In X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) the urine of male patients is not concentrated after the administration of the antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin. This disease is due to mutations...Full Text Available
A computer program, RISK-XLR, which calculates genetic risk for carrier status of a Mendelian X-linked recessive condition has been written for the Macintosh series of microcomputers. The program,...Full Text Available
BackgroundSubjects with a ring scotoma can use two retinal loci, a foveal and a peripheral, for reading. Our aim was to investigate the relative use of both retinal loci as a function...Full Text Available
We have exploited ``progeny testing'' to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the genetic variation of milk production in a selected dairy cattle population. A total of 1,518 sires, with progeny...Full Text Available
An (Awassi × Merino) × Merino backcross family of 172 ewes was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for different milk production traits on a framework map of 200 loci across all...Full Text Available
Although recent data established that a specific very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is defective in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the ALD gene is still unidentified. The ALD locus has...Full Text Available
The IFAP syndrome is a rare X-linked genetic disorder reported in nearly 40 patients. It is characterized by the triad of Ichthyosis Follicularis, Alopecia, and Photophobia from birth. Other features...Full Text Available
Typing Workshop": [Introductions] [Intro, DNA Basics, and Historical Perspective] [DNA Extraction] [Validation and QA/QC] [DNA Quantitation] [PCR Amplification] [STR Loci and Kits]...
As a consequence of the close integration of cattle into the food chain of humans, forensically relevant cases involving cattle (Bos taurus) DNA analysis are common. However, scientific publications reporting the information content of the commonly used bovine short tandem repeat (STR) loci remains scarce. Population studies were performed for 16 polymorphic STR loci (BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, CSRM60, CSSM66, ETH3, ETH10, ETH225, HAUT27, ILSTS006, INRA023, SPS115, TGLA53, TGLA122, TGLA126, and TGLA227) including 4,162 randomly selected cattle representing 20 distinct breeds. The power of parental exclusion, expected and observed heterozygosity, probability of identity, and non-amplifying (?null?) allele frequencies were calculated. Major differences existed in the information content between...
Background/AimsFabry disease is an X-linked recessive and progressive disease caused by α-galactosidase A (α-GaL A) deficiency. We sought to assess the prevalence...Full Text Available
X-linked sideroblastic anemia with ataxia (XLSA/A) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by mild anemia and ataxia. XLSA/A is caused by mutations in the ABCB7 gene, which encodes...Full Text Available
BackgroundATRX is a tightly-regulated multifunctional protein with crucial roles in mammalian development. Mutations in the ATRX gene cause ATR-X syndrome, an X-linked...Full Text Available
BackgroundA common approach to understanding the genetic basis of complex traits is through identification of associated quantitative trait loci (QTL). Fine mapping QTLs requires...Full Text Available
Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are chromosomal clusters of pathogen-specific virulence genes often found at tRNA loci. In the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis 32777 chromosome, we characterized...Full Text Available
Human chromosomal fragile sites are specific loci that are especially susceptible to DNA breakage following conditions of partial replication stress. They often are found in genes involved in tumorigenesis...Full Text Available
Zaprionus indianus was first recorded in Brazil in 1999 and rapidly spread throughout the country. We have obtained data on esterase loci polymorphisms (Est2 and Est3), and analyzed...Full Text Available
Dissecting the genes involved in complex traits can be confounded by multiple factors, including extensive epistatic interactions among genes, the involvement of epigenetic regulators, and the variable...Full Text Available
The Salmonella PmrA-PmrB system controls the expression of genes necessary for polymyxin B resistance. Four loci were previously identified as part of the regulon, and interaction of...Full Text Available
All molybdenum enzymes except nitrogenase contain a common molybdenum cofactor, whose organic moiety is a novel pterin called molybdopterin (MPT). To assist in elucidating the biosynthetic pathway of...Full Text Available
The hyaluronic acid capsule of Streptococcus uberis has been implicated in conferring resistance to phagocytosis by bovine neutrophils. Construction of a bank of random insertion mutants...Full Text Available
Despite the recent success of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in identifying loci consistently associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), a large proportion of the genetic components of...Full Text Available
Deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) are a biological marker for schizophrenia. To unravel the mechanisms that control PPI, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on 1,010 F2 mice derived...Full Text Available
Forty-one Spanish families with polycystic kidney disease 1 (PKD1) were studied for evidence of linkage disequilibrium between the disease locus and six closely linked markers. Four of these loci--three...Full Text Available
The ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions encountered in food and during host infection is a sine qua non for a successful Listeria monocytogenes infection. This ability...Full Text Available
Oculo-skeletal dysplasia segregates in two canine breeds, the Labrador retriever and samoyed, in which the causative loci have been termed drd1 and drd2, respectively....Full Text Available
Recent studies have indicated that the DNA replication machinery is coupled to silencing of mating-type loci in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a similar silencing mechanism...Full Text Available
A semiquantitative assay was developed and used to measure the effects of immune responses against 16 independent non-H-2 antigenic loci on erythropoietic stem cells. The assay compares repopulation in genetically anemic WBB6F1-W/Wv recipients that have normal immune responses, and in lethally irradiated WBB6F1 +/+ mice whose immune responses are suppressed by the irradiation. The differences in repopulating ability between these two types of recipients measure how immune responses affect erythropoietic stem cells. Stem cell repopulating abilities for the cells with antigens specified by the Thy-1, H-1, H-24, Ly-1, H-37, and H-17 loci were affected slightly, if at all. Repopulating abilities were moderately reduced by responses against antigens specified by H-15, 16, Ea-2, and Ly-2, 3 loci, and against the differences between the B6 and B10 genotypes, although marrow of these types cured W/Wv recipients. A surprising result ...
In experiments designed to detect new mutations affecting hemoglobin, we irradiated the male or female parent in reciprocal crosses of two mouse strains that differ in alleles at the hemoglobin (Hba, Hbb) loci as well as at five other specific loci. Offspring were analyzed for hemoglobin properties (electrophoretic pattern, solubility, crystal pattern), serum albumin differences, erythrocyte lysis, reticulocyte count, and external appearance. Five hemoglobin variants were found among the mutants. In three, the genetic contribution from the irradiated father was not expressed with regard to the #alpha#-chain; one carried a tandem duplication (the first known case in the mouse) involving Hbb; and one probably resulted from double nondisjunction of chromosome 7. The finding that major chromosome aberratios can mimic hemoglobin mutations indicates the need, in similar experiments, to follow F_1 screening with thorough cytogenetic analysis. The ...
We have exploited {open_quotes}progeny testing{close_quotes} to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the genetic variation of milk production in a selected dairy cattle population. A total of 1,518 sires, with progeny tests based on the milking performances of >150,000 daughters jointly, was genotyped for 159 autosomal microsatellites bracketing 1645 centimorgan or approximately two thirds of the bovine genome. Using a maximum likelihood multilocus linkage analysis accounting for variance heterogeneity of the phenotypes, we identified five chromosomes giving very strong evidence (LOD score {ge} 3) for the presence of a QTL controlling milk production: chromosomes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 20. These findings demonstrate that loci with considerable effects on milk production are still segregating in highly selected populations and pave the way toward marker-assisted selection in dairy cattle breeding. 44 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.
The expression of motor activity levels in response to novel situations is under complex genetic and environmental control. Several genetic loci have been implicated in the regulation of this behavioral phenotype, but their relationship to epigenetic and epistatic interactions is relatively unknown. Here, we report on a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse chromosome 1 for novelty-induced motor activity in the open field, using chromosome substitution strains derived from a high active host strain (C57BL/6J) and a low active donor strain (A/J). The QTL for open field (horizontal distance moved) peaked at the location of Kcnj9, however, QTL detection was initially masked by an interplay of both grandparent genetic origin and genetic co-factors influencing behavior on chromosome 1. Our fi...
Analysis of the pattern of the chromosomal localization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is necessary for comprehensively understanding their functions. The chromosomal localization of QTLs controlling milk production traits has been studied in cattle chromosomes. The distribution of QTLs between chromosomes has proved to be binomial. Their distribution along each chromosome was, in general, uniform, except for the QTLs controlling the somatic cell score (SCS), which tended towards telomeric location. However, there are chromosomes either enriched with or particularly poor in QTLs. The QTL distribution patters are the most similar for the milk yield (M) and milk protein yield (P) and for milk fat yield (F) and milk fat content (%F). The pattern of the SCS QTLs stands out among those of ot...
Grain yield is a major goal for the improvement of durum wheat, particularly in drought-prone areas. In this study, the genetic basis of grain yield (GY), heading date (HD), and plant height (PH) was...Full Text Available
Recent GWAS studies focused on uncovering novel genetic loci related to AD have revealed associations with variants near CLU, CR1, PICALM and BIN1....Full Text Available
Utilizing the CEPH reference panel and genotypic data for 53 markers, we have constructed a 20-locus multipoint genetic map of human chromosome 4. New RFLPs are reported for four loci. The map integrates...Full Text Available
Transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at several genetic loci, including the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Silencing at telomeres (telomere position effect [TPE])...Full Text Available
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The capacity to maintain internal ion homeostasis amidst changing conditions is particularly important for teleost fishes whose reproductive cycle is dependent upon movement from freshwater to seawater. Although the physiology of seawater osmoregulation in mitochondria-rich cells of fish gill epithelium is well understood, less is known about the underlying causes of inter- and intraspecific variation in salinity tolerance. We used a genome-scan approach in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) correlated with variation in four salinity tolerance performance traits and six body size traits. Comparative genomics approaches allowed us to infer whether allelic variation at candidate gene loci (e.g., ATP1alpha1b, NKCC1, CFTR, and cldn10e) could have underlain observed variation. RESULTS: Combined parental analyses yielded genome-wide significant QTL on linkage groups 8, 14 and 20 for salinity ...
The 50th anniversary of Mary Lyon?s 1961 Nature paper, proposing random inactivation in early embryonic life of one of the two X chromosomes in the cells of mammalian females, provides an opportunity to remember and celebrate the work of those involved. While the hypothesis was initially put forward by Lyon based on findings in the mouse, it was founded on earlier studies, notably the work of Susumu Ohno; it was also suggested independently by Beutler and colleagues using experimental evidence from a human X-linked disorder, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and has proved to be of as great importance for human and medical genetics as it has for general mammalian genetics. Alongside the hypothesis itself, previous cytological studies of mouse and human chromosomes, and the obse...
Yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries have been difficult to construct with average insert sizes >400 kilobase pairs when DNA is size-fractionated in low-melting-point agarose. By using yeast chromosomes in mock cloning experiments, the authors found that polyamines should be present whenever agarose containing high molecular weight DNA is melted to protect DNA from degradation. By incorporating polyamines during the cloning procedure, they constructed YAC libraries from mouse and human DNA with average insert sizes of 700 and 620 kilobase pairs, respectively. Several genome equivalents of these YAC libraries were replicated onto the surface of many duplicate agar plates using a 40,000 multipin transfer device. High-density filter replicas were screened by hybridization, and 70 mouse YAC clones from 31 loci and 132 human YAC clones from 49 loci were isolated.
Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth traits, water use efficiency and tolerance/resistance against metals and herbivores have been identified. A hybrid F2 population originating from a cross between a Salix dasyclados-clone (SW901290) and a S. viminalis-clone ('Jorunn') was used for the different studies in this project. The growth response was analyzed in a greenhouse experiment with two water treatments, normal and drought. In addition, three field experiments with contrasting soils and climates were established. QTL specific for each treatment or field environment but also QTL stable over the treatments or field environments were detected. Each QTL explained from 8 to 29 % of the phenotypic variation depending on trait, treatment or field environment. Clusters of QTL for different traits were mapped indicating a common genetic base or tightly-linked QTL. Stable QTL identified for dryweight can be useful tools for early selection in Salix. ...
Genetic analysis of resistance of plant introduction (PI) 438489B to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) have shown that this PI is highly resistant to many SCN HG types. However, validation of the previously detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) has not been done. In this study, 250 F2:3 progeny of a Magellan (susceptible)??PI 438489B (resistant) cross were used for primary genetic mapping to detect putative QTL for resistance to five SCN HG types. QTL confirmation study was subsequently conducted using F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the same cross. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were employed for molecular genotyping. Interval mapping (IM), permutation tests, cofactor selection, and composite interval mapping (CIM) were performe...
The recently described retinoid X receptors (RXRs) respond to the novel retinoid 9-cis-retinoic acid and also serve as heterodimeric partners for the vitamin D, thyroid hormone, and retinoic acid receptors (VDR, TR, and RAR, respectively). In this work, the authors report high-resolution localization of the human RXR genes within cytogenetic bands and also within a standard reference map of cosmid DNA markers on human chromosomes. They have determined the location of the human RXR genes by pairwise hybridization of the RXR cosmids and reference markers, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. They localized (i) RXR[alpha] (RXRA) to chromosome 9 band q34.3; (ii) RXR[beta] (RXRB) to chromosome 6 band 21.3; and (iii) RXR[gamma] (RXRG) to chromosome 1 band q22-q23. Six retinoid-responsive transcription factors have been identified so far, including three retinoic acid receptors in addition to the three RXRs. Interestingly, each of these receptors in human and mouse is encoded by genes ...
Background The objective of this study was to confirm provisional quantitative trait loci (QTL) for cocaine-induced locomotor activation, on chromosomes 1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 18, previously identified in the AXB/BXA recombinant inbred (RI) and AcB/BcA recombinant congenic (RC) strains of mice derived from A/J (A) and C57BL/6J (B6) progenitors. This was accomplished through a genetic analysis of cocaine-induced activity in an AxB6 F2 cross and a phenotypic survey across a panel of B6.A chromosome substitution strains (CSS) mice. Mice were tested for cocaine-induced activity, following administration of saline and cocaine (20?mg/kg), utilizing an open-field procedure. Results Among AxB6 F2 mice, differences in cocaine-induced activity were associated with loci on chromosome 1 (D1Mi...
Comparative sequence analysis of the human and the pufferfish Fugu rubripes (fugu) genomes has revealed several novel functional coding and noncoding regions in the human genome. In particular, the fugu genome has been extremely valuable for identifying transcriptional regulatory elements in human loci harboring unusually high levels of evolutionary conservation to rodent genomes. In such regions, the large evolutionary distance between human and fishes provides an additional filter through which functional noncoding elements can be detected with high efficiency.
Each choice of an arbitrary nonzero function f of the four immersion parameters is shown to determine 16N[f] distinguishable classes of two-parameter families of immersions of Einstein-Riemann spacetimes in six-dimensional flat spaces, where N[f] is the number of regular immersion parameter domains. The metric tensors, curvature tensors and the immersion loci are calculated in a closed form, and these calculations involve only finitely many algebraic operations. The presence of the arbitrary function provides the opportunity for study of the behaviour of multiple isolated singularities and/or 'shape' functions in general relativity.
Gaussian-process models are developed to detect genetic linkage using complete high-resolution maps of identity by descent between affected relative pairs. Approximations are given for the significance level and power of the likelihood-ratio test of no linkage and for likelihood-ratio confidence regions for trait loci. The sample sizes required to detect linkage by using different classes of affected relative pairs are compared, and the problem of combining data from different classes of relatives is discussed. 23 refs., 2 figs.
Familial Angelman syndrome (AS) can result from mutations in chromosome 15q11q13 that, when transmitted from father to child, result in no phenotypic abnormality but, when transmitted from mother to child, cause AS. These mutations therefore behave neither as dominant nor as recessive mutations but, rather, show an imprinted mode of inheritance. The authors have analyzed two sibling pairs with AS and a larger family with four AS offspring of three sisters with several recently described microsatellite polymorphisms in the AS region. AS siblings inherited the same maternal alleles at the GABRB3 and GABRA5 loci, and the unaffected siblings of AS individuals inherited the other maternal alleles at these loci. In one of the AS sibling pairs, analysis of a recombination event indicates that the mutation responsible for AS is distal to locus D15S63. This result is consistent with a previously described imprinted submicroscopic deletion causing AS, a ...
African bovine trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma sp., is a major constraint on cattle productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Some African Bos taurus breeds are highly tolerant of infection, but the potentially more productive Bos indicus zebu breeds are much more susceptible. Zebu cattle are well adapted for plowing and haulage, and increasing their tolerance of trypanosomiasis could have a major impact on crop cultivation as well as dairy and beef production. We used three strategies to obtain short lists of candidate genes within QTL that were previously shown to regulate response to infection. We analyzed the transcriptomes of trypanotolerant N'Dama and susceptible Boran cattle after infection with Trypanosoma congolense. We sequenced EST libraries from these two breeds to identify polymorphisms that might underlie previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL), and we assessed QTL regions and candidate loci for evidence of selective ...
Our global impact is finally receiving the scientific attention it deserves. The outcome will largely determine the future course of evolution. Human-modified ecosystems are shaped by our activities...Full Text Available
Polyamide is a modifier which introduces flexibility and toughness to phenolic foam by non reactive approach. Phenol formaldehyde resin was physically modified by the addition of polyamide in different percentages ranging from 0.05% to 0.2% which introduced toughness to modified resole. The resultant polymers were characterized by thermal and mechanical analysis using Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA), Instron machine and Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). (author)
... (last modified: 10/22/2002) Organizations Saratoga Foundation (last modified: 02/11/2003) Actions You Can Take Global Response (last modified: 05/10/2000) Organizations University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute - Center for Environmental Oncology (last modified: 01/14/2005) Home | Site Map | About EnviroLink | Advanced Search | Suggest ...
The esterification reaction of a long-chain fatty acid and a fatty alcohol catalyzed by sugar ester-modified lipases in organic media was studied. The reaction activity was improved when the lipases were modified with sugar esters. Among four kinds of sugar esters and six kinds of lipases, lipase CES modified with sugar ester SE-7 showed the highest reaction activity. The pH, solvent and temperature on the reaction activity of SE-7 modified lipase CES were also studied. PMID:12142919
A carbon nanotube (CNT) tip, which assembled on the sharp end of a Si tip by dielectrophoresis, was structurally modified using focused ion beam (FIB). We described the imaging characterization of the FIB-modified CNT tip in noncontact AFM mode in terms of wear, deep trench accessibility, and imaging resolution. Compared to a conventional Si tip, the FIB-modified CNT tip was superior, especially for prolonged scanning over 10 h. We conclude that modified CNT tips have the potential to obtain high-quality images of nanoscale structures.
Iguanian lizards form a diverse clade whose members have been the focus of many comparative studies of ecology, behavior, and evolution. Despite the importance of phylogeny to such studies, interrelationships among many iguanian clades remain uncertain. Within the Old World clade Acrodonta, Agamidae is sometimes found to be paraphyletic with respect to Chamaeleonidae, and recent molecular studies have produced conflicting results for many major clades. Within the largely New World clade Pleurodonta, relationships among the 12 currently recognized major subclades (mostly ranked as families) have been largely unresolved or poorly supported in previous studies. To clarify iguanian evolutionary history, we first infer phylogenies using concatenated maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses of DNA sequence data from 29 nuclear protein-coding genes for 47 iguanian and 29 outgroup taxa. We then estimate a relaxed-clock Bayesian chronogram for iguanians using BEAST. All three methods ...
In this article, we propose a model selection method, the Bayesian composite model space approach, to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a half-sib population for continuous and binary traits. In our method, the identity-by-descent-based variance component model is used. To demonstrate the performance of this model, the method was applied to map QTL underlying production traits on BTA6 in a Chinese half-sib dairy cattle population. A total of four QTLs were detected, whereas only one QTL was identified using the traditional least square (LS) method. We also conducted two simulation experiments to validate the efficiency of our method. The results suggest that the proposed method based on a multiple-QTL model is efficient in mapping multiple QTL for an outbred half-sib population and is more powerful than the LS method based on a single-QTL model. PMID:21487433
A 4.0 kb TaqI fragment of cosmid EFD64 isolated by a HBV-3 oligonucleotide was subcloned into AccI site of pUC18. MspI identifies 5 allelic VNTR polymorphism with bands between 2.6 and 4.6 kb. RsaI, TaqI, EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII and PvuII identify the same VNTR polymorphism. With RsaI, 80% heterozygosity were observed in 80 unrelated Caucasians. This RFLP pEFD64.2 has been assigned to chromosome 3 by linkage analysis with loci (APOD) known to span this chromosome. Co-dominant segregation for the RsaI RFLP was observed in 40 three generation families. RFLPs were observed under the normal hybridization and washing condition.
Acca sellowiana has commercial potential because of the quality and the unique flavor of its fruit. Conservation of natural populations and management of breeding programmes would benefit from the availability of molecular markers that could be used to characterize levels and distribution of genetic variability. Thus, 13 microsatellite markers were developed from an enriched genomic library of A. sellowiana. They were characterized using 40 samples. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.513 to 0.913 and from 0.200 to 0.889, respectively. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from A. sellowiana that will contribute to improve researches on the genetic conservation, characterization and breeding. PMID:21586063
Background Identifying susceptibility genes for endophenotypes by studying analogous behaviors across species is an important strategy for understanding the pathophysiology underlying psychiatric disorders. This approach provides novel biological pathways plus validated animal models critical for selective drug development. One such endophenotype is avoidance behavior. Methods In the present study, novel automated registration methods for longitudinal behavioral assessment in home cages are used to screen a panel of recently generated mouse chromosome substitution strains that are very powerful in quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection of complex traits. In this way, we identified chromosomes regulating avoidance behavior (increased sheltering preference) independent of motor activity lev...
The gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, represents an important economic resource for Mediterranean aquaculture. In spite of its wide geographic distribution and economic importance, only recently studies have been carried out on the genetic composition of natural populations, which have revealed a picture of a heterogeneous degree of genetic differentiation among S. aurata populations. In this study an allozyme analysis of samples from six different collecting sites along the Italian and Croatian coasts was carried out, covering an area in the Central Mediterranean sea that has yet to be investigated through gene-enzyme systems. Data on 26 gene loci, 10 of which are polymorphic, indicate a slight but significant genetic structure (FST = 0.0167) of the species. A hierarchical analysis of pop...
Summary The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity among breeds under evaluation for tropical adaptability traits that affect the performance of beef cattle at the USDA/ARS SubTropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) near Brooksville, FL, USA. Twenty-six microsatellite loci were used to estimate parameters of genetic diversity among the breeds American Brahman, Angus, Senepol and Romosinuano; the latter was comprised of two distinct bloodlines (Costa Rican and Venezuelan). Genotypes of 47 animals from each of these STARS herds were analysed for genetic diversity and genetic distance. Using two methods, the greatest genetic distance was detected between the Costa Rican line of Romosinuano and the Senepol. Gene diversity ranged between 0.64 (Costa Rican line of R...
The role of adaptation in the divergence of lineages has long been a central question in evolutionary biology, and as multilocus sequence data sets have become available for a wide range of taxa, empirical estimates of levels of adaptive molecular evolution are increasingly common. Estimates vary widely among taxa, with high levels of adaptive evolution in Drosophila, bacteria, and viruses but very little evidence of widespread adaptive evolution in hominids. Although estimates in plants are more limited, some recent work has suggested that rates of adaptive evolution in a range of plant taxa are surprisingly low and that there is little association between adaptive evolution and effective population size in contrast to patterns seen in other taxa. Here, we analyze data from 35 loci for si...
A study of the effect of a clayey soil modified in situ and ex situ with the cationic surfactant octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (ODTMA), on the retention of linuron, atrazine and metalaxyl was carried out. Leaching of these compounds was studied in columns of a natural clayey soil and the same clayey soil modified by direct injection of the surfactant in situ, and in columns of a natural sandy soil and the same sandy soil modified by intercalation of a barrier of the clayey soil saturated ex situ with the surfactant. Breakthrough curves indicated the total immobilization of linuron in modified soils and a decrease in the leaching kinetics of atrazine and metalaxyl compared to what was obtained in the natural soil. The results indicate the use of the clayey soil modified in situ or ex s...
No Kerr-like exact solution has yet been found in Chern-Simons modified gravity. Intrigued by this absence, we study stationary and axisymmetric metrics that could represent the exterior field of spinning black holes. For the standard choice of the background scalar, the modified field equations decouple into the Einstein equations and additional constraints. These constraints eliminate essentially all solutions except for Schwarzschild. For non-canonical choices of the background scalar, we find several exact solutions of the modified field equations, including mathematical black holes and pp-waves. We show that the ultrarelativistically boosted Kerr metric can satisfy the modified field equations, and we argue that physical spinning black holes may exist in Chern-Simons modified gravity only if the metric breaks stationarity, axisymmetry or energy-momentum conservation.
Table of Contents: Overview of Organization and Contents of Document; Analytical Data Collection Efforts and Definition of Options; Description of Data Conventions; Statistical Methodology: Modified Delta-Lognormal Model; Estimation Under the Modified Del...
How an individual’s sex and genetic background modify cardiac adaptation to increased workload is a topic of great interest. We systematically evaluated morphological and physiological...Full Text Available
This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis for a single investigator examining the effectiveness of the modified therapeutic community (MTC) for clients with co-occurring substance use...Full Text Available
Rumen-cannulated cows (n = 4) were fed successively silage made from either conventional or genetically modified (GM) maize. Results revealed no effects of GM maize on the dynamics...Full Text Available
The consequences of structural modifications at the 5'-OH ribofuranotide moiety of quinoline modified B12 derivatives are discussed in regard of the coordination chemistry, the electrochemical properties and the biological behaviour of the compound. PMID:21850334
We show that the expression of an indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-modified protein from bean seed, IAP1, is correlated to the developmental period of rapid growth during seed development. Moreover, this...Full Text Available
The evolutionary history of the reef fish genus Naso (F. Acanthuridae) was examined using a complete species-level molecular phylogeny of all recognized (19) species based on three loci (one nuclear ETS2 and two mitochondrial 16S, cyt b). This study demonstrates that distinct foraging modes and specialized body shapes arose independently at different times in the evolutionary history of the genus. Members of the subgenus Axinurus, characterized by a scombriform morphology, caudal fin structure and pelagic foraging mode, were consistently placed basal to the remaining Naso species, suggesting that pelagic foraging is plesiomorphic and benthic foraging derived in this genus. We used a genus-level phylogeny (nuclear marker, ETS2), which included several taxa from all other acanthurid genera, to obtain a range of age estimates for the most recent common ancestor of the genus Naso. These age estimates (range of 52-43.3 MY) were then used to estimate divergence times (by ...
The optimum of strontium amount for good modification of AK7, AK9, AK11, AK52, AK104 alloys was determined on the base of the analysis of microstructural changes. The stability of the modifier was investigated on the way of successive remelting of billets. The influence of amount of modifier on the impact strength of the alloys was established. (author)
Commercially available organoclay (Closite 30B) was modified by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) via a silylation reaction. Sodium clay (Closite Na) was treated by APS directly as a control. Such modified clays were further melt-compounded with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The morphology and properties of the modified organoclays were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electrical microscopy (TEM), Infra-red spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of modified clays on the crystallization behavior of PBT were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The basal spacing of Closite Na was enlarged from 1.01 to 1.41 nm after APS treatment, indicating that the APS was intercalated into the clay interga...
The main objective of this work was to investigate the biosorption performance of unmodified and Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-modified biomass of Penicillium YW 01 for Acid Blue 25 (AB 25). Maximum biosorption capacity of AB 25 onto CPC-modified biosorbent was 118.48mgg^-^1 under phosphoric-phosphate buffer with initial dye concentration of 200mgL^-^1 at 30^oC. The biosorption pattern of AB 25 onto unmodified biosorbent in aqueous solution and phosphoric-phosphate buffer was well fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. While the equilibrium data of CPC-modified biosorbent in aqueous solution and phosphoric-phosphate buffer failed to fit the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating the monolayer biosorption formed onto CPC-modified biosorbent. The values of initial biosorpt...
A 2-D model has been proposed to investigate the approximate estimation of the natural convection heat loss from modified cavity receiver of without insulation (WOI) and with insulation (WI) at the bottom of the aperture plane in our previous article. In this paper, a 3-D numerical model is presented to investigate the accurate estimation of natural convection heat loss from modified cavity receiver (WOI) of fuzzy focal solar dish concentrator. A comparison of 2-D and 3-D natural convection heat loss from a modified cavity receiver is carried out. A parametric study is carried out to develop separate Nusselt number correlations for 2-D and 3-D geometries of modified cavity receiver for estimation of convective heat loss from the receiver. The results show that the 2-D and 3-D are comparabl...
Mutations in the FGD1 gene have been shown to cause Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS), or facio-digito-genital dysplasia (OMIM#305400), an X-linked disorder characterized by distinctive genital and skeletal developmental abnormalities with a broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes. To date, 20 distinct mutations have been reported, but little phenotypic data are available on patients with molecularly confirmed AAS. In the present study, we report on our experience of screening for mutations in the FGD1 gene in a cohort of 60 European patients with a clinically suspected diagnosis of AAS. We identified nine novel mutations in 11 patients (detection rate of 18.33%), including three missense mutations (p.R402Q; p.S558W; p.K748E), four truncating mutations (p.Y530X; p.R656X; c.806delC; c.1620delC), one in-frame deletion (c.2020_2022delGAG) and the first reported splice site mutation (c.1935+3A>C). A recurrent mutation (p.R656X) was detected in three independent families. ...
ATR-X (alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation, X-linked) syndrome is a human congenital disorder that causes severe intellectual disabilities. Mutations in the ATRX gene, which encodes an ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeler, are responsible for the syndrome. Approximately 50% of the missense mutations in affected persons are clustered in a cysteine-rich domain termed ADD (ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L, ADD{sub ATRX}), whose function has remained elusive. Here we identify ADD{sub ATRX} as a previously unknown histone H3-binding module, whose binding is promoted by lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) but inhibited by lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3). The cocrystal structure of ADD{sub ATRX} bound to H3{sub 1-15}K9me3 peptide reveals an atypical composite H3K9me3-binding pocket, which is distinct from the conventional trimethyllysine-binding aromatic cage. Notably, H3K9me3-pocket mutants and ATR-X syndrome mutants are defective in both H3K9me3 binding and localization at ...
Locomotion is a complex behavior affected by many different brain- and spinal cord systems, as well as by variations in the peripheral nervous system. Recently, we found increased gene expression for EphA4, a gene intricately involved in motor neuron development, between high-active parental strain C57BL/6J and the low-active chromosome substitution strain 1 (CSS1). CSS1 mice carry chromosome 1 from A/J mice in a C57BL/6J genetic background, allowing localization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 1. To find out whether differences in motor neuron anatomy, possibly related to the changes in EphA4 expression, are involved in the motor activity differences observed in these strains, motor performance in various behavioral paradigms and anatomical differences in the ventral roots ...
High surface ozone concentration is increasingly being recognized as a factor that negatively affects crop yields in Asia. However, little progress has been made in developing ozone-tolerant genotypes of rice-Asias major staple crop. This study aimed to identify possible tolerance mechanisms by characterizing two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that were previously shown to influence visible leaf symptoms under ozone exposure (120 nl l-1, 7 h d-1, 13 d). Two chromosome segment substitution lines (SL15 and SL41) that carried introgressions of the QTLs OzT3 and OzT9, respectively, were exposed to ozone at 120 nl l-1 along with their parent Nipponbare. In accordance with the expected QTL effect, SL15 showed stronger visible symptoms of ozone damage than Nipponbare, whereas SL41 had fewer sympt...
The authors characterized nine human actin genes that they isolated from a library of cloned human DNA. Measurements of the thermal stability of hybrids formed between each cloned actin gene and ..cap alpha..-, ..beta..-, and ..gamma..-actin mRNA demonstrated that only one of the clones is most homologous to sarcomeric actin mRNA, whereas the remaining eight clones are most homologous to cytoplasmic actin mRNA. By the following criteria they show that these nine clones represent nine different actin gene loci rather than different alleles or different parts of a single gene: (i) the restriction enzyme maps of the coding regions are dissimilar; (ii) each clone contains sufficient coding region to encode all or most of an entire actin gene; and (iii) each clone contains sequences homologous to both the 5' and 3' ends of the coding region of a cloned chicken ..beta..-actin cDNA. They conclude, therefore, that the human cytoplasmic actin proteins are ...
Chemical analyses were done on the abnormal hemoglobins of the five (101 x SEC)F_1 offspring of X- irradiated adult SEC mice to determine which hemoglobin genes were expressed in each hemoglobin variant. Three offspring of irradiated SEC males did not express either of the two kinds of #alpha#-chains normally found in all SEC mice. The deficient #alpha#-chain synthesis caused these mice to exhibit an #alpha#-thalassemia similar to human #alpha#-thalassemia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show that many erythrocytes of mice with #alpha#-thalassemia have bizarre shapes; e.g. many erythrocytes appeared flattened or had thorny projections (acanthocytes). One mutant with a tandem duplication of a segment of chromosome 7 (site of locus determining #beta#-chain structure) produced twice as much SEC as 101 #beta#-chain polypeptides. One mutant that probably arose by non-disjunction of chromosome 7's in its unirradiated 101 mother and loss of chromosome 7 from the gamete of its ...
The germplasm with exotic genomic components especially from Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense L. Gb) is the dominant genetic resources to enhance fiber quality of upland cotton (G. hirsutum L., Gh). Due to low efficiency of phenotypic evaluation and selection on fiber quality, genetic dissection of favorable alleles using molecular markers is essential. Genetic dissection on putative Gb introgressions related to fiber traits were conducted by SSR markers with mapping populations derived from a cross between Luyuan343 (LY343), a superior fiber quality introgression line (IL) with genomic components from Gb, and an elite Upland cotton cv. Lumianyan#22 (LMY22). Among 82 polymorphic loci screened out from 4050 SSRs, 42 were identified as putative introgression alleles. A total of 29 fib...
Previous research utilizing the AcB/BcA recombinant congenic strains (RCS) of mice mapped provisional quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the psychostimulant effects of nicotine to multiple regions on chromosomes 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 17. The current study was designed to confirm these QTLs in an A/J (A)??C57Bl/6J (B6) F2 cross and a panel of B6.A chromosome substitution strains (CSS). The panel of B6.A CSS consists of 21 strains, each carrying a different A/J chromosome on a B6 background. The A??B6 F2, CSS, A, and B6 mice were tested for sensitivity to the effects of nicotine on locomotor activity using a computerized open-field apparatus. In A??B6 F2 mice two QTLs were identified which confirm those previously observed in the AcB/BcA RCS. Significant differences in the expression of ...
Molecular genetic markers can be used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for thermal resistance and this has allowed characterization of a major QTL for knockdown resistance to high temperature in Drosophila melanogaster. The QTL showed trade-off associations with cold resistance under laboratory conditions. However, assays of thermal tolerance conducted in the laboratory may not necessarily reflect performance at varying temperatures in the field. Here we tested if lines with different genotypes in this QTL show different thermal performance under high and low temperatures in the field using a release recapture assay. We found that lines carrying the QTL genotype for high thermal tolerance were significantly better at locating resources in the field releases under hot temperatures while the QTL line carrying the contrasting genotype were superior at cold temperatures. Further, we studied copulatory success between the different QTL genotypes at different ...
The human CDC25 tyrosine phosphatases trigger activation of CDC2 by removing inhibitory phosphates; thus the genes encoding these phosphatases may be suspected as potential oncogenes due to their role in promoting cell division. To date, three human CDC25 genes have been identified: CDC25A, B, and C. This communication describes the mapping of CDC25A to chromosome 3p21 and CDC25B to chromosome 20p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization with confirmation by the polymerase chain reaction of hamster-human somatic cell hybrid DNA. 3p21 is near an area frequently involved in karyotypic abnormalities in renal carcinomas, small cell carcinomas of the lung, and benign tumors of the salivary gland. 20p13 does not seem to be a common area for karyotypic alteration in tumors. Mapping of these genes to their chromosomal loci may help identify tumors with abnormal regulation of CDC25 genes due to genomic alterations. 15 refs., 3 figs.
A statistical method is presented for detecting quantitative trait loci (QTLs), based on the linear model. Unlike methods able to detect a few well separated QTLs and to estimate their effects and positions, this method considers the genome as a whole and enables the detection of chromosomal segments involved in the differences between two homozygous lines, and their backcross, doubled haploid, or F[sub 2] progenies, for a quantitative trait. Genetic markers must be codominant, but missing markers are accepted, provided they are missing independently from the experiment. Asymptotic properties, which are of practical use, are developed. This method does not rely on strong genetic hypotheses, and thus does not permit any precise genetic analysis of the trait under study, but it does assess which regions of the genome are involved, whatever the complexity of the genetic determinism (number, effects and interactions among QTLs). Simultaneous use of several methods, ...
The identification of genes influencing sensitivity to stimulants and opioids is important for determining their mechanism of action and may provide fundamental insights into the genetics of drug abuse. We used a panel of C57BL/6J (B6; recipient)x A/J (donor) chromosome substitution strains (CSSs) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for both open field activity and sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant response to methamphetamine (MA). Mice were injected with saline (days 1 and 2) and MA (day 3; 2 mg/kg i.p.). We analyzed the total distance traveled in the open field for 30 min following each injection. CSS-8, -11 and -16 showed reduced MA-induced locomotor activity relative to B6, whereas CSS-10 and -12 showed increased MA-induced locomotor activity. Further analysis focused on CSS...
In aqueous solutions, dissolved ions interact strongly with the surrounding water, thereby modifying the solution properties in an ion-specific manner. These ion-hydration interactions can be accounted for theoretically on a mean-field level by including phenomenological terms in the free energy that correspond to the most dominant ion-specific interactions. Minimizing this free energy leads to modified Poisson-Boltzmann equations with appropriate boundary conditions. Here, we review how this strategy has been used to predict some of the ways ion-specific effects can modify the forces acting within and between charged interfaces immersed in salt solutions.
Lipase from Pseudomonas fragi 22.39B was modified with polyethylene glycol. The modified lipase (PEG-lipase) was soluble and active in organic solvents such as benzene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. PEG-lipase catalyzed esterification of chiral secondary alcohols with fatty acids in benzene and exhibited preference for R isomers over S isomers. Km and Vmax values for each isomer of various alcohols were obtained by kinetic study of the esterification in benzene. PEG-lipase-catalyzed esterification leads to optical resolution of a racemic alcohol. PMID:2635854
Creep properties of modified 9 Cr-1 Mo steel, an alloy significantly improved in elevated-temperature strength over 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo and other similar alloys, are presented here. Data are primarily on material in the normalized and tempered condition. Effects of variables such as isothermal annealing treatment, cold work, normalizing temperature, tempering temperature, notch, and biaxial stress state have also been examined. Data analysis and comparisons have shown that modified 9 Cr-1 Mo alloy is very insensitive in response to several material variables, heat treatments, and specimen design variables.
Numerical analysis of solar dish modified cavity receiver with Cone, CPC and Trumpet reflectors is presented. Three-dimensional modeling is carried out to estimate the convective and radiative heat loss from the receiver for different angles of inclination and operating temperatures. Incorporating reflectors in the modified cavity receiver for second stage concentration, the natural convection heat losses are reduced by 29.23, 19.81 and 19.16%, respectively. The receiver with the trumpet reflector has shown better performance as compared to other configurations. (orig.)
... These assumptions are quantitatively investigated by calculating tie icldti\\e inportance of ... A modified lon-shore current model is used to study the ...
Nanomaterials are increasingly being used to modify adhesives used in aerospace and materials applications. Improvements in thermal and mechanical properties have been found by incorporation of small amounts of nanosize materials in to such adhesives. However, the introduction of nanomaterials to adhesives used in civil engineering applications is still a new approach which needs to be explored, especially in retrofitting of structures. This paper presents part of an ongoing research to address the effect of adding nanomaterials to modify a thermosetting adhesive used for bonding carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites to concrete members. Vapour grown carbon fiber (VGCF) was chosen to modify the adhesive. Different concentrations of carbon nanofibres PR-24 XT-LHT were adopted fo...
Treatment of coal or coconut shell activated carbons with either phosgene or chlorine at 180{degree}C followed by washing with methanol or water results in chlorinated carbons with very similar pore structures to their precursors. Water adsorption experiments show that the modified materials are relatively hydrophobic, presumably as a result of replacement of oxygen-containing surface groups by chlorine. Adsorption of the model hydrophobic vapour chloropicrin from humid air is usually better for the modified carbons which, unlike the controls, do not appear to be subject to degradation in performance on ageing in a humid atmosphere. The stability of the modified carbons is probably a consequence of the chlorination of those sites on the control carbons that are prone to ready oxidation or hydroxylation. 1 tab., 2 figs., 17 refs.
Within the framework of a modified Balitsky-Kovchegov equation, we calculated and provide estimates of non-linear saturation effects expected in the LHC range of energies.
The oil shale PCTM for Modified In Situ Oil Shale Retorting combined with Lurgi Surface Retorting addresses the application of this combination of technologies to the development of oil shale resources in the western United States. This manual describes the combined plant using Lurgi surface retorting technology (developed by Lurgi Kohle and Mineralotechnik GmbH, West Germany) and the Modified In Situ process (developed by Occidental Oil Shale, Inc.) proposed by Occidental Oil Shale, Inc. and Tenneco Shale Oil Company for use in the development of their Federal oil shale lease Tract C-b in western Colorado. Since details regarding waste streams and control technologies for the Lurgi process are presented in a separate PCTM, this document focuses principally on the Modified In Situ process.
BackgroundThe monolignol biosynthetic pathway interconnects with the biosynthesis of other secondary phenolic metabolites, such as cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and condensed...Full Text Available
We study perturbations of a Schwarzschild black hole in Chern-Simons modified gravity. We begin by showing that Birkhoff's theorem holds for a wide family of Chern-Simons coupling functions, a scalar field present in the theory that controls the strength of the Chern-Simons correction to the Einstein-Hilbert action. After decomposing the perturbations in spherical harmonics, we study the linearized modified field equations and find that axial and polar modes are coupled, in contrast to general relativity. The divergence of the modified equations leads to the Pontryagin constraint, which forces the vanishing of the Cunningham-Price-Moncrief master function associated with axial modes. We analyze the structure of these equations and find that the appearance of the Pontryagin constraint yields an overconstrained system that does not allow for generic black hole oscillations. We illustrate this situation by studying the case ...
Immunomodulatory drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide are synthetic compounds derived by modifying the chemical structure of thalidomide to improve its potency and reduce its side effects. Lenalidomide...Full Text Available
The need for agents designed to modify immune response in the treatment of patients with viral infection, immunodeficiency, or cancer prompted the present study on the mechanisms of action of isoprinosine,...Full Text Available
A number of biological agents are available or being investigated for the treatment of asthma and rhinitis. The safety profiles of these biologic agents, which may modify allergic and immunological...Full Text Available
Diffusion in the extracellular space (ECS) of the brain is constrained by the volume fraction and the tortuosity and a modified diffusion equation represents the transport behavior of many molecules...Full Text Available
Background"Nubiotics" are synthetic oligonucleotides and nucleotides with nuclease-resistant backbones, and are fully protonated for enhanced ability to be taken up by bacterial...Full Text Available
BackgroundHearing loss is a common sensory disorder, yet prospective data on potentially modifiable risk factors are limited. Regularly used analgesics, the most...Full Text Available
We present a technique for identifying the amino acids responsible for a loss of immunoreactivity in response to treating an antigen with a chemical modifier. This is of particular interest...Full Text Available
The state of lithium electrode surface after contact with triethylamine-modified propylene carbonate solutions of lithium perchlorate was studied using the pulse galvanostatic technique as well as methods of SIMS and electron microscopy. It was shown that amine added into the solutions stabilizes the state of lithium and prevents the formation of a secondary porous passive film on the lithium surface. Chemical composition of the primary film remains unchanged. Certain properties of passive films formed in electrolyte solutions studied were evaluated.
Focused ion beam (FIB) systems prove to be useful precision micromachining tools for a wide variety of applications. This micromachining technique includes scanning ion microscopy (SIM), micromachining by physical sputtering, and the ion-beam induced surface chemistry for etching and deposition. This technique is applied to image and modify IC's, to micromechanical applications, to modify the tip shape of tungsten emitters, and to prepare cross sections of selected regions for inspection in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). (orig.)
Results from scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the measurement of thermally stimulated current show that a high density of the physical defects and the chemical defects are introduced into the surface of the silicone rubber plates after they are treated by corona discharge plasma. These defects behave electrically as shallow electron traps, leading to the formation of a uniform discharge in air at higher pressure when the corona-modified silicone rubber is used in dielectric barrier discharge.
A 2-D model has been proposed to investigate the approximate estimation of the natural convection heat loss from modified cavity receiver of without insulation (WOI) and with insulation (WI) at the bottom of the aperture plane in our previous article. In this paper, a 3-D numerical model is presented to investigate the accurate estimation of natural convection heat loss from modified cavity receiver (WOI) of fuzzy focal solar dish concentrator. A comparison of 2-D and 3-D natural convection heat loss from a modified cavity receiver is carried out. A parametric study is carried out to develop separate Nusselt number correlations for 2-D and 3-D geometries of modified cavity receiver for estimation of convective heat loss from the receiver. The results show that the 2-D and 3-D are comparable only at higher angle of inclinations (60 {<=} {beta} {<=} 90 ) of the receiver. The present 3-D ...
Morphologies of modified starches prepared using different methods were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These SEM micrographs provide the following results. To begin with, starch granules underwent a series of changes which resulted in the morphology of modified starch quite different from the native starch with different the methods during the process of modification. For example, hollows emerge on the granules of maltodextrin with low value of dextrose equivalent (DE) prepared by means of spray-drying, but they fell to pieces with the increasing value of DE. The granules of pregelatinized starches manufactured with extrusion technology also showed irregular stone shapes and holes within them while those produced by means of drum-drying presented irregular laminar structur...
A electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for itopride was developed based on tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+)-doped silica (RuDS) nanoparticles/biopolymer chitosan composites membrane modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The RuDS nanoparticles (52+-5nm) were prepared by a modified Stber synthesis method and were characterized by electrochemical, fluorometric and transmission electron microscopy technology. The Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulation interior of the silica nanoparticle maintains its electrochemical activities and also reduces Ru(bpy)32+ leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in water due to the electrostatic interaction. The ECL analytical performances of this ECL sensor for itopride based on its enhancement ECL emission of Ru(bpy)32+ were investigated in d...
The effects of modification with Ti and Nb, heat treatment and solute segregation on void suppression in 316 stainless steel were studied using HVEM in the temperature range of 623-873 K after solution treatment at 1323-1473 K. Post-irradiation compositional analysis was performed by an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. In Ti-modified stainless steel, void swelling peaks appeared at 723 K and 823 K. On the other hand, when the stainless steels modified by both Ti and Nb were irradiated, the void swelling was effectively suppressed, particularly the growth rate of a void was remarkedly retarded. This void suppression effect was easily recognized with increasing Nb concentration. Compositions such as Mo, Cr, Ti and Ni changed during irradiation and Ni, Si and Ti enriched around voids, whereas Cr and Mo depleted. (orig.).
The CKK-70 400/200 NN telephone exchange in the Nowa Ruda mine in Lower Silesia was used with the JAUL-CAMAC linear subscriber system. The CKK-70 telephone exchanges were supplied without a system for identification of calling subscribers at the ground surface. A modified identification system developed by the Nowa Ruda mine for identifying calling subscribers is evaluated. Its design is shown in 2 schemes and operation is discussed. The identification system was tested over 6 years. Tests showed it to be reliable and uncomplicated. The modified system for identification of calling subscribers adapted for conditions of underground coal mines has been tested in other mines (1 Maj, Piast, Knurow and Staszic). Recommendations for use of the modified system are made.
In evaluating the risk associated with low levels of exposure to toxicants, it is clear that DNA repair, one of the main defenses against agent damage, is not a constant. It can be modified by age, time of day, and physiological state. Nutrition, especially caloric restriction (CR), can modify almost every step in the process of protecting genomic integrity. And history of exposure can modify DNA repair. Thus, the conditions of exposure are almost as important to toxicity as the exposure itself, even at the level of DNA repair. Extrapolation from high to low dose, to be consistent with what is known, should be less a mathematical exercise than an exercise in toxicological judgement, which puts the exposure in proper perspective. This appears to be true at almost every level in the process including a response with a toxic stimulus, even those thought to be very basic, such as DNA repair.
Abstract Remediation of ground water containing anionic contaminants presents a great challenge. Because of its low cost, surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) has been studied for >10 years for potential uses as permeable barrier materials to remove anionic contaminants from water. In this study, zeolite aggregates with particle size of 3.4 to 4.8 mm were modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) bromide, a cationic surfactant, to a surfactant loading level of 80 mmol/kg and a concurrent counterion bromide loading level of 34 mmol/kg. While no retardation of chromate transport was observed for unmodified columns, a retardation factor of 60 was found for chromate transport through the SMZ columns. Slow but persistent desorption of HDTMA occurred throughout the chromate transport experimen...
In this work, a powerful analytical method, called He's parameter-expanding methods (HPEM) is used to obtain the exact solutions of non-linear modified Van der Pol's oscillator. The classical Van der Pol equation with delayed feedback and a modified equation where a delayed term provides the damping are considered. It is shown that one term in series expansions is sufficient to obtain a highly accurate solution, which is valid for the whole solution domain. Comparison of the obtained solution with those obtained using perturbation method shows that this method is effective and convenient to solve this problem. This method introduces a capable tool to solve this kind of non-linear problems.
The analysis for the WITCH/LINER experiments was performed to investigate the heat transfer characteristics between the gas-agitated steel melt and the vertical surface. The applicability of heat transfer correlations for a gas-agitated fluid system was examined through the numerical analysis of the one-dimensional heat conduction taking into account the crust formation due to the solidification of the steel melt. The heat transfer correlation developed by Konsetov was modified for the application to fluids with low Prandtl number. The constant in the modified correlation was empirically found mainly through the comparison between the analysis and the experiments under conditions that a churn-turbulent two-phase flow regime was anticipated to form. The modified Konsetov correlation could predict the heat transfer characteristics observed through the experiments in an acceptable level. (author)
Shaped activated charcoal is modified by 02 and N2 processing for producing coal compounds with higher acidic or basic properties. Nitrated activated charcoal has properties of a weak anionite with a substantially increased ion exchange capacity with an increase in the concentration of the hydrogen ions in the electrolyte and adsorbs iodine ions well from aqueous solutions at a pH of less than 5. A layer of nitrated charcoal is a very effective sorbent in the process of dynamic sorption of iodine anions from acetic solutions of KI. It is also established that the sorption of iodine ions in the activated charcoal modified by 02 occurs in accordance with an ion exchange mechanism (and possibly, selective sorption). This refutes literature data which ascribe the determining participation in the process to the reaction of oxidation of iodides on the surface (Pv) of the coal into free I2.
A novel liquid phase alkylation of aniline with methanol over Zn/Cu salts modified kaolin assisted with a pair of porous carbon electrode in slurry-bed reactor under constant current intensity, room temperature and atmospheric pressure was reported. The Zn/Cu salts modified kaolin catalysts were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectrometer (IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the transition metals were completely supported on kaolins structure and formed a pored one. The effect parameters, such as initial pH, electrolysis time, metal ratio with kaolin and salts composition in this electrochemical catalytic system, were studied. The procedure was inspected by ultraviolet-visible spectrum (UV-vis), and the product distributi...
Abstract Surface modification of topography and chemistry in order to achieve a specific water contact angle (CA) has been explored by using a novel combinatorial screening platform. The screening arrays consisted of 507 distinct combinations of micro-topographies and chemical compositions. By performing chemical modifications with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H perfluoroethyltriethoxy-silane (PFS) and n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODS) on standard silicon wafers it was possible to include both superhydrophobic and very hydrophilic pad arrays in the same screening platform. Surfaces modified with PFS were more hydrophobic than surfaces modified with ODS, while the unmodified silicon surfaces were hydrophilic. For the PFS modified surfaces the largest CAs were achieved with a small pillar size of X-=-1-m and...
Alkylphenols are widely used as plastic additives and surfactants. We report the identification of an alkylphenol, nonylphenol, as an estrogenic substance released from plastic centrifuge tubes. This...Full Text Available
Recessive inactivating mutations in human matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2, gelatinase A) are associated with syndromes that include abnormal facial appearance, short stature, and severe bone...Full Text Available
Peri-prosthetic infections are notoriously difficult to treat as the biomaterial implant is ideal for bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, resulting in decreased antibiotic sensitivity....Full Text Available
BackgroundThere has been substantial research on psychosocial and health care determinants of health disparities in the United States (US) but less on the role of modifiable risk...Full Text Available
The human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein is essential for virus replication and is a candidate vaccine antigen. Macaques immunized with Tat or chemically modified Tat toxoid having the same clade...Full Text Available
The development of new methods for gene addition to mammalian genomes is necessary to overcome the limitations of conventional genetic engineering strategies. Although a variety of DNA-modifying enzymes...Full Text Available
Although genetic engineering techniques for baker's yeast might improve the yeast's fermentation characteristics, the lack of scientific data on the survival of such strains in natural environments...Full Text Available
A facile synthetic protocol for the production of neomycin B derivatives with various modifications at the 5″ position has been developed. Structural activity relationship (SAR) against...Full Text Available
The aspartate receptor involved in chemotaxis is modified by methyl esterification at four distinct glutamate residues during the adaptive response of this receptor. To explain the high degree of specificity...Full Text Available
The energy distribution of ion beams is important especially for low energy ion beam applications. The energy distributions of negative-ion beams produced through secondary ion emission by sputtering were measured and compared with theoretically estimated distributions by use of four different negative-ion production probability equations (modified surface ionization model, exponential velocity dependence model, and our modified exponential velocity dependence models (modified decaying factor model and combination model of velocity dependence and surface ionization)). In the measurements, the energy distributions of C"- and Ag"- beams had a peak at a few to several eV and the full width at half maximum were 15 eV and 11 eV, respectively. These results could be well explained by the estimated distributions by virtue of our combination model or the modified surface ionization model. copyright 1996 ...
Test firings of 120-mm rounds were performed to characterize effects due to the combustible cartridge cases used. Comparisons were made between measured ballistic parameters, especially gas pressures, and those predicted by computerized simulation calcula...
This study investigated the effect of board type (unmodified vs. MAPE modified) on the surface quality and thickness swelling-water absorption properties of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE)...Full Text Available
Although major inroads into making antiretroviral therapy available in resource-poor countries have been made, there is an urgent need for an effective vaccine administered shortly after birth, which...Full Text Available
... from Dr. Austin Smith of the Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh) was modified from the CGR8 ... to thank Dr. Austin Smith, the Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinbu...
The activity of a basic peroxidase extracted at high pH from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves is modified by an irradiation with 2-minute red light or 2-minute far red light. This...Full Text Available
Protein modifications such as phosphorylation are often studied by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis since the perturbation in the protein’s pI value is readily detected by this method....Full Text Available
Primary peritoneal pregnancy has been reported and debated for almost a century. Case reports using Studdiford's criteria and later modified criteria have substantiated the entity, but the pathogenesis...Full Text Available
Plasma nitriding in glow discharge is a process of modifying surface properties of a material by which surface hardness, corrosion resistance, fatigue strength etc. of a material can be improved
The technology being evaluated is the Modified In-Situ (MIS) retorting process for raw shale oil production, combined with a Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor (CFBC), for the recovery of energy from the mined shale. (VC)
The technology being evaluated is the Modified In-Situ (MIS) retorting process for raw shale oil production, combined with a Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor (CFBC), for the recovery of energy from the mined shale. (VC)
The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of piperidine in silver colloid solution, on roughened silver electrode and on roughened silver electrode modified with silver nanoparticles were studied, and the high-quality SERS spectra of piperidine on roughened silver electrode modified with silver nanoparticles were obtained for the first time. Surface selection rules derived from the EM enhancement model were employed to deduce piperidine orientations on the different surfaces. On the basis of this, two models of piperidine adsorbed on the surface of the silver nanoparticles were built, and DFT-B3PW91/LanL2dz was applied to calculate the Raman frequencies. It proves that, at higher potential values, the piperidine is perpendicularly standing on the roughened silver electrode surface though its lone-electron pair, but in silver colloid solution and on the silver nanoparticles modified silver electrode the piperidine ...
This study investigated weathering effects on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based wood plastic composites (WPC), with a focus on the color and structure that is attributed to the material composition. It is directed towards quantifying the main chemical modifi...
Background and objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with impaired physical activity. However, it is unclear whether the associations of physical activity with mortality are modified...Full Text Available
Adaptive radiation therapy (ART) is the incorporation of daily images in the radiotherapy treatment process so that the treatment plan can be evaluated and modified to maximize the amount of radiation...Full Text Available
Objective: Traditional nasolacrimal duct stenting possesses some shortcoming including difficulty of pulling ball head guide wire from the nasal cavity with turbinate hypertrophy and nasal septal deviation. The new method of nose-oral tube track establishment can overcome the forementioned and increase the successful rate. Methods: 5 F catheter and arterial sheath were modified to be nasolacrimal duct stent delivery device respectively. Antegrade dacryocystography was taken firstly to display the obstructed site and followed by the modified protocol of inserting the guide wire through nasolacrimal duct and nasal cavity, and establishing the stent delivery track for retrograde stent placement. Results: 5 epiphora patients with failure implantation by traditional method were all succeeded through the modified stenting (100%). During 6-mouth follow-up, no serious complications and reocclusion occurred. Conclusion: The ...
Hypothalamic systems which regulate appetite may be permanently modified during early development. We have previously reported hyperphagia and increased adiposity in the adult offspring of rodents fed...Full Text Available
The interior of 237 nm spherical vinylsilsesquioxane nanoparticles has been covalently modified and their surface functionalized under mild conditions to yield a novel type of hybrid silsesquioxane...Full Text Available
Decitabine, an epigenetic modifier that reactivates genes otherwise suppressed by DNA promoter methylation, is effective for some, but not all cancer patients, especially those with solid tumors. It...Full Text Available
Sensory analysis studies are critical in the development of quality enhanced crops, and may be an important component in the public acceptance of genetically modified foods. It has recently been established...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of different concomitant disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on the persistence with antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies in...Full Text Available
BackgroundHIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a heterodimer composed of p66 and p51 subunits and is responsible for reverse transcription of the viral RNA genome into DNA. RT can...Full Text Available
The Dot/Icm type IV translocated Ankyrin B (AnkB) effector of Legionella pneumophila is modified by the host prenylation machinery that anchors it into the outer leaflet of the Legionella-containing...Full Text Available
The electrode structure of an inverted cesium sputtering negative ion source has been modified to produce a convergent Cs/sup +/ beam. The intensities of negative ion beams produced with this electrode structure are approximately an order of magnitude greater than previously obtained.
BackgroundEscherichia coli strain EL350 contains chromosomally integrated phage lambda Red recombinase genes enabling this strain to be used for modifying the sequence...Full Text Available
Investigations of enzymes involved in DNA metabolism have strongly benefited from the establishment of single molecule techniques. These experiments frequently require elaborate DNA substrates, which...Full Text Available
The purpose of this study was to determine whether cefonicid, a cephalosporin antibiotic with a modified N-methylthiotetrazole (MTT) side chain, caused testicular toxicity when subcutaneously administered...Full Text Available
Objectives To assess the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving bone mineral density in healthy children and to determine if any effect is modified by other factors and...Full Text Available
The status of development and commercialization of a modified 9 Cr-1 Mo alloy is presented. The alloy is modified by the addition of 0.06 to 0.10% Nb and 0.18 to 0.25% V. The alloy is recommended for use in the normalized and tempered condition (1040"0C for 1 h, air cooled to room temperature; 760"0C for 1 h, air cooled to room temperature). Heat treatment, Charpy impact, tensile, and creep properties of the alloy are described in detail along with a brief description of other properties. The modified alloy has creep strength that exceeds that of standard 9 Cr-1 Mo and 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo steels for the temperature range from 427 to 704"0C. The total-elongation and reduction-of-area values for all test temperatures and rupture times up to 22,500 h exceed 15 and 70%, respectively. The estimated design allowable stresses for this alloy are higher than those for standard 9 Cr-1 Mo and 2 1/4 Cr-1 Mo steel. At 550"0C and above, these ...
We modified an existing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be able to use new spectrophotometers which can measure the rate of color development in microtiter wells. This new kinetic-based...Full Text Available
Nuclear transfer (NT) is a procedure by which genetically identical individuals can be created. The technology of pig somatic NT, including in vitro maturation of oocytes, isolation and treatment of...Full Text Available
One of the modifiable risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) is hypercholesterolemia. This paper reviews the major plasma lipids and how they relate to coronary heart disease. Among...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory response induced by sepsis during laparoscopy.Summary Background DataA...Full Text Available
Hairpin oligonucleotides were synthesized with stems ending in a double-stranded structure, which can be ligated to double-strand breaks in DNA, and with loops that contain nucleotides modified by the...Full Text Available
An extracellular polysaccharide was purified from culture supernatants of Paenibacillus jamilae CP-7, a gram-positive bacillus that was isolated from compost prepared with olive mill...Full Text Available
A new method for removing periodic background patterns from pictures is presented. The basic spatial frequency composition of the pattern is determined from an estimate of the power spectrum of the picture. A digital restoration filter is then created from a modified version of the power spectrum. The method is extremely effective and can be automated.
Numerous xenobiotics, including therapeutics agents, are substrates for bioactivation to electrophilic reactive intermediates that may covalently modify biomolecules. Selective estrogen receptor...Full Text Available
An earlier representation of the radial distribution of dose about the path of a heavy ion in liquid water is modified and extended to include silicon, lithium fluoride, and sodium iodide. 6 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
SUMMARYATG12, an ubiquitin-like modifier required for macroautophagy, has a single known conjugation target, another autophagy regulator called ATG5. Here, we identify ATG3 as...Full Text Available
Increased oxidative stress with elevated levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of many disease states. Increased ROS/RNS can...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and the long-term risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the role of age as a modifier of this association.PARTICIPANTS...Full Text Available
We studied a novel universal spectrochemical series of six-coordinated octahedral 3d transition metal complexes, which can be used for any combination of central metal atom and ligand molecules. A two dimensional spectrochemical series could be used to estimate the ligand field splitting energy of not only known compounds but also the unknown compounds. Therefore, it should be possible to control the physical properties, such as the electronic and magnetic properties and the optical phenomena of octahedral transition metal complexes by modifying the ligand field splitting. PMID:19378561
The patch and voxel methods are representative examples of the ways in which multi-slice images may be displayed three-dimensionally by means of computer-graphics. Each of them have advantages and disadvantages and they are mutually complementary. We have developed algorithms for a modified voxel method which incorporates the advantages of the patch methods. We have applied this to the three-dimensional image display of brain tumor with excellent results. The three-dimensional reconstructions used for clinical application in this study were derived from X-ray CT images.
In-situ sodium activated organo modified bentonite clay was also used for partial replacement of the carbon black (N330). Detailed study with the black filled compound revealed that, with slight modification of the curing package, up to 10 phr of the carbon black replacement is possible. At equivalent loading of 5 and 10 phr of in-situ sodium activated organo modified bentonite clay exhibited better properties in comparison to carbon black filled compound.
The dynamics of spin-lattice relaxation (slr) of metal-organic Pt(II) compounds is studied. Often, such systems are characterized by pronounced zero-field splittings (zfs) of the lowest-lying triplets. Previous expressions for the Orbach slr process do not allow to treat such splitting patterns properly. We discuss the behavior of a modified Orbach expression for a model system and present results of a fit of the temperature dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate of Pt(2-thpy)$_2$ based on the modified expression.
The paper deals with Hawking radiation related to non-static spherically symmetric black hole. Quantum corrections are incorporated using Hamilton-Jacobi method beyond semi-classical approximation. It is found that different order correction terms satisfy identical differential equation as the semiclassical action and are solved by a typical technique. It has been shown that with proper choice of the proportionality factors, one loop back reaction effect in the space time can be obtained. Finally, using the law of black hole mechanics, a general modified form of the black hole entropy is obtained considering modified Hawking temperature.
In order to accurately assess the effectiveness of activated charcoal for the removal of radon from flowing air, a literature survey was performed to identify the models and relevant data that were available. It was found that by modifying the mathematical model of equilibrium stage theory used by Strong and Levins, the output rate of an activated charcoal filter exposed to a step function input in the radon rate at time zero with a given carrier gas flow velocity could be predicted. This paper outlines the modifications made to Strong and Levins's model and presents predictions for the filter output from the modified model.
A modified variable structure interacting multiple model (M-VSIMM) estimator for complex hybrid maneuver target tracking is presented. The M-VSIMM could potentially be applied to fire control systems (FCS) used on warships. Target model groups were designed using 3D dimensional dynamic target models. Optimal model group selection logic was proposed, contrary to the activation and termination logic in the original VSIMM. The system will respond faster with optimal model group selection logic. After performing simulations, the tracking performances of the Kalman, ?-?(-?), VDIE, IMM and M-VSIMM filters were compared under various maneuvering conditions.
A finite three-dimensional layer-by-layer photonic crystal with planar defects in a layer is shown to drastically modify the spontaneous emission rate of an embedded dipole. Finite-difference time-domain calculations with one quarter symmetric boundary condition and perfectly matched layer demonstrate the strong enhancement effects induced by the cavity resonance of defect modes and band-edge resonant modes. Simulation shows that the emission spectra are quite different when the position or polarization of the dipole is changed. Moreover, the extraction efficiency is calculated to observe the percentage of light leakage through a substrate.
Locked nucleic acid (LNA) is a nucleic acid analogue containing one or more LNA nucleotide monomers with a bicyclic furanose unit locked in an RNA mimicking sugar conformation. This conformational restriction results in unprecedented hybridization affinity towards complementary single stranded RNA and thus, makes LNA uniquely suited for mimicking RNA structures and sequence specific targeting of RNA in vitro or in vivo. The focus of this paper is on LNAantisense, LNA-modified siRNA (siLNA), and detection and analysis of microRNAs by LNA-modified oligonucleotide probes.
The polymerization of vinyl pyrrolidinone on nylon 66, with the assistance of aqueous phenol and formic acid, was investigated by mutual and post irradiation procedures. Both solvents were found to greatly facilitate the polymerization with the post irradiation procedure, whereas neither presented any advantage with the mutual irradiation procedure. Tensile properties of the modified fibers were affected in similar ways by both the irradiation procedures and solvents in that the only notable changes were the somewhat higher extensions at yield and at break. The moisture regain values of the treated yarns and fabrics were increased up to three-fold. Surface morphology of the modified fibers was revealed by SEM.
The lifetime of the circulating electron beam in the Naval Research Laboratory modified betatron has been increased by more than 2 orders of magnitude with the addition of strong focusing windings to the device. The injected beam consistently spirals from the injector to the minor axis and is trapped. The #approx#0.5-kA trapped electron ring has been accelerated above 10 MeV from the injection energy of 0.5 to 0.6 MeV. The beam acceleration has been confirmed not only by the x-ray attenuation technique but also with the detection of photoneutrons.
Jittery (ji) is a recessive mouse mutation on Chromosome 10 characterized by progressive ataxic gait, dystonic movements, spontaneus seizures, and death by dehydration/starvation before fertility. Recently, a viable neurological recessive mutation, hesitant, was discovered. It is characterized by hesitant, uncoordinated movements, exaggerated stepping of the hind limbs, and reduced fertility in males. In a complementation test and by genetic mapping we have shown here that hesitant and jittery are allelic. Using several large intersubspecific backcrosses and intercrosses we have genetically mapped ji near the marker Amh and microsatellite markers D10Mit7, D10Mit21, and D10Mit23. The linked region of mouse Chromosome 10 is homologous to human 19p13.3, to which several human ataxia loci have recently been mapped. By excluding genes that map to human 21q22.3 (Pfkl) and 12q23 (Nfyb), we conclude that jittery is not likely to be a genetic mouse model for human ...
Twenty-two landrace-derived inbred lines from the Spanish Barley Core Collection (SBCC) were found to display high levels of resistance to a panel of 27 isolates of the fungus Blumeria graminis that exhibit a wide variety of virulences. Among these lines, SBCC145 showed high overall resistance and a distinctive spectrum of resistance compared with the other lines. Against this background, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the genetic basis underlying such resistance using a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between SBCC145 and the elite spring cultivar Beatrix. The population was genotyped with the 1,536-SNP Illumina GoldenGate Oligonucleotide Pool Assay (Barley OPA-1 or BOPA1 for short), whereas phenotypic analysis was performed using two B. graminis isolates. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to both isolates was identified on the long arm of chromosome 6H (6HL) and accounted for ca. 60% of the phenotypic variance. Depending on the ...
A series of radioactive catastrophes (from 1948 to 1967) in the Southern Urals in the USSR led to intensive environmental contamination. Radioactive wastes were dispersed over the 20000 km(2) territory of four provinces-Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen' and Kurgan-due to the activity of the military facility that was built in 1948 for the production of nuclear bomb plutonium. The results of 50 years of investigations into the consequences of these disasters allow a general picture of the events that occurred to be reconstructed and allow the medical consequences of the irradiation of about half a million residents to be depicted. However, due to the atmosphere of secrecy and inadequate medical procedures, the results of medical studies of radiation victims are scant. The current protocols present a unique opportunity to study the DNA damage at the nucleotide resolution level in the genome of inhabitants of the given region, who presumably received chronic doses of irradiation. Studies ...
A gene designated BRCA1, implicated in the susceptibility to early-onset familial breast cancer, has recently been localized to chromosome 17q12-q21. To date, the order of DNA markers mapped within this region has been based on genetic linkage analysis. The authors report the use of multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization to establish a physically based map of five polymorphic DNA markers and 10 cloned genes spanning this region. Three cosmid clones and Alu-PCR-Generated products derived from 12 yeast artificial chromosome clones representing each of these markers were used in two-color mapping experiments to determine an initial proximity of markers relative to each other on metaphase chromosomes. Interphase mapping was then employed to determine the order and orientation of closely spaced loci by direct visualization of fluorescent signals following hybridization of three probes, each detected in a different color. Statistical analysis of the combined data ...
Stargardt`s disease (MIM 248200), originally described in 1909, is an autosomal recessive condition of childhood, characterized by a sudden and bilateral loss of central vision. Typically, it has an early onset (7 to 12 years), a rapidly progressive course and a poor final outcome. The central area of the retina (macula) displays pigmentary changes in a ring form with depigmentation and atrophy of the retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE). Perimacular yellowish spots, termed fundus flavimaculatus, are observed in a high percentage of patients. We have recently reported the genetic mapping of Stargardt`s disease to chromosome 1p13. On the other hand, considering that fundus flavimaculatus (MIM 230100) is another form of fleck fundus disease, with a Stargardt-like retinal aspect but with a late-onset and a more progressive course, we decided to test the hypothesis of allelism between typical Stargardt`s disease and late-onset autosomal recessive fundus flavimaculatus. Significant pairwise ...
The occurrence of hybrid incompatibilities forms an important stage during the evolution of reproductive isolation. In early stages of speciation, males and females often respond differently to hybridization. Haldane's rule states that the heterogametic sex suffers more from hybridization than the homogametic sex. Although haplodiploid reproduction (haploid males, diploid females) does not involve sex chromosomes, sex-specific incompatibilities are predicted to be prevalent in haplodiploid species. Here, we evaluate the effect of sex/ploidy level on hybrid incompatibilities and locate genomic regions that cause increased mortality rates in hybrid males of the haplodiploid wasps Nasonia vitripennis and Nasonia longicornis. Our data show that diploid F(1) hybrid females suffer less from hybridization than haploid F(2) hybrid males. The latter not only suffer from an increased mortality rate, but also from behavioural and spermatogenic sterility. Genetic mapping in recombinant F(2) male ...
Carbon isotope discrimination (?(13) C) is considered a useful indicator for indirect selection of grain yield (GY) in cereals. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the genetic variation in ?(13) C and its relationship with GY. A doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross of two common wheat varieties, Hanxuan 10 (H10) and Lumai 14 (L14), was phenotyped for ?(13) C in the flag leaf, GY and yield associated traits in two trials contrasted by water availability, specifically, rain-fed and irrigated. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified by single locus and two locus QTL analyses. QTLs for ?(13) C were located on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3B, 5A, 7A and 7B, and QTLs for other traits on all chromosomes except 1A, 4D, 5A, 5B and 6D. The population selected for high ?(13) C had an increased frequency of QTL for high ?(13) C, GY and number of spikes per plant (NSP) when grown under rain-fed conditions and only for high ?(13) C and NSP when grown under ...
Rapid detection and characterization of food borne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 is crucial for epidemiological investigations and food safety surveillance. As an alternative to conventional technologies, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of nucleic acid microarrays for detecting and genotyping E. coli O157:H7. The array was composed of oligonucleotide probes (25-30 mer) complementary to four virulence loci (intimin, Shiga-like toxins I and II, and hemolysin A). Target DNA was amplified from whole cells or from purified DNA via single or multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR products were hybridized to the array without further modification or purification. The array was 32-fold more sensitive than gel electrophoresis and capable of detecting amplification products from < 1 cell equivalent of genomic DNA (1 fg). Immunomagnetic capture, PCR and a microarray were subsequently used to detect 55 CFU ml-1 (E. coli O157:H7) ...
The chromosomal region 17q12-q21 contains a gene (BRCA1) conferring susceptibility to early-onset familial breast and ovarian cancer. An 8000-rad radiation-reduced hybrid (RH) panel was constructed to provide a resource for long-range mapping of this region. A large fraction of the hybrids ([approximately]90%) retained detectable human chromosome 17 sequences. The complete panel of 76 hybrids was scored for the presence or absence of 22 markers from this chromosomal region, including 14 cloned genes, seven microsatellite repeats, and one anonymous DNA segment. Statistical analysis of the marker retention data employing multipoint methods provided both comprehensive and framework maps of this chromosomal region, including distance estimates between adjacent markers. The comprehensive RH map includes 17 loci and spans 179 cRays[sub (8000)]. Likelihood ratios of at least 1000:1 support the 10-locus framework order: cen-D17S250-ERBB2-(THRA1, ...
Previous karyotypic studies have indicated a possible series of non-random chromosomal events involved in the progression of melanoma. We sought to define a model of melanocyte tumorigenesis by studying allelic deletions of polymorphic simple tandem repeat markers mapping to chromosome 1, 6q, 7, 9p, 10, 11, 17, and 21 in thirty matched pairs of melanoma and constitutional DNAs. The most frequent and earliest deletions were found on 9p (57%) and 10q (32%) and with the exception of one case, no sample has loss of markers on another chromosome without concomitant loss of markers on 9p and/or 10q. Losses on 6q were also a frequent (32%) event that sometimes occurred in primary melanomas, whereas losses of loci on distal 1p (26%) or 11q (26%) occurred only in metastic melanomas. A background rate (0-17%) of allele loss was seen on chromosomes 7, 17, and 21. Homozygous deletions in a panel of 31 melanoma cell lines were only detected for markers on 9p (4 cases). These ...
The processing characteristics, tensile properties, and oxidation response of two Nb-Ti-Al-Cr alloys were investigated. One creep test at 650 C and 172 MPa was conducted on the base alloy, which contained 40Nb-40Ti-10Al-10Cr. A second alloy was modified with 0.11 at.% C and 0.07 at.% Y. Alloys were arc melted in a chamber backfilled with argon, drop cast into a water-cooled copper mold, and cold rolled to obtain a 0.8-mm sheet. The sheet was annealed at 1,100 C for 0.5 h. Longitudinal tensile specimens and oxidation specimens were obtained for both the base alloy and the modified alloy. Tensile properties were obtained for the base alloy at room temperature, 400, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1,000 C and for the modified alloy at room temperature, 400, 600, 700, and 800 C. Oxidation tests the base alloy and modified alloy, as measured by weight change, were carried out at 600, 700, 800, and 900 C. Both the ...
The processing characteristics, tensile properties, and oxidation response of two Nb-Ti-Al-Cr alloys were investigated. One creep tests at 650{degrees}C and 172 MPa was conducted on the base alloy which contained 40Nb-40-Ti-10Al-10Cr. A second alloy was modified with 0.11 at. % carbon and 0.07 at. % yttrium. Alloys were arc melted in a chamber backfilled with argon, drop cast into a water-cooled copper mold, and cold rolled to obtain a 0.8-mm sheet. The sheet was annealed at 1100{degrees}C for 0.5 h. Longitudinal tensile specimens and oxidation specimens were obtained for both the base alloy and the modified alloy. Tensile properties were obtained for the base alloy at room temperature, 400, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000{degrees}C, and for the modified alloy at room temperature, 400, 600, 700, and 800{degrees}C. Oxidation tests on the base alloy and modified alloy, as measured by weight change, were ...
The effect of accelerated thermal cycling on a joint between modified 9Cr-1Mo steel (Grade 91) and Alloy 800 welded with Inconel 82 and 182 filler material is discussed. This is part of a trimetallic transition joint involving Grade 91-Alloy 800-316LN austenitic stainless steel for steam generator application. It has been shown that, during thermal cycling following the typical post-weld tempering treatment at 760 deg. C for 2 h, no carbon diffusion occurs from the ferritic steel towards the weld metal. There is, in fact, a hardness increase at the ferritic steel/weld metal interface which is probably a result of work hardening. Carbon migration sets in only after unusually long post-weld heat treatments for 20 and 50 h at 760 deg. C followed by thermal cycling. Significantly, even under the most severe thermal cycling test conditions imposed, no cracking or oxide notching could be detected, thus demonstrating the superior performance potential of ...
Testing deviation of GR is one of the main goals of the proposed {\\emph{Laser Interferometer Space Antenna}}, a space-based gravitational-wave observatory. For the first time, we consistently compute the generation of gravitational waves from extreme-mass ratio inspirals (stellar compact objects into supermassive black holes) in a well-motivated alternative theory of gravity, that to date remains weakly constrained by double binary pulsar observations. The theory we concentrate on is Chern-Simons (CS) modified gravity, a 4-D, effective theory that is motivated both from string theory and loop-quantum gravity, and which enhances the Einstein-Hilbert action through the addition of a dynamical scalar field and the parity-violating Pontryagin density. We show that although point particles continue to follow geodesics in the modified theory, the background about which they inspiral is a modification to the Kerr metric, which imprints a CS ...
We analytically work out the orbital effects caused by a Rindlertype extra-acceleration ARin which naturally arises in some recent models of modified gravity at large distances. In particular, we focus on the perturbations induced by it on the two-body range {\\rho} and range-rate {\\rho}\\cdot which are commonly used in satellite and planetary investigations as primary observable quantities. The constraints obtained for ARin by comparing our calculations with the currently available range and range-rate residuals for some of the major bodies of the solar system, obtained without explicitly modeling ARin, are 1 - 2 \\times 10-13 m s-2 (Mercury and Venus), 1 \\times 10-14 m s-2 (Saturn), 1 \\times 10-15 m s-2 (Mars), while for a terrestrial Rindler acceleration we have 5 \\times 10-16 m s-2 (Moon). Another approach which could be followed consists of taking into account ARin in re-processing all the available data sets with accordingly modified ...
The fluorescent behaviour and the photodynamic effect was studied in native and structurally modified lysozyme and ..cap alpha..-lactalbumin. The Tyr residues in lysozyme and ..cap alpha..-lactalbumin show different sensitivities to the photodynamic effect. The effect is zero in the case of Tyr from native lysozyme. In contrast, the Tyr residues in ..cap alpha..-lactalbumin are susceptible to photooxidation, which indicates a greater degree of exposure to the solvent. The three His residues of ..cap alpha..-lactalbumin have different degrees of exposure and show two different kinetics of photooxidation whereas the His residue of lysozyme is photooxidized with a single kinetic. Two photooxidation kinetics were obtained for the Trp residues of both native proteins, an indication that in both cases there are Trp residues that are differently exposed to the solvent. The wavelengths of maximum fluorescent emission of the Trp residues were different for the two proteins, ...
This work assesses the performance of a modified two-dimensional gamma scan system in spent fuel pin studies. The techniques for a two-dimensional gamma scan studied have been developed at the Hot Cell of Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER). Samples are acquired from the spent fuel pin, TPC-SP-C1, which was irradiated in a commercial reactor core (the first of its kind in Taiwan) for 2 years and then deposited in a cooling pool for 10 years. The spent fuel pin was then transferred into INER for further examination. The gamma scanning system was driven by a step motor which had an accuracy within 0.1 mm in both X-Y directions. Data obtained from this system are presented in both an isotopic distribution and contour plot. Results in this study closely correspond to those in other investigations, thereby confirming the effectiveness of this modified system. (author)
A 9Cr-1Mo steel with properties improved over other ferritics in the ranges from 9 to 12% Cr and 1 to 2% Mo and over the widely used 2 1/2 Cr-1Mo steel has recently been developed. The main changes in the modified alloy, compared with the standard alloy, include: addition of niobium and vanadium, to improve the alloy's elevated-temperature strength properties; a specified range for each element; and a specification for nitrogen, which is not listed for the standard 9Cr-1Mo. Microstructural work has indicated that the improved strength of the modified alloy comes from two factors: (1) fine M/sub 23/C/sub 6/ precipitate particles nucleate on Nb/C, N, which comes out first during the heat treatment; and (2) the vanadium enters M/sub 23/C/sub 6/ and retards its growth at the service temperature. Mechanical properties discussed were Charpy-impact, tensile, and creep properties. Other properties included were: thermal expansion coefficient, ...
Previous work showed that (TH)p-azidopuromycin photoaffinity labeled 70 S Escherichia coli ribosomes and that photoincorporation into 50 S subunit proteins was in the order L23 greater than L18/22 greater than L15. In the present work the authors report on immunoelectron microscopic studies of the complexes formed by p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of the antibiotic. The p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits appear to be identical to unmodified control subunits in electron micrographs. Complexes of modified subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of p-azidopuromycin were visualized in micrographs. Two regions of p-azidopuromycin photoincorporation were identified. The primary site, seen in about 75% of the complexes, is between the central protuberance and small projection, on the side away from the L7/L12 arm, in a region thought to ...
Previous work showed that ["3H]p-azidopuromycin photoaffinity labeled 70 S Escherichia coli ribosomes and that photoincorporation into 50 S subunit proteins was in the order L23 greater than L18/22 greater than L15. In the present work the authors report on immunoelectron microscopic studies of the complexes formed by p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of the antibiotic. The p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits appear to be identical to unmodified control subunits in electron micrographs. Complexes of modified subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of p-azidopuromycin were visualized in micrographs. Two regions of p-azidopuromycin photoincorporation were identified. The primary site, seen in about 75% of the complexes, is between the central protuberance and small projection, on the side away from the L7/L12 arm, in a region thought to ...
In this paper, we report on a series of experiments designed to study the influence of plasma nitriding on the mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel. Plasma nitriding experiments were conducted on AISI 304L steel in a temperature range of 375-475 C using pulsed-DC plasma with different N{sub 2}-H{sub 2} gas mixtures and treatment times. Firstly the formation and the microstructure of the modified layer will be highlighted followed by the results of hardness measurement, adhesion testing, wear resistance and fatigue life tests. The modified surface was analyzed directly after plasma nitriding as well as using a depth profiling method. The microhardness after plasma nitriding is increased up to 19 GPa, that is a factor of five higher compared to the untreated material (3.3 GPa). The adhesion is examined by Rockwell indentation and scratch test. No delamination of the treated layer could be observed. The wear rate after plasma ...
We compare N-body simulations of isolated galaxies performed in both frameworks of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) and Newtonian gravity with dark matter (DM). We have developed a multigrid code able to efficiently solve the modified Poisson equation derived from the Lagrangian formalism AQUAL. We take particular care of the boundary conditions that are a crucial point in MOND. The 3-dimensional dynamics of initially identical stellar discs is studied in both models. In Newtonian gravity the live DM halo is chosen to fit the rotation curve of the MOND galaxy. For the same value of the Toomre parameter (Q_T), galactic discs in MOND develop a bar instability sooner than in the DM model. In a second phase the MOND bars weaken while the DM bars continue to grow by exchanging angular momentum with the halo. The bar pattern speed evolves quite differently in the two models: there is no dynamical friction on the MOND bars so they keep a constant ...
The static thermophysical properties of the molten salt system like LiF-NaF-BeF_2 influence the design and construction of the fuel salt and coolant in the Molten Salt Reactor for the new generation. In this paper, the equation of state of the ternary system 0.15LiF-0.58NaF-0.27BeF_2, over the temperature range from 873.15K to 1073.15K at one atmosphere pressure, is described by using modified Peng-Robinson equation. The density of the ternary system is evaluated by this equation directly, and compared with the experimental data. Base on the equation of state, the other static thermophysical properties such as the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity at constant pressure are evaluated by the fugacity coefficient and residual function methods respectively. The density calculated by Peng-Robinson equation is in highly agreement with the experimental data, and the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity evaluated by such two different methods are consistent with each ...
The static thermodynamic properties of the molten salt system like LiF-NaF-BeF_2 influence the design and construction of the fuel salt and coolant in the Molten Salt Reactor for the new generation. In this paper, the equation of state of the ternary system 15%LiF-58%NaF-27%BeF_2, over the temperature range of 873.15K to 1073.15K at one atmosphere pressure, is described using Peng-Robinson equation modified by us. And the density of the ternary system is evaluated by this equation directly, and compared with the experimental data. Base on the equation of state, the other static thermodynamic properties such as the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity at constant pressure are estimated by the residual function method and the fugacity coefficient method respectively. The density calculated by Peng-Robinson equation is in highly agreement with the experimental data, and the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity evaluated by such two different methods are consistent with ...
The static thermophysical properties of the molten salt system like LiF-NaF-BeF2 influence the design and construction of the fuel salt and coolant in the Molten Salt Reactor for the new generation. In this paper, the equation of state of the ternary system 0.15LiF-0.58NaF-0.27BeF2, over the temperature range from 873.15K to 1073.15K at one atmosphere pressure, is described by using modified Peng-Robinson equation. The density of the ternary system is evaluated by this equation directly, and compared with the experimental data. Base on the equation of state, the other static thermophysical properties such as the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity at constant pressure are evaluated by the fugacity coefficient and residual function methods respectively. The density calculated by Peng-Robinson equation is in highly agreement with the experimental data, and the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity evaluated by such two different methods are consistent with each other. ...
The enantiomeric separations of three pesticides fipronil (asymmetric nitrogen), isocarbophos (asymmetric phosphorus) and carfentrazone-ethyl (asymmetric carbon) were studied on cellulose-tri(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase using high-performance liquid chromatography under normal phase. The mobile phase was n-hexane with alcohols including ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol and iso-butanol as polar modifiers. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 280, 225 and 230 nm for fipronil, isocarbophos and carfentrazone-ethyl respectively. The influence of the modifiers and their volume content and temperature from 0 to 50 degrees C on the separations was investigated. The chiral stationary phase showed excellent stereoselectivity for the two enantiomers of fipronil and isocarbophos and certain chiral recognition for carfentrazone-ethyl. Iso-propanol was more suitable for the chiral separation of isocarbophos ...
Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was chemically modified using cyanuric chloride (CC) as a linking agent onto a carbon felt (CF), which is a microelectrode ensemble of micro carbon fiber (>7mm, diameter) with a random three-dimensional structure. The resulting HRP-modified CF (HRP-ccCF) exhibited well-defined redox waves based on the HRP heme Fe^I^I^I/Fe^I^I redox couple at -0.23V vs. Ag/AgCl (at pH 7.0), while the HRP-adsorbed CF (HRP-CF) showed no apparent redox couple in the same potential range, indicating that the chemical modification of HRP via CC facilitated the direct electron transfer (DET) between HRP and CF. The apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant ks was estimated to be 35s^-^1. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the inter...
The flow distribution through a plate-fin heat exchanger is studied by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, FLUENT. The flow distribution through any heat exchanger affects its performance. In designing a heat exchanger, it is assumed that the fluid is uniformly distributed through the heat exchanger core. In practice, however, it is impossible to distribute fluid uniformly, because of an improper inlet configuration, imperfect design, and a complex heat transfer process. The CFD simulation of the flow distribution in the header of a conventional plate-fin heat exchanger is presented. It is found that the flow maldistribution is very serious in the y-direction of the header. A modified header is proposed and simulated using CFD. The modified header configuration has a more uniform flow distribution than the conventional header configuration. Hence, the efficiency of the modified heat exchanger is seen to be ...
Pretreatment of biosorbents have been suggested to modify the surface characteristics which could improve biosorption process. Stable cesium biosorption was studied in continuous fixed-bed column by chemically modified biosorbents. Two kinds of brown algae (Sargassum glaucescens and Cystoseira indica) were treated with chemical agents including formaldehyde (FA), glutaraldehyde (GA), potassium hexacyanoferrate (HCF), FA and HCF, and GA and HCF. The highest biosorption capacity (BC) was obtained from C. indica treated with FA (63.5 mg Cs/g biomass) and S. glaucescens treated with FA and HCF (62 mg Cs/g biomass). To study the effect of the best treatments on the BC, the concentration of each treatment agent was decreased. With decreasing FA agent for C. indica treatment, the BC dropped. Treatment of 1 g S. glaucescens biomass with 2.2 g FA and then 0.18 g HCF resulted in the highest BC (73.08 mg Cs/g dry biomass) which was 35.8 times higher than ...
We report a templated-synthetic approach based on apoferritin to prepare radionuclide nanoparticle (NP) conjugates. Non-radioactive yttrium (89Y) was used as model target and surrogate for radioyttrium (90Y) to prepare the nanoparticle conjugate. The center cavity and multiple channel structure of apoferritin offer a fast and facile method to precipitate yttrium phosphate by diffusing yttrium and phosphate ions into the cavity of apofrritin, resulting a core-shell nanocomposite. The yttrium phosphate/apoferritin nanoparticle was functionalized with biotin for further application. The synthesized nanoparticle was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found that the resulting nanoparticles were uniform in size, with a diameter of around 8 nm. We tested the pre-targeting capability of the biotin-modified yttrium phosphate/apoferritin nanoparticle (yttrium phosphate/apoferritin nanoparticle) conjugate ...
Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is a model environmental organism that possesses diverse respiratory capacities, including the ability to reduce soluble Cr(VI) to sparingly soluble, less toxic Cr(III). Effective bioremediation of Cr-contaminated sites requires knowledge of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of heavy metal resistance and biotransformation by dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria. Towards this goal, our ERSP-funded work is focused on the identification and functional analysis of genes/proteins comprising the response pathways for chromate detoxification and/or reduction. Previous transcriptomic profiling and whole-cell proteomic analyses implicated the involvement of a functionally undefined DNA-binding response regulator (SO2426) and a putative azoreductase (SO3585) in the chromate stress response of MR-1. Here we describe a detailed functional analysis of SO2426 and SO3585 in order to begin to understand the role of these proteins in the cellular response to chromate. ...
In this program, contemporary solidification agents are being investigated relative to their applications to major fuel cycle and non-fuel cycle low-level waste (LLW) streams. Work is being conducted to determine the range of conditions under which these solidification agents can be applied to specific LLW streams. These studies are directed primarily towards defining operating parameters for both improved solidification of problem wastes and solidification of new LLW streams generated from advanced volume reduction technologies. Work is being conducted to measure relevant waste form properties. These data will be compiled and evaluated to demonstrate compliance with waste form performance and shallow land burial acceptance criteria and transportation requirements (both as they exist and as they are modified with time). 6 tables.
In this study, a two-step process was developed to produce biodiesel from Calophyllum inophyllum oil. Pre-treatment with phosphoric acid modified b-zeolite in acid catalyzed esterification process preceded by transesterification which was done using conventional alkali catalyst potassium hydroxide (KOH). The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the reaction temperatures, reaction time and methanol to oil molar ratio in the pre-treatment step. Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were utilized to determine the best operating condition for the pre-treatment step. Biodiesel produced by this process was tested for its fuel properties.
Momentum transfer through an air-water interface was studied in a horizontal rectangular channel through experimental and numerical analysis. The liquid flow Reynolds numbers, based on hydraulic diameters, were 11500 and 17000. The air flow Reynolds number varied from 0 to 3260. In experiments, velocity distribution was measured by hot-film and hot-wire probes. The effect of the liquid flow Reynolds number and the direction of interfacial shear stress was investigated by performing the cocurrent and countercurrent experiments. The modified k-{epsilon} model was able to reproduce these experimental results qualitatively. The range of applicability of the modified k-{epsilon} model was also discussed. (author).
Momentum transfer through an air-water interface was studied in a horizontal rectangular channel through experimental and numerical analysis. The liquid flow Reynolds numbers, based on hydraulic diameters, were 11500 and 17000. The air flow Reynolds number varied from 0 to 3260. In experiments, velocity distribution was measured by hot-film and hot-wire probes. The effect of the liquid flow Reynolds number and the direction of interfacial shear stress was investigated by performing the cocurrent and countercurrent experiments. The modified k-#epsilon# model was able to reproduce these experimental results qualitatively. The range of applicability of the modified k-#epsilon# model was also discussed. (author).
A series of cleavable water-soluble silicone surfactants were prepared by the reaction of a hydroxyl-terminated polyester and an organopolysiloxane. Cleavable surfactants can decompose into water-insoluble moiety of silanol and two water-soluble products under acidic conditions, whereas these compounds are stable under neutral or alkaline conditions. The structure change of theses cleavage products are confirmed by IR and UV spectra analysis. The fundamental surface activity including surface tension, foaming, contact angle and viscosity are studied. The photocatalytic degradation of modified silicone surfactants with UV light over titanium oxide was investigated. Experimental results have confirmed that products are slowly degraded by direct photolysis. However, the cleavable silicone sur...
The project was designed to solve the infra structural problem required for commercialization of food irradiation. In improvement of physical properties of corn starch, gamma irradiation was effective for increasing glucose productivity and for substituting traditional modified starches (acid modified starch, oxidized starch). In immobilization of microorganisms, the mass production method of natural red pigment was developed by using immobilized mold pellets. In Korean medicinal plants, 10 kGy gamma irradiation was effective for improving sanitary quality and increasing extraction yield. In evaluation of wholesomeness, gamma irradiated red ginseng could be safe on the genotoxic point of view. And also, six items of irradiated foods approved for human consumption from Korea ministry of health and welfare in May 19, 1995. 30 figs, 20 tabs, 54 refs. (Author).
We study a two-level atom in interaction with a real massless scalar quantum field in a spacetime with a reflecting boundary. The presence of the boundary modifies the quantum fluctuations of the scalar field, which in turn modifies the radiative properties of atoms. We calculate the rate of change of the mean atomic energy of the atom for both inertial motion and uniform acceleration. It is found that the modifications induced by the presence of a boundary make the spontaneous radiation rate of an excited inertial atom oscillate near the boundary and this oscillatory behavior may offer a possible opportunity for experimental tests for geometrical (boundary) effects in flat spacetime. While for accelerated atoms, the transitions from ground states to excited states are found to be possible even in a vacuum due to changes in the vacuum fluctuations induced by both the presence of the boundary and the acceleration of atoms, and this can be ...
The LWR fuel performance analysis computer code, FRAPCON-1, are evaluated to investigate the performance of CANDU fuel elements loaded in Wolsung-1 reactor. The FRAPCON-1 models of neutron flux depression in fuel and of fuel-to-cladding heat transfer are modified, and the validity of fission gas release model for CANDU fuel is evaluated. And the heavy water properties are provided in calculating the heat transfer coefficient between cladding and coolant. By using the modified code, FRAPCON-1-CSK, the sensitivity studies are carried out for Wolsung-1 fuel element design parameters. The performance analysis is also performed for Wolsung-1 fuel elements. The calculated results are discussed in terms of LWR fuel design criteria because of unavailability of CANDU fuel design criteria. (Author).
Abstract In this study, surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) was used to remove Remazol Brillant Blue R and Remazol Yellow reactive dyes from aqueous solutions. The influences of suspension pH, temperature, agitation rate, and the SMZ dosage on reactive dyes removal and adsorption capacity were investigated by conducting a series of batch adsorption experiments. The adsorption kinetics was tested for pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion model, Elovich, and Bangham models, and rate constants of the kinetic models were calculated. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of reactive dyes were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Tempkin isotherm models. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacities of Remazol Brillant Blue R and Remazol Yell...
The paramagnetic susceptibilities of all the RCo_2 compounds for which measurements are available are found to obey a Curie-Weiss law consistent with the modified indirect exchange model. The rare-earth ions are in a well defined tripositive valence state. Paramagnetic moments and paramagnetic Curie temperatures are obtained for these materials for the first time. The paramagnetic moments of these materials are changed from their free-ion values by the effects of itinerant electron polarisation, an effect which is particularly large for SmCo_2 whose paramagnetic moment is almost three times greater than the free-ion value. The modified indirect exchange model is found to be able to give a full description of the magnitude of the rare-earth, cobalt and diffuse moments in polarised neutron experiments. The band structures of the light RCo_2 compounds are found to be distinctly different to those of the heavy RCo_2 compounds. (author).
This study presents new software, called Google Earth-based Optimal HAulage RouTing System (GEOHARTS), to improve the functionality of Google Earth for optimal haulage routing of off-road dump trucks in construction and mining sites. A modified least-cost path algorithm, which is applicable to working areas with both paved and unpaved temporary roads and can consider the effects of terrain relief and curves along a route on the route planning, was proposed and utilized for the software development. GEOHARTS can determine optimal haulage routes between loaders and dumps that ensure the least travel time or fuel consumption of off-road dump trucks and can visualize the results using an embedded 3D render window of Google Earth. The application to the Pasir open-pit coal mine in Indonesia dem...
Versions of parameterized pseudo-Newtonian gravity theories specially designed for cosmology have been introduced in recent cosmology literature. The modifications demand a zero-pressure fluid in the context of versions of modified Poisson-like equation with two different gravitational potentials. We consider such modifications in the context of relativistic gravity theories where the action is a general algebraic function of the scalar curvature, the scalar field, and the kinetic term of the field. In general it is not possible to isolate the zero-pressure fluid component simultaneously demanding a modification in the Poisson-like equation. Only in the small-scale limit we can realize some special forms of the attempted modifications. We address some loopholes in the possibility of showing non-Einstein gravity nature based on pseudo-Newtonian modifications in the cosmological context. We point out that future observations of gravitational weak lensing together ...
We consider various modifications of the Weyl-Moyal star-product, in order to obtain a finite range of nonlocality. The basic requirements are to preserve the commutation relations of the coordinates as well as the associativity of the new product. We show that a modification of the differential representation of the Weyl-Moyal star-product by an exponential function of derivatives will not lead to a finite range of nonlocality. We also modify the integral kernel of the star-product introducing a Gaussian damping, but find a nonassociative product which remains infinitely nonlocal. We are therefore led to propose that the Weyl-Moyal product should be modified by a cutoff like function, in order to remove the infinite nonlocality of the product. We provide such a product, but it appears that one has to abandon the possibility of analytic calculation with the new product.
This paper investigates various usages of natural gas (NG) as an energy source for different hydrogen production technologies. A comparison is made between the different methods of hydrogen production, based on the total amount of natural gas needed to produce a specific quantity of hydrogen, carbon dioxide emissions per mole of hydrogen produced, water requirements per mole of hydrogen produced, and a cost sensitivity analysis that takes into account the fuel cost, carbon dioxide capture cost and a carbon tax. The methods examined are the copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle, steam methane reforming (SMR) and a modified sulfur-iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle. Also, an integrated Cu-Cl/SMR plant is examined to show the unique advantages of modifying existing SMR plants with new h...
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) powder from waste bottles was degraded at atmospheric pressure in 7--13 M nitric acid at 70--100 C for 72 h, to clarify the mechanism of a feed stock recycling process. Terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) were produced by the acid-catalyzed heterogeneous hydrolysis of PET in nitric acid, and the resulting EG was simultaneously oxidized to oxalic acid. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of PET in nitric acid could be explained by a modified shrinking core model of chemical reaction control, in which the effective surface area is proportional to the degree of unreacted PET, affected by the deposition of the product TPA. The apparent rate constant was inversely proportional to particle size and to the concentration of the nitric acid. The activation energy of the reaction was 101.3 kJ/mol.
A new technique for ion implantation into concave surface of insulating materials is proposed and experimentally studied. The principle is roughly described by referring to modifying inner surface of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle. An electrode that is supplied with positive high-voltage pulses is inserted into the bottle. Both plasma formation and ion implantation are simultaneously realized by the same high-voltage pulses. Ion sheath with a certain thickness that depends on plasma parameters is formed just on the inner surface of the bottle. Since the plasma potential is very close to that of the electrode, ions from the plasma are accelerated in the sheath and implanted perpendicularly into the bottle's inner surface. Laser Raman spectroscopy shows that the inner surface of an ion-implanted PET bottle is modified into DLC (diamond-like carbon). Gas permeation measurement shows that gas-barrier property enhances due to the ...
In this paper, 0.75Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3-0.25PbTiO3-0.15 wt% MnO (0.75PFW-0.25PT-0.15 wt% MnO) ceramics are synthesized by two different methods, the conventional direct oxide synthesized (DS) method and two-step indirect synthesized (IS) method. The low-field dielectric responses are investigated by using the empirical law, the Curie-Weiss law, the modified-Landau theory and the spin-glass model. Due to the IS method, the lattice structure and the grain structure of the samples are changed. Furthermore, the dielectric properties are evidently modified. It is suggested that the ordering degree of B-site cations is enhanced by using the IS synthesized method.
Silicon layered structures containing porous silicon modified with various thermal treatments and epitaxial layers deposited on porous layers were studied with a number of complementary X-ray diffraction methods using synchrotron source. The methods of characterization included recording of rocking curves for reflections with various asymmetry as well as projection, section and micro-Laue topography. It was found that oxidizing and sintering of porous silicon seriously modified the strains in the porous layer and in some cases even inverting the sense of strain with respect to that in initially formed porous layer. Consequently the deposited epitaxial layer usually was not laterally coherent with the substrate. Some of investigated layers were not stable in time and after few months period exhibited significant lost of coherence of porous skeleton. (author)
The influence of the regimes of modification of carbon fibers by an argon ion beam on the change in the angle of their wetting by an epoxy oligomer has been investigated. It has been shown that ion-beam treatment of carbon fibers leads to a considerable decrease in the wetting angles (the difference between the wetting angles for non modified and modified fibers is up to 32.2-38.7). Accordingly, there is also an increase in the value of the equilibrium work of adhesion by 36.2-41.6% in the contact zone. It has been established that ion-beam treatment of carbon fibers by argon ions leads to an increase in the shear strength when microplastics based on them are formed. (authors)
The development of 'Green Chemistry' requires new materials to replace the conventional organic chemistry by biological catalysts, to produce fine chemicals in an environmentally friendly manner. Microbial whole cells can be directly used as biocatalysts, providing a simple and cheap methodology since enzyme isolation and purification are avoided. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a very stable polymer though it can be activated by gamma radiation to induce grafting. Glycidyl methacrylate was grafted onto macroporous HDPE and PP in the range of 1-6%, proportional to the initial monomer concentration. Grafted polymers were further chemically modified with ethylenediamine to generate a cationic hydrogel of micron-size thickness onto the internal polymer surfaces. Modified polymers were able to immobilize Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that can catalyze a chemical reaction as efficient as free cells do.
Asphaltenes precipitated from an Arabian Mix vacuum residue were hydrocracked in a batch autoclave at 435 and 460{degree}C for 5-90 min. Experiments without catalyst, with modified red mud and with an industrial Co Mo/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst were compared. The products were fractionated into gas, naphtha, oil, asphaltenes and coke. Feed asphaltenes and several product fractions were characterised by elemental analysis, by average molecular mass and by {sup 1}H n.m.r. Due to the hydrogenation activity, both catalysts caused - with similar efficiency - the decrease of coke formation and the increase of quantity and quality of oil. 21 refs., 9 figs., 5 tabs.
A sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor was fabricated based on graphene-Pt (GN-Pt) nanocomposite. The GN-Pt was synthesized by photochemical reduction of K2PtCl4 on GNs, and characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical investigations indicated that the GN-Pt exhibited a high peak current and low overpotential towards the reduction of H2O2. The GN-Pt modified glass carbon electrode displayed a wide linear range (2-710mM), low limit of detection (0.5mM) and good selectivity for detection of H2O2 with a much higher sensitivity than that of Pt nanoparticles or graphene modified electrode.
Nanoscale islands of Cu_2O have been synthesized on single-crystal SrTiO_3 (100) substrates using oxygen plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Island growth location has been controlled by using an ex situ Ga"+ focused ion beam (FIB) to modify the growth surface in discrete locations prior to island synthesis. The FIB modifications have generated surface topography with lateral dimensions of 150-200 nm. Ex situ atomic force microscopy study after island growth reveals that certain FIB substrate modification and MBE growth condition combinations lead to directed self-assembly of metal oxide islands at the edges of the FIB modified zones.
Nanoscale islands of Cu?O have been synthesized on single crystal SrTiO? (100) substrates using oxygen plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Island growth location has been controlled by using an ex-situ Ga? focused ion beam (FIB) to modify the growth surface in discrete locations prior to island sythesis. The FIB modifications have generated surface topography with lateral dimensions of 150-200 nm. Ex-situ AFM study after island growth reveals that certain FIB substrate modification and MBE growth condition combinations lead to directed self-assembly of metal oxide islands at the edges of the FIB modified zones.
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the changes of soft and hard tissues after modified anterior segmental osteotomy on the maxilla and mandible and to evaluate unintended facial changes using cephalometric and photometric analyses.Materials and MethodsThe subjects included 29 women and 1 man (22 to 50 years of age) who were diagnosed as bialveolar or bimaxillary protrusion and underwent modified anterior segmental osteotomy on the maxilla and mandible. Lateral cephalograms and lateral and frontal photographs taken preoperatively and postoperatively were analyzed.ResultsThere was a significant change in all soft and hard tissue parameters except the labiomental angle. The ratio of upper lip to maxillary incisor retraction was 0.67:1 and the ratio of l...
The molten salt reactor (MSR), which is one of the generation IV reactors, can meet the demand of transmutation and breeding. The thermodynamic properties of the molten salt system like LiF-NaF-BeF2 influence the design and construction of the fuel salt and coolant in the MSR for the new generation. In this paper, the equation of state of the ternary system 15%LiF-58%NaF-27%BeF2, over the temperature range from 873.15 to 1 073.15 K at one atmosphere pressure, is described using a modified Peng-Robinson (PR) equation. The densities of the ternary system and its components are estimated by this equation directly, and compared with the experimental data. Based on the equation of state, the other thermodynamic properties such as the enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity at constant pressure are ...
The effects of a modifier that contains Rare Earths (RE), low melting point alloy (Al-Bi-Sb) and Ca-Si alloy on an ultrahigh carbon steel containing 1.9wt.% C were studied. Microstructure characterization was carried out with optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Upon modification, the continuous eutectic carbide network structure was broken up and changed to a partly isolated and finer blocky structure in the as-cast alloy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the eutectoid temperature increased and the eutectic temperature decreased for the modified alloy. Modification also improved the impact toughness of the tempered steel, with a significant increase from 6.5 to 12.6Jcm^-^2, despite the har...
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fabric (CF) was modified with strong HNO3 oxidation and then introduced into polyimide (PI) composites. The friction and wear properties of the carbon fabric reinforced polyimide composites (CFRP), sliding against GCr15 stainless steel rings, were investigated on an M-2000 model ring-on-block test rig under dry sliding. Experimental results revealed that the carbon fiber surface treatment largely reduced the friction and wear of the CFRP. Compared with the untreated ones, the surface-modified CF can enhance the tribological properties of CFRP efficiently due to the improved adhesion between the CF and the PI matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of the carbon fiber surface showed that the fiber surfa...
ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this two-center study was to evaluate screw-type titanium implants with a chemically modified, sandblasted and acid-etched surface when placed in the posterior maxilla or mandible, and loaded 21 days after placement. Material and Methods: All 56 patients met strict inclusion criteria and provided informed consent. Each patient displayed either a single-tooth gap, an extended edentulous space, or a distal extension situation in the posterior mandible or maxilla. Eighty-nine dental implants (SLActive, Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) were inserted according to an established nonsubmerged protocol and underwent undisturbed healing for a period of 21 days. Where appropriate, the implants were loaded after 21 days of healing with provisional restorations i...
As the main forestry species in the Canary Islands (Spain), Pinus canariensis is frequently used in afforestation programs. Several nursery techniques are commonly employed to modify its morphology and physiology with the aim of improving post-planting survival and growth. In this work, we studied how fertilization and light regime treatments applied during the nursery period modify biomass allocation patterns and produce effects in gas exchange and root hydraulic conductance. Seedlings were grown for a 6-month period in the nursery under two light regimes (full sunlight and 40% PAR reduction), and three fertilization levels were applied in each light regime. Morphology, biomass allocation patterns, leaf gas exchange and hydraulic conductance of the whole root system were evaluated. Fertil...
Neutron stars are sensitive laboratories for testing general relativity, especially when considering deviations where velocities are relativistic and gravitational fields are strong. One such deviation is described by dynamical, Chern-Simons modified gravity, where the Einstein-Hilbert action is modified through the addition of the gravitational parity-violating Pontryagin density coupled to a field. This four-dimensional effective theory arises naturally both in perturbative and non-perturbative string theory, loop quantum gravity, and generic effective field theory expansions. We calculate here Chern-Simons modifications to the properties and gravitational fields of slowly spinning neutron stars. We find that the Chern-Simons correction affects only the gravitomagnetic sector of the metric to leading order, thus introducing modifications to the moment of inertia but not to the mass-radius relation. We show that an observational determination ...
A supercritical fluid-based method is proposed to produce coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) nanoparticles. First, CoQ10/polyethylene glycol 6000 composite particles are prepared by a modified PGSS (particles from gas-saturated solutions) process with controlling the flow rate of the gas-saturated solution. Then, CoQ10 nanoparticles are obtained by dissolving the composite particles into water. The effect of experimental variables of the modified PGSS process, including pressure, temperature, flow rate of the gas-saturated solution, and mass fraction of CoQ10, on the CoQ10 particle size and particle size distribution was investigated. Results show that CoQ10 slurry product with a median diameter of 190nm and yield of 89.8% can be prepared at an optimum condition (operating pressure of 25MPa, operating t...
This current work is concerned with the development of polypropylene composites reinforced with cellulose and cellulignin fibers attained from sugarcane bagasse. Moreover, the fibers were chemically modified by acetylating process and its effects on the fiber/matrix interaction were also evaluated. The chemical modification efficiency was verified by FTIR analysis and the fibers morphological aspects of fibers by SEM. Likewise, the influence of modified fibers content in the composites was studied by mechanical (tensile, shear and flexural tests) and thermal analyses (TGA and DSC). After the chemical modification, the FTIR results showed the appearance of acetyl groups and reduction of OH bonds for all fibers. Together with, SEM characterization showed that the acetylation changed the morp...
Australia?s nationally consistent framework for gene technology regulation is underpinned by the Gene Technology Act 2000, administered by an independent decision-maker, the Gene Technology Regulator. The object of the Act is ?to protect the health and safety of people, and to protect the environment, by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology, and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with genetically modified organisms?. Marketing and trade impacts are outside the scope of assessments required by the Act. Since 2001, seven licences have been issued for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) cotton with insect resistance and/or herbicide tolerance. Licences have also been issued for 32 GM cotton field trials with a broader range ...
Here we demonstrate that the as-prepared MCM-41 mesoporous silica material, which is synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a cationic surfactant exhibits very high capacity for perchlorate uptake from solutions. Thus we discover a new function for the as-synthesized mesoporous materials containing cationic surfactants. These materials are shown to have better capacity than the currently used activated carbon, which is preloaded with cationic surfactant. As-synthesized MCM-41 has a higher removal of perchlorate with 0.378???0.038?meq/g than the surfactant modified activated carbon sample, which removed 0.304???0.005?meq/g i.e., MCM-41 has a 24 % higher capacity than the surfactant modified activated carbon sample for perchlorate uptake because of higher surfactant content and ...
Abstract:- Significant interest has emerged in the introduction of food packaging materials manufactured from biodegradable polymers that have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional packaging materials. Current technologies in active packaging enable effective antimicrobial (AM) packaging films to be prepared from biodegradable materials that have been modified and/or blended with different compatible materials and/or plasticisers. A wide range of AM films prepared from modified biodegradable materials have the potential to be used for packaging of various food products. This review examines biodegradable polymers derived from polysaccharides and protein-based materials for their potential use in packaging systems designed for the protection of food ...
The objectives of this study were to develop an accurate and precise method for cholesterol quantification in meat samples based on modifications made to an existing procedure (AOAC Official Method 994.10), and to apply this modified method to evaluate cholesterol levels in longissimus muscles (LM) from Angus (AN, n=5), Brahman (BR, n=4), and Romosinuano (RM, n=9) breeds. Validation of this method was performed using a meat homogenate (Standard Reference Material 1546) from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and LM samples from the three breeds with fat contents ranging from 2.4% to 9.3%. The results indicated that the modified method was accurate with cholesterol recovery exceeding 95%. The method was also found to be precise with an average coefficient of variation of...
Radon proof barriers are used for lowering of radon transport from the soil into the house and the determination of the radon diffusion coefficient is an important parameter to be determined in order to design the minimal thickness of the radon proof insulation. A method has been developed in our laboratory by using modified Lucas cells connected to a radon source and tightly closed onto the top by the tested membranes whose radon diffusion coefficients are being measured. Solving the time-dependent differential equation for radon diffusion in the membrane for well-defined experimental conditions the effective radon diffusion coefficient of the insulating material can be evaluated by comparing the radon concentration decrease in the cell for the first hours with the well-known radioactive decay. First results obtained in several preliminary tests carried out with a parafilm M barrier and two polyethylene membranes are shown in this paper.
We introduced a probability of traffic light, PL, at an intersection when approaching cars in two roads are in same conditions. As a application, we proposed a modified Nagel-Schreckenberg cellular automata model for describing a conflicting vehicular traffic flow at the intersection. The results show that the plateau region in the fundamental diagrams, caused by the effect of interaction, is dependent not only on the probability PL, but also on the adaptive schemes.
The second-order spatial subwavelength interference pattern is observed in a modified Michelson interferometer with single-mode continuous-wave laser beams. By analyzing our subwavelength interference experiment based on Feynman's path integral theory, a unified interpretation for all the second-order subwavelength interference is suggested.
The nuclear shapes of transitional Mo isotopes are calculated by means of a model based on the cranking approximation and the Strutinksy method. The recent experimental results of the high-spin spectroscopy and lifetime measurement of [sup 87]Mo are studied in detail and explained by the evolution of the [gamma]-deformation with the quasiparticle configurations. The shape calculations with the modified-harmonic-oscillator potential give a critical neutron number N [>=] 47 for the spherical shape of the Mo isotopes. (orig.)
The nuclear shapes of transitional Mo isotopes are calculated by means of a model based on the cranking approximation and the Strutinksy method. The recent experimental results of the high-spin spectroscopy and lifetime measurement of "8"7Mo are studied in detail and explained by the evolution of the #gamma#-deformation with the quasiparticle configurations. The shape calculations with the modified-harmonic-oscillator potential give a critical neutron number N #>=# 47 for the spherical shape of the Mo isotopes. (orig.).
One requirement of a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) radiator is to efficiently emit photons at high temperatures to TPV cells for conversion to electric power. Because many candidate radiator materials with adequate structural properties display low emissivity, coatings or other surface modifications are required for enhancement of emissivity. Six plasma sprayed coatings and one textured surface demonstrated adequate thermal stability and emittance values of 0.8 or greater. Promising attributes of modified surfaces are identified.
Laboratory research data is used as the basis for recommendations to be used in selecting a modification regime employing the treatment of clinoptilolite with NS1 to remove mercaptans from natural gas. The dynamic activity of the modified clinoptilolite is seven times greater than the activity of nontreated material.
The formation of #alpha#'-sialon using Li as a modifying cation was investigated. The effects of the Li content, firing temperatures and Si/Al ratios on #alpha#'- yield were studied. The results indicated that at lower sintering temperatures the stabilisation of #alpha#'-sialons was obtained but the high weight losses of Li at higher temperatures limited the stabilisation. Increased ''Al'' content in the compositions resulted in an increase in the stability of Li-#alpha#'-sialon at higher temperatures, by the formation of a liquid phase which retains Li in the system. (orig.).
The Sin3-histone deacetylase (HDAC) corepressor complex is conserved from yeast to humans. Mammals possess two highly related Sin3 proteins, mSin3A and mSin3B, which serve as scaffolds tethering HDAC...Full Text Available
A CO/sub 2/ laser chain able to supply approx.=30 MW on a single mode TEM/sub 00/ is described. The coupling of a modified Lumonics 101 module with a low-pressure cell constitues the oscillator and two further Lumonics 103 stages two amplifiers. The final pulse achieves the energy of 4.0 J with 90% of this energy in a peak of 100 ns FWHM.
The paper sets up a simulation of a geothermal heat pump with a non-azeotropic mixture. The model is modified and verified with experimental data. The results of the simulation show that the systematic model can predict the performance within {+-}12% of the experimental data. As a result, some improvements can be provided on the basis of the simulation platform. (Author)
A new multigrid algorithm based on the method of self-correction for the solution of elliptic problems is described. The method exploits information contained in the residual to dynamically modify the source term (right-hand side) of the elliptic problem. It is shown that the self-correcting solver is more efficient at damping the short wavelength modes of the algebraic error than its standard equivalent. When used in conjunction with a multigrid method, the resulting solver displays an improved convergence rate with no additional computational work.
Sandia National Laboratories maintains several libraries of equation of state tables, in a modified Sesame format, for use in hydrocode calculations and other applications. This report discusses one of those libraries, the seslan file, which contains 78 tables from the Los Alamos equation of state library. Minor changes have been made to these tables, making them more convenient for code users and reducing numerical difficulties that occasionally arise in hydrocode calculations.
The heterogeneous solid catalyst, mercaptopropylsilica (MPS), has been prepared by a modified procedure in water and its structure confirmed by solid state carbon-13 CP-MAS NMR spectrum. This catalyst has been efficiently utilized for the synthesis of a wide variety of tri-, tetrasubstituted imidazoles and their bis-analogues at room temperature. The protocol was further explored for the synthesis of the drug trifenagrel.
An experiment was performed with a mock-up of the core of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor to evaluate three reactivity measurement methods for application to liquid-metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR): modified source multiplication measurements with the low-level flux monitor for refueling (35 dollars subcritical) of FFTF, noise analysis to 35 dollars subcritical, and inverse kinetics rod drop to 12 dollars subcritical. To investigate the spatial dependence of these measurement methods and to resolve discrepancies previously reported, detectors were placed in the core, reflector, and radial shield, and experimental data were collected with the reactivity at near delayed criticality to 35 dollars subcritical. Conclusions from this experiment are the following. Low-level flux monitors in the shield of the FFTF will be adequate for reactivity surveillance during refueling, using the modified source multiplication method calibrated near ...
We have measured the oxygen positions in LaNiO{sub 3} films to elucidate the coupling between epitaxial strain and oxygen octahedral rotations. The oxygen positions are determined by comparing the measured and calculated intensities of half-order Bragg peaks, arising from the octahedral rotations. Combining ab initio density-functional calculations with these experimental results, we show how strain systematically modifies both bond angles and lengths in this functional perovskite oxide.
This standard describes requirements and provides guidelines for the control of activities to be exercised during procurement of items and services which affect the quality of nuclear power plants. These requirements and guidelines apply to procurement activities for items and services such as designing, purchasing, fabricating, handling, shipping, storage, cleaning, constructing, erecting, installing, inspecting, testing, maintaining, repairing, initial fueling, refueling, and modifying.
Requirements and guidelines are provided for the control of activities to be exercised during procurement of items and services which affect the quality of nuclear facilities. These requirements and guidelines apply to procurement activities for items and services such as designing, purchasing, fabricating, handling, shipping, storing, cleaning, constructing, erecting, installing, inspecting, texting, maintaining and modifying.
The possibility of modifying the functional composition of humic acids by gas-phase ozonation of bed-oxidized brown coal was examined. About 90% of the organic matter of brown coal was converted to low-molecular weight soluble oxygen-containing products by stepwise liquid-phase ozonation (in chloroform and acetic acid).
A piezoelectric biosensor substrate useful for immobilizing biomolecules in an oriented manner on the surface of a piezoelectric sensor has a ladder polymer of polyacrylonitrile. To make the substrate, a solution of an organic polymer, preferably polyacrylonitrile, is applied to the surface of a piezoelectric sensor. The organic polymer is modifying by heating the polymer in a controlled fashion in air such that a ladder polymer is produced which, in turn, forms the attachment point for the biomolecules comprising the piezoelectric biosensor. 3 figs.
Patient monitoring during mechanotherapy based on electrocutaneous impedance measurement is discussed. Methods implemented by the Alpharhythmica computer-assisted system are described. Mechanotherapy modifies electrocutaneous impedance as compared to other parameters: heart rate, arterial pressure, and body temperature. Real time criteria of mechanotherapy efficacy based on electrocutaneous impedance measurement are suggested. Results of electrocutaneous impedance monitoring are presented.
A new article identification method based on the measurement of Bragg-curve centroids using a gas-filled ionization chamber has been improved for detection of low-energy particles around 1 MeV per nucleon by introducing a nonuniform distribution of resistance on the anode electrode. Almost the same quality of Z-resolutions as in the conventional ..delta..E-E method could be obtained up to Z=19.
In this paper the possibility of using the test facility PACTEL concerning the investigations of thermal hydraulic special features of the primary coolant circuit acting under natural circulation is under consideration. It is suggested to study a stratification phenomenon of a coolant in upper plenum of a reactor and also a horizontal steam generator (HSG) hot collector temperature regime. For such investigations the facility must be modified. It is shown that this work is not large and expensive, as the facility is a lightly suitable unit for different researches. (orig.)
In this paper the possibility of using the test facility PACTEL concerning the investigations of thermal hydraulic special features of the primary coolant circuit acting under natural circulation is under consideration. It is suggested to study a stratification phenomenon of a coolant in upper plenum of a reactor and also a horizontal steam generator (HSG) hot collector temperature regime. For such investigations the facility must be modified. It is shown that this work is not large and expensive, as the facility is a lightly suitable unit for different researches. (orig.)
An approach to high energy nuclear reactions (relativistic nuclear physics) is developed on the basis of the quark-parton-flucton concept. The main assumptions underlying the known parton chain model are briefly reformulated, modified and generalized to the flucton case. This new model is used to investigate electron-nuclei and muon-nuclei inclusive reactions within the framework of quantum electrodynamics. The theoretical results are fitted well with existing data. (Auth.).
The effect of two-body nature of the nuclear shell model potential on the recent numerical calculations of the nuclear level density has been examined. For the two most widely used single particle energy level schemes based on harmonic oscillator and Woods-Saxon potential, this effect is shown to significantly modify the excitation energy dependence of the level densities. (author).
Analytical expressions for thermoluminescence (TL) dating based on the modified Zimmerman model were derived. The non-linear behaviour of TL sensitivity is reexamined and is found to be due to electron capturing competitions in both test-dose excitation and the readout stages. A curve fitting method is proposed to determine the paleodose for the additive dose dating method. The multiple activation technique is also investigated, from which the paleodose should be regarded as an upper limit.
Analytical expressions for thermoluminescence (TL) dating based on the modified Zimmerman model were derived. The non-linear behaviour of TL sensitivity is reexamined and is found to be due to electron capturing competitions in both test-dose excitation and the readout stages. A curve fitting method is proposed to determine the paleodose for the additive dose dating method. The multiple activation technique is also investigated, from which the paleodose should be regarded as an upper limit.
Seventeen clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (from the United States and Europe) selected for low (borderline)-level methicillin resistance (MIC of methicillin, 2 to 4 micrograms/ml; MIC of...Full Text Available
Isospin-breaking effects in the baryonic sector are studied in the framework of a medium-modified Skyrme model. The neutron-proton mass difference in infinite, asymmetric nuclear matter is discussed. In order to describe the influence of the nuclear environment on the skyrmions, we include energy-dependent charged and neutral pion optical potentials in the s- and p-wave channels. The present approach predicts that the neutron-proton mass difference is mainly dictated by its strong part and that it strongly decreases in neutron matter. (orig.)
In this paper we propose a method for construction of feed-forward neural classifiers based on regularization and adaptive architectures. Using a penalized maximum likelihood scheme, we derive a modified form of the entropic error measure and an algebraic estimate of the test error. In conjunction with optimal brain damage pruning, a test error estimate is used to select the network architecture. The scheme is evaluated on four classification problems. PMID:12662736
Monte Carlo simulation of beam modifiers such as physical wedges and compensating filters has been performed with a rectilinear voxel geometry module. A modified version of the EGS4/DOSXYZ code has been developed for this purpose. The new implementations have been validated against the BEAM Monte Carlo code using its standard component modules (CMs) in several geometrical conditions. No significant disagreements were found within the statistical errors of 0.5% for photons and 2% for electrons. The clinical applicability and flexibility of the new version of the code has been assessed through an extensive verification versus dosimetric data. Both Varian multi-leaf collimator (MLC) wedges and standard wedges have been simulated and compared against experiments for 6 MV photon beams and different field sizes. Good agreement was found between calculated and measured depth doses and lateral dose profiles along both wedged and unwedged directions for ...
The surface properties of copper-refractory metal (CU-RF) alloy bodies are modified by heat treatments which cause the refractory metal to form a coating on the exterior surfaces of the alloy body. The alloys have a copper matrix with particles or dendrites of the refractory metal dispersed therein, which may be niobium, vanadium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten. The surface properties of the bodies are changed from those of copper to that of the refractory metal.
A method of auxiliary spectrum is modified so that matrix elements of the reaction matrix in final nuclei are determined by means of algebraic operations alone (inversion of matrices). No differential equations need to be solved; Pauli's exclusion principle is accurately taken into account. A single-particle potential may be of any kind, but a two-particle interaction must have no solid core.
The point-defect-impurity pair diffusion model proposed recently by Mulvaney and Richardson is adopted and modified to simulate the coupled diffusion of phosphorus and self-interstitials in phosphorus-implanted silicon. The assumption of implantation-induced, but empirically determined initial interstitial distributions of Gaussian shape allows a simulation of the net effect of transient enhanced diffusion. As a result an improved modeling of phosphorus diffusion in silicon is achieved for a broad range of ion-implantation and annealing conditions. (author).
The method and results of the quantitative gas chromatographic determination of volatile organic substances in an urban atmosphere are presented. The concentration of organic substances was determined by using a mixed adsorber consisting of graphitized thermal carbon black and activated charcoal modified by pyrocarbon. Average, maximum and minimum concentrations of constant organic components in the atmosphere of Leningrad as a typical large industrial city are reported.
Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration are key processes that occur in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. In the present study, we designed locked nucleic...Full Text Available
The martensitic phase transition in the A-15 compounds is treated by expanding the free energy in terms of the order parameters and its spatial gradients. The model used is a modified version of that recently proposed by Gorkov. The predictions for a wide range of physical properties are in good agreement with experimental results for V_3Si and Nb_3Sn lending support to the veracity of the model. 25 refs.
The study by impedance and photoelectrochemical measurements of passive films formed on an AISI 304 type stainless steel shows that important parameters of the electronic structure of these films are modified under ..cap alpha.. irradiation, namely: width of the space charge region, donors concentration and diffusion length for minority carriers. The consequences of ..cap alpha.. irradiation on localized corrosion processes are discussed.
The study by impedance and photoelectrochemical measurements of passive films formed on an AISI 304 type stainless steel shows that important parameters of the electronic structure of these films are modified under #alpha# irradiation, namely: width of the space charge region, donors concentration and diffusion length for minority carriers. The consequences of #alpha# irradiation on localized corrosion processes are discussed.
Experimentally it is found that at constant temperature the order-parameter relaxation time, tausub(..delta..), decreases with increasing power of the microwaves, coupled into a superconducting strip. If the same increase in critical current, that corresponds with a given power of the microwaves, is obtained by lowering the temperature, the decrease in tausub(..delta..) is smaller. This reflects the fact that quasiparticles are removed more efficiently from the gap edge by microwaves than by lowering the temperature in equilibrium. A modified time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation is shown to describe these results adequately.
A modified version of the osmotic shock technique was used to investigate HCO3− and OH− transport in the alga Chara corallina. Cell...Full Text Available
BackgroundAfrican horse sickness virus (AHSV) causes a non-contagious, infectious disease in equids, with mortality rates that can exceed 90% in susceptible horse populations....Full Text Available
The concept of frailty offers a convenient way to introduce unobserved heterogeneity and associations into models for survival data. In its simplest form, frailty is an unobserved random proportionality factor that modifies the hazard function of an individual or a group of related individuals. "Frailty Models in Survival Analysis" presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental approaches in the area of frailty models. The book extensively explores how univariate frailty models can represent unobserved heterogeneity. It also emphasizes correlated frailty models as extensions of
We present a drawing package optimised for Feynman diagrams. These can be constructed interactively with a mouse-driven graphical interface or from a script file, more suitable to work with a diagram generator. It provides most features encountered in Feynman diagrams and allows to modify every part of a diagram after its creation. Special attention has been paid to obtain a high quality printout as easily as possible. This package is written in Tcl/Tk and in C. (orig.).
The fabrication of a Prototype 275/sup 0/C Geothermal Temperature Tool is reviewed. This tool fabrication uses hybrid circuits that were developed at Sandia National Laboratories and are now being built at Teledyne Philbrick. To achieve high-temperature operation, the standard military specification hybrid technology was modified in fabrication processes and materials.
Mixed convection heat transfer from longitudinal fins inside a horizontal channel has been investigated in the natural convection dominated region for a wide range of Rayleigh numbers and different fin heights and spacings. An experimental parametric study was made to investigate effects of fin spacing, fin height and magnitude of heat flux on mixed convection heat transfer from rectangular fin arrays heated from below in a horizontal channel. The optimum fin spacing to obtain maximum heat transfer has also been investigated. During the experiments constant heat flux boundary condition was realized and air was used as the working fluid. The velocity of fluid entering channel was kept nearly constant (0.02 {<=} w{sub in} {<=} 0.025 m/s) using a flow rate control valve so that Reynolds number was always about Re = 250. Experiments were conducted for modified Rayleigh numbers 3 x 10{sup 7} < Ra{sup *} < 6 x 10{sup 8} and Richardson number ...
Prompt neutron spectra for Am isotopes ({sup 241}Am, {sup 242m}Am, {sup 243}Am) were calculated on the basis of a modified version of the Madland-Nix model combined with multimodal fission model. The predicted spectra were found to be in fair agreement with recent data. (author)
The electrochemical oxidation as a method to destroy drug residues like Aspirin {sup trademark}, tetracycline or gentamicin in water was investigated with C-Anode (modified by manganese oxides) and Pt Anode. The mechanism of Aspirin {sup trademark} and tetracycline oxidation and the influence of the biocide effect was observed using GC-MS and three different microbiological tests. In general the biological availability increases with progressive oxidation of the antibiotics. (orig.)
The effect of treatment with hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and steam on the catalytic properties of NaY zeolites has been studied. A mechanism has been proposed for activation of the zeolites, which explains the appearance of Broensted acid centers on modified samples. The influence of modification temperature and the degree of decationization of the zeolites on the promoting capacity of the latter in the cumene cracking reaction has been studied.
If the soft supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking masses and couplings are complex and cancellations do take place in the SUSY induced contributions to the fermionic electric dipole moments, then the CP- violating soft phases can drastically modify much of the known phenomenological pattern of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. In particular, the squark loop content of the dominant Higgs production mechanism at the large hadron collider, the gluon-gluon fusion mode, could be responsible for large corrections to the known cross sections. (15 refs).
The effect of a number of dietary and synthetic chelating agents on the intestinal absorption of lead has been examined using the everted sac preparation and the tracer isotope /sup 203/Pb. All the agents examined increased lead transport into the serosal compartment. An explanation of the way in which these agents modify the model to describe lead transport is proposed.
The extent to which the effect of risk factors on cognitive ageing is dependent on APOE ε4 remains unclear. The objective of this study is to examine whether APOE ε4 allele modifies...Full Text Available
The added incentive to modify electric use under hourly versus monthly market-based pricing is small for most mass market customers in Upstate New York. If the ultimate policy goal of demand-response programs is to reduce peak load, then promoting conservation measures under monthly market-based pricing holds more promise. (author)
The author presents and analyzes three approaches to calculating explicit two-dimensional (2D) depth-extrapolation filters for all propagation modes (P, SV, and SH) in transversely isotropic media with vertical and tilted axis of symmetry. These extrapolation filters are used to do 2D poststack depth migration, and also, just as for isotropic media, these 2D filters are used in the McClellan transformation to do poststack 3D depth migration. Furthermore, the same explicit filters can also be used to do depth-extrapolation of prestack data. The explicit filters are derived by generalizations of three different approaches: the modified Taylor series, least-squares, and minimax methods initially developed for isotropic media. The examples here show that the least-squares and minimax methods produce filters with accurate extrapolation (measured in the ability to position steep reflectors) for a wider range of propagation angles than that obtained using the ...
The affinity label 8-((4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio)adenosine 5{prime}-triphosphate (8-BDB-TA-5{prime}-TP) reacts covalently with rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase, incorporating 2 mol of reagent/mol of enzyme subunit upon complete inactivation. Protection against inactivation is provided by phosphoenolpyruvate, K{sup +}, and Mn{sup 2+} and only 1 mol of reagent/mol of subunit is incorporated. The authors have now identified the resultant modified residues. After reaction with 8-BDB-TA-5{prime}-TP at pH 7.0, modified enzyme was incubated with ({sup 3}H)NaBH{sub 4} to reduce the carbonyl groups of enzyme-bound 8-BDB-TA-5{prime}-TP and to introduce a radioactive tracer into the modified residues. Following carboxymethylation and digestion with trypsin, the radioactive peptides were separated on a phenylboronate agarose column followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid with an ...
A non-recursive model is proposed and empirically tested with data of opponents of nuclear power. In explaining conventional and unconventional participation the theory of collective action is applied and modified in two respects: the perceived influence on the elimination of collective evils are taken into account; the selective incentives considered are non-material ones. These modifications proved to be valid: the collective good variables and non-material incentives were important determinants for the two forms of participation. Another result was that there is a reciprocal causal relationship between conventional and unconventional participation.
The level of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was locally modified in cambial tissues of transgenic aspen (Populus tremula L. × Populus tremuloides Michx.). We also...Full Text Available
A method of calculating the neutron source strength in irradiated Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), fuel has been developed and is presented in this paper. This method has been used to perform calculations in support of the reactivity monitoring of the FFTF reactor by the modified source multiplication method during refueling operations. 31 refs.
Yeast arginyl-tRNA synthetase recognizes the non-modified wild-type transcripts derived from both yeast tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Asp) with equal efficiency. It discriminates its cognate natural substrate,...Full Text Available
The overall objective of this project is to produce antibodies to unique modified DNA bases and develop immunochemical assays to quantitate these lesions in damaged DNA. During this past year we have developed an antibody and chemical test to quantitate a basic sites in DNA and produced antibodies to the 8-oxopurines. This report discusses the detection of a basic sites in DNA and the preparation of antibodies to 8-hydroxyadenine and 8-hydroxyguanine.
This document is an addendum to the 1996 Gunnison Monitoring Report for the Gunnison, Colorado, Wetlands Mitigation Report, dated July 1997. The purpose of this addendum is to: (1) modify how information on plant height and plant species criteria are presented; and (2) provide more detailed information regarding the evaluation of the bare ground criteria at the Camp Ketle site. The information in this addendum is provided at the request of the Bureau of Land Management to aid in future monitoring and evaluation of the wetland mitigation sites.
The standard postulates of general relativity are modified by allowing changes of topologies in space-time, i.e. considering a multiply-connected manifold. This allows, for instance, a different description of black holes and, in particular, a more rigorous approach to previous work studying the connections between black holes and tachyons. (author).
Surface modification of topography and chemistry in order to achieve a specific water contact angle (CA) has been explored by using a novel combinatorial screening platform. The screening arrays consisted of 507 distinct combinations of micro-topographies and chemical compositions. By performing chemical modifications with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H perfluoroethyltriethoxy-silane (PFS) and n-octadecyltriethoxysilane (ODS) on standard silicon wafers it was possible to include both superhydrophobic and very hydrophilic pad arrays in the same screening platform. Surfaces modified with PFS were more hydrophobic than surfaces modified with ODS, while the unmodified silicon surfaces were hydrophilic. For the PFS modified surfaces the largest CAs were achieved with a small pillar size of X = 1 {mu}m and an intermediate inter-pillar gap size of Y = 4 {mu}m with superhydrophobic CAs over 170 . Surface analysis with X-ray photoelectron ...
Tm3+ and Dy3+ ions co-doped aluminoborosilicate glasses were prepared in this study. The luminescence properties of the glasses were analyzed. A combination of blue, green, yellow, and red emission bands was shown for these glasses, and white light emission could be observed under UV light excitation. White light luminescence color could be changed by varying the excitation wavelength. Concentration quenching effect was investigated in this paper. Furthermore, the dependence of luminescence properties on glass compositions was studied. Results showed that the luminescence intensity changed with different network modifier oxides, while the white color luminescence was not affected significantly. - Graphical abstract: Tm3+ and Dy3+ ions co-doped aluminoborosilicate glasses, which emit white light under UV light excitation, were prepared. The dependence of luminescence properties on glass compositions was studied, and results showed that the white color luminescence ...
Abstract Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes are major bacterial pathogens associated with poultry products. A controlled released ClO2 sachet applied with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was evaluated for its ability to control the growth of S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes on raw chicken breast during refrigerated storage. The fresh chicken samples were inoculated with one or the other of the pathogens at 104-cfu/g, and the packages (with and without ClO2 sachet) were flushed with ambient air or 30% CO2/70% N2 before sealing, and then stored at 4C for up to 21 days. The maximum reduction in MAP plus ClO2 (compared with MAP alone) was 0.68-log-cfu/g for S. Typhimurium and 1.87-log-cfu/g for L. monocytogenes. Color and pH changes of the chicken breast were observed at ...
The existing Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor Neutral Beam system is proposed to be modified for long pulse operation on the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX). Day one of TPX will call for one TFTR beamline modified for 1000 second pulse lengths oriented co-directional to the plasma current. The system design will be capable of accommodating an additional co-directional and a single counter directional beamline. For the TPX conceptual design, every attempt was made to use existing Neutral Beam hardware, plant facilities, auxiliary systems, service infrastructure, and control systems. This paper describes the moderate modifications required to the power systems, the ion sources, and the beam impinged surfaces of the ion dumps, the calorimeters, the various beam scrapers, and the neutralizers. Also described are the minimal modifications required to the vacuum, cryogenic, and gas systems and the major modification of replacing the beamline-torus duct ...
The present work describes the surface improvement and biocompatibility of TiAl{sub 24}Nb{sub 10} intermetallic alloy using rf plasma nitriding. The nitriding process was carried out at different plasma power from 400 W to 650 W where the other plasma conditions were fixed. Grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), tribometer and a nanohardness tester were employed to characterize the nitrided layer. Further potentiodynamic polarization method was used to describe the corrosion behavior of the un-nitrided and nitrided alloy. It has been found that the Vickers hardness (HV) and corrosion resistance values of the nitrided layers increase with increasing plasma power while the wear rates of the nitrided layers reduce by two orders of magnitude as compared to those of the un-nitrided layer. This improvement in surface properties of the intermetallic alloy is due to formation of a thin modified layer which is composed of titanium ...
The present work describes the surface improvement and biocompatibility of TiAl_2_4Nb_1_0 intermetallic alloy using rf plasma nitriding. The nitriding process was carried out at different plasma power from 400 W to 650 W where the other plasma conditions were fixed. Grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), tribometer and a nanohardness tester were employed to characterize the nitrided layer. Further potentiodynamic polarization method was used to describe the corrosion behavior of the un-nitrided and nitrided alloy. It has been found that the Vickers hardness (HV) and corrosion resistance values of the nitrided layers increase with increasing plasma power while the wear rates of the nitrided layers reduce by two orders of magnitude as compared to those of the un-nitrided layer. This improvement in surface properties of the intermetallic alloy is due to formation of a thin modified layer which is composed of titanium nitride ...
To improve the photocatalytic application performances of TiO2, in this work, firstly CdS modified Degussa P25 TiO2 (CdS/TiO2) composites were prepared by two methods, sol-gel method and precipitation method. Next they, sol-gel-CdS/TiO2 (sg-CdS/TiO2) and precipitation-CdS/TiO2 (pp-CdS/TiO2), were loaded on activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by dip-coating method using the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as adhesives. The composites were characterized by XRD, UV-vis absorbance spectra, SEM, EDS and BET. The photocatalytic activities under sunlight were investigated by the degradation of methylene blue. The results showed that CdS/TiO2 composites were mainly composed of anatase-TiO2 and little CdS cubic phases. The absorption wavelengths of sg-CdS/TiO2 and pp-CdS/TiO2 composites were extended to ...
In order to materialize the automobile use small direct injection diesel engine (DI), the reduction in both exhaust emission and noise, as studied, was explained in summary. The DI, as excellent in fuel consumption characteristics, was studied to be adopted to the small automobile, with the materialization of small DI to be about 600cc in capacity per cylinder. However the further diminution in dimension had not been materialized yet, because of the aggravation in exhaust emission and vibration noise. Then a single spray DI, characterized by the approximate sphericity in shape of combustion chamber and adoption of cast iron made piston and two-stage spring nozzle, was prototypically made, with optimizing the combustion in characteristics, decreasing HC in exhaust quantity by modifying the injection system, doing also NOx in exhaust quantity by adopting the lag angle at injection time and EGR, modifying the structure to lower the noise, and ...
Silica and bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels are low-density materials that are attractive for applications such as thermal insulation, porous separation media or catalyst supports, adsorbents, and cometary dust capture agents. However, aerogels are notoriously weak and brittle making it difficult to handle and machine monoliths into desired forms. This complication prevents the development of many applications that would otherwise benefit from the use of the low-density materials. Here, we will describe our efforts to chemically modify and mechanically enhance silica-based aerogels using chemical vapor techniques without sacrificing their characteristic low densities. Monolithic silica and organic-bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels were prepared by sol-gel polymerization of the respective methoxysilane monomers followed by supercritical carbon dioxide drying of the gels. Then the gels were reactively modified with silylating agents to ...
In this paper heavy metal pollution at an abandoned Italian pyrite mine has been investigated by comparing total concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and As) in a red mud sample and a river sediment. Acid digestions show that all the investigated heavy metals present larger concentrations in the sediment than in the tailing. A modified Tessier's procedure has been used to discriminate heavy metal bound to organic fraction from those originally present in the mineral sulphide matrix and to detect a possible trend of metal mobilisation from red mud to river sediment. Sequential extractions on bulk and size fractionated samples denote that sediment samples present larger percent concentrations of the investigated heavy metals in the first extractive steps (I-IV) especially in lower dimension size fractionated samples suggesting that heavy metals in the sediment are significantly bound by superficial adsorption mechanisms. - ...
In this paper heavy metal pollution at an abandoned Italian pyrite mine has been investigated by comparing total concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb and As) in a red mud sample and a river sediment. Acid digestions show that all the investigated heavy metals present larger concentrations in the sediment than in the tailing. A modified Tessier's procedure has been used to discriminate heavy metal bound to organic fraction from those originally present in the mineral sulphide matrix and to detect a possible trend of metal mobilisation from red mud to river sediment. Sequential extractions on bulk and size fractionated samples denote that sediment samples present larger percent concentrations of the investigated heavy metals in the first extractive steps (I-IV) especially in lower dimension size fractionated samples suggesting that heavy metals in the sediment are significantly bound by superficial adsorption mechanisms. - Capsule: A ...
Simple and low cost biosensor based on screen-printed electrode for sensitive detection of some alkylphenols was developed, by entrapment of HRP in a nanocomposite gel based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF(6)]) ionic liquid. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, CV and EIS studies demonstrate the interaction between SWCNTs and ionic liquid. The nanocomposite gel, SWCNT-[BMIM][PF(6)] provides to the modified sensor a considerable enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide reduction. The HRP based biosensor exhibits high sensitivity and good stability, allowing a detection of the alkylphenols at an applied potential of -0.2V vs. Ag/AgCl, in linear range from 5.5 to 97.7?M for 4-t-octylphenol and respectively, between 5.5 and 140?M for 4-n-nonylphenol, with a response time of about 5s. The detection limit was 1.1?M for 4-t-octylphenol, and respectively 0.4?M for 4-n-nonylphenol (S/N=3). ...
During the next 100 years, the mean annual temperature is expected to be 1-6 deg C higher than at present. It is also expected to be accompanied by a lengthening of the thermal growing season and increased precipitation. Consequently, climatic change will increase the uncertainty of the management of forest ecosystems in the future. In this context, this research project aimed to outline the ecological and silvicultural implications of climatic change with regard to (1) how the expected climatic change might modify the functioning and structure of the boreal forest ecosystem, and (2) how the silvicultural management of the forest ecosystem should be modified in order to maintain sustainable forest yield under changing climatic conditions. The experimental component of the project concerned first the effect that elevating temperature and elevating concentration of atmospheric carbon have on the ontogenetic development of Scots pine (Pinus ...
The behavior of lead in the graphite furnace during the individual steps of the temperature program was investigated by means of /sup 203/Pb as a radiotracer. The matrix systems include HCl and HNO/sub 3/ solutions, 1% NaCl solution, blood, serum, urine, and the solid samples bovine liver and orchard leaves. Without matrix modificaton, a pyrolysis temperature of up to 500/sup 0/C can be used for all samples. Significant stabilization effects can be achieved in the preatomization steps by using NH/sub 4/H/sub 2/PO/sub 4/ and ammonia as matrix modifiers and by addition of hydrogen to the flowing argon gas. It was found that the use of a L'vov platform also helps to eliminate the matrix effects. With respect to lead stabilization and elimination of matrix effects, optimum experimental conditions are achieved by simultaneous use of a L'vov platform and NH/sub 4/H/sub 2/PO/sub 4/ as the matrix modifier. 34 references, 5 figures, 1 ...
The behavior of lead in the graphite furnace during the individual steps of the temperature program was investigated by means of "2"0"3Pb as a radiotracer. The matrix systems include HCl and HNO_3 solutions, 1% NaCl solution, blood, serum, urine, and the solid samples bovine liver and orchard leaves. Without matrix modificaton, a pyrolysis temperature of up to 500"0C can be used for all samples. Significant stabilization effects can be achieved in the preatomization steps by using NH_4H_2PO_4 and ammonia as matrix modifiers and by addition of hydrogen to the flowing argon gas. It was found that the use of a L'vov platform also helps to eliminate the matrix effects. With respect to lead stabilization and elimination of matrix effects, optimum experimental conditions are achieved by simultaneous use of a L'vov platform and NH_4H_2PO_4 as the matrix modifier. 34 references, 5 figures, 1 table.
RADIANT{trademark} is manufactured by United States Surgical Corporation, Vascular Therapies Division, (formerly Progressive Angioplasty Systems). The system comprises a liquid {beta}-radiation source, a shielded isolation/transfer device (ISAT), modified over-the-wire or rapid exchange delivery balloons, and accessory kits. The liquid {beta}-source is Rhenium-188 in the form of sodium perrhenate (NaReO{sub 4}), Rhenium-188 is primarily a {beta}-emitter with a physical half-life of 17.0 hours. The maximum energy of the {beta}-particles is 2.1 MeV. The source is produced daily in the nuclear pharmacy hot lab by eluting a Tungsten-188/Rhenium-188 generator manufactured by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Using anion exchange columns and Millipore filters the effluent is concentrated to approximately 100 mCi/ml, calibrated, and loaded into the (ISAT) which is subsequently transported to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The delivery catheters are ...
Inexpensive activated carbon assembly(ACA) was prepared with glass fabrics coated by 10 wt%, 25 wt%, 50 wt% phenolic resin solution, followed by activation at 700{sup o} C under N{sub 2} atmosphere and subsequent surface modification with N{sub 2}, NH{sub 3}, CO{sub 2} gas, respectively. The conversion chemistry of resin to carbon was analyzed by using FT-IR, TGA, SEM, XPS, and the SO{sub 2} adsorption characteristics of the ACA were compared to that of commercial activated carbon fabrics(ACF). The ACA modified by NH{sub 3} showed the best SO{sub 2} adsorption behavior due to the presence of basic functional groups such as amine on the surface, confirmed by XPS. The ACA modified by NH{sub 3} displayed relatively high adsorption capacity of 116.5 mg/g carbon, which is corresponding to 75% adsorption of the commercial ACF(153.4 mg/g) treated with the same method. 14 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
This work deals with a new route to modify polymer blend morphology in order to improve the porosity of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). First, electrically conductive polymer-based blends were carefully formulated using a twin-screw extrusion process. Blend electrical conductivity was ensured by the addition of high specific surface area carbon black and synthetic graphite flakes. Final GDL porosity, in particular its macroporosity, was generated by melt blending polyamide 11 (PA11) matrix with polystyrene (PS) followed by PS extraction with tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent at room temperature. In order to improve GDL porosity by the optimisation of PS dispersion in the PA11 matrix, PA11/PS blends were compatibilised by the addition of 2 wt.-% of clay. It was observed that both macroporosity and pore size distribution were beneficially modified after blend compatibilisation. Final GDL conductivity of ...
This paper investigates various usages of natural gas (NG) as an energy source for different hydrogen production technologies. A comparison is made between the different methods of hydrogen production, based on the total amount of natural gas needed to produce a specific quantity of hydrogen, carbon dioxide emissions per mole of hydrogen produced, water requirements per mole of hydrogen produced, and a cost sensitivity analysis that takes into account the fuel cost, carbon dioxide capture cost and a carbon tax. The methods examined are the copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle, steam methane reforming (SMR) and a modified sulfur-iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle. Also, an integrated Cu-Cl/SMR plant is examined to show the unique advantages of modifying existing SMR plants with new hydrogen production technology. The analysis shows that the thermochemical Cu-Cl cycle out-performs the other conventional methods with respect to fuel ...
This paper investigates various usages of natural gas (NG) as an energy source for different hydrogen production technologies. A comparison is made between the different methods of hydrogen production, based on the total amount of natural gas needed to produce a specific quantity of hydrogen, carbon dioxide emissions per mole of hydrogen produced, water requirements per mole of hydrogen produced, and a cost sensitivity analysis that takes into account the fuel cost, carbon dioxide capture cost and a carbon tax. The methods examined are the copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle, steam methane reforming (SMR) and a modified sulfur-iodine (S-I) thermochemical cycle. Also, an integrated Cu-Cl/SMR plant is examined to show the unique advantages of modifying existing SMR plants with new hydrogen production technology. The analysis shows that the thermochemical Cu-Cl cycle out-performs the other conventional methods with respect to fuel ...
The present case report documents the hitherto unusual application of camouflage orthodontics in one of our patients. Our female patient had previously been treated orthodontically alio loco and had also undergone bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. She presented with TMJ complaints, with associated pains. Despite a dental Class I and centrally seated condyles, her discs had prolapsed anteriorly without reduction and she had developed a massive degenerative-inflammatory TMJ disease. Skeletally, she was a Class II case despite previous orthognathic surgery. In addition, there was also an initial suspicion of rheumatic involvement that could not be confirmed. We distalized the entire lower dental arch without bicuspid extraction. Then we advanced the mandible with the Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (MARA).We discuss exactly how the modified camouflage therapy was structured and how the individual treatment steps took place. PMID:20354841
The NuTeV collaboration reported anomalously large weak mixing angle sin^2 theta_W in comparison with the standard model prediction. Neutrino and antineutrino charged- and neutral-current events are analyzed for extracting sin^2 theta_W. Although the Paschos-Wolfenstein relation is not directly used in the analysis, it plays an important role in the determination. Noting that the target nucleus, iron, is not an isoscalar nucleus, we derive a leading-order expression for a modified Paschos-Wolfenstein relation for nuclei, which may have neutron excess. Then, using charge and baryon-number conservations for nuclei, we discuss an important nuclear correction in the sin^2 theta_W determination. It is noteworthy that nuclear modifications are different between valence up- and down-quark distributions. We find that this difference effect could be of the order of the NuTeV sin^2 theta_W deviation.
The ink jet printing technology is a relatively novel technique in development of organic electronic devices. The technique consists of working out depositions of organic layers by a piezo-based ink jet printer. In this work polymer conducting films deposited by ink jet printing technique on different plastic substrates has been demonstrated. The poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiofene)/poly(4-styrenesulfonate) [PEDOT/PSS] and glycerol-modified PEDOT/PSS [G-PEDOT/PSS] were used like conducting inks to be applied on polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. By means of the change of substrate associated to the deposition number or type of polymer ink used for printing of the conducting films, the sheet resistance can be modified. Such a behavior suggests that plastic substrate fulfills an important role for the changing of sheet resistance of the PEDOT/PSS and G-PEDOT/PSS films made by ink jet printing technique. Films obtained from this ...
Dissimilar metal welds between ferritic low-alloy and austenitic stainless steels commonly occur in power plant application. In order to overcome some of the problems encountered here, a trimetallic configuration using an intermediate piece (such as Alloy 800) between the austenitic and ferritic steels has been suggested. This paper describes some features of the joints between modified 9Cr-1Mo steel and Alloy 800, produced with Inconel 82/182 filler material. The joints require heat-treatment after welding and the results have shown that a treatment at 760 C for 2 h would be optimal. Although most tensile failures occurred in the weld metal the welds were found to exhibit strength properties that are at least equal to those of Alloy 800, with a tensile elongation lying between those of the two base materials. Similarly, while the weld metals are slightly less tough than the two base materials, the weld metal toughness at 120 J is still quite adequate for the ...
A series of oxine ligands, 5-X, 8 OH C9H6N (X = H, Cl, SO3H) have been covalently bound to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and poly(allylamine) (BP-1) by the Mannich reaction. The resulting modified composites WP-4(X = H), CB-1(X = Cl), and SB-1(X = SO3H) were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, and solid state CPMAS-13C-NMR. Using the analytical data before and after the ligand modification, the ligand loading could be estimated and in combination with metal ion capacities a metal to ligand ratio could be obtained. The composites WP-4 and CB-1 both showed ratios of approximately 1 : 1 while the sulfonate modified composite, SB-1, showed a metal to ligand ratio of 1 : 2. This is tentatively interpreted in terms of a zwitterionic oxine ...
Constraints on the original Cardassian model and the modified polytropic Cardassian model are examined from the latest derived 397 Type Ia supernova (SNe Ia) data, the size of baryonic acoustic oscillation peak from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the position of first acoustic peak of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) from the five years Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), the x-ray gas mass fractions in clusters of galaxies, and the observational H(z) data. In the original Cardassian model with these combined data set, we find $\\Omega_{m0}=0.271^{+0.014}_{-0.014}, n=0.035^{+0.049}_{-0.049}$ at $1 \\sigma$ confidence level. And in the modified polytropic Cardassian model, we find that $\\Omega_{m0}=0.271^{+0.014}_{-0.015}$, $n=-0.091^{+0.331}_{-1.908}$ and $\\beta=0.824^{+0.750}_{-0.622}$ within $1\\sigma$ confidence level. According to these observations, the acceleration of the universe begins at ...
The antimicrobial effects and quality changes of O2, He, N2 or N2O-enriched active modified atmosphere packaging -MAP- (100 kPa initial gas partial pressure) compared to a chlorinated -100 mg L-1 NaClO- passive MAP (control) in fresh-cut Red Chard baby leaves up to 8 days at 5 degreeC were studied. High O2 MAP (>85 kPa O2) inhibited natural microflora growth during 7 days at 5 degreeC. Regarding control treatment, no differences for He and N2O-enriched MAPs on microbial growth were found although control samples were previously disinfected. Initial total phenolics content (613 mg ChAE kg-1 fw) increased up to 61-93% after 6 days at 5 degreeC under O2, He, and N2-enriched MAPs. Vitamin C content decreased up to 67% after shelf life in control samples while lower decreases were monitored in ...
This research aims to investigate the effects of chemical blowing agent (CBA) contents and particle sizes on the properties of foamed poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/rice hull (RH) composites. Fine particles of azodicarbonamide (AC) at 5, 8, 11 and 22mm were modified with 20% by weight of ZnO and used at 0-3.0% by weight. The average cell size and density of the PVC/RH foamed profiles were reduced as the content of modified azodicarbonamide (mAC) increased. Larger mAC particles lowered the density more effectively. Maximum reduction of density by 46% was achieved when mAC 22mm was applied at 2.0% by weight. Larger blowing particles led to PVC/RH foam with greater flexural modulus and strength. Greater impact strength, observed when 5mm mAC was applied, resulted from the rather thick cell wall c...
The influence of some processing factors such as cold work and heat treatment on the susceptibility to caustic stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of modified alloy 800, referred to alloy 800 M, in a boiling solution of 50%NaOH + 0.3%SiO_2+0.3%Na_2S_2O_3 was investigated by means of microstructure examination, tensile test, stress analysis, SCC test of C-rings, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and corrosion mode. Cold work led to lengthening of grains, decrease in ductility, increase in strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC. With increasing temperature of heat treatment on alloy 800 M after cold work, grains became bigger, ductility increased but strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC decreased. SCC cracks on C-ring specimens initiated from pitting and propagated along grain boundaries. AES analysis indicates that the surface films on alloy 800M are enriched in nickel and depleted in iron and chromium. (authors)
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 layer by plasma ...
The feasibility of using hydrogen as the sole fuel in a direct injection diesel engine was investigated. An air cooled single cylinder Lister ST1 diesel engine was modified to operate as a low-heat-rejection engine for this study. Partially stabilized zirconia ceramic parts were used to shield the combustion space of the engine. Using a compression ratio of 17.9:1 and motoring the test engine at 21000 rpm, a maximum compression temperature of approximately 900 K was achieved. Under these operating conditions, all lubricants tested were found to burn. Lowering the speed to 1450 rpm and the compression ratio to 17.1, lubricant combustion and hot spots were successfully eliminated. The maximum compression temperature, when compression ignition of hydrogen was tried, was in the 800 K range. The corresponding ceramic surface temperature was estimated to reach 600-700 K. Only sporadic compression ignition of hydrogen was achievable. (author).
A new automated synthesis procedure of 1-H-1-(3-[18F]fluoro-2-hydroxypropyl)-2-nitroimidazole ([18F]FMISO), a specific hypoxia imaging agent with great significances for the noninvasive, dynamic hypoxia evaluation of cancer, was developed by modifying Explora FDG4 module, a commercial [18F]FDG production system, in this study. Its radiochemical synthesis was carried out via two sequent reaction steps, i.e. the nucleophilic displacement of labeling precursor 1-(2?-nitro-1?-imidazolyl)-2-O-tetrahydropyranyl-3-O-tosyl-propaned iol (NITTP) with activated 18F- ion at 100 ?C for 8 minutes, and the following hydrolysis with 1M HCl at 100 ?C for 5 minutes and neutralization with 1M NaOH. Two-pot reaction with two independent separations was adopted to assure the good separation of final product vi...
As researchers explore new applications for positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals, the demand for effective and readily available radiopharmaceuticals continues to increase. The syntheses of two such radiopharmaceuticals, ["1"1C]acetate and ["1"1C]palmitate, can be automated on the GE Tracerlab FX_C_-_P_r_o by utilizing Grignard reactions. Radiochemical purities of the ["1"1C]acetate and the ["1"1C]palmitate products were high (>98% and >99.9%, respectively) with average non-corrected yields of 18% (n=3) and 10% (n=5), respectively. These data comprise the validation trials for site qualification of clinical production of both radiopharmaceuticals. -- Graphical abstract: Automated syntheses of ["1"1C]acetate and ["1"1C]palmitate using a modified GE Tracerlab FX_C_-_P_r_o are reported. Radiochemical purities of the ["1"1C]acetate and the ["1"1C]palmitate products were high (>98% and >99.9%, respectively) with average non-corrected yields of ...
The overall objective of this project has been to develop immunochemical methods to quantitate unique DNA base damages in order to facilitate studies on radiation-induced damage production and repair. Specifically, we have been using antibodies raised to damaged bases to quantitate unique lesions in model systems in order to evaluate their potential biological consequences. Our approach has been to synthesize modified nucleotides or nucleosides, conjugate them to protein carriers, and use the conjugates as immunogens in rabbits or to prepare monoclonal antibodies. We have been studying damages that are stable radiolysis products found in X-irradiated DNA and thus of potential biological consequence. Our aim is to build an in vitro and in vivo data base on the interactions between model DNA lesions and such cellular enzymes as DNA polymerases and repair endonucleases. Initial studies have focused on pyrimidine ring saturation products (thymine glycol.and ...
The overall objective of this project has been to develop immunochemical methods to quantitate unique DNA base damages in order to facilitate studies on radiation-induced damage production and repair. Specifically, we have been using antibodies raised to damaged bases to quantitate unique lesions in model systems in order to evaluate their potential biological consequences. Our approach has been to synthesize modified nucleotides or nucleosides, conjugate them to protein carriers, and use the conjugates as immunogens in rabbits or to prepare monoclonal antibodies. We have been studying damages that are stable radiolysis products found in X-irradiated DNA and thus of potential biological consequence. Our aim is to build an in vitro and in vivo data base on the interactions between model DNA lesions and such cellular enzymes as DNA polymerases and repair endonucleases. Initial studies have focused on pyrimidine ring saturation products (thymine glycol.and ...
Huntington?s disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine repeat of more than 35?units in the huntingtin protein. The expanded repeat length is inversely correlated with the age at onset (AAO); however, additional genetic factors apart from the expanded CAG repeat length can modify the course and the AAO in HD. Aberrations in macroautophagy have been observed in Huntington, Alzheimer, Parkinson, motor neuron and prion diseases. Therefore, we hypothesized that polymorphisms in autophagy-related (Atg) genes might contribute to the variation in the AAO. We initially tested eight single nucleotide polymorphisms in five Atg genes (Atg3, Atg5, Atg7, Atg16L1 and Beclin-1) for their frequency of ?1%. Subsequently, we investigated the polymorphisms Atg7 V471A and Atg16L1 T281A for a di...
AIDE (Activity and Internal Dose Estimates) is a software for calculating activities in compartments and committed doses due to occupational exposures, and for performing intake and dose estimates using bioassay data. It has been continuously developed and tested for more than 20 years. Its calculation core has been applied in several situations, like performing all dose estimates due to (137)Cs intakes, which occurred during the Goiania accident in 1987; performing quality assurance of the ICRP Task Group on Dose Calculations regarding calculations of activities in compartments and generation of dose coefficients for adults due to intakes by inhalation, ingestion and injection of several radionuclides; and producing the tables of activities in compartments and dose coefficients using the NCRP Wound Model for the NCRP report. It provides several capabilities like performing calculations using modified Human Respiratory Tract Model parameters for the mechanical ...
Techniques for reducing computation time in 3D photon dose calculations are addressed with specific emphasis given to the convolution/superposition approach. A single polyenergetic superposition model calculating absorbed dose per incident photon fluence (Gy cm"2) was developed in terms of TERMA and a total energy deposition kernel (a total point spread function). A novel approach was devised for reducing calculation time. The method, named the CF method, was based on the use of a conventional, fast model (here a modified power-law method was used) for the generation of 3D dose distributions on a fine dose matrix. Superposition calculations were carried out on a coarse matrix and calculation speed was increased simply by reducing the number of calculations. A set of correction factors was derived on the coarse grid from the ratio of the dose values from superposition to those from the conventional algorithm. These were interpolated onto the fine matrix and used to ...
An ion chromatograph has been modified to automatically sample ten liquid water streams from the secondary side of three pressurized water reactors, Calvert Cliffs, Unit One, Rancho Seco and McGuire, Unit 1. Sampling and measurement is semicontinuous with a cycle time of approximately five hours for 10 locations with sensitivities in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 ppb. The efficiency of the condensate polishing system and subsequent transport of sodium, chloride, and sulfate around the system can be readily followed. Sulfate has been shown to have unusual volatility into the steam phase from the steam generator as well as a tendency to pass through the condensate polisher.
Major factors that contribute to maximized impact resistance of semicrystalline engineering polymers include increased matrix molecular weight, minimal rubber glass-transition temperature, and optimal rubber-particle size, which depends on matrix type. Additional constraints are posed by the limitations of available materials and commercial requirements. Expanding the understanding of impact-modified crystalline engineering polymers will further extend their property ranges and utility. This chapter describes the phenomenology of certain factors, illustrates a new technique to measure rubber particle size, and contrasts the fracture mechanisms of poly(butylene terephthalate), nylon 66, and polyacetal. 49 refs., 24 figs.
A nonlinear relationship between the time of accelerated aging of Lupine seeds and the indices of its survival as well as the single-strand DNA amount in cells from these seeds is established. The character of this relationship is essentially altered in chronically irradiated lupine seeds from the Chernobyl NPP exclusion zone and seems more complicated. The possible role of repair systems in these effects is discussed. The fact that chronic irradiation in low doses can modify the course of senescence in lupine seeds reflects its high biological efficiency comparing with acute irradiation.
An account is given of the existence of kinematic subsystems in elliptical galaxies, in conjunction with discussions of the application of statistical tests to determine whether ellipticals are triaxial, and of the modified Faber-Jackson relation for elliptical galaxies. Recent data obtained by Kormendy (1988) and Dressler and Richstone (1988) on the kinematics of the M31, M32, and NGC 4594 central regions indicate both very steep rotation curves and peaked velocity dispersion profiles. If elliptical galaxies are triaxial, and if it is common for them to have accreted other galaxies during their evolution, then both a source of fuel for an active nucleus and a mechanism for getting that fuel from outside the galaxy into its center is available. 61 refs.
Decay sequences based on the 1/2"+[660] proton orbital have been identified in "1"7"1Ta and "1"7"7Re based on spin, parity, and large alignment. This decay sequence is observed higher in energy than predicted in cranking calculations based on modified oscillator potentials. Similarly known 1/2"-[541] decay sequences in these and other neighbouring isotopes are observed lower in energy than predicted. A reduction in the strength of the spin-orbit potential for protons is suggested as a solution to these problem. (orig.).
Advanced techniques for focused-ion-beam (FIB) device modification have been developed for complex, multistep modifications to circuitry on planar chip technology. Applying gas-assisted etching (GAE) techniques for high-aspect-ratio milling and the selective milling of both conductive and insulating films enhances process latitude. Localized ion-beam-induced deposition of an insulating film provides reconstructive capability in previously modified areas. The application of both techniques for complex device modification on VSLI devices fabricated with CMOS process technology is reviewed. (UK).
It is shown that multipole dislocation configurations can arise during power-law creep of certain austenitic stainless steels. These multipoles have been analysed in some detail for two particular steels (Alloy 800 and a modified AISI 316L) and it is suggested that they arise either during instantaneous loading or during the primary creep stage. Trace analysis has shown that the multipoles are confined to {1 1 1} planes during primary creep but are not necessarily confined to these planes during steady-state creep unless they are pinned by interstitials.
17-4PH stainless steel was modified by direct current (DC) plasma nitriding and titanium nitride film duplex treatment in this study. The microstructure, wear resistance and corrosion resistance were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), pin-on-disk tribological test and polarization experiment. The results revealed that the DC plasma nitriding pretreatment was in favor of improving properties of titanium nitride film. The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of duplex treatment specimen was more superior to that of only coated titanium nitride film.
17-4PH stainless steel was modified by direct current (DC) plasma nitriding and titanium nitride film duplex treatment in this study. The microstructure, wear resistance and corrosion resistance were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), pin-on-disk tribological test and polarization experiment. The results revealed that the DC plasma nitriding pretreatment was in favor of improving properties of titanium nitride film. The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of duplex treatment specimen was more superior to that of only coated titanium nitride film.
Numerical simulation of dynamic fracture of concrete slabs, impacted by steel projectiles, was carried out in this study. The concrete response was described by a continuum damage model. This continuum damage model was originally developed to study rock fragmentation and was modified in the present study with an emphasis on the post-limit structural response. The model was implemented into a transient dynamic explicit finite element code LS-DYNA2D and the code was then used for the numerical simulations. The specific impact configuration of this study follows the experiment series conducted by Hanchak et al. Comparisons between calculated results and measured data were made. Good agreements were found.
Modified Ostwald ripening theory is used to calculate the time evolution of the size distribution function of extended end-of-range defects in ion implanted silicon. This allows the authors to compare the time dependent self-interstitial supersaturation during post-implantation annealing in the presence of Frank-type stacking faults with that in the presence of {l_brace}311{r_brace}-defects. It is shown that the latter affect self-interstitial concentrations up to the point where they dissolve whereas the former are irrelevant from the point of view of transient enhanced diffusion.
High-resolution spectroscopy of 13 bright red giants and Ba stars shows selective enhancement of Ba in three of them, HD 65699 (Ba 2), ..cap alpha..TrA (K4 III), and epsilonPeg (K2 Ib). Infrared spectra available for HD 65699 show that Sr is enhanced, too. This selective enhancement is discussed in terms of a modified s-process which converts some of the pre-existing r- and s-process matter into the magic nuclei /sup 88/Sr and /sup 138/Ba.
Progress in calculating the electron-phonon parameters of transition metals has been based on either the rigid muffin-tin approximation (RMTA) or the fitted modified tight-binding approximation (FMTBA). The RMTA has been shown to be remarkably accurate for average electron-phonon properties, but there are indications that RMTA matrix elements may be too small at low momentum transfer. An attempt is made to demonstrate these assertions concerning the accuracy of RMTA and the numerous electron-phonon calculations are placed in a broader perspective by a demonstration of how they can be used to explain the trends in the strength of the electron-phonon coupling among the transition metals and the A-15 compounds. (GHT)
At the importance increase of UT (ultrasonic testing) with the application of rules on fitness-for-service for nuclear power plants, JAPEIC (Japan power engineering and inspection corporation) started education training for defect detection and sizing technique. Weld joints specimen with EDM (Electro-Discharged Machining) notches, fatigue cracks and intergranular stress corrosion cracks were tested and practiced repeatedly based on a modified ultrasonic method and the defect size measuring accuracy of the trainees was surely improved. Results of the blind test confirmed effectiveness of education training. (T. Tanaka)
Discusses Czechoslovak regulations for determining moisture content in brown coal. Standard formulae for determining total moisture content and residual water content are described. Factors that influence accuracy in determining moisture content under laboratory conditions are analyzed: brown coal type, season of the year, air humidity, method and duration of coal sample drying, number of coal samples simultaneously dried in 1 dryer, ash content of coal. On the basis of analysis recommendations for a modified method of determining moisture content in brown coal are made. 5 refs.
Fifty patients scheduled to undergo IVF received a standard anesthetic of fentanyl and propofol for induction, followed by propofol infusion, with Bispectral index values and modified Ramsey sedation scores recorded at 5-minute intervals for the duration of anesthesia care. Moderate sedation was found only transiently during the first 5-10 minutes of the oocyte retrieval, but thereafter the level of sedation increased, with deep sedation and general anesthesia measured in all patients as determined by both the Bispectral index scores and lack of response to painful stimulation.
We present the synthesis, magnetic and UV spectrometry of NiZn-ferrite nanofiber. The single phase of spinel ferrite was obtained at 600 {sup o}C. The NiZn-ferrite fibers fabricated by an electrospinning process were formed as a polygonal grain growth with firing temperature in fiber matrix. It appeared that the saturation magnetization (M{sub S}) of NiZn-ferrite nanofiber was dependent on Ni/Zn molar ratio which is similar to that of the inverse spinel ferrites. The NiZn-ferrite fibers showed good DNA adsorption efficiency that can be modified and utilized for DNA separation with magnetic nanofiber as a novel material in clinical applications.
With the aim of optimizing the nitriding process parameters (temperature and gas mixture ) experimental studies of the plasma nitriding of Ck 15 steel were carried out, using a D. C. glow discharge. Nitriding treatments were performed at 450, 500 and 550 and N_2/H_2 volume ratio of 3/1, 1/1 and 1/3 for 5 hours. Nitriding treatment produces modified surface layer consisting of an outer compound layer and an inner diffusion layer.The plasma nitriding of Ck 15 produce single white layer consisting of #gamma#-(Fe_4N).
Incorporation of TiO{sub 2}, into perfluoroionomer membrane by treatment with TiC1{sub 4}-methanol has been described. Platinum was used as an electrocatalyst. In order to make the system electronically as well as ionically conducting, the electrode was modified with polypyrrole (PPy). Photopolymerisation of pyrrole was accomplished by immersing TiO{sub 2}-Pt-NaF in pyrrole solution. UV-visible and FT-IR Spectroscopic studies were preformed with regards to the formation of the TiO{sub 2}, Pt and PPy within Nafion matrix. We report the construction and evaluation of this integrated system and establish the feasibility of hydrogen generation thereof. (Author)
Drell-Yan pair production is investigated. We reexamine a model where the quark momentum fraction is defined as the ratio of the corresponding light-cone components of the quark and parent nucleon in a naive parton-model approach. It is shown that the results differ from the standard parton model. This is due to unphysical solutions for the momentum fractions within the naive approach which are not present in the standard parton model. In a calculation employing full quark kinematics, i.e., including primordial quark transverse momentum, these solutions also appear. A prescription is given to handle these solutions in order to avoid incorrect results. The impact of these solutions in the full kinematical approach is demonstrated and compared to the modified result.
A fundamental and very well studied region of the Erd\\"os-R\\'enyi process is the phase transition at n/2 edges in which a giant component suddenly appears. We examine the process beginning with an initial graph. We further examine the Bohman-Frieze process in which edges between isolated vertices are more likely. While the positions of the phase transitions vary, the three processes belong, roughly speaking, to the same universality class. In particular, the growth of the giant component in the barely supercritical region is linear in all cases.
The operation of buildings can be temporarily modified to use much less electricity. These actions may be necessary during regional electricity shortages lasting anywhere from days to months. The electricity conservation measures typically involve a combination of technical modifications, temporary changes in occupant behavior, and greatly increased vigilance. At the same time, attempts to drastically reduce a building's electricity use may have unexpected consequences affecting energy use, the indoor environment, and the performance of building materials and equipment. Electricity shortfalls such as those described in this paper may occur more often as a result of climate change and liberalized electricity markets. (author)
P. Galenko et al. proposed a modified Cahn-Hilliard equation to model rapid spinodal decomposition in non-equilibrium phase separation processes. This equation contains an inertial term which causes the loss of any regularizing effect on the solutions. Here we consider an initial and boundary value problem for this equation in a two-dimensional bounded domain. We prove a number of results related to well-posedness and large time behavior of solutions. In particular, we analyze the existence of bounded absorbing sets in two different phase spaces and, correspondingly, we establish the existence of the global attractor. We also demonstrate the existence of an exponential attractor.
In situ Auger sputter depth profiles of saturation implants of 3 keV N/sub 2//sup +/ in silicon at room temperature exhibit a sharp peak in the nitrogen concentration in the outermost layers, followed by a monotonic decrease. No broad plateau was observed. The energy of the Auger line corresponding to the Si(2p) core electron excitation, monitored throughout the profiling, exhibits a chemical shift of up to 7 eV at the surface peak concentration. Inert gas ion post-bombardment of unsaturated implants significantly modifies the profile, and supports the suggestion that the surface peak arises through radiation enhanced diffusion of implanted atoms.
This investigation concerns the nonlinear dynamics of heat transfer from a surface using an upstream eddy promoter. A numerical model is developed for the coupled fluid flow and heat transfer process based on a modified MacCormack scheme. Numerical simulations are carried out to determine the response and heat transfer enhancement due to the promoter. The average heat transfer from a cavity floor is seen to be increased by a factor of approximately five over the unpromoted'' flow. Another interesting feature of the study is the nonlinear viscous flow dynamics from the cylinder-wall interaction which differ significantly from the familiar cylinder-free stream patterns.
This investigation concerns the nonlinear dynamics of heat transfer from a surface using an upstream eddy promoter. A numerical model is developed for the coupled fluid flow and heat transfer process based on a modified MacCormack scheme. Numerical simulations are carried out to determine the response and heat transfer enhancement due to the promoter. The average heat transfer from a cavity floor is seen to be increased by a factor of approximately five over the unpromoted'' flow. Another interesting feature of the study is the nonlinear viscous flow dynamics from the cylinder-wall interaction which differ significantly from the familiar cylinder-free stream patterns.
A report is given on an improved filler-binder mixing method in the manufacture of artificial graphite, the so-called coat-mix process. The individual graphite-filler grains are coated completely with uniform binder coatings (phenol formaldehyde resin) in a continuous process. Methanol is used as solvent for the resin. In a modified further development of the process, the use of organic solvents can be disregarded by dissolving the binder resin in caustic soda and injecting the slurry into water diluted acid. The manufacture of casting molds from coat-mix powders, their properties and industrial application are given. Finally, the advantages of using carbon bodies of coal-mix material for conversion to silicon carbide are indicated. (IHOE).
The uranium target of a gas jet transport system for fission products has been modified by the addition of an aluminum cover foil. The new modification allows fission fragments of low mass to enter a continuous chemistry system while heavier fragments are stopped in the aluminum. The elimination of the heavier homologues allows development of simpler and faster chemical separation procedures. In addition, since the lighter fragments are slowed down by the cover foil a smaller target chamber can be used. This leads to a reduction in system holdup time.
The uranium target of a gas jet transport system for fission products has been modified by the addition of an aluminum cover foil. The new modification allows fission fragments of low mass to enter a continuous chemistry system while heavier fragments are stopped in the aluminum. The elimination of the heavier homologues allows development of simpler and faster chemical separation procedures. In addition, since the lighter fragments are slowed down by the cover foil a smaller target chamber can be used. This leads to a reduction in system holdup time. (orig.).
The procedure followed by the Laboratorio de Metrologia Nuclear (LMN) at the IPEN - CNEN/SP, in Sao Paulo, for modifying the NPL-CRC radionuclide sample holder in order to adapt for IPEN vials is presented. For the quality assurance of the results using the IPEN vials, the influence of variation in dimensions and volume of solution has been investigated and suitable correction factors were applied. The solutions used in the present work were "5"1Cr "9"9"mTc "1"5"3Sm, and "2"0"1Tl. (author)
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in subsurface environments although their populations sizes and metabolic activities can vary considerably depending on energy and nutrient inputs. As a result of their metabolic activities and the chemical properties of their cell surfaces and the exopolymers they produce, microorganisms can directly or indirectly facilitate the biotransformation of radionuclides, thus altering their solubility and overall fate and transport in the environment. Although biosorption to cell surfaces and exopolymers can be an important factor modifying the solubility of some radionuclides under specific conditions, oxidation state is often considered the single most important factor controlling their speciation and, therefore, environmental behavior.
Isosteric heats and adsorption isotherms of methane on nanometer active carbon were measured at supercritical temperature (273-373 K) and pressure from 0 to 10 MPa. The measured data agreed well with Dubinin-Astakhov (DA) model at lower pressure but failed when pressure exceeded a special range. General Freundlich (GF) equation was used to modify the DA equation at high pressure and thus formed a combined bisection model GFDA. The adsorption mechanism of methane on nanometer active carbon was raised according to GFDA model and the heterogeneous energy distribution of the adsorbent was analyzed.
The magnetorheological suspension (MRS) brake is of the monoblock type. The main part of the electromagnetic brake is an electromagnet, between whose poles two MRS disks are placed. For distances between disks of 0.65x10"-"3 m#+-#10%, revolutions of the electric motor, coupled to the electromagnetic brake, ranging between 200 and 1600 rev/min and braking powers of up to 85 W, there are no differences in revolutions between the disks of the electromagnetic brake. For fixed revolutions of the electric motor, the revolution of the parallel disk can be modified continuously by means of the intensity of the magnetic field. In all cases, the quantity of MRS is of 0.35x10"-"3 kg.
Knowledge integration is the process of incorporating new information into a body of existing knowledge. It involves determining how new and existing knowledge interact and how existing knowledge should be modified to accommodate the new information. KI is a machine learning program that performs knowledge integration. Through actively investigating the interaction of new information with existing knowledge KI is capable of detecting and exploiting a variety of diverse learning opportunities during a single learning episode. Empirical evaluation suggests that KI provides significant assistance to knowledge engineers while integrating new information into a large knowledge base.
IRAN.LIB is a Coupled Neutron-Gamma library which was developed to be used by the ANISN/PC (ccc-0514/02). The library was developed mainly for shielding calculations and it contains 33 elements mostly used as shielding materials, such as concrete. IRAN.LIB is a set of six libraries, each having the same elements but different number of energy groups. In order to use IRAN.LIB by ANISN/PC, this code must be modified. (author).
The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of different heats of Alloy 800 was evaluated by three different methods: the ASTM A 262 Practice E (or modified Strauss test), the Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation method, and by magnetic-susceptibility measurements. Reasonably good agreement was found between the sensitization areas as defined by the three methods in the TTS diagrams. In some cases the area defined by the Strauss test was slightly smaller than that determined by the other two tests. The differences might be explained by the fact that the methods present different sensitivities to the chromium concentration at the grain boundaries. 27 references, 11 figures, 3 tables.
Two hypotheses are in the centre of this investigation, on the one hand the question, whether microwaves as exogenous fields alone are able to stimulate human muscle cells above-threshold, and on the other hand, whether microwaves as conditioning to cathodical electrical pulses can modify the excitation threshold and form. No excitation through the application of microwaves alone can be introduced at any subject. The conditioning of above-threshold cathodical electrical pulses with UMTS-microwaves leads not to a transgression of the threshold or the electrical muscle response (EMG) depending on the amplitude, the duration or the dose rate. (orig.)
FLOWER, a computer code recommended by USNRC for assessing the environmental impact in tidal regions, was adapted and improved so as to be suitable to deal with the influence of drift stream along seashore to the dilution of contaminants and heat in the bay mouth. And the code outputs were presented with more mid-results such as average concentrations and temperature values for all tides considered. Finally, the modified code is applied to the dispersion calculation of heat and liquid effluents from Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, and the impacts from routine operation of the plant on Daya Bay sea waters were given.
Decay sequences based on the 1/2/sup +/(660) proton orbital have been identified in /sup 171/Ta and /sup 177/Re based on spin, parity, and large alignment. This decay sequence is observed higher in energy than predicted in cranking calculations based on modified oscillator potentials. Similarly known 1/2/sup -/(541) decay sequences in these and other neighbouring isotopes are observed lower in energy than predicted. A reduction in the strength of the spin-orbit potential for protons is suggested as a solution to these problem.
The primary objective of this study was to identify, characterize, and map the wetlands in the Bear Creek watershed. A preliminary wetland categorization system based on the Cowardin classification system (Cowardin et al. 1979) with additional site-specific topographic, vegetation, and disturbance characteristic modifiers was developed to characterize the type of wetlands that exist in the Bear Creek watershed. An additional objective was to detect possible relationships among site soils, hydrology, and the occurrence of wetlands in the watershed through a comparison of existing data with the field survey. Research needs are discussed in the context of wetland functions and values and regulatory requirements for wetland impact assessment and compensatory mitigation.
IRAN.LIB is a coupled neutron-gamma cross section library which was developed to be used in the ANISN/PC (CCC-0514/02) code for transport calculations. The library was developed mainly for shielding calculations and it contains these 33 elements most used in shielding materials, such as concrete. IRAN.LIB is a set of six libraries, each having the same elements but a different number of energy groups. In order to use IRAN.LIB in ANISN/PC, this code must be modified. (author).
By employing the higher dimensional version of the Wu-Yang Ansatz we obtain magnetically charged new black hole solutions in the Einstein-Yang-Mills-Lovelock (EYML) theory with second ($\\alpha2$) and third ($\\alpha3$)order parameters. These parameters, where $\\alpha2$ is also known as the Gauss-Bonnet parameter, modify the horizons (and the resulting thermodynamical properties) of the black holes. It is shown also that asymptotically, these parameters contribute to an effective cosmological constant -without cosmological constant- so that the solution behaves de-Sitter (Anti de-Sitter) like.
Catalytic testing of inorganic catalysts was continued with the highly active sulfate-modified zirconia catalyst prepared here. Using isobutanol as the only reactant over this catalyst, it was demonstrated that high conversion and selectivity to isobutene was achieved at 175[degrees]C. In addition, the high selectivity to isobutene, i.e. 79--86 mol%, was maintained at higher space velocities and higher temperatures. A high productivity of 11.35 mol isobutene was achieved at 225[degrees]C. Utilizing a methanol/isobutanol = 2/1 molar ratio reactant mixture over the ZrO[sub 2]/SO[sub 4][sup 2[minus
This paper discusses design considerations for the recently introduced GaInP/GaAs monolithic tandem concentrator cell. The prototype device achieves a peak efficiency of 30.2% in a range of 140--180 suns, making this the first two-terminal device to demonstrate a verified efficiency exceeding 30%. At 425 suns the efficiency is still above 29%. The authors focus on the issues of grid design, top-cell thickness, and antireflectance coat. They also examine ways in which these aspects of the device may be modified to provide further performance improvements for future devices.
Coherent x-ray production by a seeded free electron laser (FEL) is important for next generation synchrotron light sources. The authors examine the feasibility and features of FEL emission seeded by a high-order harmonic generation (HHG) of an infrared laser. In addition to the intrinsic FEL chirp, the longitudinal profile and spectral bandwidth of the HHG seed are modified significantly by the FEL interaction well before saturation. This smears out the original attosecond pulselet structure. The authors introduce criteria for this smearing effect on the pulselet and the stretching effect on the entire pulse. They discuss the noise issue in such a seeded FEL.
Several fast neutral pressure gauges have been installed on NSTX [National Spherical Torus Experiment] to measure the vessel and divertor pressure during inductive and coaxial helicity injected (CHI) plasma operations. Modified, PDX [Poloidal Divertor Experiment]-type Penning gauges have been installed on the upper and lower divertors. Neutral pressure measurements during plasma operations from these and from two shielded fast Micro ion gauges at different toroidal locations on the vessel mid-plane are described. A new unshielded ion gauge, referred to as the In-vessel Neutral Pressure (INP) gauge is under development.
This specification establishes requirements for design, testing, and quality assurance for electric heaters that will be used to maintain primary Sodium temperature in the Fast Test Facility (FFTF) reactor vessel. The Test Specification (WHC-SD-FF-SDS-003) has been revised to Rev. 1. This change modifies the fabrication of approximately 25 feet of the subject heater using ceramic insulators over the heater lead wire rather than compressed magnesium oxide. Also, 304 or 316 stainless steel can be used for the heater sheath. This change should simplify fabrication and improve the heater operational reliability.
Absolute fission rate measurements using modified National Bureau of Standards fission chambers were performed in the Fast Flux Test Facility at two core locations for isotopic deposits of {sup 232}Th, {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 240}Pu, and {sup 241}Pu. Monitor chamber results at a third location were analyzed to support other experiments involving passive dosimeter fission rate determinations.
Absolute fission rate measurements using modified National Bureau of Standards fission chambers were performed in the Fast Flux Test Facility at two core locations for isotopic deposits of {sup 232}Th, {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 240}Pu, and {sup 241}Pu. Monitor chamber results at a third location were analyzed to support other experiments involving passive dosimeter fission rate determinations.
The electric car has invited considerable interest: As many as four ministries had invited scientists and politicians of all conceivable fields to a national conference of strategy in November 2008 in order to discuss the national development plan on electrical mobility. The parallel exhibition showed vehicles of newer and older initiatives such as the small vehicle CityEl, modified vehicles in which batteries are installed instead of the rear seat, or the flagship which stated the advance of the electric cars, the Tesla Roadster.
Electron scattering data have been used to obtain transition charge densities for the low-lying E2 transitions in /sup 88/Sr, /sup 89/Y, and /sup 90/Zr. These charge densities show a characteristic shape indicative of their microscopic constituency, modified by core-polarization effects. A good description of transitions in the even-even nuclei is obtained by using the measured single-particle transitions in /sup 89/Y as effective densities. .ID LV2086 .PG 19 22
This paper reviews and elaborates on the issue of the dilaton transformation under the usual {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau} target space duality and its non-static generalization (or {sigma}-model duality). It is found that the transformation law {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau}, {phi} {yields} {phi} In ({tau}/{alpha}{prime}) which guarantees duality at the one-loop {sigma}-model level should be modified at two (and higher) loop order. The non-static duality is illustrated on the example of cosmological solutions in D {ge} 2 with time-dependent radii of space torus.
In dual-energy projection radiography with double exposures, rapid energy switching is mandatory to eliminate motion artifacts, but it is costly for use in a clinical environment. We developed a system with practical exposure intervals at reasonable cost by modifying a condenser-type X-ray generator. A commercially available system for digital radiography (Fuji Computed Radiography, FCR) was used to subtract images. This report dealt with technical factors to obtain adequate kV and mAs settings in this technique.
In dual-energy projection radiography with double exposures, rapid energy switching is mandatory to eliminate motion artifacts, but it is costly for use in a clinical environment. We developed a system with practical exposure intervals at reasonable cost by modifying a condenser-type X-ray generator. A commercially available system for digital radiography (Fuji Computed Radiography, FCR) was used to subtract images. This report dealt with technical factors to obtain adequate kV and mAs settings in this technique. (author).
A method for simulating power law noise in clocks and oscillators is presented based on modification of the spectrum of white phase noise, then Fourier transforming to the time domain. Symmetric real matrices are introduced whose traces--the sums of their eigenvalues--are equal to the Allan variances, in overlapping or non-overlapping forms, as well as for the corresponding forms of the modified Allan variance. Diagonalization of these matrices leads to expressions for the probability distributions for observing a variance at an arbitrary value of the sampling or averaging interval $\\tau$, and hence for estimating confidence in the measurements. A number of applications are presented for the common power-law noises.
Some recent achievements in the field of high pressure vessels and safety devices have offered a concrete chance to the application of compressed hydrogen for fleet commercial vehicles for urban use. Accordingly with this concept, ENEA has modified a Fiat Ducato van with a dual fuel engine, retaining the gasoline tank for long distance travelling and adopting the external mixture formation technique, with hydrogen injectors developed by ENEA, for non-polluting short-range duties in urban traffic. The article deals with the rationale for this choice and gives a general view of the project. (author)
In the case of inelastic scattering of alpha particles to the 3"+ state, the averaged angular distributions show a characteristic shape, corresponding to the excitation of such an unnatural parity state by alpha particles in the compound nucleus process. The modified Hauser-Feshbach cross-section calculations give a good description of the averaged distributions for the alpha particle scattering to the 3"+ state and the compound nucleus parameters could be extracted. The calculations of the compounds nucleus contributions to the other states in the case of 24 MeV alpha particle scattering from "2"8Si show that this contribution is not negligible and in the case of the scattering to the 4"+ state seems to be dominant. (Z.M.).
The structure of the low-lying levels of the [sup 91]Zr nucleus is discussed in a framework of the cluster-phonon coupling model. In order to describe simultaneously positive- and negative-parity states, octupole as well as quadrupole vibrations of the [sup 88]Sr core are allowed. The cluster states include two single protons coupled to a single neutron. The residual interaction among the cluster particles is assumed to be the modified surface [delta] interaction. Energy levels and electromagnetic properties are calculated and compared with the experimental data.
... Cameron; Lowell A. Miller; Miller, Lowell A. CSIRO PUBLISHING - Wildlife Research Books Journals Multimedia About Us Shopping Cart You are here: Journals Wildlife Research Ecology, Management and Conservation in Natural and Modified Habitats Search ... Cameron and Lowell A. Miller Abstract Context. Contraception is increasingly used as a management technique to reduce fertility in wildlife populations; however, the feasibility of contraceptive formulations has been limited until recently because they have required multiple treatments to achieve prolonged infertility. ...
Robotics technology is successfully being transitioned from space to terrestrial applications. It is being modified and enhanced to help in the US DOE's Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program. Some examples of these applications, ranging from large multijointed manipulators to autonomously navigated remote vehicles, are outlined in this article. They include the following: underground storage tank technology demonstration; light-duty utility arm system; remotely controlled material-handling system; remotely operated excavator; self-guided transfer vehicle. 10 figs.
We apply and modify the computer codes CAIN(P.Chen, G.Horton-Smith, T.Ohgaki, A.W.Weidemann, K.Yokoya, contributed to Workshop on Gamma-Gamma Colliders, Berkeley, CA, March 28-31, 1994; SLAC-PUB-6583.) and GUINEAPIG(D.Schulte (DESY), unpublished.) to make detailed studies of the beam-beam interaction in the SLAC design for a future linear collider (NLC), as well as to the proposed SLC2000 project. Using realistic beam distributions, we present simulations related to the tuning and optimization of luminosity in SLC2000 and NLC.
We apply and modify the computer codes CAIN(P.Chen, G.Horton-Smith, T.Ohgaki, A.W.Weidemann, K.Yokoya, contributed to Workshop on Gamma-Gamma Colliders, Berkeley, CA, March 28-31, 1994; SLAC-PUB-6583.) and GUINEAPIG(D.Schulte (DESY), unpublished.) to make detailed studies of the beam-beam interaction in the SLAC design for a future linear collider (NLC), as well as to the proposed SLC2000 project. Using realistic beam distributions, we present simulations related to the tuning and optimization of luminosity in SLC2000 and NLC.
Glabridin, an active constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots, was found to be active against both yeast and filamentous fungi. Glabridin also showed resistance modifying activity against drug resistant mutants of Candida albicans at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25-250 g/mL. Although the compound was reported earlier to be active against Candida albicans, but this is the first report of its activity against drug resistant mutants. Copyright Copyright 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excessive irradiation due to unexpected leakage was found on a patient receiving electron beam therapy. The cause of this leakage was analyzed and the amount of leakage was measured for different electron beam energies. The highest leakage occurred with a 6 x 6 cm cone using a 12 MeV electron beam. The leakage dose measured along the side of the cone could be as great as 40%. Until the cones are modified or redesigned, it is advised that all patient setups be carefully reviewed to assure that no significant patient areas are in the side scatter region.
The SY-101 Equipment Removal System 100 Ton Hydraulic Trailer was designed and built by KAMP Systems, Inc. Performance of the Acceptance Test Procedure at KAMP`s facility in Ontario, California (termed Phase 1 in this report) was interrupted by discrepancies noted with the main hydraulic cylinder. The main cylinder was removed and sent to REMCO for repair while the trailer was sent to Lampson`s facility in Pasco, Washington. The Acceptance Test Procedure was modified and performance resumed at Lampson (termed Phase 2 in this report) after receipt of the repaired cylinder. At the successful conclusion of Phase 2 testing the trailer was accepted as meeting all the performance criteria specified.
In the third quarterly report adsorption of heavy metals ions such as Cu(II) and Cr(VI) onto soils drawn from the laboratory-type wetland was shown to be weak. Secondly, it was shown that modified-clays did adsorb Cr(VI) ions strongly at pH 4.5. Further, studies on the pH dependence of the adsorption of {beta}-naphthoic acid, (NA), a well-documented contaminant in many oil and gas well waste waters onto modified-clays were undertaken and it was shown that uptake of NA by modified-clays was of the high affinity type at pH 4.5 and 7.0, but weak at pH 9.0. Adsorption of heavy metal ions, Cu{sup 2+}, and Cr(VI) onto algae, a proposed wetland amendment, was carried out and the results were presented and discussed in the fourth quarterly report. Uptake of NA by the soil component of the laboratory-type wetland was monitored as a function of pH. This quarterly report presents results from studies on the uptake of phenol and ...
In Italy, short rotation coppice (SRC) has become very popular in recent years, with over 4000 ha already planted - almost exclusively with clonal poplar. Commercial harvesting operations are dominated by modified foragers, equipped with dedicated SRC headers. At present, contractors use two main header types: German Claas HS-2 and Italian GBE. The former fits smaller foragers with a power below 300 kW, the latter is used on larger harvest units. This study models the performance of modified foragers on a range of short-rotation poplar plantations. Data were collected from 45 operations, covering a total of 118 ha and producing over 4400 green tonnes of wood chips. The average yield of the fields harvested during the trials was about 23 gt ha{sup -1} year{sup -1} (at a moisture content of 59%), and machine productivity ranged from 9 to 70 green tonnes per scheduled machine hour (gt SMH{sup -1}), with an average value of 35 gt SMH{sup -1}. A ...
Silanization of the silica gel surface in the synthesis of silica gel polyamine composites uses (chloropropyl)-trichlorosilane (CPTCS). It is possible to substitute a molar fraction of reagent CPTCS with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS), creating a mixed silane surface layer. Two types of silica gels were modified with a series of MTCS:CPTCS molar ratios. Solid-state CP/MAS 29Si and 13C NMR spectroscopies were used to evaluate the surface silane composition. Surface silane coverage was markedly improved for the resulting gels. When polyamines were grafted to the resultant MTCS:CPTCS silane layers, it was shown that the decrease in the number of propyl attachments to the polyamine resulted in increased quantities of ''free amines''. Optimum MTCS:CPTCS ratios were determined for three polyamines grafted onto one silica gel. A substantial free amine increase was observed for poly(allylamine) (PAA). Metal uptake studies show increases in ...
Silanization of the silica gel surface in the synthesis of silica gel polyamine composites uses (chloropropyl)-trichlorosilane (CPTCS). It is possible to substitute a molar fraction of reagent CPTCS with methyltrichlorosilane (MTCS), creating a mixed silane surface layer. Two types of silica gels were modified with a series of MTCS:CPTCS molar ratios. Solid-state CP/MAS 29Si and 13C NMR spectroscopies were used to evaluate the surface silane composition. Surface silane coverage was markedly improved for the resulting gels. When polyamines were grafted to the resultant MTCS:CPTCS silane layers, it was shown that the decrease in the number of propyl attachments to the polyamine resulted in increased quantities of ''free amines''. Optimum MTCS:CPTCS ratios were determined for three polyamines grafted onto one silica gel. A substantial free amine increase was observed for poly(allylamine) (PAA). Metal uptake studies show increases in ...
This publication describes the modification of the road traffic exhaust emission calculation model LIISA and presents the new calculation results. The model has already established its position as the most important inventory tool for regional road traffic emissions in Finland. The LIISA model calculates road traffic emissions as a whole. The system comprises of three separate models: 1. a model for calculating automobile emissions for the years 2001-2021, 2. a model for calculating emissions backwards for the years 1980-2000, 3. a model for calculating the emissions of motorcycles and mopeds. All three parts have been modified. The LIISA model is one of the submodels of the comprehensive LIPASTO calculation system developed at VTT Building and Transport. The LIPASTO model is an inventory tool for emissions regarding all traffic modes in Finland. The LIPASTO with its submodels will be updated yearly with new mileage and vehicle data. The models itself and their ...
This short survey focuses on the main radiation-induced base lesions that have been identified within cellular DNA. For this purpose, sensitive assays that are aimed at measuring a few modifications per 10{sup 7} normal bases were set-up. In that respect high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (CLHP-MS/MS) was found to be able to single out the formation of 9 oxidized nucleosides and two modified nucleo-bases out of the 70 oxidative base lesions that have been identified in model systems. As a striking result, it was found that in the DNA of {gamma}-irradiated human monocytes, the formamide-pyrimidine derivative of guanine is produced in a higher yield than the ubiquitous 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine damage, both arising from the same radical precursor. However, relatively high doses of ionizing radiation (> 20 Gy) have to be applied in order to detect an increase in the level of the damage. This is due to the low efficiency for both ...
The objective of the study was the kinetic modeling of the effect of storage temperature on the quality and shelf life of chilled fish, modified atmosphere-packed (MAP), and osmotically pretreated with the addition of nisin as antimicrobial agent. Fresh gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fillets were osmotically treated with 50% high dextrose equivalent maltodextrin (DE 47) plus 5% NaCl. Water loss, solid gain, salt content, and water activity were monitored throughout treatment and treatment conditions were selected for the shelf life study. Untreated and osmotically pretreated slices with and without nisin (2 x 10(4) IU/100 g osmotic solution), packed in air or modified atmosphere (50% CO(2)-50% air), and stored at controlled isothermal conditions (0, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C) were studied. Quality assessment and modeling were based on growth of several microbial indices, total volatile nitrogen, trimethylamine nitrogen, lipid oxidation ...
An abundance of waste corn, a key food of many wildlife species, has helped make possible the widespread success of wildlife management in the United States over the past half century. We found waste corn post harvest in Nebraska declined by 47% from 1978 to 1998 due primarily to improvements in combine headers resulting in a marked decline in ear loss. The reduction in waste coincided with major declines in fat storage by sandhill cranes and white-fronted geese during spring migration. Sandhill cranes, northern pintails, white-fronted geese, and lesser snow geese avoided soybeans while staging in spring in the Rainwater Basin Area and Central Platte River Valley. These findings and other literature suggest soybeans are a marginal food for wildlife particularly during periods of high energy requirements. Soybean acreage has increased by 600% in the United States since 1950 and now comprises nearly one-quarter of the nation>'s cropland. With over 80% of the soybean crop now in ...
Existing test procedures for measuring and rating thermal performance require the determination of the angular response of collectors in order to account for nonnormal incident beam irradiance. Angular response measurements for four different types of collectors, each type tested by three different laboratories, are presented and analyzed. Substantial differences, both within and between laboratories, are reported for the same type collectors. An analysis of the measurement procedure shows that experimentally determined angular response parameters are subject to relatively large uncertainties. The problem results to a large extent from measuring collector efficiencies at non-normal incident angles where measurement uncertainty is of the same order of magnitude as the efficiency reduction attributable to these off-normal angles. Other factors which can affect angular response measurements and the method of correlating results are also discussed. A theoretical analysis shows that shading ...
Two methods, a traditional emulsion technique and a high voltage electrostatically modified encapsulation system, were used to fabricate degradable chitosan/beta -tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) microspheres. The two distinct kinds of microspheres both exhibited good sphericity and the beta-TCP was trapped well inside the chitosan gel. The microspheres prepared by high voltage electrostatic system exhibited a rougher outer surface and narrower size distribution. These microspheres were then used as an added constituent to commercially available PMMA bone cement. Four modified cement composites that were prepared with different composition ratios of the two kinds of chitosan/beta-TCP microspheres that were made from emulsion technique (C1P1 and C2P1) and from a process by a high voltage electrostatic system (EC1P1 and EC2P1) were compared with the PMMA cement (Pure P). The characteristics of these materials indicate that with the addition of ...
The electrochemical behavior of some zirconium alloys including Zry-2 with various #SIGMA#Ai from 2.5 x 10"-"2"0 to 1.2 x 10"-"1"7 (h), modified Zry-2 with iron contents of 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5%, and standard Zry-4 was studied by measuring anodic polarization curves in sulfuric acid solution. The results of these electrochemical tests were compared with those of steam autoclave tests. In Zry-2, the current peak was observed at 1250 mV (versus SCE) on the anodic polarization curve, and this peak area increased with #SIGMA#Ai and with the size of secondary precipitates. Also, this peak was closely correlated with nodular corrosion resistance as expected from the above results. As iron contents in modified Zry-2 increased, the current peak at 1,250 mV decreased and a new peak at 1,900 mV appeared. The former peak disappeared and the latter peak increased further at 0.5% iron. In Zry-4, the current peak was observed at 1,900 mV, but not at 1,250 mV, ...
In this study, the cytocompatibility of new 'iron-modified/alpha-tricalcium phosphate (IM/alpha-TCP) and calcium sulfate dihydrate (CSD)' bone cement (IM/alpha-TCP/CSD-BC) intended for spinal applications has been approached. The objective was to investigate by direct-contact osteoblast-like cell cultures (from 1 to 14 days) the in vitro cell adhesion, proliferation, morphology and cytoskeleton organization of MG-63 cells seeded onto the new cements. The results were as follows: (a) quantitative MTT-assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that cell adhesion, proliferation and viability were not affected with time by the presence of iron in the cements; (b) double immunofluorescent labeling of F-actin and alpha-tubulin showed a dynamic interaction between the cell and its porous substrates sustaining the locomotion phenomenon on the cements' surface, which favored the colonization, and confirming the biocompatibility of the ...
Activation reactions of coal reject-derived char (CRC) with CO{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O and air are experimentally studied using a thermogravimetric analysis technique. The experimental kinetic data are treated via kinetic data unification based on the half-time, and the intrinsic rate constants are extracted by the modified Arrhenius plot method. The effect of structural evolution on the overall rate changes is modelled with a modified random pore model and percolation model taking into account the ash content of the coal reject char. It is found that the relative reaction rates for the reaction pairs CO{sub 2}-CRC, H{sub 2}O-CRC and air-CRC are at an increasing order of sequence at a given temperature. The effect of gaseous pressure on the reaction rate is shown to be significant for CO{sub 2}-CRC and H{sub 2}O-CRC reactions. It has shown that both models can predict well the maximum rate and the conversion at which the maximum rate occurs. The ...
Plutonium isotopes (239Pu and 238Pu, and 241Am) with a total activity of 269 kBq were accidentally deposited in a puncture wound of the right index finger of a nuclear worker at the Mayak Production Association. Tissues surrounding the wound site contaminated with radionuclides were excised 4.5 h after the injury. Residual contamination within the wound amounted to 0.05% of the initial contamination. The 10-d therapy with CaNa3-diethylene triamine pentaacetate acid (CaNa3-DTPA) was performed in parallel with in vivo measurements of the wound site and daily urine bioassays. The wound intake of radionuclides was consistent with two forms of radioactive materials detected within the wound site, i.e., soluble compounds and a large fragment, which was completely removed by excision. On day 9 after the injury, the clearance rate from the wound site was 1.8 times higher than the rate predicted by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) model for soluble compounds ...
To improve adherent properties of electrogalvanized steel (EGS) to polymeric topcoats, the surfaces of EGS were modified by polyelectrolyte-modified zinc phosphating solution. The electrochemical reaction between phosphating solution and EGS led to the complete coverage with fully grown hopeite crystals after only 5 sec treatment, thereby improving adhesion to topcoating and providing protection of EGS against corrosion. To evaluate the ability of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) polyaryl thermoplastic coatings to protect zinc phosphate (Zn{center_dot}Ph)treated steels from corrosion in a wet, harsh environment ( 1.0 wt % H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, 3.0 wt % NaCl and 96.0 wt % water at temperatures from 25{degrees} to 200{degree}C), we exposed them in an autoclave to attempt heating-cooling cyclic fatigue tests (1 cycle = 12 hr at 200{degrees}C + 12 hr at 25{degrees}C) up to 90 times. The major chemical reaction at the interface between the PPS and Zn in the ...
Project W-320 Acceptance Test Report for tank 241-C-106, 296-C-006 Ventilation System Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) HNF-SD-W320-012, C-106 Tank Process Ventilation Test, was an in depth test of the 296-C-006 ventilation system and ventilation support systems required to perform the sluicing of tank C-106. Systems involved included electrical, instrumentation, chiller and HVAC. Tests began at component level, moved to loop level, up to system level and finally to an integrated systems level test. One criteria was to perform the test with the least amount of risk from a radioactive contamination potential stand point. To accomplish this a temporary configuration was designed that would simulate operation of the systems, without being connected directly to the waste tank air space. This was done by blanking off ducting to the tank and connecting temporary ducting and an inlet air filter and housing to the recirculation system. This configuration would eventually become the possible ...
The objective of the current MITRE study is to estimate the cost of the coal derived liquid products that result from processing low rank coals in the Wilsonville and HRI CTSL configurations. The resultant cost of liquids is then compared to liquids produced from bituminous coals. The methodology used to accomplish the above objective was to utilize the MITRE coal liquefaction cost model to assess the overall technical and economic performance of low rank coals in both the Wilsonville and HRI configurations. Actual test data from Wilsonville and HRI was used as the basis for these analyses. This test data is modified to simulate complete resid recycle extinction and to standardize the operating performance of the deashing unit. This corrected yield data is then used in the simulation models to predict the overall performance and economics of a conceptual commercial coal liquefaction facility. 9 refs., 7 figs.
Although incompressible fluid flows can be regarded as a particular case of a general problem, numerical methods and the mathematical formulation aimed to solve compressible and incompressible flows have their own peculiarities, in such a way, that it is generally not possible to attain both regimes with a single approach. In this work, we start from a typically compressible formulation, slightly modified to make use of pressure variables and, through augmenting the stabilising parameters, we end up with a simplified model which is able to deal with a wide range of flow regimes, from supersonic to low speed gas flows. The resulting methodology is flexible enough to allow for the simulation of liquid flows as well. Examples using conservative and pressure variables are shown and the results are compared to those published in the literature, in order to validate the method. (author)
The light curves produced by all-sky monitors, such as the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer All-Sky Monitor and the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), generally have non-uniform error bars. In searching for periodic modulation in this type of data using power spectra it can be important to use appropriate weighting of data points to achieve the best sensitivity. It was recently demonstrated that for Swift BAT data a simple weighting scheme can actually sometimes reduce the sensitivity of the power spectrum depending on source brightness. Instead, a modified weighting scheme, based on the Cochran semi-weighted mean, gives improved results independent of source brightness. We investigate the benefits of weighting power spectra in period searches using simulated GLAST LAT observations of {gamma}-ray binaries.
A full scale co-digestion system for sludge and Olive oil mill effluent (OME) and a regional sludge management plan has been set-up to solve urgent environmental problems, modifying an existing cold municipal digester, by means of simple and effective technology. Monitoring of the full scale system demonstrated good compatibility between OME and sludge, up to 20% mixture, and high removal of organics compounds. Coagulant compounds present in OME (mainly Fats), promoted aggregation and settling of anaerobic sludge and also its acetoclastic activity, minimizing the load returned to the wastewater treatment line and improving also the activated sludge system. The co-digestion of OME with sludge agreed the project purposes, and produced large quantity of biogas and electric energy.
Motivated by the discovery of superconductivity in alkali and alkaline earth fullerides, this program was undertaken both to understand the nature of and expand the range of materials demonstrating superconductivity. The first approach involved attempts to modify the fullerene cage by incorporating heteroatoms in the structure and the preparation and photophysical properties of nitrogen and sulfur doped fullerenes were studied in detail. The second approach involved examining the stoichiometry and effect of preparative conditions on the behavior of alkali, alkaline earth, lanthanide and mixed ion fullerides. In particular, the authors have elaborated on a technique for making such salts using liquid ammonia or aliphatic amines as solvents. Thirdly, modeling studies were undertaken to predict the properties of heterohedral fullerines and metal - C60 complexes, and theoretical guidelines were developed for understanding the reactivity of the fullerene cage to common ...
SummaryPrimary visual cortex recombines inputs from magnocellular (M) and parvocellular (P) streams to create functionally specialized outputs. Understanding these input-output relationships is complicated by the fact that layer 4B, which provides outputs to dorsal visual areas, contains multiple cell types. Using a modified rabies virus that expresses green fluorescent protein, we show that layer 4B neurons projecting to MT are a majority spiny stellate, whereas those projecting to V2 are overwhelmingly pyramidal. Regardless of cell type, MT-projecting neurons have larger cell bodies, more dendritic length, and are deeper within layer 4B. Furthermore, MT-projecting pyramidal neurons are located preferentially underneath cytochrome oxidase blobs, indicating that MT-projecting neurons of bo...
The authors review two types of simulators for the analysis of cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors (SE's). One of them is the neutron-induced soft error simulator (NISES). A recently proposed nuclear reaction theory forms the foundation for the nuclear reaction database used in NISES. The other simulator, the simplified simulator MBGR, is based on a modified version of the burst generation rate (BGR) model. Both simulators accurately simulate neutron-induced SE rates (SER's). MBGR actually provides an easier and quicker estimation of neutron-induced SER's than NISES. On the other hand, NISES covers more applications; it simulates neutron-induced charge collection, multiple-bit SE, and [alpha]-induced SE analysis.
The authors review two types of simulators for the analysis of cosmic ray neutron-induced soft errors (SE's). One of them is the neutron-induced soft error simulator (NISES). A recently proposed nuclear reaction theory forms the foundation for the nuclear reaction database used in NISES. The other simulator, the simplified simulator MBGR, is based on a modified version of the burst generation rate (BGR) model. Both simulators accurately simulate neutron-induced SE rates (SER's). MBGR actually provides an easier and quicker estimation of neutron-induced SER's than NISES. On the other hand, NISES covers more applications; it simulates neutron-induced charge collection, multiple-bit SE, and #alpha#-induced SE analysis
This paper uses multi-pass iteration particle swarm optimization (MIPSO) to solve short term hydroelectric generation scheduling of a power system with wind turbine generators. MIPSO is a new algorithm for solving nonlinear optimal scheduling problems. A new index called iteration best (IB) is incorporated into particle swarm optimization (PSO) to improve solution quality. The concept of multi-pass dynamic programming is applied to modify PSO further and improve computation efficiency.The feasible operational regions of the hydro units and pumped storage plants over the whole scheduling time range must be determined before applying MIPSO to the problem. Wind turbine power generation then shaves the power system load curves. Next, MIPSO calculates hydroelectric generation scheduling. It beg...
The issue of the duration of immunity, particularly for the modified live viral components of veterinary vaccines, has been a significant part of the recent vaccination debate. One manufacturer has increased the recommended booster interval for these components to 3 years give name and another now states `up to 4 years' immunity.There remain many unanswered questions regarding this duration of immunity (DOI). Studies suitable for data sheet claims are time consuming and costly and can only be performed in laboratory dogs under tightly controlled conditions. Evidence from rabies serology testing in the UK shows that the response of individual animals to routine vaccination is highly variable. Much of the published field evidence on the persistence of antibody titres originates from North Am...
We discuss the foundations of factor or regression models in the light of the self-consistency condition that the market portfolio (and more generally the risk factors) is (are) constituted of the assets whose returns it is (they are) supposed to explain. As already reported in several articles, self-consistency implies correlations between the return disturbances. As a consequence, the alpha's and beta's of the factor model are unobservable. Self-consistency leads to renormalized beta's with zero effective alpha's, which are observable with standard OLS regressions. Analytical derivations and numerical simulations show that, for arbitrary choices of the proxy which are different from the true market portfolio, a modified linear regression holds with a non-zero value $\\alpha_i$ at the origin between an asset $i$'s return and the proxy's return. Self-consistency also introduces ``orthogonality'' and ``normality'' conditions linking the beta's, alpha's (as well as ...
To investigate the variation in the fine structure of polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) membranes prepared via two different interfacial polymerization conditions (IP-I and IP-II), experiments on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), water contact angle, and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) coupled to a slow positron beam were conducted. Polyamide TFC membranes were prepared via the interfacial polymerization reaction between triethylenetetramine (TETA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the surface of a modified polyacrylonitrile (mPAN) membrane. Compared with the polyamide TFC membrane prepared via IP-I, the polyamide layer prepared via IP-II showed a shorter S plateau length (thinner thickness), a higher o-Ps intensity I3 value (higher free-volume con...
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder characterized by skin thickness and vasculopathy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of the association of pentoxyphylline and vitamin E in SSc patients. Twelve SSc patients (American College of Rheumatology criteria) enrolled this 24-week open-label study. Patients received daily 800?mg of pentoxyphylline and 800?UI of vitamin E and were evaluated at 4-week interval. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS) at week 24. Nine diffuse SSc patients treated 6?months with cyclophosphamide were used as a historical control group. The mean age of the treated group was 43.6?years, and ten of 12 (84%) patients were women. Their mean MRSS reduced from 25.7 to 18.7 (p?=?0.03) at 1...
We present the design, analysis, and results of the high brightness electron beam experiments currently under investigation at Sandia National Laboratories. The anticipated beam parameters are the following: energy 12 MeV, current 35 endash 40 kA, rms radius 0.5 mm, and pulse duration 40 ns full width at half-maximum. The accelerator is SABRE, a pulsed linear inductive voltage adder modified to higher impedance, and the electron source is a magnetically immersed foilless electron diode. 20 endash 30 T solenoidal magnets are required to insulate the diode and contain the beam to its extremely small-sized (1 mm) envelope. These experiments are designed to push the technology to produce the highest possible electron current in a submillimeter radius beam. Design, numerical simulations, and experimental results are presented. copyright 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Objectives(i) Investigate the correlation between Antarctic sea-ice and equatorial sea-surface temperature anomalies in a realistically forced ocean model simulation of the last 50 years. (ii) Determine whether and how the enormous seasonal change in distribution of sea-ice modifies the seasonal cycle at the Equator. (iii) Determine the detailed pathways of wave propagation both in a historically-forced simulation and in response to realistic perturbations. (iv) Quantify the amplitude of the response i [continued...]DescriptionIt is well known that the equatorial ocean-atmosphere system plays a key role in global climate events such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. There is now compelling evidence that changes in the Antarctic can strongly and quickly affect the equatorial ocean and the ENSO cycle. Observations demonstrate statistically significant correlations (teleconnections) between the Antarctic and the Equator with leads and lags of ...
Selected applications of novel techniques in Agricultural Biotechnology, Health Food formulations and Medical Biotechnology are being reviewed with the aim of unraveling future developments and policy changes that are likely to open new markets for Biotechnology and prevent the shrinking or closing of existing ones. Amongst the selected novel techniques with applications in both Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology are: immobilized bacterial cells and enzymes, microencapsulation and liposome production, genetic manipulation of microorganisms, development of novel vaccines from plants, epigenomics of mammalian cells and organisms, and biocomputational tools for molecular modeling related to disease and Bioinformatics. Both fundamental and applied aspects of the emerging new techniques are being discussed in relation to their anticipated, marked impact on future markets and present policy changes that are needed for success in either Agricultural or Medical Biotechnology. The novel ...
We have developed a simulation code with the techniques which enhance both spatial and time resolution of the PM method for which the spatial resolution is restricted by the spacing of structured mesh. The adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) technique subdivides the cells which satisfy the refinement criterion recursively. The hierarchical meshes are maintained by the special data structure and are modified in accordance with the change of particle distribution. In general, as the resolution of the simulation increases, its time step must be shortened and more computational time is required to complete the simulation. Since the AMR enhances the spatial resolution locally, we reduce the time step locally also, instead of shortening it globally. For this purpose we used a technique of hierarchical time steps (HTS) which changes the time step, from particle to particle, depending on the size of the cell in which particles reside. Some test calculations show that our ...
DBEs (Design Basis Event) of KALIMER-600 (Korea Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor) were analyzed in one dimension by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute). KALIMER-600 is the pool type SFR (Sodium cooled Fast Reactor), thereby the sodium of primary system is prohibited movement to out of a reactor vessel. There are many contacting and including compositions in the sodium hot pool, such as IHX (Intermediate Heat eXchanger), DHX (Decay Heat eXchanger), Pump, UIS (Upper Internal Structure), and core. Moreover, the complex phenomena are occurred in sodium hot pool during steady and transient states. Therefore, the one dimensional analysis is modified to the multi-dimensional analysis through modification of sodium hot pool from one to three dimensions
The Los Alamos Cost Estimating System (QUEST) is being converted to run on IBM personal computers. This very extensive estimating system is capable of supporting cost estimators from many different and varied fields. QUEST does not dictate any fixed method for estimating. QUEST supports many styles and levels of detail estimating. QUEST can be used with or without data bases. This system allows the estimator to provide reports based on levels of detail defined by combining work breakdown structures. QUEST provides a set of tools for doing any type of estimate without forcing the estimator to use any given method. The level of detail in the estimate can be mixed based on the amount of information known about different parts of the project. The system can support many different data bases simultaneously. Estimators can modify any cost in any data base.
Background The Norwood procedure consists of three palliative operations, performed in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Especially the first stage (Norwood I) is associated with the highest mortality rates in paediatric cardiac surgery (up to 25%). During surgery, the aorta is reconstructed and a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt is applied. Originally the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was used, but recently the right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt is increasingly being employed. We reviewed the results of our operative strategy, where an individualised choice of shunt is made. Furthermore, attempts to reduce interstage mortality (between Norwood I and II) were assessed. Methods All neonates who underwent Norwood stage I palliation from August 2004 until November 2010 were in...
To mitigate damages caused by agricultural runoff, private lake owners' associations are paying for inlake and instream pollution abatement measures and on land-conservation practices. This phenomenon supports the notion that individuals who benefit from improved water quality should be willing to pay part of the abatement costs. The research suggests that on land-conservation measures can substantially reduce sediment delivery at low cost. The Sediment Economics (SEDEC) model was modified and then used to select and to site management systems that achieved stated sediment goals at least cost. Other resource policies such as T value, no-till, and contouring were compared with the least-cost frontier and shown to be more costly. The noncropland areas substantially reduced sediment delivery to water channels and lowered abatement costs. Further research is needed for long-range watershed-planning models such as SEDEC.
In this paper, we develop a batch fuzzy learning vector quantization algorithm that attempts to solve certain problems related to the implementation of fuzzy clustering in image compression. The algorithm's structure encompasses two basic components. First, a modified objective function of the fuzzy c-means method is reformulated and then is minimized by means of an iterative gradient-descent procedure. Second, the overall training procedure is equipped with a systematic strategy for the transition from fuzzy mode, where each training vector is assigned to more than one codebook vectors, to crisp mode, where each training vector is assigned to only one codebook vector. The algorithm is fast and easy to implement. Finally, the simulation results show that the method is efficient and appears...
Summary Indigenous people demonstrably lived along rivers and around lakes and wetlands of Australia's Murray-Darling Basin in pre-European times. Waterways were, and continue to be, of major significance to the society and culture of Aboriginal peoples throughout Australia. Historically, they exploited most of the fauna - from mussels and crayfish, to fish and birds - and either ate, or used for other purposes, many species of aquatic plants. Such practices placed them in the role of environmental modifiers, a role played by all human groups from both past and present. They built sophisticated fish traps, cut gaps in river banks to allow fish to move on to floodplains, and there is evidence that they practised a form of fish culture by creating small impoundments in which small fish could...
The effect of both dopant and neutron radiation on the optical and thermal properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been studied. The doped samples with Pb and Cd were irradiated with a 14 MeV-neutron fluence in the range 7-28.8 x 10"9 n/cm"2. The optical energy gap E_o_p exhibits a significant dependence on the type of additive and the neutron irradiation fluence. The specific heat at constant pressure C_p showed a nonmonotonical change with radiation fluence. The results of this study show that PVC:Pb behaves as a crystalline structure which is only slightly affected by neutron irradiation, while PVC:Cd is highly affected. (author).
Experience with the identification and tuning of exciter constants for a generating unit as the Second Nuclear Power Plant of Taiwan Power Company is reported. Field test is first performed on the excitation system with the generator open-circuited. Since the field test results differ from the computer simulation results using manufacturer`s constants, the authors first modify the manufacturer`s constants based on their previous experience to reach a preliminary set of parameters for the excitation system. Then a hybrid nonlinear simulation-sensitivity matrix method is developed to further refine the excitation system parameters. The exciter constants are tuned in order to give better dynamic response before a power system stabilizer is applied to the generator. Field tests are then performed in order to compare the dynamic response of the generator without and with power system stabilizer.
Experience with the identification and tuning of exciter constants for a generating unit as the Second Nuclear Power Plant of Taiwan Power Company is reported. Field test is first performed on the excitation system with the generator open-circuited. Since the field test results differ from the computer simulation results using manufacturer's constants, the authors first modify the manufacturer's constants based on their previous experience to reach a preliminary set of parameters for the excitation system. Then a hybrid nonlinear simulation-sensitivity matrix method is developed to further refine the excitation system parameters. The exciter constants are tuned in order to give better dynamic response before a power system stabilizer is applied to the generator. Field tests are then performed in order to compare the dynamic response of the generator without and with power system stabilizer.
In the first paper of this series a formal theory of atomic scattering of electrons in the presence of an intense electromagnetic field was given. Cross sections, near the forward direction, between atomic states (modified by the laser) were obtained. However, it was assumed that the atom could not emit spontaneous radiation. In this paper the effect of spontaneous radiation is included, and it is shown that in most cases the measured cross section will be a weighted average of the two different cross sections starting from the two different initial states which are those atomic states resonantly linked by the laser. The Born approximation for the scattering is obtained, and it is shown that for the simplest description of the spontaneous radiation field the effect of the laser on the cross sections is simply to multiply them by a factor which depends upon the laser detuning. (AIP)
To improve the friction and wear behavior of carbon fabric reinforced polymer composites (CFRP), nano-SiO2 was deposited on the fabric surface. The friction and wear behavior of the resulting composites were investigated on a model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that fiber surface treatment contributed to largely improve the tribological properties of the CFRP composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation showed that the worn surface of the surface modified CFRP composite was smoother under given load and sliding rate. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the carbon fiber surface showed that nanostructured Sio2 thin film can be obtained by SiO2 sols deposition, which improved th...
Despite the proven utility of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to predict soil rainfall erosion, it has limited precision in predicting soil loss in some soil series. Also, runoff is a factor in rainfall erosion and some models, such as the modified USLE (USLE-M), include runoff in predicting soil erosion. The soil erodibility factor is an essential component in both models and this may be affected by application of soil conditioners, such as polyacrylamide (PAM). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different rates of PAM (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6kgha-1) applied with sprinkler irrigation water, followed by two sprinkler irrigations with no PAM, on the erodibility of a loam soil under a rainfall simulator in a laboratory. The range of erodibility factor Ku obtained...
The carbon fibers (CF) were pre-treated in two different ways: no pre-treatment, and activation in HNO3 plus application of toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). Carbon fibers have been introduced into polyurethane (PU) composite coatings. The tribological behaviors of the polyurethane composite coating filled with CF or TDI-modified CF (TDI-CF) were studied using a ring-on-block wear tester under dry sliding, and the worn surfaces of the filled PU coatings and transfer films formed on the surface of the counterpart ring sliding against the PU coating were investigated by SEM and optical microscope (OM), respectively. Owing to the effective improvement of the interfacial adhesion between the CF and polyurethane matrix, compared with the cases of untreated CF, the employment of low content TDI-CF...
This report is to present the progress made on the project ''Establishment of an Environmental Control Technology Laboratory (ECTL) with a Circulating Fluidized-Bed Combustion (CFBC) System'' during the period October 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004. The following tasks have been completed. First, the renovation of the new Combustion Laboratory and the construction of the Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Combustor Building have proceeded well. Second, the detailed design of supporting and hanging structures for the CFBC was completed. Third, the laboratory-scale simulated fluidized-bed facility was modified after completing a series of pretests. The two problems identified during the pretest were solved. Fourth, the carbonization of chicken waste and coal was investigated in a tube furnace and a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The experimental results from this study are presented in this report. Finally, the proposed work for ...
We present the recent results of our research on the high power ultra-fast silicon RF switches. This switch is composed of a group of PIN diodes on a high purity silicon wafer. The wafer is inserted into a cylindrical waveguide under TE{sub 01} mode, performing switching by injecting carriers into the bulk silicon. Our current design uses a CMOS compatible process and the device was fabricated at SNF (Stanford Nanofabrication Facility). 300 ns switching time has been observed, while the switching speed can be improved further with 3-D device structure and faster driving circuit. Power handling capacity of the switch is at the level of 10 MW. The switch was designed for active X-band RF pulse compression systems--especially for NLC, but it is also possible to be modified for other applications and other frequencies.
Coherent Smith-Purcell radiation, emitted from short-bunched electrons passing by a lamellar-type grating of aluminum, has been observed in the millimeter wave region. The energy of the electrons is either 42 MeV when they are accelerated by an L-band linear accelerator or 150 MeV accelerated by an S-band one. The intensity of the radiation is proportional to the square of the beam current. The radiation is linearly polarized, and the electric vector of the radiation is in the plane defined by the observing point and the beam trajectory. The intensity decreases with the beam height, i.e. the distance of the beam from the surface of the grating, in accordance with the modified Bessel function of zeroth order. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics.
The stages of processes leading to radiation damage are studied, as well as, the direct and indirect mechanics of its production. The radiation effects on nucleic acid and protein macro moleculas are treated. The physical and chemical factors that modify radiosensibility are analysed, in particular the oxygen effects, the sensibilization by analogues of nitrogen bases, post-effects, chemical protection and inherent cell factors. Consideration is given to restoration processes by excision of injured fragments, the bloching of the excision restoration processes, the restoration of lesions caused by ionizing radiations and to the restoration by genetic recombination. Referring to somatic effects of radiation, the early ones and the acute syndrome of radiation are discussed. The difference of radiosensibility observed in mammalian cells and main observable alterations in tissues and organs are commented. Referring to delayed radiation effects, carcinogeneses, ...
We provide an efficient computational approach to solve the mixed integer programming (MIP) model developed by Tarim and Kingsman [8] for solving a stochastic lot-sizing problem with service level constraints under the static-dynamic uncertainty strategy. The effectiveness of the proposed method hinges on three novelties: (i) the proposed relaxation is computationally efficient and provides an optimal solution most of the time, (ii) if the relaxation produces an infeasible solution, then this solution yields a tight lower bound for the optimal cost, and (iii) it can be modified easily to obtain a feasible solution, which yields an upper bound. In case of infeasibility, the relaxation approach is implemented at each node of the search tree in a branch-and-bound procedure to efficiently sear...
Fluidic two diode pumps have been developed for moving highly toxic and for radioactive waste liquors about chemical plant. The pumps have a cylinder into which liquor is initially sucked and then expelled. For situations where no maintenance can be carried out the need has arisen for a fluidic alternator to the solenoid ejector system used on top of the pump cylinder to supply an alternating negative/positive air supply. A fluidic air alternator has been constructed by modifying a small vortex amplifier and inserting an ejector opposite to the throat of the outlet diffuser. The vortex valve ejector is described and performance characteristics are presented. Several developments of the V.V.E. for fluidic pumping and other applications are also reported. (author).
The six-axes industrial robot MANUTEC r15 UW was modified to work underwater and successfully tested down to the simulated water depth of 1100 m. Next step in the program was to use this robot as a handling tool for inspection tasks at the welding seam of an underwater structure conducted with CCD-cameras and distance sensors. This was also to demonstrate the possibility to assist and later on to replace divers from this work. Additional research was focussed on the stiffness and rigidity of the robot during the precise guiding of tools and workpieces under current water conditions up to a flow velocity of 1.1 m/s. Present work is concentrated on the application of this subsea robot on a maintenance task at the Brazilian underwater template OCTOS-1000. For this experiments the robot is integrated in a large mock-up which simulates a quarter section of this template. (orig.)
The core-shell luminol-doped SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized on the surface of chitosan film coating graphite electrode by the self-assembled technique. Then, a novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for pyrogallol was developed based on its ECL enhancing effect for the core-shell luminol-doped silica nanoparticles. The ECL analytical performances and the sensing mechanism of this ECL sensor for pyrogallol were investigated in detail. The corresponding results showed that: compared with the conventional ECL reaction procedures by luminol ECL reaction system, the electrochemical (EC) reaction of pyrogallol and its subsequent chemiluminescence (CL) reaction occurred in the different spatial region whilst offering a high efficiency to couple the EC with the ...
A power system stabilizer based on GMV (Generalized Minimum Variance), one of the adaptive control techniques, is developed to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The stabilizer consists of two parts. One part is Inverse Dynamics Neural Networks (IDNN), which is trained to identify the inverse dynamics of controlled plant and used as a one-step ahead controller, or inverse controller. The other part is Adaptive Reference Model (ARM), which prevents excessive controller output. The ARM produces the modified reference value by minimizing a cost function recursively on the assumption that the IDNN perfectly identifies the controlled plant. The IDNN is used in the minimization procedure to calculate the sensitivities. The proposed controller is simulated in a typical one-machine-infinite-bus power system to show its effectiveness to damp sustained low frequency oscillation. (author)
Background There is some evidence that a patient?s pre-operative condition influences short-term and long-term post-operative outcomes. The aim of the present study is to compare the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) models in the prediction of post-operative outcome, both short term and long term, in patients undergoing resection of oesophago-gastric cancer. Patients and Methods Patients who underwent curative resection for oesophago-gastric cancer from January 2005 to May 2009 and who had data to score the POSSUM, P-POSSUM, O-POSSUM and mGPS models were included in the study. Observed morbidity and mortality rates were compared with predicted outcome in different risk groups. Bot...