Structural studies of the phase separation in the UO2–PuO2–Pu2O3 ternary system

In the oxygen hypo-stoichiometric range of (U_1?yPu_y)O_2?x mixed oxide MOX fuels, the U–Pu–O phase diagram is known to exhibit a large biphasic domain depending on the Pu content. However, the phase equilibria are still to be fully described as various representations are proposed in the literature.In the present work, we notify new insights into the phase separation occurring in the UO₂–PuO₂–Pu₂O₃ domain at room temperature. Our microstructural and X-ray diffraction results are compared to the different representations reported in the literature. We provide, for the first time in the hypo-stoichiometric domain, an indisputable experimental observation of a triphasic region at high Pu content, composed of two fluorite-type structures and of one α-Pu₂O₃ sesquioxyde type structure. These results are in contradiction with previous experimental representations of the U–Pu–O ternary system.     

Interaction of algal polysaccharide with lipid Langmuir monolayers

Algal polysaccharides may assist in the incorporation of metal ions from water and also have applications in health, interacting with biomembranes. In this paper, we have exploited the interactions at the molecular level of an extract of extracellular algal polysaccharide (EPS) with biomembrane models (lipid Langmuir monolayers). From surface pressure–area isotherms and Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection–Absorption Spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), we have inferred that EPS interacts with both kinds of lipids: a negatively charged and a positively charged, however with different mechanisms of action. EPS, being negatively charged, interacts with the polar heads of the positively charged lipid monolayer, while for a negatively charged lipid forming the Langmuir film, EPS penetrates into the alkyl chains of lipid in a mechanism driven mainly by hydrophobic interactions. The insights obtained in this paper are relevant because these help to understand the action of EPS in biomembranes and enable future applications of EPS–lipid hybrid Langmuir–Blodgett films for heavy metal ion sensors.     

Links between sisters' sexual and dating victimization: The roles of neighborhood crime and parental controls.

This study examined the extent to which a sister's prior sexual and dating victimization is a risk factor for young women being similarly victimized and the possible factors underlying a co-occurrence. The sample involved 122 young adult Latina or African American sister pairs (244 women; ages 16–25) who resided in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Results indicated that women whose sisters had been victimized had increased risk of victimization even after controlling for neighborhood crime, parental controls, age and race–ethnicity (odds ratios were 4.0 for unwanted touching, 6.2 for a forced sex act, and 16.7 for dating violence). In high-crime neighborhoods, the presence of two adult parent figures in the home was associated with women's reduced likelihood of unwanted touching, and mothers' high monitoring during adolescence was associated with women's lower risk of dating aggression. Survival analysis results showed that the risk period of a second sister being victimized lasts between 7 and 10 years after a first sister's victimization. The prevention implications of study findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Combined ozone pretreatment and biological processes for removal of colored and biorefractory compounds in wastewater from molasses fermentation industries

BACKGROUND: The use of ozone combined with biological treatment was investigated for molasses fermentation wastewater containing highly concentrated, brown and biorefractory compounds. These persistent compounds, known as melanoidins, generate disposal issues: in the environment, the color is problematic for aquatic life; and in municipal wastewater treatment plants, the molecules are biorefractory. RESULTS: This paper aims to evaluate the impact of ozone pretreatment, applied in the range 0.1 to 1 g g^?1 consumed ozone doses, on both macroscopic physico‐chemical parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), color and UV absorbance, and batch aerobic biodegradability. Then, performances of ozone pretreatment are assessed in terms of biodegradability improvement in batch and semi‐continuous anaerobic processes and, also, in semi‐continuous denitrification as a potential carbon source. Ozonation applied at the ozone dose of 0.5 g O₃ g^?1 COD led to an increase in biodegradability in all bioreactors. On average, the pretreatment resulted in an increased biodegradable fraction from zero to 33% without noticeable toxicity on biomass. This ozone dose also achieved 45% nitrogen removal by biological denitrification. CONCLUSION: Ozone pretreatment is a suitable technique for the biodegradability improvement of molasses fermentation wastewater, in aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic conditions. The pretreatment should be optimized in order to maximize the subsequent biodegradability. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

MultiPoint: Comparing laser and manual pointing as remote input in large display interactions

We present MultiPoint, a set of perspective-based remote pointing techniques that allows users to perform bimanual and multi-finger remote manipulation of graphical objects on large displays. We conducted two empirical studies that compared remote pointing techniques performed using fingers and laser pointers, in single and multi-finger pointing interactions. We explored three types of manual selection gestures: squeeze, breach and trigger. The fastest and most preferred technique was the trigger gesture in the single point experiment and the unimanual breach gesture in the multi-finger pointing study. The laser pointer obtained mixed results: it is fast, but inaccurate in single point, and it obtained the lowest ranking and performance in the multipoint experiment. Our results suggest MultiPoint interaction techniques are superior in performance and accuracy to traditional laser pointers for interacting with graphical objects on a large display from a distance.     

Developmental psychopathology and the reciprocal patterning of behavior and environment: Distinctive situational and behavioral signatures of internalizing, externalizing, and mixed-syndrome children.

In contrast to assessment approaches that conceptualize traits as generalized response tendencies, this research develops a conditional approach that conceptualizes traits as patterns of relations between contexts and behaviors. Using extensive observations of social interactions, this study investigated internalizing, externalizing, and mixed-syndrome children identified by T. M. Achenbach's (1993) measures. Children in these groups differed in the patterning of their responses to social contexts and in the likelihood of encountering them. Mixed-syndrome children showed a distinctive behavior pattern consisting of aggressive and withdrawn responses to nonaversive contexts. The results demonstrate how measures of overall tendencies confound person and environment influences and obscure differences between children that are revealed by contextualized measures. The need to incorporate contexts more fully into clinical assessment is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Caveat emptor!

A standard contract (one printed on a standard form, with standard language) can be changed or fully rewritten to meet your company's specific needs. Buying equipment without a contract that meets your company's specific needs and that is drafted or reviewed by legal counsel (specifically a lawyer who knows your company's needs well) is the equivalent of buying a potential lawsuit. Prevention of problems with a good contract and legal help is your company's best insurance against waste and/or litigation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In Vitro Characterization of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 1 (S1P1) Expression and Mediated Migration of Primary Human T and B Cells in the Context of Cenerimod,a Novel,Selective S1P1 Receptor Modulator

Cenerimod is a potent, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P₁) modulator currently investigated in a Phase IIb study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03742037","term_id":"NCT03742037"}}NCT03742037). S1P₁ receptor modulators sequester circulating lymphocytes within lymph nodes, thereby reducing pathogenic autoimmune cells (including T and B lymphocytes) in the bloodstream and inflamed tissues, making them an effective therapeutic concept for autoimmune disorders. Although the effect of S1P receptor modulators in reducing circulating lymphocytes is well documented, the precise molecular role of the S1P₁ receptor on these cell types is not fully understood. In this study, the mode of action of cenerimod on human primary lymphocytes in different activation states was investigated focusing on their chemotactic behavior towards S1P in real-time, concomitant to S1P₁ receptor expression and internalization dynamics. Here, we show that cenerimod effectively prevents T and B cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Interestingly, while T cell activation led to strong S1P₁ re-expression and enhanced migration; in B cells, an enhanced migration capacity and S1P₁ receptor surface expression was observed in an unstimulated state. Importantly, concomitant treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs), a frequently used treatment for autoimmune disorders, had no impact on the inhibitory activity of cenerimod on lymphocytes.     

Two-Chains Tissue Plasminogen Activator Unifies Met and NMDA Receptor Signalling to Control Neuronal Survival

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) plays roles in the development and the plasticity of the nervous system. Here, we demonstrate in neurons, that by opposition to the single chain form (sc-tPA), the two-chains form of tPA (tc-tPA) activates the MET receptor, leading to the recruitment of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and to the endocytosis and proteasome-dependent degradation of NMDARs containing the GluN2B subunit. Accordingly, tc-tPA down-regulated GluN2B-NMDAR-driven signalling, a process prevented by blockers of HGFR/MET and mimicked by its agonists, leading to a modulation of neuronal death. Thus, our present study unmasks a new mechanism of action of tPA, with its two-chains form mediating a crosstalk between MET and the GluN2B subunit of NMDARs to control neuronal survival.     

Dopaminergic modulation of kappa opioid-mediated ultrasonic vocalization, antinociception, and locomotor activity in the preweanling rat.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dopamine (DA) systems modulate kappa opioid-mediated ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), antinociception, and locomotion in young rats. Seventeen-day-old rats were injected with the kappa agonist U-50,488 (0.0-7.5 mg/kg) and saline, the D?-like receptor agonist R(-)-propylnorapomorphine (NPA; 0. 1 or 1.0 mg/kg), the indirect DA agonist cocaine (10 or 20 mg/kg), or the DA antagonist flupenthixol (0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg). USVs and locomotion were measured for 6 min, with antinociception being assessed with a tail-flick test. Kappa receptor stimulation produced analgesia and increased USVs and locomotion. U-50,488-induced analgesia was potentiated by NPA, whereas U-50,488-induced USVs were attenuated by both DA agonists. NPA and flupenthixol depressed U-50,488's locomotor effects. These results show that DA systems interact with kappa opioid systems to modulate USVs, antinociception, and locomotion in preweanling rats. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)