Flexural Fatigue Behavior of an EBC CMC Composite System In Air and Steam at High Temperature

Both coated and uncoated SiCSiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) samples were tested in flexure under sustained peak low cycle fatigue (SPLCF) conditions in air or steam at elevated temperatures. The SiCSiC composites were reinforced with 2-D plies of boron nitride coated Hi-Nicalon Type-S SiC fibers which were woven as 5 harness satin (5HS) cloth. The composites were densified by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) followed by slurry melt infiltration (SMI). A multilayer barium strontium aluminosilicate (BSAS) coating was applied to the samples by a plasma spray method. Fatigue loading limits were determined from monotonic flexure tests at room temperature and 1200oC. Stress levels under the proportional limit of the composite material were selected for the SPLCF tests. After cyclic testing, the composites were evaluated to determine crack propagation and failure modes in the coated and uncoated composites. Microstructural examination was used to identify coating degradation and failure modes of the EBCCMC system

Effects of Policies Designed to Keep Firearms from High-Risk Individuals

This article summarizes and critiques available evidence from studies published between 1999 and August 2014 on the effects of policies designed to keep firearms from high-risk individuals in the United States. Some prohibitions for high-risk individuals (e.g., those under domestic violence restraining orders, violent misdemeanants) and procedures for checking for more types of prohibiting conditions are associated with lower rates of violence. Certain laws intended to prevent prohibited persons from accessing firearms -- rigorous permit-to-purchase, comprehensive background checks, strong regulation and oversight of gun dealers, and requiring gun owners to promptly report lost or stolen firearms -- are negatively associated with the diversion of guns to criminals. Future research is needed to examine whether these laws curtail nonlethal gun violence and whether the effects of expanding prohibiting conditions for firearm possession are modified by the presence of policies to prevent diversion

Molecular analysis of the interaction between cardosin A and phospholipase Dα

Cardosin A is an RGD-containing aspartic proteinase from the stigmatic papillae of Cynara cardunculus L. A putative cardosin A-binding protein has previously been isolated from pollen suggesting its potential involvement in pollen2013pistil interaction [Faro C, Ramalho-Santos M, Vieira M, Mendes A, Simões I, Andrade R, Verissimo P, Lin X, Tang J & Pires E (1999) J Biol Chem274, 28724201328729]. Here we report the identification of phospholipase D03B1 as a cardosin A-binding protein. The interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation studies and pull-down assays. To investigate the structural and molecular determinants involved in the interaction, pull-down assays with cardosin A and various glutathione S-transferase-fused phospholipase D03B1 constructs were performed. Results revealed that the C2 domain of phospholipase D03B1 contains the cardosin A-binding activity. Further assays with mutated recombinant forms of cardosin A showed that the RGD motif as well as the unprecedented KGE motif, which is structurally and charge-wise very similar to RGD, are indispensable for the interaction. Taken together our results indicate that the C2 domain of plant phospholipase D03B1 can act as a cardosin A-binding domain and suggest that plant C2 domains may have an additional role as RGD/KGE-recognition domains

The Discovery of Nonpeptide Endothelin Receptor Antagonists. Progression towards Bosentan

Since its discovery, endothelin-1 has attracted considerable scientific interest for its extremely potent and long-lasting vasoconstrictor effect and its binding to G-protein-coupled receptors. The endothelins appear to be part of a functional regulatory system in the circulation and strong evidence has accumulated for their involvement in clinical disorders associated with vasoconstriction (e.g. renal failure, congestive heart failure).In a program aimed at identifying nonpeptide ET receptor antagonists, a distinct class of substituted arylsulfonamido pyrimidines was discovered from a chemical substance library. Lead optimization led to orally active antagonists of ETA and ETB receptors possessing mixed or receptor-subtype-selective profiles in the low nanomolar range. From these compounds, the mixed antagonist bosentan was selected for development; it shows efficacy in several pathophysiological models of local and systemic vasoconstriction and promising clinical results in patients suffering from congestive heart failure.Chemical modifications in this structural class in combination with X-ray crystal data analysis for key compounds led to more in-depth understanding of antagonist-receptor interaction. Structural determinants of bosentan binding to the ETA receptor were defined on the molecular level by site-directed mutagenesis experiments. This led to a 3D model of the antagonist binding domain which proved valuable to rationalize structure-activity relationships

A Clinical Profile of Hepatitis a Patients in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: To determine the incidence of hepatitis A infections and the clinical profiles of adult patients admitted to public hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that utilised consecutive secondary data from internal medicine wards of seven public hospitals in Jakarta between 2011 and 2013. Eligibility criteria included patients over the age of 18 years and an ICD-10 diagnosis code of B15, acute hepatitis A. Case proportion was reported per 1000 people by dividing incidence per year to total in-ward patients. Clinical profiles were reported descriptively. Laboratory results were compared and categorised into groups of patients aged below and above 25 years old. Results: Data revealed that hospitalisations of patients with hepatitis A had decreased from 2011 to 2013. 289 patients were studied, the majority were young adults (18-25 years old) and their common chief complaints were nausea (36%), fever (24%), and jaundice (21%). Higher bilirubin levels were seen in older patients. There were 13 patients coinfected with hepatitis B, one patient coinfected with hepatitis C, and one patient coinfected with HIV. Conclusions: The proportion of hepatitis A infection amongst adults admitted to public hospitals in Jakarta was low and had decreased during the study period. Most of the patients reported classical clinical manifestations. This study found that the targeted age group may benefit from receiving routine hepatitis A vaccinations