EA Levels Research Articles

Psychometric evidence of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II): an item response theory analysis in university students from Chile

BackgroundExperiential avoidance (EA) is a psychological mechanism associated with several mental health disorders and is regarded as a relevant target by third-generation cognitive behavioral therapies. It has been mainly assessed through self-report questionnaires, and the AAQ-II is the most used tool. Its psychometric evidence has been mostly tested through the classical test theory (CTT) and very scarcely assessed through Item Response Theory (IRT).MethodsWe used the Graded Response Model to examine its psychometric properties in Spanish-speaking university students (n = 1503; women = 995 (66.2%), mean age = 19.29, SD = 2.45). We tested whether the empirical data fit the model’s predictions and estimated the dispersion of persons and items along the experiential avoidance continuum. Moreover, we examined category probability curves to identify the response probability of each answer. Likewise, an item-person map was made where the measurement of persons and items, both on the same scale and along the experiential avoidance continuum, could be observed jointly. Finally, we tested the gender invariance of the scale.ResultsWe found that the values of the individuals and the items were in the established range to be considered an adequate measure of EA. Additionally, we observed high discrimination indices for all items. The current version with seven answer options could not be optimal and should be tested in future studies. Finally, we found evidence of differential functioning by gender in one of the seven items of the instrument.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the AAQ-II is a suitable tool for measuring EA and accurately classifying and differentiating EA levels in university students.

Endotoxin removal therapy with Polymyxin B immobilized fiber column as a COVID-19-bedside strategy protocol for endotoxic shock.

Endotoxin -induced sepsis is a leading cause of ICU mortality. From 1994 to the present, PMX-HP has been available as an adjuvant therapy for endotoxin removal and immunomodulation. The efficacy and usefulness of this therapy have been demonstrated for more than a quarter of a century and are partially supported by clinical studies. However, it appears that selected subgroups of patients with endotoxic shock and with appropriate timing could benefit. Endotoxemia may be involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, based on enterocyte dysfunction and malabsorptive syndrome. Due to the characteristics of the microbiota, Gram-negative bacteria or their fragments (i.e., endotoxin) may translocate into the systemic circulation leading to inflammatory activation, immune dysfunction, and sepsis. In addition, patients with severe forms of COVID-19 are at risk of superimposed infections. Endotoxemia can arise due to the translocation of Gram-negative bacteria or their fragments from the gut barrier. According to the most updated evidence available from large randomized trials, septic shock patients with MODS > 9 and EA levels ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 are those who may benefit the most from PMX-HP treatment in terms of improvement of survival. As shown in a previous publication, we believe that similarly to the source control, microbiological cultures, and antibiotics administration, EA evaluation at regular intervals, and the targeted use of PMX-HP could be lifesaving and adequate within the golden hour for the diagnosis and treatment of endotoxic shock. In our center, we applied a diagnostic-clinical flowchart also for endotoxic shock related to COVID-19.

A Novel Cu2O/ZnO@PET Composite Membrane for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Carbendazim.

The extremely high levels of water pollution caused by various industrial activities represent one of the most important environmental problems. Efficient techniques and advanced materials have been extensively developed for the removal of highly toxic organic pollutants, including pesticides. This study investigated the photocatalytic degradation of the fungicide carbendazim (Czm) using composite track-etched membranes (TeMs) in an aqueous solution. Copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) and zinc oxide (ZnO) microtubes (MTs) were prepared using an electroless template deposition technique in porous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) TeMs with nanochannels with a density of 4 × 107 pores/cm−2 and diameter of 385 ± 9 nm to yield Cu2O@PET and ZnO@PET composite membranes, respectively. A mixed Cu2O/ZnO@PET composite was prepared via a two-step deposition process, containing ZnO (87%) and CuZ (13%) as crystalline phases. The structure and composition of all composite membranes were elucidated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Under UV–visible light irradiation, the Cu2O/ZnO@PET composite displayed enhanced photocatalytic activity, reaching 98% Czm degradation, higher than Cu2O@PET and ZnO@PET composites. The maximum Czm degradation efficiency from aqueous solution was obtained at an optimal pH of 6 and contact time of 140 min. The effects of various parameters such as temperature, catalyst dosage and sample exposure time on the photocatalytic degradation process were studied. The degradation reaction of Czm was found to follow the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism and a pseudo-first order kinetic model. The degradation kinetics of Czm accelerated with increasing temperature, and the activation energy (Ea) levels were calculated as 11.9 kJ/mol, 14.22 kJ/mol and 15.82 kJ/mol for Cu2O/ZnO@PET, ZnO@PET and Cu2O@PET composite membranes, respectively. The reusability of the Cu2O/ZnO@PET catalyst was also investigated at different temperatures for 10 consecutive runs, without any activation or regeneration processes. The Cu2O/ZnO@PET composite exhibited degradation efficiency levels of over 50% at 14 °C and over 30% at 52 °C after 5 consecutive uses.

Intraseasonal Variability of Sea Level in the Western North Pacific

AbstractSea levels in the Western North Pacific (WNP) are presented with anomalous intraseasonal variations. This study examines the response of sea level in the WNP to the atmospheric Intraseasonal Oscillation modes, namely the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation (BSISO), using the 25 years (1993–2017) of satellite altimetry and barotropic model output. In winter, the MJO has significant effects on the component of sea level due to the instant wind and atmospheric pressure effects (high‐frequency), showing an eastward propagation pattern in most regions, with the strongest effects in the western marginal seas. The MJO‐associated pattern of dynamical (low‐frequency) component of sea level propagates southward, with the significant effects mostly in the tropics. In summer, the BSISO‐associated pattern of the high‐frequency component of sea level moves from southwest to northeast, with the largest anomalies in the middle of WNP (20°N‐30°N), while the strongest BSISO effects on the low‐frequency component are detectable mostly in the coasts of China and east of the Philippines. The MJO and BSISO can also modulate the probability of extreme sea level events. In winter, during phases 2–5, MJO increases the chance of extreme high events in the high‐frequency component of sea level by 100%–200% in the western coasts and the tropics. In summer, in BSISO phases 6–7, the chance of extreme high events in the high‐frequency component of sea level is enhanced by >300% in the South China Sea and east of the Philippines.

A fully automated assay to detect the expression of pan-cytokeratins and of EML4-ALK fusion protein in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) predicts outcome of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

BackgroundIn advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) a recent meta-analysis confirms circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as an independent prognostic indicator of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, further investigations are necessary to predict and dynamically monitor the therapy in NSCLC patients using CTCs. To this aim, we combined the classical standard assay (SA) with an expanded cytokeratins profile (EA) and quantified the expression of EML4-ALK fusion protein in CTCs.MethodsThe CellSearch (CS) platform—first marked in vitro diagnostic use (IVD) from Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and “gold standard” for quantifying CTCs - detects EpCAM and cytokeratins (CKs) 8, 18, and 19. Since NSCLC shows different CKs profile, we customized the SA, to recognize CK 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 18, and 19 (EA). Using both assays we designed a prospective, multi-center study, primarily aimed to enumerate CTCs in advanced NSCLC. Secondarily, we developed an integration of the EA to quantify the expression of EML4-ALK fusion protein in CTCs, and correlated them with PFS and OS.ResultsEA identified a significantly much more number of CTC-positive patients (115 out of 180) than SA (103 out of 192; Chi-square =4.0179, with 1 degrees of freedom, P=0.04502). Similar to SA, EA levels were still associated with patient’ outcomes. Furthermore, the expression of EML4-ALK on CTCs allowed stratifying NSCLC patients according to a statistically significant difference in PFS.ConclusionsWe proposed here two novel automated tests, to characterize the expression of specific molecules on CTCs. We demonstrated that these integrated assays are robust and actionable in prospective clinical studies, and in the future could allow clinicians to improve both choice and length of treatment in individual NSCLC patient.

Effect of 12 weeks aquatic aerobic Exercises on myocardial structure and function in type 2 diabetic women with heart failure

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), an increasing health problem worldwide, is associated with severe cardiovascular complications. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate effect of 12 weeks of aquatic aerobic exercises on myocardial structure and function in diabetic female patients with heart failure. Methods: In this semi experimental research, 36 diabetic women with heart failure in age range of 45 to 65 years old referring to shahid Madani medical center in Tabriz voluntarily participated in this study and assigned to one of two groups: control(n=16) and experimental (n=16) group. Aquatic exercises were carried out three sessions a week for 12 weeks, each session lasting 60 minutes with intensity of 5-8 in RPE Borg classification. Patients in control group continued their normal daily living activities. Blood sampling was gathered 48 h before and after training protocol to measure diabetic indexes such as Fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum Insulin, Insulin resistance, HbA1c and diastolic function such as E Velocity (EV), A Velocity (AV), Deceleration Time (DT), E to A ratio (EA), systolic function consisted on Ejection Fraction (EF), Left Ventricular Mass (LVM), Rest Heart Rate (RHR), Systolic pressure (SP) and Diastolic pressure (DP). The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS-18, T independent test at the significant level α<0.05. Results: The results showed that after intervention, LVM (p=0/000), EV (p=0/034), EF (p=0/002) levels were significantly increased and FBS (p=0/006), HbA1c (p=0/012), AV (p=0/002), SP (p=0/042) and RHR (p=0/035) were decreased in Aquatic exercise group. But in DT, EA and DP Levels these differences weren’t significant between two groups (p>0/05). Conclusion: The results showed that aquatic exercises, resistance and aerobic exercises, as a safe and effective exercise Method, could be helpful in improving myocardial structure and function in type 2diabetic females with heart failures.

Serum interleukin-6 and endotoxin levels and their relationship with fatigue and depressive symptoms in patients on chronic haemodialysis

BackgroundLittle is known about the underlying aetiology of fatigue in haemodialysis (HD) patients apart from a significant association and overlapping symptomatology with depressive symptoms. Growing evidence exists for the involvement of the immune system, by pro-inflammatory cytokines, in the development of fatigue in other inflammatory diseases. In HD patients, increased exposure to bacterial endotoxins may contribute to an inflammatory response and may potentially lead to fatigue. We therefore aimed (i) to assess the interrelationship between serum endotoxin (EA) levels, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and fatigue in HD patients; (ii) to evaluate whether there is a relationship between depressive symptoms and inflammation as well and (iii) to what extent depressive symptoms and fatigue are related to each other. MethodsFatigue and depressive symptoms in daily life were assessed in 59 individuals using the SF-36 vitality subscale and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Blood samples were collected on a mid-week dialysis session to determine EA levels, through the Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA™), and IL-6 concentrations, through the commercially available Abcam ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit. ResultsEA, IL-6 levels and depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with fatigue. EA levels and depressive symptoms were significant predictors of fatigue, explaining 31% of its variance. However, EA and IL-6 were not significantly associated with depression. ConclusionsFatigue in HD patients may be related to endotoxemia and inflammation through IL-6. Furthermore, fatigue is significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Future research into the causal interrelationship of inflammation, fatigue and depression in HD patients might lead to potential targets for therapeutic strategies.

THE COMPARISON OF ELEVATED LEVELS OF EBV IMMUNOGLOBULIN A EARLY ANTIGEN BETWEEN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA WHO TYPE 3 WITH MALIGNANT NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Introduction:
 Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) replicate in the epithelial cells and becomes latent in lymphocytes B. This virus is also associated with NPC, NHL, infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt’s lymphoma. The expression product of EBV acute infections can interact with genes in the epithelial cells to start the molecular level that leads to malignancy so that an increase in levels of IgA antibodies EA can indicate high levels of EBV infection.
 Objective:
 Comparing the level of IgA EA antibody for EBV between NPC WHO type III and NHL.
 Method:
 Observational comparative analytic method with cross-sectional study design. The subject of this study are 16 NPC patients and 16 NHL patients, consists of 9 males and 7 females. Numeric data of IgA EA calculated by Mann Whitney and the categoric data is calculated by Kolmogorov Smirnov. The examination of IgA EA level in EBV using ELISA method, with p-value <0.05.
 Result:
 This study reveals that there were increasing IgA EA levels in NPC patients (3.71±2.36) compared to NHL (0.27±0.20). There is a difference value of IgA EA in study groups both numerical and categorical.
 Conclusion:
 The level of IgA EA EBV antibody in NPC is higher than NHL.

Environmental versus economic performance in the EU ETS from the point of view of policy makers: A statistical analysis based on copulas

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was created with the aim of promoting reductions of greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective and economically efficient manner. In line with this objective, when making their decisions, policy makers should consider not only the CO2 reduction targets but also the influence of these pollution reduction goals on companies' economic performance. This paper analyses the relationship between the economic and environmental performance of a sample of Spanish companies involved in the EU ETS in order to provide more information to the institutions responsible for developing these policies. This relationship is considered from two perspectives: the first examines how a company's production affects the ratio of the level of emissions to allocated allowances (the EA ratio), while the second examines how the EA ratio affects company results. A statistical methodology based on copulas is used, which allows us to analyze the relationship between these variables without requiring the assumptions of joint normality and linearity, thus providing the study with greater flexibility and realism. Our results highlight the existence of three different periods that correspond to Phases I, II and III of the EU ETS. During Phase I (2005–2007), the relationship between the EA ratio and firms' production and profitability was weak and, in the case of production, not significant. In Phase II (2008–2012), the efficiency of the EU ETS was higher, the allocations were better adjusted to firms' activities, and firms with EA values close to 1 were the most productive and profitable. The same trend occurred in Phase III (2013–2015), where a significant reduction of CO2 emissions levels was observed but with higher EA values, especially in the Energy and Other Manufacturing sectors (including the Food, Textile, Leather, Footwear and Clothing, and Rubber and Paper industries). Therefore, although the environmental policy promulgated by the EU ETS is partially achieving its goal of reducing CO2 emissions, it is still necessary to encourage green investments in order to decrease the EA levels, which are too high to satisfy the European Union Allowances allocation policy.

Akt/mTOR pathway contributes to skeletal muscle anti-atrophic effect of aerobic exercise training in heart failure mice

BackgroundExercise intolerance is one of the main clinical symptoms of heart failure (HF) and is associated with skeletal muscle wasting due to an imbalance between proteolysis and protein synthesis. In this study, we tested whether aerobic exercise training (AET) would counteract skeletal muscle atrophy by activating IGF-I/Akt/mTOR pathway in HF mice. MethodsSympathetic hyperactivity induced HF mice were assigned into 8-week moderate intensity AET. Untrained wild type and HF mice were used as control. Soleus cross sectional area was evaluated by histochemistry and motor performance by rotarod. 26S proteasome activity was assessed by fluorimetric assay, and components of IGF-I/Akt/mTOR pathway or myostatin pathway by qRT-PCR or immunoblotting. A different subset of mice was used to evaluate the relative contribution of mTOR inhibition (rapamycin) or activation (leucine) on AET-induced changes in muscle mass regulation. ResultsAET prevented exercise intolerance and impaired motor performance in HF mice. These effects were associated with attenuation of soleus atrophy. Rapamycin treatment precluded AET effects on soleus mass in HF mice suggesting the involvement of IGF signaling pathway in this response. In fact, AET increased IGF-I Ea and IGF-I Pan mRNA levels, while it reduced myostatin and Smad2 mRNA levels in HF mice. At protein levels, AET prevented reduced expression levels of IGF-I, pAkt (at basal state), as well as, p4E-BP1 and pP70S6K (leucine-stimulated state) in HF mice. Additionally, AET prevented 26S proteasome hyperactivity in HF mice. ConclusionsTaken together, our data provide evidence for AET-induced activation of IGF-I/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway counteracting HF-induced muscle wasting.

Mood, Disability, and Quality of Life among a Subgroup of Rheumatoid Arthritis Individuals with Experiential Avoidance and Anxiety Sensitivity.

Objective. The current study aimed to identify and characterize distinct RA subgroups based on their level of EA and AS and compares the difference among the subgroups in mood, disability, and quality of life. Methods. Individuals with chronic pain for at least 3 months were recruited from an academic rheumatoid clinic. Participants were assessed for demographic, psychosocial, and personality measures. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to identify distinct subgroups of patients. Differences in clinical outcomes were compared using the Multivariate ANOVA based on cluster membership. Results. From a total of 223 participants, three distinct subgroups were formed based on cluster analysis. Cluster 1 (N = 78) included those with low levels of both EA and AS. Cluster 2 (N = 81) consisted of individuals with moderate levels of EA and low levels AS. Cluster 3 (N = 64) included those with moderate levels of EA and high AS. Compared to those in Cluster 1, those in Cluster 3 had significantly higher levels of mood impairment and disability and lower quality of life (p < 0.05). Significantly lower levels of mood impairment were seen in Cluster 1 compared to Cluster 2 (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in disability or quality of life was seen between the two groups. Conclusions. The three subgroups differed significantly in levels of impairment in mood, disability, and quality of life. However, levels of EA had a greater impact on disability and quality of life than AS.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycles and 4-nonylphenol on cellular energy allocation in the freeze-tolerant enchytraeid Enchytraeus albidus.

Due to climate change and intense anthropogenic activity, organisms from cold regions are often exposed to combined effects of temperature fluctuations and contaminants. In this investigation, we assessed the lipid, protein, and carbohydrate energy budgets; the energy available (Ea); consumed (Ec); and cellular energy allocation (CEA) of the freeze-tolerant Enchytraeus albidus, when exposed to sublethal concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (a lipophilic contaminant) for 7 days, followed by exposure to different temperature regimes (continuous 2 °C, continuous -4 °C, and daily freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) (2 to -4 °C) for additional 10 days. Results showed that a pre-exposure to 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) induced important changes in the worms' energy budgets and CEA and increased mortality with most severe effects observed for the FTC events. For FTC, lipids were the most accumulated energy source, whereas during freezing (-4 °C), proteins were the most used. FTC caused the highest Ec, indicating the higher energy requirements for organisms when shifting between freezing and thawing events. This is also in line with the higher mortality observed in FTC compared to continuous -4 °C or 2 °C. Worms exposed to continuous freezing presented relatively stable and positive levels of Ea and low levels of Ec, possibly related with the decrease in metabolism.

The opposite effect of age on creatinine baseline estimates

peak EA to peak creatinine changes (R1⁄40.41; p1⁄40.004). At T0, no significant difference in EA levels was observed between patients who did or did not develop AKI [0.47 (0.04–0.78) vs. 0.43 (0.15–0.79); p 1⁄4 0.74]. However, the AKI group was characterized by a continuous increase in EA from T0 to T3, becoming statistically significant at T3 [T0 1⁄4 0.6 (0.32–1.0) vs. T3 1⁄4 0.47 (0.04–0.78); p 1⁄4 0.004]. In contrast, the non-AKI group did not show any differences in EA [T0 1⁄4 0.47 (0.16– 0.6) vs. T3 1⁄4 0.43 (0.15–0.79); NS]. Table 2 reports all EA values among AKI and non-AKI groups.

Usefulness of the endotoxin activity assay as a biomarker to assess the severity of endotoxemia in critically ill patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of endotoxemia in critically ill Japanese patients using the endotoxin activity assay, a newly developed rapid assay of endotoxin. The endotoxin levels (EA levels) in the blood of 314 patients admitted to our university hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) were measured within 24 h of admission, and its correlation with disease severity and outcome examined. In addition, the EA levels in 61 samples from healthy volunteers were measured. EA level was 0.39 ± 0.25 (mean ± SD) in patients admitted to the ICU and 0.10 ± 0.09 in healthy controls. There was less overlap of EA level distribution between patients and controls compared with previous reports measuring EA level in mainly Caucasian populations. Our patients' EA levels were significantly correlated with disease severity criteria and 28-d mortality. When EA and procalcitonin levels were used concomitantly, disease severity could be assessed more precisely than when either marker was used alone. These results suggest that EA level is a useful marker for disease severity assessment and outcome prediction in critically ill patients.

Usefulness of the endotoxin activity assay as a biomarker to assess severity in ICU patients

Endotoxin is a component of the membrane of Gram- negative bacteria and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of sepsis[1]. Measurement of endotoxin levels in patient blood is important for the early diagnosis of and appropriate determination of the treatment strategy for sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of endotoxemia in Japanese criticallyill patients using the endotoxin activity assay (EAA), a newly developed rapid assay of endotoxin. Blood endotoxin levels (EA levels) of 314 patients admitted to our university hospital ICU were measured within 24 hours from admission, and their correlation with disease severity and outcome was examined.

Race and gender variation in response to evoked inflammation

BackgroundRace- and gender-variation in innate immunity may contribute to demographic differences in inflammatory and cardiometabolic disease; yet their influence on dynamic responses during inflammatory stress is poorly understood. Our objective was to examine race and gender influence on the response to experimental endotoxemia.MethodsThe Genetics of Evoked Responses to Niacin and Endotoxemia (GENE) study was designed to investigate regulation of inflammatory and metabolic responses during low-grade endotoxemia (LPS 1 ng/kg intravenously) in healthy individuals (median age 24, IQR=7) of European (EA; n=193, 47% female) and African ancestry (AA; n=101, 59% female).ResultsBaseline clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers by race and gender were consistent with epidemiological literature; pre-LPS cytokines (e.g. median (IQR) IL-6, 2.7 (2) vs.2.1 (2) pg/ml, P=0.001) were higher in AA than EA. In contrast, acute cytokine responses during endotoxemia were lower in AA than EA (e.g. median (IQR) peak IL-1RA, 30 (38) vs.43 (45) ng/ml P=0.002) as was the induction of hepatic acute-phase proteins (e.g. median (IQR) peak CRP 12.9 (9) vs.17.4 (12) mg/L P=0.005). Further, baseline levels of cytokines were only weakly correlated with peak inflammatory responses (all rs <0.2) both in AA and in EA. There were less pronounced and less consistent differences in the response by gender, with males having a higher AUC for CRP response compared to females (median (IQR) AUC: 185 (112) vs. 155 (118), P=0.02).ConclusionsWe observed lower levels of evoked inflammation in response to endotoxin in AA compared with EA, despite similar or higher baseline levels of inflammatory markers in AA. Our data also suggest that levels of inflammatory biomarkers measured in epidemiological settings might not predict the degree of acute stress-response or risk of diseases characterized by activation of innate immunity.Trial registrationFDA clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT00953667

Low‐frequency sea level variability in the southern Indian Ocean and its impacts on the oceanic meridional transports

AbstractSea levels in the southern Indian Ocean (SIO) display significant interannual to decadal variability. Off the northwest Australian coast, it has been demonstrated that sea level variability is mostly modulated by remote wind forcing from the tropical Pacific through equatorial and coastal waveguides. In this study, a linear reduced gravity model is used to investigate relative contributions of local wind forcing and remote forcing from the Pacific to the sea level variability of the SIO, with a focus on the western SIO. North of the South Equatorial Current bifurcation latitude (17ºS), model simulated sea levels are well correlated with altimeter observations at the dissipation timescale of about 3 years, suggesting that sea level variability on interannual‐to‐decadal timescales could well be explained by nondispersive baroclinic Rossby wave adjustment. The large sea level variability of the western SIO is primarily caused by westward‐propagating Rossby waves driven by wind stress curl in 70°E‐95°E, with a minor influence from the remote Pacific forcing. To the south, sea level variability at around 20ºS displays lower amplitude due to weaker wind variations at this latitude band, and the modeled sea level variability is weaker than observations. There is a close linkage between the cross‐basin sea level difference at 15ºS and the interior meridional ocean transport across this latitude on decadal timescales, as assessed with outputs from a data‐assimilation model. Thus, the meridional overturning cell of the SIO is influenced by both remote forcing from equatorial Pacific and local winds in the SIO.

Relationships among Fluid Ethanolamine Formulation, Airborne Ethanolamines, and Aerosol Levels in Machining Operations

Alkanolamines or ethanolamines-triEA (TEA), di-EA (DEA), and mono-EA (MEA)-may be used in water-soluble metalworking fluids to stabilize pH or inhibit corrosion. The objectives of this study were to compare EAs levels from air and used fluid bulk among the various metalworking operations, and to examine the relationship not only between aerosol concentration and total airborne EA levels, but also between aerosol levels and the proportion of each type of EA in the total EA in air and fluid bulk. The EA from air and fluid bulk collected from machining operations were quantified by ion chromatography. Airborne EA were taken into de-ionized water (DI) using an impinger. Average aerosol levels were 1.15 mg/m^3 for machining and 0.84 mg/m^3 for grinding operations. The highest aerosol and total EA levels were for (i) washing operations (4.06 mg/m^3 and 1.33 mg/m^3, respectively), where compressed air was frequently used to clean metal machine parts, and (ii) individual tanks (1.83 mg/m^3 and 2.31 mg/m^3, respectively). Airborne MEA was detected in all samples (n = 53), while TEA was not detected in any air samples (n = 13) taken from areas without machining operations. Machining operations showed a significant relationship between aerosol and total EA levels (n = 21, R^2 = 0.74). The EA content ratio (EA(subscript R): level of each EA in air as a% of total EA in air)/(level of each EA in bulk fluid as a% of total EA in bulk fluid) showed a significant association with the aerosol level, but showed a different pattern according to the EA type. A negative exponential relationship was observed for MEA(subscript R) (n = 9, R^2 = 0.64), with MEA(subscript R) being greater than ”1” at low aerosol concentrations (＜ 1 mg/m^3). In contrast, TEA(subscript R) increased linearly with increasing aerosol levels, reaching almost ”1” when the aerosol concentration was higher than 2.0 mg/m^3. The relationship between fluid EA formulation, airborne EA levels, and aerosol levels in machining operations was found to be quite different according to the type of EA.

Modelling fluctuations of Caspian Sea levels using a mixed probability distribution

AbstractBy applying a nonlinear regression root analysis, this paper evaluates the significance of an emerging third stable steady state for the Caspian Sea level. A theoretical probability density function (PDF) is built and fitted to empirical data by mixing three different normal distributions. From this mixed probability distribution, a drift coefficient is obtained for the corresponding diffusive process. A stochastic model is then proposed, which uses the derived drift coefficient. This model demonstrates better performance than that exhibited by polynomial approximations and open possibilities for hydrological risk assessment of systems with several stable steady states.

Generalized First-Order Kinetic Model for Biosolids Decomposition and Oxidation during Hydrothermal Treatment

The main objective of this study was to develop generalized first-order kinetic models to represent hydrothermal decomposition and oxidation of biosolids within a wide range of temperatures (200-450 degrees C). A lumping approach was used in which oxidation of the various organic ingredients was characterized by the chemical oxygen demand (COD), and decomposition was characterized by the particulate (i.e., nonfilterable) chemical oxygen demand (PCOD). Using the Arrhenius equation (k = k(o)e(-Ea/RT)), activation energy (Ea) levels were derived from 42 continuous-flow hydrothermal treatment experiments conducted at temperatures in the range of 200-450 degrees C. Using predetermined values for k(o) in the Arrhenius equation, the activation energies of the various organic ingredients were separated into 42 values for oxidation and a similar number for decomposition. The activation energy values were then classified into levels representing the relative ease at which the organic ingredients of the biosolids were oxidized or decomposed. The resulting simple first-order kinetic models adequately represented, within the experimental data range, hydrothermal decomposition of the organic particles as measured by PCOD and oxidation of the organic content as measured by COD. The modeling approach presented in the paper provide a simple and general framework suitable for assessing the relative reaction rates of the various organic ingredients of biosolids.