Lunar surface roughness comminution study Final report, 20 Jul. 1964 - 7 Apr. 1965

Lunar surface roughness comminution estimated by considering meteoric body catering proces

Experimental Studies of the NaCs 53Π0 and a3Σ+ States

We report high resolution measurements of 372 NaCs 53Π0(v, J) ro-vibrational level energies in the range 0 ≤ v ≤ 22. The data have been used to construct NaCs 53Π0 potential energy curves using the Rydberg–Klein-Rees and inverted perturbation approximation methods. Bound-free 53Π0(v, J) → 1(a)3Σ+ emission has also been measured, and is used to determine the repulsive wall of the 1(a)3Σ+ state and the 53Π0 → 1(a)3Σ+ relative transition dipole moment function. Hyperfine structure in the 53Π0 state has not been observed in this experiment. This null result is explained using a simple vector coupling model

The effects of subcurative praziquantel treatment on life-history traits and trade-offs in drug-resistant Schistosoma mansoni

Natural selection acts on all organisms, including parasites, to maximise reproductive fitness. Drug resistance traits are often associated with life-history costs in the absence of treatment. Schistosomiasis control programmes rely on mass drug administration to reduce human morbidity and mortality. Although hotspots of reduced drug efficacy have been reported, resistance is not widespread. Using Bayesian State-Space Models (SSMs) fitted to data from an in vivo laboratory system, we tested the hypothesis that the spread of resistant Schistosoma may be limited by life-history costs not present in susceptible counterparts. Schistosoma mansoni parasites from a praziquantel–susceptible (S), a praziquantel–resistant (R) or a mixed line of originally resistant and susceptible parasites (RS) were exposed to a range of praziquantel doses. Parasite numbers at each life stage were quantified in their molluscan intermediate and murine definitive hosts across four generations, and SSMs were used to estimate key life-history parameters for each experimental group over time. Model outputs illustrated that parasite adult survival and fecundity in the murine host decreased across all lines, including R, with increasing drug pressure. Trade-offs between adult survival and fecundity were observed in all untreated lines, and these remained strong in S with praziquantel pressure. In contrast, trade-offs between adult survival and fecundity were lost under praziquantel pressure in R. As expected, parasite life-history traits within the molluscan host were complex, but trade-offs were demonstrated between parasite establishment and cercarial output. The observed trade-offs between generations within hosts, which were modified by praziquantel treatment in the R line, could limit the spread of R parasites under praziquantel pressure. Whilst such complex life-history costs may be difficult to detect using standard empirical methods, we demonstrate that SSMs provide robust estimates of life history parameters, aiding our understanding of costs and trade-offs of resistant parasites within this system and beyond

Proton affinities of candidates for positively charged ambient ions in boreal forests

The optimized structures and proton affinities of a total of 81 nitrogen-containing bases, chosen based on field measurements of ambient positive ions, were studied using the CBS-QB3 quantum chemical method. The results were compared to values given in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Chemistry WebBook in cases where a value was listed. The computed values show good agreement with the values listed in NIST. Grouping the molecules based on their molecular formula, the largest calculated proton affinities for each group were also compared with experimentally observed ambient cation concentrations in a boreal forest. This comparison allows us to draw qualitative conclusions about the relative ambient concentrations of different nitrogen-containing organic base molecules

Drug Resistance and Molecular Cancer Therapy: Apoptosis Versus Autophagy

This is the published version, also available electronically from http://www.intechopen.com/books/apoptosis/drug-resistance-and-molecular-cancer-therapy-apoptosis-versus-autophag

A water-vapor electrolysis cell with phosphoric acid electrolyte

Feasibility of phosphoric acid water vapor electrolysis cell for spacecraft cabin air conditioning syste