Probing the Solid Phase of Noble Metal Copper at Terapascal Conditions.

Ramp compression along a low-temperature adiabat offers a unique avenue to explore the physical properties of materials at the highest densities of their solid form, a region inaccessible by single shock compression. Using the National Ignition Facility and OMEGA laser facilities, copper samples were ramp compressed to peak pressures of 2.30 TPa and densities of nearly 30 g/cc, providing fundamental information regarding the compressibility and phase of copper at pressures more than 5 times greater than previously explored. Through x-ray diffraction measurements, we find that the ambient face-centered-cubic structure is preserved up to 1.15 TPa. The ramp compression equation-of-state measurements shows that there are no discontinuities in sound velocities up to 2.30 TPa, suggesting this phase is likely stable up to the peak pressures measured, as predicted by first-principal calculations. The high precision of these quasiabsolute measurements enables us to provide essential benchmarks for advanced computational studies on the behavior of dense monoatomic materials under extreme conditions that constitute a stringent test for solid-state quantum theory. We find that both density-functional theory and the stabilized jellium model, which assumes that the ionic structure can be replaced by an ionic charge distribution by constant positive-charge background, reproduces our data well. Further, our data could serve to establish new international secondary scales of pressure in the terapascal range that is becoming experimentally accessible with advanced static and dynamic compression techniques.

The Strong Family Program: an innovative model to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and Elders with reproductive and sexual health community education.

Issue addressed Aboriginal youth in Australia often experience high rates of intimate partner violence (family violence) and poorer reproductive and sexual health than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. To address some of the disparities, the Strong Family Program was developed to deliver reproductive and sexual health education to Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. Methods Development of the program was based on an extensive consultation process with Aboriginal communities. It was implemented in three communities, with two groups from each hosting Aboriginal youth and Elders in a yarning circle within the culturally respectful frameworks of 'men and boys'' and 'women and girls'' business. An evaluation was conducted to measure reproductive and sexual health knowledge and attitude changes upon program completion, using pre- and post-program surveys and yarning (focus group discussions). Results Program participants comprised 48 females and 28 males. Overall, mean knowledge and attitude scores improved upon completion of the program (from 77% to 82% and from 4.15 to 4.32 out of 5, respectively). Among participants aged 20 years and under (the youngest participant was 13 years), there was an increase in knowledge (P=0.034); among participants aged over 20 years (the oldest participant was 78 years), there was an increase in positive attitudes (P=0.001). Participants perceived the information provided to be useful and relevant, with many reporting improved knowledge and attitudes around rights and respectful relationships. Conclusions Reproductive and sexual health education in Aboriginal communities should be based on community consultations and carried out within a culturally appropriate framework to promote greater success. Continued implementation of the Strong Family Program will promote increased understanding of respectful relationships and improved health outcomes for Aboriginal young people. So what? The Strong Family Program was based on an extensive consultative process that ensured leadership and involvement from Aboriginal communities, with program content and delivery based on Aboriginal pedagogy and reflecting Aboriginal cultural values. Reproductive and sexual health promotion in Aboriginal communities should be based on community consultations and carried out within a culturally appropriate framework to promote greatest success.

CFD for wastewater treatment: an overview.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a rapidly emerging field in wastewater treatment (WWT), with application to almost all unit processes. This paper provides an overview of CFD applied to a wide range of unit processes in water and WWT from hydraulic elements like flow splitting to physical, chemical and biological processes like suspended growth nutrient removal and anaerobic digestion. The paper's focus is on articulating the state of practice and research and development needs. The level of CFD's capability varies between different process units, with a high frequency of application in the areas of final sedimentation, activated sludge basin modelling and disinfection, and greater needs in primary sedimentation and anaerobic digestion. While approaches are comprehensive, generally capable of incorporating non-Newtonian fluids, multiphase systems and biokinetics, they are not broad, and further work should be done to address the diversity of process designs. Many units have not been addressed to date. Further needs are identified throughout, but common requirements include improved particle aggregation and breakup (flocculation), and improved coupling of biology and hydraulics.

A protocol for the use of computational fluid dynamics as a supportive tool for wastewater treatment plant modelling.

To date, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been primarily used for evaluation of hydraulic problems at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A potentially more powerful use, however, is to simulate integrated physical, chemical and/or biological processes involved in WWTP unit processes on a spatial scale and to use the gathered knowledge to accelerate improvement in plant models for everyday use, that is, design and optimized operation. Evolving improvements in computer speed and memory and improved software for implementing CFD, as well as for integrated processes, has allowed for broader usage of this tool for understanding, troubleshooting, and optimal design of WWTP unit processes. This paper proposes a protocol for an alternative use of CFD in process modelling, as a way to gain insight into complex systems leading to improved modelling approaches used in combination with the IWA activated sludge models and other kinetic models.

Muscle of dark and normal beef differs metabolically.

Reduction in muscle glycogen triggered by adverse antemortem handling events alters postmortem energy metabolism and results in a high ultimate pH and dark, firm and dry beef, often referred to as 'dark-cutting'. However, the relationship between atypical dark (AT) beef, postmortem energy metabolism and underlying tissue characteristics remains somewhat unclear. Cattle harvested in the US and Canada representing normal (pH < 5.6), AT dark (pH 5.6-5.8) and dark cutting (DC; pH > 5.8) beef were analyzed for tissue characteristics related to energy metabolism. Results show AT dark beef is more oxidative but similar to normal beef in glycolytic potential and nucleotide abundance. Mitochondria DNA content (P < 0.05, Canada; P < 0.005, US) and oxidative enzymes for DC and AT dark beef were greater (P < 0.01; Canada and US) compared to normal beef. Myoglobin tracked (P < 0.01) with color classification. These findings show both DC and AT beef are inherently more oxidative and raise the possibility that more oxidative muscle may be more prone to develop dark beef.

Time of dehairing alters pork quality development.

Studies investigating the effect of scald time on pork quality are confounded with time of dehairing. To understand better pork quality development and two-toning in hams, twenty-four carcasses were assigned to an 8- or 16-min dwell time prior to the dehairing, with or without scalding (n = 6 per trt). Semimembranosus (SM) muscles were collected following dehairing and at 24 h postmortem. Protracted time to dehair improved ultimate pH (pHu; P < 0.005) and reduced (P < 0.05) color variation. One hundred forty-two carcasses were then subjected to protracted (control, 10-min) dwell times (15-min, or 20-min) in an industrial setting. Lightness was improved with 15-min dwell times compared to control, however 20-min dwell decreased the pHu (P < 0.001), increased lightness (P < 0.05), and percent purge (P < 0.001) in the SM. Also, lightness of the longissimus muscle (LM) increased (P < 0.001) with dwell time. These data show time to dehairing impacts pork quality development and suggest dehairing may be critical to quality development in a muscle-dependent manner.

Reduced scald time does not influence ultimate pork quality.

Fresh pork color is a function of pigment, and the pH and temperature conditions in the carcass postmortem. To explore the role of scald on color development, carcasses (n = 16) were subjected to either a 4- or 8-min scald. Semimembranosus (SM) muscle samples were collected before and after scalding, and at 24 h postmortem. A 50% reduction in scald time resulted in lighter color (L*) across the muscle early postmortem (P < 0.001), yet the 8-min scald treatment was lighter (P = 0.001) at 24 h. An interaction between scald time and sampling time showed in an increase in L* values at 4-min immediately following scald (P < 0.001). Two-hundred carcasses were then subjected to a modified scald time (6.5 min, or 7.5 min) in an industrial setting. Lowering scald time failed to recapitulate results. In fact, darker meat (L* value; P = 0.0166) was noted in the SM across longer scalds. These data suggest modest changes in scald time may not be responsible for changes in pork quality development.

Structure and density of silicon carbide to 1.5 TPa and implications for extrasolar planets.

There has been considerable recent interest in the high-pressure behavior of silicon carbide, a potential major constituent of carbon-rich exoplanets. In this work, the atomic-level structure of SiC was determined through in situ X-ray diffraction under laser-driven ramp compression up to 1.5 TPa; stresses more than seven times greater than previous static and shock data. Here we show that the B1-type structure persists over this stress range and we have constrained its equation of state (EOS). Using this data we have determined the first experimentally based mass-radius curves for a hypothetical pure SiC planet. Interior structure models are constructed for planets consisting of a SiC-rich mantle and iron-rich core. Carbide planets are found to be ~10% less dense than corresponding terrestrial planets.

Inherent factors influence color variations in semimembranosus muscle of pigs.

Variations in color, though a quality frustration, are common across the face of fresh and processed hams. Herein, we measured objective color across the semimembranosus (SM) muscle early postmortem and at 1440 min, then compared these differences against biochemical and metabolic characteristics responsible for pork quality development. Color (L*, a*) differed (P < 0.001) by zone and time but no interaction was evident. Lactate content and pH were highly correlated (R2 = 0.92) at 30 min, but weakened (R2 = 0.161412) by 1440 min. Lactate anaplerosis was not responsible for this lack of relationship. Glycolytic potential also differed across zone (P < 0.001) and time (P < 0.005). Differences in myoglobin expression and abundance, as well as mitochondrial DNA were notable (P < 0.05) across zone. These data suggest inherent differences in SM muscle are key determinants of ham color variation, while postmortem metabolism may play a lesser role in driving this quality attribute.

Ractopamine changes in pork quality are not mediated by changes in muscle glycogen or lactate accumulation postmortem.

Pork quality is a product of the rate and extent of muscle pH decline paced by carbohydrate metabolism postmortem. The beta-adrenergic agonist ractopamine (RAC) alters muscle metabolism but has little impact on pork quality. The objective of this study was to determine how feeding RAC alters postmortem carbohydrate metabolism in muscle. Muscle pH was higher early postmortem in pigs fed RAC for 2 wks compared to control, while other time points and temperatures were largely unaffected. Early postmortem, muscle lactate levels were reduced (P < 0.05) after feeding RAC for 1 and 2 wks. Similarly, pigs fed RAC for 4 wks had reduced (P < 0.05) glycogen levels early postmortem compared to control pigs, but unexpectedly, L* values (lightness) increased (P < 0.05) after inclusion of RAC in the diet for 4 wk. These data show RAC feeding reduces glycogen content and changes lactate accumulation postmortem, but raise questions about the role glycolytic flux has in driving pork quality development.

Muscle from grass- and grain-fed cattle differs energetically.

Insufficient acidification results in dark, firm, and dry beef. While this defect is often indicative of a stress event antemortem, muscle tissue may change in response to feeding regime. Longissimus dorsi muscle samples from 10 grain-fed and 10 grass-fed market weight, angus-crossbred beef cattle were collected postmortem. Lower (P < .05) L* and a* values were recorded for steaks from grass-fed cattle. Higher (P < .05) ultimate pH values were noted in lean of grass-fed cattle compared to grain-fed cattle, yet differences in lactate, glycogen and glucose were not detected. Further, increased (P < .05) ultimate pH values and lower (P < .05) lactate accumulations were noted when samples from grass-fed cattle were subjected to an in vitro glycolysis system. Muscle from grass-fed beef possessed nearly two-fold more (P < .05) succinate dehydrogenase and (P < .001) myoglobin than that of grain-fed cattle. These data show lean from grass-fed beef has greater enzymes reflective of oxidative metabolism and suggest dark lean from grass-fed cattle may be a function of more oxidative metabolism rather than a stress-related event antemortem.

Entamoeba histolytica causes intestinal secretion: role of serotonin.

Lysates of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica altered active electrolyte transport when present on the serosal surface of rabbit ileum and rat colon. The lysate-induced effects on electrolyte transport were similar to those caused by serotonin, and were blocked by bufotenine, an analog known to inhibit the action of serotonin. The transport effects were partially inhibited by antibody to serotonin. The amebic lysates were shown to contain serotonin by radioimmunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography. These results suggest that the serotonin present in Entamoeba histolytica may be important in the diarrhea seen in amebiasis.

P2X7 gene polymorphisms do not appear to be a susceptibility gene locus in sporadic cases of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The P2X(7) receptor is a ligand-gated cation-selective channel that mediates ATP-induced apoptosis of cells of the immune system. A loss-of-function single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 1513 (1513 A-->C) of the P2X(7) gene has recently been identified in both healthy and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B-cells, translating into a loss of P2X(7)-mediated apoptosis in these cells. This antiapoptotic effect results in increased B-cell numbers, thereby potentially contributing to the survival of B-CLL clones. It was hypothesized that prolonged cell survival may also predispose to induction of autoimmunity. The objective of this study is to analyze the role of the P2X(7) receptor and its loss-of-function 1513 A-->C polymorphism (SNP) in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). DNA samples obtained from patients with sporadic SLE were analyzed for the presence of the 1513 A-->C polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and then direct sequencing. No significant difference in allele frequencies (1513 A-->C polymorphism) between sporadic cases of SLE and controls was found. A loss-of-function SNP at position 1513 (1513 A-->C) of the P2X(7) gene does not appear to be a susceptibility gene locus for the development of sporadic SLE.

Haloperidol for acute schizophrenic patients. An evaluation of three oral regimens.

The relative efficacy of three oral regimens of haloperidol was compared in a ten-day, double-blind study of 63 acutely ill schizophrenic patients newly admitted to the hospital. One group of patients received 20 mg of haloperidol on day 1, then increasing increments of 20 mg a day, reaching a maximum dosage of 100 mg daily on day 5. Another group received 10 mg of haloperidol on day 1, then increasing increments of 10 mg daily, reaching 100 mg daily on day 10. A third group of patients received a fixed dosage of 10 mg daily for ten days. Haloperidol was well tolerated by the patients; there were no serious adverse reactions. The data indicated that the regimens had similar therapeutic efficacy, suggesting that acutely ill schizophrenic patients respond to a wide range of doses of haloperidol but that onset of response and efficacy are not increased in most patients by providing a high initial loading dosage. Adequate, safe dosage must be determined in each case.

Familial cavernous angiomas of the brain in an Hispanic family.

We found cavernous angiomas (CA) in 10 of 22 members of a large Hispanic family. The proband had seizures, and a CA was found at surgery. He and two sisters with seizures had normal angiograms, but CT or MRI showed lesions compatible with CA. Similar abnormalities were found in two cousins with seizures and 5 of 17 asymptomatic relatives studied. MRI proved to be more sensitive than CT for identifying CA. Hispanic families appear to have a predisposition for dominantly inherited CA of the brain.

Working women and childbearing: United States.

PIP: This report presents statistics on age at marriage, number of children ever born, length of interval between births, and expected completed family size according to indicators of women's participation in the U.S. labor force, such as employment, occupation, and earnings. The statistics, presented in tables, are based on personal interviews with a nationally representative sample of currently married women 15-44 years of age, conducted in 1976. Generally, labor force participation was associated with a later age at 1st marriage, a smaller number of children ever born, longer birth intervals, and a lower expected family size. These associations between employment and family formation were not equally strong or even consistent across all combinations of age, race, education, and other demographic and socioeconomic variables. Approximately 73% of all currently married women had been employed for 6 months or more prior to their 1st marriage, and this premarital employment was strongly associated with a later age at 1st marriage. For all races, ages, and educational levels combined nearly 3/4 of premaritally employed women married after reaching 19 years of age compared with less than 2/5 of nonpremaritally employed women. The most marked differences in age at marriage occurred between wives with low educational levels and no premarital employment and wives with a college education who were employed prior to marriage. About 84% of wives had been employed at some time since their 1st marriage. In the aggregate, these women had borne an average of 2.0 children compared wth an average of 2.3 children ever born to wives with no work experience outside the home. The sharpest fertility differentials by this employment measure were found among women 30-44 years of age. The overall difference in the average number of children ever born to women currently in the labor force (1.8) versus those not in the labor force (2.3) was 0.5. Variations in cumulative fertility by labor force participation were greatest among younger women (15-29 years) with a college education. For white wives, those who earned less than 25% of their family incomes had borne 1 more child on the average than those who earned 50% or more. Labor force participation in the intervals between births was related to lower levels of childbearing. Generally, women who worked during any particular birth interval had lower subsequent fertility than women who did not.^ieng

Semi-automated T3 uptake test that uses magnetic albumin microparticles.

We describe a T3 uptake test that uses magnetic albumin microparticles to separate free from bound [125I] T3. The test uses 0.1 ml serum in a total assay volume of 1.1 ml, and is performed in barbital buffer of pH 7.6, ionic strength 0.2. The accuracy of the test is not affected by the following ranges: volume, 1-3 ml; incubation time, 15-120 min; and incubation temperature, 4-35 degrees C. We describe a magnetic separator device that allows simultaneous handling of 100 assay tubes with minimum manipulation. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variance were 2.87% and 5.20%, respectively.

Biological activity of phosphorylated and dephosphorylated bovine prolactin.

Phosphorylation is a mechanism by which cells regulate structure and function of proteins. We have previously demonstrated in vivo synthesis and secretion of phosphorylated bovine prolactin (bPRL) from the pituitary, and have isolated and partially characterized the phosphorylated bPRL. In order to investigate the structure/function role of phosphorylation on the biological activity of bPRL, we compared the activities of nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated bPRL isolated from pituitaries, with bPRL provided by the NIDDK (NIDDK-bPRL) to stimulate Nb2 cell proliferation. Nonphosphorylated bPRL has activity similar to, although slightly lower than that of NIDDK bPRL (ED50 = 7.03 pM and 22.8 pM, respectively). The activity of phosphorylated bPRL is significantly reduced (ED50 = 1066 pM). Using Nb2 lymphoma cell homogenate, NIDDK and nonphosphorylated bPRLs are equally effective in competitive receptor binding assays (Kd = 0.252 and 0.269 nM, respectively). Phosphorylated bPRL does not compete for the PRL receptor at concentrations up to 65 nM. Following enzymatic removal of the phosphate group using alkaline phosphatase, there is an increase in the biological activity of phosphorylated bPRL (ED50 = 73.3 pM) while the activity of nonphosphorylated BPRL remained unchanged following enzyme treatment (21.4 pM). We conclude that (1) structural changes induced by phosphorylation of bPRL are responsible for loss of bioactivity, (2) dephosphorylation of phosphorylated bPRL restores biological activity, and (3) the reduction in biological activity of phosphorylated bPRL is mediated by a decrease in receptor binding.

Prolactin kinase activity in bovine anterior pituitary sub-cellular fractions.

Bovine anterior pituitary cells phosphorylate prolactin (PRL). We describe the phosphorylation of endogenous and exogenous bPRL in highly enriched subcellular fractions of bovine anterior pituitary using [gamma-32P]-ATP. 32P-labeling of endogenous and exogenous bPRL occurred in all subcellular membrane fractions, but most significantly in the fraction enriched for secretory granules. Zn2+ (0.8 mM), Cu2+ (0.8 mM), and Mn2+ (9.8 mM) increased bPRL phosphorylation by 268, 214, and 154%, respectively, relative to basal phosphorylation with no added cations. Neither Mg2+ (10 mM) nor Ca2+ (0.9 mM) increased bPRL phosphorylation above basal levels. Phosphorylation was dependent on the concentration of Zn2+ with an apparent Km of 570 microM. bPRL phosphorylation occurred over a wide pH range of 5.9-8.3, with the greatest activity at pH of 6.7 or greater. Phosphorylation of bPRL was time-dependent. The apparent Kms of the bPRL kinase for exogenous bPRL and ATP were 15.3 and 267 microM, respectively. bPRL incorporation of 32P was unaffected by the presence of calcium and calmodulin, cAMP, phosphotidylserine and diolein, or spermine. From these results we conclude that in vitro phosphorylation of bPRL occurs under physiological conditions that would be found in pituitary cells.

Preparative purification of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated bovine prolactins.

Extracts from 12 pituitaries were applied to preparative immunoaffinity chromatography columns containing between 500 mg and 800 mg of clonal antiprolactin IgG1. Extracts were cycled through the column and subsequently washed from the affinity matrix. Total prolactin was eluted from the affinity matrix by a 0.1 M glycine, pH 2.8. The total prolactin was neutralized and dialyzed into 20 mM Bis-Tris (pH 7.0) and applied to a weak anion exchange column. Nonphosphorylated prolactin was eluted with 0.5 M NaCl in Bis-Tris buffer. Phosphorylated prolactin was eluted with 20% acetic acid. Yields averaged 19.6 mg and 11.7 mg for native and phosphorylated prolactin (n = 14 runs), respectively. The molecular weights of the prolactins were similar to prolactin standards. The amino acid compositions of the two prolactin variants were similar. Phosphate was associated predominantly with the phosphorylated prolactin. Native prolactin was biologically active in the Nb2 rat lymphoma bioassay, while the phosphorylated prolactin was without activity in this bioassay.