Apparatus including a plurality of spaced transformers for locating short circuits in cables

A cable fault locator is described for sensing faults such as short circuits in power cables. The apparatus includes a plurality of current transformers strategically located along a cable. Trigger circuits are connected to each of the current transformers for placing a resistor in series with a resistive element responsive to an abnormally high current flowing through that portion of the cable. By measuring the voltage drop across the resistive element, the location of the fault can be determined

Antioxidant Properties of Pecan Shell Bioactive Components of Different Cultivars and Extraction Methods

Pecan nuts are a highly valued but underutilized crop. Pecan production generates nearly 150 million pounds of shell by-product annually in the United States, of which approximately 6 million pounds are attributed to Louisiana. Pecan shells are a rich source of various phenolic compounds with potential antioxidant properties. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of pecan variety and method of extraction on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of pecan shell extracts. A total of 20 different pecan cultivars from the same orchard, under similar growing conditions were processed to obtain defatted shell powder of about 50-100 µm size. The defatted shell powders (hexane 1:20 W/V) were then subjected to distilled water (at 98˚C for 30 min) and ethanol solid-liquid extraction (at 160 rpm for 1 h) processes, respectively. The resultant crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were lyophilized, and the obtained powdered extracts were analyzed for total phenolics and antioxidant activity by Folin-Ciocalteu, and DPPH. free radical assays, respectively. Crude and acid hydrolyzed (acidified methanol 1% HCl V/V, 2 h, 22oC) extracts from Nacono and Caddo cultivars were analyzed by reverse phase HPLC. Acidified methanol soluble components of Nacono ethanolic extracts where further characterized by flow injection electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (FIA-ESI-MS). Pecan cultivar significantly affected (PCaddo) to 153.54 (Cherokee) mg GAEg-1 dry extract with an average of 210.02±7.3 mg GAEg-1 and were significantly greater (P\u3c0.05) than those obtained by aqueous extraction, which ranged from 253.75 (Curtis) to 114.63 (Jackson) with an average of 168.38±6.8 mg GAEg-1 of dry extract. Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts ranged from 840.6 (Maramec) to 526.74 (Caper Fear) and averaged 659.70±21 mg TEg-1, while aqueous extracts ranged from 934.9 (Curtis) to 468.3 (Elliot) with an average of 619.42±22 mg TEg-1. Acid hydrolysis removed interfering components from crude extracts and allowed for the elucidation of two peaks by RP-HPLC . The most abundant peak was attributed to gallic acid derivatives, and the other did not correspond to phenolic standards used for comparison. The major components identified by FIA-ESI-MS in acid hydrolyzed Nacono shell extracts were lignin degradation products lignols, dilignols, trilignols, and oligolignols. Monolignol fragments of G-unit isobaric dilignol were widespread. The findings of this study show promise to enhance Louisiana pecan revenue streams by utilizing pecan shells as an alternative natural source of antioxidants for use in various food applications

Differential regulation of different human papilloma virus variants by the POU family transcription factor Brn-3a

The Brn-3a POU family transcription factor is over-expressed in human cervical carcinoma biopsies and is able to activate expression of the human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV-16) upstream regulatory region (URR), which drives the expression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Inhibition of Brn-3a expression in human cervical cancer cells inhibits HPV gene expression and reduces cellular growth and anchorage independence in vitro as well as the ability to form tumours in vivo. Here we show that Brn-3a differentially regulates different HPV-16 variants that have previously been shown to be associated with different risks of progression to cervical carcinoma. In human cervical material Brn-3a levels correlate directly with HPV E6 levels in individuals infected with a high risk variant of HPV-16 whereas this is not the case for a low risk variant. Moreover, the URRs of high and intermediate risk variants are activated by Brn-3a in transfection assays whereas the URR of a low risk variant is not. The change of one or two bases in a low risk variant URR to their equivalent in a higher risk URR can render the URR responsive to Brn-3a and vice versa. These results help explain why the specific interplay between viral and cellular factors necessary for the progression to cervical carcinoma, only occurs in a minority of those infected with HPV-16

Potential for Carbon Storage and Technology Transfer in the Southeastern United States

As the concern over global warming grows, interest in sequestering carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is expected to intensify. Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in the southeastern United States can play a major role in sequestering atmospheric carbon. Sequestering carbon through reforestation/afforestation incentive programs requires participation by university Extension personnel to effectively communicate knowledge to landowners. This article discusses above and belowground carbon sequestration, carbon sequestration programs available to nonindustrial private forest landowners, and activities university Extension personnel may engage in to facilitate the implementation of such programs

Potential for Carbon Storage and Technology Transfer in the Southeastern United States

As the concern over global warming grows, interest in sequestering carbon in terrestrial ecosystems is expected to intensify. Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in the southeastern United States can play a major role in sequestering atmospheric carbon. Sequestering carbon through reforestation/afforestation incentive programs requires participation by university Extension personnel to effectively communicate knowledge to landowners. This article discusses above and belowground carbon sequestration, carbon sequestration programs available to nonindustrial private forest landowners, and activities university Extension personnel may engage in to facilitate the implementation of such programs