Engineering Geognosy of the Western Coal Field

Engineering soils and geologic reports are invaluable tools for engineers, industrial leaders, community planners and administrators during preliminary stages of planning and site selection for construction projects. Such information can be used to great advantage by planners in making soil and geologic reconnaissance surveys, in organizing and checking field surveys, in correlating and predicting performances of soil and geologic materials, and in locating construction materials and resource deposits. Recognizing the need for this type of information, the Division of Research, Bureau of Highways, Kentucky Department of Transportation, has undertaken a study to report the engineering geognosy of Kentucky. The report herein presents and discusses engineering properties and behavior of unconsolidated surficial deposits and consolidated bedrock materials located in the ten counties of the Western Coal Field. These counties include Butler, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster. Engineering soils data were retrieved from design and construction plans of the Bureau of Highways, Kentucky Department of Transportation, for routes passing through the area, as well as from reports prepared by the Soil Conservation Service and other agencies and individuals. Tabulated in the report are engineering test data for some 1646 soil samples obtained from 1309 highway borings in the Western Coal Field. Brief descriptions of the geography, topography, pedology and geology of the area are given

Gate-tunable bandgap in bilayer graphene

The tight-binding model of bilayer graphene is used to find the gap between the conduction and valence bands, as a function of both the gate voltage and as the doping by donors or acceptors. The total Hartree energy is minimized and the equation for the gap is obtained. This equation for the ratio of the gap to the chemical potential is determined only by the screening constant. Thus the gap is strictly proportional to the gate voltage or the carrier concentration in the absence of donors or acceptors. In the opposite case, where the donors or acceptors are present, the gap demonstrates the asymmetrical behavior on the electron and hole sides of the gate bias. A comparison with experimental data obtained by Kuzmenko et al demonstrates the good agreement.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

We are good to grow: dynamic integration of cell wall architecture with the machinery of growth

Despite differences in cell wall composition between the type I cell walls of dicots and most monocots and the type II walls of commelinid monocots, all flowering plants respond to the same classes of growth regulators in the same tissue-specific way and exhibit the same growth physics. Substantial progress has been made in defining gene families and identifying mutants in cell wall-related genes, but our understanding of the biochemical basis of wall extensibility during growth is still rudimentary. In this review, we highlight insights into the physiological control of cell expansion emerging from genetic functional analyses, mostly in Arabidopsis and other dicots, and a few examples of genes of potential orthologous function in grass species. We discuss examples of cell wall architectural features that impact growth independent of composition, and progress in identifying proteins involved in transduction of growth signals and integrating their outputs in the molecular machinery of wall expansion

Statistical model of dephasing in mesoscopic devices introduced in the scattering matrix formalism

We propose a phenomenological model of dephasing in mesoscopic transport, based on the introduction of random phase fluctuations in the computation of the scattering matrix of the system. A Monte Carlo averaging procedure allows us to extract electrical and microscopic device properties. We show that, in this picture, scattering matrix properties enforced by current conservation and time reversal invariance still hold. In order to assess the validity of the proposed approach, we present simulations of conductance and magnetoconductance of Aharonov-Bohm rings that reproduce the behavior observed in experiments, in particular as far as aspects related to decoherence are concerned.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Effectiveness of guided self-help in decreasing expressed emotion in family caregivers of people diagnosed with depression in Thailand: a randomised controlled trial

Background: High expressed emotion (EE) can extend the duration of illness and precipitate relapse; however, little evidence-based information is available to assist family caregivers of individuals with depression. In the present exploratory study, we examined the effectiveness of a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) based guided self-help (GSH) manual in decreasing EE in caregivers of people with depression, in Thailand. Method: A parallel group randomised controlled trial was conducted, following CONSORT guidelines, with 54 caregivers who were allocated equally to GSH or control group (standard outpatient department support). In addition, both groups were contacted weekly by telephone. EE was assessed, using the Family Questionnaire (FQ), at baseline, post-test (Week 8) and follow-up (Week 12). Results: FQ scores at baseline indicated that both groups had similar, though moderately high level of EE. However, between baseline and post-test EE scores decreased markedly in the intervention group, but in contrast, they increased slightly in the control group. Between post-test and follow-up, little change took place in the EE scores of either group. Overall, the intervention group recipients of GSH showed a significant decrease in EE whereas the control group recipients of standard outpatient department support reported a slight increase in EE. Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary evidence that GSH is beneficial in reducing EE in caregivers, which is advantageous to family members with depression and caregivers. The approach may be used as an adjunct to the limited outpatient department support given to caregivers by mental health professionals and, perhaps, to caregivers who do not attend these departments

Contrast-enhanced micro-CT imaging in murine carotid arteries : a new protocol for computing wall shear stress

Background: Wall shear stress (WSS) is involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The correlation between WSS and atherosclerosis can be investigated over time using a WSS-manipulated atherosclerotic mouse model. To determine WSS in vivo, detailed 3D geometry of the vessel network is required. However, a protocol to reconstruct 3D murine vasculature using this animal model is lacking. In this project, we evaluated the adequacy of eXIA 160, a small animal contrast agent, for assessing murine vascular network on micro-CT. Also, a protocol was established for vessel geometry segmentation and WSS analysis. Methods: A tapering cast was placed around the right common carotid artery (RCCA) of ApoE(-/-) mice (n = 8). Contrast-enhanced micro-CT was performed using eXIA 160. An innovative local threshold-based segmentation procedure was implemented to reconstruct 3D geometry of the RCCA. The reconstructed RCCA was compared to the vessel geometry using a global threshold-based segmentation method. Computational fluid dynamics was applied to compute the velocity field and WSS distribution along the RCCA. Results: eXIA 160-enhanced micro-CT allowed clear visualization and assessment of the RCCA in all eight animals. No adverse biological effects were observed from the use of eXIA 160. Segmentation using local threshold values generated more accurate RCCA geometry than the global threshold-based approach. Mouse-specific velocity data and the RCCA geometry generated 3D WSS maps with high resolution, enabling quantitative analysis of WSS. In all animals, we observed low WSS upstream of the cast. Downstream of the cast, asymmetric WSS patterns were revealed with variation in size and location between animals. Conclusions: eXIA 160 provided good contrast to reconstruct 3D vessel geometry and determine WSS patterns in the RCCA of the atherosclerotic mouse model. We established a novel local threshold-based segmentation protocol for RCCA reconstruction and WSS computation. The observed differences between animals indicate the necessity to use mouse-specific data for WSS analysis. For our future work, our protocol makes it possible to study in vivo WSS longitudinally over a growing plaque

A glimpse into the differential topology and geometry of optimal transport

This note exposes the differential topology and geometry underlying some of the basic phenomena of optimal transportation. It surveys basic questions concerning Monge maps and Kantorovich measures: existence and regularity of the former, uniqueness of the latter, and estimates for the dimension of its support, as well as the associated linear programming duality. It shows the answers to these questions concern the differential geometry and topology of the chosen transportation cost. It also establishes new connections --- some heuristic and others rigorous --- based on the properties of the cross-difference of this cost, and its Taylor expansion at the diagonal.Comment: 27 page

Size-selective nanoparticle growth on few-layer graphene films

We observe that gold atoms deposited by physical vapor deposition onto few layer graphenes condense upon annealing to form nanoparticles with an average diameter that is determined by the graphene film thickness. The data are well described by a theoretical model in which the electrostatic interactions arising from charge transfer between the graphene and the gold particle limit the size of the growing nanoparticles. The model predicts a nanoparticle size distribution characterized by a mean diameter D that follows a scaling law D proportional to m^(1/3), where m is the number of carbon layers in the few layer graphene film.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

The role of primary healthcare professionals in oral cancer prevention and detection

AIM: To investigate current knowledge, examination habits and preventive practices of primary healthcare professionals in Scotland, with respect to oral cancer, and to determine any relevant training needs. SETTING: Primary care. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 357 general medical practitioners (GMPs) and 331 dental practitioners throughout Scotland. Additionally, focus group research and interviews were conducted amongst primary healthcare team members. RESULTS: Whilst 58% of dental respondents reported examining regularly for signs of oral cancer, GMPs examined patients' mouths usually in response to a complaint of soreness. The majority of GMPs (85%) and dentists (63%) indicated that they felt less than confident in detecting oral cancer, with over 70% of GMPs identifying lack of training as an important barrier. Many practitioners were unclear concerning the relative importance of the presence of potentially malignant lesions in the oral cavity. A high proportion of the GMPs indicated that they should have a major role to play in oral cancer detection (66%) but many felt strongly that this should be primarily the remit of the dental team. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a need for continuing education programmes for primary care practitioners in oral cancer-related activities. This should aim to improve diagnostic skills and seek to increase practitioners' participation in preventive activities

The Mechanism of Action of Cytokines to Control the Release of Hypothalamic and Pituitary Hormones in Infection

Abstract: During infection, bacterial and viral products, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cause the release of cytokines from immune cells. These cytokines can reach the brain by several routes. Furthermore, cytokines, such as interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), are induced in neurons within the brain by systemic injection of LPS. These cytokines determine the pattern of hypothalamic‐pituitary secretion that characterizes infection. IL‐2, by stimulation of cholinergic neurons, activates neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The nitric oxide (NO) released diffuses into corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH)‐secreting neurons and releases CRH. IL‐2 also acts in the pituitary to stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion. On the other hand, IL‐1α blocks the NO‐induced release of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) from LHRH neurons, thereby blocking pulsatile LH but not follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) release and also inhibiting sex behavior that is induced by LHRH. IL‐1α and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GMCSF) block the response of the LHRH terminals to NO. The mechanism of action of GMCSF to inhibit LHRH release is as follows. It acts on its receptors on γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons to stimulate GABA release. GABA acts on GABAa receptors on the LHRH neuronal terminal to block NOergic stimulation of LHRH release. IL‐1α inhibits growth hormone (GH) release by inhibiting GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH) release, which is mediated by NO, and stimulating somatostatin release, also mediated by NO. IL‐1α‐induced stimulation of PRL release is also mediated by intra‐hypothlamic action of NO, which inhibits release of the PRL‐inhibiting hormone dopamine. The actions of NO are brought about by its combined activation of guanylate cyclase‐liberating cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and activation of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) with liberation of prostaglandin E2 and leukotrienes, respectively. Thus, NO plays a key role in inducing the changes in release of hypothalamic peptides induced in infection by cytokines. Cytokines, such as IL‐1β, also act in the anterior pituitary gland, at least in part via induction of inducible NOS. The NO produced inhibits release of ACTH. The adipocyte hormone leptin, a member of the cytokine family, has largely opposite actions to those of the proinflammatory cytokines, stimulating the release of FSHRF and LHRH from the hypothalamus and FSH and LH from the pituitary directly by NO.Fil: McCann, Samuel M.. Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Estados UnidosFil: Kimura, M.. Medical and Dental University; JapónFil: Karanth, S.. Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Estados UnidosFil: Yu, W. H.. Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Estados UnidosFil: Mastronardi, C. A.. Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Estados UnidosFil: Besuhli, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin