptosis-modulating marker, c-myc, in the tumor tissue of Group 2 patients showed similar pattern levels (high and low) as that of superoxide dismutase/catalase. The association of ...
A multiple comparison approach using whole genome transcriptional arrays was used to identify genes and pathways involved in calorie restriction/dietary restriction (DR) life span extension in Drosophila....Full Text Available
The widely accepted oxidative stress theory of aging postulates that aging results from accumulation of oxidative damage. Surprisingly, data from the longest-living rodent known, naked mole-rats [MRs;...Full Text Available
Glutathione (GSH) depletion sensitizes human lung carcinoma (A549-T27) cells to the cytotoxic effects of Cd++. The effects of GSH depletion on Cd++ accumulation and Cd++-induced metallothionein (MT) content were investigated to determine the possible role of these Cd++ responses in the sensitization process. Cellular GSH was depleted to 20% to 25% of control levels with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), or diethyl maleate (DEM), respectively. Neither treatment significantly affected Cd++-induced accumulation of exogenous 35s-cysteine into intracellular MT in a dose-dependent fashion. The results indicate that neither enhanced Cd++ accumulation nor reduced MT synthesis plays a primary role in affecting enhanced Cd++ cytotoxicity in A549 cells with reduced GSH levels. Although BSO inhibition of GSH synthesis enhanced MT synthesis, it sensitized the cells to Cd++, which suggests an additive effect of GSH and ...
Cell extracts of the thermophile Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum catalyzed the phosphorylation by (..gamma..-/sup 32/P)ATP of several endogenous proteins with M/sub r/s between 13,000 and 100,000. Serine and tyrosine were the main acceptors. Distinct substrate proteins were found in the soluble (e.g., proteins p66, p63, and p53 of M/sub r/s 66,000, 63,000, and 53,000, respectively) and particulate (p76 and p30) fractions, both of which contained protein kinase and phosphatase activity. The soluble fraction suppressed the phosphorylation of particulate proteins and contained a protein kinase inhibitor. Phosphorylation of p53 was promoted by 10..mu..M fructose 1,6-bisphosphate or glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and suppressed by hexose monophosphates, whereas p30 and p13 were suppressed by 5 ..mu..M brain (but not spinach) calmodulin. Polyamines, including the odd polyamines characteristic of thermophiles, ...
The inducible transcription factor NF-#kappa#B regulates divergent signaling pathways including inflammatory response and cancer development. Selective inhibitors for NF-#kappa#B signaling are potentially useful for treatment of inflammation and cancer. NF-#kappa#B is canonically activated by preferential disposal of its inhibitory protein; I#kappa#B, which suppresses the nuclear translocation of NF-#kappa#B. I#kappa#B#alpha# (a major member of I#kappa#B family proteins) is phosphorylated with an I#kappa#B kinase (IKK) and subsequently polyubiquitylated by SCF"#beta#"T"r"C"P"1 ubiquitin-ligase in the presence of E1 and E2 prior to proteasomal degradation. Here, we describe a novel inhibitor termed GS143, which suppressed I#kappa#B#alpha# ubiquitylation, but not I#kappa#B#alpha# phosphorylation, MDM2-directed p53 ubiquitylation, and proteasome activity in vitro. GS143 markedly suppressed the destruction of I#kappa#B#alpha# stimulated by ...
Redd1, a recently discovered stress-response gene, is regulated by hypoxia via hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and by DNA damage via p53/p63; however, the signaling pathway by which its expression is induced by hypoxia has not been elucidated. We demonstrated that the up-regulation of Redd1 transcription by hypoxia and high cell density (HCD) depends on cooperation between Sp1 and HIF-1#alpha# downstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Although the p53 tumor suppressor is relatively well characterized, much less is known about the functions of other members of the p53 family, p73 and p63. Here, we present evidence that in specific pathological conditions caused by exposure of normal cells to bile acids in acidic conditions, p73 protein plays the predominant role in the DNA damage response. These pathological conditions frequently occur during gastric reflux in the human esophagus and are associated with progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. We found that despite strong DNA damage induced by bile acid exposure, only p73 (but not p53 and p63) is selectively activated in a c-Abl kinase-dependent manner. The activated p73 protein induces DNA damage repair. Using a human DNA repair PCR array, we identified multiple DNA repair genes affected by p73. Two glycosylases involved in base excision ...
Concentrations of total arsenic (As) and individual compounds were determined in green and hawksbill turtles from Ishigaki Island, Japan. In both species, total As concentrations were highest in muscle among the tissues. Arsenobetaine was a major compound in most tissues of both turtles. High concentrations of trimethylarsine oxide were detected in hawksbill turtles. A significant negative correlation between standard carapace length (SCL), an indicator of age, and total As levels in green turtles was found. In contrast, the levels increased with SCL of hawksbill turtles. Shifts in feeding habitats with growth may account for such a growth-dependent accumulation of As. Although concentrations of As in marine sponges, the major food of hawksbill turtles are not high compared to those in algae eaten by green turtles, As concentrations in hawksbill turtles were higher than those in green turtles, indicating that hawksbill turtles may have a ...
The presence of the nitrogen-fixing shrub, Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, influences the concentration of inorganic nitrogen in surface waters in the Adirondack Mountain region of northern New York. - The purpose of this research was to determine the abundance of the nitrogen-fixing shrub, Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (speckled alder), in shrub wetlands of the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State and to determine whether its abundance affects the concentration or accumulation of inorganic nitrogen in wetland substrates. Alder/willow wetlands are the second most common wetland type in the Adirondack region. The Adirondack Park Agency's digital GIS database of wetland types was used to determine the areal extent of alder/willow wetlands in the Adirondacks. Randomly selected wetlands were sampled to determine the size and abundance of alder. Alder densities averaged ...
Despite extensive clinical use of thallium-201 (/sup 201/Tl) for myocardial imaging, the effect of ischemia on myocardial accumulation and release of /sup 201/Tl independent of flow has not been fully defined. Therefore, myocardial accumulation of /sup 201/Tl in response to ischemic-like myocardial injury was assessed in vitro using the cultured fetal mouse heart preparation. Cultured fetal mouse hearts (n . 311) were subjected to injury simulating ischemia by deprivation of oxygen and oxidizable substrates for periods ranging from 15 minutes to 10 hours. The extent of irreversible injury was determined by the percentage of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) lost from the hearts to the culture medium during recovery from injury. Injury was essentially reversible at 1 hour of insult. The fraction of /sup 201/Tl content in injured compared with control hearts was not significantly lower after 1 hour of insult. By 3 hours of insult, ...
Numerous studies have documented the general toxicity of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and a sizeable literature has accumulated concerning the toxic effects of PCBs on a variety of homeostatic systems. However, current information regarding the effects of PCBs on rhythmic endocrine function is quite limited. Thus, the present study was undertaken to determine whether circadian periodicity in pituitary-adrenal function is affected by exposure to PCBs.
Cesium and selenium intake of cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), with these elements previously added to culture medium, has been examined from the viewpoint of health- and environmental protection. The process of measuring has been carried out by the radionuclide X-ray fluorescence technique. Treatments of the elementary substance with Se salt appears to influence the Se content of the mushrooms to a significant extent. Cs intake is of considerable importance, as this element is accumulated by mushrooms. (author)
A red basil cell line (T2b) rich in rosmarinic acid (RA) was selected for the stable production of anthocyanins (ACs) in the dark. Cell suspension cultures were subjected to mechanical stress through increased agitation (switch from 90 to 150rpm) to determine the relationship between AC and RA accumulation. Cell extracts were analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS, and the resulting data were processed with multivariate statistical analysis. MS and MS/MS spectra facilitated the putative annotation of several complex cyanidin-based ACs, which were esterified with coumaric acid and, in some cases, also with malonic acid. It was also possible to identify various RA-related molecules, some caffeic and coumaric acid derivatives and some flavanones. Mechanical stress increased the total AC and RA contents, ...
A study was undertaken to determine experimentally the uptake of pollutants into of the different parts of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) found in 'Jose Antonio Alzate' dam in the State of Mexico, Mexico. There is evidence for efficient and significant root accumulation of Ti, Mn, Fe, and Ba; but in the upper parts concentrations was consistently determined by the degree of watering. However, a significant input could be derived from a common generic source, such as the atmospheric deposition. The experimental study would, therefore, indicate that water hyacinth species can be highly effective in providing a control and treatment buffer for toxic discharges to the dam. (author)
The accumulation of osmolytes in leaf tissues and the abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure are well-recognized mechanisms associated with drought tolerance in crop plants. We determine the response in terms of osmotic potential and the contents of leaf proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugar at booting and grain filling stages of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to drought and exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) in a pot study. Leaf sample were collected 3, 6 and 9 days after drought induction and at 48 and 72 h of re-watering (recovery). Marked decreases in osmotic potential associated with the accumulation of proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars occurred under conditions of drought stress Accession 011320 was most sensitive to drought and showed the largest decrease in osmotic potential and least accumulation of proline, sugar and glycine betaine The inhibitory effects of ...
The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) on guanylate cyclase activity and cyclic GMP accumulation were examined, since these hormones appear to be intimately associated with blood pressure and intravascular volume homeostasis. ANP was found to increase cyclic GMP accumulation in ten cell culture systems, which were derived from blood vessels, adrenal cortex, kidney, lung, testes and mammary gland. ANP receptors were characterized in intact cultured cells using {sup 125}I-ANP{sub 8-33}. Specific {sup 125}I-ANP binding was saturable and of high affinity. Scratchard analysis of the binding data for all cell types exhibited a straight line, indicating that these cells possessed a single class of binding sites. Despite the presence of linear Scatchard plots, these studies demonstrated that cultured cells possess two functionally and physically distinct ANP-binding sites. Most of the ANP-binding sites in ...
DFNA5 was first identified as a gene causing autosomal dominant hearing loss (HL). Different mutations have been found, all exerting a highly specific gain-of-function effect, in which skipping of exon 8 causes the HL. Later reports revealed the involvement of the gene in different types of cancer. Epigenetic silencing of DFNA5 in a large percentage of gastric, colorectal and breast tumors and p53-dependent transcriptional activity have been reported, concluding that DFNA5 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in different frequent types of cancer. Despite these data, the molecular function of DFNA5 has not been investigated properly. Previous transfection studies with mutant DFNA5 in yeast and in mammalian cells showed a toxic effect of the mutant protein, which was not seen after transfection ...
[F-18]FDG PET brain imaging is an accurate predictor of primary brain tumor grading and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate simplified [F-18]FDG PET metabolic indices as indicators of proliferative activity of brain tumor cells. Twenty-five patients with glioma were studied with [F-18]FDG PET. From the tissue radioactivity ratios, following tumor metabolic indices were calculated: 1) the tumor-to-whole brain ratio (T/WB), 2) the ratio of tumor-to-contralateral gray matter at the level of centrum semiovale (T/GM), 3) the ratio of tumor-to-contralateral white matter at the level of centrum semiovale (T/WM), 4) the tumor-to-ipsilateral cerebella ratio (T/iCB) and 5) the tumor-to-contralateral cerebellar ratio (T/cCB). A standardized threshold method was used to define ROIs in the tumor areas having representative metabolic activites. Correlations of the tumor metabolic indices with histologic grade, Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI), ...
Cdc7 kinase plays an essential role in firing of replication origins by phosphorylating components of the replication complexes. Cdc7 kinase has also been implicated in S phase checkpoint signaling downstream of the ATR and Chk1 kinases. Inactivation of Cdc7 in yeast results in arrest of cell growth with 1C DNA content after completion of the ongoing DNA replication. In contrast, conditional inactivation of Cdc7 in undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells leads to growth arrest with rapid cessation of DNA synthesis, suggesting requirement of Cdc7 functions for continuation of ongoing DNA synthesis. Furthermore, loss of Cdc7 function induces recombinational repair (nuclear Rad51 foci) and G2/M checkpoint responses (inhibition of Cdc2 kinase). Eventually, p53 becomes highly activated and the cells undergo massive p53-dependent apoptosis. Thus, defective origin activation in mammalian cells can ...
The present study was designed to assess the radioprotective effects of amifostine on ovarian follicles. Three week-old female mice with or without pretreatment of amifostine were irradiated with 6.42 Gy of #gamma# -ray. Ovaries were collected 0 and 6h after irradiation. DNA fragmentation pattern and expression of genes and activity of proteins related with apoptosis were investigated by means of RT-PCR and Western blot. Proliferation of granulosa cells was reduced and incidence rate of follicular atresia was increased in ovarian follicles in #gamma# -ray irradiated mice compared to those in control or amifostine-treated group. DNA fragmentation was increased in time-dependent manner in granulosa cells of all irradiated groups. However, no difference between amifostine pre-treated group and irradiated groups was found and the expression of p53 as tumor suppressor gene and Bax as one of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family was increased in irradiated mice ...
Little clinical evidence has been provided to show the minimization of radiation resistance of tumors using high linear energy transfer radiation. We therefore investigated the radiobiological and molecular pathological aspects of carbon beam therapy. A total of 27 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix were treated using a carbon beam and 50 control patients with SCC of the cervix using a photon beam. The expression of Ki-67, p53, and p27 proteins before radiotherapy and 5 and 15 days after therapy initiation were investigated using immunohistochemistry. Similar changes were observed in Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and p53 LI during carbon and photon beam therapies. However, for carbon beam therapy, the mean p27 LI significantly decreased from 25.2% before treatment to 18.6% on the 5th day after treatment initiation, followed by a significant increase to 36.1% on the 15th day. In ...
A study was made into microstructure and hardening in austenitic stainless steel 0Kh18N10T irradiated with neon ions (230 MeV) and neutrons (E_n > 0.1 MeV). The experiments were accomplished using an external beam of U-400 cyclotron (Dubna) and EWA reactor (Poland). The dependences of tensile properties, hardening index, microstructure, dislocation density on damaging dose were determined. An attempt is made to reveal the correlation between an yield strength increment and defect cluster accumulation. The interpretation of variations of mechanical properties and microstructure under irradiation is given.
Field experiments were conducted in the 30-km zone of Gomel's region of the Byelorussia to study factors aecting a biological radionuclide accessibility. A contamination density by radiocesium equaled 2,7-9,9 MBk/m"2, strontium 90 - 0,3-0,5 MBk/m"2 in 1991. A sowing of oats barley, lupin was carried out. It was shown that radionuclide accumulation by agricultural plants was determined basically by biological peculiarities of plants in greater degree than by the contamination density. It was shown that strontium 90 migration from the soil was more intensive than that of radiocesium. 8 tabs.
Abstract Neurodegenerative and neurometabolic disorders may cause significant morbidity and mortality in children. Imaging is important in early diagnosis of metabolic disorders and in determining the extent of brain injury. Especially after the development of new techniques such as diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), neuroimaging plays more important role in the diagnosis and management of these disorders. In these disorders, usually a mutation causes a clinically significant block in one or more metabolic pathways. This blockage usually results in either a deficiency of the product or in an accumulation of substrate with damage induced by either storage or toxicity. The presenting symptoms are usually nonspecific. In some of the ...
The radiation properties of the #alpha# emitter "2"1"1At are in favor of its application malignant tumor therapy. As a basis for further investigations the biokinetics of At"-, At x H_2O, At I_2"-, and [At(thio)_2]"+ were determined after i.v. injection into healthy and tumor-bearing mice. The estimation of the ion mobility of the carrier-free compounds allowed the use of uniquely characterized initial compounds. The organ distribution of all species examined was similar to the distribution of astatide. Accumulation was found in the thyroid and other inner organs. (author).
Retention kinetics and tissue partition coefficients for "8"5Kr were determined in rats exposed to known concentrations of "8"5Kr gas. The tissue partition coefficients were used to calculate the relative tissue radiation dose, assuming exposure conditions equivalent to the maximum permissible concentration in air (MPC)a. The estimated radiation dose was highest in adrenals and body fat, about twice the dose estimated for the next highest tissue, ovaries. Saturation and desaturation curves show that the contents of the large intestines have a prolonged desaturation time compared to other samples analyzed.
Metal nanoparticles have many potential technological applications. Biological routes to the synthesis of these particles have been proposed including production by vascular plants, known as phytoextraction. While many studies have looked at metal uptake by plants, particularly with regard to phytoremediation and hyperaccumulation, few have distinguished between metal deposition and metal salt accumulation. This work describes the uptake of AgNO{sub 3}, Na{sub 3}Ag(S{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub 2}, and Ag(NH{sub 3}){sub 2}NO{sub 3} solutions by hydroponically grown Brassica juncea and the quantitative measurement of the conversion of these salts to silver metal nanoparticles. Using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) to determine the metal speciation within the plants, combined with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for total Ag, the quantity of reduction of Ag{sup I} to Ag{sup 0} is reported. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ...
A modified accumulator was devised to measure surface radon flux from porous media. It consists of a collector hood accumulator with a homogenizer pump and a pressure balancer. The latter was used to compensate for any pressure changes produced during sample withdrawl and hence eliminate additional radon transport from media. Errors resulting from radon back diffusion due to decreasing concentration gradient with time across the interface were eliminated by measuring radon concentrations in the accumulator for two different periods of time and calculating the true radon flux, J(o), from the solution of a time-dependent radon transport equation. Core samples from the observation site were withdrawn for laboratory determination of porosity, moisture content, bulk and grain densities, Ra-226 source concentration and the fraction of Rn-222 produced in the void volume. The data were used to calculate the ...
A modified accumulator was devised to measure surface radon flux from porous media. It consists of a collector hood accumulator with a homogenizer pump and a pressure balancer. The latter was used to compensate for any pressure changes produced during sample withdrawl and hence eliminate additional radon transport from media. Errors resulting from radon back diffusion due to decreasing concentration gradient with time across the interface were eliminated by measuring radon concentrations in the accumulator for two different periods of time and calculating the true radon flux, J(o), from the solution of a time-dependent radon transport equation. Core samples from the observation site were withdrawn for laboratory determination of pkrosity, moisture content, bulk and grain densities, Ra-226 source concentration and the fraction of Rn-222 produced in the void volume. The data were used to calculate the ...
The objective of this study was to determine whether walking and running at different treadmill speeds resulted in different metabolic and cardiovascular responses in the vastus lateralis (VL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) by examining metabolite accumulation and tissue oxygen saturation. Ten healthy subjects (6 males, 4 females) completed a submaximal treadmill exercise test, beginning at 3.2?km?h?1 and increasing by 1.6?km?h?1 increments every 3?min until reaching 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate. Muscle tissue oxygenation (SO2), total hemoglobin (HbT) and interstitial hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) were calculated from near infrared spectra collected from VL and LG. The [H+] threshold for each muscle was determined using a simultaneous bilinear regression. Muscle and treadmil...
Gas well load up is the loss of available reservoir energy due to the accumulation of liquids in the wellbore over time, and these liquids arise from liquids (hydrocarbons and water) condensed from the gas. Accumulation of these liquids near the wellbore can cause severe reduction to complete loss of available transport energy. A systematic experimental approach was undertaken to evaluate the performance of foam in removing liquids from the bottom of wells. The objectives of the research were: (1) to determine the efficiency of liquid lifting with foam; and (2) to compare the effects of surfactant type and concentration on liquid lifting. A flowloop successfully simulated the effects of completions with and without packer for low-pressure gas well with liquid production. In the base-case runs (air and water flow), the two phase flow regime was mostly annular. Liquid lifting is improved in general when a surfactant is used. ...
Quantitative bone scans were evaluated in 16 patients with osteoporosis and in a control group of 7 healthy subjects. Along with a detailed biochemical analysis of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and standartized reongenographs, a quantitative dynamic bone scintigraphy was performed according to the method proposed by the authors. The bone-accumulating factor K_b was determined on the base of mathematical analysis of the graph reflecting activity changes in bone tissue unit during the investigation, the blood-elimination factor K_h and kidney-elimination factor K_k. In addition the accumulation index AI (in %) was calculated as a relation between the activity in bone tissue unit, registered in 20 min interval, and the activity in soft tissues for the same time. Whereas the static gamma camera scintigraphy, made 3-4 hrs after injecting of the osteotrope radiopharmaceuticals, showed no specific changes in the patients examined, ...
Primary adenocarcinomas of the urinary bladder are uncommon, and the molecular pathways are currently not well defined. In this study, we assessed the association between biologic markers and clinicopathologic characteristics in a cohort of 21 patients with primary urinary bladder adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for cell cycle-specific markers, including p53, p21, p27, Ki-67, and cyclin E, were performed on sections of a tissue microarray construct. The tumors were high grade in 12 (57%) and pT2 or higher in 18 (86%); lymph nodes were involved in 6 cases (29%); and there was pathologic evidence of schistosomiasis in 14 (67%). The best prognostic combination of markers was combined alterations in p27 and Ki-67 and was associated with stage (P = .012), grade (P = .005), DNA ploidy (P = .005), and lymph node involvement (P = .04). Stage, lymph node involvement, combined alterations of p27 and Ki-67, and combined alterations of all 5 ...
This report concerns investigations in the title conducted by 8 groups of National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) during the period of 1998-2000. The groups are for investigation of: Effects of p53 tumor suppressor gene in radiation-induced leukemia, Role of atm-gene in dose rate effect of ionizing radiation, Function of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PK{sub cs}), Functional complementation of radiation-sensitive mutant M10 cell line by human XRCC4 cDNA expression, Role of radiation-induced apoptosis in digital defects in embryonic mice, Functional analysis of S-phase specific novel nuclear protein NP95 by gene targeting, Role of chemokine in T cell development and lymphomagenesis, and establishment of production techniques of gene-modified mice using embryonic stem cells for genetic analysis of radiation-sensitive genes. The groups describe summaries of their studies and published original articles are also ...
The effects of different exposure concentrations of palladium (Pd) on relative metallothionein (MT) response and bioaccumulation were investigated in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). The mussels were exposed to 0.05, 5, 50, and 500 ?g/L Pd2+ for 10 weeks under controlled temperature and fasting conditions. Relative MT contents were assessed by a modified Ag-saturation method, which allows to discriminate between MT bound to Pd (Pd-MT) and MT bound to unidentified metals (Ag-MT). Determination of metal contents resulted from atomic absorption spectrometry following a microwave digestion. For unexposed mussels and mussels exposed to 0.05 ?g/L Pd no metal accumulation could be detected. All other exposure concentrations resulted in detectable Pd accumulation in mussels with final tissue concentrations of 96 ?g/g (500 ?g/L), 45 ?g/g (50 ?g/L), and 9 ?g/g (5 ?g/L). Compared with initial levels Pd-MT concentrations at the ...
Large quantities of organic chemicals used in reprocessing spent nuclear-fuels at the Hanford Site have accumulated in underground high-level radioactive waste tanks. The organic content of these tanks must he known so that the potential for hazardous reactions between organic components and sodium nitrate/nitrite salts in the waste can he evaluated. The solubilities of organic compounds described in this report will help determine if they are present in the solid phases (salt cake and sludges) as well as the liquid phase (interstitial liquor/supernate) in the tanks. The solubilities of five significant sodium salts of carboxylic acids and aminocarboxylic acids [sodium oxalate, formate, citrate, nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and ethylendiaminetetraacetate (EDTA)] were measured in a simulated supernate solution at 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C, and 50 degrees C.
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.
Integrative and firing properties are important characteristics of neuronal circuits and these responses are determined in large part by the repertoire of ion channels they express, which can vary considerably between cell types. Recently, a new mode of operation of voltage dependent sodium channels has been described that generates a so-called resurgent Na^+ current. Accumulating evidence suggests resurgent Na current participates in the generation of sub-threshold inward Na^+ current causing membrane depolarization which provides the necessary drive to fire high-frequency action potentials. Recent studies indicate that resurgent Na^+ current could be a more widespread feature than previously thought.
Although infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signals in feldspars can be bleached rapidly by sunlight, there could still be a small amount of IRSL signal remaining in sediment grains if they have experienced only relatively short sunlight exposure before deposition. This remaining signal results in a ''remnant dose'' stored in the grain and is important for young samples but negligible for old samples. Several methods have been introduced to detect insufficient bleaching, and some of them can provide information on the extent of the bleaching. Others can only distinguish between samples bleached for a very long time and for a short time. Empirical methods are introduced to evaluate the possible values of equivalent dose accumulated since the grains were deposited. These methods involve the analysis of the equivalent doses and the natural IRSL signals obtained using single-disc dose determination methods. (author).
High-energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) has been used to quantify load transfer in bovine plexiform bone. By using both wide-angle and small-angle XRD, strains in the mineral as well as the collagen phase of bone were measured as a function of applied compressive stress. We suggest that a greater proportion of the load is borne by the more mineralized woven bone than the lamellar bone as the applied stress increases. With a further increase in stress, load is shed back to the lamellar regions until macroscopic failure occurs. The reported data fit well with reported mechanisms of microdamage accumulation in bovine plexiform bone.
Diethylene glycol (DEG) is an industrial chemical, the misuse of which has led to numerous epidemic poisonings worldwide. The mechanism of its toxicity has not been defined as to the precise relationship between the metabolism of DEG and target organ toxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism for the acute toxicity of DEG, and the effect of the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (fomepizole), by determining the relationship between accumulation of DEG or its metabolites and the resulting kidney and liver toxicity. Rats were treated by oral gavage with water, 2 g/kg DEG (low dose), 10 g/kg DEG (high dose), or 10 g/kg DEG + fomepizole, and blood and urine were collected over 48 h. Rats treated with high-dose DEG had metabolic acidosis, increased BUN an...
A linear diffusion model serves as the basis for determination of an effective radon diffusion coefficient in concrete. The coefficient was needed to later allow quantitative prediction of radon accumulation within and behind concrete walls after application of an impervious radon barrier. A resolution of certain discrepancies noted in the literature in the use of an effective diffusion coefficient to model diffusion of a radioactive gas through a porous medium is suggested. An outline of factors expected to affect the concrete physical structure and the effective diffusion coefficient of radon through it is also presented. Finally, a field method for evaluating effective radon diffusion coefficients in concrete is proposed and results of measurements performed on a concrete foundation wall are compared with similar published values of gas diffusion coefficients in concrete. (author).
Abstract The present study makes use of a detailed water balance to investigate the hydrological status of a peatland with a basal clay-rich layer overlying an aquifer exploited for drinking water. The aim is to determine the influence of climate and groundwater extraction on the water balance and water levels in the peatland. During the two-year period of monitoring, the hydrological functioning of the wetland showed a hydric deficit, associated with a permanent unsaturated layer and a deep water table. At the same time, a stream was observed serving as a recharge inflow instead of draining the peatland, as usually described in natural systems. Such conditions are not favourable for peat accumulation. Field investigations show that the clay layer has a high hydraulic conductivity (from 11...
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.
Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States. While effective on target plants, it has been associated with harmful health effects in non-target organisms such as fish, amphibians and mammals. In this study, growth effects on human liver cells were determined after exposure to increasing concentrations of this herbicide. Growth of immortalized human hepatoma HepG2 cells was inhibited by atrazine concentrations of 625 ppb after 72 h exposure and flow cytometry analysis demonstrated HepG2 cells exposed to 100 ppb atrazine accumulated in S phase after 48 h compared to untreated cells. Expression of cell cycle specific cyclin proteins was altered after atrazine exposure with cyclin E levels significantly decreased after a 24 h exposure and cyclin B levels decreased...
Synchronized cultures of the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda were grown in the absence (untreated cultures) or in the presence (FdUrd-treated cultures) of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, the specific inhibitor of nuclear DNA replication. The attainment of commitment points, at which the cells become committed to nuclear DNA replication, mitosis and cellular division, and the course of committed processes themselves were determined for cell cycle characterization. FdUrd-treated cultures showed nearly unaffected growth and attainment of the commitment points, while DNA replication(s), nuclear division(s) and protoplast fission(s) were blocked. Interestingly, the FdUrd-treated cells possessed a very high mitotic histone H1 kinase activity in the absence of any nuclear division(s). Compared with the ...
Microbial dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often stops although a significant number of removable chlorines remain. To determine the reason for the cessation, we investigated the limitation of organic carbon, PCB bioavailability, and inhibition by metabolic products. Enrichment with carbon sources did not induce additional chlorination, indicating the plateau was not due to depletion of organic carbon. The bioavailability was not limiting, since a subcritical micelle concentration of the surfactant, which enhanced desorption without inhibiting dechlorinating microorganisms, failed to lower the plateau. Neither was it due to accumulation of metabolites, since no additional dechlorination was detected when plateau sediments were incubated with fresh medium. Similarly, dechlorination was not inhibited in freshly spiked sediment slurries. Dechlorination ended up at the same level with nearly identical congener profiles, regardless ...
In humid zones and marine environments the bio indicator contaminants by trace elements are well established. However, in arid zones it is more difficult to find these tools because there is less biodiversity. The objective of this paper was to analyze the behavior of the Baccharis salicifolia plant in areas with high uranium concentration in arid zones, to determine the characteristics of tolerance and possible use as a bio monitor for the presence of such contaminants. For this project a uraniferous zone was selected in San Marcos, located northwest of the City of Chihuahua. A total of 8 sampling points of the plant and soil were located here. Each sample was divided into the root and the stem and leaves to determine the specific activity of the uranium in both parts of the plant and its sediments. The determination of the specific activities of the total uranium in the samples was obtained by liquid scintillation with ...
Optimal design of the hyperfractionated radiotherapy requires basic radiobiological data such as the critical dose per fraction, number of fractions per day and total equivalent dose, to name a few. As a prelude to in vivo hyperfractionated irradiation, the authors carried out experiments to determine quantitative changes in the proliferation and cell kinetic parameters of multicellular spheroids after hyperfractionated irradiation. Experiments were carried out with HeLa S-3 spheroid growing in MEM culture media. Hyperfractionated irradiation schedules were 1.5 Gy/f, 2f/day and 1.0 Gy/f, 3 f/day. At intervals after irradiation, cell numbers, growth delays and cell cycle distribution of spheroids were determined. The kinetic data were obtained by the use of flow cytometry. The most pronounced changes in cell kinetic parameters were early G/sub 2/M block, proportional to single radiation dose up to 4.0 Gy. There was a corresponding depletion of ...
In conducting aircraft surveys for uranium, it is found that temperature inversions can give spurious results because they promote accumulation of radon gas in the atmosphere. The "2"1"4Bi (daughter product of radon) gamma-rays detected from the atmosphere-borne radon are difficult to separate from the "2"1"4Bi gamma-rays originating from the ground, and providing a signature for uranium deposits. The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility of making remote temperature soundings of the atmosphere below a low-flying aircraft (140 m or less above ground) by the inversion of radiance measurements taken in the 15-micron carbon dioxide absorption band. Such measurements would identify those temperature inversion conditions possibly leading to an unacceptably large background of gamma-rays from the atmospheric radon. Thus, the incidence of spurious aerial survey data could be greatly reduced. An atmospheric model was set up and the selection of layers ...
An extremely sensitive stripping voltammetric procedure for ultra-trace determination of iridium(III) is reported. The method is based on the interfacial accumulation of the iridium(III)-CTAB complex onto the glassy carbon electrode, followed by the catalytic reduction of the adsorbed complex in the presence of bromate. 0.3molL^-^1 acetate buffer pH 4.7+6.9x10^-^2molL^-^1 NaBrO3+2.7x10^-^5molL^-^1 cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)+0.2molL^-^1 KCl was employed as the supporting electrolyte. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: Sea Water BCR-CRM 403 and Fresh Water NIST-SRM 1643d. The accuracy, expressed as relative error e%, was satisfactory, being lower than 6%, while precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviat...
Nitroaromatic radiosensitizers become metabolically bound preferentially to hypoxic cells and at least 10/sup 9/ adducts/cell can be tolerated as non-toxic. EMT-6 tumor cells have been incubated in hypoxia in the presence of /sup 3/H-Misonidazole and /sup 125/I-Azomycin Riboside for various times and the amount of /sup 3/H or /sup 125/I bound/cell was determined. Cells were stored as monolayers at 25"0C for up to 96 hr to accumulate radioactive decays and transferred at various times to 37"0C for colony-forming assays. No radiation inactivation was measured in cells which had incorporated at least 10/sup 6/ /sup 3/H or 10/sup 5/ /sup 125/I atoms. Previous studies had shown that -- 1% of MISO adducts to EMT-6 cells was associated with cellular DNA. These data indicate that the radiation-induced damage produced by these quantities of bound /sup 3/H or /sup 125/I causes little or not cell inactivation. The results of current studies to measure the ...
A comparison of the concentration-response effects of inhaled ozone (O/sub 3/) in different species of laboratory animals was made in order to better understand the influence of the choice of species in inhalation studies of this gas. The effect of 4-hour exposure to ozone (O/sub 3/) at concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm was determined in rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters and mice. Lavage fluid protein (LFP) accumulation 18 hr after exposure was used as the indicator of O/sub 3/-induced pulmonary edema. All species had similar basal levels of LFP (250-350 ug/ml) when a volume of saline which approximated the total lung capacity was used for lavage of the collapsed lungs. Exponential dose-response curves were seen in all species except guinea pigs, which showed significant increases in LFP at low O/sub 3/ concentrations (0.2 ppm) and a leveling off of response at the higher O/sub 3/ levels. Other species usually showed ...
This document is the combined Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study Report for the Lower Watts Bar Reservoir (LWBR) Operable Unit (OU). The LWBR is located in Roane, Rhea, and Meigs counties, Tennessee, and consists of Watts Bar Reservoir downstream of the Clinch River. This area has received hazardous substances released over a period of 50 years from the U.S. Department of Energy`s Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR), a National Priority List site established under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). As required by this law, the ORR and all off-site areas that have received containments, including LWBR, must be investigated to determine the risk to human health and the environment resulting from these releases, the need for any remedial action to reduce these risks, and the remedial actions that are most feasible for implementation in this OU. Contaminants from the ORR are primarily transported to the LWBR via the ...
Microdamage naturally occurs in bone tissue as a result of cyclic loading placed on the body from normal daily activities. While it is usually repaired through the bone turnover process, accumulation of microdamage may result in reduced bone quality and increased fracture risk. It is unclear whether certain areas of bone are more susceptible to microdamage than others due to compositional differences. This study examines whether areas of microdamaged bone are chemically different than undamaged areas of bone. Bone samples (L3 vertebrae) were harvested from 15 dogs. Samples were stained with basic fuchsin, embedded in poly-methylmethacrylate, and cut into 5-(micro)m-thick sections. Fuchsin staining was used to identify regions of microdamage, and synchrotron infrared microspectroscopic imaging was used to determine the local bone composition. Results showed that microdamaged areas of bone were chemically different than the surrounding undamaged ...
Accumulation of molecular damage and increased molecular heterogeneity are hallmarks of cellular aging. Mild stress-induced hormesis can be an effective way for reducing the accumulation of molecular...Full Text Available
Larvae of an anhydrobiotic insect, Polypedilum vanderplanki, accumulate very large amounts of trehalose as a compatible solute on desiccation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying...Full Text Available
BackgroundInterest in lycopene metabolism and regulation is growing rapidly because accumulative studies have suggested an important role for lycopene in human health promotion....Full Text Available
Like other halophytic chenopods, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) can accumulate high betaine levels in shoots and roots. N,N,N-trimethylglycine impedes sucrose crystallization...Full Text Available
DescriptionRates of ice accumulation in Antarctica are not known well, yet they are fundamental to assessing the ice sheet mass balance. Past accumulation rates are less well defined. We are in a unique position to provide detailed accounts of accumulation in Antarctica. We will measure isochronous internal layering across the ice sheet, which can be readily identified in radar data that we hold. Internal layers will be traced to ice-cores (allowing dating) and across wide regions of the ice sheets. A nume [continued...
IL-4-induced Stat6 signaling is active in a variety of cell types and plays a role in cell proliferation/growth and resistance to apoptosis. Using EMSA, we identified differential IL-4/Stat6 activities in colorectal cancer cell lines, HT-29 being active Stat6"h"i"g"h phenotype and Caco-2 being defective Stat6"n"u"l"l phenotype, respectively. Active Stat6"h"i"g"h HT-29 cells exhibited resistance to apoptosis by flowcytometry and aggressive metastasis by Transwell assay compared with defective Stat6"n"u"l"l Caco-2 cells. Comparing one another using RT-PCR, Stat6"h"i"g"h HT-29 cells expressed more mRNA of anti-apoptotic and pro-metastatic genes Survivin, MDM2, and TMPRSS4, while Stat6"n"u"l"l Caco-2 cells expressed more mRNA of pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic genes BAX, CAV1, and P53, respectively. This is the first study describing correlations of IL-4/Stat6 activities with apoptosis and metastasis in colon cancer. These findings, together with ...
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 transcription factor ...
The unsteady state heat transfer behaviour of a vertical wall subject to the effects of uniform radiation is investigated and the dimensional analysis of combined heat transfers by conduction, convection and radiation is presented. The convective heat transfer coefficients used in the numerical model are determined experimentally by means of an assembly resembling the conditions encountered in the dwelling (variable temperatures and heat flows in time and space, wall associated with a floor, radiative flux outside the wall). In routine conditions (homogeneous wall dimensions, temperature differentials less than 40/sup 0/C), it is shown that the problem depends in practice on three parameters (instead of five) and that nomographs can give the energy accumulated in the wall as a function of its geometric and thermal charactersitics and the external conditions (type and thickness of material, changes in incident flux, convection over the height of ...
To determine the presence, prevalence, and clinical importance of /sup 99m/Tc pertechnetate uterine uptake, this retrospective analysis of 71 Meckel's scans was undertaken. Specifically, each study was evaluated for the presence of a focal accumulation of radiotracer cephalad to the bladder. Patients received an intravenous dose of 150 microCi/kg of /sup 99m/Tc pertechnetate. Each study consisted of 15 one minute anterior serial gamma camera images, and a 15, 30, and 60 minute anterior, right lateral and posterior scintiscan. Menstrual histories were obtained from all patients except two. No males (33/33), nor premenstrual (13/13), menopausal (4/4) or posthysterectomy (2/2) patients revealed a uterine blush. Eleven of 15 patients (73%) with regular menses demonstrated a uterine blush. They were in the menstrual or secretory phases of their cycle. Four demonstrated no uterine uptake, had regular periods, but were in the proliferative ...
The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by ThermoChem Waste Remediation, LLC, (TWR) for treatment of SBW into a "road ready" waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). TWR is the licensee of Manufacturing Technology Conservation International (MTCI) steam-reforming technology in the field of radioactive waste treatment. A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was collected to ...
The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by ThermoChem Waste Remediation, LLC, (TWR) for treatment of SBW into a ''road ready'' waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). TWR is the licensee of Manufacturing Technology Conservation International (MTCI) steam-reforming technology in the field of radioactive waste treatment. A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was ...
The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by THORsm Treatment Technologies, LLC, for treatment of SBW into a "road ready" waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was collected to determine the nature and characteristics of the product, the operability of the technology, the composition of the off-gases, and the fate of key ...
The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) was home to nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for decades at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. As a result of the reprocessing activities, INTEC has accumulated approximately one million gallons of acidic, radioactive, sodium-bearing waste (SBW). The purpose of this demonstration was to investigate a reforming technology, offered by THORsm Treatment Technologies, LLC, for treatment of SBW into a ''road ready'' waste form that would meet the waste acceptance criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). A non-radioactive simulated SBW was used based on the known composition of waste tank WM-180 at INTEC. Rhenium was included as a non-radioactive surrogate for technetium. Data was collected to determine the nature and characteristics of the product, the operability of the technology, the composition of the ...
The untreated, heat- and alkali-treated Lentinus sajor-caju mycelia were used for the recovery of uranium from aqueous solutions. The effect of pH, temperature, initial concentration of UO{sub 2} {sup 2+} ions and contact time parameters were investigated in a batch system. The particles sizes of the fungal mycelia were ranging from 100 to 200 {mu}m. Biosorption equilibriums were established in about 30 min and the correlation regression coefficients show that the adsorption process can be well defined by the Freundlich equation. The alkali treated form had a high biosorption capacity (378 mg/g) than those of the untreated (268 mg/g) and heat-treated fungal mycelia (342 mg/g). Optimum biosorption was observed at pH 4.5 for all the tested fungal preparations and was independent of temperature (5-35 deg. C). In addition, the polarity and surface energy of the fungal biomass film preparations were determined by contact angle measurement. The fungal biomass could be ...
The possible surface enrichment of chromium and molybdenum during dissolution of Fe18Cr (110) and Fe18Cr3Mo (110) alloys at constant potentials in the passive region is elucidated by taking into account quantitative information on partial dissolution rates of alloy components as measured by #gamma#-spectrometry and on chemical composition of passivating films as measured by ESCA and AES. When combining results from all methods it is found that chromium under all conditions is enriched in the passivating films. An accumulation of chromium in the alloy is also indicated. For molybdenum, an enrichment in the passive film is observed at -0.2 V (SCE), whereas in the potential interval 0.1 - 0.9 V, the molybdenum enrichment as determined by ESCA and AES is hardly significant. On the other hand, #gamma#-spectrometry gives a clear indication of molybdenum enrichment in both potential. (author).
Experiments were completed to study intermittent coal-water slurry (CWS) fuel sprays injected from an electronically-controlled accumulator injector system. A new synchronization technique was developed using the light extinction signal as a triggering source for the data taking initiation with a laser diffraction particle analyzing (LDPA) technique. This technique allowed measurement of SMDs near the spray tip where the light extinction was low and the data were free from the multiscattering bias. Coal-water slurry fuel with 50% coal loading in mass containing 5 {mu}m mass median diameter coal particulates was considered. A correlation of the SMD with the injection conditions was determined which should show a satisfactory agreement with the measured SMD data. The spray SMD showed an increase with the distance of the axial measurement location and with the ambient gas density, and showed a decrease with increasing injection pressure.
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 metabolic alkalosis varied with the dose of Pb ...
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate targeted infill and extension drilling opportunities, better determinations of oil-in-place, methods for improved completion efficiency and the suitability of waterflooding in certain shallow-shelf carbonate reservoirs in the Williston Basin, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Cores from five Red River wells in the Bowman-Harding study area have been examined and described in detail; contracts have been awarded for a 3-D survey in Bowman Co., ND and a 2D, multi-component survey in Richland Co.; extended-time pressure buildup data have been analyzed from two wells which are candidates for jetting-lance completion workovers; a 20-day injectivity test has been completed in the Red River (upper member); a jetting-lance completion program has commenced with one job completed and three more scheduled during April; and reservoir data from three key Red River fields in the Bowman-Harding study area has been researched and ...
Twenty children with respiratory disease ingested 500 ..mu..Ci of Tc-99m sulfur colloid orally, and scintigrams of the thorax were obtained to determine whether pulmonaryaspiration of gastric contents could be detected. The children ranged in age from 1 mo to 14 y; 13 were 8 months of age or younger. Children were studied at 5 min and 4 h after ingestion of Tc-99m sulfur colloid using a high-sensitivity computer oscilloscope to record 100K-count images. Additional images were obtained after the children had slept overnight. Five children (25%) showed definite pulmonary accumulation of activity; four of these also had a barium swallow and three showed either pulmonary aspiration of barium or moderately severe gastroesophageal reflux. Oral ingestion of Tc-99m sulfur colloid provides a noninvasive means for diagnosing pulmonary aspiration under physiologic conditions in infants and children.
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 at.% of {sup 238}Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 deg. C and immersion density measurements of materials stored at 50 deg. C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After 25 equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 deg. C have expanded in volume by 0.11-0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.55. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 deg. C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 at.% of "2"3"8Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 deg. C and immersion density measurements of materials stored at 50 deg. C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After 25 equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 deg. C have expanded in volume by 0.11-0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.55. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 deg. C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
In support of Stockpile Stewardship activities, accelerated aging tests on a plutonium alloy enriched with 7.3 atomic percentage of {sup 238}Pu is underway using dilatometry at 35, 50, and 65 C and immersion density measurements of material stored at 50 C. Changes in density are expected from radiation damage in the lattice and helium in-growth. After twenty-five equivalent years of aging, the dilatometry data shows that the alloys at 35 C have expanded in volume by 0.11% to 0.12% and have started to exhibit a near linear expansion behavior primarily caused by the helium accumulation. The average He-to-vacancy ratio from tested specimens was determined to be around 2.3. The model for the lattice damage and helium in-growth accurately represents the volume swelling at 35 C. The density converted from the dilatometry corresponds well to the decreasing density trend of reference plutonium alloys as a function of time.
Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax shows early promise of important diagnostic advances. We believe that CT often provides information superior to that provided by standard roentgenographic techniques, is capable of significantly influencing patient management, and in selected instances, offers unique information not available by other methods. Computed tomography permits the imaging of mediastinal structures not possible with conventional roentgenographic methods and can diagnose with certainty benign mediastinal conditions such as pericardial cysts and focal or diffuse accumulations of fat. It is ideal for detecting pleural abnormalities and for displaying underlying parenchymal disease in patients with complex pleuroparenchymal shadows on conventional films. Pulmonary metastases unseen on the plain chest film can be detected with greater sensitivity than by any other method. Future applications of CT include the staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in ...
Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax shows early promise of important diagnostic advances. We believe that CT often provides information superior to that provided by standard roentgenographic techniques, is capable of significantly influencing patient management, and in selected instances, offers unique information not available by other methods. Computed tomography permits the imaging of mediastinal structures not possible with conventional roentgenographic methods and can diagnose with certainty benign mediastinal conditions such as pericardial cysts and focal or diffuse accumulations of fat. It is ideal for detecting pleural abnormalities and for displaying underlying parenchymal disease in patients with complex pleuroparenchymal shadows on conventional films. Pulmonary metastases unseen on the plain chest film can be detected with greater sensitivity than by any other method. Future applications of CT include the staging of mediastinal lymph nodes in ...
Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the functional properties of cartilaginous tissues generated by porcine MSCs isolated from different tissue sources, and to compare these properties to those derived from chondrocytes (CCs). MSCs were isolated from bone marrow (BM) and infrapatellar fat pad (FP), while CCs were harvested from the articular surface of the femoro-patellar joint. Culture-expanded CCs and MSCs were encapsulated in agarose hydrogels and cultured in the presence of TGF3. Samples were analysed biomechanically, biochemically and histologically at days 0, 21 and 42. After 42 days in free swelling culture, mean GAG content was 1.50% w/w in CC-seeded constructs, compared to 0.95% w/w in FP- and 0.43% w/w in BM-seeded constructs. Total collagen accumulation was hig...
A novel composite film, comprising of hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNP), was fabricated and characterized. The GNP was introduced through electrochemical deposition on IL-MWNT gel film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Experiments showed that both IL and MWNTs could facilitate the GNP deposition. With GNP the composite film exhibited smaller electron transfer resistance and higher sensitivity in sensing guanine (G) and adenine (A). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the anodic peak currents were linear to the analyte concentration in the ranges of 0.008-2.0 {mu}M. The detection limits were down to nanomole level after an accumulation of 150 s on open-circuit. In addition, on the composite film coated GCE, the anodic peaks of G and A were well separated, and their response sensitivities kept almost unchanged no matter whether they coexisted or not. This proposed procedure was successfully ...
A novel composite film, comprising of hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNP), was fabricated and characterized. The GNP was introduced through electrochemical deposition on IL-MWNT gel film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Experiments showed that both IL and MWNTs could facilitate the GNP deposition. With GNP the composite film exhibited smaller electron transfer resistance and higher sensitivity in sensing guanine (G) and adenine (A). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the anodic peak currents were linear to the analyte concentration in the ranges of 0.008-2.0 ?M. The detection limits were down to nanomole level after an accumulation of 150 s on open-circuit. In addition, on the composite film coated GCE, the anodic peaks of G and A were well separated, and their response sensitivities kept almost unchanged no matter whether they coexisted or not. This proposed procedure was successfully ...
Concentrations of trace metals were determined in water, sediment, fish feed and two species of farmed fish, pompano and snapper, collected from Daya Bay and Hailing Bay of South China in July 2007 and January 2008. Total average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg and As were 1.6, 2.7, 27.3, 0.025, 0.62, 0.18 and 0.59?g/gdrywt in pompano and 1.5, 2.6, 23.6, 0.020, 0.55, 0.22 and 0.53?g/gdrywt in snapper. In general, the concentrations of all target metals except Hg were positively correlated with lipid contents whereas negative correlations were observed between the metal concentrations and fish body weights. Model calculation indicated that dietary uptake of Zn and Cd predominate their accumulation in snapper, accounting for 99.9% and 98.2% of the total inputs. Risk ...
The thermal-hydraulic performance in periodic frosting conditions is experimentally studied for the parallel-flow parallel-fin heat exchanger, henceforth referred to as a PF{sup 2} heat exchanger, a new style of heat exchanger that uses louvered bent fins on flat tubes to enhance water drainage when the flat tubes are horizontal. Typically, it takes a few frosting/defrosting cycles to come to repeatable conditions. The criterion for the initiation of defrost and a sufficiently long defrost period are determined for the test PF{sup 2} heat exchanger and test condition. The effects of blower operation on the pressure drop, frost accumulation, water retention, and capacity in time are compared under the conditions of 15 sequential frosting cycles. Pressure drop across the heat exchanger and overall heat transfer coefficient are quantified under frost conditions as functions of the air humidity and air face velocity. The performances of two types ...
National Research Institute for Materials started in FY1966 a creep data sheet project aiming at obtaining the creep test data until 360Ms (about 11 years and half) in maximum, and has continuously been conducting the above on more than 40 kinds of heat resistant metallic materials for practical use for 30 years already as of January, 1996. The 360Ms creep rupture strength which has been aimed at by this project is the basic important strength property referred to at the time of determining design allowable stress of high temperature structural members. The Institute has published the accumulation of the test data of long range creeps lasting beyond 360Ms of the Institute as a creep data sheet, and in this article, the tremendous volume of this long range creep test data is analyzed and studied systematically, the new knowledge concerning the high temperature strength properties thereby obtained is named the base creep strength concept and ...
The deactivation rate of a resid hydrotreating catalyst is determined by a complex set of factors involving both chemical and physical changes in the catalyst structure. The various chemical changes that are associated with resid conversion involve thermal and catalytic steps of relatively large molecular weight species with the overall rates significantly affected by mass transfer limitations. The deposition of coke and the variation in the effective promoter level by the accumulation of metals deposited from the resid are the principal factors governing deactivation. The relative importance of mass transfer restrictions on activity and catalyst deactivation can be observed in studies where the average pore diameter of the catalyst has been varied. Several models have been proposed to characterize the deactivation of resid hydroprocessing catalysts. In this paper, the authors discuss some accelerated aging tests with a relatively large pore ...
We evaluated the relation between the lipiodol accumulative pattern on CT 1 month after 1st Lp-TAE and the effect of Lp-TAE and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 70 cases undergoing Lp-TAE twice. The lipiodol accumulative pattern on CT can be classified into four types (I: homogeneous, II: defect, III: inhomogeneous, IV: no or slight). In the type I, recurrence of the main tumor was 26.7%, daughter was 73.7%, suggesting a good effect of Lp-TAE. In the types II, III and IV, recurrence of the main tumor was seen in 66.7%, 83.3% and 83.3%, respectively, suggesting that the effect of Lp-TAE was worse according to the lipiodol accumulative pattern on CT. The lipiodol accumulative pattern on CT is useful for the detection of recurrence and assessment of the effect of Lp-TAE. (author).
In nuclear fuel, in approximately one quarter of the fissions, one of the two formed fission products is gaseous. These are mainly the noble gases xenon and krypton with isotopes of xenon contributing up to 90% of the product gases. These noble fission gases do not combine with other species, and have a low solubility in the normally used uranium oxide matrix. They can be dissolved in the fuel matrix or precipitate in nanometer-sized bubbles within the fuel grain, in micrometer-sized bubbles at the grain boundaries, and a fraction also precipitates in fuel pores, coming from fuel fabrication. A fraction of the gas can also be released into the plenum of the fuel rod. With increasing fission, and therefore burn-up, the ceramic fuel material experiences a transformation of its structure in the 'cooler' rim region of the fuel. A subdivision occurs of the original fuel grains of few microns size into thousands of small grains of sub-micron sizes. Additionally, larger ...
Coal-water-slurry (CWS) engine tests designed to evaluate a new accumulator-based injection system are described in this paper The new injection system was found to improve CWS burnout considerably at both full and part engine loads. The peak cylinder firing pressure when operating with CWS was no higher than when operating with diesel oil. These data demonstrates the improved engine performance that can be achieved with the accumulator-based injection system.
The titanium stabilized austenitic steel similar to the type of 321 is sensitive to the stress corrosion crackingunder horizontal steam generator operating condition. SCC was observed under crevice corrosion parameters and has resulted in the transgranular or intergranular cracking at the both, components primary collectors and heat exchange tubes. The crevice environment is characterized by aggressive impurities and 'non aggressive' compounds. Sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as 'non aggressive' species on the other hand are present in significant amount in the crevice environment under operating condition. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated with MULTEQ Code. As input data the measured operational values of local and bulk environments have been used. The determined parameters were compared with the results of thread hole environment analyses and tube surface ...
(-)-N6-(R-4-Hydroxyphenylisopropyl)adenosine (HPIA) was iodinated with NaI and trace /sup 125/I. Mono- and diiodinated reaction products and the starting material were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography and the structures of the reaction products were verified by NMR. (-)-N6-(R-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA), IHPIA, and I2HPIA decreased rat atrial contractility with ED50 values of 24, 28, and 33 nM, respectively. The contractile effects of these compounds were competitively blocked by theophylline (KI . 7.9 microM), but were not affected by adenosine deaminase. IHPIA also inhibited (-)isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in adipocytes with an ED50 (10 nM) and to an extent (83%) nearly identical to PIA. (/sup 125/I)HPIA prepared using carrier-free /sup 125/I bound to adenosine receptors on membranes from rat cerebral cortex, adipocyte ghosts, and heart ventricles. Binding was inhibited stereospecifically by PIA and by other adenosine ...
The research carried out in Canada in the design of containers for the disposal of radioactive waste has focussed on spent nuclear fuel, even though the quantities of other currently stored radioactive wastes are substantially greater. Research carried out at the Royal Military College of Canada on the effects of mixed fields of radiation on high polymer adhesives and composite materials has shown that some polymers are quite resistant to radiation and could well serve in the fabrication of radioactive waste disposal containers. The purpose of this research was to determine if thermoplastic polymers could be used as superior materials to replace metals in the application of low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal containers. Polymers have the advantage that they do not corrode like metals. The experimental methods, used in this research, focused on the effects of radiation on the properties of the materials. Polypropylene, Nylon 66, Polycarbonate, and ...
The influence of sediment dwelling macroinvertebrates on fate and bioavailability of contaminants in freshwater systems was determined using the burrowing mayfly, Hexagenia limbata, as a representative benthic organism. Two series of experiments were conducted: the first to determine the effect of mayflies on movement of contaminants into sediment and organisms, and the second to examine the effect of mayflies on release of contaminants from sediments to the water column and their subsequent accumulation in fish. Concentrations of "1"4C labelled DDT, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dihexylphthalate (DHP) in water were 0.11 +/- 0.01, 0.062 +/- 0.005 and 0.006 +/- 0.007 ppb, respectively. Total mass of DHP in the burrow wall was about equal to mass on the surface, indicating that mayflies were capable of doubling the amount of DHP sorbed per unit surface area of sediment. Adsorption of contaminants from water pumped through ...
Some motor operated valves now have higher torque switch settings due to regulatory requirements to ensure valve operability with appropriate margins at design basis conditions. Verifying operability with these settings imposes higher stem loads during periodic inservice testing. These higher test loads increase stresses in the various valve internal parts which may in turn increase the fatigue usage factors. This increased fatigue is judged to be a concern primarily in the valve disks, seats, yokes, stems, and stem nuts. Although the motor operators may also have significantly increased loading, they are being evaluated by the manufacturers and are beyond the scope of this study. Two gate valves representative of both relatively weak and strong valves commonly used in commercial nuclear applications were selected for fatigue analyses. Detailed dimensional and test data were available for both valves from previous studies at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Finite element ...
Intensive harvesting, whole-tree harvesting, and complete-tree utilization are being incorporated into management plans. Plants require sixteen or more nutrients. To determine impacts of intensive harvesting, research has begun to investigate nutrient losses associated with the removal of harvested material. Research efforts are focusing on quantifying direct nutrient loss from removal of additional biomass and identifying direct nutrient losses associated with whole-tree harvesting operations. An estimated 30-65% increase in biomass removal (from whole-tree harvesting operations as opposed to stem-only harvests) is accompanied by a 100-215% increase in nutrient removal. Whole-tree harvesting of hardwoods doubles the removal of nutrients from stem-only harvests. The significance of direct nutrient loss is not agreed upon. Some studies indicate that while stem-only harvests remove nutrients at rates replenishable from other sources, there is insufficient data to ...
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in premature aging, age-related diseases, and tumor initiation and progression. Alterations of the mitochondrial genome accumulate both in aging tissue...Full Text Available
A large group of diseases, termed protein misfolding disorders, share the common feature of the accumulation of misfolded proteins. The possibility of a common mechanism underlying either the pathogenesis...Full Text Available
Several organophosphate and organochlorine compounds, including pesticides commonly found in the Great Lakes basin, have the potential to induce immunotoxicity. Because of biomagnification and accumulation...Full Text Available
Co-op students hired since December 3, 1983 will be covered under FERS. ... amount of sick leave that can be accumulated for use in succeeding years. 11. ...
o If retaining CSRS/FERS, transferred employee will be credited with accumulated sick leave o Be reimbursed for travel, transportation, relocation costs ...
While the etiology of Parkinson's disease remains largely elusive, there is accumulating evidence suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs prior to the onset of symptoms in Parkinson's disease....Full Text Available
The recent accumulation of genomic information of many representative animals has made it possible to trace the evolution of the complement system based on the presence or absence of each complement...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: High levels of g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulate in plant tissues under various stresses. GABA accumulation is also influenced by cultivar. This aim of this study was to select the most promising cultivar of fava bean for GABA accumulation and to optimise the culture conditions for GABA production in germinated fava beans by response surface methodology based on central composite design (CCD). RESULTS: GABA content and glutamate decarboxylase activity in germinated seeds of cultivar S2 were significantly higher than those in other cultivars (P < 0.05). A significant negative correlation (r = -0.765, P < 0.05) between germination percentage and 1000-kernel weight was observed. There was a linear relationship between GABA content and sprout length (R2 = 0.816). The regression...
Biodynamic parameters of the ragworm Nereis diversicolor from southern Spain and south England were experimentally derived to assess the inter-population variability of physiological parameters of the bioaccumulation of Ag, Cd and Zn from water and sediment. Although there were some limited variations, these were not consistent with the local metal bioavailability nor with temperature changes. Incorporating the biodynamic parameters into a defined biodynamic model, confirmed that sediment is the predominant source of Cd and Zn accumulated by the worms, accounting in each case for 99% of the overall accumulated metals, whereas the contribution of dissolved Ag to the total accumulated by the worm increased from about 27 to about 53% with increasing dissolved Ag concentration. Standardised va...
replacing the KDP crystal, and introducing computer programs for accumulation of an almost unlimited number of frames. The calibration procedure using solar ...
The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining health; however, accumulating evidence indicates that this system can be the target for immunotoxic effects caused by a variety of chemicals including...Full Text Available
The amounts of lead and cadmium produced and processed in these days are considerable. As a result, our environment is increasingly polluted by heavy metals and industrial installations, motor vehicles or incinerating plants appear to be among the main culprits here. Air and water are the media permitting the entry of heavy metals into our natural environment where they accumulate in the soil and then gradually migrate into the plants. Their further transport in the food constitutes the third step in the environmental spread of heavy metals. The consumption of muscle and organ meats, of vegetables, fruits, canned food and drinking water is unavoidably associated with some ingestion of lead and cadmium. The degree to which they are taken up and stored in different tissues is determined by absorption properties and the nutritional state of the organism. Cadmium tends to accumulate in the kidneys, lead is mainly stored in the ...
DescriptionChanges in glacier mass balance are critically influenced by the distribution of snow accumulation at the start of the melt season, but models of the winter season lag seriously behind those of the melt season. The overall aim is to test physically-based models of the spatial and temporal evolution of the winter snowpack at a temperate ice cap (Langjokull, Iceland), to assess how effectively and also how efficiently they capture variation in winter accumulation. A three-step modelling approach i [continued...
Distribution of scattered elements in basic minerals of salt-rocks is studied. It is shown that rubidium and cesium are accumulated mainly in carnallites and are contained in small quantities halites. These elements are accumulated primarily in the carnallite production products, wherein their content in a number of cases exceeds by dozens and hundred times their content in source rocks. It is noted that only carnallites may be considered in the list of actual sources for rubidium and cesium separation
The usual method of introducing engineers to the concept of dislocations and their role in plastic flow is to compare an estimate of the theoretical strength of solid (of order {micro}/30 where {micro} is the shear modulus) and the observed strength of either single crystals ({mu}/10{sup 4}) or practical engineering material such as structural steels where the yield stress in shear is of order {mu}/10{sup 3}. However, if one considers the problem in reverse, one can consider the accumulation of dislocations as an important mechanism by which one can produce engineering materials in which the strength level approaches the theoretical strength. If one assumes that the flow stress can be expressed in terms of te mean free path between stored dislocations or as the square root of the global dislocation density, then one can see the influence of dislocation density in a diagrammatic form. It is clear that the strengthening by dislocation ...
Based upon the existing regulatory cleanup criteria, remediation of this wetlands was proposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE). This remedial process would have totally destroyed a thriving Old Field Wetlands. Site-Specific evaluation of the chemicals of potential concern (CPC), remaining source areas, potential environmental fate and transport (EF and T), toxicology (including oral absorption and bioaccumulation) and potential land use scenarios were conducted. It was determined that although the analytical chemistry data reported soil concentrations of arsenic, the compound used by the facility and discharged to the wetlands sediments was in fact gallium arsenide. Secondly, all remaining source areas and hot spots had previously been remediated. Vertical migration to soils had not progressed past a depth of 3 feet and groundwater/surface water did not contain significantly elevated concentrations of gallium arsenide. ...
Tree swallows were used to evaluate movement and potential impacts of contaminants from sediments in Newton Creek (diesel range organics: DROs) and Sheboygan River (PCBs), tributaries to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, respectively. Contaminated sites occurred along the course of each river, while reference sites were located upstream or on a nearby river. Productivity was monitored and eggs, day 1 nestlings, and day 12 nestlings were collected from each nest. Whole body or egg homogenates were analyzed for PCBs or DROs. EROD activity in livers from day 12 nestlings is being determined for both PCB and DRO exposures. In the Newton Creek study, hatching success was similar for DRO and reference sites. DROs were detected in gastrointestinal tracts of 1 nestling from the reference and 1 from the contaminated site. DROs were not detected in any egg samples. In the Sheboygan River study, hatching success rates differed between 1 reference and 1 contaminated river ...
To study the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic field topology and its long-term evolution associated with the X3.4 flare of 2006 December 13, we investigate the coronal relative magnetic helicity in the flaring active region (AR) NOAA 10930 during the time period of December 8-14. The coronal helicity is calculated based on the 3D nonlinear force-free magnetic fields reconstructed by the weighted optimization method of Wiegelmann, and is compared with the amount of helicity injected through the photospheric surface of the AR. The helicity injection is determined from the magnetic helicity flux density proposed by Pariat et al. using Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager magnetograms. The major findings of this study are the following. (1) The time profile of the coronal helicity shows a good correlation with that of the helicity accumulation by injection through the surface. (2) The coronal helicity of the AR is estimated to ...
A comparison of the concentration-response effects of inhaled ozone (O/sub 3/) and phosgene (COCl/sub 2/) in different species of laboratory animals was made in order to better understand the influence of the choice of species in inhalation toxicity studies. The effect of 4-h exposures to ozone at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm, and to COCl/sub 2/ and 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm was determined in rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and mice. Lavage fluid protein (LFP) accumulation 18-20 h after exposure was used as the indicator of O3- and COCl/sub 2/-induced pulmonary edema. All species had similar basal levels of LFP (250-350 mg/ml) when a volume of saline that approximated the total lung capacity was used to lavage the collapsed lungs. Ozone effects were most marked in guinea pigs, which showed significant effects at 0.2 ppm and above. Mice, hamsters, and rats showed effects at 1.0 ppm O3 and above, while rabbits responded ...
Historical information about the F-Area Railroad Crosstie Pile is limited. The unit is believed to have been a borrow area for earth fill that began receiving railroad crossties during the 1960s. The number of crossties at the unit began to increase significantly in 1984 when major repair of the SRS rail system was initiated. An estimated 100,000 used railroad crossties have accumulated at the unit since 1984. In an effort to determine the impact of the railroad crossties on the environment a total of 28 soil samples were collected from four test borings in March of 1991. Sample depths ranged from ground surface to 21.5 feet. Three of the borings were extended to the water table and groundwater samples were collected, one in an upgradient ``background`` area, and two downgradient from the unit. Few analytes were reported above detection limits. Test results are summarized in Section 4.0 and analytes not detected are summarized in Appendix A to ...
Historical information about the F-Area Railroad Crosstie Pile is limited. The unit is believed to have been a borrow area for earth fill that began receiving railroad crossties during the 1960s. The number of crossties at the unit began to increase significantly in 1984 when major repair of the SRS rail system was initiated. An estimated 100,000 used railroad crossties have accumulated at the unit since 1984. In an effort to determine the impact of the railroad crossties on the environment a total of 28 soil samples were collected from four test borings in March of 1991. Sample depths ranged from ground surface to 21.5 feet. Three of the borings were extended to the water table and groundwater samples were collected, one in an upgradient background'' area, and two downgradient from the unit. Few analytes were reported above detection limits. Test results are summarized in Section 4.0 and analytes not detected are summarized ...
Breeding populations of Great Tit Parus major and Pied Flycatcher Ficedida hypoleuca was studied to determine radionuclide ({sup 137}Cs, {sup 90}Sr) concentrations in bodies and foods (contents of gastrointestinal tracts) at different stages of the life-cycle and radiation effects upon the populations. The study was carried out in 1989--1992 near Chernobyl (in two areas with differed contamination levels: 90 Ci/km{sup 2}, 5 Ci/km{sup 2}) and East-Ural radioactive trace (Russia) (1,500 Ci/km{sup 2}, 2 Ci/km{sup 2}). Concentrations of {sup 90}Sr in egg shells of Great Tit collected near Chernobyl were 65 times higher in the more radioactive area than in the less contaminated area and varied from 56.6 to 79.7 Bq/g. Concentration of {sup 90}Sr in the contents of gastrointestinal tracts were from 0 to 10.8 Bq/g. Concentrations of radionuclides in the food increased in the sequence ``nestlings < fledglings < adults``. However, the accumulation ...
Aerosols affect the radiative energy budget on both the regional and global scales. The wavelength-dependent aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a fundamental determinant of the amount by which extra-terrestrial incoming sunlight and outgoing terrestrial radiation are being attenuated in the atmosphere. The present study addresses the influence of local waste burning on aerosol characteristics, black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration and spectral solar irradiance using ground-based measurements over the tropical urban environment of Hyderabad, India. AOD has been observed to be maximum during burning days compared to normal days. Aerosol size spectra suggest bimodal distributions during pre-and post-burning periods and trimodal distributions during burning periods. Angstrom wavelength exponent estimated from spectral variation of AOD suggested dominance of accumulation mode particle loading during burning days compared to normal days. Diurnal ...
A a result of its former role as a producer of nuclear weapons components, the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), Golden, Colorado accumulated a variety of plutonium-contaminated materials. When the level of contamination exceeded a predetermined level (the economic discard limit), the materials were classified as residues rather than waste and were stored for later recovery of the plutonium. Although large quantities of residues were processed, others, primarily those more difficult to process, remain in storage at the site. It is planned for the residues with lower concentrations of plutonium to be disposed of as wastes at an appropriate disposal facility, probably the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Because the plutonium concentration is too high or because the physical or chemical form would be difficult to get into a form acceptable to WIPP, it may not be possible to dispose of a portion of the residues at WIPP. The pyrochemical salts are ...
As human activity in and around Puget Sound increased, so did the contaminant levels in the sediment. Sediment cores collected in 1 982 revealed inputs of chemicals to the Sound, including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and petroleum hydrocarbons, began to increase above background in the late 1800s and peaked between 1945 and 1965. Synthetic organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT, first appeared in sediments deposited in the 1930s and reached a maximum in the 1960s. The presence of the subsurface maximum concentrations suggests that pollution-control strategies have improved the sediment quality of central Puget Sound. Additional sediment coring was performed in 1991 and samples were collected at six locations in the main basin of Puget Sound. Sediment ages were determined using Pb"2"1"0 radio isotope dating. Sedimentation rates were approximately 1 to 2 cm/yr and deposition rates ranged from 480 to 1000 mg/cm2/yr. ...
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 conditions (low calcium intake, age of the ...
This report summarizes work performed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) on fatigue and environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) in light water reactors (LWRs) during the six months from October 1993 to March 1994. EAC and fatigue of piping, pressure vessels, and core components in LWRs are important concerns in operating plants and as extended reactor lifetimes are envisaged. Topics that have been investigated include (a) fatigue of low-alloy steel used in piping, steam generators, and reactor pressure vessels, (b) EAC of wrought and cast austenitic stainless steels (SSs), and (c) radiation-induced segregation and irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of Type 304 SS after accumulation of relatively high fluence. Fatigue tests have been conducted on A302-Gr B low-alloy steel to verify whether the current predictions of modest decreases of fatigue life in simulated pressurized water reactor water are valid for high-sulfur heats that show ...
A transplant experiment was conducted to determine whether standard metabolic rate (SMR) of a freshwater shrimp (Palaeomonetes paludosus) would be affected by exposure to trace element-enriched coal combustion waste (coal ash). Shrimp were transplanted into replicate cages in a coal ash-polluted site and a reference site for 8 months. The coal ash-polluted site was characterized by elevated sediment concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Se compared to sediments in the reference site. After 8 months in the study sites, shrimp in the polluted site appeared to have accumulated As, Cd and Se from the habitat, but there were on differences in survival between the study sites. However, mean SMR of shrimp (measured as O{sub 2} consumption at rest) held in the polluted site was 51% higher than mean SMR of shrimp held in the reference site. The elevation in SMR indicates that the energetic costs of maintenance are greater for shrimp chronically ...
Project RPS116, ''Implementation of Boric Acid in the Field,'' was designed to demonstrate that a selected steam generator boric acid treatment is effective in arresting the progressing of denting in an operating steam generator. The PWR nuclear steam generators chosen for the testing were those at the Indian Point Unit 3 nuclear site. Hydrogen monitoring measurements and eddy current examinations had indicated that the Indian Point Unit 3, Series 44 steam generators had already reached an advanced stage of denting and tube support plate ligament discontinuities were observed. The objective of the boric acid treatment was to reduce the rate of denting by attempting to reproduce in the field the positive results achieved with boric acid in laboratory-simulated denting tests. Laboratory testing has indicated that implementation of a four day low power (25% power) boric acid soak with 50 ppm boron as boric acid followed by maintenance of a 5-10 ppm boron level during full power operation ...
Electron beams as a source of directed energy are under study at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). An intense 10-kA, 50-MeV, 50-ns full-width half-maximum, pulsed electron beam is generated by the prototype Advanced Test Accelerator (ATA) at the Laboratory's Site 300. Whenever the electron beam is stopped in materials, intense radiation is generated. Estimates based on available data in the literature show that for materials such as lead, photon radiation (x ray, gamma, bremsstrahlung) levels can be as large as 10"4 roentgens per pulse at 1 m in the zero-degree direction (i.e., the electron-beam direction). Neutrons, which are emitted isotropically, are produced at a level of 10"1"3 n/m"2 per pulse. Depending upon the number of pulses and the shielding geometry, the accumulated dose is potentially lethal to personnel and potentially damaging to instrumentation that may be used for diagnostics. To provide shielding for minimizing the risk of ...
The paper introduces the disposal procedures of the old reactor pressure vessel head. Reactor pressure vessel (RPV) heads were replaced successfully in Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant. The on-site treatment and disposal of replaced heads was thereafter implemented. This is the first time in China for large size radioactive article disposal. To guarantee the safety of old head treatment, issues of radiation protection have to be taken into account. Dose rate distribution of the old head surface and radioactivity were initially calculated according to the operation history and the neutron flux rate of the reactor. Shielding calculation and package design was thereafter worked out based on the data obtained from the old head, e.g. neutron flux, sorts of nuclides, radioactivity and dose rates. Shielding package was afterwards manufactured in special factories and transported to Daya Bay NPP site by truck and ship. The shielding package was designed relatively simple, practicable and comply ...
Host matrices for actinide immobilisation will undergo the formation of large helium quantities due to alpha decay. Helium diffusion rate has to be known in order to predict the long-term behaviour of the material, and particularly, the influence of helium accumulation on mechanical properties. A nuclear reaction analysis method, namely the "3He(d, p)"4He reaction, has been used to analyse the evolution of "3He profiles after ion implantations at 1 and 3 MeV in two materials, monoclinic ZrO_2 (as a test material) and Ca_9Nd(PO_4)_5(SiO_4)F_1_._5(OH)_0_._5 britholite (envisaged for Am and Pu long-term storage). Two data processing methods are used: the classical excitation curve (proton yields versus deuteron energy) and second, the proton energy spectrum for a given deuteron energy. The characteristics of the "3He profiles (depth, width) obtained by both methods are compared to SRIM estimations. Their evolution during subsequent annealings allows an estimation of ...
A cytochrome P450 that hydroxylates lauric acid at the 12 position (P450LA omega) was isolated from liver microsomes of clofibrate treated rats. P450LA omega was immunologically distinct from P450s a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,j,PB1, and PCN1. Polyclonal antibody against P450LA omega was utilized to screen a gt11 cDNA library. A clone (pP450LA omega), was isolated and its sequence determined. The P450LA omega mRNA is a minimum 2387 nts in length and codes for a P450 of Mr.58,222 daltons. This protein shares less than 35% amino acid similarity with P450s b,c,d,e,f,PB1, and PCN1; however, it does contain a hydrophobic amino terminal peptide and a conserved sequence surrounding the Cys residue at position 456, which is similar to other microsomal P450s. P450LA omega is present at high levels in untreated rat kidney and is induced by clofibrate in both kidney and liver. This induction is the result of an accumulation of mRNA through a rapid transcriptional ...
The green mussel Perna viridis and the clam Ruditapes philippinarum have been frequently used as biomonitors of coastal contamination in subtropical and tropical waters, yet the physiological processes controlling metal uptake in these bivalves are unknown. Assimilation efficiency (AE) is an important physiological parameter quantifying metal bioavailability from ingested food. The authors determined the AEs of Cd, CR, and Zn in these bivalves feeding on five species of phytoplankton and one natural section. The influences of the cytoplasmic distribution of metals in the algal cells and the digestive physiology of bivalves on metal AEs were also examined. Among the three metals, Zn was generally assimilated at the highest efficiency, i.e., 21 to 36% in the mussels and 29 to 59% in the clams. Cr was the least assimilated metal, with AEs being 10 to 16% in the mussels and 11 to 24% in the clams. The AEs of Cd and Zn in the clams were 1.8 to 4.7 and 1.1 to 1.9 times ...
In this paper a comparison between severe accident calculations performed for a WWER 1000 with the ASTEC1.1v0 and MELCOR 1.8.5 computer codes for a small break LOCA (ID 60 mm) without intervention of hydro accumulators is presented. This investigation has been performed in the framework of the SARNET project under the EURATOM 6th framework program. Once the accident sequence scenario is specified, both codes (MELCORE and ASTEC) are able to determine the core and containment damaged states, to estimate the release of radionuclides from the fuel as well as from the primary circuit and containment. Theses results are used to estimate the maximum period of the time during which the personnel could still take particular decisions in order to mitigate such an accident. The aim of the performed analysis is to estimate the discrepancy between ASTEC and MELCORE 1.8.5 calculations. Such discrepancies will be studied, if the case, proposal for ASTEC ...
The influence of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure on regional cerebral blood flow (r-CBF) in rat brain was studied using autoradiography and "1"2"5I-IMP. Fuji computed radiography (FCR) was used to obtain improved autoradiograms in this study. R-CBF was determined in a relative measure by calculating hippocampus/cortex and putamen/cortex ratios of RI accumulation from the autoradiogram using a densitometer. Comparison of autoradiograms with pathological findings in the area of the hippocampus and putamen yield the following results. In the animals that were exposed to 6400 ppm or 10000 ppm of CO for 30 minutes, and then were followed up for 2 weeks without further exposure, r-CBF was decreased but no pathological changes occurred. In the animals that were exposed to 6400 ppm or 10000 ppm of CO, and then were followed up for 4 weeks without further exposure, pathological changes appeared. In animals exposed to 3200 ppm of CO, the r-CBF tended to ...
The influence of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure on regional cerebral blood flow (r-CBF) in rat brain was studied using autoradiography and {sup 125}I-IMP. Fuji computed radiography (FCR) was used to obtain improved autoradiograms in this study. R-CBF was determined in a relative measure by calculating hippocampus/cortex and putamen/cortex ratios of RI accumulation from the autoradiogram using a densitometer. Comparison of autoradiograms with pathological findings in the area of the hippocampus and putamen yield the following results. In the animals that were exposed to 6400 ppm or 10000 ppm of CO for 30 minutes, and then were followed up for 2 weeks without further exposure, r-CBF was decreased but no pathological changes occurred. In the animals that were exposed to 6400 ppm or 10000 ppm of CO, and then were followed up for 4 weeks without further exposure, pathological changes appeared. In animals exposed to 3200 ppm of CO, the r-CBF tended to ...
Inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation has a very crucial role to prevent obesity. Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan is known to inhibit fat accumulation and adipogenesis. (N,O)-sulfated chitosan is a sulfation derivative of chitosan oligomers, and its anti-obesity effect is not yet reported. In this study, it has been reported that (N,O)-sulfated chitosan significantly decreased lipid accumulation, an indicator for adipogenesis, in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Furthermore, mRNA expressions and protein levels of key adipogenic markers such as peroxisome prolifetor-activated receptor (PPAR)-@c and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-@a were considerably decreased by (N,O)-sulfated chitosan treatment. As a consequence, sulfation of LMWC remarkably increased its ...
Mesocarp tissue from sucrose-accumulating sweet melon (Cucumis melo cv. Galia) showed sucrose synthase activity (ca 1 nkat/gfw) while soluble acid invertase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities were not observed. Sucrose uptake into mesocarp discs was linear with sucrose concentration (1-500 mM) and unaffected by PCMBS and CCCP. Sucrose compartmentation into the vacuole also increased linearly with sucrose concentration as indicated by compartmental efflux kinetics. Mesocarp discs incubated in /sup 14/C-fructose + UDP-glu synthesized /sup 14/C-sucrose and efflux kinetics indicated that the /sup 14/C-sucrose was compartmentalized. These data support the hypothesis that two mechanisms are involved in sucrose accumulation in sweet melon: (1) compartmentation of intact sucrose and (2) synthesis of sucrose via sucrose synthase and subsequent compartmentation in the vacuole.
Carotenoids are highly beneficial for human nutrition and health because they provide essential nutrients and important antioxidants in our diets. However, many food crops, especially the major staple crops contain only trace to low amounts of carotenoids. Although significant progress has been made in developing food crops rich in carotenoids by altering the expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes, in many cases it has proved to be difficult to reach the desired levels of carotenoid enrichment. The recent identification and characterization of a novel gene mutation in cauliflower reveals that creating a metabolic sink to sequester carotenoids is an important mechanism to control carotenoid accumulation in plants. The successful demonstration of increased carotenoid accumulation in ass...
This book is mainly a comparison of the cost of pollution with the cost of environmental protection. As to the causes of pollution, a difference is made between pollutants that accumulate and pollutants that do not accumulate. Because of pollutant accumulation it is necessary to carry out both subsequent pollution abatement measures and to take preventive action which helps to avoid pollutant emission. Growth models serve to substantiate why such preventive action is both ecologically and economically useful as a rule. Finally the study makes a comparison between some tools of environmental protection. It stresses in particular that, if a duty on emissions is levied, the polluter has to bear all the cost of the pollution, while at the same time the quality of the environment can be more successfully improved than by emission standards alone.
Salt stress elicits betaine accumulation to high levels in species from several diverse dicot families (Chenopodiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae, and Asteraceae). FAM-MS studies with deuterated precursors showed that species from all these families synthesize betaine from choline. Enzyme assays and immunotitration data showed that all accumulating species contained betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) enzyme activity recognized by antibodies raised against purified BADH isolated from Spinacia oleracea. Immunoblotting indicated that the BADH monomer was in all cases of Mr {approx} 63,000. The similarity of BADH in the different species is consistent with a single evolutionary origin for the betaine pathway. This was supported by the presence in immunoblots of a cross-reacting band at Mr {approx} 63,000 in Magnolia x Soulangiana, a primitive angiosperm.
Mitsubishi is developing a new type of accumulator incorporating the technology of fluidics as one of the seeds for the improved safety of the newly constructed pressurized water reactor plants. This accumulator employs a vortex flow control device, called a vortex damper, as a fluidic device to simplify the safety systems. A fundamental experimental study with a one-fifth scale model and confirmation tests with a one-third scale model to develop the vortex damper have been carried out, and satisfactory results have been achieved. The results of the confirmation tests under the prototype pressure conditions agree well with the basic tests. The flow rate ratio can be 5 to 6. The pressure loss coefficient in the large flow rate period is 8. A cavitation factor is the main parameter of the flow rate coefficient.
The content and biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were studied in pig thigh muscle after acute local {gamma}-irradiation. Seven months following irradiation, the muscular tissue next to the irradiation cone was replaced by severe mutilating fibrosis delimited by an intermediary perifibrotic zone. Results showed a parallel increase of collagen and GAG content in perifibrotic and fibrotic tissues. Sulphated GAGs, heparan sulphate and dermatan sulphate were preferentially accumulated in fibrotic tissue, while the hyaluronic acid content increased only slightly. Synthesis of sulphated GAGs was more elevated in fibrotic tissue than in perifibrotic zone as compared with normal muscle. Seven months after irradiation well-developed fibrotic tissue continued to synthesize and to accumulate extracellular matrix macromolecules. (Author).
In order to understand not only the mechanisms of earthquakes, but also the origin of diverse behavior of faults and plate boundaries, one must integrate (1) field studies on faults to understand deep intrafault processes, (2) laboratory work to reproduce those processes and determine mechanical and transport properties of fault zones, (3) theoretical and numerical studies analyzing fault motion, including earthquake generation processes, based on the constitutive properties determined by laboratory studies, and (4) seismological and geodetic studies revealing dynamic fault motion during earthquakes and diverse aseismic fault behavior. Ideally, such integrated studies should be carried out for a selected fault that produced an earthquake with good seismic/geodetic records so the prediction from (1) to (3) can be fully tested with (4), rather than selecting favorite data in the literature. Present session is organized to promote such integrated ...
Finland has some 10 million hectares of peatland, accounting for almost a third of its total area. Macroclimatic conditions have varied in the course of the Holocene growth and development of this peatland, and with them the habitats of the peat-forming plants. Temperatures and moisture conditions have played a significant role in determining the dominant species of mire plants growing there at any particular time, the resulting mire types and the accumulation and deposition of plant remains to form the peat. While in a natural state the mires of Finland have functioned as carbon dioxide sinks throughout the post-glacial period, but the ditching of peatland for forestry and agriculture, amounting to some 5,7 million hectares in Finland, has affected their water balance, especially over the last hundred years, and has thereby altered the quantity and species composition of the mire vegetation. The invasion of trees and woody plants to replace ...
BackgroundInterim analysis of accumulating trial data is important to protect participant safety during randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) often...Full Text Available
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
Storage proteins are deposited into protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) during plant seed development and maturation and stably accumulate to high levels; subsequently, during germination the storage...Full Text Available
The composition of carotenoids, along with anthocyanins and chlorophyll, accounts for the distinctive range of colour found in the Actinidia (kiwifruit) species. Lutein and beta-carotene...Full Text Available
Analytical relations are obtained for estimating how the distributions of temperature and heat flux vary along a steam-generating tube and how the steam-generator power output reduces due to formation and accumulation of deposits.
Analytical relations are obtained for estimating how the distributions of temperature and heat flux vary along a steam-generating tube and how the steam-generator power output reduces due to formation and accumulation of deposits.
Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that accumulate in the large central vacuole of most plants. Inside the vacuole, anthocyanins can be found uniformly distributed or as part of sub-vacuolar pigment...Full Text Available
Oysters are permanently exposed to various microbes, and their defense system is continuously solicited to prevent accumulation of invading and pathogenic organisms. Therefore, impairment of the animal's...Full Text Available
Responsive biomaterials play important roles in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments are one class of biomaterial...Full Text Available
Accumulated lines of evidence suggest that hyperimmune responses to periodontal bacteria result in the destruction of periodontal connective tissue and alveolar bone. The etiological roles of periodontal...Full Text Available
Accumulation of certain nonmetabolizable sugar-phosphates (including α-methyl glucoside-6-phosphate) in Escherichia coli is growth inhibitory and elicits the glucose-phosphate...Full Text Available
A barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mutant (Az34) has been identified with low basal levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and with reduced capacity for producing ABA in response to water stress....Full Text Available
The osmoprotectant Pro betaine is the main betaine identified in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). We have investigated the long-term responses of nodulated alfalfa plants to salt stress,...Full Text Available
The cells of the endosperm of castor bean seeds (Ricinus communis) undergo programmed cell death during germination, after their oil and protein reserves have been mobilized. Nuclear...Full Text Available
Plasma exchange (PE) is currently being used to treat a variety of disorders involving immune complexes, such as polyarteritis nodosa. This procedure removes endogenous toxic components that accumulate...Full Text Available
Cancer immunotherapies can be guided by cellular imaging techniques, which can identify the presence or absence of immune-cell accumulation in the tumor tissue in-vivo and in real time. This...Full Text Available
BackgroundMitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and the accumulation of somatic mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been associated with certain neurodegenerative disorders....Full Text Available
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
Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) produces an oleoresin characterized by a diverse array of terpenoids, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and diterpene resin acids that can protect...Full Text Available
In the presence of electrochemical energy, several branched-chain neutral and acidic amino acids were found to accumulate in membrane vesicles of Bacillus stearothermophilus. The membrane vesicles contained...Full Text Available
BackgroundMalignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a lethal disease of cattle, characterized by vasculitis, necrosis, and accumulation of activated, dysregulated cytotoxic lymphocytes...Full Text Available
As evidence of its effectiveness rapidly accumulates, the Lomi process has most recently been used to decontaminate the recirculation loops and the reactor water clean-up unit of a BWR at Monticello in the United States. An average decontamination factor of 23 was achieved in the recirculation loops.
Protoplasts were isolated from the leaves of nitrate-cultured wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Frederick) seedlings. When incubated in the dark, protoplasts accumulated nitrite under...Full Text Available
Stargardt disease (STGD) is the major form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. Pyridinium bis-retinoid A2E is a major component of lipofuscin which accumulates in retinal pigment epithelium...Full Text Available
BackgroundMethamphetamine (METH), an addictive psycho-stimulant drug with euphoric effect is known to cause neurotoxicity due to oxidative stress, dopamine accumulation and glial...Full Text Available
The biological accumulation of heavy metals and cesium, strontium, and uranium in plants is discussed. The role of nutrient deficiencies and foliar treatments of manganese and iron compounds is described.
We describe here seven cases (from five kindreds) of Anderson's disease, which is characterized by diarrhea, steatorrhea, hypobetalipoproteinemia with low levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids,...Full Text Available
BackgroundPolyadenylation of RNA has a decisive influence on RNA stability. Depending on the organisms or subcellular compartment, it either enhances transcript stability or targets...Full Text Available
Natural accumulations of skeletal material (death assemblages) have the potential to provide historical data on species diversity and population structure for regions lacking decades of wildlife monitoring,...Full Text Available
Harmful algal blooms, caused by rapid growth and accumulation of certain microalgae in the ocean, pose considerable impacts on marine environments, aquatic industries and even public health. Here, we...Full Text Available
Cleaning and disinfection of open surfaces in food industry premises leave some microorganisms behind; these microorganisms build up a resident flora on the surfaces. Our goal was to explore the phenomena...Full Text Available
Bisretinoid lipofuscin compounds that accumulate in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of some forms of macular degeneration. In the development of approaches...Full Text Available
Epicuticular wax production was evaluated along the length of expanding leek (Allium porrum L.) leaves to gain insight into the regulation of wax production. Leaf segments from the...Full Text Available
Proline accumulation in NaCl-treated excised barley (Hordeum vulgare var Larker) leaves was studied. Leaves were treated by placing the cut end in NaCl solutions and allowing the salt...Full Text Available
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 ...
In chronic kidney disease, fibroblast dysfunction causes renal fibrosis and renal anemia. Renal fibrosis is mediated by the accumulation of myofibroblasts, whereas renal anemia is mediated by the reduced...Full Text Available
Despite an accumulating body of literature addressing racial/ethnic disparities in children’s health and health care, there have been few published studies of interventions that have...Full Text Available
At Wolsung NPP, three more CANDU reactors will be operated soon, and the tritium accumulation in the moderator and coolant systems was estimated to be greatly increased. In order to reduce tritium exposure for nuclear safety at Wolsung, a study was carrie...
In case of operating both Wolsung Nuclear Units 1 and 2 without operating tritium removal facilities, it is estimated that tritium in 2013 would be accumulated up to about 30 million Ci that would result in about 2,300 man-rem of tritium exposure to opera...
Growing evidences indicate that proteases are implicated in adipogenesis and in the onset of obesity. We previously reported that the cysteine protease cathepsin K (ctsk) is overexpressed in the white...Full Text Available
Failure of bone under monotonic and cyclic loading is related to the bone mineral density, the quality of the bone matrix and the evolution of microcracks. The theory of linear elastic fracture...Full Text Available
Suspensions of denitrifying cells of Pseudomonas perfectomarinus reduced nitrate and nitrate as expected to dinitrogen; but, in the presence of acetylene, nitrous oxide accumulated when nitrate or nitrate...Full Text Available
Fish living in contaminated environments accumulate toxic chemicals in their tissues. Biomarkers are needed to identify the resulting health effects, particularly focusing on early changes at a subcellular...Full Text Available
In cases of obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC), preoperative diagnosis of the proximal lesion is often difficult when the primary lesion impedes the passage of the endoscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in such cases. A total of 52 obstructive CRC patients who underwent preoperative FDG-PET and subsequent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. The correlation between characteristics of the proximal lesion and FDG-PET findings was analyzed statistically. There was a significant correlation between the proximal lesion size and the maximum standardized uptake value (P=0.00016). Abnormal FDG accumulation in the proximal colon indicated the existence of proximal cancer or adenoma with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 100%. There was a significant difference in the distribution of tumor size between the cases with proximal abnormal ...
Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of human infection with Plasmodium falciparum. It was shown that Plasmodium berghei ANKA-induced cerebral malaria was...Full Text Available
BackgroundChronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality that are seen far more commonly in the aged population. Interestingly, kidney...Full Text Available
The accumulation of α-1,4-polyglucans is an important strategy to cope with transient starvation conditions in the environment. In bacteria and plants, the synthesis of glycogen and starch occurs...Full Text Available
Because of the instability of Factor VIII (antihaemophilic factor) in plasma in vitro, and since evidence has accumulated that the level of activity varies significantly between samples...Full Text Available
Humanin (HN), a 24-residue peptide, was identified as a novel neuroprotective factor and shows anti-cell death activity against a wide spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related cytotoxicities, including...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
The water culture experiment of Houttuynia cordata of the medicinal plant was carried out, and basic study on {sup 137}Cs accumulation characteristic and internal circulation in H. cordata in the fruiting stage was investigated since the flowering season. H. cordata accumulated 80% of {sup 137}Cs absorbed unlike K to the root, rhizome, terminal bud of the underground part for the rhizome reproduction. {sup 137}Cs content to the young leaf, spike, involucre increased in the flowering season. Thereafter, {sup 137}Cs was recirculated to the developing organs in second generations such as the rhizome and bud. (author)
Stream invertebrates that feed on leaf litter are intimately tied to the nature and timing of the litter input. These invertebrates are called shredders; they consume streamside, riparian litter that has become trapped in the stream channel. This plant litter accumulates at the leading edge of obstructions in the current and settles out in pools, alcoves, and other depositional zones. Given the extensive literature that has accumulated over the last 20 years, researchers can now develop a general, testable model that relates riparian plant communities to the stream shredders, which depend upon litter derived from those communities.
Studies on the regulation of the enterocytic differentiation of the human colon cancer cell line HT-29, which is differentiated in the absence (Glc"-) but not in the presence of glucose (Glc"+), have recently shown that the post-translational processing of sucrase-isomaltase and particularly its glycosylation vary as a function of cell differentiation. Other studies indicate that in undifferentiated HT-29 Glc"+ cells there is an accumulation of UDP-N-acetylhexosamine, which is involved in the glycosylation process. The purpose of the present work is to investigate whether an overall alteration of protein glycosylation is associated with the inability of HT-29 cells to differentiate. At least three alterations are detected: (i) after a 10-min pulse, the incorporation of D-[2-"3H]mannose in undifferentiated cells is severely reduced, compared to differentiated cells. (ii) After a 24-h period of labeling with D-[2-"3H]mannose, undifferentiated cells ...
Insulin receptors on the surface of isolated rat adipocytes were photoaffinity labeled at 12 degrees C with the iodinated photoreactive insulin analogue, 125I-B2 (2-nitro-4-azidophenylacetyl)-des-PheB1-insulin, and the pathways in the intracellular processing of the labeled receptors were studied at 37 degrees C. During 37 degrees C incubations, the labeled 440-kDa insulin receptors were continuously internalized (as assessed by trypsin inaccessibility) and degraded such that up to 50% of the initially labeled receptors were lost by 120 min. Metabolic poisons (0.125-0.75 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and 1-10 mM NaF), which led to dose-dependent depletion of adipocyte ATP pools, inhibited receptor loss, and caused up to 3-fold increase in intracellular receptor accumulation. This effect was due to inhibition of intracellular receptor degradation, and there was no apparent effect of the metabolic poisons on initial internalization of the receptors. Following maximal ...
The basic feature in the functional ecology of any mire ecosystem is retardation of the effective decay of organic material resulting in a conspicuous accumulation of plant debris as peat overtime. The carbon accumulation process is slow, and climatic change may have an impact on the carbon cycle of peatlands, therefore, it has been of interest to study the rate of carbon accumulation by geological methods from dated peat strata. The approach is hampered by several facts. First, the mires vary enormously as to their vegetation and hydrology and hence their production and decay properties. It follows that a great number of study sites are needed. Second, the peat in mires expands both vertically and laterally, and this requires a spatial reconstruction of carbon accumulation within a mire basin. Third, simple geological methods cannot account for the actual rate of carbon ...
The regional concentrations of nine radiochemicals were measured in rat brain after induction of cerebral ischemia to identify tracers concentrated by brain undergoing selective neuronal necrosis. Transient (30 minute) forebrain ischemia was produced in the rat; 24 hours after cerebral recirculation the radiochemicals were injected intravenously and allowed to circulate for 5 hours. The brain concentrations of the radiochemicals in dissected regions were determined by scintillation counting. Forebrain ischemia of this nature will produce extensive injury to striatal neurons but will spare the great majority of neocortical neurons at 24 hours. The regional concentrations of these radiochemicals varied considerably in both control and ischemic animals. In postischemic animals, 4 radionuclides (/sup 63/Ni, /sup 99/TcO/sub 4/, /sup 22/Na, and (/sup 3/H)tetracycline) were concentrated in the irreversibly damaged striatum in amounts ranging from 1.4 to 2.4 times greater ...
Encapsulation of technetium-99m sestamibi ({sup 99m}Tc-MIBI) in polyethyleneglycol-liposomes ({sup 99m}Tc-MIBI-PEG-liposomes) could extend the duration of its circulation in blood and alter its biodistribution, enabling its concentration in tumours to be increased. An original method to encapsulate {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI in PEG-liposomes is described. The {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI-PEG-liposomes were compared with free {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI with respect to (a) tumour availability (b) ability to distinguish between chemotherapy-sensitive and -resistant cells and (c) uptake ratio in tumour imaging. PEG-liposomal systems composed of distearoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/PEG{sub 2000}-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine and lissamine-rhodamine B-labelled liposomes were used. The encapsulation of {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI in liposomes was achieved using the K{sup +} diffusion potential method. We compared the uptake of free versus encapsulated {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI by sensitive and resistant erythroleukaemia (K562) and ...
The aims of investigation were to follow the Sr transport in the food chain from the flora to the fauna and humans, and its dependence on the geological origin og the plant site, industrial emissions, the age and site of plants, the part of plant used for nutrition and the strontium content in the drinking water, to determine the Sr intake of humans with the help of the duplicate method, and to estimate the apparent absorption rate and balance of strontium depending on of the form of diet (mixed or ovolactovegetarian), sex, season, age, region (geological origin of the living space) and method of intake measurement (duplicate or basket method). Strontium, an ultra trace element widespread in the earth's crust, is not essential and only mildly toxic for plants, animals and man according to current knowledge. The biological essentiality of Sr has not been investigated yet. Amoeba species living in sea water use Sr for the formation of their skeleton instead of Ca. ...
Cultured 3T3-L1 cells have been used as a model system to investigate the mechanism of fatty acid uptake by adipose tissue. Using a 1:1 molar ratio of /sup 14/C-oleate and defatted bovine serum albumin (BSA), fatty acid (FA) uptake was quantitated at 4/sup 0/ and 37/sup 0/ as cell associated radioactivity. The profile of FA uptake in preadipocytes and adipocytes was biphasic; an initial rapid phase (1-20s) followed by a second slower phase (60-480s). At 37/sup 0/ the initial rate of FA accumulation in preadipocytes was identical to that in adipocytes, whereas the rate of accumulation during the second phase increased 7-fold (100 ..mu..M total FA) as a consequence of adipose conversion. When uptake measurements were made at 4/sup 0/ in adipocytes, the initial rate was identical to that at 37/sup 0/, however the rate of second phase decreased 5-fold. Incubation of /sup 14/C-BSA and nonradiolabeled FA with adipocyte monolayers (100 ..mu..M total ...
This paper aims at the study of the transfer and accumulation of "1"0"6Ru from marine foods to man through the grazing food chain and evaluation of the radiation exposure to man. As a model, accumulation and excretion of "1"0"6Ru in mice orally administered by the meat of prawn (Penaeus japonicus) which accumulated the radionuclide from the sea water, were examined and compared with those in mice administered by non-radioactive prawn meat mixed with the contaminant in inorganic chemical forms (the control diet); on the latter experiment, the previous evaluation method of the radiation exposure was based. Higher concentrations of "1"0"6Ru in tissues and organs of mice were observed in the former diet than in the latter because of the higher absorption rate of "1"0"6Ru from the gastrointestinal tract (17.4 +- 4.4%, the control diet: 0.7 +- 0.7%) and smaller excretion. As the results of this experiment, the critical organs for ...
This study is a task of ''Comprehensive study'' in ''nuclear energy basic technology research'', which is promoted under cooperation of four research institutes. The Electrotechnical Laboratory conducted, in 1991 in the first period of colaboration, on successful oscillation at visible region (598 nm) as the first case in Japan, construction of small type accumulation ring NIJI-IV for FEL, successful oscillation of visible range from 595 to 488 nm by installing optical krystron with maximum frequency in the world, and successful emittance lowering of accumulation beam by wide improvement of the ring. In the optical resonator, studies on minute loss measuring technique and on recovery from mirror deterioration were promoted. In the second period started from fiscal year of 1994, studies on FEL oscillation technique in short wavelength and upgrading of FEL corresponding to a frontier area were started, to succeed an oscillation experiment at 350 ...
Early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma) along with surgical resection is the most appropriate therapeutic modality. For this purpose, there have been many reports concerning the diagnostic value of Lipiodol-CT scan. The authors selected 45 patients with hepatoma during the period of Feb.1986 to Jan. 1988 who received a conventional CT scan, hepatic angiography and a Lipiodol-CT scan. The results were as follows: 1. There was no statistical significant between serum AFP level and mass size, morphology and amount of necrosis. 2. Tumor necrosis was observed in a single massive and multinodular type when the tumor size exceeded 5 cm. 3. Pattern II on Lipiodol-CT, homogenous accumulation of Lipiodol except for the area of inner necrosis, was most frequently demonstrated, which means that a tumor mass with hypervascularity and increased blood flow will attract Lipiodol better. 4. Lipiodol-CT was superior to conventional CT in detecting small, daughter ...
For the assessment of the intra-dialysis stability of the {sup 99m}Tc-HSA complex, a scintigraphic scanning of the organs accumulation of the free 99mTcO{sub 4}{sup -} was carried out during peritoneal dialysis. 740 MBg {sup 99m}Tc-HSA in dialization fluid was administered during kinetic peritoneal examination of the patient. The organs accumulating the free pertechnetion (head and neck), as well as whole body imaging of pt were carried out. The results show that the radioactivity is accumulated mainly in peritoneal cavity. Minimal radioactivity was indicated in the head and neck ({approx}2.3% of the total whole body radioactivity). Our results show that the {sup 99m}Tc-HSA complex is stable during 3.5 h peritoneal dialysis in vivo. (author) 6 refs, 3 figs
The effect of raising the rate of photosynthesis on the allocation of carbon between sucrose and starch was studied by means of steady-state radiolabeling. Sugar beet source leaves on intact plants were exposed to ambient levels of CO{sub 2} and O{sub 2} for 3 hrs. Next CO{sub 2} was raised to 600 {mu}LL{sup {minus}3} for 3 hrs then O{sub 2} was decreased to 2% for 3 hrs. Rates of net carbon exchange (NCE), export, and starch and sucrose synthesis were measured. NCER increased by 30% under the combined treatments and the proportion of photosynthate allocated to starch and to sucrose did not change. When O{sub 2} concentration was lowered, NCER increased but export did not and sucrose accumulated. This observation, and our earlier conclusion that export rate usually equals sucrose synthesis rate, lead us to conclude that low O{sub 2} directly inhibited export. Low O{sub 2} treatment causes sucrose to accumulate in a sugar beet leaf which usually ...
The dynamics of transportation, accumulation, disappearance and distribution of "6"0Co in the wheat-soil system was studied by using isotope-tracer techniques for simulated pollutants, and the mathematical model of the behavior was established. Rescilts showed that (1) "6"0Co was transported rapidly in the system after the application on soil surface layer. The uptake of "6"0Co by wheat was mainly via root, and redistribution in all parts of wheat occurred consequently. The concentration in root was much higher than that in other parts of wheat plant. The specific activity of "6"0Co in wheat plant rapidly increased to a maximum value, then decreased. The specific activity of "6"0Co in each part of wheat plant was found in the order of root > straw > husk > seed. (2) "6"0Co is mainly detained with in 6cm of soil surface, and specific activity of "6"0Co in soil present a simple exponential declining with depth of soil. (3) The dynamic law can be described as ...
Boron (B) is an essential plant micronutrient that is toxic at higher levels. NIP5;1 is a boric acid channel required for B uptake and growth under B deficiency. Accumulation of the NIP5;1 transcript is upregulated under B deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. To elucidate the mechanism of regulation, the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of NIP5;1 was tested for its ability to confer B-dependent regulation using ?-glucuronidase and green fluorescent protein as reporters. This analysis showed that the 5' UTR was involved in NIP5;1 transcript accumulation in response to B conditions. We also found that high-B conditions trigger NIP5;1 mRNA degradation and that the sequence from +182 to +200 bp in the 5' UTR is required for this mRNA destabilization. In the nip5;1-1 mutant background, a NIP5;1 complementation construct without the 5' UTR produced high levels of mRNA accumulation, increased B concentrations in tissues, and ...
Evaluates geodetic surveys of rock strata in the Szombirki black coal mine with coal seams prone to rock bursts. Rock bursts are associated with accumulation of energy in the 60 m thick sandstone layers situated in the coal seam roofs. Two stages of energy release are analyzed: brittle fracture of the sandstone layer, and energy transfer (dynamic load transfer) to underlying rock strata. Effects of energy accumulation and its release on rock strata displacement were measured in mine workings. The measuring points were situated in the roofs of mine roadways influenced by advancing longwall faces. Two types of vertical displacements are comparatively evaluated: uplift before a rock burst, and subsidence after a rock burst. 5 refs.
Questions are examined of prospecting for nonanticlinical traps within North Sakhalin, their spatial distribution and evaluation of the outlook for oil and gas content. Traps of tapering and facial substitution on wings and periclines of local elevations, accumulative bar and erosion-accumulative channel are isolated. THe hypothesis is made that it is possible to form stratigraphic traps above the discrepancy and below it. It is noted that formation of zones of lithological tapering and facial substitution are associated with areas of the exchange of the sedimentation situation. The primary role of the shore and coastal zones in the formation of the examined types of nonanticlinal traps is established. The Okhino-Ekhabinskiy region in North Sakhalin is isolated as the primary object for prospecting for nonanticlinal traps.
Abstract A critical aspect of reestablishing a self-sustaining Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest ecosystem to bauxite-mined areas is to ensure that vital ecosystem functions such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling are returned. Significant research has been undertaken over the past 20 years relating to litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Studies have shown that litter accumulates rapidly in restored areas (1-4 ton ha-1 yr-1) and the accumulated litter tends to be richer in nitrogen due to intentionally elevated densities of nitrogen-fixing species. This leads to a lower (carbon:nitrogen) C:N ratio (60:1 compared to 130:1 in unmined forest) that may promote mineralization of organic N to inorganic forms in restored areas. The major nutrient store in the unmined forest is...
Rapid self-aggregation of Ni nanodots on Si substrate covered with a thin SiO_2 buffered layer is investigated. The Ni nanodots can hardly self-aggregate on highly heat-dissipated Si substrate with a thermal conductivity of 148 W/m K. Adding a 200-A-thick SiO_2 buffer with an ultralow thermal conductivity of 1.35 W/m K prevents the formation of NiSi_2 compounds, enhances the heat accumulation, and releases the adhesion at Ni/Si interface, which greatly accelerates the self-assembly of Ni nanodots. Dense Ni nanodots with size and density of 30 nm and 7x10"1"0 cm"-"2, respectively, can be formatted after rapid thermal annealing at 850 deg. C for 22 s.
An investigation was made of the accumulation of laser damage to transparent polymers irradiated with nanosecond pulses from neodymium and ruby lasers. The damage was investigated by the method of scattering and luminescence in the visible and near ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. It was established that there were two stages in laser damage by repeated irradiation with pulses of intensity below the single-shot damage threshold. An absorbing defect evolved during the first stage in such a way as to create a thermal instability in the surrounding matrix. During the second stage this thermal instability caused spatial growth of laser damage because of propagation of an ionization-inducing absorption wave with a front traveling at the rate governed by the electron component of the thermal conductivity.
The framework of time-sequence stratigraphy was established according to the point of view of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy. The development characteristic of the sequence, the distribution pattern of strata, the basin evolution and filling, and the relationship between variations of base level and coal accumulation of epicontinental basin were expounded based on the base-level cycles. The result shows that the C-P coal measures in Hebei is a series of basin deposit of inner epicontinental sea. The formation and evolution and sedimentation of the basin is intimately related to the changes of the basin base-level, which controls the development of the coal-accumulation, forming a clear coal-bearing sequence in the cycle. 9 refs., 3 figs.
Negligent hazardous waste management has resulted in real threats to public health. The Federal Government has responded to the situation with laws and regulations aimed at the producers of hazardous waste, including clinical laboratories. The Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) imposes controls on hazardous waste management through the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulate these activities through 40 CFR and 49 CFR. Most clinical laboratories can operate satellite accumulation points and accumulate, store, transport, and dispose of waste in accordance with EPA and DOT regulations. Regulations pertaining to infectious waste, sure to affect many clinical laboratories, are being developed now by he EPA. The cradle to grave tracking system mandated by the Federal Government can be supplemented by state and local authorities and poses a significant ...
Purpose Two main pathways of phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils are phytostabilization and phytoextraction. Some soil amendments can strengthen phytostabilization or phytoextraction through either reducing heavy metal bioavailability in soil or increasing the heavy metal accumulation capacity of the hyperaccumulator (enhancing heavy metal concentration or shoot biomass of the hyperaccumulator). Urea and chicken manure are often used as fertilizers. This research will explore their effects on a newly found hyperaccumulator, Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell., phytoremediating cadmium (Cd). Materials and methods Pot culture experiment was conducted to study the accumulation characteristics of R. globosa at different Cd contamination concentrations under one fertilizer level (1?g...
Transgenic plants offer advantages for biomolecule production because plants can be grown on a large scale and the recombinant macromolecules can be easily harvested and extracted. We introduced an Aspergillus phytase gene into canola (Brassica napus) (line 9412 with low erucic acid and low glucosinolates) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Phytase expression in transgenic plant was enhanced with a synthetic phytase gene according to the Brassica codon usage and an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal KDEL that confers an ER accumulation of the recombinant phytase. Secretion of the phytase to the extracellular fluid was also established by the use of the tobacco PR-S signal peptide. Phytase accumulation in mature seed accounted for 2.6% of the total soluble proteins. The enzy...
We present results of multiple-time-scale simulations of 5, 10 and 15 keV low temperature ion implantation of arsenic on silicon (100), followed by high temperature anneals. The simulations start with a molecular dynamics (MD) calculation of the primary state of damage after 10ps. The results are then coupled to a kinetic Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of bulk defect diffusion and clustering. Dose accumulation is achieved considering that at low temperatures the damage produced in the lattice is stable. After the desired dose is accumulated, the system is annealed at 800 degrees C for several seconds. The results provide information on the evolution for the damage microstructure over macroscopic length and time scales and affords direct comparison to experimental results. We discuss the database of inputs to the MC model and how it affects the diffusion process.
The purpose of this study was to correlate histopathological with CT findings in patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) eligible for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), with a special focus on the antitumoral effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy. A total of 42 consecutive patients suffering from HCC had been treated prior to OLT by means of TACE. TACE was carried out with a mixture of Lipiodol (10-20 ml) and mitomycin C (max. dosage, 10 mg). TACE was performed at 6- to 8-week intervals. Follow-up investigation included contrast-enhanced multislice CT controls and laboratory control. Liver explants were evaluated macroscopically and microscopically to determine the number and size of the tumor lesions as well as the degree of tumor necrosis. Necrosis was investigated in H and E-stained sections. The degree of necrosis was classified as follows: 0-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, 75-99%, and complete necrosis. Two hundred thirty-one TACE ...
High temperature components of power plants are in many cases subjected to variable loading conditions such as cyclic creep or strain cycling. Therefore the cyclic behaviour of important heat resistant steels has been investigated under stress control and to a smaller extent under strain control. The behaviour under cyclic creep rupture conditions was determined in long term experiments covering a wide range of loading conditions. This behaviour can be described with the modified life fraction rule and a factor concept of relative life for single stage cycles and additionally with a multistep hypothesis for multi-stage cycles. The description can be adapted to estimate the life consumption under service type random conditions. The strain cycling behaviour was investigated in regard to the conditions of the heated surface of large components. To simulate this type of loading and to generate long term creep fatigue data, a service type strain cycle was developed. ...
When biomass is used as fuel for thermal conversion plants, minerals from the fuel can be responsible for major problems. Generally, these problems are associated with the existence and development of low melting compounds or eutectics, which form sticky layers. In a fluidised bed, this can result in bed-agglomeration and defluidisation. This causes local high temperature, which often accelerates the process. It ultimately can lead to a completely sintered bed content with a glassy phase gluing the bed particles together and shut-down of the plant. The main objective of the title project is to develop a methodology to predict ash/bed agglomeration and sintering problems, to indicate related problems and, furthermore, to identify solution methods to make different types of biomass streams more viable for energy production. Within the present study, selected fuels are subjected to different existing methods together with some new ones, in order to determine the ...
This case report evaluates X-ray findings in patients with miliary accumulation of mercury observed after parenteral application of metallic mercury in a suizide attempt. There are certain discrepancies between clinical symptoms and the X-ray findings. A clear demonstration of mercury in coronary blood vessels is possible by fluoroscopy.
We characterized the absorption and short-term translocation of cadmium (Cd) in rice (Oryza sativa ‘Nipponbare’) quantitatively using serial images observed with a positron-emitting...Full Text Available
1. Novel methods, using L-[ring-2-14C]tryptophan, are described for the measurement of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity and tryptophan accumulation in isolated rat liver cells. 2. The effects of...Full Text Available
A study was undertaken to examine the uptake, distribution, and interaction of five activation products (Co-57, Be-7, Cs-134, Rb-83, and Mn-54) within the biotic and abiotic components surrounding the waste treatment lagoons of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). The study attempted to ascertain where, and what specific interactions were taking place among the isotopes and the biotic/abiotic components. A statistical approach, utilizing Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), was conducted testing the radioisotopic concentrations by (1) the trophic levels (TROPLVL) in each position sampled on the grid, (2) where sampled on the grid (TRAN), (3) where sampled with-in each grid line (PLOT), and (4) the side with which sampled (SIDE). This provided both the dependent and independent variables that would be tested. The Null Hypothesis (Ho) tested the difference in the mean values of the isotopes within/between each of the four independent variables. The Rb-83 statistic ...
A study was undertaken to examine the uptake, distribution, and interaction of five activation products (Co-57, Be-7, Cs-134, Rb-83, and Mn-54) within the biotic and abiotic components surrounding the waste treatment lagoons of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). The study attempted to ascertain where, and what specific interactions were taking place among the isotopes and the biotic/abiotic components. A statistical approach, utilizing Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), was conducted testing the radioisotopic concentrations by (1) the trophic levels (TROPLVL) in each position sampled on the grid, (2) where sampled on the grid (TRAN), (3) where sampled with-in each grid line (PLOT), and (4) the side with which sampled (SIDE). This provided both the dependent and independent variables that would be tested. The Null Hypothesis (Ho) tested the difference in the mean values of the isotopes within/between each of the four independent variables. The Rb-83 statistic ...
Full - grown pupae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littorals (Boisd.) were gamma - irradiated with low doses of 25,50,75, or 100 Gy for male line and with 50 or 100 Gy for female line . The effects on reproduction, development and sex ratio were the biological aspects studied among P1,F1,F2 and F 3 generations . Also, the effects of dose accumulation applied grown male pupae through two or three filial generations and the retarded influence on their F1,F2,and F 3 progeny were examined. In another trial the histological examinations for ovaries and testes of irradiated parents and for their generation were made . The F1 males were more sterile than irradiated parental males while F1 females were more fertile than their irradiated parental females. Irradiation of P1 males did not clearly affect neither the percentage of mated females nor the average number of spermatophores per mated female among the individuals of P1,F1,F2 and F 3 generations. Irradiation of P1 ...
Cycling parameters (reversible specific capacity, first-cycle coulombic efficiency, accumulated irreversible capacity, and reversible capacity retention) of hybrid electrodes based on mechanical mixtures of a silicon nanopowder with KS6 and MAG-20 synthetic graphites and binders of varied nature were subjected to an integrated analysis in comparison with graphite electrodes.
BackgroundWhen eukaryotic cells are deprived of amino acids, uncharged tRNAs accumulate and activate the conserved GCN2 protein kinase. Activated Gcn2p up-regulates the general amino...Full Text Available
Results of the evaluation of the scattered radiation effect on the image of defects in examined products are given. The formula is suggested which characterizes the image of defects on a scintillation screen as well as accumulation factors are calculated by the Monte-Carlo method. Values of fluctuations of absorbed energy in the screen used for the evaluation of sensitivity are experimentally obtained. The effect of high-energy bremsstrahlung on the defect detection is analyzed.
The spatial connection between the zones of deep-lying faults and the narrowly-localized paleo-relief sections posessing an anomolous sedimentation condition in the latter Cretaceous is identified. It is established that this is of significance in choosing the primary regions for conducting oil exploration.
Influx and accumulation of K+ in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Fergus) roots were measured at two temperatures (10°C and 20°C) in plants which had been grown...Full Text Available
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) promotes the accumulation of tryptophan-derived indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in carrot cell cultures during callus proliferation by a biosynthetic pathway that is...Full Text Available
Rice (Oryza sativa) seed storage proteins (SSPs) are synthesized and deposited in storage organelles in the endosperm during seed maturation as a nitrogen source for germinating seedlings....Full Text Available
The transport of Rn through activated charcoal was modelled for a charcoal canister used for surface emanation measurements. Derived Rn concentration distributions in full and half charcoal charges were compared with measured Rn profiles. The distributions were also compared with an empirical expression for the measured profiles. Close agreement was observed between the measured, empirically generated and derived profiles. The influence of temperature and humidity on Rn accumulation and transport is also discussed.
Accumulation of "8"5Kr in arterial blood of sheep occurs within 10 min of inhalation exposure initiation, and disappears by 30 min after exposure termination. As reported for other species, "8"5Kr concentrations in fat were approximately 10 times those in other tissues.
It is maintained that special features of FFTF make it an ideal system to test sodium boiling detection techniques by acoustic/neutronic methods and to test the response of acoustic/neutronic sensors to vibrations. It is shown that accumulated research results indicate that such tests in FFTF are feasible, predictable, promising and safe. (author).
Some of the origins of corrosion encountered in the secondary side of pressurized water reactor steam generators are:-sludge accumulation (a mixture of metal oxides, primarily magnetite and copper) on tube sheet and attack of tube support plates by aggressive impurities leading to denting. Although Electricite de France has not suffered from these problems, it has developed a chemical cleaning process to dissolve corrosion products at both locations. (author).
Detached first leaves of 3-day-old corn seedlings (Zea mays L. W64AxW183E) were incubated with nitrate in air or 100% O2 in the light. Nitrate accumulation in the leaves...Full Text Available
Carotenoids are the main pigments responsible of the colouration of Citrus fruits. The β-cyclization of lycopene, catalysed by the lycopene β-cyclases (β-LCY),...Full Text Available
We have shown that addition of exogenous delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) to rat pancreatoma AR4-2J cells in culture leads to the increased production of porphobilinogen (PBG) and the accumulation of...Full Text Available
Kernels of Zea mays on an intact plant accumulate indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at the rate of 190 ng g-1 fresh weight h-1. Of the IAA synthesized, 97% is in the esterified form and less than 3% remains...Full Text Available
Rats that inhaled "2"3"9Pu(NO_3)_4 or "2"3"8Pu(NO_3)_4 developed lung tumors and bone tumors. Lung tumors were clearly associated with Pu inhalation (accumulated dose to lung, 1 rad to 5000 rads); bone tumors could not be unequivocally related to the radiation insult.
The development of electric cars always met with the difficulty in storing energy and in recovering it in the form of electric power. Research work done for the last two decades in the field of materials and of new technologies oriented mainly towards aeronautical and space applications have led to designing, realizing and experimenting with flywheels rotating at high speed in magnetic bearings. The results obtained represent openings that, now, fall in with different industrial fields and in particular with application to electric cars.
The phytomanagement of Se-polluted soil and water is one strategy that may be environmentally sustainable and cost-effective for soils and waters enriched with natural-occurring Se. Several plant species, including Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), pickleweed (Salicornia bigelovii), and other salt/S...
Stem-boring insects and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) are thought to induce similar complex chemical and anatomical defenses in conifers. To compare insect- and MeJA-induced terpenoid responses, we analyzed...Full Text Available
Thlaspi caerulescens is a heavy metal hyperaccumulator plant species that is able to accumulate extremely high levels of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in its shoots (30,000 μg...Full Text Available
A full-length complementary DNA clone encoding tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC; EC 4.1.1.28) from Catharanthus roseus (De Luca V, Marineau C, Brisson N [1989] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:...Full Text Available
IntroductionThe major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) is aging, but the mechanisms underlying this risk are only partly understood. Age-related accumulation of advanced glycation...Full Text Available
... The male GM mosquitoes mate with normal females to produce larvae that die unless the antibiotic tetracycline is present. In tetracycline's absence an enzyme accumulates to a toxic level, killing the larvae. The developers hope the strategy could be combined with other mosquito control methods to reduce transmission in dengue-prone areas. Ricarda Steinbrecher, a geneticist and co-director of EcoNexus -a UK-based non-profit research organisation -expressed surprise ...
... The male GM mosquitoes mate with normal females to produce larvae that die unless the antibiotic tetracycline is present. In tetracycline's absence an enzyme accumulates to a toxic level, killing the larvae. The developers hope the strategy could be combined with other mosquito control methods to reduce transmission in dengue-prone areas. Ricarda Steinbrecher, a geneticist and co-director of EcoNexus - a UK-based non-profit research organization - ...
Threshold pump intensity values leading to irreversible damage to colored laser elements based on elastic polymers were measured. The damage to colored elastomers is connected with absorbing microinclusions but is independent of molecular absorption. It is shown that damage to the elastomers has a pronounced threshold character in contrast to the microdamage accumulation effect in glassy polymers. The damage threshold for elastomers is 1.5 times higher, which is connected with the absence of microstresses (characteristics for organic glasses) in the specimens. 13 references.
The concept of preliminary transmutation of minor actinides before placement to the long-term storage is considered. The purpose of such preliminary transmutation before ultimate storage is to incinerate a part of actinides and to transform another part into new actinides providing low level of radiotoxicity accumulated in the storage. Modes of transmutation in reactors of PWR, PHWR (CANDU), and Superfenix types are compared. Among power reactors, heavy-water PHWR type reactor is most acceptable for preliminary transmutation. (author)
These studies have addressed firstly the effect of single small doses of x-ray upon murine hematopoietic stem cells to obtain a better estimate of the D/sub q/. It is small, of the order of 20 rads. Secondly, a dose fractionation schedule tht does not kill or perturb the kinetics of hemopoietic cell proliferation was sought in order to investigate the leukemogenic potential of low level radiation upon an unperturbed hemopoietic system. The studies reported herein show tht 1.25 rads every other day decrease the CFU-S content of bone marrow by the time 40 rads are accumulated. Studies on the effect of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 rads 3 times per week are under way. Two rads 3 times per week produced a modest decrease in CFU-S content of bone marrow after an accumulation of 68 rads. With 3.0 rads 3 times per week an accumulation of 102 rads produces a significant decrease in CFU-S content of bone marrow. Dose fractionation at 0.5 ...
The hypothesis that accumulation against sizable chemical gradients of free (non-phosphorylated) 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2dGlc) in isolated rat adipocytes results from an intracellular compartmentation of free hexose was investigated. Cells exposed to 20 ..mu..g/ml digitonin for 10' demonstrated an increased plasma membrane permeability indexed by increased L-glucose entry rates and cellular (presumably cytosolic) protein and K/sup +/ loss. Functional integrity of intracellular organelles was indicated by the ability of the cells to support ATP-driven /sup 45/Ca/sup 2 +/-uptake. Equilibrium 3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MG, a non-accumulated hexose) levels were unaffected. These data suggest a specific permeabilizing action of digitonin at the plasma membrane having no effect on intracellular organelles or passively distributed solutes. Upon addition of digitonin, free 2dGlc fell from 66.5 +/- 8.9 to 7.4 +/- 2.3 pmol/10/sup 5/ cells, a value not ...
The myocardial infarct induced by isoproterenol in spontaneously hypertensive rats accumulates higher activities of /sup 99/sup(m)Tc-PM tetracycline compared with the cardiac infarct in normotensive rats caused by the same method. The isoproterenol model of the myocardial necrosis was induced in intact rats without opening the thorax and is a convenient method for experimental radioisotope studies.
Nicotiana glutinosa compensated for a mutated tumor-morphology-shooty (tms) (auxin biosynthesis) locus of Agrobacterlum tumefaciens strain A66 and...Full Text Available
A total of nine papers were presented at the course with the following titles: peat accumulation and coal basins; coal composition; coal quality; sedimentary environments of coal; generation, storage and migration of natural gas in coal bed reservoirs; geophysical log interpretation; the Ardley coal zone of central Alberta; stratigraphy and sedimentary environment of the Coalspur Formation; and the coal-bearing Luscar Group of western Alberta. All of these papers have been abstracted separately.
This report contains basic bibliographic data for reports held by Resource Management and Mining (Ministry of Energy) in its Coal Technical Information System (CTIS). This system contains a large number of published and unpublished reports relating to New Zealand's coal, peat, and oil shale resources. This material has been accumulated from a wide range of sources and is of widely varying quality.
Lipiodol, lipid soluble contrast media, was applied to 59 patients, who was clinically suspected to have hepatic tumor, in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital. The results of the clinical use of Lipiodol were as follows: 1. The clinical diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 50 cases, cavernous hemangioma in 4 cases, metastasis in one case and others in 4 cases. 2. After hepatic arteriography, Lipiodol only was injected in 28 cases, mixture of Lipiodol and Mitomycin was injected in 22 cases and transcatheter arterial embolization was performed additionally after injection of Lipiodol and Mitomycin in 9 cases. 3. Among the 50 cases of HCC, Lipiodol was accumulated in the lesion in 49 cases. However, similar accumulation of Lipiodol occured in a metastatic cancer and cavernous hemangiomas. 4. Plain radiographic patterns of Lipiodol accumulation could be divided into fine ...
The advantage of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy, which takes base-levels as reference, is that it can be applied to continental depositional basins controlled by multiple factors and can effectively improve the accuracy and resolution of sequential stratigraphic analysis. Moreover, the principles of base-level cycles are also suitable for analyzing sequential stratigraphy in continental coal-bearing basins because of their accuracy in forecasting distribution of coal measures. By taking the Dongsheng coalfield in the Ordos basin as an example, the extensive application of base-level cycles in exploration and exploitation of coal is analyzed. The result shows that the Yan'an formation in the Dongsheng area is a long-term base-level cycle which is bordered by nonconformities and made up of five mid-term cycles and 13 short-term cycles. The long-term cycle and the mid-term cycles are obvious in comparison with a transverse profile. The episodic coal ...
Irradiation with a single dose of 30 Grey on the basal regions of the lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats induced a peribronchial and alveolar inflammation. Infiltration of mast cells in the edematous alveolar interstitial tissue and also in the peribronchial tissue were characteristic features of the lesion. The appearance of mast cells was already seen 4 wk after irradiation and by weeks 6 to 8 there was a heavy infiltration. The staining properties suggested that they were connective tissue-type mast cells. The infiltration of mast cells was paralleled by an accumulation of hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) in the alveolar interstitial tissue 6 and 8 wk after irradiation. The recovery of hyaluronan (HA) during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of the lungs also increased at this time. Treatment with a mast cell secretagogue, compound 48/80, induced a distinct reduction of granulated mast cells in the alveolar tissue. Regular treatment with compound 48/80 from the time of ...
The current status of bounds on and limits of fermion determinants in two, three and four dimensions in QED and QCD is reviewed. A new lower bound on the two-dimensional QED determinant is derived. An outline of the demonstration of the continuity of this determinant at zero mass when the background magnetic field flux is zero is also given.
With an objective to use reproducible vegetable oil as a substitute fuel, studies were performed to use emulsified rapeseed oil at an optimal mixing ratio with water in a direct injection diesel engine. The experiment used a water cooled, lateral installation, single-cylinder, direct injection, four-cycle diesel engine, and the tested fuel used an emulsified rapeseed oil fuel with rapeseed oil added with water at a rate of 20% by weight. As a result of the experiment using the emulsified rapeseed oil, it was found that reducing the injection opening diameter smaller than the standard opening diameter improves the engine performance and simultaneously reduces concentrations of HC, CO and exhaust smoke. The optimal opening diameter was about 0.22 mm. Increasing the valve opening pressure reduced the NOx concentration, but increased the HC concentration. Using the emulsified rapeseed oil fuel accumulated more carbon below the head, but much smaller amount on the ...
The Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) was developed to monitor low level neutron exposure rates at working stations in a nuclear fuel fabrication facility. It has proven capable of accurately measuring neutron dose rates at levels from 0.1 to 0.2 mrem/hr. It also calculates the Quality Factor which is of importance in locations where the neutron to gamma ratio may vary significantly and irregularily. The system described is computerized to monitor 100 work locations simulationeously and can be expanded to monitor 384 locations. Neutron dose is accumulated on a real time basis and after the proton drop point is established, dose rate can be read out at any time for the dose accumulated over a specified period of time. The current development program which provides reduced system maintenance, lower detection limits, and improved accuracy is discussed along with examples of measurement data and work experience with the current system.
Our work deals with accumulative roll bonding (ARB) of pure Mg sheet (0.9mm thickness) and of Al5052 sheet (0.5mm). A stacking of Al-Mg-Al was firstly rolled to 50% reduction at 400"0C and secondly ARB has been processed up to 3 cycles. In such multilayers as well as highly mixed composites of two-phased system texture development, phase reactions and strain accumulation are of basic interest, which needs a combination of different experimental methods for characterization. The present paper deals with the global texture evolution measured by thermal neutrons to average always over the whole sample thickness, SEM and optical microscopy indicates the macroscopic development of Mg and Al layers. The initial materials show typical and strong basal plane texture of hexagonal Mg (17.9mrd) and a recrystallization texture of cubic Al (8.5mrd). Co-deformation of Al/Mg/Al leads to strong decrease of both textures, whereas Mg has always a much stronger ...
This paper discussed issues related to the storage of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. Storage systems currently used by distribution systems were reviewed. The study showed that successful storage systems ensure high charging and discharging rates for shorter periods of time. Systems with high storage capacities must also be able to store energy for longer periods of time than traditional energy storage systems. Systems include pumped storage plants; electro-chemical accumulators; compressed air accumulators; and redox flow batteries. Hydrogen technologies for the storage of electric energy from renewable sources were reviewed. The paper also outlined energy storage and fuel cell research currently being conducted by researchers in the Czech Republic. The study concluded by stating that new energy storage technologies are required to ensure the reliability of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. 7 refs., 9 ...
Sediment trap fluxes of solids, organic carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in Lake Superior in 1984 and 1985. Mass fluxes from surface waters ranged from 0.14 to 1.1 g/m{sup 2}{center dot}day and increased near the lake floor due to resuspension of surficial sediment and horizontal transport in the benthic nepheloid layer. Organic matter fluxes from surface water ranged from 60 to 90 mg of C/m{sup 2}{center dot}day, with {approximately}5% of organic carbon settling from surface waters accumulating in bottom sediments. Concentrations of PCBs and PAHs are enriched 10-100 times on settling particles relative to those on suspended particles. Resultant settling fluxes are 10-100 times greater for several PCB and PAH compounds than net accumulation rates in bottom sediments, indicating the effective and rapid recycling in the benthic region. Biological packaging of organic pollutants ...
Properties of photoconductive ultraviolet detectors fabricated on ZnO films were presented. Highly c-axis oriented ZnO films were grown on glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Ultraviolet photodetectors were fabricated based on metal-semiconductor-metal planar structures. The photoresponsivity and the quantum efficiency are much higher in the ultraviolet range than in the visible range, and the peak values are around 360 nm. Photocurrent transients show that the detector has a large photocurrent with the peak value of 2.8 mA, and a slow photoresponse with a rise time of 5 min and a decay time of 7 min. The response curve of the detector is fitted well with exponential curve. The large photocurrent should result from the both effects of the accumulation of conduction electrons and the decrease of the barrier height between crystallites. The relaxation time constant {tau} obtained from the curve fitting represents the time accumulation ...
Properties of photoconductive ultraviolet detectors fabricated on ZnO films were presented. Highly c-axis oriented ZnO films were grown on glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Ultraviolet photodetectors were fabricated based on metal-semiconductor-metal planar structures. The photoresponsivity and the quantum efficiency are much higher in the ultraviolet range than in the visible range, and the peak values are around 360 nm. Photocurrent transients show that the detector has a large photocurrent with the peak value of 2.8 mA, and a slow photoresponse with a rise time of 5 min and a decay time of 7 min. The response curve of the detector is fitted well with exponential curve. The large photocurrent should result from the both effects of the accumulation of conduction electrons and the decrease of the barrier height between crystallites. The relaxation time constant #tau# obtained from the curve fitting represents the time accumulation ...
In this work we investigate the limits of uptake of metallic silver by two common metallophytes, Brassica juncea (BJ) and Medicago sativa (MS) and assess the form and distribution of the metal once sequestered by the plants. BJ accumulated up to 12.4 wt.% silver when exposed to an aqueous substrate containing 1,000 ppm AgNO{sub 3} for 72 h, however silver uptake was largely independent of exposure time and substrate silver concentration. MS accumulated up to 13.6 wt.% silver when exposed to an aqueous substrate containing 10,000 ppm AgNO{sub 3} for 24 h. In contrast to BJ there was a general trend for MS showing an increase in metal uptake with a corresponding increase in the substrate metal concentration and exposure time. In both cases the silver was stored as discrete nanoparticles, with a mean size of {approx}50 nm. According to the hyperaccumulation definition of Brooks et al. (Brooks RR, Chambers MF, Nicks LJ, Robinson BH (1998) ...
We have developed a photon accumulated laser mass spectrometer that enables us to identify isomers of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran. This system is comprised of a high temperature (230 deg. C) pulsed gas injector (PGI), multimirror multipath system (MMS), and the conventional time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The PGI induces the formation of a choked supersonic jet gas pulse that cools down to a temperature to restrain fragmentation and reduces vibrational and rotational thermal noises. The results suggest that the excited lifetime numbers and fragment dynamics of these species change completely with jet cooling of molecules. The MMS enhances the soft ionization efficiency (by a factor of 1000 over a single path system) through photon accumulation by extending the irradiation duration (to about 40 ns) and volume, and it further minimizes fragmentation by carefully controlling the laser intensity distribution ...
Homozygous transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants that accumulated glycinebetaine (GB) in larger quantities were more tolerant to salt than wild-type (WT) plants. Four transgenic lines, namely 1, 3, 4, and 5, accumulated significantly higher levels of GB than WT plants did both before and after salt stress. At 175 and 275?mM NaCl, seeds of all the transgenic lines germinated earlier and recorded a higher final germination percentage, and the seedlings grew better, than those of the WT. Under salt stress, all the lines showed some characteristic features of salt tolerance, such as higher leaf relative water content (RWC), higher photosynthesis, better osmotic adjustment (OA), lower percentage of ion leakage, and lower peroxidation of the lipid membrane. Levels of endogenous GB in ...
The effects of the plasma nitriding with the formation of compound nitride and diffusion zones and of the boronising with the different ion doses on hydrogen distribution and hydrogen induced deterioration of a surface layer were examined in the case of Armco iron. Electrochemical studies of hydrogen permeation rate, hydrogen vacuum extraction measurements, optical and scanning microscopy, X-ray diffraction and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) were used. Accumulation of entering hydrogen within the various constituent zones of the modified layer inhibits the hydrogen transport into the metal and thus, decreases the mean hydrogen content in the deeper zones and in the core. Hydrogen accumulation within the compact nitride zone causes the expansion of the nitride lattice, nitride phase transformation and deterioration. The ion boronising enhances the hydrogen effects in the plasma nitrided layers. Therefore, modification of the surface ...
A series of cyclic strain controlled tests have been carried out at 600/sup 0/C on three high temperature austenitic iron-based alloys, AISI type 316 stainless steel, Alloy 800 H and Sandvik 253 MA. The tests were carried out under constant total strain control using a constant strain rate of 0.005 s/sup -1/. By considering the changes in modulus throughout the life of each specimen it was found that damage evolution could be successfully predicted as a function of plastic strain range despite the fact that each alloy had been chosen because of a different stress response at 600/sup 0/C. Although each alloy accumulated fatigue damage in a similar manner the longer lives of Sandvik 253 MA and Alloy 800 H at a given total strain range were due to a smaller plastic strain component and a reduced stage I crack propagation rate. In the 253 MA alloy, slip was predominantly planar with some cells occasionally forming at high strain ranges. Slip was localized in Alloy 800 ...
Synthesis genes encoding the human #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides have been expressed from a single operon in Escherichia coli. The #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides associate into soluble tetramers, incorporate heme, and accumulate to >5% of the total cellular protein. Purified recombinant hemoglobin has the correct stoichiometry of #alpha#- and #beta#-globin chains and contains a full complement of heme. Each globin chain also contains an additional methionine as an extension to the amino terminus. The recombinant hemoglobin has a C_4 reversed-phase HPLC profile essentially identical to that of human hemoglobin A_0 and comigrates with hemoglobin A_0 on SDS/PAGE. The visible spectrum and oxygen affinity are similar to that of native human hemoglobin A_0. The authors have also expressed the #alpha#- and #beta#-globin genes separately and found that the expression of the #alpha#-globin gene alone results in a marked decrease in the ...
In this report we assessed retrospectively the usefulness of Thallium-201 chloride scintigraphy for diagnosing malignant tumors of the maxillofacial region. Thallium-201 chloride scintigraphy was performed on 74 patients with malignant tumors and 8 patients with benign tumors, and a retention index was calculated from the early and delayed scintigrams (delayed accumulation ratio/ early accumulation ratio). This retention index depended on the blood flow of tumors and the affinity of tumors with Thallium-201 chloride. The retention index was large for malignant tumors (avg.: 1.05) and small for benign tumors (avg.: 0.78). Concerning the degree of malignancy (the histological type and the degree of tumor involvement), the retention index was higher in highly malignant tumors (1.20 for poorly-differentiated tumors and 1.19 for aggressive-involvement-type tumors) and lower for tumors of low malignancy (1.02 for well-differentiated tumors and 0.98 ...
The authors observed euhedral crystals in Manatee soil in a citrus grove in St. Lucie County, Florida. The material was identified as gypsum (CaSO/sub 4/ /times/ 2H/sub 2/O) using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectra. Photomicrography and scanning electron microscopy revealed that gypsum accumulated both in old root channels and within citrus root tissue of the Btg horizon. The subsurface horizons had elevated sulfate levels, a low initial pH, a drop (0.5 unit) in pH upon air-drying. Electrical conductivity paralleled the concentration of water-soluble sulfate. High levels of calcium and sulfate occurred for horizons above the water table. This accumulation is attributed to groundwater bearing these ions and subsequently discharging them to the overlying soil. Dead citrus roots appear to act as wicks to aid water transfer from lower to higher horizons. The roots and their empty channels provide spaces in which the gypsum can precipitate if ...
This paper presents a comprehensive study of pesticide levels and bio-accumulation characteristics in human adipose tissues among residents of Southeast China. A large number of adipose samples (n=633) were selected for 58 pesticides and were analyzed by high sensitive Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The results showed that POPs pesticides were frequently detected, including 2,4prime-DDD, 2,4prime-DDE, 2,4prime-DDT, 4,4prime-DDD, 4,4prime-DDE, 4,4prime-DDT, a-HCH, b-HCH, g-HCH, d-HCH, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and mirex. Other detected pesticide species were dicofol, methamidophos and chlordimeform, which have rarely been reported. Comparing to different countries, the concentrations of total DDT and HCH in these three Chinese southeastern sites were in the middle ra...
A mathematical model of 137Cs migration in forest ecosystem is presented, which describes the behaviour of this radionuclide in the forest litter-soil system, trees, understory and forest animals. The model's parameters for different types of forest ecosystems are estimated and model's adequacy is tested through the use of independent experimental data. The sensitivity of the model's output variables is analyzed to variations in the most significant parameters. The differences in the seasonal and mean annual dynamics of 137Cs concentration in muscles of roe deers and mooses are shown to be defined by specific features of the diets of these animals and variations in 137Cs content in the main diet components. PMID:11402557
Infant mice were used to measure the amount of fluid accumulation (enterosorption) in the intestinal tract after oral inoculation of a porcine strain of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (K88-+, Ent-+). Significant reduction in the amount of fluid found in the intestinal tract was observed if the mice were first inoculated with a K88-possessing, non-enterotoxigenic strain of E. coli. The protection provided is thought to be due to specific competition for attachment sites on cells of the small intestine. PMID:1095492
A total of 272 tap water samples were collected from 68 homes throughout the city of Tehran. Analysis for cadmium, zinc, lead, copper, arsenic, iron and manganese showed some accumulation of these metals in household piping overnight. However, the concentration of all metals was in the parts per billion (ug/l) range and well below international standards. Heavy metals in Tehran's drinking water therefore, do not pose a significant acute health hazard. 19 references, 2 tables.
Total mercury content and its distribution in muscles and viscera of male and female blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rothbum) and deep water pink shrimp (Parapenacus longirostris) collected from the 3 main fishing grounds near the Alexandria coast in the Mediterranean sea was estimated. The results indicate that the mercury content in the muscles of both species differ according to fishing areas, size, sex, and species. More than 75% of total mercury were accumulated in the viscera of both species which indicates that the mercury entered in these organisms via the feed chain. PMID:3696196
An analytical study of the ice-formation process associated with heat-conducting plates located perpendicularly to isothermally heated and cooled surfaces with some clearance is presented. It is proposed that the onset conditions, which describe whether the ice-volume fraction in a steady state is greater than or less than that without heat-conducting plates, are defined by the dimensionless distances between the heated/cooled walls and the heat-conducting plates. It is shown that the onset conditions are dependent on the pitch and the thickness of the heat-conducting plates and are less dependent on the thermal conductivity of the plates.
This article analyzes the impact of crowdfunding on journalism. Crowdfunding is defined as a way to harness collective intelligence for journalism, as readers' donations accumulate into judgments about the issues that need to be covered. The article is based on a case study about Spot.Us, a platform pioneering community-funded reporting. The study concludes that a crowdfunded journalistic process requires journalists to renegotiate their role and professional identity to succeed in the changing realm of creative work. The study concludes that reader donations build a strong connection from the reporters to the donors, which creates a new sense of responsibility to the journalists. The journalists perceive donors as investors, that cannot be let down. From the donor's perspective, donating ...
Axial offset anomaly (AOA) is caused by the deposition of crud on the fuel cladding of a PWR. When significant levels of crud build up on the cladding, boron can accumulate in the pores of the crud as a concentrated solution or solid phase, and cause the flux depression. Numerous studies have been conducted on the primary water chemistry to reduce the amount of crud in the primary circuit to avoid radioactivity buildup and unexpected power transition in the plant. However, experiments on the crud are restricted in the laboratory because the crud is a highly radioactive material. The objective of this study is to develop a test method for simulating the deposition of crud in a nuclear power plant
In the prevention of atmospheric pollution by sulfur dioxide emissions from acid absorbers in contact process sulfuric acid plants in which the unconverted SO/sub 2/ is accumulated by adsorption in a zeolite adsorbent bed and desorbed back into the acid production system, it is found that ambient moist air, after partial dehydration in an acid scrubber is suitably used both to cool down and hot purge desorb the zeolite beds. In addition the pure water derived from the ambient air is advantageously used in the acid-making system.
While bone metastases producing photon deficient defects on bone scintigraphy have previously been reported, this finding has not been emphasized for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, ''filling-in'' of such photon deficient defects with 67Ga at skeletal sites of metastatic HCC has not been described. In this case report, the combination of a photon deficient defect on bone scintigraphy and avid accumulation of 67Ga in this same area was of value in confirming the diagnosis of metastatic HCC.
This document establishes the minimum training requirements for the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) personnel who are responsible for management of dangerous waste. The training plan outlines training requirements for handling of solid dangerous waste during generator accumulation and liquid dangerous waste during treatment and storage operations. The implementation of this training plan will ensure the PFP facility compliance with the training plan requirements of Dangerous Waste Regulation. Chapter 173-303-330. Washington Administrative Code (WAC). The requirements for such compliance is described in Section 11.0 of WHC-CM-7-5 Environmental Compliance Manual.
Let (X,O) be a real analytic isolated surface singularity at the origin o of a real analytic manifold M equipped with a real analytic metric g. Given a real analytic function f:(M,O) --> (R,0) singular at O, we prove that the gradient trajectories for the metric g|(X,O) of the restriction f|X escaping from or ending up at the origin O do not oscillate. Such a trajectory is thus a sub-pfaffian set. Moreover, in each connected component of X\\O where the restricted gradient does not vanish, there is always a trajectory accumulating at O and admitting a formal asymptotic expansion at O
NIST radon standards are hermetically sealed polyethylene capsules filled with {sup 226}Ra solution. Recently, four new series of standards with activities 5, 50, 500, and 5000Bq were prepared. The measured emanation fraction agrees with a calculation that accounts for the radon accumulated inside the polyethylene walls of the capsule. Obtained solubility of radon in polyethylene is approximately 45 of the solubility of radon in water. The radon diffusion coefficient in low-density polyethylene is 7.2x10{sup -8}cm{sup 2}/s.
To investigate the influence of equal channel angular pressing on the microstructure and texture of the magnesium alloy AZ31, electron backscattering diffraction and well as neutron diffraction experiments were carried out. Through these experiments it was possible to trace the microstructure and texture evolution with strain accumulated with the increasing number of equal channel angular pressing passes. It was further demonstrated by subsequent compression tests that the microstructural changes produced by equal channel angular pressing have a beneficial effect on both the compressive strength and ductility of AZ31. (orig.)
This study illustrates the way to perform protocols, collect samples, and conduct laboratory analyses in order to characterize the physical properties of wood used in the industrial sector of the Valle de Aburra metropalitan area and the gains obtained by characterizing the properties of the most frequently used woods. In this investigation some of the most important sampling parameters are presented, such as taking samples in piles or accumulations of waste, handling of these samples in the laboratory and others of great importance such as the ignition point. the proposed methodology is based upon some of the international astm coal norms, for the similarity it has with wood and for the lack of information on sampling this type in wood
The biodegradation of ring-/sup 14/C- and methyl-/sup 14/C-labeled paraquat by the soil yeast Lipomyces starkeyi was studied in vitro. It was found that the degradation of paraquat (acting as a sole source of culture nitrogen) resulted in the accumulation in the extracellular medium of radiolabeled acetic acid. The culture also evolved radiolabeled CO/sub 2/. The results suggest that the degradation of paraquat by L. starkeyi is associated with the integrity of the cell wall and that disruption or removal of the wall results in a complete loss of degradative capability. A mechanism for the degradation of paraquat by this organism is postulated.
The biodegradation of ring-"1"4C- and methyl-"1"4C-labeled paraquat by the soil yeast Lipomyces starkeyi was studied in vitro. It was found that the degradation of paraquat (acting as a sole source of culture nitrogen) resulted in the accumulation in the extracellular medium of radiolabeled acetic acid. The culture also evolved radiolabeled CO_2. The results suggest that the degradation of paraquat by L. starkeyi is associated with the integrity of the cell wall and that disruption or removal of the wall results in a complete loss of degradative capability. A mechanism for the degradation of paraquat by this organism is postulated.
Menopause is characterized by the progressive reduction of estrogens resulting to cessation of menses. It is associated with an increase of cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and of abdominal and/or selective visceral fat mass deposition. Obesity, a modern day epidemic, is promoted by an obesogenic environment that interacts with the genetic background. The result is a positive energy balance materialized by the accumulation of the adipose tissue. This process is marked by great individual variation. Obesity is also associated with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. In this review, the main pathophysiologic processes for the increase of obesity in menopause and the possible effects of pre-menopausal obesity regarding the cessation of ova...
In drift tube linacs a beam energy spread results form the finite beam size. Radial variation of the axial accelerating field induces a beam energy spread, which, in general, will accumulate as the beam passes through successive drift tubes. This paper shows that under some conditions of periodic transverse focusing and longitudinal phase focusing, the correlation between the longitudinal and transverse motion can be used to correct the energy spread. The process of achieving such a correction is first described in a simplified situation, and then demonstrated for a particular tuning using a ray-tracing program which models a low velocity and low charge state linac designed for radioactive ion beams.
It becomes a cause of the air pollution by the generation of hydrogen chloride, when it is incinerated, when it decays, even if the plastic which becomes spent is buried. Every year, it is abundantly discharged and accumulates. Countries and enterprises, etc. carry out the examination for non-polluting processing and resource recycling of the waste plastic for material recycling and development by methods such as thermal recycling, practical application. In this paper, the following are examined: Plastic output and transition of the situation of the disposal quantity, resource recycling and problem. It wants to explain the challenge of more and more efficient resource recycling. (NEDO)
This invention concerns a hydraulic braking system for loads subjected to impacts and vibrations. These double acting telescopic type hydraulic braking systems possess significant drawbacks linked to possibly important hydraulic leaks due to (a) the use of many dynamic seals in such appliances and (b) the effects of the environment of the system on these seals, particularly when employed in nuclear power stations where the seals reach significant temperatures and are subjected to radiation. Under this invention a remedy is suggested to such drawbacks by integrating means to offset automatically the leaks and the accumulation of hydraulic fluid expansions, as well as facilities to show if such leaks have occurred.
Experimental results on study of helium concentration influence on degree of molybdenum radiation hardening for various method of cyclotron doping differing in degree and damage character are presented. It is established that accumulation of helium atoms in molybdenum for simultaneous formation of radiation defects caused by low energetic primary-knocked atoms leads to higher degree of hardening than for high energetic ion irradiation. It is shown that with increase of helium atom concentration the degree of radiation hardening for the same level of damage increases. 4 refs.; 3 figs. (author).
The author describes feasibility study on the scheme of disposing spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power plant, including scheme selection, packing cask design, disposal operation and technological process, budget estimation and safety evaluation. The research results show that the new scheme is feasible on technology, and reasonable on budget. If the scheme is adopted to dispose the spent guide tubes at Daya Bay nuclear power station, it can not only save large funds, but also accumulate experience on disposing non-compressible low and intermediate level solid radioactive wastes produced at nuclear power station for the country
Since January, 1981, the project of development of nuclear fuel fabrication technology for Wolsung reactor (CANDU type) was undertaken by KAERI(Korea Advanced Energy Research Institute) and successfully fulfilled with loading 24 fuel bundles made by KAERI in Wolsung reactor in September, 1984. On the basis of this accumulated technology and experience, mass production plan to supply all the nuclear fuels for Wolsung reactor is under way. In this presentation, the Korean experience in the development of the nuclear fuel fabrication technology, safety and performance evaluation of KAERI fuel and the results of irradiation of KAERI fuels in Wolsung reactor will be described.
Since January, 1981, the project of development of nuclear fuel fabrication technology for Wolsung reactor (CANDU type) was undertaken by KAERI(Korea Advanced Energy Research Institute) and successfully fulfilled with loading 24 fuel bundles made by KAERI in Wolsung reactor in September, 1984. On the basis of this accumulated technology and experience, mass production plan to supply all the nuclear fuels for Wolsung reactor is under way. In this presentation, the Korean experience in the development of the nuclear fuel fabrication technology, safety and performance evaluation of KAERI fuel and the results of irradiation of KAERI fuels in Wolsung reactor will be described.
Large scale steam storage power generation, one of the new energy storage systems for the future of inflexible electric power sources consisting of nuclear and coal power plants has been studied on the subjects of the systems to be attached to coal and nuclear power units, of the definition of storage efficiency and of the vertical steam storage vessel technology. Steam storage power generation may be hopeful for its higher efficiency similarly defined as of pumped storage plants while high temperature heat storage and the internal structure of large vertical steam storage vessel (accumulator) need to be developed.
Large scale steam storage power generation, one of the new energy storage systems for the future of inflexible electric power sources consisting of nuclear and coal power plants has been studied on the subjects of the systems to be attached to coal and nuclear power units, of the definition of storage efficiency and of the vertical steam storage vessel technology. Steam storage power generation may be hopeful for its higher efficiency similarly defined as of pumped storage plants while high temperature heat storage and the internal structure of large vertical steam storage vessel (accumulator) need to be developed. (author).
Spectra of e.p.r. radicals in cellulose and timber gamma-irradiated at 77 and 300 K have been measured. Radiation yields and the kinetics of radicals accumulation have been studied. The effect of ionizing radiation on cellulose is the appearance of radicals resulting from rupture of C-H bonds in positions 1 and 4. Timber, additionally, forms ''lignin'' radicals. A mechanism of cellulose and timber radiolysis is suggested. ''Lignin''-type compounds present in timber protect polysaccharides from radiation-induced destruction.
In recent years very good experience has been accumulated with self-supporting low-pressure blades. Today blades are constructed up to a length of 1060 mm (50 Hz) or 1360 mm (25 Hz). In this process modern computational methods from aerodynamics and also from mechanics are employed. The further development of computer technology also permits new methods, for example the use of curved fixed blading as well as the optimization of existing designs. (orig.).
The addition of ZnO, depleted in the Zn-64 isotope, to the water of boiling water nuclear reactors lessens the accumulation of Co-60 on the reactor interior surfaces, reduces radioactive wastes and increases the reactor service-life because of the inhibitory action of zinc on inter-granular stress corrosion cracking. To the same effect depleted zinc in the form of acetate dihydrate is used in pressurized water reactors. Gas centrifuge isotope separation method is applied for production of depleted zinc on the industrial scale. More than 20 years of depleted zinc application history demonstrates its benefits for reduction of NPP personnel radiation exposure and combating construction materials corrosion.
Uranium has varying degrees of oxidation (+4 and +6) and is responsive to changes in the redox potential of the environment. It is deposited at the reduction barrier with the participation of biota and at the sorption barrier under oxidative conditions. Iron (hydr)oxides are the strongest sorbents of uranium. Uranium, being an element of medium biological absorption, can accumulate (relative to thorium) in the humus horizons of some soils. The high content of uranium in uncontaminated soils is most frequently inherited from the parent rocks in the regions of positive U anomalies: in the soils developed on oil shales and in the marginal zone of bogs at the reduction barrier. The development of nuclear and coal-fired power engineering resulted in the environmental contamination with uranium....
A diagnosis of the refrigerant flows in a refrigerator was carried out by real-time neutron radiography. The thermal neutron radiography system of JRR-3M in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and the real-time image processing system developed by Musashi Institute of Technology were used. Freon evaporating flows in the evaporator, condensing flows in the condenser, flashing flows in the capillary tube and flows in the accumulator were visualized and the dynamic behaviors under practical conditions were clarified. In the case of the capillary tube of 0.8 mm i.d., a cooled-CCD camera was utilized. (orig.).
The role played by planetary boundary layer (PBL) in the development and evolution of a severe convective storm is studied by means of meso-scale modeling and surface and upper air observations. The severe convective precipitation event that occurred on 14 September 1999 in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula was simulated by means of the mesoscale model MM5 (version 3) using three different PBL schemes. The numerical results show a large impact of the PBL schemes on the precipitation fields associated to the convective storm. The schemes are based on different physical assumptions: the nonlocal first order medium-range forecast (MRF) and blackadar (BLA) scheme and the local, one-and-a-half order ETA scheme. Surface and radar observations are used to validate the model results. The comparison focuses on three aspects: the evolution, the spatial distribution and the 24-h accumulated precipitation. The comparison with rain gauge observations shows that the MRF, ...
We present a case of cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient. The MRI signal characteristics were compared with the histologic findings. Irregular low-signal zones were demonstrated between the wall of the abscess and the central necrosis on T2-weighted images; the pathology specimen revealed concentrated iron in these transitional zones but no hemosiderin. Iron is an essential element for the growth of fungal hyphae. The low-signal zones may represent the areas where there was active proliferation of aspergillus, and the unique location of the low signal may be a helpful imaging characteristic for the diagnosis of an aspergillus abscess. (orig.)
Pulmonary fibrosis was produced in mice treated with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) 400 mg/kg and immediately exposed to 80% oxygen for 3 days. This treatment regimen resulted in 47% mortality. Surviving mice exhibited significant accumulations of pulmonary collagen as evidence by increases in total lung hydroxyproline levels. The administration of indomethacin (4 mg/kg/day) on days 1-6 after BHT decreased mortality to 14% and diminished the accumulation of collagen in lung tissue. Indomethacin also enhanced survival when administered on days 1-3 after BHT/O/sub 2/ but had no effect on lung collagen levels. Treatment with indomethacin on days 4-6 after BHT had no beneficial effect. The administration of prednisolone (60 mg/kg/day) on days 1-3, 1-6, or 4-6 after BHT decreased mortality but had not effect on accumulation of lung collagen. Cis-4-hydroxyproline (400 mg/kg/day) also had no effect on pulmonary fibrosis but did ...
Many hormones elicit effects on target cells by stimulating the enzyme phospholipase-C, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides to the intracellular second messengers diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates. The present study examined the roles of FSH and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) in regulating the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in Sertoli cells. Sertoli cell cultures prepared from 16- to 18-day-old rats were incubated for 24 h with myo-[2-3H] inositol to label endogenous phospholipids. Treatment of cells from 0.5-20 min with preparations of ovine FSH ranging in potency from 1-60 times that of NIH FSH S1 did not affect accumulation of inositol phosphates. Levels of total [3H]inositol phosphates [[3H]inositol mono-, di-, and triphosphates (IP, IP2, and IP3)] in FSH-treated cultures was 75-120% the levels in control cultures over the various time intervals studied. Addition of testosterone and the combination of testosterone plus ...
Methanosarcina thermophila, a nonmarine methanogenic archaebacterium, can grow in a range of saline concentrations. At less than 0.4 M NaCl, Ms. thermophila accumulated glutamate in response to increasing osmotic stress. At greater than 0.4 M NaCl, this organism synthesized a modified #beta#-amino acid that was identified as N"v"a"r"-"e"p"s"i"l"o"n-acetyl-#beta#-lysine by NMR spectroscopy and ion-exchange HPLC. This #beta#-amino acid derivative accumulated to high intracellular concentrations (up to 0.6 M) in Ms. thermophila and in another methanogen examined - Methanogenium cariaci, a marine species. The compound has features that are characteristic of a compatible solute: it is neutrally charged at physiological pH and it is highly soluble. When the cells were grown in the presence of exogenous glycine betaine, a physiological pH and it is highly soluble. When the cells were grown in the presence of exogenous glycine betaine, a physiological ...
We studied the effect of extracellular Ca"2"+ concentration ([Ca"2"+]_e) on adipocyte differentiation. Preadipocytes exposed to continuous [Ca"2"+]_e higher than 2.5 mmol/l accumulated little or no cytoplasmic lipid compared to controls in 1.8 mmol/l [Ca"2"+]_e. Differentiation was monitored by Oil Red O staining of cytoplasmic lipid and triglyceride assay of accumulated lipid, by RT-PCR analysis of adipogenic markers, and by the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). Elevated [Ca"2"+]_e inhibited expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor #gamma#, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein #alpha#, and steroid regulatory binding element protein. High [Ca"2"+]_e significantly inhibited differentiation marker expression including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein, and GPDH. The decrease in Pref-1 expression that accompanied differentiation also was prevented by high [Ca"2"+]_e. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with high [Ca"2"+]_e ...
This study reports on the physical-chemical behaviour of swelling di-octahedral clays (smectites) and their interaction with aqueous solutions and bacteria (Shewanella putrefaciens). Experimental results are presented for compacted clays, hydrated under confined volume conditions, using a new type of reaction-cell (the 'wet-cell' of Warr and Hoffman, 2004) that was designed for in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. For comparison, dispersed clay systems were studied using standard batch solutions subjected to varying degrees of agitation. The combination of time-dependent in situ XRD measurements with gravimetric measurements and calculated diffraction patterns using the CALCMIX software (Plancon and Drits, 1999) allowed to successful quantification of the dynamics of water uptake and storage. This analytical procedure combined with published water vapour adsorption data enabled determination of the abundance of structured water layers, ...
This paper presents a numerical study on the formation history of coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir in the southeast edge of Ordos Basin, China. The coal seams studied belong to the Late Palaeozoic coal-bearing series. These coal seams have a burial history and experienced the process of subsidence, rapid subsidence alternated with uplift and then uplift, sequentially, and underwent the geothermal actions at normal, extremely high, and then normal temperatures, respectively. Coal organic matter of the coal seams matured in the Triassic Period and in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Period. The results from numerical simulation reveal that CBM reservoir evolution history can be classified into five stages, namely primary, initial, stagnant, active and dissipative stages. In the first (primary) stage, coal rank was very low and there was little methane generated and stored in the coal seams. In the second (initial) stage, the coal was converted to middle-high volatile bituminous coal. ...
A rapid and accurate method for the direct simultaneous determination of nitrate and nitrite is proposed. The method is applied to the determination of nitrate and nitrite in rainwater and wastewater without preliminary separation. The determinations are performed by a CPA matrix method with ultraviolet spectrophotometric detection. The results obtained are in agreement with those obtained by conventional methods for the determination of nitrate and nitrite.
A new method for the determination of the cmc using a dialysis technique which allows monometric species to diffuse through but no micelles has been applied for determining the mixed micelle composition. The method is based on determining the amount of surfactant that diffuses through at two different times which allows for the calculation of the cmc by use of the appropriate equation. This method requires the preparation of only one concentration of solution and lends itself particularly well to the determination of the composition of mixed micelles. (orig.)
The Japanese medaka fish Oryzias latipes has an XX/XY sex-determination system. The Y-linked sex-determination gene DMY is a duplicate of the autosomal gene DMRT1, which encodes a DM-domain-containing...Full Text Available
A method is described for determining the particulate contamination in miniature ball bearings in which the bearing is flushed with a solvent that is then filtered. The particles that are collected on the filter are examined by optical microscopy.
We determined the underlying aetiology of blindness for the registered blind population of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In both 1981 and 1984 single-gene disorders accounted for 30% of...Full Text Available
A binary mixture of imipramine HCl and chlordiazepoxide was determined by three different spectrophotometric methods. The first method involved determination of imipramine HCl and chlordiazepoxide using...Full Text Available
A specific radiochemical procedure for indium determination in semiconductor-grade silicon, using an inorganic ion exchanger (cerium oxalate) is proposed.
Objective:To determine the pattern of executive dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and to determine the brain areas associated with executive...Full Text Available
Reactions on the ionizing radiation of 14 Cladosporium cladosporioides strains were studied. Only 5 of them displayed radiotropizm. The ability of C. cladosporioides strains 4 and 5 with positive radiotropizm and museum C. cladosporioides strain 396 and its alb-mutant SM without positive radiotropizm to destruct radioactive particles of Chernobyl and explosion origin was studied. Two ways of radioactive particles destruction by C. cladosporioides were established, one of them is a direct way by fungal overgrowth of hot particles and the second one an indirect way only by fungal metabolites. Mycelium of the studied C. cladosporioides strains sorbed radionuclides from radioactive particles during cultivation on the liquid and agarized media. No certain inclinations of the individual strains to accumulation of radionuclides 137Cs or 152Eu were ascertained. PMID:12664550
Russian field surgery with its long history and distinctive characteristics has accumulated great experience in the long-time practice of warfare. Chinese field surgery was established and developed on the basis of studying from the Russian model, which opened up new areas of traffic medicine, molecular traumatology and assessment of biological effects on weapon destruction and carried out in-depth research on wound ballistics, blast injury, burns and combined injury etc. through decades of construction with continuous development and innovation, and a series of major achievements have been made in these fields. By making comparative study on the historical evolution, structure system, characteristics of campaigns and development of society between Chinese and Russian field surgery, it can be found that there are great gaps between them and we should strengthen the research for more rapid development. PMID:20510098
The paper considers software development issues for large-scale enterprise information systems (IS) with databases (DB) in global heterogeneous distributed computational environment. Due to high IT development rates, the present-day society has accumulated and rapidly increases an extremely huge data burden. Manipulating with such huge data arrays becomes an essential problem, particularly due to their global distribution, heterogeneous and weak-structured character. The conceptual approach to integrated Internet-based IS design, development and implementation is presented, including formal models, software development methodology and original software development tools for visual problem-oriented development and content management. IS implementation results proved shortening terms and reducing costs of implementation compared to commercial software available.
Data from the New Immigrant Survey are used to study wealth differentials among U.S. legal permanent residents. This study is unique in its ability to account for wealth held in the U.S. and that held abroad and yields several key findings. First, relative to immigrants from Western Europe, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (who have median wealth similar to native born non-Hispanic whites), other immigrant groups have lower levels of total wealth even after accounting for permanent income and life course characteristics. Second, time in the U.S. is positively associated with the wealth of married immigrants, yet this relationship is not statistically significant for single immigrants. Third, differences in the means of measured characteristics between Western European immigrants and thos...
The primary UK legislation relating to the use of radioactive materials are the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA, 1993) and the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR, 1999). These implement the European Union's Basic Safety Standards Directive (EUBSS) (EC, 1996). The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA93) regulates the accumulation, storage and disposal of radioactive waste, principally to control potential doses to members of the public. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR, 1999) deal primarily with regulating the doses that people receive at work. Both of these pieces of legislation apply to the use of materials containing naturally occurring radionuclides. Historically UK regulations relating to radioactive materials have covered both artificial and natural radionuclides
[sup 203]Pb-chloride is a promising imaging agent for tumour scanning because of the large retention value for tumour tissue and the small value for normal organs, but the large value for the kidneys and bone is a shortcoming. The retention value of [sup 203]Pb in tumour tissue is larger than that of [sup 201]Tl and smaller than that of [sup 67]Ga. The tumour/inflammatory lesion retention ratio for [sup 203]Pb is very large in comparison with those for [sup 67]Ga and [sup 201]Tl. [sup 203]Pb accumulates to a large extent in viable tumour tissue, and less in necrotic tumour tissue and in inflammatory lesion. (author).
The state of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in Guinea pigs exposed to whole-body fractionated X-irradiation (5 fractions of 0.2 Gy at a 24 hr interval, up to total dose of 1.0 Gy, at a dose rate of 0.425 R/min) and a possibility of its disturbance correction with the complex of vitamins C, E and P was studied. Accumulation of primary and secondary lipid peroxidation products, decrease of the ascorbic acid content, increase of the content of its oxidized forms (dehydroascorbic acid and diketogulonic acid) in radiosensitive and radioresistant organs were found. Antioxidant complex administration reduced the disturbances of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis, but did not provide complete normalization.
Blood kinetics and tissue distribution of 20, 80 and 110 nm silver nanoparticles were investigated in rats up to 16 days after intravenous administration once daily for 5 consecutive days. Following both single and repeated injection, silver nanoparticles disappeared rapidly from the blood and distributed to all organs evaluated (liver, lungs, spleen, brain, heart, kidneys and testes) regardless of size. The 20 nm particles distributed mainly to liver, followed by kidneys and spleen, whereas the larger particles distributed mainly to spleen followed by liver and lung. In the other organs evaluated, no major differences between the sizes were observed. Size-dependent tissue distribution suggests size-dependent toxicity and health risks. Repeated administration resulted in accumulation in li...
There is now a scientific consensus that current rates of accumulation of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere will result in significant global warming and climate change. These changes are likely to have important impacts on a wide range of human activities and the natural environment. There has now been a considerable weight of literature published on the impacts of global warming, much of it very recent. This report seeks to summarise the important results, to analyse the uncertainties and to make a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of monetarising these environmental costs. The impacts of global warming are divided into ten major categories: agriculture, forests and forestry, terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, hydrology and water resources, sea level rise and coastal zones, energy, infrastructure/transport/industry, human health and air quality, oceans, and cryospheric impacts. The results of major summary reports are analysed, notably the report of ...
l-Carnitine is a critical metabolite indispensable for the metabolism of lipids as it facilitates fatty acid transport into the mitochondrion where b-oxidation occurs. Human astrocytes (CCF-STTG1 cells) and hepatocytes (HepG2 cells) exposed to aluminum (Al) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), were characterized with lower levels of l-carnitine, diminished b-oxidation, and increased lipid accumulation compared to the controls. g-Butyrobetainealdehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) and butyrobetaine dioxygenase (BBDOX), two key enzymes mediating the biogenesis of l-carnitine, were sharply reduced during Al and H2O2 challenge. Exposure of the Al and H2O2-treated cells to a-ketoglutarate (KG), led to the recovery of l-carnitine production with the concomitant reduction in ROS levels. It appears that the chann...
Many foods have been implicated in theories about the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease. While evidence has accumulated that nutritional factors as part of overall lifestyle changes may play a role in the growing incidence, no specific dietary recommendations except the promotion of breastfeeding can currently be given to decrease the risk of developing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. For the treatment of Crohn's disease in children and adolescents, however, enteral feeding with a semi-elemental diet seems to be as effective as corticosteroids in inducing and maintaining remission. In the meta-analyses, advantages of one formula over the other are evened out, and more research is warranted into the anti-inflammatory properties of different nutrients, such as polyunsaturated fat...
The measurements performed at CERN on prototypes and first pre-series main dipole magnets confirm the need of an active control of the Large Hadron Collider to compensate the dynamic field changes during the proton beam injection and acceleration. This control requires in turn an accurate forecast of the magnetic field in the accelerator. We plan to predict the field on the basis of two elements: theoretical field models tailored through the accumulated knowledge of the main magnets during series tests, and an on-line measurement system running on few reference magnets tracking the LHC current cycle. Data coming from this "Multipoles Factory" will result from the fusion of the two sources. Based on this system we foresee to deliver calibration information for pre-defined accelerator cycles as well as real time information for the active control. In this paper we report the conceptual design of the system, and we discuss the features and performance of the models ...
A wide area of the Assisi town, in Umbria (central Italy), is interested since its first edification (1950?1960) by an extensive landslide. The rate of motion is very slow (around 1?cm/year), but the deformations accumulated for almost 60?years have produced considerable damage to many private and public buildings, including the civic hospital and an important Franciscan monastery. The University of Perugia established in 1995 a geodetic monitoring network over the Assisi landslide, connecting a number of control points inside the moving area to an external reference network with markers placed on stable geological formations. The monitoring has been based since the beginning on GPS satellite positioning with static observations, aiming to obtain a three-dimensional accuracy of about 1?cm ...
The dimercaptosuccinic acid metronidazole ester (DMSAMe) was synthesized and radiolabeled with 99mTc to form the 99mTc-DMSAMe complex in high yield. The radiochemical purity of the 99mTc-DMSAMe complex was over 90%, as measured by TLC and by HPLC, without any notable decomposition at room temperature over a period of 6?h. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The tumor cell experiment and the biodistribution in mice bearing S 180 tumor showed that the 99mTc-DMSAMe complex had a certain hypoxic selectivity and accumulated in the tumor with high uptake and good retention. The tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios increased with time, suggesting it would be a possible tumor hypoxia imaging agent.
When labeled cAMP is incubated with isolated mitochondria from rat liver, it penetrates not only through the outer membrane of the mitochondria but also into the mitoplasts, where it is accumulated chiefly in the matrix. Damage to the mitochondrial membrane by freezing-thawing promotes not an influx but an efflux of cAMP out of the mitoplasts. A substantial part of the labeled nucleotide in all the investigated submitochondrial fractions was identified as intact cAMP by the method of thin-layer chromatography. The transport of cAMP into the mitochondria can explain the activation of their functions by the hormones that activate cytoplasmic adenylate cyclase and by extramitochondrial (cytosol) cAMP, as well as the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and cAMP-phosphodiesterase in the mitochondria.
Under changing redox conditions some plants create plaques at their root surface, which may affect the mobility and uptake of As and heavy metals but it is unknown to what extent this also holds true for willows in contaminated floodplain soils. Therefore, willow roots were sampled from a phytoremediation trial in the contaminated floodplain of the river Elbe (Germany), cryofixed, freeze-dried, and cross sections were mapped for the distribution of As, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, S and Zn by synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The elements Ca, Cu, Ni, S and Zn were concentrated in the aerenchymatic tissue, and not associated with Fe and Mn. Mixed Fe-Mn plaques covered the surface of the willow roots and As was accumulated in these plaques. The observed association pattern between...
The Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation (MEO) system is an aqueous process which treats low-level mixed wastes by oxidizing the organic components of he waste into carbon dioxide and water. As MEO system continues to run, dissolved ash and radionuclides slowly accumulate in the anolyte and must be removed to maintain process efficiency. At such time, all of the anolyte is pumped into a still feed tank, and the silver ions need to be removed before sending the solution to a thin-film evaporator for further concentration. The efficiency of removing silver ions in the solution needs to be high enough such that the residual silver sent to Final Forms would be less than 1% wt. The purpose of this work is to develop an efficient process to remove silver ions during the MEO cleanout and to demonstrate the capability of centrifugation for separating small silver chloride particles from the solution. This development work includes lab scale experiments and bench scale tests. ...
Several researchers have investigated morphological changes on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast during the late Holocene. However, very few of these studies include quantitative data covering the last 200?years. In this study, topographical maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs are used to estimate the shoreline migrations and beach?nearshore sand balance over the last 200?years in Haifa Bay, Israel, the northernmost final depositional sink of the Nile littoral cell. The findings reflect two main periods. During the first period, between 1799 and 1928, human intervention along the bay?s coast was negligible, a significant coastal expansion of ?50 to 150?m (averages of 0.4?1.2?m/year) was measured, and sand accumulation was estimated at ?70,000?m3 annually in the beach?nearshore...
Numbers of wintering sea ducks, including buffleheads (Bucephala albeola; BUFF), common goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula; COGO), and long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis; LTDU), increased substantially at Lake Ontario after Dreissenid mussels (Dreissena bugensis and D. polymorpha) colonized the Great Lakes. Invertebrates, including Dreissenid mussels, are major diving duck prey items that can transfer some trace elements, such as selenium (Se) to higher trophic levels. Se can be problematic for waterfowl and it often has been detected at elevated levels in organisms using the Great Lakes. There are, however, few data on hepatic Se concentrations in sea ducks, particularly during the winter at Lake Ontario. In this study, we evaluated interspecific differences and temporal trends in hepatic S...
This Report includes copies of transparencies and notes from the presentations made at the Center for Accelerator Physics at Brookhaven National Laboratory Editing and changes to the authors` contributions in this Report were made only to fulfill the publication requirements. This volume includes notes and transparencies on nine presentations: ``The Energy Exchange and Efficiency Consideration in Klystrons``, ``Some Properties of Microwave RF Sources for Future Colliders + Overview of Microwave Generation Activity at the University of Maryland``, ``Field Quality Improvements in Superconducting Magnets for RHIC``, ``Hadronic B-Physics``, ``Spiking Pulses from Free Electron Lasers: Observations and Computational Models``, ``Crystalline Beams in Circular Accelerators``, ``Accumulator Ring for AGS & Recent AGS Performance``, ``RHIC Project Machine Status``, and ``Gamma-Gamma Colliders.``
Seismic stratigraphy and sedimentological studies of the Gemlik Gulf in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey, have been carried out. For this purpose, 19 lines totaling 189 km of excellent quality, high-resolution seismic data were recorded. Four major acoustic units were identified in the seismic profiles. Three were sedimentary units: irregular layered, cross-layered and well-layered; and the fourth was an acoustic basement which is probably composed of crystalline volcanic rocks. Some local areas in the Neogene formation contain gas accumulations. The formation of faults in E--W and N--S directions can be explained by the existence of shear stresses in the Gulf. The bathymetric map shows good accommodation with the shore line as does the tectonic map.
The authors search Z{prime} bosons in dielectron events produced in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, using a 0.45 fb{sup -1} dataset accumulated with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. To identify the Z{prime} {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -} signal, both the dielectron invariant mass distribution and the angular distribution of the electron pair are used. No evidence of a signal is found, and 95% confidence level lower limits are set on the Z{prime} mass for several models. Limits are also placed on the mass and gauge coupling of a generic Z{prime}, as well as on the contact interaction mass scales for different helicity structure scenarios.
Aberrant amyloid-b peptide (Ab) accumulation along with altered expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) stand prominently in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since the discovery that Ab is bound to a7 nAChRs under many experimental settings, including post-mortem AD brain, much effort has been expended to understand the implications of this interaction in the disease milieu. This research update will review the current literature on the a7 nAChR-Ab interaction in vitro and in vivo, the functional consequences of this interaction from sub-cellular to cognitive levels, and discuss the implications these relationships might have for AD therapies.
The Electric Power Research Institute has published a report for planners, designers, owners, and operators of hydroelectric pumped-storage plants that records the operation and maintenance knowledge of 35 domestic and foreign pumped-storage projects. The report provides a comprehensive record of practices that have reduced forced outages and shortened scheduled repairs. As time passes and experienced staff retire at pumped-storage plants, many O M lessons are lost. To remedy that situation, EPRI commissioned Morrison-Knudsen Engineers Inc. to prepare a special report. The 348-page publication records the accumulated civil, geotechnical, mechanical, and electrical O M knowledge and experiences of pumped-storage plant staff. It also includes recommendations to planners and designers of future pumped-storage plants and concludes with descriptions of O M experiences reported by plant operators and utility representatives.
The features of present deposits that form in the vicinity of hot springs can provide clues to the parameters of paleowaters in places of past hydrothermal activity marked by remnant carbonate and/or siliceous sinter. We investigated a large carbonate body at the Garga hot spring developing in the Baikal zone of nitric hydrotherms in the Barguzin Rift Zone valley. The main focus was on the structure of the carbonate mound, as well as on the partitioning of radioactive elements between the cyanobacterial mat and the inorganic component of the body (the issue that has never been explored before). The cyanobacterial community of the Garga spring is an active biosorbent of 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb. The radionuclides accumulated by biosorption become preserved in minerals that form within the bacter...
Ground water is treated in the Czech Republic so that small water tanks are built above each water source to serve the primary ground water treatment; water so pretreated is then concentrated in large basins for subsequent treatment. Some water tanks where the first contact of the ground water with air takes place were selected as sites predisposed to radon accumulation. The examination was carried out near the town of Jihlava, where the bedrock contains slightly elevated radium concentrations. The average radon concentrations lay within the region of 2-4 kBq/m"3; the instantaneous values, however, exhibited appreciable periodical variations during the day. The relatively high radon concentrations will not pose a marked hazard for the personnel because the employees only reside at the sites in question for 10 to 15 minutes within 2 days, not for the whole working day
Radium is known to be taken up by aquatic animals, and tends to accumulate in bone, shell and exoskeleton. The most common approach to estimating the uptake of a radionuclide by aquatic animals for use in health and environmental risk assessments is the concentration factor method. The concentration factor method relates the concentration of a contaminant in an organism to the concentration in the surrounding water. Site specific data are not usually available, and generic, default values are often used in risk assessment studies. This paper describes the concentration factor method, summarizes some of the variables which may influence the concentration factor for radium, reviews reported concentration factors measured in marine environments and presents concentration factors derived from data collected in a study in coastal Louisiana. The use of generic default values for the concentration factor is also discussed.
Radium is known to be taken up by aquatic animals, and tends to accumulate in bone, shell and exoskeleton. The most common approach to estimating the uptake of a radionuclide by aquatic animals for use in health and environmental risk assessments is the concentration factor method. The concentration factor method relates the concentration of a contaminant in an organism to the concentration in the surrounding water. Site specific data are not usually available, and generic, default values are often used in risk assessment studies. This paper describes the concentration factor method, summarizes some of the variables which may influence the concentration factor for radium, reviews reported concentration factors measured in marine environments and presents concentration factors derived from data collected in a study in coastal Louisiana. The use of generic default values for the concentration factor is also discussed.
Hyperquenching of liquid water with cooling rates of 10{sup 6}-10{sup 7} K s{sup -1} yields glassy water. Upon {gamma}-irradiation at 77 K, the only paramagnetic species accumulating in hyperquenched glassy water are the hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals. There are no hydrogen atoms or electrons seen by the ESR technique. For irradiation doses up to about 70 kGy, the relative contributions of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals to the total amount of paramagnetic species remain virtually constant. The total amount of paramagnetic species, n, is sublinear in dose, d, well approximated by n=8.55x10{sup 16}d{sup 0.8} for n in spin g{sup -1} and d in kGy.
Eight patients with double-velour Dacron aorto-femoral grafts implanted for 2-60 months were studied. Indium-111-labelled platelets were found to have a shortened mean platelet lifespan (MPLS) of 138 +- 32 hours compared with the normal platelet lifespan of 224 +- 23 hours. Labelled platelets accumulated on all grafts, irrespective of graft age, to a maximum of 1,80 +- 0,83% of whole body radioactivity; thereafter graft radio-activity decreased. This suggests that platelets on the graft are in dynamic equilibrium with those in the circulation. Platelets may be lost from the graft by embolization or radioactivity may be released because of platelet lysis. Although MPLS may depend on the age and surface area of the graft, concomitant arterial disease probably also contributes to the shortened MPLS.
The main points of quality control methods and technique of environmental radiological baseline study of Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station are reported. Results of intercalibration of international and inland laboratories are given. The random chosen samples are checked and compared with two measurement methods. The data obtained in Daya Bay environment are put to the correlation statistics test using the linear regression analysis method between the correlative items such as "4"0K activity by gamma spectrum measurement and potassium content by chemical analysis, total #alpha#(#beta#) activity and nuclide content, as well as environmental gamma radiation dose rate and TLD accumulation dose. The data of Daya Bay environmental radioactivity baseline level show good concordance and reliability.
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.)
Properties of photoconductive ultraviolet detectors fabricated on ZnO films were presented. Highly c-axis oriented ZnO films were grown on glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Ultraviolet photodetectors were fabricated based on metal-semiconductor-metal planar structures. The photoresponsivity and the quantum efficiency are much higher in the ultraviolet range than in the visible range, and the peak values are around 360nm. Photocurrent transients show that the detector has a large photocurrent with the peak value of 2.8mA, and a slow photoresponse with a rise time of 5min and a decay time of 7min. The response curve of the detector is fitted well with exponential curve. The large photocurrent should result from the both effects of the accumulation of conduction electrons and the d...
The removal of paraffinic bottom accumulations from refinery storage tanks represents an increasingly costly area of petroleum storage management. Microorganisms can be used to reduce paraffinic bottoms by increasing the solubility of bottom material and by increasing the wax-carrying capacity of carrier oil used in the cleaning process. The economic savings of such treatments are considerable. The process is also intrinsically safer than alternative methods, as it reduces and even eliminates the need for personnel to enter the tank during the cleaning process. Both laboratory and field sample analyses can be used to document changes in tank material during the treatment process. These changes include increases in volatile content and changes in wax distribution. Several case histories illustrating these physical and chemical changes are presented along with the economics of treatment.
This report summarizes the 1981 operating and test data obtained at the six ton per day Advanced Coal Liquefaction Research and Development Facility in Wilsonville, Alabama. Special emphasis is placed on data accumulated during the fourth quarter of 1981. The Wilsonville R and D Facility was in operation 71% of 1981 (70% of the fourth quarter) with scheduled shutdowns accounting for 23% of the downtime (28% during the fourth quarter). Kentucky 9 coal from the Fies mine was processed in all runs conducted during 1981 (Runs 222 through 235). The hydrotreater (HTR) unit was brought on stream successfully in May 1981. The three process units of the Wilsonville facility were operated in a non-integrated mode during the second half of 1981. Significant data was obtained and is summarized.
This report presents the results of a study on Operation and Maintenance (O M) practices in hydroelectric pumped storage plants. The objective of this project, which was sponsored by EPRI, is to record the practical knowledge on the O M of a number of the domestic and foreign pumped storage plants which has been accumulated by their operating staff. Civil, geotechnical, mechanical and electrical aspects of O M of the thirty-five plants visited are discussed, and some general conclusions, as warranted by the commonality of the problems, are drawn. These conclusions may be useful to the planners and designers of future pumped storage projects. In general, due to their layout, diversity and different modes of operation, the plants have few common problems which, in most cases, are limited to the mechanical and electrical aspects of the plants' operation. The data on plants' specifications, operation and maintenance were collected during field trips ...
Radiation damage is considered to be the major problem that still prevents imaging an individual biological molecule for structural analysis. So far, all known mapping techniques using sufficient short wave-length radiation, be it X-rays or high energy electrons, circumvent this problem by averaging over many molecules. Averaging, however, leaves conformational details uncovered. Even the anticipated use of ultra-short but extremely bright X-ray bursts of a Free Electron Laser shall afford averaging over 10^6 molecules to arrive at atomic resolution. Here we present direct experimental evidence for non-destructive imaging of individual DNA molecules. In fact, we show that DNA withstands coherent low energy electron radiation with deBroglie wavelength in the Angstrom regime despite a vast dose of 10^8 electrons/nm^2 accumulated over more than one hour.
A technology for removal of undissolved impurities from a horizontal steam generator using purge water is developed on the basis of a theoretical analysis. A purge with a maximal flow rate is drawn off from the zone with the highest accumulation of sludge in the lower part of the steam generator after the main circulation pump of the corresponding loop is shut off and the temperatures of the heat transfer medium at the inlet and outlet of the steam generator have equilibrated. An improved purge configuration is used for this technology; it employs shutoff and regulator valves, periodic purge lines separated by a cutoff fixture, and a D y 100 drain union as a connector for the periodic purge. Field tests show that the efficiency of this technology for sludge removal by purge water is severa...
Lipophilic tertiary amines attached to cylcopentadienyl technetium-99m tricarbonyl (cytectrene) have been prepared with high radiochemical yield and purity. Biodistribution studies in mice showed that [{sup 99m}Tc]-cytectrenes, containing in their structure an N-methylpiperidine, were accumulated in the brain up to 2.8% of injected dose with high brain-to-blood ratios at 15 min p.i. They therefore indicate some potential as brain imaging agents. It has to be pointed out that the N-methylpiperidine ester showed similar biological behaviour as the keto derivatives. This indicates that the conversion to polar metabolite(s) via hydrolysis of the ester group - as described for [{sup 99m}Tc]-ECD -is not essential for brain retention. (Author).
Lipophilic tertiary amines attached to cylcopentadienyl technetium-99m tricarbonyl (cytectrene) have been prepared with high radiochemical yield and purity. Biodistribution studies in mice showed that ["9"9"mTc]-cytectrenes, containing in their structure an N-methylpiperidine, were accumulated in the brain up to 2.8% of injected dose with high brain-to-blood ratios at 15 min p.i. They therefore indicate some potential as brain imaging agents. It has to be pointed out that the N-methylpiperidine ester showed similar biological behaviour as the keto derivatives. This indicates that the conversion to polar metabolite(s) via hydrolysis of the ester group - as described for ["9"9"mTc]-ECD -is not essential for brain retention. (Author).
Oil and gas production and processing operations sometimes cause naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) to accumulate at elevated concentrations in by-product waste streams. The sources of most of the radioactivity are isotopes of "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th series, which are naturally present in the subsurface formations from which oil and gas are produced. NORM waste may cause problems in the operations of installations by plugging perforations, clogging tubular and valves then restricting flow. Therefore, plants or equipment have to be refurbished and decontaminated before reuse to avoid radioactive waste or surface contaminated object. There are two options for safe disposal of scale and sludge produced from NORM Descaling Facility : 1- Injection into an abandoned production well. 2- The construction of a near surface depository. These options are assumed to be environmental friendly disposal options. (author)
Summary. Ratiometric fluorescent dyes are often used to monitor free ion concentrations in vivo, especially in cells that are recalcitrant to transformation with genetically encoded fluorescent markers. Although intracellular dye distributions are often found to be cytosolic, dye localisation has often not been examined in detail. We began exploring the use of BCECF (2?,7?-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein) to monitor pH in the giant alga Chara australis and discovered that younger leaf cells could be loaded using the acetoxymethyl ester of BCECF. However, we were puzzled to find in microphotometric measurements that the fluorescence ratio appeared insensitive to manipulations affecting cytosolic pH. Confocal imaging of C. australis cells loaded with BCECF showed an accumulation ...
Lebers hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), the most frequent mitochondrial disorder, is mostly due to three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in respiratory chain complex I subunit genes: 3460/ND1, 11778/ND4 and 14484/ND6. Despite considerable clinical evidences, a genetic modifying role of the mtDNA haplogroup background in the clinical expression of LHON remains experimentally unproven. We investigated the effect of mtDNA haplogroups on the assembly of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes in transmitochondrial hybrids (cybrids) harboring the three common LHON mutations. The steady-state levels of respiratory chain complexes appeared normal in mutant cybrids. However, an accumulation of low molecular weight subcomplexes suggested a complex I assembly/stability defect, which was ...
In the near well-bore region and perforations, petroleum fluids usually flow at high velocities and may exhibit non-Darcy-flow behavior. Microorganisms can increase permeability and porosity by removing paraffin or asphaltene accumulations. They can also reduce interfacial tension by producing biosurfactants. These changes can significantly affect non-Darcy flow behavior. Theoretical analysis shows that microbial activities can enhance production by decreasing the turbulence pressure drop and in some cases increasing the drag force exerted to the oil phase. This implies that the effects of microbial activities on non-Darcy flow are important and should be considered in the evaluation of microbial well stimulation and enhanced oil recovery.
Terrain attributes derived from digital elevation models have been used widely for mapping soil organic matter (SOM). Among these attributes, the topographic wetness index (TWI), an index for quantitatively indicating the balance between water accumulation and drainage conditions at the local scale, has been shown to correlate with SOM. However, TWIs used in most studies are calculated using a single-flow-direction (SFD) algorithm, which assumes that all water from a grid cell flows into only one neighboring cell. This assumption is not always valid, especially in areas with low relief where movement of water may be divergent. To overcome this SFD limitation, a multiple-flow-direction (MFD) algorithm has been developed, which distributes flow from a grid cell to several downslope neighbors...
The initial growth process and surface structure of thin Pd(silicide) films on clean Si(111)-7x7 surfaces have been studied by low energy ion scattering (ISS) and LEED-Auger techniques. Considerable reaction between Pd and Si at room temperature is observed to extend up to 25 ML thickness of deposited Pd. Heat treatment of the room temperature film produced epitaxial silicide Pd/sub 2/Si(0001) films covered with the accumulated elementary Si layers of 1-2 ML thickness. Deposition of 1/3 ML Pd onto a heated substrate gives a Pd-embedded ordered surface of Si(111)-..sqrt..3x..sqrt..3R30/sup 0/, the feature being similar to the cases of Ag, Au/Si(111) systems.
The initial growth process and surface structure of thin Pd(silicide) films on clean Si(111)-7x7 surfaces have been studied by low energy ion scattering (ISS) and LEED-Auger techniques. Considerable reaction between Pd and Si at room temperature is observed to extend up to 25 ML thickness of deposited Pd. Heat treatment of the room temperature film produced epitaxial silicide Pd_2Si(0001) films covered with the accumulated elementary Si layers of 1-2 ML thickness. Deposition of 1/3 ML Pd onto a heated substrate gives a Pd-embedded ordered surface of Si(111)-#sq root#3x#sq root#3R30"0, the feature being similar to the cases of Ag, Au/Si(111) systems. (orig.).
Iron, zinc, copper and manganese are essential metals for cellular enzyme functions while cadmium, mercury and the metalloid arsenic lack any biological function. Both, essential metals, at high concentrations, and non-essential metals and metalloids are extremely reactive and toxic. Therefore, plants have acquired specialized mechanisms to sense, transport and maintain essential metals within physiological concentrations and to detoxify non-essential metals and metalloids. This review focuses on the recent identification of transporters that sequester cadmium and arsenic in vacuoles and the mechanisms mediating the partitioning of these metal(loid)s between roots and shoots. We further discuss recent models of phloem-mediated long-distance transport, seed accumulation of Cd and As and rec...
Radiolabeled lipiodol has been used for targeting liver cancer. We developed a lipiodol solution of {sup 188}Re-TDD (2,2,9,9-tetramethyl-4,7-diaza-1,10-decanedithiol) and investigated its feasibility for the treatment of liver cancer. The lipiodol solution of {sup 188}Re-TDD was well-retained in the lipiodol phase in vitro. After injection through the tail veins of mice, high lung-uptake was investigated which is evidence of embolizing activity. We also found high accumulation in hepatoma after injection through the hepatic arteries of hepatoma-bearing rats. In conclusion, the lipiodol solution of {sup 188}Re-TDD is a promising agent for liver cancer therapy.
Adjustment of the rf phase in a linear accelerator is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. If phasing is incorrect, the beam will in general have an energy error and increased energy spread. While an energy error can be readily detected and corrected using position readings from beam position monitors at dispersion locations, this is not helpful for correcting energy spread in a system with many possible phase errors. Uncorrected energy spread results in poor capture efficiency in downstream accelerators, such as the Advanced Photon Source's (APS's) particle accumulator ring (PAR) or booster synchrotron. To address this issue, APS has implemented beam-to-rf phase detectors in the linac, along with software for automatic correction of phase errors. We discuss the design, implementation, and performance of these detectors and how they improved APS top-up operations.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease. The vast majority cases of AD are sporadic, without clear cause, and a combination of environmental and genetic factors has been implicated. The hypothesis that homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for AD was initially prompted by the observation that patients with histologically confirmed AD had higher plasma levels of Hcy, termed hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), than age-matched controls. Most evidence accumulated so far implicates HHcy as a risk factor for AD onset, but there are also conflicting results. In this review we summarize reports on the relationship between HHcy and AD from epidemiological investigations, including observational studies and randomized controlled clinical trials. We also examine recent i...
Specimen damage and element loss induced by 3 MeV proton and 2 MeV alpha particle bombardment of thin sections of freeze-dried kidney tissue and embedding medium have been studied. Yields of ions scattered from H and C, and characteristic X-rays were measured versus accumulated charge, for curent densities in the range from 8x10{sup -15} to 1.1x10{sup -11} A/{mu}m{sup 2}. Structural damage, dissolouration and loss of S, Cl, C and H have been observed. Implications of this study for ion beam microanalysis of biological tissues are discussed with particular reference to the results for H loss. (orig.).
The development of a twinned microstructure in hexagonal close-packed rolled magnesium compressed in the in-plane direction has been monitored in situ with neutron diffraction. The continuous conversion of the parent to daughter microstructure is tracked through the variation of diffraction peak intensities corresponding to each. Approximately 80% of the parent microstructure twins by 8% compression. Elastic lattice strain measurements indicate that the stress in the newly formed twins (daughters) is relaxed relative to the stress field in the surrounding matrix. However, since the daughters are in a plastically 'hard' deformation orientation, they quickly accumulate elastic strain as surrounding grains deform plastically. Polycrystal modeling of the deformation process provides insight about the crystallographic deformation mechanism involved.
By analogy with the concepts of human learning, we show and introduce a new method to obtain least product cost and price that includes the effect of innovation and technological learning in manufacturing and production. This key result is a new paradigm instead of the usual economic 'power law' formulation. The new analysis is based on extensive analysis of many technological systems, and is directly related to the presence of learning as experience is accumulated. The results agree with the observed data. By using a consistent basis, the method replaces previous empirical 'power law' descriptions of the technological learning curve with a new 'marginal minimum cost equation' (MCE). (author)
Inherent boron dilution can occur in case of a Small Break LOCA when low borated water is mainly accumulated in the U-legs due to reflux boiling in the Steam Generator tubes after the loss of natural circulation. The restart of the natural circulation may lead to criticality because of the injection of these low borated slugs towards the core. To evaluate this potential risk, the boron concentration at the core inlet has to be known which makes necessary to estimate the mixing phenomena in the cold leg, in the downcomer and in the lower plenum: CFD calculations are required. First of all the validation of CFX5 CFD code on the relevant phenomena of inherent boron dilution has been established (UPTF TRAM C3 test). Then, an application to the 900 MW French Pressurized Water Reactor series has been performed. (authors)
The effect of NaCl and Na_2SO_4 treatments on chlorophyll content, rate of "1"4C assimilation and products of photosynthesis in peanut (Arachish hypogaea L.) variety TMV-10 has been investigated. It was observed that chlorophyll content was affected mainly by NaCl, Na_2SO_4 treatment lowered the rate of photosynthetic "1"4CO_2 fixation. The analysis of labelled products revealed that the salts affect the carbon metabolism differently. The radioactivity was found to be accumulated in fractions of sugars and sugarphosphates in the leaves of NaCl treated plants. Na_2SO_4 treatment brought about considerable decline in labelling of sugars and an increase in labelling of amino acids and sugarphosphates. (orig.).
This paper studies the electrical characteristics of hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin-film transistors (a-Si:H TFTs) under flat and bending situations after AC/DC stress at different temperatures. Stress temperature was varied from 77K to 400K, and threshold voltage shifts were extracted to analyze degradation mechanisms. It was found that high temperature and mechanical bending played important roles under AC stress, with an enhanced stress effect resulting in a more serious degradation. This study also discusses the dependence between the accumulated sum of bias rising and falling time and the threshold voltage shifts under AC stress.
The high repetition rate and low single-pass gain inherent in an rf-driven Free Electron Laser (FEL) dictate that the laser system be configured as an oscillator. This allows the laser's electric field to build up over many passes around a high Q cavity. By way of contrast, the high-current capability of the Induction Linac (IL) system permits high single-pass optical gain, but the relatively low duty factor precludes oscillator operation; the pulses are neither long enough nor often enough to permit a field to accumulate in a cavity. The IL is thus configured as a MOPA (master oscillator/power amplifier) with a conventional laser serving as the MO. This report concentrates on the status of IL-driven FEL research at LLNL and gives a description of several applications for the high-peak-power radiation produced by an induction linac FEL.
Abstract Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) may be used for therapeutic applications. Culture conditions such as the serum source may impact on cell quality and the onset of replicative senescence. We have examined the effect of culturing hMSCs in autologous serum (AS) versus fetal bovine serum (FBS) on factors involved in in vitro replicative senescence. hMSCs from four donors were cultured in 10% FBS or 10% AS until they reached senescence. Cells were harvested at early passage and near senescence to study factors known to be involved in cellular senescence. The number of population doublings till senescence was similar for cells cultured in FBS, but varied greatly for hMSCs cultured in AS. FBS cells accumulated in S phase of cell cycle. This could not be explained by increased express...
Adipose tissue plays an essential role in energy homeostasis as a metabolic and endocrine organ. Accordingly, adipocytes are emerging as a major drug target for obesity and obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Dysfunction of enlarged adipocytes in obesity is involved in obesity-mediated metabolic syndrome. Adipocytokines, such as adiponectin released from small adipocytes, are able to prevent these disorders. In this study, we found that honokiol, an ingredient of Magnolia officinalis used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines, enhanced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Oil Red O staining showed that treatment with honokiol in the presence of insulin dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipoyctes although its activity was weak compared with r...
Nano-sized silica is a promising material for disease diagnosis, cosmetics and drugs. For the successful application of nano-sized material in bioscience, evaluation of nano-sized material toxicity is important. We previously found that nano-sized silica particles with a diameter of 70nm showed acute liver failure in mice. Here, we performed histological analysis of major organs such as the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain and heart in mice, chronically injected with 70-nm silica particles for 4weeks. Histological analysis revealed hepatic microgranulation and splenic megakaryocyte accumulation in these 70-nm silica particles treated mice, while the kidney, lung, brain and heart remained unaffected. Thus, liver and spleen appear to be the major target organs for toxicity by the chronic a...
Increasing evidence has been accumulated indicating the important role of epigenetic regulation in tumor genesis. Previously, we observed that the transfection of hepatitis C virus core (HCVc) protein led to malignant transformation in normal biliary cells, and that tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A was downregulated in many hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients by hypermethylation in the promoter region. In the present study, we found SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3), a novel histone methyltransferase, was overexpressed in cholangiocarcinoma patients especially in those with HCV infection. Transfection of HCVc into hilar cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and FRH0201 could upregulate the expression of SMYD3 and promote cell growth, which was consistent with the results of our cl...
Glycyrrhizin is a triterpene glycoside, a major active constituent of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root and numerous pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-tumour and hepatoprotective activities has been attributed to it. In this study we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of glycyrrhizin in mice model of acute inflammation, carrageenan-induced pleurisy. We report here that glycyrrhizin (given at 10mg/kg i.p. 5min prior to carrageenan) exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects in this model. Injection of carrageenan into the pleural cavity of mice elicited an acute inflammatory response characterized by fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity which contained a large number of neutrophils (PMNs) as well as an infiltration of PMNs in lung tissues and subsequ...
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.
As a result of nuclear power plant accidents, large areas receive radioactive inputs of Cs-137. This cesium accumulates in herbs growing in such territories. The problem is whether the herbs contaminated by radiocesium may be used as a raw material for medicine. The answer depends on the amount of Cs-137 transfered from the contaminated raw material to the medicine. We have presented new results of the transfer of Cs-137 from contaminated Digitalis grandiflora Mill. and Convallaria majalis L. to medicine. We found that the extraction of Cs-137 depends strongly on the hydrophilicity of the solvent. For example 96.5%(vol.) ethyl alcohol extracts less Cs-137 (11.6%) than 40%(vol.) ethyl alcohol or pure water (66.2%). The solubility of the cardiac glycosides is inverse to the solubility of cesium, which may be of use in the technological processes for manufacturing ecologically pure herbal medicine.
Accumulation of Chloride and Cupric ions under the sludge on the steam generator tubing surface in the area between tube sheet and the first tube support is known to be the main reason for the pitting corrosion. In addition to those ions, oxygen, pH, temperature, heat treatment history, contests of minor elements such as C, S or Ti in the alloy are also influencing the material's the pitting corrosion resistance. a series of autoclave pitting test was conducted to evaluate the pitting corrosion characteristics of the domestically produced alloy 690 tubing material and compare with that of INCO manufactured material. 16 refs., 44 figs., 5 tabs. (Author)
The trend toward smaller dimensions in integrated circuit technology presents severe physical and engineering challenges for ion implantation. These challenges, together with the need for physically-based models at exceedingly small dimensions, are leading to a new level of understanding of fundamental defect science in silicon. Recently the DOE Council on Materials requested that our panel examine the current status and future research opportunities in the area of ion beams in semiconductor processing. Particularly interesting are the emerging approaches to defect and dopant distribution modeling, transient enhanced diffusion, high energy implantation and defect accumulation, and metal impurity gettering. These topics were explored both from the perspective of emerging science issues and technology challenges.
Abstract The aim of this study is to study the effects of Boron (B) pollution in Buyuk Menderes river on planted crops and agricultural areas constructed in the irrigation schemes by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) of the Lower Buyuk Menderes basin, Turkey. The studied irrigation schemes in the basin are Saraykoy, Pamukkale, Nazilli, Aydin, Sultanhisar, Koarli, and Soke. Mean B concentrations of river water used in the irrigation schemes ranged from 0.10 to 0.43 mgB L-1 for the period of 2008 to 2009. A total of 100,556 ha of the agricultural area and the basin groundwater resources are under the influence of B pollution from the Buyuk Menderes river. The amount of B accumulating in soils and seepage in the groundwater due to the used irrigation water was 18,495,350 and 9153 kgB yr-1, resp...
By method of transmission electron microscopy and measuring of microhardness the peculiarities of influence of radiation defect clusters on molybdenum radiation hardening along range path of protons with 30 MeV initial energy are studied. Decrease effect of hardening growth value and even its absence depending on irradiation dose in the range of 10-20 MeV proton energies in presence of high density of radiation defect dispersed clusters is revealed. It is shown experimentally that this effect is connected with accumulation of hydrogen up to not very high concentrations (not more than 5x10"-"4 at.%) at the expense of elastic and inelastic proton scattering. 5 refs.; 5 figs.
Acidification is one of the most common and serious problems inducing process failure in anaerobic digesters. The production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) mainly triggers acidic shock. However, little is known about the bacteria involved in the processes of acidogenic metabolism, such as fermentation and reductive acetogenesis. Here, the metabolic responses of a methanogenic community to the acidification and resulting process deterioration were investigated using transcriptional profiling of both the 16S rRNA and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) genes. The 16S rRNA-based analyses demonstrated that the dynamic shift of bacterial populations was closely correlated with reactor performance, especially with VFA accumulation levels. The pH drop accompanied by an increase in VFAs stim...
A mathematical model has been constructed to describe the creation and filling of thermoluminescence traps during irradiation. Processes considered include trap filling, recombinations both between free charges and between free and trapped charges and thermal de-trapping. Also a simple trap creation term, linear with dose, has been included. A computer program has been written in order to solve the system of differential equations describing the various charge carrier flows during irradiation. The model and the program are described and the results of the application of the model to some simple energy-level schemes are discussed. Thermal de-trapping and band-to-band recombinations can introduce a dose rate dependence into the accumulation of trapped charge, whilst trap creation leads to the supralinear growth of charge trapped at certain defects with increasing dose.
This comprehensive final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) examines ways to optimise energy flows in mains networks that include distributed generation facilities. Increasing use of decentralised generation, its effects on the operation of low-voltage mains and the efficient use of the 400 V mains is discussed. The principles of operation and construction of controlled storage installations are discussed and concrete examples of their use in both grid-connected and island operation are quoted. Alternatives to storage are looked at from both the technical and economic points of view. The storage technologies used such as flywheels, supercaps, redox-flow batteries and lead-acid accumulators are briefly assessed and the results of simulations are discussed.
High purity W and W-0.9La2O3 (wt.%) nanopowders were produced by a wet chemical route. The precursor was prepared by the reaction of ammonium paratungstate (APT) with lanthanum salt in aqueous solutions. High resolution electron microscopy investigations revealed that the tungstate particles were coated with oxide precipitates. The precursor powder was reduced to tungsten metal with dispersed lanthanum oxide. Powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1300 and 1400degreeC to suppress grain growth during sintering. The final grain size relates to the SPS conditions, i.e. temperature and heating rate, regardless of the starting powder particle size. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that oxide phases were mainly accumulated at grain boundaries while the tungsten matrix ...
Abstract This study reports the effects of varying concentrations of copper sulfate on the metabolic and gene transcriptional profile of a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line producing an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-fusion protein (B0). Addition of 50 M copper sulfate significantly decreased lactate accumulation in the cultures while increasing viable cell density and protein titer. These changes could be seen from day 6 and became increasingly evident with culture duration. Reducing the copper sulfate concentration to 5 M retained all the above beneficial effects, but with the added benefit of reduced levels of the aggregated form of the B0 protein. To profile the cellular changes due to copper sulfate addition at the transcriptional level, Affymetrix CHO microarrays were used to...
Inherent boron dilution can occur in case of a small Break LOCA when low borated water is accumulated in the U-legs due to reflux boiling in the Steam Generator tubes after the loss of natural circulation. The restart of the natural circulation may lead to criticality because of the injection of these low borated slugs towards the core. To evaluate this potential risk, the boron concentration at the core inlet has to be known which makes necessary to estimate the mixing phenomena in the cold leg, in the downcomer and in the lower plenum: CFD calculations are required. First of all the validation of CFX5 CFD code on the relevant phenomena of inherent boron dilution has been established (UPTF TRAM C3 test). Then, an application to the 900 MW French Pressurized Water Reactor series has been performed. (authors)
The kinetics of biosorption and desorption of lindane by live activated sludge and the fungus R. arrhizus was studies. The results from the use of live activated sludge suggest that besides biosorption, other lindane removal mechanisms acted in parallel. Most probably, biodegradation. A relationship between biodegradation and bisorption-desorption was established. Mass spectroscopy and gas chromatography studies suggested the presence of lindane biodegradation by products. Lindane accumulated by the live activated sludge could be desorbed while being biodegraded at the same time. Values for lindane biokinetic constants were estimated. Biosorption of lindane by live R. arrhizus is a rapid and reversible process with no indication of biodegradation. Values for the lindane biotransformation kinetic coefficients were estimated. (orig.).
Increasing quantities of chicken waste concerns the poultry industry because of escalating disposal costs and the potential for environmental pollution. Biological conversion of these wastes to valuable products such as methane and/or chemical feed-stocks appears to be feasible. Biomethanation of chicken waste by a sewage sludge microbial consortium produced as much as 69 mol% methane in the gas phase. Acetic and propionic acids were the major acids produced during the bioconversion. Addition of chelating agents and other micro-nutrients enhanced methane production and shifted the ratios of intermediates accumulated. Preliminary data indicate that more than 60% of the chicken waste carbon was converted and that the nitrogen-rich residue may have potential as a soil additive. (author).
Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment is a safe and reliable method for evaluating skeletal status. Until now, considerable data have been accumulated on the distribution of QUS in Caucasian populations, whereas such data are still insufficient in Asian populations, especially in Chinese mainland. The present study aimed to obtain the distribution characteristic of calcaneus QUS in healthy Chinese women, and to further investigate the distribution of low bone mass by QUS stiffness index (SI). This study included 2,498 healthy Chinese females aged 10-87 yr. The QUS exhibited a characteristic mild rise and then fall pattern with increasing age. Age, body height, and weight were significant influencing factors on SI, especially age and weight. The prevalence of osteoporosis detec...
Since artificial organs are intended to replicate chemical processes, knowledge of chemical engineering is essential in their design so that they will function with the maximum efficiency. The most commonly used artificial organ is the artificial kidney, a machine that performs a treatment known as hemodialysis. This process cleanses the bodies of renal failure patients by dialysis and filtration which are simple physiochemical processes. Hemodialysis membranes act to remove accumulated uremia toxins, excess ions and water from the patient via the dialysate, and to supply from the dialysate those ions that are insufficient. This paper describes dialysis membranes and dialyzers for blood purification, the solute transport mechanism of the membrane, and a technical evaluation of the dialysis membrane. Lastly, the next generation of artificial kidney is reviewed. 71 refs., 12 figs., 7 tabs.
The Jeanne d`Arc Basin is located 320 km offshore in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. It is a Mesozoic failed-rift basin with recoverable oil reserves of about 2 billion barrels. Its huge Hibernia Field will be in production by late 1997. The basin has been reappraised using sequence stratigraphic concepts, and renewed exploration in the area is expected. The Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous sedimentary accumulation in the Basin was formed by the extensional tectonics that created the North Atlantic Ocean. The sedimentary packages were placed in chronostratigraphic order by calibrating the biostratigraphy of the Oxfordian to Maastrichtian section to the detailed ammonite zonation from the North Sea.
The alloy type 'alloy 800' with its different variants is used for numerous components in high-temperature reactor (HTR) plants, e.g. for hot-gas conductors, the high-pressure part of steam generators, superheaters, steam collecting vessels and live steam conductors. This study deals with the evaluation of creep rupture tests on 28 welded joints of alloy 800 with an accumulated test duration of 410 years, with the objective to obtain quantitative information on a possible loss of strength in comparison with the unwelded material. The longest test period of an individual test amounted to 98,000 h and the analyzed test temperature range lay between 550"0 and 1000"0C. (orig./MM).
Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is widely distributed in the acid soil region of Southern China, where great potential of aluminum (Al) toxicity exists. To evaluate the Al tolerance of Moso bamboo, seed germination and root elongation were compared with two rice cultivars, and physical and physiological damages were examined under various levels of Al stress. Results showed that Moso bamboo seed germination was inhibited when Al concentration increased to 500 ?M, and the median lethal concentration was 2,000??M. Comparatively, the rice seed germination was not inhibited even at a concentration of 2,000??M Al. Aluminum accumulated mainly in the cell wall of root apices, and entered into protoplasts as treating time prolonged and/or Al concentration increased, which resulted in apoptos...
Invading melanoma spreads to local and unpredictable distant location at the early stages of its development. It is justifiable, therefore, to classify the disease as a systemic disorder. This requires a systemic treatment that reaches all melanoma cells irrespective of whether they are singly dispersed and in circulation or already forming solid tumours of various sizes. Targeted radiotherapy affects directly and selectively cancer cells provided an appropriate radionuclide and its carrier are chosen. Melanoma is a pigmented tumour. Methylene blue (MTB)) accumulates selectively in melanoma cells due to its exceptionally high affinity to melanin. MTB serves, therefore, as a carrier for radionuclides. "2"1"1At-MTB has proved to be particularly effective in treating disseminated melanoma when administered systemically and, at the same time, non-toxic to normal non-pigmented and pigmented organs. (authors)
Oils in Jinghu sag are abundant with high content of polar compounds and have a low ratio of saturate to aro-matic hydrocarbons and a high ratio of resin to asphaltene. The gross composition of oils in the Jinghu sag suggests typical immature to low mature characteristics. Some compounds with low thermal stability were identified. Light hy-drocarbons, a carbon preference index, an odd even index, n-alkane and hopane maturity parameters show mature fea-tures and little differences in the maturity level among oils. Sterane isomerization parameters indicate an immature to low mature status of oil. Transfer of the sedimentary center during sedimentation has led to different thermal histories among subsags and thus generated oils with different maturities. On the basis of source analyses, four ...
Plants release secondary metabolites into the soil that change the chemical environment around them. Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) is an important allelochemical whose role in successional trajectories has not been examined. We hypothesized that ABA can accumulate in the soil through successional processes and have an influence on forest dynamics. To this end, we investigated the distribution of ABA in forest communities from early to late successional stages and the response of dominant species to the gradient of ABA concentrations in three types of forests from northern to southern China. Concentrations of ABA in the soils of three forest types increased from early to late successional stages. Pioneer species? litters had the lowest ABA content, and their seed germination and seedling ea...
This paper provides a physically-based engineering model to estimate radiation hardening of 9%Cr-steels under both displacement damage (dpa) and helium. The model is essentially based on the dispersed barrier hardening theory and the dynamic re-solution of helium under displacement cascades but incorporating a number of assumptions and simplifications [Trinkaus, J. Nucl. Mater. 318 (2003) 234-340]. As a result, the kinetics of the damage accumulation kept fixed, its amplitude is fitted on one experimental condition. The model was rationalized on an experimental database that mainly consists of 9%Cr-steels irradiated in the range of 50-600degreeC up to 50dpa and with a He-content up to 5000appm. The test temperature effect is taken into account through a normalization procedure based on the...
The optimum conditions of complex formation of rhenium(IV) with acetylacetone in water-ethanol medium were found, and a spectrophotometric method for determining rhenium with limit of detection 0.1 ..mu..g/ml was proposed. Rhenium can be determined in the presence of a 1000-fold excess of molybdenum. The procedure was tested on model solutions and used for the determination of rhenium in alloys.
Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis was used for the determination of Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn and Ph in industrial wastewaters (from surface treatment of metals and glasses) after precipitation of determined elements by 8-hydroxyquinoline. (author).
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average "2"4"2Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average "2"4"2Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average /sup 242/Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average /sup 242/Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
An ignition timing control apparatus is described for an internal combustion engine having a reference ignition timing comprising: sensing means for sensing vibrations including knocks of the engine; knock signal deriving means for deriving knock signals from the output of the sensing means; correction magnitude determining means for determining from the knock signals derived by the knock signal deriving means of ignition timing correction magnitude for suppressing the occurrence of knock; displacement magnitude determining means for determining from at least one of an output of the knock signal deriving means and an output of the correction magnitude determining means as a displacement magnitude for the reference ignition timing corresponding to the octane rating of a fuel used in the engine; and ignition timing determining means for setting the reference ...
Austenitic 316LN alloy was ion-irradiated using the unique Triple Ion Beam Facility (TIF) at ORNL to investigate radiation damage effects relevant to spallation neutron sources. The TIF was used to simulate significant features of GeV proton irradiation effects in spallation neutron source target materials by producing displacement damage while simultaneously injecting helium and hydrogen at appropriately high gas/dpa ratios. Irradiations were carried out at 80, 200, and 350 C using 3.5 MeV Fe{sup ++}, 360 keV He{sup +}, and 180 keV H{sup +} to accumulate 50 dpa by Fe, 10,000 appm of He, and 50,000 appm of H. Irradiations were also carried out at 200 C in single and dual ion beam modes. The specific ion energies were chosen to maximize the damage and the gas accumulation at a depth of {approximately} 1 {micro}m. Variations in microstructure and hardness of irradiated specimens were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a ...
/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 related to the erythropoiesis taking place in ...
"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 erythropoiesis taking place in the liver in ...
As a candidate of the new concept safety system for the next generation PWR in Japan, the hybrid safety systems, which are combination of the active and the passive safety systems, and passive core cooling system by natural circulation in the reactor coolant loop with horizontal-type steam generators during Loss of Coolant Accidents (LOCAs) are investigated. The passive safety systems are advanced accumulators (ACC), primary-side and secondary-side automatic-depressurization systems (ADS, SADS), and a gravity-driven safety injection system (GDI). The horizontal steam generator design avoids a siphon break caused from the accumulation of non-condensable gases in the tubes by using a vent line in the channel head of the steam generators. This study investigates the passive core cooling characteristics of horizontal-type steam generators under LOCAs. The integrated thermal-hydraulic test has been performed at the Simulation Loop for the Innovative ...
Antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency is the main cause of pyridoxine dependent epilepsy characterized by early onset epileptic encephalopathy responsive to large dosages of pyridoxine. Despite seizure control most patients have intellectual disability. Folinic acid responsive seizures (FARS) are genetically identical to ATQ deficiency. ATQ functions as an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH7A1) in the lysine degradation pathway. Its deficiency results in accumulation of ?-aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA), piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C) and pipecolic acid, which serve as diagnostic markers in urine, plasma, and CSF. To interrupt seizures a dose of 100mg of pyridoxine-HCl is given intravenously, or orally/enterally with 30mg/kg/day. First administration may result in respiratory arrest in responders, and thus treatment should be performed with support of respiratory management. To make sure that late and masked response is not missed, treatment with oral/enteral pyridoxine should be ...
The grey-black mudstones of the Sonehat Formation form part of the Middle Jurassic fill of the Jameson Land Basin in East Greenland. The formation is exposed in the southernmost part of the north south-trending, Mesozoic rift system in East Greenland that was part of the epeiric seaway betaveen East Greenland and Norway. Sedimentological observations of the Sortehat Formation indicate deposition in an offshore marine setting that was typically low energy and periodically oxygen-deficient but was influenced by storm currents on occasion. Detailed palynological studies of the Sortehat Formation have resulted in the definition of theee palynological assemblage zones recognised at four localities, namely Enhjoerningen Dal and Pelion (north Jameson Land), the type section at Sortehat (central Jameson Land) and Albuen at Neill Klinter along Hurry Inlet (south-east Jameson Land). In stratigraphic order, these zones are termed the Botryococcus Assemblage Zone, the Naennoceratopsis gracilis- ...
Insulitis is considered the histopathological hallmark of type I diabetes. In the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse, diabetes has never been observed in the absence of insulitis. The in vivo detection of insulitis could be of relevance for early prediction of diabetes. As approximately 15% of islet-infiltrating lymphocytes express interleukin 2 receptors, the authors have labelled recombinant inter-leukin 2 with "1"2"3I and used this radiopharmaceutical to detect insulitis by gamma camera imaging. The authors studied 71 prediabetic NOD and 27 normal Balb/c mice. Labelled #alpha#-lactalbumin was used as the control protein. In the first set of experiments the tissue distribution of radiolabelled interleukin 2 in isolated organs from animals sacrificed at different time points was studied. Higher radioactivity was detected in the pancreas of NOD mice injected with labelled interleukin 2, as compared to NOD mice receiving labelled #alpha#-lactalbumin. In another set of experiments, gamma ...
We performed both a laboratory and field intercomparison of two novel glass-based retrospective radon detectors previously used in major radon case-control studies performed in Missouri and Iowa. The new detectors estimate retrospective residential radon exposure from the accumulation of a long-lived radon decay product, Pb-210, in glass. The detectors use track registration material in direct contact with glass surfaces to measure the alpha emission of a Pb-210 decay product, Po-210. The detector's track density generation rate (tracks cm{sup -2} hr{sup -1}) is proportional to the surface alpha activity. In the absence of other strong sources of alpha emission in the glass, the implanted surface alpha activity should be proportional to the accumulated Po-210 and hence, the cumulative radon gas exposure. The goals of the intercomparison were to: (1) perform collocated measurements using two different glass-based retrospective radon ...
One rationale proposals to increase the efficiency of PDT is to combine photo-sensitization with other treatment modalities, including modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. In combine treatment we examined the effects of 48 h and 24 h pre-treatment of cells with 5- lipoxygenase inhibitor MK-886 prior to photoactivation of hypericin on cell cycle distribution and DNA synthesis. All parameters were examined 24 hours after hypericin activation. Pre-treatment of HT-29 with 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK-886 followed by PDT resulted in most significant effects on cell cycle perturbations. Administration of MK-886 alone as well as combination of low doses MK-886 with hypericin induced S phase accumulation. Increasing of MK-886 concentration induced massive changes in the cell cycle progression. Pre-treatment of HT-29 cells with MK-886 alone (15 #mu#M; - 48 h) caused accumulation of cells in S-phase (58 % in S-phase and 36 % in G_0/G_1 phase). ...
The Cretaceous rudist-bearing carbonates of the Arabian Gulf region are proven exploration targets for hydrocarbons and form the reservoirs of a number of giant fields, including Bu Hasa, Fateh, Fahud, Idd El Shargi, Rumaila, Shaybah, and Shah. Rudist buildups occur in three principal formations: (1) Aptian Shuaiba, (2) Cenomanian Mishrif, and (3) Maastrichtian Simsima. A regional subaerial unconformity marks the upper boundary of each of these formations. Associated with the rudists that dominate the Shuaiba Formation are calcareous algal crusts, foraminifera, and echinoid plates, which accumulated in mudstone, packstone, and carbonate sands. The Mishrif Formation contains mollusk fragments, bioclasitc packstones to grainstones, miliolid and nonrudist bivalves in muddy limestones, and rudist (mainly radiolitids and caprinids) conglomeratic floatstones, with fragmented rudists mixed with wackestone lithoclasts. The Mishrif sediments accumulated ...
In this study the distribution of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate and tetracycline and histological examination were also investigated in femoral heads obtained during replacement surgery. One hundred patients received scintigraphic examinations immediately after the occurrence of injury and every month thereafter. Ten mCi of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate was injected intravenously. Three hours later, detailed scintigrams of the bilateral hip areas were made with a scintillation camera connected to a computer. The uptake of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate in the fracture was expressed as a ratio of the counts recorded in one area to those recorded in the other area. A peak value in count ratio was recorded in all patients 4 to 6 weeks after fractures. One hundred patients were classified into a normal healing group and a delayed or non-union group. Namely, sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate uptake was significantly higher in the delayed or non-union group than in the normal healing group 10 weeks after injury. ...
In this study the distribution of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate and tetracycline and histological examination were also investigated in femoral heads obtained during replacement surgery. One hundred patients received scintigraphic examinations immediately after the occurrence of injury and every month thereafter. Ten mCi of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate was injected intravenously. Three hours later, detailed scintigrams of the bilateral hips areas were made with a scintillation camera connected to a computer. The uptake of sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate in the fracture was expressed as a ratio of the counts recorded in one area to those recorded in the other area. A peak value in count ratio was recorded in all patients 4 to 6 weeks after fractures. One hundred patients were classified into a normal healing group and a delayed or non-union group. Namely, sup(99m)Tc-diphosphonate uptake was significantly higher in the delayed or non-union group than in the normal healing group 10 weeks after injury. ...
The transfer of 203Pb and/or 47Ca across the intestinal epithelium of the chick was investigated, with emphasis given to the functional role of cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3). 203Pb, after introduction in the intestinal lumen, is rapidly accumulated by the intestinal tissue, and only a fraction of 203Pb is translocated parenterally (absorbed). Cholecalciferol did not significantly affect the accumulation of 203Pb by intestinal tissue but did accelerate 203Pb movement across the basal-lateral membrane. In contrast, cholecalciferol both decreased 47Ca tissue levels and increased 47Ca absorption. In rachitic chicks, the rate of absorption of 203Pb was greater in the distal than in the proximal segments of the intestine; after cholecalciferol repletion, the degree of absorption in al segments was similar, indicting the order of cholecalciferol effectiveness as duodenum greater than or equal to jejunum greater than ileum. An acute dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 ...
The transfer of /sup 203/Pb and/or /sup 47/Ca across the intestinal epithelium of the chick was investigated, with emphasis given to the functional role of cholecalciferol (vitamin D-3). /sup 203/Pb, after introduction in the intestinal lumen, is rapidly accumulated by the intestinal tissue, and only a fraction of /sup 203/ Pb is translocated parenterally (absorbed). Cholecalciferol did not significantly affect the accumulation of /sup 203/Pb by intestinal tissue but did accelerate /sup 203/Pb movement across the basal-lateral membrane. In contrast, cholecalciferol both decreased /sup 47/Ca tissue levels and increased /sup 47/Ca absorption. In rachitic chicks, the rate of absorption of /sup 203/Pb was greater in the distal than in the proximal segments of the intestine; after cholecalciferol repletion, the degree of absorption in all segments was similar, indicating the order of cholecalciferol effectiveness as duodenum greater than or equal to ...
The Upper Jurassic Hith Anhydrite is a major hydrocarbon seal in the Arabian Gulf region. Outcrops, core samples from the subsurface, and the literature indicate that the Hith Formation is composed mainly of anhydrite. In most locations where a section of the Hith Formation has been measured, this unit contains less than 20% carbonate much of which is in the form of thin laminations. This lack of carbonate, locally thick layers of salt, and the predominance of anhydrite favor a playa for the setting in which this sediment was accumulated. In fact, much of the Hith has the sedimentary characteristics of the Holocene Lake MacLeod playa of Western Australia, which is dominated by layers of gypsum and halite (what little carbonate that occurs is found in layers at the base of the section). Locally the Hith appears to have accumulated in a sabkha setting, particularly toward central Abu Dhabi where it pinches out into shallow-water, and peritidal ...