Mineralogy of suspended sediment in the Scioto and Olentangy rivers

The mineralogy of suspended sediment in the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers was determined by x-ray diffraction methods. The mineralogy of the respective sediments from the two rivers reflects the bedrock lithology underlying each river quite well. The percentage of carbonate minerals was appreciably greater in the sediments of the Scioto River, while clay minerals are more abundant in the Olentangy River. Certain minerals may have been derived from the glacial overburden in this area. Talc was found to be the dominant constituent of the sediments in both rivers and its presence can be attributed to the use of pesticide powders in the drainage basin. Samples of pesticide powders were x-rayed for comparison with the sediment. Two (PHALTAN and BAYGON) showed a strong diffraction spectrum for talc, suggesting the distinct possibility that talc in the suspended sediment of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers may be derived from pesticides.No embarg

An Ontology-based Image Repository for a Biomedical Research Lab

We have developed a prototype web-based database for managing images acquired during experiments in a biomedical research lab studying the factors controlling cataract development. Based on an evolving ontology we are developing for describing the experimental data and protocols used in the lab, the image repository allows lab members to organize image data by multiple attributes. The use of an ontology for developing this and other tools will facilitate intercommunication among tools, and eventual data sharing with other researchers

An Evidence Based Search Method For Gravitational Waves From Neutron Star Ring-downs

The excitation of quadrupolar quasi-normal modes in a neutron star leads to the emission of a short, distinctive, burst of gravitational radiation in the form of a decaying sinusoid or `ring-down'. We present a Bayesian analysis method which incorporates relevant prior information about the source and known instrumental artifacts to conduct a robust search for the gravitational wave emission associated with pulsar glitches and soft $\gamma$-ray repeater flares. Instrumental transients are modelled as sine-Gaussian and their evidence, or marginal likelihood, is compared with that of Gaussian white noise and ring-downs via the `odds-ratio'. Tests using simulated data with a noise spectral density similar to the LIGO interferometer around 1 kHz yield 50% detection efficiency and 1% false alarm probability for ring-down signals with signal-to-noise ratio $\rho=5.2$. For a source at 15 kpc this requires an energy of 1.3\times 10^{-5}M_{\astrosun}c^2 to be emitted as gravitational waves.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figure

Signal transduction and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in patients with colorectal cancer: associations with the phenotypic features of the tumour and host

Purpose: In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a high-density local inflammatory infiltrate response is associated with improved survival, whereas elevated systemic inflammatory responses are associated with poor survival. One potential unifying mechanism is the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway. The present study examines the relationship between tumour total STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3Tyr705 (pSTAT3) expression, host inflammatory responses and survival in patients undergoing resection of stage I-III CRC. Experimental Design: Immunohistochemical assessment of STAT3/pSTAT3 expression was performed using a tissue microarray and tumour cell expression divided into tertiles using the weighted histoscore. The relationship between STAT3/pSTAT3 expression and local inflammatory (CD3+, CD8+, CD45R0+, FOXP3+ T-cell density and Klintrup-Mäkinen grade) and systemic inflammatory responses and cancer-specific survival were examined. Results: 196 patients were included in the analysis. Cytoplasmic and nuclear STAT3 expression strongly correlated (r=0.363, P<0.001); nuclear STAT3 and pSTAT3 expression weakly correlated (r=0.130, P=0.068). Cytoplasmic STAT3 was inversely associated with the density of CD3+ (P=0.012), CD8+ (P=0.003) and FOXP3+ T-lymphocytes (P=0.002) within the cancer cell nests and was associated with an elevated systemic inflammatory response as measured by modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS2: 19% vs. 4%, P=0.004). The combination of nuclear STAT3/pSTAT3 stratified five-year survival from 81% to 62% (P=0.012), however was not associated with survival independent of venous invasion, tumour perforation or tumour budding. Conclusion In patients undergoing CRC resection, STAT3 expression was associated with adverse host inflammatory responses and reduced survival. Up-regulation of tumour STAT3 may be an important mechanism whereby the tumour deregulates local and systemic inflammatory responses

The Reactor engineering of the MITR-II : construction and startup

Statement of responsibility on title-page reads: G. C. Allen, Jr., L. Clark, Jr., J. W. Gosnell, and D. D. Lanning"June, 1976."Also issued as a Ph. D. thesis by the first author, MIT Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1976Includes bibliographical references (pages 518-521)The heavy water moderated and cooled research reactor, MITR-I, has been replaced with a light water cooled, heavy water reflected reactor called the MITR-II. The MITR-II is designed to operate at 5 thermal megawatts. The MITR-I was shutdown in May, 1974, dismantling, construction, and preoperational testing continued until the MITR-II went critical on August 14, 1975. Cadmium absorbers were fixed in the upper core of the first fuel loadings to shorten the active core height and provide reactivity control. Solid non-fueled elements were also loaded for additional reactivity control. Swelling of the original cadmium fixed absorbers necessitated a second core configuration. The second core contained additional solid non-fueled elements and no fixed absorbers. The compact core of the MITR-II causes thermal neutron flux and power peaking to occur at the core outer boundaries and incore locations with excess moderator. The active core power density is in the!  range of 100 to 150 watts/cm 3 with peaks up to 300 watts/cm 3 . The power, flow, and temperature distributions of the initial core loadings were determined analytically and experimentally in order to evaluate the safety limit factor and limiting operating conditions. Neutron flux, core temperature, coolant flow, and power distributions were measured by various experimental techniques. The thermal-hydraulic parameters of the initial fuel loadings are evaluated and shown to satisfy the acceptance criteria for operation of the MITR-II

Behavioral Therapy for Rural Substance Abusers

The problems and needs of rural substance abusers vary from those of abusers in urban areas. Accordingly, the means of treatment must acknowledge and address these differences. Despite this call for specialized care, no theoretically grounded therapy has yet been made available to rural patients. Behavioral Therapy for Rural Substance Abusers, developed and piloted over three years by University of Kentucky faculty and staff and substance abuse counselors in rural eastern Kentucky, provides a model for effective treatment for this segment of the population. A two-phase outpatient treatment, this approach combines group and individual sessions in an environment that is both comfortable and useful for the client. The success of this method lies in its regional approach to therapy. Rather than using role-playing techniques to examine old behaviors, therapy is designed around storytelling activities. Rural patients respond more positively to such time-honored traditions and thus become active participants in their own treatment. This manual offers a clear and well-constructed guide through the strategies of Structured Behavioral Outpatient Rural Therapy (SBORT). Supplemented with illustrations, sample exercises, and case studies, Behavioral Therapy for Rural Substance Abusers is a vital tool in meeting the treatment needs of an otherwise ignored rural population. Carl Leukefeld, professor at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, is a co-author of Reducing the Risks for Substance Abuse: A Lifespan Approach. Theodore Godlaski is assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. James Clark is a professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. Cynthia Brown is a research assistant at the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research. Lon Hays is professor and chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. An extremely useful eclectic approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. —Drug and Alcohol Reviewhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_medicine_and_health_sciences/1008/thumbnail.jp

Hypertension testing and treatment in Uganda and Kenya through the SEARCH study: An implementation fidelity and outcome evaluation.

BackgroundHypertension (HTN) is the single leading risk factor for human mortality worldwide, and more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa than any other region [1]-although resources for HTN screening, treatment, and control are few. Most regional pilot studies to leverage HIV programs for HTN control have achieved blood pressure control in half of participants or fewer [2,3,4]. But this control gap may be due to inconsistent delivery of services, rather than ineffective underlying interventions.MethodsWe sought to evaluate the consistency of HTN program delivery within the SEARCH study (NCT01864603) among 95,000 adults in 32 rural communities in Uganda and Kenya from 2013-2016. To achieve this objective, we designed and performed a fidelity evaluation of the step-by-step process (cascade) of HTN care within SEARCH, calculating rates of HTN screening, linkage to care, and follow-up care. We evaluated SEARCH's assessment of each participant's HTN status against measured blood pressure and HTN history.FindingsSEARCH completed blood pressure screens on 91% of participants. SEARCH HTN screening was 91% sensitive and over 99% specific for HTN relative to measured blood pressure and patient history. 92% of participants screened HTN+ received clinic appointments, and 42% of persons with HTN linked to subsequent care. At follow-up, 82% of SEARCH clinic participants received blood pressure checks; 75% received medication appropriate for their blood pressure; 66% remained in care; and 46% had normal blood pressure at their most recent visit.ConclusionThe SEARCH study's consistency in delivering screening and treatment services for HTN was generally high, but SEARCH could improve effectiveness in linking patients to care and achieving HTN control. Its model for implementing population-scale HTN testing and care through an existing HIV test-and-treat program-and protocol for evaluating the intervention's stepwise fidelity and care outcomes-may be adapted, strengthened, and scaled up for use across multiple resource-limited settings