Dispersion Modeling of Mercury Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants at Coshocton and Manchester, Ohio

Author Institution: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of CincinnatiMercury emissions from coal-fired power plants are estimated to contribute to approximately 46% of the total U. S. anthropogenic mercury emissions and required to be regulated by maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards. Dispersion modeling of mercury emissions using the AERMOD model and the Industrial Source Complex Short Term (ISCST3) model was conducted for two representative coal-fired power plants at Coshocton and Manchester, Ohio. Atmospheric mercury concentrations, dry mercury deposition rates, and wet mercury deposition rates were predicted in a 5 × 5 km area surrounding the Conesville and JM Stuart coal-fired power plants. In addition, the analysis results of meteorological parameters showed that wet mercury deposition is dependent on precipitation, but dry mercury deposition is influenced by various meteorological factors

An alternative approach of input-output tables to dynamic structure changes in Korean IT industries

The structure of the IT industry has always evolved in line with technological progresses and changes in consumer preferences, as well as with regulatory trends. This is why, when assessing the effect that a new technology or industry policy may have on the national economy, companies and policy-makers need to consider dynamic structural changes affecting the IT industry. One of the most popular existing methods for economic impact analysis is based on a traditional input-output table, and is conducted over a period between the current time and a given time in the future. In this study, we compare the accuracy of RAS and Cross Entropy (CE), the two most widely employed methods for updating input-output (IO) tables, by applying them to Korean IT industries. The main results of this study are the following. In terms of the accuracy of input coefficient estimates, we have found that both the RAS and CE methods have a tendency to overestimate or underestimate them. When the Korean industry was first divided into fourteen sectors, and the RAS and CE methods were applied to each of the fourteen industries, it was difficult to discern a consistent trend for the two methods concerning their accuracy in estimation of input coefficients. Secondly, when used to update an IO table in which the IT industry is subdivided into IT equipment and services, neither the CE nor RAS method proved distinctly superior to the other. Third, in light of the above two findings, we concluded that updating IO tables is best done through a hybrid method combining the CE and RAS methods. This paper proposes a procedure consisting of two steps: IO tables are first updated using the two methods, which are once again updated by employing the OLS average approach through the use of optimal weights

Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human Colon Cancer Cell Line(SNU-C1) and Study of the Antigen.

To study human colon cancer antigens, monoclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing balb/c mice with colon cancer cells(SNlJ-CI, originated from a Korean colon cancer patient). Among these monoclonal antibodies, one of IgM type antibody 7E02 was selected for further study. The 7E02 was proved to be effective for immunohistological staining of colorectal cancer tissues. After purification by ammonium sulfate fractionation and Sephacryl S-3OO gel filtration, 7E02 was labeled by 1-125. Using the radiolabeled 7E02, its dissociation constants (Kd) against SNlJ-Cl and SNlJ-C4 were measured by Scatchard plotting, and found to be 10.7 nM and 7.1 nM, respectively. When SNlJ-CI was treated with 10 mM sodium periodate, 7E02 was not bound to the cell surface. However, SNlJ-CI preserved the activity to bind to 7E02 after N-acetyl neuraminidase treatment. With these results, we could conclude that the 7E02 binds to carbohydrate antigen that exists on the surface of colon cancer cell and excreted mucin. The antigen was proved not to contain terminal sialic acid

Enhanced cardiac expression of two isoforms of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in experimental diabetes mellitus.

BackgroundDiabetic cardiomyopathy (DM CMP) is defined as cardiomyocyte damage and ventricular dysfunction directly associated with diabetes independent of concomitant coronary artery disease or hypertension. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2, have been reported to underlie the pathogenesis of DM CMP by increasing extracellular collagen content.PurposeWe hypothesized that two discrete MMP-2 isoforms (full length MMP-2, FL-MMP-2; N-terminal truncated MMP-2, NTT-MMP-2) are induced by high glucose stimulation in vitro and in an experimental diabetic heart model.MethodsRat cardiomyoblasts (H9C2 cells) were examined to determine whether high glucose can induce the expression of the two isoforms of MMP-2. For the in vivo study, we used the streptozotocin-induced DM mouse heart model and age-matched controls. The changes of each MMP-2 isoform expression in the diabetic mice hearts were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemical stains were conducted to identify the location and patterns of MMP-2 isoform expression. Echocardiography was performed to compare and analyze the changes in cardiac function induced by diabetes.ResultsQuantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining showed that the two MMP-2 isoforms were strongly induced by high glucose stimulation in H9C2 cells. Although no definite histologic features of diabetic cardiomyopathy were observed in diabetic mice hearts, left ventricular systolic dysfunction was determined by echocardiography. Quantitative RT-PCR and IHC staining showed this abnormal cardiac function was accompanied with the increases in the mRNA levels of the two isoforms of MMP-2 and related to intracellular localization.ConclusionTwo isoforms of MMP-2 were induced by high glucose stimulation in vitro and in a Type 1 DM mouse heart model. Further study is required to examine the role of these isoforms in DM CMP

Rapid Dye Regeneration Mechanism of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

During the light-harvesting process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the hole localized on the dye after the charge separation yields an oxidized dye, D^+. The fast regeneration of D^+ using the redox pair (typically the I^–/I_(3)^– couple) is critical for the efficient DSSCs. However, the kinetic processes of dye regeneration remain uncertain, still promoting vigorous debates. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to determine that the inner-sphere electron-transfer pathway provides a rapid dye regeneration route of ∼4 ps, where penetration of I^− next to D^+ enables an immediate electron transfer, forming a kinetic barrier. This explains the recently reported ultrafast dye regeneration rate of a few picoseconds determined experimentally. We expect that our MD based comprehensive understanding of the dye regeneration mechanism will provide a helpful guideline in designing TiO_2−dye−electrolyte interfacial systems for better performing DSSCs

Electrical Characterization of Proposed Transpositional Acupoints on the Urinary Bladder Meridian in a Rat Model

Specific electrical characteristicsof acupointswere investigated on the urinary bladder (BL) meridian in 14 rats. BL acupointsand non-acupoints on the back were selected and their electrical voltages were measured by using aSPACsystem.The mean voltages of each point or each line were statistically analyzed by using the ANOVA test.The BL meridian showed voltages higher than those of the reference line (P < .05). Bilateral 1st BL lines presented higher voltages than bilateral 2nd BL lines (P < .05). Most BL acupoints had voltageshigher than those for the corresponding reference points (P < .05). In particular, theright BL16 exhibited the biggest difference from the reference point, followed by the left extra BL point-2, the right BL27, the left BL17, and theleft BL45. Additionally, the distributions of neurofilamentsfor several points were investigated by using immunohistochemistry. There was a trend for the BL acupoints to have larger numbers of neurofilaments than the reference points, and that trend seemed to be directly proportional to the difference in voltage between the points.In conclusion, BL acupoints on the back in ratsexhibited specific electric and histologic characteristics. Therefore, those acupointsmay be utilized to investigate the efficacy of acupuncturewith laboratory animals

Strength of Footing with Punching Shear Preventers

The punching shear failure often governs the strength of the footing-to-column connection. The punching shear failure is an undesirable failure mode, since it results in a brittle failure of the footing. In this study, a new method to increase the strength and ductility of the footing was proposed by inserting the punching shear preventers (PSPs) into the footing. The validation and effectiveness of PSP were verified through a series of experimental studies. The nonlinear finite element analysis was then performed to demonstrate the failure mechanism of the footing with PSPs in depth and to investigate the key parameters that affect the behavior of the footing with PSPs. Finally, the design recommendations for the footing with PSPs were suggested

Suppressive Effect on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Proinflammatory Mediators by Citrus aurantium L. in Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells via NF-κB Signal Pathway

Citrus fruits have been used as an edible fruit and a traditional medicine since ancient times. In particular, the peels of immature citrus fruits are used widely in traditional herbal medicine in Korea, as they are believed to contain bioactive components exerting anti-inflammatory activity. This study examined whether the crude methanol extract of Citrus aurantium L. (CME) has a suppressive effect on inducible enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The cells were pretreated with the indicated concentrations of CME (5, 10, 20, and 50 μg/mL) and then treated with LPS (1 μg/mL). The results showed that CME (10, 20, and 50 μg/mL) inhibited the LPS- (1 μg/mL) induced mRNA and protein expression of iNOS in macrophage Raw 264.7 cells. In addition, the expression of COX-2 was inhibited at the mRNA and protein levels by CME in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, were markedly reduced by CME (10, 20, and 50 μg/mL). Moreover, CME clearly suppressed the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunits, which was correlated with its inhibitory effect on I-κB phosphorylation. These results suggest that CME has anti-inflammatory properties by modulating the expression of COX-2, iNOS, and proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells via the NF-κB pathway

Prognosis according to the timing of percutaneous coronary intervention in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, based on the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR)

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (ACS- -NSTE) are at risk for adverse cardiac events. Based on data in the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR), we analyzed the prognosis according to the timing of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with NSTEMI in Korea. Methods and results: 2,455 patients with NSTEMI in KAMIR were classified according to the time interval from the onset of cardiac symptoms to PCI. Patients in Group I underwent PCI within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms; in Group II between 24 and 48 hours; and in Group III after 48 hours. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) are defined as cardiac death, non-cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization and coronary-artery bypass graft surgery. The MACEs were compared between groups. Of the 2,455 patients, 743 (30.2%) were assigned to Group I, 583 (23.7%) to Group II, and 1,129 (45.9%) to Group III. The total incidence of MACEs was higher in Group I than Group III, and similar between Groups I and II (Group I: 15.1%, Group II: 14.4%, Group III: 11.6%, p = 0.053). The incidence of MACEs in the intermediate TIMI risk score group had decreased as the intervention time was delayed. Conclusions: The prognosis according to the timing of PCI in patients with NSTEMI was similar based on the data in KAMIR. TIMI risk score was related to a high incidence of MACEs. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 4: 421&#8211;429