Water-Cased Kicker Charges for Use in Explosive Demolition

Demolition Projects Involving Explosives Often Incorporate Cutting Charges to Sever Columns in Conjunction with Kicker Charges that Move the Columns Out of Alignment. Traditional Kicker Charges Use Dynamite Secured to the Column above a Linear-Shaped Cutting Charge. This Study Investigates the Use of Water-Cased Kicker Charges for Use in Explosive Demolition. the Goal is to Reduce the Fragmentation of Steel Members and the Quantity of Explosive Needed Due to the Increased Density, Incompressibility, and Impedance Mismatch Water Provides. Simulations and Experimental Tests Were Utilized to Determine What Type of Charges Provide the Optimal Column Movement and Water Placement. Water Charges and Traditional Charges Were Placed on Hanging Steel Columns that Swung Freely from a Top Pivot and Analyzed for the Fragmentation and Velocity of the Column. Tests Were Recorded with High-Speed Video to Calculate Velocity and Impulse. Simulations Showed the Same Results as Experimental Tests, with Water-Cased Charges Moving the Column Faster and with More Impulse Than Traditional Charges. Experimental Testing Showed that Water-Cased Charges Moved the Column 53% Faster Than Traditional in Contact Charges While Simulations Showed that Water-Cased Charges Moved the Column 43% Faster Than Traditional in Contact Charges. Simulations Showed the Water Tamped Behind the Charge Increased Beam Velocity 32% While Water in Front of the Charge Reduced Pressure 38% through Dispersion

Analytical and clinical evaluation of an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the determination of CA 125

The CA 125 II assay on the Elecsys(R) 2010 analyzer was evaluated in an international multicenter trial. Imprecision studies yielded within-run CVs of 0.8-3.3% and between-day CVs of 2.4-10.9%; CVs for total imprecision in the manufacturer's laboratory were 2.4-7.8%. The linear range of the assay extended to at least 4500 kilounits/L (three decades). Interference from triglycerides (10.3 mmol/L), bilirubin (850 micromol/L), hemoglobin (1.1 mmol/L), anticoagulants (plasma), and several widely used drugs was undetectable. Method comparisons with five other CA 125 II assays showed good correlation but differences in standardization. A 95th percentile cutoff value of 35 kilounits/L was calculated from values measured in 593 apparently healthy (pre- and postmenopausal) women. In 95% of patients with benign gynecological diseases CA 125 was </=190 kilounits/L; 63% of patients with newly diagnosed ovarian carcinoma had values >190 kilounits/L. A comparison of CA 125 values obtained with the Elecsys test and with other common CA 125 tests in monitored patients being treated for ovarian cancer showed identical patterns. In conclusion, the Elecsys CA 125 II assay is linear over a broad range, yields precise and accurate results, is free from interferences, and compares well with other assays

Rural Revitalization in New Mexico

The Rural Education Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department has established a program to address the special needs of schools and communities in the extensive rural areas of the state. High poverty rates, depopulation and a general lack of viable economic opportunity have marked rural New Mexico for decades. The program underway aims at establishing holistic community socioeconomic revitalization at the grass roots level with the schools playing a leading role. Initiatives include community conversations with key leaders to determine necessary steps to take in encouraging economic growth and attracting businesses, the institution of entrepreneurship within the community, the transformation of the school into a community resource and the encouragement of place-based education within schools. In the second year of this program there are 13 school districts actively involved in the enhancement of their schools and community. The program adopted many of the principles for rural revitalization seen in the remote communities of South Australia

Expression of costimulatory molecules in the bovine corpus luteum

BACKGROUND: Bovine luteal parenchymal cells express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and stimulate class II MHC-dependent activation of T cells in vitro. The ability of a class II MHC-expressing cell type to elicit a response from T cells in vivo is also dependent on expression of costimulatory molecules by the antigen presenting cell and delivery of a costimulatory signal to the T cell. Whether bovine luteal parenchymal cells express costimulatory molecules and can deliver the costimulatory signal is currently unknown. METHODS: Bovine luteal tissue was collected during the early (day 5; day of estrus = day 0), mid (day 11–12), or late (day 18) luteal phase of the estrous cycle, and at 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 12 or 24 hours following administration of PGF2alpha to cows on day 10 of the estrous cycle. Northern analysis was used to measure CD80 or CD86 mRNA concentrations in luteal tissue samples. Mixed luteal parenchymal cell cultures and purified luteal endothelial cell cultures were prepared, and real-time RT-PCR was used to examine the presence of CD80 and CD86 mRNA in each culture type. Monoclonal antibodies to CD80 and CD86 were added to a mixed luteal parenchymal cell-T cell co-culture in vitro T cell proliferation assay to assess the functional significance of costimulatory molecules on activation of T lymphocytes by luteal parenchymal cells. RESULTS: Northern analysis revealed CD80 and CD86 mRNAs in luteal tissue, with greatest steady-state concentrations at midcycle. CD80 and CD86 mRNAs were detected in mixed luteal parenchymal cell cultures, but only slight amounts of CD80 (and not CD86) mRNA were detected in cultures of luteal endothelial cells. Luteinizing hormone, PGF2alpha and TNF-alpha were without effect on concentrations of CD80 or CD86 mRNA in mixed luteal parenchymal cells cultures. Anti-CD80 or anti-CD86 monoclonal antibodies inhibited T cell proliferation in the in vitro T cell proliferation assay. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from this study that parenchymal cells within the bovine CL express functional costimulatory molecules that facilitate interactions between with T cells, and these components of the antigen presentation pathway are expressed maximally in the midcycle CL

Prostaglandin F2-alpha receptor (FPr) expression on porcine corpus luteum microvascular endothelial cells (pCL-MVECs)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine gland and prostaglandin F2-alpha is considered to be the principal luteolysin in pigs. In this species, the in vivo administration of prostaglandin F2-alpha induces apoptosis in large vessels as early as 6 hours after administration. The presence of the prostaglandin F2-alpha receptor (FPr) on the microvascular endothelial cells (pCL-MVECs) of the porcine corpus luteum has not yet been defined. The aim of the study was to assess FPr expression in pCL-MVECs in the early and mid-luteal phases (EL-p, ML-p), and during pregnancy (P-p). Moreover, the effectiveness of prostaglandin F2-alpha treatment in inducing pCL-MVEC apoptosis was tested.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Porcine CLs were collected in the EL and ML phases and during P-p. All CLs from each animal were minced together and the homogenates underwent enzymatic digestion. The pCL-MVECs were then positively selected by an immunomagnetic separation protocol using Dynabeads coated with anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody and seeded in flasks in the presence of EGM 2-MV (Microvascular Endothelial Cell Medium-2). After 4 days of culture, the cells underwent additional immunomagnetic selection and were seeded in flasks until the confluent stage.</p> <p>PCR Real time, western blot and immunodetection assays were utilized to assess the presence of FPr on pCL-MVEC primary cultures. Furthermore, the influence of culture time (freshly isolated, cultured overnight and at confluence) and hormonal treatment (P4 and E2) on FPr expression in pCL-MVECs was also investigated. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay of pCL-MVECs exposed to prostaglandin F2-alpha.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We obtained primary cultures of pCL-MVECs from all animals. FPr mRNA and protein levels showed the highest value (ANOVA) in CL-MVECs derived from the early-luteal phase. Moreover, freshly isolated MVECs showed a higher FPr mRNA value than those cultured overnight and confluent cells (ANOVA). prostaglandin F2-alpha treatment failed to induce an apoptotic response in all the pCL-MVEC cultures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data showing the presence of FPr on MVECs and the inability of prostaglandin F2-alpha to evoke an in vitro apoptotic response suggest that other molecules or mechanisms must be considered in order to explain the in vivo direct pro-apoptotic effect of prostaglandin F2-alpha at the endothelial level.</p

Water-Cased Kicker Charges for Use in Explosive Demolition

Demolition projects involving explosives often incorporate cutting charges to sever columns in conjunction with kicker charges that &ldquo;move&rdquo; the columns out of alignment. Traditional kicker charges use dynamite secured to the column above a linear-shaped cutting charge. This study investigates the use of water-cased kicker charges for use in explosive demolition. The goal is to reduce the fragmentation of steel members and the quantity of explosive needed due to the increased density, incompressibility, and impedance mismatch water provides. Simulations and experimental tests were utilized to determine what type of charges provide the optimal column movement and water placement. Water charges and traditional charges were placed on hanging steel columns that swung freely from a top pivot and analyzed for the fragmentation and velocity of the column. Tests were recorded with high-speed video to calculate velocity and impulse. Simulations showed the same results as experimental tests, with water-cased charges moving the column faster and with more impulse than traditional charges. Experimental testing showed that water-cased charges moved the column 53% faster than traditional in contact charges while simulations showed that water-cased charges moved the column 43% faster than traditional in contact charges. Simulations showed the water tamped behind the charge increased beam velocity 32% while water in front of the charge reduced pressure 38% through dispersion

Demonstration of mRNAs for oxytocin and prolactin in porcine granulosa and luteal cells. Effects of these hormones on progesterone secretion in vitro.

AbstractThe relative levels of mRNAs for relaxin, prolactin, inhibin and oxytocin have been measured in porcine granulosa as well as luteal cells by hybridisation to single-stranded synthetic DNA. The likelihood of a paracrine function of oxytocin and prolactin in the porcine ovary was inferred from the invitro effects of both both hormones on progesterone secretion of ovarian cells. Both hormones were found to inhibit progesterone secretion of luteal cells. In contrast, only prolactin but not oxytocin stimulated progesterone secretion in granulosa cells