Features of postfailure fuel behavior in transient overpower and transient undercooled/overpower tests in the transient reactor test facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doerner, R.C.; Bauer, T.H.; Morman, J.A.

Prototypic oxide fuel was subjected to simulated, fast reactor severe accident conditions in a series of in-pile tests in the Transient Reactor Test Facility reactor. Seven experiments were performed on fresh and previously irradiated oxide fuel pins under transient overpower and transient undercooled. overpower accident conditions. For each of the tests, fuel motions were observed by the hodoscope. Hodoscope data are correlated with coolant flow, pressure, and temperature data recorded by the loop instrumentation. Data were analyzed from the onset of initial failure to a final mass distribution at the end of the test. In this paper results of thesemore » analyses are compared to pre- and posttest accident calculations and to posttest metallographic accident calculations and to posttest metallographic examinations and computed tomographic reconstructions from neutron radiographs.« less

A new and effective approach to boron removal by using novel boron-specific fungi isolated from boron mining wastewater.

PubMed

Taştan, Burcu Ertit; Çakir, Dilara Nur; Dönmez, Gönül

2016-01-01

Boron-resistant fungi were isolated from the wastewater of a boron mine in Turkey. Boron removal efficiencies of Penicillium crustosum and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were detected in different media compositions. Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) and two different waste media containing molasses (WM-1) or whey + molasses (WM-2) were tested to make this process cost effective when scaled up. Both isolates achieved high boron removal yields at the highest boron concentrations tested in MSM and WM-1. The maximum boron removal yield by P. crustosum was 45.68% at 33.95 mg l(-1) initial boron concentration in MSM, and was 38.97% at 42.76 mg l(-1) boron for R. mucilaginosa, which seemed to offer an economically feasible method of removing boron from the effluents.

Transient Pressure Test Article Test Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vibbart, Charles M.

1989-01-01

The Transient Pressure Test Article (TPTA) test program is being conducted at a new test facility located in the East Test Area at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. This facility, along with the special test equipment (STE) required for facility support, was constructed specifically to test and verify the sealing capability of the Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) field, igniter, and nozzle joints. The test article consists of full scale RSRM hardware loaded with inert propellant and assembled in a short stack configuration. The TPTA is pressurized by igniting a propellant cartridge capable of inducing a pressure rise rate which stimulates the ignition transient that occurs during launch. Dynamic loads are applied during the pressure cycle to simulate external tank attach (ETA) strut loads present on the ETA ring. Sealing ability of the redesigned joints is evaluated under joint movement conditions produced by these combined loads since joint sealing ability depends on seal resilience velocity being greater than gap opening velocity. Also, maximum flight dynamic loads are applied to the test article which is either pressurized to 600 psia using gaseous nitrogen (GN2) or applied to the test article as the pressure decays inside the test article on the down cycle after the ignition transient cycle. This new test facility is examined with respect to its capabilities. In addition, both the topic of test effectiveness versus space vehicle flight performance and new aerospace test techniques, as well as a comparison between the old SRM design and the RSRM are presented.

Advanced Instrumentation for Transient Reactor Testing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corradini, Michael L.; Anderson, Mark; Imel, George

Transient testing involves placing fuel or material into the core of specialized materials test reactors that are capable of simulating a range of design basis accidents, including reactivity insertion accidents, that require the reactor produce short bursts of intense highpower neutron flux and gamma radiation. Testing fuel behavior in a prototypic neutron environment under high-power, accident-simulation conditions is a key step in licensing nuclear fuels for use in existing and future nuclear power plants. Transient testing of nuclear fuels is needed to develop and prove the safety basis for advanced reactors and fuels. In addition, modern fuel development and designmore » increasingly relies on modeling and simulation efforts that must be informed and validated using specially designed material performance separate effects studies. These studies will require experimental facilities that are able to support variable scale, highly instrumented tests providing data that have appropriate spatial and temporal resolution. Finally, there are efforts now underway to develop advanced light water reactor (LWR) fuels with enhanced performance and accident tolerance. These advanced reactor designs will also require new fuel types. These new fuels need to be tested in a controlled environment in order to learn how they respond to accident conditions. For these applications, transient reactor testing is needed to help design fuels with improved performance. In order to maximize the value of transient testing, there is a need for in-situ transient realtime imaging technology (e.g., the neutron detection and imaging system like the hodoscope) to see fuel motion during rapid transient excursions with a higher degree of spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy. There also exists a need for new small, compact local sensors and instrumentation that are capable of collecting data during transients (e.g., local displacements, temperatures, thermal conductivity, neutron flux

Modeling of boron species in the Falcon 17 and ISP-34 integral tests

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lazaridis, M.; Capitao, J.A.; Drossinos, Y.

1996-09-01

The RAFT computer code for aerosol formation and transport was modified to include boron species in its chemical database. The modification was necessary to calculate fission product transport and deposition in the FAL-17 and ISP-34 Falcon tests, where boric acid was injected. The experimental results suggest that the transport of cesium is modified in the presence of boron. The results obtained with the modified RAFT code are presented; they show good agreement with experimental results for cesium and partial agreement for boron deposition in the Falcon silica tube. The new version of the RAFT code predicts the same behavior formore » iodine deposition as the previous version, where boron species were not included.« less

Complete suppression of boron transient-enhanced diffusion and oxidation-enhanced diffusion in silicon using localized substitutional carbon incorporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carroll, M. S.; Chang, C.-L.; Sturm, J. C.; Büyüklimanli, T.

1998-12-01

In this letter, we show the ability, through introduction of a thin Si1-x-yGexCy layer, to eliminate the enhancement of enhanced boron diffusion in silicon due to an oxidizing surface or ion implant damage. This reduction of diffusion is accomplished through a low-temperature-grown thin epitaxial Si1-x-yGexCy layer which completely filters out excess interstitials introduced by oxidation or ion implant damage. We also quantify the oxidation-enhanced diffusion (OED) and transient-enhanced diffusion (TED) dependence on substitutional carbon level, and further report both the observation of carbon TED and OED, and its dependence on carbon levels.

In Vivo Boron Uptake Determination for Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Binello, Emanuela; Shortkroff, Sonya; Yanch, Jacquelyn C.

1999-06-06

Boron neutron capture synovectomy (BNCS) has been proposed as a new application of the boron neutron capture reaction for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In BNCS, a boron compound is injected into the joint space, where it is taken up by the synovium. The joint is then irradiated with neutrons of a desired energy range, inducing the boron neutron capture reaction in boron-loaded cells. Boron uptake by the synovium is an important parameter in the assessment of the potential of BNCS and in the determination of whether to proceed to animal irradiations for the testing of therapeutic efficacy. We presentmore » results from an investigation of boron uptake in vivo by the synovium.« less

Boron supercapacitors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhan, Cheng; Zhang, Pengfei; Dai, Sheng

Supercapacitors based on the electric double-layer mechanism use porous carbons or graphene as electrodes. To move beyond this paradigm, we propose boron supercapacitors to leverage two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets’ metallicity and low weight. Six 2D boron sheets from both previous theoretical design and experimental growth are chosen as test electrodes. By applying joint density functional theory (JDFT) to the electrode–electrolyte system, we examine how the 2D boron sheets charge up against applied potential. JDFT predicts that these 2D boron sheets exhibit specific capacitance on the order of 400 F/g, about four times that of graphene. As a result, our workmore » suggests that 2D boron sheets are promising electrodes for supercapacitor applications.« less

Boron supercapacitors

DOE PAGES

Zhan, Cheng; Zhang, Pengfei; Dai, Sheng; ...

2016-11-16

Supercapacitors based on the electric double-layer mechanism use porous carbons or graphene as electrodes. To move beyond this paradigm, we propose boron supercapacitors to leverage two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets’ metallicity and low weight. Six 2D boron sheets from both previous theoretical design and experimental growth are chosen as test electrodes. By applying joint density functional theory (JDFT) to the electrode–electrolyte system, we examine how the 2D boron sheets charge up against applied potential. JDFT predicts that these 2D boron sheets exhibit specific capacitance on the order of 400 F/g, about four times that of graphene. As a result, our workmore » suggests that 2D boron sheets are promising electrodes for supercapacitor applications.« less

Purification of boron nitride nanotubes via polymer wrapping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choi, Jin-Hyuk; Kim, Jaewoo; WCI Quantum Beam based Radiation Research Center, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 1045 Daedukdaero, Daejeon 305-353

2013-03-15

Highlights: ► Surface modification of boron nitride nanotubes using polymeric materials. ► Surface-modified BNNT was purified with a simple dilution-centrifugation step. ► Surface-modified BNNT can be directly used for polymer composite fabrication ► Degree of purification was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. - Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) synthesized by a ball milling-annealing were surface-modified using three different types of polymeric materials. Those materials were chosen depending on future applications especially in polymer nanocomposite fabrications. We found that the surface-modified BNNT can be purified with a simple dilution-centrifugation step, which would be suitable for large-scale purification. Degree of purification was monitoredmore » by means of the center peak position and FWHM of E{sub 2g} mode of BNNT in Raman spectra. As the purification of BNNT develops, the peak position was up-shifted while FWHM of the peak was narrowed.« less

40 CFR 86.1333-2010 - Transient test cycle generation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 19 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Transient test cycle generation. 86... (CONTINUED) Emission Regulations for New Otto-Cycle and Diesel Heavy-Duty Engines; Gaseous and Particulate Exhaust Test Procedures § 86.1333-2010 Transient test cycle generation. (a) Generating transient test...

Bond-center hydrogen in dilute Si1-xGex alloys: Laplace deep-level transient spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonde Nielsen, K.; Dobaczewski, L.; Peaker, A. R.; Abrosimov, N. V.

2003-07-01

We apply Laplace deep-level transient spectroscopy in situ after low-temperature proton implantation into dilute Si1-xGex alloys and identify the deep donor state of hydrogen occupying a strained Si-Si bond-center site next to Ge. The activation energy of the electron emission from the donor is ˜158 meV when extrapolated to zero electrical field. We construct a configuration diagram of the Ge-strained site from formation and annealing data and deduce that alloying with ˜1% Ge does not significantly influence the low-temperature migration of hydrogen as compared to elemental Si. We observe two bond-center-type carbon-hydrogen centers and conclude that carbon impurities act as much stronger traps for hydrogen than the alloy Ge atoms.

Investigations on Mg-borate kinetics and mechanisms during evaporation, dilution and crystallization by Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Jiaoyu; Chen, Jing; Dong, Yaping; Li, Wu

2018-06-01

Raman spectra of boron-concentrated, diluted, and corresponding mother solutions of brine were recorded at 298.15 K. The main polyborate anions present and their interactions in brine during evaporation and dilution were proposed according to the Raman spectra. The polyborate anions B(OH)3, B3O3(OH)4-, B5O6(OH)4-, and B6O7(OH)62- were found to be the main forms in boron-concentrated brine with B3O3(OH)4- ion being the principal form. Diluting brines with water accelerated depolymerization of B5O6(OH)4- and B6O7(OH)62- anions into B(OH)3 and B3O3(OH)4- ions and generated OH- ions, causing the pH of the solutions to increase from 4.2 to almost 8.0. Mg-borates precipitated from all diluted solutions could be classified as either hexaborates or triborates. A mechanism of solid phase transformation was also proposed and discussed based on Raman spectra analysis and solid species and solution pH data.

Review of Transient Testing of Fast Reactor Fuels in the Transient REActor Test Facility (TREAT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jensen, C.; Wachs, D.; Carmack, J.

The restart of the Transient REActor Test (TREAT) facility provides a unique opportunity to engage the fast reactor fuels community to reinitiate in-pile experimental safety studies. Historically, the TREAT facility played a critical role in characterizing the behavior of both metal and oxide fast reactor fuels under off-normal conditions, irradiating hundreds of fuel pins to support fast reactor fuel development programs. The resulting test data has provided validation for a multitude of fuel performance and severe accident analysis computer codes. This paper will provide a review of the historical database of TREAT experiments including experiment design, instrumentation, test objectives, andmore » salient findings. Additionally, the paper will provide an introduction to the current and future experiment plans of the U.S. transient testing program at TREAT.« less

40 CFR 86.1333-90 - Transient test cycle generation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 19 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Transient test cycle generation. 86...) Emission Regulations for New Otto-Cycle and Diesel Heavy-Duty Engines; Gaseous and Particulate Exhaust Test Procedures § 86.1333-90 Transient test cycle generation. (a) The heavy-duty transient engine cycles for Otto...

Characterization of a multilayer aquifer using open well dilution tests.

PubMed

West, L Jared; Odling, Noelle E

2007-01-01

An approach to characterization of multilayer aquifer systems using open well borehole dilution is described. The approach involves measuring observation well flow velocities while a nearby extraction well is pumped by introducing a saline tracer into observation wells and collecting dilution vs. depth profiles. Inspection of tracer profile evolution allows discrete permeable layers within the aquifer to be identified. Dilution profiles for well sections between permeable layers are then converted into vertical borehole flow velocities and their evolution, using an analytic solution to the advection-dispersion equation applied to borehole flow. The dilution approach is potentially able to measure much smaller flow velocities that would be detectable using flowmeters. Vertical flow velocity data from the observation wells are then matched to those generated using a hydraulic model of the aquifer system, "shorted" by the observation wells, to yield the hydraulic properties of the constituent layers. Observation well flow monitoring of pumping tests represents a cost-effective alternative or preliminary approach to pump testing each layer of a multilayer aquifer system separately using straddle packers or screened wells and requires no prior knowledge of permeable layer depths and thicknesses. The modification described here, of using tracer dilution rather than flowmeter logging to obtain well flow velocities, allows the approach to be extended to greater well separations, thus characterizing a larger volume of the aquifer. An example of the application of this approach to a multilayer Chalk Aquifer in Yorkshire, Northeast England, is presented.

Linking manipulative experiments to field data to test the dilution effect.

PubMed

Venesky, Matthew D; Liu, Xuan; Sauer, Erin L; Rohr, Jason R

2014-05-01

The dilution effect, the hypothesis that biodiversity reduces disease risk, has received support in many systems. However, few dilution effect studies have linked mechanistic experiments to field patterns to establish both causality and ecological relevance. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments and tested the dilution effect hypothesis in an amphibian-Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) system and tested for consistency between our laboratory experiments and field patterns of amphibian species richness, host identity and Bd prevalence. In our laboratory experiments, we show that tadpoles can filter feed Bd zoospores and that the degree of suspension feeding was positively associated with their dilution potential. The obligate suspension feeder, Gastrophryne carolinensis, generally diluted the risk of chytridiomycosis for tadpoles of Bufo terrestris and Hyla cinerea, whereas tadpoles of B. terrestris (an obligate benthos feeder) generally amplified infections for the other species. In addition, G. carolinensis reduced Bd abundance on H. cinerea more so in the presence than absence of B. terrestris and B. terrestris amplified Bd abundance on H. cinerea more so in the absence than presence of G. carolinensis. Also, when ignoring species identity, species richness was a significant negative predictor of Bd abundance. In our analysis of field data, the presence of Bufo spp. and Gastrophryne spp. were significant positive and negative predictors of Bd prevalence, respectively, even after controlling for climate, vegetation, anthropogenic factors (human footprint), species richness and sampling effort. These patterns of dilution and amplification supported our laboratory findings, demonstrating that the results are likely ecologically relevant. The results from our laboratory and field data support the dilution effect hypothesis and also suggest that dilution and amplification are predictable based on host traits. Our study is among the first to link

Stability Test for Transient-Temperature Calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, W.

1984-01-01

Graphical test helps assure numerical stability of calculations of transient temperature or diffusion in composite medium. Rectangular grid forms basis of two-dimensional finite-difference model for heat conduction or other diffusion like phenomena. Model enables calculation of transient heat transfer among up to four different materials that meet at grid point.

Enumeration procedure for monitoring test microbe populations on inoculated carriers in AOAC use-dilution methods.

PubMed

Tomasino, Stephen F; Fiumara, Rebecca M; Cottrill, Michele P

2006-01-01

The AOAC Use-Dilution methods do not provide procedures to enumerate the test microbe on stainless steel carriers (penicylinders) or guidance on the expected target populations of the test microbe (i.e., a performance standard). This report describes the procedures used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enumerate the test microbe (carrier counts) associated with conducting the Use-Dilution method with Staphylococcus aureus (Method 955.15) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Method 964.02) and the examination of historical data. The carrier count procedure involves the random selection of carriers, shearing bacterial cells from the carrier surface through sonication, and plating of serially diluted inoculum on trypticase soy agar. For each Use-Dilution test conducted, the official AOAC method was strictly followed for carrier preparation, culture initiation, test culture preparation, and carrier inoculation steps. Carrier count data from 78 Use-Dilution tests conducted over a 6-year period were compiled and analyzed. A mean carrier count of 6.6 logs (approximately 4.0 x 10(6) colony-forming units/carrier) was calculated for both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Of the mean values, 95% fell within +/- 2 repeatability standard deviations. The enumeration procedure and target carrier counts are desirable for standardizing the Use-Dilution methods, increasing their reproducibility, and ensuring the quality of the data.

Iterative reactions of transient boronic acids enable sequential C-C bond formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battilocchio, Claudio; Feist, Florian; Hafner, Andreas; Simon, Meike; Tran, Duc N.; Allwood, Daniel M.; Blakemore, David C.; Ley, Steven V.

2016-04-01

The ability to form multiple carbon-carbon bonds in a controlled sequence and thus rapidly build molecular complexity in an iterative fashion is an important goal in modern chemical synthesis. In recent times, transition-metal-catalysed coupling reactions have dominated in the development of C-C bond forming processes. A desire to reduce the reliance on precious metals and a need to obtain products with very low levels of metal impurities has brought a renewed focus on metal-free coupling processes. Here, we report the in situ preparation of reactive allylic and benzylic boronic acids, obtained by reacting flow-generated diazo compounds with boronic acids, and their application in controlled iterative C-C bond forming reactions is described. Thus far we have shown the formation of up to three C-C bonds in a sequence including the final trapping of a reactive boronic acid species with an aldehyde to generate a range of new chemical structures.

Nanostructured Boron Nitride With High Water Dispersibility For Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

PubMed Central

Singh, Bikramjeet; Kaur, Gurpreet; Singh, Paviter; Singh, Kulwinder; Kumar, Baban; Vij, Ankush; Kumar, Manjeet; Bala, Rajni; Meena, Ramovatar; Singh, Ajay; Thakur, Anup; Kumar, Akshay

2016-01-01

Highly water dispersible boron based compounds are innovative and advanced materials which can be used in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for cancer treatment (BNCT). Present study deals with the synthesis of highly water dispersible nanostructured Boron Nitride (BN). Unique and relatively low temperature synthesis route is the soul of present study. The morphological examinations (Scanning/transmission electron microscopy) of synthesized nanostructures showed that they are in transient phase from two dimensional hexagonal sheets to nanotubes. It is also supported by dual energy band gap of these materials calculated from UV- visible spectrum of the material. The theoretically calculated band gap also supports the same (calculated by virtual nano lab Software). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the synthesized material has deformed structure which is further supported by Raman spectroscopy. The structural aspect of high water disperse ability of BN is also studied. The ultra-high disperse ability which is a result of structural deformation make these nanostructures very useful in BNCT. Cytotoxicity studies on various cell lines (Hela(cervical cancer), human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)) show that the synthesized nanostructures can be used for BNCT. PMID:27759052

Nanostructured Boron Nitride With High Water Dispersibility For Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Bikramjeet; Kaur, Gurpreet; Singh, Paviter; Singh, Kulwinder; Kumar, Baban; Vij, Ankush; Kumar, Manjeet; Bala, Rajni; Meena, Ramovatar; Singh, Ajay; Thakur, Anup; Kumar, Akshay

2016-10-01

Highly water dispersible boron based compounds are innovative and advanced materials which can be used in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for cancer treatment (BNCT). Present study deals with the synthesis of highly water dispersible nanostructured Boron Nitride (BN). Unique and relatively low temperature synthesis route is the soul of present study. The morphological examinations (Scanning/transmission electron microscopy) of synthesized nanostructures showed that they are in transient phase from two dimensional hexagonal sheets to nanotubes. It is also supported by dual energy band gap of these materials calculated from UV- visible spectrum of the material. The theoretically calculated band gap also supports the same (calculated by virtual nano lab Software). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the synthesized material has deformed structure which is further supported by Raman spectroscopy. The structural aspect of high water disperse ability of BN is also studied. The ultra-high disperse ability which is a result of structural deformation make these nanostructures very useful in BNCT. Cytotoxicity studies on various cell lines (Hela(cervical cancer), human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)) show that the synthesized nanostructures can be used for BNCT.

Alginic Acid-Aided Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Boron Nitride Nanomaterials for Microbial Toxicity Testing

PubMed Central

Chang, Chong Hyun

2018-01-01

Robust evaluation of potential environmental and health risks of carbonaceous and boron nitride nanomaterials (NMs) is imperative. However, significant agglomeration of pristine carbonaceous and boron nitride NMs due to strong van der Waals forces renders them not suitable for direct toxicity testing in aqueous media. Here, the natural polysaccharide alginic acid (AA) was used as a nontoxic, environmentally relevant dispersant with defined composition to disperse seven types of carbonaceous and boron nitride NMs, including multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphene, boron nitride nanotubes, and hexagonal boron nitride flakes, with various physicochemical characteristics. AA’s biocompatibility was confirmed by examining AA effects on viability and growth of two model microorganisms (the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila and the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Using 400 mg·L−1 AA, comparably stable NM (200 mg·L−1) stock dispersions were obtained by 30-min probe ultrasonication. AA non-covalently interacted with NM surfaces and improved the dispersibility of NMs in water. The dispersion stability varied with NM morphology and size rather than chemistry. The optimized dispersion protocol established here can facilitate preparing homogeneous NM dispersions for reliable exposures during microbial toxicity testing, contributing to improved reproducibility of toxicity results. PMID:29385723

Alginic Acid-Aided Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Boron Nitride Nanomaterials for Microbial Toxicity Testing.

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Mortimer, Monika; Chang, Chong Hyun; Holden, Patricia A

2018-01-30

Robust evaluation of potential environmental and health risks of carbonaceous and boron nitride nanomaterials (NMs) is imperative. However, significant agglomeration of pristine carbonaceous and boron nitride NMs due to strong van der Waals forces renders them not suitable for direct toxicity testing in aqueous media. Here, the natural polysaccharide alginic acid (AA) was used as a nontoxic, environmentally relevant dispersant with defined composition to disperse seven types of carbonaceous and boron nitride NMs, including multiwall carbon nanotubes, graphene, boron nitride nanotubes, and hexagonal boron nitride flakes, with various physicochemical characteristics. AA's biocompatibility was confirmed by examining AA effects on viability and growth of two model microorganisms (the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila and the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa ). Using 400 mg·L -1 AA, comparably stable NM (200 mg·L -1 ) stock dispersions were obtained by 30-min probe ultrasonication. AA non-covalently interacted with NM surfaces and improved the dispersibility of NMs in water. The dispersion stability varied with NM morphology and size rather than chemistry. The optimized dispersion protocol established here can facilitate preparing homogeneous NM dispersions for reliable exposures during microbial toxicity testing, contributing to improved reproducibility of toxicity results.

Direct current sputtering of boron from boron/boron mixtures

DOEpatents

Timberlake, J.R.; Manos, D.; Nartowitz, E.

1994-12-13

A method for coating a substrate with boron by sputtering includes lowering the electrical resistance of a boron-containing rod to allow electrical conduction in the rod; placing the boron-containing rod inside a vacuum chamber containing substrate material to be coated; applying an electrical potential between the boron target material and the vacuum chamber; countering a current avalanche that commences when the conduction heating rate exceeds the cooling rate, and until a steady equilibrium heating current is reached; and, coating the substrate material with boron by sputtering from the boron-containing rod. 2 figures.

In Situ Local Fracture Flow Measurement by the Double Packer Dilution Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Englert, A.; Le Borgne, T.; Bour, O.; Klepikova, M.; Lavenant, N.

2011-12-01

For prediction of flow and transport in fractured media, prior estimation of the fracture network is essential, but challenging. Recent developments in hydraulic tomography have shown promising results for understanding connectivities between boreholes. However, as the hydraulic tomographic survey is typically based on the propagation of head only, it becomes a strongly non unique problem. To reduce the non uniqueness of tomographic surveys point conditioning has been found beneficial. Just as well, measurement of local flow in a fracture can serve as point conditioning for hydraulic and tracer tomographic surveys. Nevertheless, only few measurements of local fracture flow have been performed since this type of measurements implies several important technical issues. Dilution test in a packed off interval is a possible method for measuring fracture flow (e.g. Drost et al. 1968, Novakowski et al., 2005). However, a key issue for estimating flow with dilution tests is to ensure a full mixing of the tracer in the packed interval. This is typically done by including a mixing system within the packer. The design of such system can be challenging for deep wells and small diameters. Here, we propose a method where mixing is ensured by a recirculation loop including a surface tank. This method is adapted from the design proposed by Brouyere et al. (2008), who measured dilution in open wells. Dilution is quantified by measuring the concentration in the surface barrel as function of time. Together with the measurement of the circulating flow and the water filled volume in the surface barrel, the measured tracer dilution allows for calculation of the fracture flow. Since the method can be applied using a classical double packer system, it may provide a broader application of local flow measurements in heterogeneous media. We tested the approach on the Ploemeur fractured crystalline rock site. A one meter interval at depth 80 m with a single flowing fracture was isolated with

Boron carbide coating deposition on tungsten and testing of tungsten layers and coating under intense plasma load

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Airapetov, A. A.; Begrambekov, L. B., E-mail: lbb@plasma.mephi.ru; Buzhinskiy, O. I.

2015-12-15

A device intended for boron carbide coating deposition and material testing under high heat loads is presented. A boron carbide coating 5 μm thick was deposited on the tungsten substrate. These samples were subjected to thermocycling loads in the temperature range of 400–1500°C. Tungsten layers deposited on tungsten substrates were tested in similar conditions. Results of the surface analysis are presented.

Evaluation of genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of boron by the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) on Drosophila.

PubMed

Sarıkaya, Rabia; Erciyas, Kamile; Kara, Muhammed Isa; Sezer, Ufuk; Erciyas, Ali Fuat; Ay, Sinan

2016-10-01

In this study, different concentrations of boron have been evaluated for genotoxic and antigenotoxic properties by using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) on Drosophila melanogaster. The treatment concentrations were chosen to a pretest. Third-instar larvae trans-heterozygous for two genetic markers, multiple wing hair (mwh) and flare (flr3), were treated at different concentrations (0.1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL) of boron. In addition to investigating antigenotoxic effects, the same boron concentrations were co-administered with 0.1 mM Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS). Distilled water was used as a negative control; 0.1 mM of EMS was used as a positive control. For the chronic feeding study, small plastic vials were prepared with 1.5 g of dry Drosophila Instant Medium and 5 mL of the respective test solution. Hundreds of trans-heterozygous larvae were embedded into this medium. Feeding ended with pupation of the surviving larvae. After metamorphosis, all surviving flies were collected and stored in a 70% ethanol solution. Preparation and microscopic analyses of wing were made after the treatment. Then the observed mutations were classified according to size and type of mutation per wing. Results indicated that there is no significant genotoxic effect with all of the boron concentrations. In addition, the antigenotoxic activities of boron against EMS were tested. Results indicated that all boron concentrations (0.1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/mL) were able to abolish the genotoxic effects induced by the EMS. It is suggested that the observed effects can be linked to the antioxidant properties of boron. Moreover, these in vivo results will contribute to the antigenotoxicity database of boron.

Thermodynamics of Boron Removal from Silicon Using CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 Slags

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakobsson, Lars Klemet; Tangstad, Merete

2018-04-01

Slag refining is one of few metallurgical methods for removal of boron from silicon. It is important to know the thermodynamic properties of boron in slags to understand the refining process. The relation of the distribution coefficient of boron to the activity of silica, partial pressure of oxygen, and capacity of slags for boron oxide was investigated. The link between these parameters explains why the distribution coefficient of boron does not change much with changing slag composition. In addition, the thermodynamic properties of dilute boron oxide in CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 slags was determined. The ratio of the activity coefficient of boron oxide and silica was found to be the most important parameter for understanding changes in the distribution coefficient of boron for different slags. Finally, the relation between the activity coefficient of boron oxide and slag structure was investigated. It was found that the structure can explain how the distribution coefficient of boron changes depending on slag composition.

Deep level transient spectroscopic analysis of p/n junction implanted with boron in n-type silicon substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wakimoto, Hiroki; Nakazawa, Haruo; Matsumoto, Takashi; Nabetani, Yoichi

2018-04-01

For P-i-N diodes implanted and activated with boron ions into a highly-resistive n-type Si substrate, it is found that there is a large difference in the leakage current between relatively low temperature furnace annealing (FA) and high temperature laser annealing (LA) for activation of the p-layer. Since electron trap levels in the n-type Si substrate is supposed to be affected, we report on Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) measurement results investigating what kinds of trap levels are formed. As a result, three kinds of electron trap levels are confirmed in the region of 1-4 μm from the p-n junction. Each DLTS peak intensity of the LA sample is smaller than that of the FA sample. In particular, with respect to the trap level which is the closest to the silicon band gap center most affecting the reverse leakage current, it was not detected in LA. It is considered that the electron trap levels are decreased due to the thermal energy of LA. On the other hand, four kinds of trap levels are confirmed in the region of 38-44 μm from the p-n junction and the DLTS peak intensities of FA and LA are almost the same, considering that the thermal energy of LA has not reached this area. The large difference between the reverse leakage current of FA and LA is considered to be affected by the deep trap level estimated to be the interstitial boron.

An application of polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresis with an emissive boronic acid functionalized squarylium dye as an on-capillary labeling agent for gram-positive bacteria.

PubMed

Saito, Shingo; Maeda, Takeshi; Nakazumi, Hiroyuki; Colyer, Christa L

2013-01-01

In this paper, the characterization and application of the "PectI" (polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresis) technique for the separation and detection of same genus, gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus globigii (Bg) and Bacillus subtilis, is demonstrated by employing a boronic acid-functionalized squarylium dye (SQ-BA) as an on-capillary labeling agent, including the quantitative performance and applicability to crude samples. The effect of borate in the separation buffer was also investigated, which revealed that borate strongly affects the separation behavior of bacteria.

The fabrication, testing and delivery of boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy nondestructive test standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pless, W. M.; Lewis, W. H.

1971-01-01

A description is given of the boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy nondestructive test standards which were fabricated, tested and delivered to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Detailed design drawings of the standards are included to show the general structures and the types and location of simulated defects built into the panels. The panels were laminates with plies laid up in the 0 deg, + or - 45 deg, and 90 deg orientations and containing either titanium substrates or interlayered titanium perforated shims. Panel thickness was incrementally stepped from 2.36 mm (0.093 in.) to 12.7 mm (0.500 in.) for the graphite/epoxy standards, and from 2.36 mm (0.093 in.) to 6.35 mm (0.25 in.) for the boron/epoxy standards except for the panels with interlayered shims which were 2.9 mm (0.113 in.) maximum thickness. The panel internal conditions included defect free regions, resin variations, density/porosity variations, cure variations, delaminations/disbonds at substrate bondlines and between layers, inclusions, and interlayered shims. Ultrasonic pulse echo C-scan and low-kilovoltage X-ray techniques were used to evaluate and verify the internal conditions of the panels.

Electroextraction of boron from boron carbide scrap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jain, Ashish; Anthonysamy, S., E-mail: sas@igcar.gov.in; Ghosh, C.

2013-10-15

Studies were carried out to extract elemental boron from boron carbide scrap. The physicochemical nature of boron obtained through this process was examined by characterizing its chemical purity, specific surface area, size distribution of particles and X-ray crystallite size. The microstructural characteristics of the extracted boron powder were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopic examination of boron powder was also carried out to determine its crystalline form. Oxygen and carbon were found to be the major impurities in boron. Boron powder of purity ∼ 92 wt. % could be produced by the electroextraction processmore » developed in this study. Optimized method could be used for the recovery of enriched boron ({sup 10}B > 20 at. %) from boron carbide scrap generated during the production of boron carbide. - Highlights: • Recovery of {sup 10}B from nuclear grade boron carbide scrap • Development of process flow sheet • Physicochemical characterization of electroextracted boron • Microscopic examination of electroextracted boron.« less

Intelligent transient transitions detection of LRE test bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Fengyu; Shen, Zhengguang; Wang, Qi

2013-01-01

Health Monitoring Systems is an implementation of monitoring strategies for complex systems whereby avoiding catastrophic failure, extending life and leading to improved asset management. A Health Monitoring Systems generally encompasses intelligence at many levels and sub-systems including sensors, actuators, devices, etc. In this paper, a smart sensor is studied, which is use to detect transient transitions of liquid-propellant rocket engines test bed. In consideration of dramatic changes of variable condition, wavelet decomposition is used to work real time in areas. Contrast to traditional Fourier transform method, the major advantage of adding wavelet analysis is the ability to detect transient transitions as well as obtaining the frequency content using a much smaller data set. Historically, transient transitions were only detected by offline analysis of the data. The methods proposed in this paper provide an opportunity to detect transient transitions automatically as well as many additional data anomalies, and provide improved data-correction and sensor health diagnostic abilities. The developed algorithms have been tested on actual rocket test data.

Single polymer dynamics in semi-dilute unentangled and entangled solutions: from molecular conformation to normal stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroeder, Charles

Semi-dilute polymer solutions are encountered in a wide array of applications such as advanced 3D printing technologies. Semi-dilute solutions are characterized by large fluctuations in concentration, such that hydrodynamic interactions, excluded volume interactions, and transient chain entanglements may be important, which greatly complicates analytical modeling and theoretical treatment. Despite recent progress, we still lack a complete molecular-level understanding of polymer dynamics in these systems. In this talk, I will discuss three recent projects in my group to study semi-dilute solutions that focus on single molecule studies of linear and ring polymers and a new method to measure normal stresses in microfluidic devices based on the Stokes trap. In the first effort, we use single polymer techniques to investigate the dynamics of semi-dilute unentangled and semi-dilute entangled DNA solutions in extensional flow, including polymer relaxation from high stretch, transient stretching dynamics in step-strain experiments, and steady-state stretching in flow. In the semi-dilute unentangled regime, our results show a power-law scaling of the longest polymer relaxation time that is consistent with scaling arguments based on the double cross-over regime. Upon increasing concentration, we observe a transition region in dynamics to the entangled regime. We also studied the transient and steady-state stretching dynamics in extensional flow using the Stokes trap, and our results show a decrease in transient polymer stretch and a milder coil-to-stretch transition for semi-dilute polymer solutions compared to dilute solutions, which is interpreted in the context of a critical Weissenberg number Wi at the coil-to-stretch transition. Interestingly, we observe a unique set of polymer conformations in semi-dilute unentangled solutions that are highly suggestive of transient topological entanglements in solutions that are nominally unentangled at equilibrium. Taken together

Removal of boron (B) from waste liquors.

PubMed

Jiang, J Q; Xu, Y; Simon, J; Quill, K; Shettle, K

2006-01-01

This paper explores the use of electrocoagulation to remove boron from waste effluent in comparison with alum coagulation. In treating model test wastes, greater boron removals were achieved with electrocoagulation at low doses than conventional alum coagulation when reaction was undertaken for the same conditions (pH 8.5, and initial boron concentration was 500 mg/L). Al electrocoagulation can achieve good boron removal performance (68.3%) at a dose of 2.1 (as molar ratio of Al:B, and for current density of 62.1 A/m2), while alum coagulation can only achieve the maximum boron removal of 56% at a dose of 2.4. Also, Al electrocoagulation can remove 15-20% more boron than alum coagulation for the same dose compared in the treatment of both model test wastes and industry effluent. The estimation of running costs shows that to achieve 75% boron removal from industry waste effluent, i.e. removing 150 g of boron from 1 m3 of effluent, electrocoagulation was 6.2 times cheaper than alum coagulation. The economic advantage of electrocoagulation in the treatment of boron-containing waste effluent is thus significant.

Structure and reactivity of boron-ate complexes derived from primary and secondary boronic esters.

PubMed

Feeney, Kathryn; Berionni, Guillaume; Mayr, Herbert; Aggarwal, Varinder K

2015-06-05

Boron-ate complexes derived from primary and secondary boronic esters and aryllithiums have been isolated, and the kinetics of their reactions with carbenium ions studied. The second-order rate constants have been used to derive nucleophilicity parameters for the boron-ate complexes, revealing that nucleophilicity increased with (i) electron-donating aromatics on boron, (ii) neopentyl glycol over pinacol boronic esters, and (iii) 12-crown-4 ether.

Application of boron/epoxy reinforced aluminum stringers and boron/epoxy skid gear for the CH54B helicopter tail cone. Phase 2: Fabrication, inspection and flight test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welge, R. T.

1972-01-01

A CH-54B Skycrane helicopter was fabricated with boron/epoxy reinforced stringers in the tail cone and boron/epoxy tubes in the tail skid. The fabrication of the tail cone was made with conventional tooling, production shop personnel, and no major problems. The flight test program includes a stress and vibration survey using strain gages and vibration transducers located in critical areas. The program to inspect and monitor the reliability of the components is discussed.

Characteristic Study of Boron Doped Carbon Nanowalls Films Deposited by Microwave Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition.

PubMed

Lu, Chunyuan; Dong, Qi; Tulugan, Kelimu; Park, Yeong Min; More, Mahendra A; Kim, Jaeho; Kim, Tae Gyu

2016-02-01

In this research, catalyst-free vertically aligned boron doped carbon nanowalls films were fabricated on silicon (100) substrates by MPECVD using feeding gases CH4, H2 and B2H6 (diluted with H2 to 5% vol) as precursors. The substrates were pre-seeded with nanodiamond colloid. The fabricated CNWs films were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy. The data obtained from SEM confirms that the CNWs films have different density and wall thickness. From Raman spectrum, a G peak around 1588 cm(-1) and a D band peak at 1362 cm(-1) were observed, which indicates a successful fabrication of CNWs films. The EDX spectrum of boron doped CNWs film shows the existence of boron and carbon. Furthermore, field emission properties of boron doped carbon nanowalls films were measured and field enhancement factor was calculated using Fowler-Nordheim plot. The result indicates that boron doped CNWs films could be potential electron emitting materials.

Comparison of intradermal dilutional testing, skin prick testing, and modified quantitative testing for common allergens.

PubMed

Peltier, Jacques; Ryan, Matthew W

2007-08-01

To compare and correlate wheal size using the Multi-Test II applicator with the endpoint obtained by intradermal dilutional testing (IDT) for 5 common allergens. To examine the safety of modified quantitative testing (MQT) for determining immunotherapy starting doses. Prospective comparative clinical study. A total of 134 subjects were simultaneously skin tested for immediate hypersensitivity using the Multi-Test II device and IDT. There was a 77% concordance between results from IDT and results from MQT. When there was a difference, MQT predicted a safer endpoint for starting immunotherapy in all but 2 cases. Wheal size by SPT is predictive of endpoint by IDT. MQT is nearly as effective as formal IDT in determining endpoint. Modified quantitative testing appears to be a safe alternative to IDT for determining starting doses for immunotherapy.

Flexible neutron shielding composite material of EPDM rubber with boron trioxide: Mechanical, thermal investigations and neutron shielding tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özdemir, T.; Güngör, A.; Reyhancan, İ. A.

2017-02-01

In this study, EPDM and boron trioxide composite was produced and mechanical, thermal and neutron shielding tests were performed. EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) having a considerably high hydrogen content is an effective neutron shielding material. On the other hand, the materials containing boron components have effective thermal neutron absorption crossection. The composite of EPDM and boron trioxide would be an effective solution for both respects of flexibility and effectiveness for developing a neutron shielding material. Flexible nature of EPDM would be a great asset for the shielding purpose in case of intervention action to a radiation accident. The theoretical calculations and experimental neutron absorption tests have shown that the results were in parallel and an effective neutron shielding has been achieved with the use of the developed composite material.

A new soil test for quantitative measurement of available and adsorbed boron

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Boron soil tests currently in use, do not extract all plant available B but are used by relating the extractable amount of B to plant B content. There is a need to accurately measure all plant available or adsorbed B because B can be toxic to plants at elevated concentrations and can cause marked y...

Producing carbon stripper foils containing boron

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stoner, J. O. Jr.

2012-12-19

Parameters being actively tested by the accelerator community for the purpose of extending carbon stripper foil lifetimes in fast ion beams include methods of deposition, parting agents, mounting techniques, support (fork) materials, and inclusion of alloying elements, particularly boron. Specialized production apparatus is required for either sequential deposition or co-deposition of boron in carbon foils. A dual-use vacuum evaporator for arc evaporation of carbon and electron-beam evaporation of boron and other materials has been built for such development. Production of both carbon and boron foils has begun and improvements are in progress.

Experimental validation and testing of a NaI boron-lined neutron detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metwally, Walid A.; Emam, Amira G.

2018-05-01

Effective neutron detection systems are critical in various nuclear fields. Most of the current detection systems rely on He-3 detectors due to their high neutron cross section. However, the limited sizes and worldwide scarcity of He-3 lead to major research efforts to find alternative neutron detectors. One of the proposed cost-effective alternatives is using boron-lined NaI detectors to detect the gamma ray resulting from the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction. The proposed detector assembly has been experimentally tested and its results were compared with those from a He-3 detector. In addition to detecting the gamma rays from the source and surrounding medium, the boron-lined NaI detector showed a good sensitivity to changes in neutron flux distributions and a higher efficiency when compared to the He-3 detector used.

The relationship of blood- and urine-boron to boron exposure in borax-workers and usefulness of urine-boron as an exposure marker.

PubMed Central

Culver, B D; Shen, P T; Taylor, T H; Lee-Feldstein, A; Anton-Culver, H; Strong, P L

1994-01-01

Daily dietary-boron intake and on-the-job inspired boron were compared with blood- and urine-boron concentrations in workers engaged in packaging and shipping borax. Fourteen workers handling borax at jobs of low, medium, and high dust exposures were sampled throughout full shifts for 5 consecutive days each. Airborne borax concentrations ranged from means of 3.3 mg/m3 to 18 mg/m3, measured gravimetrically. End-of-shift mean blood-boron concentrations ranged from 0.11 to 0.26 microgram/g; end-of-shift mean urine concentrations ranged from 3.16 to 10.72 micrograms/mg creatinine. Creatinine measures were used to adjust for differences in urine-specific gravity such that 1 ml of urine contains approximately 1 mg creatinine. There was no progressive increase in end-of-shift blood- or urine-boron concentrations across the days of the week. Urine testing done at the end of the work shift gave a somewhat better estimate of borate exposure than did blood testing, was sampled more easily, and was analytically less difficult to perform. Personal air samplers of two types were used: one, the 37-mm closed-face, two-piece cassette to estimate total dust and the other, the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler to estimate inspirable particulate mass. Under the conditions of this study, the IOM air sampler more nearly estimated human exposure as measured by blood- and urine-boron levels than did the sampler that measured total dust.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:7889874

Ferrocene-Boronic Acid-Fructose Binding Based on Dual-Plate Generator-Collector Voltammetry and Square-Wave Voltammetry.

PubMed

Li, Meng; Xu, Su-Ying; Gross, Andrew J; Hammond, Jules L; Estrela, Pedro; Weber, James; Lacina, Karel; James, Tony D; Marken, Frank

2015-06-10

The interaction of ferrocene-boronic acid with fructose is investigated in aqueous 0.1 m phosphate buffer at pH 7, 8 and 9. Two voltammetric methods, based on 1) a dual-plate generator-collector micro-trench electrode (steady state) and 2) a square-wave voltammetry (transient) method, are applied and compared in terms of mechanistic resolution. A combination of experimental data is employed to obtain new insights into the binding rates and the cumulative binding constants for both the reduced ferrocene-boronic acid (pH dependent and weakly binding) and for the oxidised ferrocene-boronic acid (pH independent and strongly binding).

Mechanisms implicated in the effects of boron on wound healing.

PubMed

Nzietchueng, Rosine Mayap; Dousset, Brigitte; Franck, Patricia; Benderdour, Mohamed; Nabet, Pierre; Hess, Ketsia

2002-01-01

Recently, we demonstrated that boron modulates the turnover of the extracellular matrix and increases TNFalpha release. In the present study, we used an in vitro test to investigate the direct effect of boron on specific enzymes (elastase, trypsin-like enzymes, collagenase and alkaline phosphatase) implicated in extracellular matrix turnover. Boron decreased the elastase and alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effect on trypsin and collagenase activities. The effect of boron on the enzyme activities was also tested in fibroblasts considered as an in vivo test. In contrast to the results obtained in vitro, boron enhanced the trypsin-like, collagenase, and cathepsin D activities in fibroblasts. Boron did not modify the generation of free radicals compared to the control and did not seem to act on the intracellular alkaline phosphatase activity, However, as it did enhance phosphorylation, it can be hypothesized that boron may affect living cells via a mediator, which could be TNFalpha whose transduction signal involves a cascade of phosphorylations.

Pressure-dependent boron isotopic fractionation observed by column chromatography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musashi, M.; Oi, T.; Matsuo, M.; Nomura, M.

2007-12-01

Boron isotopic fractionation factor ( S ) between boron taken up in strongly basic anion exchange resin and boron in aqueous solution was determined by breakthrough column chromatography at 5 and 17 MPa at 25°C, using 0.1 mmol/L boric acid solution as feed solution. The S values obtained were 1.018 and 1.012, respectively, which were smaller than the value reported by using the same chromatographic method at atmospheric pressure at 25°C with the boron concentration of 10 mmol/L, but were larger than the values at the same condition with much higher concentration of 100 and 501 mmol/L, indicating that borate-polymerization reducing the isotopic fractionation was negligible. However, calculations based on the theory of isotope distribution between two phases estimated that 21% (5MPa) and 47% (17MPa) of boron taken up in the resin phase was in the three-coordinated B(OH)3-form, instead of in the four-coordinated B(OH)4--form, at high pressures even with the very diluted solution. We discussed this discrepancy by introducing (1) hydration or (2) a partial molar volume difference between isotopic molecules. It was inferred that borate ions were partially dehydrated upon transfer from the solution phase to the resin phase at high pressures, which resulted in smaller S values compared with those at the atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, it was likely that the S value decreased with increasing pressure, because the difference of the partial isotopic molar volumes between 10B(OH)3 and 11B(OH)3 was larger than that between 10B(OH)4- and 11B(OH)4-. If either will be the case, the influence of a pressure upon the isotope effect may not be negligible for boron isotopic exchange equilibrium. This knowledge is crucial for the principle of the boron isotopic pH-metry reconstructing a chemical variation at the paleo-deep oceanic environment where the early life may have been evolved.

40 CFR 1065.240 - Dilution air and diluted exhaust flow meters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Measurement Instruments Flow-Related Measurements... interval. You may use the difference between a diluted exhaust flow meter and a dilution air meter to... compression-ignition engines, two-stroke spark-ignition engines, or four-stroke spark-ignition engines at or...

Thermal conductivity of ultra-thin chemical vapor deposited hexagonal boron nitride films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, M. T.; Bresnehan, M. S.; Robinson, J. A.; Haque, M. A.

2014-01-01

Thermal conductivity of freestanding 10 nm and 20 nm thick chemical vapor deposited hexagonal boron nitride films was measured using both steady state and transient techniques. The measured value for both thicknesses, about 100 ± 10 W m-1 K-1, is lower than the bulk basal plane value (390 W m-1 K-1) due to the imperfections in the specimen microstructure. Impressively, this value is still 100 times higher than conventional dielectrics. Considering scalability and ease of integration, hexagonal boron nitride grown over large area is an excellent candidate for thermal management in two dimensional materials-based nanoelectronics.

Alternatives Analysis for the Resumption of Transient Testing Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee Nelson

2013-11-01

An alternatives analysis was performed for resumption of transient testing. The analysis considered eleven alternatives – including both US international facilities. A screening process was used to identify two viable alternatives from the original eleven. In addition, the alternatives analysis includes a no action alternative as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The alternatives considered in this analysis included: 1. Restart the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) 2. Modify the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) which includes construction of a new hot cell and installation of a new hodoscope. 3. No Action

40 CFR 1065.240 - Dilution air and diluted exhaust flow meters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Measurement Instruments Flow-Related Measurements... interval. You may use the difference between a diluted exhaust flow meter and a dilution air meter to... compression-ignition engines, 2-stroke spark-ignition engines, and 4-stroke spark-ignition engines below 19 kW...

40 CFR 1065.240 - Dilution air and diluted exhaust flow meters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Measurement Instruments Flow-Related Measurements... interval. You may use the difference between a diluted exhaust flow meter and a dilution air meter to... compression-ignition engines, 2-stroke spark-ignition engines, and 4-stroke spark-ignition engines below 19 kW...

40 CFR 1065.240 - Dilution air and diluted exhaust flow meters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Measurement Instruments Flow-Related Measurements... interval. You may use the difference between a diluted exhaust flow meter and a dilution air meter to... compression-ignition engines, 2-stroke spark-ignition engines, and 4-stroke spark-ignition engines below 19 kW...

Boron

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Boron is an essential micronutrient element required for plant growth. Boron deficiency is wide-spread in crop plants throughout the world especially in coarse-textured soils in humid areas. Boron toxicity can also occur, especially in arid regions under irrigation. Plants respond directly to the...

On-column labeling of gram-positive bacteria with a boronic acid functionalized squarylium cyanine dye for analysis by polymer-enhanced capillary transient isotachophoresis.

PubMed

Saito, Shingo; Massie, Tara L; Maeda, Takeshi; Nakazumi, Hiroyuki; Colyer, Christa L

2012-03-06

A new asymmetric, squarylium cyanine dye functionalized by boronic acid ("SQ-BA") was designed and synthesized for on-capillary labeling of gram-positive bacteria to provide for high sensitivity detection by way of a modified form of capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF). The CE-based separation employed a polymer-enhanced buffer with capillary transient isotachophoresis in a new hybrid method dubbed "PectI." It was found that the addition of various monosaccharides to SQ-BA in a batch aqueous solution greatly enhanced the emission of the boronic acid functionalized dye by a factor of up to 18.3 at a long wavelength (λ(ex) = 630 nm, λ(em) = 660 nm) with a high affinity constant (K = ~10(2.80) M(-1)) superior to other sugar probes. Semiempirical quantum mechanics calculations suggest that the mechanism for this high enhancement may involve the dissociation of initially nonemissive dye associates (stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond) upon complex formation with sugars. The fluorescence emission of SQ-BA was also significantly enhanced in the presence of a gram-positive bacterial spore, Bacillus globigii (Bg), which serves as a simulant of B. anthracis (or anthrax) and which possesses a peptidoglycan (sugar)-rich spore coat to provide ample sites for interaction with the dye. Several peaks were observed for a pure Bg sample even with polyethyleneoxide (PEO) present in the CE separation buffer, despite the polymer's previously demonstrated ability to focus microoorganisms to a single peak during migration. Likewise, several peaks were observed for a Bg sample when capillary transient isotachophoresis (ctITP) alone was employed. However, the new combination of these techniques as "PectI" dramatically and reproducibly focused the bacteria to a single peak with no staining procedure. Using PectI, the trace detection of Bg spores (corresponding to approximately three cells per injection) along with separation efficiency

Direct current sputtering of boron from boron/coron mixtures

DOEpatents

Timberlake, John R.; Manos, Dennis; Nartowitz, Ed

1994-01-01

A method for coating a substrate with boron by sputtering includes lowering the electrical resistance of a boron-containing rod to allow electrical conduction in the rod; placing the boron-containing rod inside a vacuum chamber containing substrate material to be coated; applying an electrical potential between the boron target material and the vacuum chamber; countering a current avalanche that commences when the conduction heating rate exceeds the cooling rate, and until a steady equilibrium heating current is reached; and, coating the substrate material with boron by sputtering from the boron-containing rod.

Biodiesel Impact on Engine Lubricant Dilution During Active Regeneration of Aftertreatment Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

He, X.; Williams, A.; Christensen, E.

Experiments were conducted with ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and 20% biodiesel blends (B20) to compare lube oil dilution levels and lubricant properties for systems using late in-cylinder fuel injection for aftertreatment regeneration. Lube oil dilution was measured by gas chromatography (GC) following ASTM method D3524 to measure diesel content, by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry following a modified ASTM method D7371 to measure biodiesel content, and by a newly developed back-flush GC method that simultaneously measures both diesel and biodiesel. Heavy-duty (HD) engine testing was conducted on a 2008 6.7L Cummins ISB equipped with a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)more » and diesel particle filter (DPF). Stage one of engine testing consisted of 10 consecutive repeats of a forced DPF regeneration event. This continuous operation with late in-cylinder fuel injection served as a method to accelerate lube-oil dilution. Stage two consisted of 16 hours of normal engine operation over a transient test cycle, which created an opportunity for any accumulated fuel in the oil sump to evaporate. Light duty (LD) vehicle testing was conducted on a 2010 VW Jetta equipped with DOC, DPF and a NOx storage catalyst (NSC). Vehicle testing comprised approximately 4,000 miles of operation on a mileage-accumulation dynamometer (MAD) using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Highway Fuel Economy Cycle because of the relatively low engine oil and exhaust temperatures, and high DPF regeneration frequency of this cycle relative to other cycles examined. Comparison of the lube oil dilution analysis methods suggests that D3524 does not measure dilution by biodiesel. The new back-flush GC method provided analysis for both diesel and biodiesel, in a shorter time and with lower detection limit. Thus all lube oil dilution results in this paper are based on this method. Analysis of the HD lube-oil samples showed only 1.5% to 1.6% fuel dilution for both fuels during

Boron/aluminum skins for the DC-10 aft pylon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, S. Y.

1975-01-01

Boron/aluminum pylon boat tail skins were designed and fabricated and installed on the DC-10 aircraft for a 5-year flight service demonstration test. Inspection and tests of the exposed skins will establish the ability of the boron/aluminum composite to withstand long time flight service conditions, which include exposure to high temperatures, sonic fatigue, and flutter. The results of a preliminary testing program yield room temperature and elevated temperature data on the tension, compression, in-plane shear, interlaminar shear, bolt bearing, and tension fatigue properties of the boron/aluminum laminates. Present technology was used in the fabrication of the skins. Although maximum weight saving was not sought, weight of the constant thickness boron/aluminum skin is 26% less than the chemically milled titanium skin.

Epitaxial growth of hexagonal boron nitride monolayers by a three-step boration-oxidation-nitration process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Frank; Hüfner, Stefan; Sachdev, Hermann; Gsell, Stefan; Schreck, Matthias

2010-08-01

The formation of well-ordered monolayers of hexagonal boron nitride on the surface of a Rh/YSZ/Si(111) multilayer substrate via a three-step boration-oxidation-nitration process was investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of trimethylborate B(OCH3)3 results in a selective decomposition of the precursor, leading to a dilute distribution of boron within the interstitials of the Rh lattice. After oxidation, the layer of a boron oxygen species of about 1 nm thickness can be transformed into a hexagonal monolayer of BN by annealing in NH3 atmosphere. The results of the present study clearly show that the formation of BN monolayers is also possible when boron and nitrogen are provided successively from separate sources. This procedure represents an alternative routine for the preparation of well-ordered BN monolayers, which benefits from a strong reduction of hazardous potential and economic costs compared to the use of borazine as the current standard precursor.

Transient particle emission measurement with optical techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bermúdez, Vicente; Luján, José M.; Serrano, José R.; Pla, Benjamín

2008-06-01

Particulate matter is responsible for some respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, it is one of the most important pollutants of high-speed direct injection (HSDI) passenger car engines. Current legislation requires particulate dilution tunnels for particulate matter measuring. However for development work, dilution tunnels are expensive and sometimes not useful since they are not able to quantify real-time particulate emissions during transient operation. In this study, the use of a continuous measurement opacimeter and a fast response HFID is proven to be a good alternative to obtain instantaneous particle mass emissions during transient operation (due to particulate matter consisting mainly of soot and SOF). Some methods and correlations available from literature, but developed for steady conditions, are evaluated during transient operation by comparing with mini-tunnel measurements during the entire MVEG-A transient cycle. A new correlation was also derived from this evaluation. Results for soot and SOF (obtained from the new correlation proposed) are compared with soot and SOF captured with particulate filters, which have been separated by means of an SOF extraction method. Finally, as an example of ECU design strategies using these sort of correlations, the EGR valve opening is optimized during transient operation. The optimization is performed while simultaneously taking into account instantaneous fuel consumption, particulate emissions (calculated with the proposed correlation) and other regulated engine pollutants.

Screening of Wheat Genotypes for Boron Efficiency in Bangladesh

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A number of Bangladeshi wheat genotypes (varieties and advanced lines) have been tested for boron efficiency through sand culture experiments over two years (2007-08 & 2008-09) against two Thai check varieties ‘Fang 60’ (boron efficient) and ‘SW41’ (boron inefficient). Performances of the genotypes ...

A Technique for Transient Thermal Testing of Thick Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horn, Thomas J.; Richards, W. Lance; Gong, Leslie

1997-01-01

A new open-loop heat flux control technique has been developed to conduct transient thermal testing of thick, thermally-conductive aerospace structures. This technique uses calibration of the radiant heater system power level as a function of heat flux, predicted aerodynamic heat flux, and the properties of an instrumented test article. An iterative process was used to generate open-loop heater power profiles prior to each transient thermal test. Differences between the measured and predicted surface temperatures were used to refine the heater power level command profiles through the iteration process. This iteration process has reduced the effects of environmental and test system design factors, which are normally compensated for by closed-loop temperature control, to acceptable levels. The final revised heater power profiles resulted in measured temperature time histories which deviated less than 25 F from the predicted surface temperatures.

Crystalline boron nitride aerogels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zettl, Alexander K.; Rousseas, Michael; Goldstein, Anna P.

This disclosure provides methods and materials related to boron nitride aerogels. For example, one aspect relates to a method for making an aerogel comprising boron nitride, comprising: (a) providing boron oxide and an aerogel comprising carbon; (b) heating the boron oxide to melt the boron oxide and heating the aerogel; (c) mixing a nitrogen-containing gas with boron oxide vapor from molten boron oxide; and (d) converting at least a portion of the carbon to boron nitride to obtain the aerogel comprising boron nitride. Another aspect relates to a method for making an aerogel comprising boron nitride, comprising heating boron oxidemore » and an aerogel comprising carbon under flow of a nitrogen-containing gas, wherein boron oxide vapor and the nitrogen-containing gas convert at least a portion of the carbon to boron nitride to obtain the aerogel comprising boron nitride.« less

Measurement of Turbine Engine Transient Airflow in Ground Test Facilities

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

REPORT NUMBER 12 GOVT ACCESSION NO. A E D C - T R - 8 0 - 2 1 L 6. T I T L E (aqd Subl l l |e ) MEASUREMENT OF TURBINE ENGINE TRANSIENT AIRFLOW IN...21 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure !. Direct-Connect Turbine Engine Test Cell Installation...26 3. Turbine Engine Transient Airflow Simulator (TETAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 4

In vivo and in vitro effects of boron and boronated compounds.

PubMed

Benderdour, M; Bui-Van, T; Dicko, A; Belleville, F

1998-03-01

Boron is ubiquitously present in soils and water. Associated with pectin it is essential for vascular plants as a component of cell walls, and it stabilizes cell membranes. It is required for the growth of pollen tubes and is involved in membrane transport, stimulating H(+)-pumping ATPase activity and K+ uptake. However, a high boron concentration in the soils is toxic to plants and some boronated derivatives are used as herbicides. An absolute requirement for boron has not been definitively demonstrated in animals and humans. However, experiments with boron supplementation or deprivation show that boron is involved in calcium and bone metabolism, and its effects are more marked when other nutrients (cholecalciferol, magnesium) are deficient. Boron supplementation increases the serum concentration of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone but boron excess has toxic effects on reproductive function. Boron may be involved in cerebral function via its effects on the transport across membranes. It affects the synthesis of the extracellular matrix and is beneficial in wound healing. Usual dietary boron consumption in humans is 1-2 mg/day for adults. As boron has been shown to have biological activity, research into the chemistry of boronated compounds has increased. Boronated compounds have been shown to be potent anti-osteoporotic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, anti-coagulant and anti-neoplastic agents both in vitro and in vivo in animals.

Embrittling Components in Sintered Steels: Comparison of Phosphorus and Boron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danninger, Herbert; Vassileva, Vassilka; Gierl-Mayer, Christian

2017-12-01

In ferrous powder metallurgy, both boron and phosphorus have been known to be sintering activators for a long time. However, the use has been widely different: while P is a standard additive to sintered iron and steels, boron has been frequently studied, but its use in practice is very limited. Both additives are also known to be potentially embrittling, though in a different way. In the present study the differences between the effects of both elements are shown: while P activates sintering up to a certain threshold, in part by stabilizing ferrite, in part by forming a transient liquid phase, boron is the classical additive enhancing persistent liquid phase, being virtually insoluble in the iron matrix. The consequence is that sintered steels can tolerate quite a proportion of phosphorus, depending on composition and sintering process; boron however is strongly embrittling in particular in combination with carbon, which requires establishing a precisely defined content that enhances sintering but is not yet embrittling. The fracture mode of embrittled materials is also different: while with Fe-P the classical intergranular fracture is observed, with boron a much more rugged fracture surface appears, indicating some failure through the eutectic interparticle network but mostly transgranular cleavage. If carbon is added, in both cases transgranular cleavage dominates even in the severely embrittled specimens, indicating that no more the grain boundaries and sintering necks are the weakest links in the systems.

40 CFR Appendix E to Subpart S of... - Transient Test Driving Cycle

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Transient Test Driving Cycle E Appendix... Driving Cycle (I) Driver's trace. All excursions in the transient driving cycle shall be evaluated by the... shall cause a test to be void. In addition, provisions shall be available to utilize cycle validation...

40 CFR 1048.510 - What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What transient duty cycles apply for... Procedures § 1048.510 What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing? (a) Starting with the 2007 model year, measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with the duty cycle described in...

Parenting as a Dynamic Process: A Test of the Resource Dilution Hypothesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strohschein, Lisa; Gauthier, Anne H.; Campbell, Rachel; Kleparchuk, Clayton

2008-01-01

In this paper, we tested the resource dilution hypothesis, which posits that, because parenting resources are finite, the addition of a new sibling depletes parenting resources for other children in the household. We estimated growth curve models on the self-reported parenting practices of mothers using four waves of data collected biennially…

Design, process development, manufacture, test and evaluation of boron-aluminum for space shuttle components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrett, R. A.; Niemann, J. T.; Otto, O. R.; Brown, N. M.; Heinrich, R. E.

1973-01-01

A multi phase boron-aluminum design and evaluation program for space shuttle components was conducted, culminating in the fabrication of a 1.22 m (48 inch) x 1.83 m (72 inch) boron-aluminum compression panel capable of distributing a point load of 1555 kN (350,000 lbs) into a uniform running load at a temperature of 589 K (600 F). This panel was of the skin-stringer construction with two intermediate frame supports; seven unidirectional stringers varied in thickness from 5 plies to 52 plies and the skin was contoured to thicknesses ranging from 10 plies to 62 plies. Both the stringers and the skin incorporated Ti-6Al-4V titanium interleaves to increase bearing and in-plane shear strength. The discrete program phases were materials evaluation, design studies, process technology development, fabrication and assembly, and test and evaluation.

Electronically controlled mechanical seal for aerospace applications--Part 2: Transient tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolff, Paul J.; Salant, Richard F.

1995-01-01

An electronically controlled mechanical seal for use as the purge gas seal in a liquid oxygen turbopump has been fabricated and tested under transient operating conditions. The thickness of the lubricating film is controlled by adjusting the coning of the carbon face. This is accomplished by applying a voltage to a piezoelectric actuator to which the carbon face is bonded. The seal has been operated with a closed-loop control system that utilizes either the leakage rate or seal face temperature as the feedback. Both speed and pressure transients have been imposed on the seal. The transient tests have demonstrated that the seal is capable of maintaing low leakage rates while limiting face temperatures.

Boron isotopes at the catchment scale, a new potential tool to infer critical zone processes.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaillardet, J.; Noireaux, J.; Braun, J. J.; Riotte, J.; Louvat, P.; Bouchez, J.; Lemarchand, D.; Muddu, S.; Mohan Kumar, M.; Candaudap, F.

2017-12-01

Boron is a mid-mass element that has two isotopes, 10B and 11B. These isotopes are largely fractioned by a number of chemical, biological and physical processes. Boron as a great affinity for clays and is useful for life, making it a double tracer of critical zone processes. This study focuses on the Mule Hole Critical Zone Observatory in South India. This is part of the French Research Infrastructure OZCAR and has benefited from the fruitful Indo-French collaboration (Indo-French Cell for Water Sciences) for more that 15 years. Boron and its isotopes were measured in the different compartment of the CZ in Mule Hole, vegetation, atmosphere, throughfall, soil, soil water, river water and compared to the behavior of other elements. The well constrained hydrology in Mule Hole allowed us to calculate the main fluxes affecting boron in the Critical Zone and came to the first order conclusion that the recycling of boron by vegetation is by far the most important flux within the system, reaching 15-20 times the catchment outlet flux. From an isotopic point of view, the total range of variation is measured between -3 ‰ and 77‰, with a bedrock value at 10‰ in classical delta unit, making boron a well suited tracer for constraining CZ processes. The flux of boron most enriched in heavy boron is the throughfall, showing the importance of biological processes in controlling the boron isotopic composition of the stream. Boron in soils in depleted in the heavy isotope but is enriched in boron compared to the bedrock, a surprising situation that we interpret as the legacy of a previous stage of transient weathering. These results indicate a strong decoupling between the behaviors of boron at the surface of the CZ and at depth.

Plasma boron and the effects of boron supplementation in males.

PubMed Central

Green, N R; Ferrando, A A

1994-01-01

Recently, a proliferation of athletic supplements has been marketed touting boron as an ergogenic aid capable of increasing testosterone. The effect of boron supplementation was investigated in male bodybuilders. Ten male bodybuilders (aged 20 to 26) were given a 2.5-mg boron supplement, while nine male bodybuilders (aged 21 to 27) were given a placebo for 7 weeks. Plasma total and free testosterone, plasma boron, lean body mass, and strength measurements were determined on day 1 and day 49 of the study. A microwave digestion procedure followed by inductively coupled argon plasma spectroscopy was used for boron determination. Twelve subjects had boron values at or above the detection limit with median value of 25 ng/ml (16 ng/ml lower quartile and 33 ng/ml upper quartile). Of the ten subjects receiving boron supplements, six had an increase in their plasma boron. Analysis of variance indicated no significant effect of boron supplementation on any of the other dependent variables. Both groups demonstrated significant increases in total testosterone (p < 0.01), lean body mass (p < 0.01), and one repetition maximum (RM) squat (p < 0.001) and one RM bench press (p < 0.01). The findings suggest that 7 weeks of bodybuilding can increase total testosterone, lean body mass, and strength in lesser-trained bodybuilders, but boron supplementation affects these variables not at all. PMID:7889885

Comparison of agar dilution and antibiotic gradient strip test with broth microdilution for susceptibility testing of swine Brachyspira species.

PubMed

Mirajkar, Nandita S; Gebhart, Connie J

2016-03-01

Production-limiting diseases in swine caused by Brachyspira are characterized by mucohemorrhagic diarrhea (B. hyodysenteriae and "B. hampsonii") or mild colitis (B. pilosicoli), while B. murdochii is often isolated from healthy pigs. Emergence of novel pathogenic Brachyspira species and strains with reduced susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials has reinforced the need for standardized susceptibility testing. Two methods are currently used for Brachyspira susceptibility testing: agar dilution (AD) and broth microdilution (BMD). However, these tests have primarily been used for B. hyodysenteriae and rarely for B. pilosicoli. Information on the use of commercial susceptibility testing products such as antibiotic gradient strips is lacking. Our main objective was to validate and compare the susceptibility results, measured as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of 6 antimicrobials for 4 Brachyspira species (B. hyodysenteriae, "B. hampsonii", B. pilosicoli, and B. murdochii) by BMD and AD (tiamulin, valnemulin, lincomycin, tylosin, and carbadox) or antibiotic gradient strip (doxycycline) methods. In general, the results of a high percentage of all 4 Brachyspira species differed by ±1 log2 dilution or less by BMD and AD for tiamulin, valnemulin, lincomycin, and tylosin, and by BMD and antibiotic gradient strip for doxycycline. The carbadox MICs obtained by BMD were 1-5 doubling dilutions different than those obtained by AD. BMD for Brachyspira was quicker to perform with less ambiguous interpretation of results when compared with AD and antibiotic gradient strip methods, and the results confirm the utility of BMD in routine diagnostics. © 2016 The Author(s).

Boron nitride composites

DOEpatents

Kuntz, Joshua D.; Ellsworth, German F.; Swenson, Fritz J.; Allen, Patrick G.

2017-02-21

According to one embodiment, a composite product includes: a matrix material including hexagonal boron nitride and one or more borate binders; and a plurality of cubic boron nitride particles dispersed in the matrix material. According to another embodiment, a composite product includes: a matrix material including hexagonal boron nitride and amorphous boron nitride; and a plurality of cubic boron nitride particles dispersed in the matrix material.

40 CFR 1039.510 - Which duty cycles do I use for transient testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Which duty cycles do I use for... ENGINES Test Procedures § 1039.510 Which duty cycles do I use for transient testing? (a) Measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with one of the following transient duty cycles to determine...

Methods of forming boron nitride

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trowbridge, Tammy L; Wertsching, Alan K; Pinhero, Patrick J

A method of forming a boron nitride. The method comprises contacting a metal article with a monomeric boron-nitrogen compound and converting the monomeric boron-nitrogen compound to a boron nitride. The boron nitride is formed on the same or a different metal article. The monomeric boron-nitrogen compound is borazine, cycloborazane, trimethylcycloborazane, polyborazylene, B-vinylborazine, poly(B-vinylborazine), or combinations thereof. The monomeric boron-nitrogen compound is polymerized to form the boron nitride by exposure to a temperature greater than approximately 100.degree. C. The boron nitride is amorphous boron nitride, hexagonal boron nitride, rhombohedral boron nitride, turbostratic boron nitride, wurzite boron nitride, combinations thereof, or boronmore » nitride and carbon. A method of conditioning a ballistic weapon and a metal article coated with the monomeric boron-nitrogen compound are also disclosed.« less

Boron Nitride Nanotubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, Kevin (Inventor); Smith, Michael W. (Inventor); Park, Cheol (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Boron nitride nanotubes are prepared by a process which includes: (a) creating a source of boron vapor; (b) mixing the boron vapor with nitrogen gas so that a mixture of boron vapor and nitrogen gas is present at a nucleation site, which is a surface, the nitrogen gas being provided at a pressure elevated above atmospheric, e.g., from greater than about 2 atmospheres up to about 250 atmospheres; and (c) harvesting boron nitride nanotubes, which are formed at the nucleation site.

Boron nitride nanotubes

DOEpatents

Smith, Michael W [Newport News, VA; Jordan, Kevin [Newport News, VA; Park, Cheol [Yorktown, VA

2012-06-06

Boron nitride nanotubes are prepared by a process which includes: (a) creating a source of boron vapor; (b) mixing the boron vapor with nitrogen gas so that a mixture of boron vapor and nitrogen gas is present at a nucleation site, which is a surface, the nitrogen gas being provided at a pressure elevated above atmospheric, e.g., from greater than about 2 atmospheres up to about 250 atmospheres; and (c) harvesting boron nitride nanotubes, which are formed at the nucleation site.

Design and fabrication of a boron reinforced intertank skirt

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henshaw, J.; Roy, P. A.; Pylypetz, P.

1974-01-01

Analytical and experimental studies were performed to evaluate the structural efficiency of a boron reinforced shell, where the medium of reinforcement consists of hollow aluminum extrusions infiltrated with boron epoxy. Studies were completed for the design of a one-half scale minimum weight shell using boron reinforced stringers and boron reinforced rings. Parametric and iterative studies were completed for the design of minimum weight stringers, rings, shells without rings and shells with rings. Computer studies were completed for the final evaluation of a minimum weight shell using highly buckled minimum gage skin. The detail design is described of a practical minimum weight test shell which demonstrates a weight savings of 30% as compared to an all aluminum longitudinal stiffened shell. Sub-element tests were conducted on representative segments of the compression surface at maximum stress and also on segments of the load transfer joint. A 10 foot long, 77 inch diameter shell was fabricated from the design and delivered for further testing.

Helium 3/Helium 4 dilution cryocooler for space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, John B.; Dingus, Michael L.

1991-01-01

Prototype dilution cryocoolers based on dilution refrigeration and adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR) cycles were designed, constructed, and tested. Although devices the devices did not operate as fully functional dilution cryocoolers, important information was gathered. The porous metal phase separator was demonstrated to operate in the -1-g configuration; this phase separation is the critical element in the He-3 circulation dilution cryocooler. Improvements in instrumentation needed for additional tests and development were identified.

Stability of purified tuberculin in high dilution

PubMed Central

Magnus, Knut; Guld, Johannes; Waaler, Hans; Magnusson, Mogens

1958-01-01

The authors have investigated the effect of storage on the potency of 5 TU dilutions (5 TU per 0.1 ml) of the purified tuberculin RT 19-21 (Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen). Dilutions stored at 2-4°C, 20°C and 37°C for different periods up to 18 months were compared by intradermal testing. About 900 BCG-vaccinated schoolchildren were given duplicate tests and in addition 500 tests were made in BCG-vaccinated guinea-pigs. The results showed unexpected variability. It appeared that this variability was due to unsystematic variations in potency both between dilutions prepared at different times and between ampoules of the same dilution. Because of this variability only limited conclusions could be drawn. At 2-4°C the effect of storage seemed to be very slight, the potency of the dilutions being reduced by less than 25% after 18 months. At the higher temperatures, the decrease in activity was more rapid. Nevertheless, the dilutions could be stored at room temperature (20°C) for some months without any practically significant loss of potency. PMID:13618718

Transient Testing of Nuclear Fuels and Materials in the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wachs, Daniel M.

2012-12-01

The United States has established that transient irradiation testing is needed to support advanced light water reactors fuel development. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated an effort to reestablish this capability. Restart of the Transient Testing Reactor (TREAT) facility located at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is being considered for this purpose. This effort would also include the development of specialized test vehicles to support stagnant capsule and flowing loop tests as well as the enhancement of postirradiation examination capabilities and remote device assembly capabilities at the Hot Fuel Examination Facility. It is anticipated that the capability will be available to support testing by 2018, as required to meet the DOE goals for the development of accident-tolerant LWR fuel designs.

Capabilities Development for Transient Testing of Advanced Nuclear Fuels at TREAT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woolstenhulme, N. E.; Baker, C. C.; Bess, J. D.

2016-09-01

The TREAT facility is a unique capability at the Idaho National Laboratory currently being prepared for resumption of nuclear transient testing. Accordingly, designs for several transient irradiation tests are being pursued to enable development of advanced nuclear fuels and materials. In addition to the reactor itself, the foundation for TREAT’s capabilities also include a suite of irradiation vehicles and supporting infrastructure to provide the desired specimen boundary conditions while supporting a variety of instrumentation needs. The challenge of creating these vehicles, especially since many of the modern data needs were not historically addressed in TREAT experiment vehicles, has necessitated amore » sizeable engineering effort. This effort is currently underway and maturing rapidly. This paper summarizes the status, future plans, and rationale for TREAT experiment vehicle capabilities. Much of the current progress is focused around understanding and demonstrating the behavior of fuel design with enhanced accident tolerance in water-cooled reactors. Additionally, several related efforts are underway to facilitate transient testing in liquid sodium, inert gas, and steam environments. This paper discusses why such a variety of capabilities are needed, outlines plans to accomplish them, and describes the relationship between transient data needs and the irradiation hardware that will support the gathering of this information.« less

Dilution Confusion: Conventions for Defining a Dilution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fishel, Laurence A.

2010-01-01

Two conventions for preparing dilutions are used in clinical laboratories. The first convention defines an "a:b" dilution as "a" volumes of solution A plus "b" volumes of solution B. The second convention defines an "a:b" dilution as "a" volumes of solution A diluted into a final volume of "b". Use of the incorrect dilution convention could affect…

Test study of boron nitride as a new detector material for dosimetry in high-energy photon beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poppinga, D.; Halbur, J.; Lemmer, S.; Delfs, B.; Harder, D.; Looe, H. K.; Poppe, B.

2017-09-01

The aim of this test study is to check whether boron nitride (BN) might be applied as a detector material in high-energy photon-beam dosimetry. Boron nitride exists in various crystalline forms. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) possesses high mobility of the electrons and holes as well as a high volume resistivity, so that ionizing radiation in the clinical range of the dose rate can be expected to produce a measurable electrical current at low background current. Due to the low atomic numbers of its constituents, its density (2.0 g cm-3) similar to silicon and its commercial availability, h-BN appears as possibly suitable for the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. Five h-BN plates were contacted to triaxial cables, and the detector current was measured in a solid-state ionization chamber circuit at an applied voltage of 50 V. Basic dosimetric properties such as formation by pre-irradiation, sensitivity, reproducibility, linearity and temporal resolution were measured with 6 MV photon irradiation. Depth dose curves at quadratic field sizes of 10 cm and 40 cm were measured and compared to ionization chamber measurements. After a pre-irradiation with 6 Gy, the devices show a stable current signal at a given dose rate. The current-voltage characteristic up to 400 V shows an increase in the collection efficiency with the voltage. The time-resolved detector current behavior during beam interrupts is comparable to diamond material, and the background current is negligible. The measured percentage depth dose curves at 10 cm  ×  10 cm field size agreed with the results of ionization chamber measurements within  ±2%. This is a first study of boron nitride as a detector material for high-energy photon radiation. By current measurements on solid ionization chambers made from boron nitride chips we could demonstrate that boron nitride is in principle suitable as a detector material for high-energy photon-beam dosimetry.

Test study of boron nitride as a new detector material for dosimetry in high-energy photon beams.

PubMed

Poppinga, D; Halbur, J; Lemmer, S; Delfs, B; Harder, D; Looe, H K; Poppe, B

2017-09-05

The aim of this test study is to check whether boron nitride (BN) might be applied as a detector material in high-energy photon-beam dosimetry. Boron nitride exists in various crystalline forms. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) possesses high mobility of the electrons and holes as well as a high volume resistivity, so that ionizing radiation in the clinical range of the dose rate can be expected to produce a measurable electrical current at low background current. Due to the low atomic numbers of its constituents, its density (2.0 g cm -3 ) similar to silicon and its commercial availability, h-BN appears as possibly suitable for the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. Five h-BN plates were contacted to triaxial cables, and the detector current was measured in a solid-state ionization chamber circuit at an applied voltage of 50 V. Basic dosimetric properties such as formation by pre-irradiation, sensitivity, reproducibility, linearity and temporal resolution were measured with 6 MV photon irradiation. Depth dose curves at quadratic field sizes of 10 cm and 40 cm were measured and compared to ionization chamber measurements. After a pre-irradiation with 6 Gy, the devices show a stable current signal at a given dose rate. The current-voltage characteristic up to 400 V shows an increase in the collection efficiency with the voltage. The time-resolved detector current behavior during beam interrupts is comparable to diamond material, and the background current is negligible. The measured percentage depth dose curves at 10 cm  ×  10 cm field size agreed with the results of ionization chamber measurements within  ±2%. This is a first study of boron nitride as a detector material for high-energy photon radiation. By current measurements on solid ionization chambers made from boron nitride chips we could demonstrate that boron nitride is in principle suitable as a detector material for high-energy photon-beam dosimetry.

Proper Image Subtraction—Optimal Transient Detection, Photometry, and Hypothesis Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zackay, Barak; Ofek, Eran O.; Gal-Yam, Avishay

2016-10-01

Transient detection and flux measurement via image subtraction stand at the base of time domain astronomy. Due to the varying seeing conditions, the image subtraction process is non-trivial, and existing solutions suffer from a variety of problems. Starting from basic statistical principles, we develop the optimal statistic for transient detection, flux measurement, and any image-difference hypothesis testing. We derive a closed-form statistic that: (1) is mathematically proven to be the optimal transient detection statistic in the limit of background-dominated noise, (2) is numerically stable, (3) for accurately registered, adequately sampled images, does not leave subtraction or deconvolution artifacts, (4) allows automatic transient detection to the theoretical sensitivity limit by providing credible detection significance, (5) has uncorrelated white noise, (6) is a sufficient statistic for any further statistical test on the difference image, and, in particular, allows us to distinguish particle hits and other image artifacts from real transients, (7) is symmetric to the exchange of the new and reference images, (8) is at least an order of magnitude faster to compute than some popular methods, and (9) is straightforward to implement. Furthermore, we present extensions of this method that make it resilient to registration errors, color-refraction errors, and any noise source that can be modeled. In addition, we show that the optimal way to prepare a reference image is the proper image coaddition presented in Zackay & Ofek. We demonstrate this method on simulated data and real observations from the PTF data release 2. We provide an implementation of this algorithm in MATLAB and Python.

Evaluation, construction and endurance testing of compression sealed pyrolytic boron nitride slot insulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, W. L.

1969-01-01

A high-temperature statorette, consisting of an iron-27 percent cobalt magnetic lamination stack and nickel-clad silver conductors, was tested with pyrolytic boron nitride slot insulation. Temperatures were measured in each test to determine characteristics of slot linear heat conductance from statorette conductors. Testing was carried out to temperatures of approximately 1500 F in a vacuum environment of 10-8 torr. Three assemblies were built and tested, each having a different room temperature slot clearance. The final statorette assembly was subjected to a 100-hour vacuum aging test at 1400 F followed by 25 thermal cycles. Temperature data from the three assemblies showed that decreasing slot clearance and increasing compression loading did enhance heat transfer. The temperature difference between slot and lamination at 1400 F increased 4 F during the thermal aging and an additional 10 F during the 25 thermal cycles.

THE BORON-CURCUMIN COMPLEX IN TRACE BORON DETERMINATIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heyes, M.R.; Metcalfe, J.

1963-01-01

A simple and robust method for the formation of the complex of boron with curcumin is described. The sensitivity of the method is 6.6 x 10/sup -5/ g/cm/sup 2/. Formation of the complex is believed to be quantitative under the conditions used and some evidence is given for a 1: 3 boron; curcumin ratio. Methods are outlined for the determination of boron in a number of metals, compounds, and organic materials. (auth)

Reuse of Boron Waste as an Additive in Road Base Material

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yutong; Guo, Qinglin; Li, Lili; Jiang, Ping; Jiao, Yubo; Cheng, Yongchun

2016-01-01

The amount of boron waste increases year by year. There is an urgent demand to manage it in order to reduce the environmental impact. In this paper, boron waste was reused as an additive in road base material. Lime and cement were employed to stabilize the waste mixture. Mechanical performances of stabilized mixture were evaluated by experimental methods. A compaction test, an unconfined compressive test, an indirect tensile test, a modulus test, a drying shrinkage test, and a frost resistance test were carried out. Results indicated that mechanical strengths of lime-stabilized boron waste mixture (LSB) satisfy the requirements of road base when lime content is greater than 8%. LSB can only be applied in non-frozen regions as a result of its poor frost resistance. The lime–cement-stabilized mixture can be used in frozen regions when lime and cement contents are 8% and 5%, respectively. Aggregate reduces the drying shrinkage coefficient effectively. Thus, aggregate is suggested for mixture stabilization properly. This work provides a proposal for the management of boron waste. PMID:28773539

Ceramic silicon-boron-carbon fibers from organic silicon-boron-polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Riccitiello, Salvatore R. (Inventor); Hsu, Ming-Ta S. (Inventor); Chen, Timothy S. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

Novel high strength ceramic fibers derived from boron, silicon, and carbon organic precursor polymers are discussed. The ceramic fibers are thermally stable up to and beyond 1200 C in air. The method of preparation of the boron-silicon-carbon fibers from a low oxygen content organosilicon boron precursor polymer of the general formula Si(R2)BR(sup 1) includes melt-spinning, crosslinking, and pyrolysis. Specifically, the crosslinked (or cured) precursor organic polymer fibers do not melt or deform during pyrolysis to form the silicon-boron-carbon ceramic fiber. These novel silicon-boron-carbon ceramic fibers are useful in high temperature applications because they retain tensile and other properties up to 1200 C, from 1200 to 1300 C, and in some cases higher than 1300 C.

The Effect of Boronizing on Metallic Alloys for Automotive Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrova, Roumiana S.; Suwattananont, Naruemon; Samardzic, Veljko

2008-06-01

In this study the wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and oxidation resistance of boronized metallic alloys were investigated. Thermochemical treatment was performed by powder pack boronizing process at temperature 850-950 °C for 4 h. Saw-tooth morphology and smooth interface microstructures were observed with an optical microscope; microhardness was measured across the coating depth. The phases present in the boron coatings depend on the substrate material. High-temperature oxidation resistance was investigated and it was found that boron coating on ferrous alloys can resist temperatures up to 800 °C. The corrosion resistance of the boronized samples was improved and the corrosion rate was calculated for boronized and plain specimens. Wear testing was conducted by following the procedures of ASTM G99, ASTM D2526, and ASTM D4060. The obtained experimental results revealed that boronizing significantly improves the wear-resistance, corrosion-resistance, and oxidation resistance of metallic alloys.

Parametric Thermal Models of the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bradley K. Heath

2014-03-01

This work supports the restart of transient testing in the United States using the Department of Energy’s Transient Reactor Test Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory. It also supports the Global Threat Reduction Initiative by reducing proliferation risk of high enriched uranium fuel. The work involves the creation of a nuclear fuel assembly model using the fuel performance code known as BISON. The model simulates the thermal behavior of a nuclear fuel assembly during steady state and transient operational modes. Additional models of the same geometry but differing material properties are created to perform parametric studies. The results show thatmore » fuel and cladding thermal conductivity have the greatest effect on fuel temperature under the steady state operational mode. Fuel density and fuel specific heat have the greatest effect for transient operational model. When considering a new fuel type it is recommended to use materials that decrease the specific heat of the fuel and the thermal conductivity of the fuel’s cladding in order to deal with higher density fuels that accompany the LEU conversion process. Data on the latest operating conditions of TREAT need to be attained in order to validate BISON’s results. BISON’s models for TREAT (material models, boundary convection models) are modest and need additional work to ensure accuracy and confidence in results.« less

Combustion Performance of a Staged Hybrid Rocket with Boron addition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, D.; Lee, C.

2018-04-01

In this paper, the effect of boron on overall system specific impulse was investigated. Additionally, a series of combustion tests was carried out to analyze and evaluate the effect of boron addition on O/F variation and radial temperature profiles. To maintain the hybrid rocket engine advantages, upper limit of boron contents in solid fuel was set to be 10 wt%. The results also suggested that, when adding boron to solid fuel, it helped to provide more uniform radial temperature distribution and also to increase specific impulse by 3.2%.

Boron nitride converted carbon fiber

DOEpatents

Rousseas, Michael; Mickelson, William; Zettl, Alexander K.

2016-04-05

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to boron nitride converted carbon fiber. In one aspect, a method may include the operations of providing boron oxide and carbon fiber, heating the boron oxide to melt the boron oxide and heating the carbon fiber, mixing a nitrogen-containing gas with boron oxide vapor from molten boron oxide, and converting at least a portion of the carbon fiber to boron nitride.

Application of a unique test design to determine the chronic toxicity of boron to the aquatic worm Lumbriculus variegatus and fatmucket mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea.

PubMed

Hall, Scott; Lockwood, Rick; Harrass, Michael C

2014-01-01

The chronic (21- and 28-day) toxicity of boron was determined for two freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates: the fatmucket mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea and the aquatic worm Lumbriculus variegatus. The rapid depletion of boric acid from spiked sediments in tests using flow-through overlying waters was addressed by constant addition of boric acid to overlying water at concentrations matching those of the targeted porewater exposures. This proved highly successful in maintaining constant whole-sediment and sediment porewater boron concentrations. Boron sublethal 25 % inhibition concentration values based on porewater concentrations were 25.9 mg B/L (L. variegatus) and 38.5 mg B/L (L. siliquoidea), indicating similar test organism sensitivity. Expressed as dry whole-sediment values, the respective L. variegatus and L. siliquoidea sublethal (growth) IC25 values for whole-sediment exposures were 235.5 mg B/kg sediment dry weight (dw) and 310.6 mg B/kg dw. The worm lethality-based end points indicated greater sensitivity than the sublethal end points, bringing into question the validity of a "lethality" end point for L. variegatus given its fragmentation mode of reproduction. For comparison, water-only mussel exposures were tested resulting in an IC25 value of 34.6 mg B/L, which was within 20 % of the porewater value. This suggests that the primary route of boron exposure was through the aqueous phase. The results of this study indicated that for test materials that are readily water soluble, standard sediment test designs may be unsuitable, but water-only exposures can provide toxicological data representative of sediment tests.

Transient Lift Off Testing Results for a Radial Hybrid Bearing

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-01

Speed Hydrostatic Bearings,” ASME Journal of Tribology, Vol. 116, n2, 1994, pp. 337-344. [2] Scharrer, J. K., Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “A Study of... Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “A Study of the Transient Performance of Hydrostatic Journal Bearings: Part II-Experimental Results,” STLE Paper 91-TC-3B-2...1991. [4] Scharrer, J., Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “Start Transient Testing of an Annular Hydrostatic Bearing in Liquid Oxygen,” AIAA Paper 92-3404

Decreasing boron concentrations in UK rivers: insights into reductions in detergent formulations since the 1990s and within-catchment storage issues.

PubMed

Neal, Colin; Williams, Richard J; Bowes, Michael J; Harrass, Michael C; Neal, Margaret; Rowland, Philip; Wickham, Heather; Thacker, Sarah; Harman, Sarah; Vincent, Colin; Jarvie, Helen P

2010-02-15

The changing patterns of riverine boron concentration are examined for the Thames catchment in southern/southeastern England using data from 1997 to 2007. Boron concentrations are related to an independent marker for sewage effluent, sodium. The results show that boron concentrations in the main river channels have declined with time especially under baseflow conditions when sewage effluent dilution potential is at its lowest. While boron concentrations have reduced, especially under low-flow conditions, this does not fully translate to a corresponding reduction in boron flux and it seems that the "within-catchment" supplies of boron to the river are contaminated by urban sources. The estimated boron reduction in the effluent input to the river based on the changes in river chemistry is typically around 60% and this figure matches with an initial survey of more limited data for the industrial north of England. Data for effluent concentrations at eight sewage treatment works within the Kennet also indicate substantial reductions in boron concentrations: 80% reduction occurred between 2001 and 2008. For the more contaminated rivers there are issues of localised rather than catchment-wide sources and uncertainties over the extent and nature of water/boron stores. Atmospheric sources average around 32 to 61% for the cleaner and 4 to 14% for the more polluted parts. The substantial decreases in the boron concentrations correspond extremely well with the timing and extent of European wide trends for reductions in the industrial and domestic usage of boron-bearing compounds. It clearly indicates that such reductions have translated into lower average and peak concentrations of boron in the river although the full extent of these reductions has probably not yet occurred due to localised stores that are still to deplete.

Oxidation of boron nitride in an arc heated jet.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buckley, J. D.

1971-01-01

Two grades of hot pressed boron nitride and a boron nitride composite were subjected to oxidation tests in a 2.5 megawatt atmospheric arc jet. The results showed that fabrication and/or composition influenced thermal shock and oxidation resistance. Changes in surface structure and recession due to oxidation suggest correlation with specimen composition. The boron nitride composite reacted with the oxygen in the hot subsonic airstream to produce a glassy coating on the hot face surface.

Boron.

PubMed

2008-01-01

To evaluate the scientific evidence on boron including expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing. This review serves as a clinical support tool. Electronic searches were conducted in nine databases, 20 additional journals (not indexed in common databases), and bibliographies from 50 selected secondary references. No restrictions were placed on language or quality of publications. All literature collected pertained to efficacy in humans, dosing, precautions, adverse effects, use in pregnancy/lactation, interactions, alteration of laboratory assays, and mechanisms of action. Standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria are utilized for selection. Grades were assigned using an evidence-based grading rationale. There was a lack of systematic study on the safety and effectiveness of boron in humans. However, based on popular use and supportive scientific data, nine indications are discussed in this review: hormone regulation, improving cognitive function, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, vaginitis (topical), bodybuilding aid (increasing testosterone), menopausal symptoms, prevention of blood clotting (coagulation effects), and psoriasis (topical). Although studies assessing the use of boron for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are in preliminary stages, reports are promising. There is conflicting evidence to support the use of boron in hormonal regulation and cognitive function. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted. There is fair negative evidence regarding the use of boron as an anticoagulant, a bodybuilding aid, for menopausal symptoms, or for psoriasis. Excessive use may be harmful, and caution is advised.

Measuring Dilution of Microbicide Gels with Optical Imaging

PubMed Central

Drake, Tyler K.; Shah, Tejen; Peters, Jennifer J.; Wax, Adam; Katz, David F.

2013-01-01

We present a novel approach for measuring topical microbicide gel dilution using optical imaging. The approach compares gel thickness measurements from fluorimetry and multiplexed low coherence interferometry in order to calculate dilution of a gel. As a microbicide gel becomes diluted at fixed thickness, its mLCI thickness measurement remains constant, while the fluorimetry signal decreases in intensity. The difference between the two measurements is related to the extent of gel dilution. These two optical modalities are implemented in a single endoscopic instrument that enables simultaneous data collection. A preliminary validation study was performed with in vitro placebo gel measurements taken in a controlled test socket. It was found that change in slope of the regression line between fluorimetry and mLCI based measurements indicates dilution. A dilution calibration curve was then generated by repeating the test socket measurements with serial dilutions of placebo gel with vaginal fluid simulant. This methodology can provide valuable dilution information on candidate microbicide products, which could substantially enhance our understanding of their in vivo functioning. PMID:24340006

Process for making boron nitride using sodium cyanide and boron

DOEpatents

Bamberger, Carlos E.

1990-02-06

This a very simple process for making boron nitride by mixing sodium cyanide and boron phosphate and heating the mixture in an inert atmosphere until a reaction takes place. The product is a white powder of boron nitride that can be used in applications that require compounds that are stable at high temperatures and that exhibit high electrical resistance.

Process for making boron nitride using sodium cyanide and boron

DOEpatents

Bamberger, Carlos E.

1990-01-01

This a very simple process for making boron nitride by mixing sodium cyanide and boron phosphate and heating the mixture in an inert atmosphere until a reaction takes place. The product is a white powder of boron nitride that can be used in applications that require compounds that are stable at high temperatures and that exhibit high electrical resistance.

Transient excitation and mechanical admittance test techniques for prediction of payload vibration environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kana, D. D.; Vargas, L. M.

1977-01-01

Transient excitation forces were applied separately to simple beam-and-mass launch vehicle and payload models to develop complex admittance functions for the interface and other appropriate points on the structures. These measured admittances were then analytically combined by a matrix representation to obtain a description of the coupled system dynamic characteristics. Response of the payload model to excitation of the launch vehicle model was predicted and compared with results measured on the combined models. These results are also compared with results of earlier work in which a similar procedure was employed except that steady-state sinusoidal excitation techniques were included. It is found that the method employing transient tests produces results that are better overall than the steady state methods. Furthermore, the transient method requires far less time to implement, and provides far better resolution in the data. However, the data acquisition and handling problem is more complex for this method. It is concluded that the transient test and admittance matrix prediction method can be a valuable tool for development of payload vibration tests.

[Diagnostic contribution of abnormal delayed-type hypersensitivity to Candida albicans. Characterization test by activation of cells sensitized to successive dilutions of Candida].

PubMed

Brunet, J L; Cozon, G; Sainte-Laudy, J; Boissel, J P; Delair, S; Peyramond, D

1997-10-01

By measuring the activation of different cell models (lymphocytes and lymphocytic subsets) in the presence of Candida albicans with flow cytometry reading, it is possible to show that successive dilutions of Candida albicans can lead to lymphocyte activation in abnormally-sensitized subjects. In a first trial, 10 subjects were tested in duplicate. The decrease of activity of the dilutions does not appear to be regular in relation to the progression of the dilutions. The activity of the dilutions wanes relatively rapidly with the first dilutions, then recurs later very distinctly, at the 6th dilution, then ebbs, then reappears in similar manner at the 9th, the 14th, and finally, the 19th dilution. Cell reactivity appears to differ depending on the subject. It can be represented through the calculated slope of the regression line, for each series of data. It therefore appears feasible to determine a threshold of reactivity and a scale of sensitivity, to make it possible to specify the degree of abnormal reactivity existing at a given time for a given subject. The constancy of the activity of the different dilutions tested, on 10 cultures of a single cell suspension, is especially well demonstrated in the second trial, showing unusually small standard deviations. Thus, the question arises as to the exact nature of the observed phenomenon and of its analysis from a physical-chemical point of view, with regard to the pharmacological effect of successive dilutions of Candida albicans.

New Icosahedral Boron Carbide Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Echeverria Mora, Elena Maria

Novel semiconductor boron carbide films and boron carbide films doped with aromatic compounds have been investigated and characterized. Most of these semiconductors were formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The aromatic compound additives used, in this thesis, were pyridine (Py), aniline, and diaminobenzene (DAB). As one of the key parameters for semiconducting device functionality is the metal contact and, therefore, the chemical interactions or band bending that may occur at the metal/semiconductor interface, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy has been used to investigate the interaction of gold (Au) with these novel boron carbide-based semiconductors. Both n- and p-type films have been tested and pure boron carbide devices are compared to those containing aromatic compounds. The results show that boron carbide seems to behave differently from other semiconductors, opening a way for new analysis and approaches in device's functionality. By studying the electrical and optical properties of these films, it has been found that samples containing the aromatic compound exhibit an improvement in the electron-hole separation and charge extraction, as well as a decrease in the band gap. The hole carrier lifetimes for each sample were extracted from the capacitance-voltage, C(V), and current-voltage, I(V), curves. Additionally, devices, with boron carbide with the addition of pyridine, exhibited better collection of neutron capture generated pulses at ZERO applied bias, compared to the pure boron carbide samples. This is consistent with the longer carrier lifetimes estimated for these films. The I-V curves, as a function of external magnetic field, of the pure boron carbide films and films containing DAB demonstrate that significant room temperature negative magneto-resistance (> 100% for pure samples, and > 50% for samples containing DAB) is possible in the resulting dielectric thin films. Inclusion of DAB is not essential for significant negative magneto

Static tensile and tensile creep testing of four boron nitride coated ceramic fibers at elevated temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coguill, Scott L.; Adams, Donald F.; Zimmerman, Richard S.

1989-01-01

Six types of uncoated ceramic fibers were static tensile and tensile creep tested at various elevated temperatures. Three types of boron nitride coated fibers were also tested. Room temperature static tensile tests were initially performed on all fibers, at gage lengths of 1, 2, and 4 inches, to determine the magnitude of end effects from the gripping system used. Tests at one elevated temperature, at gage lengths of 8 and 10 inches, were also conducted, to determine end effects at elevated temperatures. Fiber cross sectional shapes and areas were determined using scanning electron microscopy. Creep testing was typically performed for 4 hours, in an air atmosphere.

Boron coating on boron nitride coated nuclear fuels by chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durmazuçar, Hasan H.; Gündüz, Güngör

2000-12-01

Uranium dioxide-only and uranium dioxide-gadolinium oxide (5% and 10%) ceramic nuclear fuel pellets which were already coated with boron nitride were coated with thin boron layer by chemical vapor deposition to increase the burn-up efficiency of the fuel during reactor operation. Coating was accomplished from the reaction of boron trichloride with hydrogen at 1250 K in a tube furnace, and then sintering at 1400 and 1525 K. The deposited boron was identified by infrared spectrum. The morphology of the coating was studied by using scanning electron microscope. The plate, grainy and string (fiber)-like boron structures were observed.

Method of Generating Transient Equivalent Sink and Test Target Temperatures for Swift BAT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Michael K.

2004-01-01

The NASA Swift mission has a 600-km altitude and a 22 degrees maximum inclination. The sun angle varies from 45 degrees to 180 degrees in normal operation. As a result, environmental heat fluxes absorbed by the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) radiator and loop heat pipe (LHP) compensation chambers (CCs) vary transiently. Therefore the equivalent sink temperatures for the radiator and CCs varies transiently. In thermal performance verification testing in vacuum, the radiator and CCs radiated heat to sink targets. This paper presents an analytical technique for generating orbit transient equivalent sink temperatures and a technique for generating transient sink target temperatures for the radiator and LHP CCs. Using these techniques, transient target temperatures for the radiator and LHP CCs were generated for three thermal environmental cases: worst hot case, worst cold case, and cooldown and warmup between worst hot case in sunlight and worst cold case in the eclipse, and three different heat transport values: 128 W, 255 W, and 382 W. The 128 W case assumed that the two LHPs transport 255 W equally to the radiator. The 255 W case assumed that one LHP fails so that the remaining LHP transports all the waste heat from the detector array to the radiator. The 382 W case assumed that one LHP fails so that the remaining LHP transports all the waste heat from the detector array to the radiator, and has a 50% design margin. All these transient target temperatures were successfully implemented in the engineering test unit (ETU) LHP and flight LHP thermal performance verification tests in vacuum.

Special features of the technology of boronizing steel in a calcium chloride melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernov, Ya. B.; Anfinogenov, A. I.; Veselov, I. N.

1999-12-01

A technology for hardening machine parts and tools by boronizing in molten calcium chloride with amorphous-boron powder in electrode salt baths has been developed with the aim of creating a closed cycle of utilizing the raw materials and the washing water. A process of boronizing that includes quenching and tempering of the boronized articles is described. The quenching medium is an ecologically safe and readily available aqueous solution of calcium chloride. The process envisages return of the melt components to the boronizing bath. Boronizing by the suggested method was tested for different classes of steel, namely, structural and tool steels for cold and hot deformation. The wear resistance of the boronized steels was studied.

Method of fabricating boron containing coatings

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Jankowski, Alan F.

1999-01-01

Hard coatings are fabricated from boron nitride, cubic boron nitride, and multilayer boron/cubic boron nitride, and the fabrication thereof involves magnetron sputtering in a selected atmosphere. These hard coatings may be applied to tools and engine and other parts, as well to reduce wear on tribological surfaces and electronic devices. These boron coatings contain no morphological growth features. For example, the boron is formed in an inert (e.g. argon) atmosphere, while the cubic boron nitride is formed in a reactive (e.g. nitrogen) atmosphere. The multilayer boron/cubic boron nitride, is produced by depositing alternate layers of boron and cubic boron nitride, with the alternate layers having a thickness of 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer, and at least the interfaces of the layers may be discrete or of a blended or graded composition.

Crystalline boron nitride aerogels

DOEpatents

Zettl, Alexander K.; Rousseas, Michael; Goldstein, Anna P.; Mickelson, William; Worsley, Marcus A.; Woo, Leta

2017-04-04

This disclosure provides methods and materials related to boron nitride aerogels. In one aspect, a material comprises an aerogel comprising boron nitride. The boron nitride has an ordered crystalline structure. The ordered crystalline structure may include atomic layers of hexagonal boron nitride lying on top of one another, with atoms contained in a first layer being superimposed on atoms contained in a second layer.

Process for microwave sintering boron carbide

DOEpatents

Holcombe, C.E.; Morrow, M.S.

1993-10-12

A method of microwave sintering boron carbide comprises leaching boron carbide powder with an aqueous solution of nitric acid to form a leached boron carbide powder. The leached boron carbide powder is coated with a glassy carbon precursor to form a coated boron carbide powder. The coated boron carbide powder is consolidated in an enclosure of boron nitride particles coated with a layer of glassy carbon within a container for microwave heating to form an enclosed coated boron carbide powder. The enclosed coated boron carbide powder is sintered within the container for microwave heating with microwave energy.

Process for microwave sintering boron carbide

DOEpatents

Holcombe, Cressie E.; Morrow, Marvin S.

1993-01-01

A method of microwave sintering boron carbide comprises leaching boron carbide powder with an aqueous solution of nitric acid to form a leached boron carbide powder. The leached boron carbide powder is coated with a glassy carbon precursor to form a coated boron carbide powder. The coated boron carbide powder is consolidated in an enclosure of boron nitride particles coated with a layer of glassy carbon within a container for microwave heating to form an enclosed coated boron carbide powder. The enclosed coated boron carbide powder is sintered within the container for microwave heating with microwave energy.

Boron microlocalization in oral mucosal tissue: implications for boron neutron capture therapy

PubMed Central

Morris, G M; Smith, D R; Patel, H; Chandra, S; Morrison, G H; Hopewell, J W; Rezvani, M; Micca, P L; Coderre, J A

2000-01-01

Clinical studies of the treatment of glioma and cutaneous melanoma using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) are currently taking place in the USA, Europe and Japan. New BNCT clinical facilities are under construction in Finland, Sweden, England and California. The observation of transient acute effects in the oral mucosa of a number of glioma patients involved in the American clinical trials, suggests that radiation damage of the oral mucosa could be a potential complication in future BNCT clinical protocols, involving higher doses and larger irradiation field sizes. The present investigation is the first to use a high resolution surface analytical technique to relate the microdistribution of boron-10 (10B) in the oral mucosa to the biological effectiveness of the 10B(n,α)7Li neutron capture reaction in this tissue. The two boron delivery agents used clinically in Europe/Japan and the USA, borocaptate sodium (BSH) and p-boronophenylalanine (BPA), respectively, were evaluated using a rat ventral tongue model. 10B concentrations in various regions of the tongue mucosa were estimated using ion microscopy. In the epithelium, levels of 10B were appreciably lower after the administration of BSH than was the case after BPA. The epithelium:blood 10B partition ratios were 0.2:1 and 1:1 for BSH and BPA respectively. The 10B content of the lamina propria was higher than that measured in the epithelium for both BSH and BPA. The difference was most marked for BSH, where 10B levels were a factor of six higher in the lamina propria than in the epithelium. The concentration of 10B was also measured in blood vessel walls where relatively low levels of accumulation of BSH, as compared with BPA, was demonstrated in blood vessel endothelial cells and muscle. Vessel wall:blood 10B partition ratios were 0.3:1 and 0.9:1 for BSH and BPA respectively. Evaluation of tongue mucosal response (ulceration) to BNC irradiation indicated a considerably reduced radiation sensitivity using BSH as

Method of fabricating boron containing coatings

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Jankowski, A.F.

1999-04-27

Hard coatings are fabricated from boron nitride, cubic boron nitride, and multilayer boron/cubic boron nitride, and the fabrication thereof involves magnetron sputtering in a selected atmosphere. These hard coatings may be applied to tools and engine and other parts, as well to reduce wear on tribological surfaces and electronic devices. These boron coatings contain no morphological growth features. For example, the boron is formed in an inert (e.g. argon) atmosphere, while the cubic boron nitride is formed in a reactive (e.g. nitrogen) atmosphere. The multilayer boron/cubic boron nitride, is produced by depositing alternate layers of boron and cubic boron nitride, with the alternate layers having a thickness of 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer, and at least the interfaces of the layers may be discrete or of a blended or graded composition. 3 figs.

Titanium reinforced boron-polyimide composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, G. A.; Clayton, K. I.

1969-01-01

Processing techniques for boron polyimide prepreg were developed whereby composites could be molded under vacuum bag pressure only. A post-cure cycle was developed which resulted in no loss in room temperature mechanical properties of the composite at any time during up to 16 hours at 650 F. A design utilizing laminated titanium foil was developed to achieve a smooth transition of load from the titanium attachment points into the boron-reinforced body of the structure. The box beam test article was subjected to combined bending and torsional loads while exposed to 650 F. Loads were applied incrementally until failure occurred at 83% design limit load.

X-ray method shows fibers fail during fatigue of boron-epoxy laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roderick, G. L.; Whitcomb, J. D.

1975-01-01

A method proposed for studying progressive fiber fracture in boron-epoxy laminates during fatigue tests is described. It is based on the intensity of X-ray absorption of the tungsten core in the boron filaments as contrasted with that of the boron and epoxy matrix. When the laminate is X-rayed, the image of the tungsten in the born filaments is recorded on a photographic plate. Breaks in the boron laminates can be easily identified by magnifying the photographic plates. The method is suitable for studying broken boron filaments in most matrix materials, and may supply key information for developing realistic fatigue and fracture models.

Fabrication of boron sputter targets

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; McKernan, Mark A.

1995-01-01

A process for fabricating high density boron sputtering targets with sufficient mechanical strength to function reliably at typical magnetron sputtering power densities and at normal process parameters. The process involves the fabrication of a high density boron monolithe by hot isostatically compacting high purity (99.9%) boron powder, machining the boron monolithe into the final dimensions, and brazing the finished boron piece to a matching boron carbide (B.sub.4 C) piece, by placing aluminum foil there between and applying pressure and heat in a vacuum. An alternative is the application of aluminum metallization to the back of the boron monolithe by vacuum deposition. Also, a titanium based vacuum braze alloy can be used in place of the aluminum foil.

Fabrication of boron sputter targets

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; McKernan, M.A.

1995-02-28

A process is disclosed for fabricating high density boron sputtering targets with sufficient mechanical strength to function reliably at typical magnetron sputtering power densities and at normal process parameters. The process involves the fabrication of a high density boron monolithe by hot isostatically compacting high purity (99.9%) boron powder, machining the boron monolithe into the final dimensions, and brazing the finished boron piece to a matching boron carbide (B{sub 4}C) piece, by placing aluminum foil there between and applying pressure and heat in a vacuum. An alternative is the application of aluminum metallization to the back of the boron monolithe by vacuum deposition. Also, a titanium based vacuum braze alloy can be used in place of the aluminum foil. 7 figs.

Sin Nombre Virus and Rodent Species Diversity: A Test of the Dilution and Amplification Hypotheses

PubMed Central

Clay, Christine A.; Lehmer, Erin M.; Jeor, Stephen St.; Dearing, M. Denise

2009-01-01

Background Species diversity is proposed to greatly impact the prevalence of pathogens. Two predominant hypotheses, the “Dilution Effect” and the “Amplification Effect”, predict divergent outcomes with respect to the impact of species diversity. The Dilution Effect predicts that pathogen prevalence will be negatively correlated with increased species diversity, while the Amplification Effect predicts that pathogen prevalence will be positively correlated with diversity. For many host-pathogen systems, the relationship between diversity and pathogen prevalence has not be empirically examined. Methodology/Principal Findings We tested the Dilution and Amplification Effect hypotheses by examining the prevalence of Sin Nombre virus (SNV) with respect to diversity of the nocturnal rodent community. SNV is directly transmitted primarily between deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Using mark-recapture sampling in the Spring and Fall of 2003–2005, we measured SNV prevalence in deer mice at 16 landscape level sites (3.1 hectares each) that varied in rodent species diversity. We explored several mechanisms by which species diversity may affect SNV prevalence, including reduced host density, reduced host persistence, the presence of secondary reservoirs and community composition. We found a negative relationship between species diversity and SNV prevalence in deer mice, thereby supporting the Dilution Effect hypothesis. Deer mouse density and persistence were lower at sites with greater species diversity; however, only deer mouse persistence was positively correlated with SNV prevalence. Pinyon mice (P. truei) may serve as dilution agents, having a negative effect on prevalence, while kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii), may have a positive effect on the prevalence of SNV, perhaps through effects on deer mouse behavior. Conclusions/Significance While previous studies on host-pathogen systems have found patterns of diversity consistent with either the Dilution or

Polymer relaxation and stretching dynamics in semi-dilute DNA solutions: a single molecule study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsiao, Kai-Wen; Brockman, Christopher; Schroeder, Charles

2015-03-01

In this work, we study polymer relaxation and stretching dynamics in semi-dilute DNA solutions using single molecule techniques. Using this approach, we uncover a unique scaling relation for longest polymer relaxation time that falls in the crossover regime described by semi-flexible polymer solutions, which is distinct from truly flexible polymer chains. In addition, we performed a series of step-strain experiments on single polymers in semi-dilute solutions in planar extensional flow using an automated microfluidic trap. In this way, we are able to precisely control the flow strength and the amount of strain applied to single polymer chains, thereby enabling direct observation of the full stretching and relaxation process in semi-dilute solutions during transient start-up and flow cessation. Interestingly, we observe polymer individualism in the conformation of single chains in semi-dilute solutions, which to our knowledge has not yet been observed. In addition, we observe the relaxation data can be explained by a multi-exponential decay process after flow cessation in semi-dilute solutions. Overall, our work reports key advance in non-dilute polymer systems from a molecular perspective via direct observation of dynamics in strong flows. DOW fellowship.

Magnetron sputtered boron films

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Jankowski, Alan F.

1998-01-01

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for producing hardened surfaces, surfacing machine tools, etc. and for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z optical components, such as mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence.

Magnetron sputtered boron films

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Jankowski, A.F.

1998-06-16

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for producing hardened surfaces, surfacing machine tools, etc. and for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z optical components, such as mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence. 8 figs.

Chemical and mechanical analysis of boron-rich boron carbide processed via spark plasma sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munhollon, Tyler Lee

Boron carbide is a material of choice for many industrial and specialty applications due to the exceptional properties it exhibits such as high hardness, chemical inertness, low specific gravity, high neutron cross section and more. The combination of high hardness and low specific gravity makes it especially attractive for high pressure/high strain rate applications. However, boron carbide exhibits anomalous behavior when high pressures are applied. Impact pressures over the Hugoniot elastic limit result in catastrophic failure of the material. This failure has been linked to amorphization in cleavage planes and loss of shear strength. Atomistic modeling has suggested boron-rich boron carbide (B13C2) may be a better performing material than the commonly used B4C due to the elimination of amorphization and an increase in shear strength. Therefore, a clear experimental understanding of the factors that lead to the degradation of mechanical properties as well as the effects of chemistry changes in boron carbide is needed. For this reason, the goal of this thesis was to produce high purity boron carbide with varying stoichiometries for chemical and mechanical property characterization. Utilizing rapid carbothermal reduction and pressure assisted sintering, dense boron carbides with varying stoichiometries were produced. Microstructural characteristics such as impurity inclusions, porosity and grain size were controlled. The chemistry and common static mechanical properties that are of importance to superhard materials including elastic moduli, hardness and fracture toughness of the resulting boron-rich boron carbides were characterized. A series of six boron carbide samples were processed with varying amounts of amorphous boron (up to 45 wt. % amorphous boron). Samples with greater than 40 wt.% boron additions were shown to exhibit abnormal sintering behavior, making it difficult to characterize these samples. Near theoretical densities were achieved in samples with

Effect of electron injection on defect reactions in irradiated silicon containing boron, carbon, and oxygen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makarenko, L. F.; Lastovskii, S. B.; Yakushevich, H. S.; Moll, M.; Pintilie, I.

2018-04-01

Comparative studies employing Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy and C-V measurements have been performed on recombination-enhanced reactions between defects of interstitial type in boron doped silicon diodes irradiated with alpha-particles. It has been shown that self-interstitial related defects which are immobile even at room temperatures can be activated by very low forward currents at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Their activation is accompanied by the appearance of interstitial carbon atoms. It has been found that at rather high forward current densities which enhance BiOi complex disappearance, a retardation of Ci annealing takes place. Contrary to conventional thermal annealing of the interstitial boron-interstitial oxygen complex, the use of forward current injection helps to recover an essential part of charge carriers removed due to irradiation.

Toxicity of contaminated sediments in dilution series with control sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, M.K.; Landrum, P.F.; Burton, G.A.; Klaine, S.J.; Crecelius, E.A.; Byl, T.D.; Gossiaux, Duane C.; Tsymbal, V.N.; Cleveland, L.; Ingersoll, Christopher G.; Sasson-Brickson, G.

1993-01-01

The use of dilutions has been the foundation of our approach for assessing contaminated water, and accordingly, it may be important to establish similar or parallel approaches for sediment dilutions. Test organism responses to dilution gradients can identify the degree of necessary sediment alteration to reduce the toxicity. Using whole sediment dilutions to represent the complex interactions of in situ sediments can identify the toxicity, but the selection of the appropriate diluent for the contaminated sediment may affect the results and conclusions drawn. Contaminated whole sediments were examined to evaluate the toxicity of dilutions of sediments with a diversity of test organisms. Dilutions of the contaminated sediments were prepared with differing diluents that varied in organic carbon content, particle size distribution, and volatile solids. Studies were conducted using four macroinvertebrates and a vascular, rooted plant. Responses by some test organisms followed a sigmoidal dose-response curve, but others followed a U-shaped curve. Initial dilutions reduced toxicity as expected, but further dilution resulted in an increase in toxicity. The type of diluent used was an important factor in assessing the sediment toxicity, because the control soil reduced toxicity more effectively than sand as a diluent of the same sediment. Using sediment chemical and physical characteristics as an indicator of sediment dilution may not be as useful as chemical analysis of contaminants, but warrants further investigation.

Characterization of Boron Contamination in Fluorine Implantation using Boron Trifluoride as a Source Material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schmeide, Matthias; Kondratenko, Serguei

2011-01-07

Fluorine implantation process purity was considered on different types of high current implanters. It was found that implanters equipped with an indirectly heated cathode ion source show an enhanced deep boron contamination compared to a high current implanter using a cold RF-driven multicusp ion source when boron trifluoride is used for fluorine implantations. This contamination is directly related to the source technology and thus, should be considered potentially for any implanter design using hot cathode/hot filament ion source, independently of the manufacturer.The boron contamination results from the generation of double charged boron ions in the arc chamber and the subsequentmore » charge exchange reaction to single charged boron ions taking place between the arc chamber and the extraction electrode. The generation of the double charged boron ions depends mostly on the source parameters, whereas the pressure in the region between the arc chamber and the extraction electrode is mostly responsible for the charge exchange from double charged to single charged ions. The apparent mass covers a wide range, starting at mass 11. A portion of boron ions with energies of (19/11) times higher than fluorine energy has the same magnetic rigidity as fluorine beam and cannot be separated by the analyzer magnet. The earlier described charge exchange effects between the extraction electrode and the entrance to the analyzer magnet, however, generates boron beam with a higher magnetic rigidity compared to fluorine beam and cannot cause boron contamination after mass-separation.The energetic boron contamination was studied as a function of the ion source parameters, such as gas flow, arc voltage, and source magnet settings, as well as analyzing magnet aperture resolution. This allows process optimization reducing boron contamination to the level acceptable for device performance.« less

Microwave sintering of boron carbide

DOEpatents

Blake, R.D.; Katz, J.D.; Petrovic, J.J.; Sheinberg, H.

1988-06-10

A method for forming boron carbide into a particular shape and densifying the green boron carbide shape. Boron carbide in powder form is pressed into a green shape and then sintered, using a microwave oven, to obtain a dense boron carbide body. Densities of greater than 95% of theoretical density have been obtained. 1 tab.

β-Rhombohedral Boron: At the Crossroads of the Chemistry of Boron and the Physics of Frustration [Boron: a frustrated element

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ogitsu, Tadashi; Schwegler, Eric; Galli, Giulia

2013-05-08

In the periodic table boron occupies a peculiar, crossover position: on the first row, it is surrounded by metal forming elements on the left and by non-metals on the right. In addition, it is the only non-metal of the third column. Therefore it is perhaps not surprising that the crystallographic structure and topology of its stable allotrope at room temperature (β-boron) are not shared by any other element, and are extremely complex. The formidable intricacy of β- boron, with interconnecting icosahedra, partially occupied sites, and an unusually large number of atoms per unit cell (more than 300) has been knownmore » for more than 40 years. Nevertheless boron remains the only element purified in significant quantities whose ground state geometry has not been completely determined by experiments. However theoretical progress reported in the last decade has shed light on numerous properties of elemental boron, leading to a thorough characterization of its structure at ambient conditions, as well as of its electronic and thermodynamic properties. This review discusses in detail the properties of β-boron, as inferred from experiments and the ab-initio theories developed in the last decade.« less

Boron Arsenide and Boron Phosphide for High Temperature and Luminescent Devices. [semiconductor devices - crystal growth/crystal structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chu, T. L.

1975-01-01

The crystal growth of boron arsenide and boron phosphide in the form of bulk crystals and epitaxial layers on suitable substrates is discussed. The physical, chemical, and electrical properties of the crystals and epitaxial layers are examined. Bulk crystals of boron arsenide were prepared by the chemical transport technique, and their carrier concentration and Hall mobility were measured. The growth of boron arsenide crystals from high temperature solutions was attempted without success. Bulk crystals of boron phosphide were also prepared by chemical transport and solution growth techniques. Techniques required for the fabrication of boron phosphide devices such as junction shaping, diffusion, and contact formation were investigated. Alloying techniques were developed for the formation of low-resistance ohmic contacts to boron phosphide. Four types of boron phosphide devices were fabricated: (1) metal-insulator-boron phosphide structures, (2) Schottky barriers; (3) boron phosphide-silicon carbide heterojunctions; and (4) p-n homojunctions. Easily visible red electroluminescence was observed from both epitaxial and solution grown p-n junctions.

Boron hydride polymer coated substrates

DOEpatents

Pearson, R.K.; Bystroff, R.I.; Miller, D.E.

1986-08-27

A method is disclosed for coating a substrate with a uniformly smooth layer of a boron hydride polymer. The method comprises providing a reaction chamber which contains the substrate and the boron hydride plasma. A boron hydride feed stock is introduced into the chamber simultaneously with the generation of a plasma discharge within the chamber. A boron hydride plasma of ions, electrons and free radicals which is generated by the plasma discharge interacts to form a uniformly smooth boron hydride polymer which is deposited on the substrate.

Boron hydride polymer coated substrates

DOEpatents

Pearson, Richard K.; Bystroff, Roman I.; Miller, Dale E.

1987-01-01

A method is disclosed for coating a substrate with a uniformly smooth layer of a boron hydride polymer. The method comprises providing a reaction chamber which contains the substrate and the boron hydride plasma. A boron hydride feed stock is introduced into the chamber simultaneously with the generation of a plasma discharge within the chamber. A boron hydride plasma of ions, electrons and free radicals which is generated by the plasma discharge interacts to form a uniformly smooth boron hydride polymer which is deposited on the substrate.

Association Between Transient Newborn Hypoglycemia and Fourth-Grade Achievement Test Proficiency: A Population-Based Study.

PubMed

Kaiser, Jeffrey R; Bai, Shasha; Gibson, Neal; Holland, Greg; Lin, Tsai Mei; Swearingen, Christopher J; Mehl, Jennifer K; ElHassan, Nahed O

2015-10-01

Prolonged neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with poor long-term neurocognitive function. However, little is known about an association between early transient newborn hypoglycemia and academic achievement. To determine if early (within the first 3 hours of life) transient hypoglycemia (a single initial low glucose concentration, followed by a second value above a cutoff) is associated with subsequent poor academic performance. A retrospective population-based cohort study of all infants born between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 1998, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who had at least 1 recorded glucose concentration (a universal newborn glucose screening policy was in effect) was conducted. Medical record data from newborns with normoglycemia or transient hypoglycemia were matched with their student achievement test scores in 2008 from the Arkansas Department of Education and anonymized. Logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the association between transient hypoglycemia and school-age achievement test proficiency based on perinatal factors. Common hypoglycemia cutoffs of a glucose level less than 35 mg/dL (primary) and less than 40 and 45 mg/dL (secondary) were investigated. All 1943 normoglycemic and transiently hypoglycemic infants (23-42 weeks' gestation) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Infants with prolonged hypoglycemia, congenital anomalies, or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the study. Hypoglycemia as a newborn. The primary outcome was proficiency on fourth-grade literacy and mathematics achievement tests at age 10 years. We hypothesized a priori that newborns with early transient hypoglycemia would be less proficient on fourth-grade achievement tests compared with normoglycemic newborns. Perinatal data were matched with fourth-grade achievement test scores in 1395 newborn-student pairs (71.8%). Transient hypoglycemia (glucose level <35, <40, and <45 mg/dL) was observed in 6.4% (89 of 1395), 10

Boron containing multilayer coatings and method of fabrication

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Jankowski, A.F.

1997-09-23

Hard coatings are fabricated from multilayer boron/boron carbide, boron carbide/cubic boron nitride, and boron/boron nitride/boron carbide, and the fabrication thereof involves magnetron sputtering in a selected atmosphere. These hard coatings may be applied to tools and engine and other parts, as well to reduce wear on tribological surfaces and electronic devices. These boron coatings contain no morphological growth features. For example, the boron and boron carbide used in forming the multilayers are formed in an inert (e.g. argon) atmosphere, while the cubic boron nitride is formed in a reactive (e.g. nitrogen) atmosphere. The multilayer boron/boron carbide, and boron carbide/cubic boron nitride is produced by depositing alternate layers of boron, cubic boron nitride or boron carbide, with the alternate layers having a thickness of 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer, and at least the interfaces of the layers may be of a discrete or a blended or graded composition. 6 figs.

Boron containing multilayer coatings and method of fabrication

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Jankowski, Alan F.

1997-01-01

Hard coatings are fabricated from multilayer boron/boron carbide, boron carbide/cubic boron nitride, and boron/boron nitride/boron carbide, and the fabrication thereof involves magnetron sputtering in a selected atmosphere. These hard coatings may be applied to tools and engine and other parts, as well to reduce wear on tribological surfaces and electronic devices. These boron coatings contain no morphological growth features. For example, the boron and boron carbide used in forming the multilayers are formed in an inert (e.g. argon) atmosphere, while the cubic boron nitride is formed in a reactive (e.g. nitrogen) atmosphere. The multilayer boron/boron carbide, and boron carbide/cubic boron nitride is produced by depositing alternate layers of boron, cubic boron nitride or boron carbide, with the alternate layers having a thickness of 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer, and at least the interfaces of the layers may be of a discrete or a blended or graded composition.

STEADY STATE MODELING OF THE MINIMUM CRITICAL CORE OF THE TRANSIENT REACTOR TEST FACILITY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anthony L. Alberti; Todd S. Palmer; Javier Ortensi

2016-05-01

With the advent of next generation reactor systems and new fuel designs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has identified the need for the resumption of transient testing of nuclear fuels. The DOE has decided that the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is best suited for future testing. TREAT is a thermal neutron spectrum, air-cooled, nuclear test facility that is designed to test nuclear fuels in transient scenarios. These specific scenarios range from simple temperature transients to full fuel melt accidents. DOE has expressed a desire to develop a simulation capability that will accurately modelmore » the experiments before they are irradiated at the facility. It is the aim for this capability to have an emphasis on effective and safe operation while minimizing experimental time and cost. The multi physics platform MOOSE has been selected as the framework for this project. The goals for this work are to identify the fundamental neutronics properties of TREAT and to develop an accurate steady state model for future multiphysics transient simulations. In order to minimize computational cost, the effect of spatial homogenization and angular discretization are investigated. It was found that significant anisotropy is present in TREAT assemblies and to capture this effect, explicit modeling of cooling channels and inter-element gaps is necessary. For this modeling scheme, single element calculations at 293 K gave power distributions with a root mean square difference of 0.076% from those of reference SERPENT calculations. The minimum critical core configuration with identical gap and channel treatment at 293 K resulted in a root mean square, total core, radial power distribution 2.423% different than those of reference SERPENT solutions.« less

No evidence that boron influences tree species distributions in lowland tropical forests of Panama.

PubMed

Turner, Benjamin L; Zalamea, Paul-Camilo; Condit, Richard; Winter, Klaus; Wright, S Joseph; Dalling, James W

2017-04-01

It was recently proposed that boron might be the most important nutrient structuring tree species distributions in tropical forests. Here we combine observational and experimental studies to test this hypothesis for lowland tropical forests of Panama. Plant-available boron is uniformly low in tropical forest soils of Panama and is not significantly associated with any of the > 500 species in a regional network of forest dynamics plots. Experimental manipulation of boron supply to seedlings of three tropical tree species revealed no evidence of boron deficiency or toxicity at concentrations likely to occur in tropical forest soils. Foliar boron did not correlate with soil boron along a local scale gradient of boron availability. Fifteen years of boron addition to a tropical forest increased plant-available boron by 70% but did not significantly change tree productivity or boron concentrations in live leaves, wood or leaf litter. The annual input of boron in rainfall accounts for a considerable proportion of the boron in annual litterfall and is similar to the pool of plant-available boron in the soil, and is therefore sufficient to preclude boron deficiency. We conclude that boron does not influence tree species distributions in Panama and presumably elsewhere in the lowland tropics. No claim to original US government works New Phytologist © 2016 New Phytologist Trust.

Boron supplementation improves bone health of non-obese diabetic mice.

PubMed

Dessordi, Renata; Spirlandeli, Adriano Levi; Zamarioli, Ariane; Volpon, José Batista; Navarro, Anderson Marliere

2017-01-01

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition that predisposes a higher risk for the development of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of boron supplementation on bone microstructure and strength in control and non-obese diabetic mice for 30days. The animals were supplemented with 40μg/0,5ml of boron solution and controls received 0,5ml of distilled water daily. We evaluated the biochemical parameters: total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and boron; bone analysis: bone computed microtomography, and biomechanical assay with a three point test on the femur. This study consisted of 28 animals divided into four groups: Group water control - Ctrl (n=10), Group boron control - Ctrl±B (n=8), Group diabetic water - Diab (n=5) and Group diabetic boron - Diab±B (n=5). The results showed that cortical bone volume and the trabecular bone volume fraction were higher for Diab±B and Ctrl±B compared to the Diab and Ctrl groups (p≤0,05). The trabecular specific bone surface was greater for the Diab±B group, and the trabecular thickness and structure model index had the worst values for the Diab group. The boron serum concentrations were higher for the Diab±B group compared to non-supplemented groups. The magnesium concentration was lower for Diab and Diab±B compared with controls. The biomechanical test on the femur revealed maintenance of parameters of the bone strength in animals Diab±B compared to the Diab group and controls. The results suggest that boron supplementation improves parameters related to bone strength and microstructure of cortical and trabecular bone in diabetic animals and the controls that were supplemented. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Transient NOE enhancement in solid-state MAS NMR of mobile systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Jiangyu; Li, Jun; Peng, Xinhua; Fu, Riqiang

2017-11-01

It has been known that the heteronuclear cross-relaxation affects the dilute S spin magnetization along the longitudinal direction, causing an overshoot phenomenon for those mobile systems in spin-lattice relaxation rate measurements. Here, we analyze the Solomon equations for an I-S system and derive the transient cross relaxation effect as to when an overshoot phenomenon would take place and what the maximum enhancement could be at the time of the overshoot. In order to utilize such a transient nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE), we first time apply it to dynamic solid samples by inverting the 1H magnetization prior to the excitation of the S spin. It is found that the overshoot depends on the ratio of the I and S spin-lattice relaxation rates, i.e. RSS /RII . When RSS /RII ≫ 1 , the maximum enhancement factor for transient NOE could be larger than that obtained in steady-state NOE experiments. Furthermore, transient NOE appears to be more efficient in terms of sensitivity enhancement of dilute spins in solid-state NMR of mobile systems than the traditional cross polarization scheme whose efficiency is greatly compromised by molecular mobility. A sample of natural abundance L-isoleucine amino acid, in which the spin-lattice relaxation rates for the four methyl carbons are different, has been used to demonstrate sensitivity enhancement factors under various experimental schemes.

Recent progress in boron nanomaterials

PubMed Central

Kondo, Takahiro

2017-01-01

Abstract Various types of zero, one, and two-dimensional boron nanomaterials such as nanoclusters, nanowires, nanotubes, nanobelts, nanoribbons, nanosheets, and monolayer crystalline sheets named borophene have been experimentally synthesized and identified in the last 20 years. Owing to their low dimensionality, boron nanomaterials have different bonding configurations from those of three-dimensional bulk boron crystals composed of icosahedra or icosahedral fragments. The resulting intriguing physical and chemical properties of boron nanomaterials are fascinating from the viewpoint of material science. Moreover, the wide variety of boron nanomaterials themselves could be the building blocks for combining with other existing nanomaterials, molecules, atoms, and/or ions to design and create materials with new functionalities and properties. Here, the progress of the boron nanomaterials is reviewed and perspectives and future directions are described. PMID:29152014

Elevated temperature properties of boron/aluminum composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, P. G.

1978-01-01

The high temperature properties of boron/aluminum composites, fabricated by an air diffusion bonding technique utilizing vacuum-bonded monolayer tape are reported. Seventeen different combinations of matrix alloy, reinforcement diameter, reinforcement volume percent, angle-ply and matrix enhancement (i.e. titanium cladding and interleaves) were fabricated, inspected, and tested. It is shown that good to excellent mechanical properties could be obtained for air-bonded boron/aluminum composites and that these properties did not decrease significantly up to a test temperature of at least 260 C. Composites made with 8 mil B/W fiber show a much greater longitudinal strength dependence on volume percent fiber than composites made with 5.6 mil fiber. The addition of titanium caused difficulties in composite bonding and yielded composites with reduced strength.

Energy release properties of amorphous boron and boron-based propellant primary combustion products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Daolun; Liu, Jianzhong; Xiao, Jinwu; Xi, Jianfei; Wang, Yang; Zhang, Yanwei; Zhou, Junhu

2015-07-01

The microstructure of amorphous boron and the primary combustion products of boron-based fuel-rich propellant (hereafter referred to as primary combustion products) was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Composition analysis of the primary combustion products was carried out by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The energy release properties of amorphous boron and the primary combustion products were comparatively studied by laser ignition experimental system and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry. The primary combustion products contain B, C, Mg, Al, B4C, B13C2, BN, B2O3, NH4Cl, H2O, and so on. The energy release properties of primary combustion products are different from amorphous boron, significantly. The full-time spectral intensity of primary combustion products at a wavelength of 580 nm is ~2% lower than that of amorphous boron. The maximum spectral intensity of the former at full wave is ~5% higher than that of the latter. The ignition delay time of primary combustion products is ~150 ms shorter than that of amorphous boron, and the self-sustaining combustion time of the former is ~200 ms longer than that of the latter. The thermal oxidation process of amorphous boron involves water evaporation (weight loss) and boron oxidation (weight gain). The thermal oxidation process of primary combustion products involves two additional steps: NH4Cl decomposition (weight loss) and carbon oxidation (weight loss). CL-20 shows better combustion-supporting effect than KClO4 in both the laser ignition experiments and the thermal oxidation experiments.

Transient Lift-Off Test Results for an Experimental Hybrid Bearing in Air

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-01

High-Speed Hydrostatic Bearings,” ASME Journal of Tribology, Vol. 116, n2, 1994, pp. 337-344. [2] Scharrer, J.K., Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “A...J.K., Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “A Study of the Transient Performance of Hydrostatic Journal Bearings: Part II-Experimental Results,” STLE Paper 91...TC- 3B-2, 1991. [4] Sharrer, J., Tellier , J. and Hibbs, R., “Start Transient Testing of an Annular Hydrostatic Bearing in Liquid Oxygen,” AIAA

Effects of boron derivatives on extracellular matrix formation.

PubMed

Benderdour, M; Van Bui, T; Hess, K; Dicko, A; Belleville, F; Dousset, B

2000-10-01

Boric acid solution (3%) dramatically improves wound healing through action on the extracellular matrix, a finding that has been obtained in vitro. Consequently, investigations are presently underway to produce boronated compounds having a therapeutical effectiveness similar to that of boric acid. On the basis of experimental results obtained with boric acid, we examined the effects of boron derivatives on extracellular matrix formation and degradation and analyzed their potential toxicity by using two biological models (chick embryo cartilage and human fibroblasts). The four boron derivatives tested in this study (triethanolamine borate; N-diethyl-phosphoramidate-propylboronique acid; 2,2 dimethylhexyl-1,3-propanediol-aminopropylboronate and 1,2 propanediol-aminopropylboronate) mimicked the effects of boric acid. They induced a decrease of intracellular concentrations in extracellular matrix macromolecules (proteoglycans, proteins)-associated with an increase of their release in culture medium and stimulated the activity of intra- and extracellular proteases. Similarly to boric acid, these actions occurred after exposure of the cells to concentrations of all boron derivatives without apparent toxic effects. The compounds were found to be more toxic than boric acid itself when concentrations were calculated according to their molecular weight. Nevertheless, these in vitro preliminary results demonstrate effects of boron derivatives that may be of therapeutic benefit in wound repair.

METHOD OF COATING SURFACES WITH BORON

DOEpatents

Martin, G.R.

1949-10-11

A method of forming a thin coating of boron on metallic, glass, or other surfaces is described. The method comprises heating the article to be coated to a temperature of about 550 d C in an evacuated chamber and passing trimethyl boron, triethyl boron, or tripropyl boron in the vapor phase and under reduced pressure into contact with the heated surface causing boron to be deposited in a thin film.

Use of intradermal dilutional testing and skin prick testing: clinical relevance and cost efficiency.

PubMed

Seshul, Merritt; Pillsbury, Harold; Eby, Thomas

2006-09-01

The objective was to determine the agreement of the positive results from a multiple skin prick test (SPT) device with the ability to determine a definable endpoint through intradermal dilutional testing (IDT) to compare semiquantitatively the degree of positivity of SPT results with quantitative results from IDT and to analyze the cost of immunotherapy based on SPT compared with IDT guided by SPT. Retrospective review of clinical data (random accrual). One hundred thirty-four patients underwent allergy screening using a multiple SPT device. Antigens testing positive by skin prick device were tested using IDT on a separate day. Antigens testing negative by SPT were not evaluated by IDT. Regional allergy testing practice patterns were determined, and a cost analysis using Medicare rates was performed There was good agreement between an antigen testing positive by SPT and the determination of a definable endpoint (93.33%, n = 1,334 antigens). The degree of positivity from the SPT correlated poorly with the final endpoint concentration (r = 0.40, P < .0001). Blended testing techniques were similar in cost when compared with several commonly used allergy testing protocols. Antigens which show reactivity to a multiple SPT device usually have a treatable endpoint that is independent of the degree of positivity of the SPT result. IDT is an important step in the determination of the strongest starting dose of immunotherapy that may be safely administered. Initiating immunotherapy in this manner may potentially create significant health care savings by shortening the time required for a patient to reach their individual maximally tolerated dose. The use of a relatively large screening panel is cost effective and does not increase the average number of antigens treated by immunotherapy. Blended allergy testing techniques that include IDT in their protocol are comparable in cost with commonly used allergy testing protocols.

Fabrication of boron articles

DOEpatents

Benton, Samuel T.

1976-01-01

This invention is directed to the fabrication of boron articles by a powder metallurgical method wherein the articles are of a density close to the theoretical density of boron and are essentially crackfree. The method comprises the steps of admixing 1 to 10 weight percent carbon powder with amorphous boron powder, cold pressing the mixture and then hot pressing the cold pressed compact into the desired article. The addition of the carbon to the mixture provides a pressing aid for inhibiting the cracking of the hot pressed article and is of a concentration less than that which would cause the articles to possess significant concentrations of boron carbide.

Pinch-off dynamics, extensional viscosity and relaxation time of dilute and ultradilute aqueous polymer solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biagioli, Madeleine; Dinic, Jelena; Jimenez, Leidy Nallely; Sharma, Vivek

Free surface flows and drop formation processes present in printing, jetting, spraying, and coating involve the development of columnar necks that undergo spontaneous surface-tension driven instability, thinning, and pinch-off. Stream-wise velocity gradients that arise within the thinning neck create and extensional flow field, which induces micro-structural changes within complex fluids that contribute elastic stresses, changing the thinning and pinch-off dynamics. In this contribution, we use dripping-onto-substrate (DoS) extensional rheometry technique for visualization and analysis of the pinch-off dynamics of dilute and ultra-dilute aqueous polyethylene oxide (PEO) solutions. Using a range of molecular weights, we study the effect of both elasticity and finite extensibility. Both effective relaxation time and the transient extensional viscosity are found to be strongly concentration-dependent even for highly dilute solutions.

Identification of a Novel System for Boron Transport: Atr1 Is a Main Boron Exporter in Yeast▿ †

PubMed Central

Kaya, Alaattin; Karakaya, Huseyin C.; Fomenko, Dmitri E.; Gladyshev, Vadim N.; Koc, Ahmet

2009-01-01

Boron is a micronutrient in plants and animals, but its specific roles in cellular processes are not known. To understand boron transport and functions, we screened a yeast genomic DNA library for genes that confer resistance to the element in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thirty boron-resistant transformants were isolated, and they all contained the ATR1 (YML116w) gene. Atr1 is a multidrug resistance transport protein belonging to the major facilitator superfamily. C-terminal green fluorescent protein-tagged Atr1 localized to the cell membrane and vacuole, and ATR1 gene expression was upregulated by boron and several stress conditions. We found that atr1Δ mutants were highly sensitive to boron treatment, whereas cells overexpressing ATR1 were boron resistant. In addition, atr1Δ cells accumulated boron, whereas ATR1-overexpressing cells had low intracellular levels of the element. Furthermore, atr1Δ cells showed stronger boron-dependent phenotypes than mutants deficient in genes previously reported to be implicated in boron metabolism. ATR1 is widely distributed in bacteria, archaea, and lower eukaryotes. Our data suggest that Atr1 functions as a boron efflux pump and is required for boron tolerance. PMID:19414602

Ferromagnetism and semiconducting of boron nanowires

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

More recently, motivated by extensively technical applications of carbon nanostructures, there is a growing interest in exploring novel non-carbon nanostructures. As the nearest neighbor of carbon in the periodic table, boron has exceptional properties of low volatility and high melting point and is stronger than steel, harder than corundum, and lighter than aluminum. Boron nanostructures thus are expected to have broad applications in various circumstances. In this contribution, we have performed a systematical study of the stability and electronic and magnetic properties of boron nanowires using the spin-polarized density functional calculations. Our calculations have revealed that there are six stable configurations of boron nanowires obtained by growing along different base vectors from the unit cell of the bulk α-rhombohedral boron (α-B) and β-rhombohedral boron (β-B). Well known, the boron bulk is usually metallic without magnetism. However, theoretical results about the magnetic and electronic properties showed that, whether for the α-B-based or the β-B-based nanowires, their magnetism is dependent on the growing direction. When the boron nanowires grow along the base vector [001], they exhibit ferromagnetism and have the magnetic moments of 1.98 and 2.62 μB, respectively, for the α-c [001] and β-c [001] directions. Electronically, when the boron nanowire grows along the α-c [001] direction, it shows semiconducting and has the direct bandgap of 0.19 eV. These results showed that boron nanowires possess the unique direction dependence of the magnetic and semiconducting behaviors, which are distinctly different from that of the bulk boron. Therefore, these theoretical findings would bring boron nanowires to have many promising applications that are novel for the boron bulk. PMID:23244063

Effects of water quality parameters on boron toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia.

PubMed

Dethloff, Gail M; Stubblefield, William A; Schlekat, Christian E

2009-07-01

The potential modifying effects of certain water quality parameters (e.g., hardness, alkalinity, pH) on the acute toxicity of boron were tested using a freshwater cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia dubia. By comparison, boron acute toxicity was less affected by water quality characteristics than some metals (e.g., copper and silver). Increases in alkalinity over the range tested did not alter toxicity. Increases in water hardness appeared to have an effect with very hard waters (>500 mg/L as CaCO(3)). Decreased pH had a limited influence on boron acute toxicity in laboratory waters. Increasing chloride concentration did not provide a protective effect. Boron acute toxicity was unaffected by sodium concentrations. Median acute lethal concentrations (LC(50)) in natural water samples collected from three field sites were all greater than in reconstituted laboratory waters that matched natural waters in all respects except for dissolved organic carbon. Water effect ratios in these waters ranged from 1.4 to 1.8. In subsequent studies using a commercially available source of natural organic matter, acute toxicity decreased with increased dissolved organic carbon, suggesting, along with the natural water studies, that dissolved organic carbon should be considered further as a modifier of boron toxicity in natural waters where it exceeds 2 mg/L.

Defect annealing in electron-irradiated boron-doped silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awadelkarim, O. O.; Chen, W. M.; Weman, H.; Monemar, B.

1990-01-01

Defects introduced by room-temperature electron irradiation and subsequent annealing in boron-doped silicon are studied by means of deep-level transient spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) techniques. ODMR reveals a thermally induced paramagnetic (S=(1/2) defect center that is produced following annealing at 400 °C. The center possesses a C3v point-group symmetry with the trigonal axis along <111>. Detailed analysis of the ODMR line shapes indicates the involvement of a silicon atom in the defect center. It appears from the results that boron is either another possible defect component or an essential catalyst for the defect formation. The occurrence of the ODMR signal together with a luminescence band peaking at 0.80 eV is independent of oxygen or carbon contents in the samples. The band does not belong to the center observed by ODMR; however, a decrease in its intensity, under resonance conditions in the ODMR center, is explained in terms of carrier recombination, capture, or energy-transfer processes involving this center. Annealing studies on a metastable hole trap observed at Ev+0.12 eV (Ev being the top of the valence band) establish the trap assignment to a carbon-interstitial-carbon-substitutional pair. The introduction of postannealing traps observed at Ev+0.07 eV, Ev+0.45 eV, and Ec-0.59 eV (Ec being the conduction-band edge) is found to be boron dependent. Isothermal formation of the centers responsible for these traps are observed, and none of the traps appears to be related to either the center observed by ODMR or the 0.80-eV band.

Design and calibration of a novel transient radiative heat flux meter for a spacecraft thermal test

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheng, Chunchen; Hu, Peng, E-mail: hupeng@ustc.edu.cn; Cheng, Xiaofang

2016-06-15

Radiative heat flux measurement is significantly important for a spacecraft thermal test. To satisfy the requirements of both high accuracy and fast response, a novel transient radiative heat flux meter was developed. Its thermal receiver consists of a central thermal receiver and two thermal guarded annular plates, which ensure the temperature distribution of the central thermal receiver to be uniform enough for reasonably applying lumped heat capacity method in a transient radiative heat flux measurement. This novel transient radiative heat flux meter design can also take accurate measurements regardless of spacecraft surface temperature and incident radiation spectrum. The measurement principlemore » was elaborated and the coefficients were calibrated. Experimental results from testing a blackbody furnace and an Xenon lamp show that this novel transient radiative heat flux meter can be used to measure transient radiative heat flux up to 1400 W/m{sup 2} with high accuracy and the response time of less than 10 s.« less

Early growth tolerances of grasses, shrubs, and trees to boron in tunnel spoil

Treesearch

Parker F. Pratt; Eamor C. Nord; Francis L. Bair

1971-01-01

The effects of boron and salts in spoil material on survival and growth of 44 grass, shrub, and tree species were tested under greenhouse conditions. The spoil used was from the Angeles Tunnel of the California Aqueduct's West Branch now being built. Several species within each plant group apparently can tolerate boron, but field tests will be needed before most...

Elucidating the resistance to failure under tribological tests of various boron-based films by XPS and ToF-SIMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spadaro, F.; Rossi, A.; Lainé, E.; Woodward, P.; Spencer, N. D.

2017-12-01

Tribotests performed on boron-based thermal films have revealed higher mechanical durability and lower wear coefficients compared to results from tests performed on boron-free thermal films. In the current study, in order to follow and identify the tribochemical reactions taking place in the contact regions, post-characterization has been carried out on the steel ball and on the steel disc. The techniques adopted to achieve this goal were small-area X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS). The contact areas have been investigated before and after failure of the thermal films, revealing thermal-film removal inside the wear track on the disc and the presence of a transfer film in the contact area on the steel ball following tribotesting. Furthermore, borate contributions in the deeper layers within the tribo-stressed area on the disc were revealed at the end of the tribotest. These procedures shed light on the tribomechanical and tribochemical reactions taking place in the contact region, on the ability of boron species to sustain tribological stress and provide mechanical stability, and on the mechanical-mixing processes occurring within the sliding contacts. The mass spectra collected before tribotesting on all thermal films suggest the presence of phosphate- and borate-containing structures.

Method for preparing boron-carbide articles

DOEpatents

Benton, S.T.; Masters, D.R.

1975-10-21

The invention is directed to the preparation of boron carbide articles of various configurations. A stoichiometric mixture of particulate boron and carbon is confined in a suitable mold, heated to a temperature in the range of about 1250 to 1500$sup 0$C for effecting a solid state diffusion reaction between the boron and carbon for forming the boron carbide (B$sub 4$C), and thereafter the resulting boron-carbide particles are hot-pressed at a temperature in the range of about 1800 to 2200$sup 0$C and a pressure in the range of about 1000 to 4000 psi for densifying and sintering the boron carbide into the desired article.

Acute and chronic toxicity of boron to a variety of freshwater organisms.

PubMed

Soucek, David J; Dickinson, Amy; Koch, Brian T

2011-08-01

Boron enters the aquatic environment from various sources, including weathering of borates, sewage effluents, coal combustion, use of cleaning compounds, and agrochemicals. The present study was designed to generate data on acute and chronic boron toxicity in support of an update of water quality standards in Illinois, USA. We examined the acute toxicity of boron to eight different freshwater organisms including a fish, an insect, two crustaceans, and four bivalve mollusks. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present data on the toxicity of boron to freshwater mollusks. We also sought to clarify whether hardness or pH affect boron toxicity to aquatic life, and to quantify chronic effect levels in two freshwater species. Sensitivity among the various species ranged widely, with the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) being the most sensitive. Neither pH nor hardness had a consistent effect on acute boron toxicity to two crustaceans (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Hyalella azteca), but we observed evidence that chloride reduces boron toxicity to H. azteca. The fathead minnow, while more acutely sensitive than the other species, had a lower acute to chronic ratio than did H. azteca, which had reduced reproduction at 13 mg/L. While we do not know the extent to which the eight tested species represent the range of sensitivities of native but untested species in Illinois, the current water quality standard for Illinois (1 mg/L) is conservative with regard to the native species tested thus far. Copyright © 2011 SETAC.

Biological activity of N(4)-boronated derivatives of 2'-deoxycytidine, potential agents for boron-neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Nizioł, Joanna; Uram, Łukasz; Szuster, Magdalena; Sekuła, Justyna; Ruman, Tomasz

2015-10-01

Boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary anticancer therapy that requires boron compound for nuclear reaction during which high energy alpha particles and lithium nuclei are formed. Unnatural, boron-containing nucleoside with hydrophobic pinacol moiety was investigated as a potential BNCT boron delivery agent. Biological properties of this compound are presented for the first time and prove that boron nucleoside has low cytotoxicity and that observed apoptotic effects suggest alteration of important functions of cancer cells. Mass spectrometry analysis of DNA from cancer cells proved that boron nucleoside is inserted into nucleic acids as a functional nucleotide derivative. NMR studies present very high degree of similarity of natural dG-dC base pair with dG-boron nucleoside system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preliminary Analysis of the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) with PROTEUS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Connaway, H. M.; Lee, C. H.

The neutron transport code PROTEUS has been used to perform preliminary simulations of the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT). TREAT is an experimental reactor designed for the testing of nuclear fuels and other materials under transient conditions. It operated from 1959 to 1994, when it was placed on non-operational standby. The restart of TREAT to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s resumption of transient testing is currently underway. Both single assembly and assembly-homogenized full core models have been evaluated. Simulations were performed using a historic set of WIMS-ANL-generated cross-sections as well as a new set of Serpent-generated cross-sections. To supportmore » this work, further analyses were also performed using additional codes in order to investigate particular aspects of TREAT modeling. DIF3D and the Monte-Carlo codes MCNP and Serpent were utilized in these studies. MCNP and Serpent were used to evaluate the effect of geometry homogenization on the simulation results and to support code-to-code comparisons. New meshes for the PROTEUS simulations were created using the CUBIT toolkit, with additional meshes generated via conversion of selected DIF3D models to support code-to-code verifications. All current analyses have focused on code-to-code verifications, with additional verification and validation studies planned. The analysis of TREAT with PROTEUS-SN is an ongoing project. This report documents the studies that have been performed thus far, and highlights key challenges to address in future work.« less

THE BORON-CURCUMIN COMPLEX IN THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE AMOUNTS OF BORON

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hayes, M.R.; Metcalfe, J.

1962-12-01

A simple and robust method is described for the formation of the complex of boron with curcumin. The sensitivity of the method is 8.0 to 8.5 x 10/sup -5/ mu g per sq. cm by Sandell's definition. Formation of the complex is believed to be quartitative under the conditions used, and some evidence is given for a ratio of boron to curcumin of 1 to 3. Methods are outlined for determining boron in some metals, compounds, and organic materials. (auth)

High Boron-loaded DNA-Oligomers as Potential Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and Antisense Oligonucleotide Dual-Action Anticancer Agents.

PubMed

Kaniowski, Damian; Ebenryter-Olbińska, Katarzyna; Sobczak, Milena; Wojtczak, Błażej; Janczak, Sławomir; Leśnikowski, Zbigniew J; Nawrot, Barbara

2017-08-23

Boron cluster-modified therapeutic nucleic acids with improved properties are of interest in gene therapy and in cancer boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). High metallacarborane-loaded antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were synthesized through post-synthetic Cu (I)-assisted "click" conjugation of alkyne-modified DNA-oligonucleotides with a boron cluster alkyl azide component. The obtained oligomers exhibited increased lipophilicity compared to their non-modified precursors, while their binding affinity to complementary DNA and RNA strands was slightly decreased. Multiple metallacarborane residues present in the oligonucleotide chain, each containing 18 B-H groups, enabled the use of IR spectroscopy as a convenient analytical method for these oligomers based on the diagnostic B-H signal at 2400-2650 cm -1 . The silencing activity of boron cluster-modified ASOs used at higher concentrations was similar to that of unmodified oligonucleotides. The screened ASOs, when used in low concentrations (up to 50 μM), exhibited pro-oxidative properties by inducing ROS production and an increase in mitochondrial activities in HeLa cells. In contrast, when used at higher concentrations, the ASOs exhibited anti-oxidative properties by lowering ROS species levels. In the HeLa cells (tested in the MTT assay) treated (without lipofectamine) or transfected with the screened compounds, the mitochondrial activity remained equal to the control level or only slightly changed (±30%). These findings may be useful in the design of dual-action boron cluster-modified therapeutic nucleic acids with combined antisense and anti-oxidant properties.

Boron chemicals in diagnosis and therapeutics

PubMed Central

Das, Bhaskar C; Thapa, Pritam; Karki, Radha; Schinke, Caroline; Das, Sasmita; Kambhampati, Suman; Banerjee, Sushanta K; Van Veldhuizen, Peter; Verma, Amit; Weiss, Louis M; Evans, Todd

2013-01-01

Advances in the field of boron chemistry have expanded the application of boron from material use to medicine. Boron-based drugs represent a new class of molecules that possess several biomedical applications including use as imaging agents for both optical and nuclear imaging as well as therapeutic agents with anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and other disease-specific activities. For example, bortezomib (Velcade®), the only drug in clinical use with boron as an active element, was approved in 2003 as a proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Several other boron-based compounds are in various phases of clinical trials, which illustrates the promise of this approach for medicinal chemists working in the area of boron chemistry. It is expected that in the near future, several boron-containing drugs should become available in the market with better efficacy and potency than existing drugs. This article discusses the current status of the development of boron-based compounds as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in humans. PMID:23617429

Steadiness in Dilute Pyroclastic Density Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, B. J.

2015-12-01

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are often unsteady, as evidenced by direct observations of dilute lobes or jets emerging from the fronts of larger currents and by deposits that indicate transient transport and depositional regimes. We used scaled experiments to investigate unsteadiness in dilute PDCs. The experimental currents were run in an 8.5x6.1x2.6 m tank and comprised heated or ambient temperature 20-μm talc powder turbulently suspended in air. Experiments were scaled such that densimetric and thermal Richardson numbers, Froude number, and particle Stokes and settling numbers were dynamically similar to natural dilute PDCs. Although the experiment Reynolds numbers are substantially lower than those of natural PDCs, the experiments are fully turbulent. Experiments were observed with video and high-speed cameras and high-frequency thermocouples. Currents were generated with total eruption durations of 100 s. Unsteadiness in source conditions was produced by interrupting supply for intervals, t, with durations of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 s in the experimental runs at 35 and 70 s. When t<2.5 s, the currents are indistinguishable from currents with steady supply. In runs with t=2.5-5 s, the individual pulses comprising each current are readily apparent near the source, but decay with distance downstream until the currents appear as single (e.g. steady) flows. In experiments with t=10 s, the 3 pulses comprising each run never merge and the currents remain unsteady. Comparison with the integral turbulent timescale, τ, and current velocity, U, show that unsteadiness is persistent when t>3<τ but currents are steady when t<τ. In currents with 3τ>t>τ, unsteadiness decays such that at a distance of ~4Ut, the currents are again steady. Applied to natural dilute PDCs, our results suggest that currents and their resulting deposits, will only show evidence of unsteadiness if they are disrupted for many seconds and those breaks may "heal" over distances of 100s of meters.

Thermal expansion of boron subnitrides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherednichenko, Kirill A.; Gigli, Lara; Solozhenko, Vladimir L.

2018-07-01

The lattice parameters of two boron subnitrides, B13N2 and B50N2, have been measured as a function of temperature between 298 and 1273 K, and the corresponding thermal expansion coefficients have been determined. Thermal expansion of both boron subnitrides was found to be quasi-linear, and the volume thermal expansion coefficients of B50N2 (15.7 (2) × 10-6 K-1) and B13N2 (21.3 (2) × 10-6 K-1) are of the same order of magnitude as those of boron-rich compounds with structure related to α-rhombohedral boron. For both boron subnitrides no temperature-induced phase transitions have been observed in the temperature range under study.

Development of lightweight aluminum compression panels reinforced by boron-epoxy infiltrated extrusions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roy, P. A.; Mcelman, J. A.; Henshaw, J.

1973-01-01

Analytical and experimental studies were performed to evaluate the structural efficiencies afforded by the selective reinforcement of conventional aluminum compression panels with unidirectional boron epoxy composite materials. A unique approach for selective reinforcement was utilized called boron/epoxy infiltration. This technique uses extruded metal sections with preformed hollow voids into which unidirectional boron filaments are drawn and subsequently infiltrated with resin to form an integral part. Simplified analytical models were developed to investigate the behavior of stiffener webs with reinforced flanges. Theoretical results are presented demonstrating the effects of transverse shear, of the reinforcement, flange eccentricity and torsional stiffness in such construction. A series of 55 tests were conducted on boron-infiltrated rods and extruded structural sections.

40 CFR 89.424 - Dilute emission sampling calculations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Dilute emission sampling calculations... Emission Test Procedures § 89.424 Dilute emission sampling calculations. (a) The final reported emission... concentration. For cases where exhaust sampling of CO2 is not performed, the following approximation is...

40 CFR 89.424 - Dilute emission sampling calculations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 20 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Dilute emission sampling calculations... Emission Test Procedures § 89.424 Dilute emission sampling calculations. (a) The final reported emission... concentration. For cases where exhaust sampling of CO2 is not performed, the following approximation is...

Short-Term Coral Bleaching Is Not Recorded by Skeletal Boron Isotopes

PubMed Central

Schoepf, Verena; McCulloch, Malcolm T.; Warner, Mark E.; Levas, Stephen J.; Matsui, Yohei; Aschaffenburg, Matthew D.; Grottoli, Andréa G.

2014-01-01

Coral skeletal boron isotopes have been established as a proxy for seawater pH, yet it remains unclear if and how this proxy is affected by seawater temperature. Specifically, it has never been directly tested whether coral bleaching caused by high water temperatures influences coral boron isotopes. Here we report the results from a controlled bleaching experiment conducted on the Caribbean corals Porites divaricata, Porites astreoides, and Orbicella faveolata. Stable boron (δ11B), carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O) isotopes, Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, U/Ca, and Ba/Ca ratios, as well as chlorophyll a concentrations and calcification rates were measured on coral skeletal material corresponding to the period during and immediately after the elevated temperature treatment and again after 6 weeks of recovery on the reef. We show that under these conditions, coral bleaching did not affect the boron isotopic signature in any coral species tested, despite significant changes in coral physiology. This contradicts published findings from coral cores, where significant decreases in boron isotopes were interpreted as corresponding to times of known mass bleaching events. In contrast, δ13C and δ18O exhibited major enrichment corresponding to decreases in calcification rates associated with bleaching. Sr/Ca of bleached corals did not consistently record the 1.2°C difference in seawater temperature during the bleaching treatment, or alternatively show a consistent increase due to impaired photosynthesis and calcification. Mg/Ca, U/Ca, and Ba/Ca were affected by coral bleaching in some of the coral species, but the observed patterns could not be satisfactorily explained by temperature dependence or changes in coral physiology. This demonstrates that coral boron isotopes do not record short-term bleaching events, and therefore cannot be used as a proxy for past bleaching events. The robustness of coral boron isotopes to changes in coral physiology, however, suggests that reconstruction of

Short-term coral bleaching is not recorded by skeletal boron isotopes.

PubMed

Schoepf, Verena; McCulloch, Malcolm T; Warner, Mark E; Levas, Stephen J; Matsui, Yohei; Aschaffenburg, Matthew D; Grottoli, Andréa G

2014-01-01

Coral skeletal boron isotopes have been established as a proxy for seawater pH, yet it remains unclear if and how this proxy is affected by seawater temperature. Specifically, it has never been directly tested whether coral bleaching caused by high water temperatures influences coral boron isotopes. Here we report the results from a controlled bleaching experiment conducted on the Caribbean corals Porites divaricata, Porites astreoides, and Orbicella faveolata. Stable boron (δ11B), carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O) isotopes, Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, U/Ca, and Ba/Ca ratios, as well as chlorophyll a concentrations and calcification rates were measured on coral skeletal material corresponding to the period during and immediately after the elevated temperature treatment and again after 6 weeks of recovery on the reef. We show that under these conditions, coral bleaching did not affect the boron isotopic signature in any coral species tested, despite significant changes in coral physiology. This contradicts published findings from coral cores, where significant decreases in boron isotopes were interpreted as corresponding to times of known mass bleaching events. In contrast, δ13C and δ18O exhibited major enrichment corresponding to decreases in calcification rates associated with bleaching. Sr/Ca of bleached corals did not consistently record the 1.2°C difference in seawater temperature during the bleaching treatment, or alternatively show a consistent increase due to impaired photosynthesis and calcification. Mg/Ca, U/Ca, and Ba/Ca were affected by coral bleaching in some of the coral species, but the observed patterns could not be satisfactorily explained by temperature dependence or changes in coral physiology. This demonstrates that coral boron isotopes do not record short-term bleaching events, and therefore cannot be used as a proxy for past bleaching events. The robustness of coral boron isotopes to changes in coral physiology, however, suggests that reconstruction of

Hollow boron nitride nanospheres as boron reservoir for prostate cancer treatment

PubMed Central

Li, Xia; Wang, Xiupeng; Zhang, Jun; Hanagata, Nobutaka; Wang, Xuebin; Weng, Qunhong; Ito, Atsuo; Bando, Yoshio; Golberg, Dmitri

2017-01-01

High global incidence of prostate cancer has led to a focus on prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the impact of this disease in public health. Boron compounds are increasingly recognized as preventative and chemotherapeutic agents. However, systemic administration of soluble boron compounds is hampered by their short half-life and low effectiveness. Here we report on hollow boron nitride (BN) spheres with controlled crystallinity and boron release that decrease cell viability and increase prostate cancer cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments on subcutaneous tumour mouse models treated with BN spheres demonstrated significant suppression of tumour growth. An orthotopic tumour growth model was also utilized and further confirmed the in vivo anti-cancer efficacy of BN spheres. Moreover, the administration of hollow BN spheres with paclitaxel leads to synergetic effects in the suppression of tumour growth. The work demonstrates that hollow BN spheres may function as a new agent for prostate cancer treatment. PMID:28059072

Methods of producing continuous boron carbide fibers

DOEpatents

Garnier, John E.; Griffith, George W.

2015-12-01

Methods of producing continuous boron carbide fibers. The method comprises reacting a continuous carbon fiber material and a boron oxide gas within a temperature range of from approximately 1400.degree. C. to approximately 2200.degree. C. Continuous boron carbide fibers, continuous fibers comprising boron carbide, and articles including at least a boron carbide coating are also disclosed.

The Physiological Role of Boron on Health.

PubMed

Khaliq, Haseeb; Juming, Zhong; Ke-Mei, Peng

2018-03-15

Boron is an essential mineral that plays an important role in several biological processes. Boron is required for growth of plants, animals, and humans. There are increasing evidences of this nutrient showing a variety of pleiotropic effects, ranging from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects to the modulation of different body systems. In the past few years, the trials showed disease-related polymorphisms of boron in different species, which has drawn attention of scientists to the significance of boron to health. Low boron profile has been related with poor immune function, increased risk of mortality, osteoporosis, and cognitive deterioration. High boron status revealed injury to cell and toxicity in different animals and humans. Some studies have shown some benefits of higher boron status, but findings have been generally mixed, which perhaps accentuates the fact that dietary intake will benefit only if supplemental amount is appropriate. The health benefits of boron are numerous in animals and humans; for instance, it affects the growth at safe intake. Central nervous system shows improvement and immune organs exhibit enhanced immunity with boron supplementation. Hepatic metabolism also shows positive changes in response to dietary boron intake. Furthermore, animals and human fed diets supplemented with boron reveal improved bone density and other benefits including embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer therapy. It has also been reported that boron affects the metabolism of several enzymes and minerals. In the background of these health benefits, low or high boron status is giving cause for concern. Additionally, researches are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms of boron effects, and determine the requirements in different species.

Boron Nitride Nanoribbons from Exfoliation of Boron Nitride Nanotubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hung, Ching-Cheh; Hurst, Janet; Santiago, Diana

2017-01-01

Two types of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were exfoliated into boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNR), which were identified using transmission electron microscopy: (1) commercial BNNTs with thin tube walls and small diameters. Tube unzipping was indicated by a large decrease of the sample's surface area and volume for pores less than 2 nm in diameter. (2) BNNTs with large diameters and thick walls synthesized at NASA Glenn Research Center. Here, tube unraveling was indicated by a large increase in external surface area and pore volume. For both, the exfoliation process was similar to the previous reported method to exfoliate commercial hexagonal boron nitride (hBN): Mixtures of BNNT, FeCl3, and NaF (or KF) were sequentially treated in 250 to 350 C nitrogen for intercalation, 500 to 750 C air for exfoliation, and finally HCl for purification. Property changes of the nanosized boron nitride throughout this process were also similar to the previously observed changes of commercial hBN during the exfoliation process: Both crystal structure (x-ray diffraction data) and chemical properties (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy data) of the original reactant changed after intercalation and exfoliation, but most (not all) of these changes revert back to those of the reactant once the final, purified products are obtained.

Transient and Steady-state Tests of the Space Power Research Engine with Resistive and Motor Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rauch, Jeffrey S.; Kankam, M. David

1995-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) has been testing free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternators (FPSE/LA) to develop advanced power convertors for space-based electrical power generation. Tests reported herein were performed to evaluate the interaction and transient behavior of FPSE/LA-based power systems with typical user loads. Both resistive and small induction motor loads were tested with the space power research engine (SPRE) power system. Tests showed that the control system could maintain constant long term voltage and stable periodic operation over a large range of engine operating parameters and loads. Modest resistive load changes were shown to cause relatively large voltage and, therefore, piston and displacer amplitude excursions. Starting a typical small induction motor was shown to cause large and, in some cases, deleterious voltage transients. The tests identified the need for more effective controls, if FPSE/LAs are to be used for stand-alone power systems. The tests also generated a large body of transient dynamic data useful for analysis code validation.

Transient and steady-state tests of the space power research engine with resistive and motor loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauch, Jeffrey S.; Kankam, M. David

1995-01-01

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) has been testing free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternators (FPSE/LA) to develop advanced power convertors for space-based electrical power generation. Tests reported herein were performed to evaluate the interaction and transient behavior of FPSE/LA-based power systems with typical user loads. Both resistive and small induction motor loads were tested with the space power research engine (SPRE) power system. Tests showed that the control system could maintain constant long term voltage and stable periodic operation over a large range of engine operating parameters and loads. Modest resistive load changes were shown to cause relatively large voltage and, therefore, piston and displacer amplitude excursions. Starting a typical small induction motor was shown to cause large and, in some cases, deleterious voltage transients. The tests identified the need for more effective controls, if FPSE/LAs are to be used for stand-alone power systems. The tests also generated a large body of transient dynamic data useful for analysis code validation.

Boron-carbide-aluminum and boron-carbide-reactive metal cermets

DOEpatents

Halverson, Danny C.; Pyzik, Aleksander J.; Aksay, Ilhan A.

1986-01-01

Hard, tough, lightweight boron-carbide-reactive metal composites, particularly boron-carbide-aluminum composites, are produced. These composites have compositions with a plurality of phases. A method is provided, including the steps of wetting and reacting the starting materials, by which the microstructures in the resulting composites can be controllably selected. Starting compositions, reaction temperatures, reaction times, and reaction atmospheres are parameters for controlling the process and resulting compositions. The ceramic phases are homogeneously distributed in the metal phases and adhesive forces at ceramic-metal interfaces are maximized. An initial consolidation step is used to achieve fully dense composites. Microstructures of boron-carbide-aluminum cermets have been produced with modulus of rupture exceeding 110 ksi and fracture toughness exceeding 12 ksi.sqroot.in. These composites and methods can be used to form a variety of structural elements.

Testing the ontogenetic base for the transient model of inflorescence development.

PubMed

Bull-Hereñu, Kester; Claßen-Bockhoff, Regine

2013-11-01

Current research in plant science has concentrated on revealing ontogenetic processes of key attributes in plant evolution. One recently discussed model is the 'transient model' successful in explaining some types of inflorescence architectures based on two main principles: the decline of the so called 'vegetativeness' (veg) factor and the transient nature of apical meristems in developing inflorescences. This study examines whether both principles find a concrete ontogenetic correlate in inflorescence development. To test the ontogenetic base of veg decline and the transient character of apical meristems the ontogeny of meristematic size in developing inflorescences was investigated under scanning electron microscopy. Early and late inflorescence meristems were measured and compared during inflorescence development in 13 eudicot species from 11 families. The initial size of the inflorescence meristem in closed inflorescences correlates with the number of nodes in the mature inflorescence. Conjunct compound inflorescences (panicles) show a constant decrease of meristematic size from early to late inflorescence meristems, while disjunct compound inflorescences present an enlargement by merging from early inflorescence meristems to late inflorescence meristems, implying a qualitative change of the apical meristems during ontogeny. Partial confirmation was found for the transient model for inflorescence architecture in the ontogeny: the initial size of the apical meristem in closed inflorescences is consistent with the postulated veg decline mechanism regulating the size of the inflorescence. However, the observed biphasic kinetics of the development of the apical meristem in compound racemes offers the primary explanation for their disjunct morphology, contrary to the putative exclusive transient mechanism in lateral axes as expected by the model.

Boron incorporation in the foraminifer Amphistegina lessonii under a decoupled carbonate chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaczmarek, K.; Langer, G.; Nehrke, G.; Horn, I.; Misra, S.; Janse, M.; Bijma, J.

2014-12-01

A number of studies have shown that the boron isotopic composition (δ11B) and the B/Ca ratio of biogenic carbonates (mostly foraminifers) can serve as proxies for two parameters of the ocean's carbonate chemistry, rendering it possible to calculate the entire carbonate system. However, the B incorporation mechanism into marine carbonates is still not fully understood and analyses of field samples show species specific and hydrographic effects on the B proxies complicating their application. Identifying the carbonate system parameter influencing boron incorporation is difficult due to the co-variation of pH, CO32-, and B(OH)4-. To shed light on the question which parameter of the carbonate system is related to the boron incorporation, we performed culture experiments with the benthic symbiont-bearing foraminifer Amphistegina lessonii using a decoupled pH-CO32- chemistry. The determination of the boron isotopic composition and B/Ca ratios was performed simultaneously by means of a new in situ technique combining optical emission spectroscopy and laser ablation MC-ICP-MS. The boron isotopic composition in the tests gets heavier with increasing pH and B/Ca increases with increasing BOH4-/HCO3- of the culture media. The latter indicates that boron uptake of A. lessonii features a competition between B(OH)4- and HCO3-. Furthermore, the simultaneous determination of B/Ca and δ11B on single specimens allows for assessing the relative variability of these parameters. Among different treatments the B/Ca shows an increasing variability with increasing boron concentration in the test whereas the variability in the isotope distribution is constant.

Industrial Test of High Strength Steel Plates Free Boron Q890D Used for Engineering Machinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Ruifeng; Liu, Zetian; Gao, Jun

The chemistry composition, process parameters and the test results of Q890D free boron high strength steel plate used for engineering machinery was studied. The 16 40 mm thickness steel plates with good mechanical properties that was yield strength of 930 970 MPa, tensile strength of 978 1017 MPa, elongation of 13.5 15%, the average impact energy value of more than 100 J were developed by improving steel purity, adopting the reasonable controlled rolling and cooling process, using reasonable off-line quenching and tempering process. The test plates have good crack resistance in 60 °C preheat temperature condition because of that there are no any cracks in the surfaces, cross-section and roots of welding joints.

Boron carbide nanowires: Synthesis and characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Zhe

solid orthorhombic phase catalyst. The status of a catalyst depends mainly on temperature. (3) Observation of "invisible" defects in boron carbide nanowires. The planar defects can only be seen under a transmission electron microscope when the electron beam is within the defect plane. Furthermore, there are only two directions within that plane, along which the orientation of defect can be told and clear TEM results can be taken. The challenge is that the TEM sample holder is limited to tilt +/-30° in each direction. A theory was developed based on lattice calculation and simulation to tell the orientation of defect even not from those unique directions. Furthermore, it was tested by experimental data and proved to be successful. (4) Preliminary exploration of structure-transport property of as-synthesized boron carbide nanowires. In collaboration with experts in the field of thermal science, thermal transport properties of a few boron carbide nanowires were studied. All measured nanowires were either pre-characterized or post-characterized by TEM to reveal their structural information such as diameter, fault orientations and chemical composition. The obtained structural information was then analyzed together with measured thermal conductivity to establish a structure-transport property relation. Current data indicate that TF ones have a lower thermal conductivity, which is also diameter-dependent.

Collaborative investigation of broth microdilution and semisolid agar dilution for in vitro susceptibility testing of Candida albicans.

PubMed Central

Shawar, R; Paetznick, V; Witte, Z; Ensign, L G; Anaissie, E; LaRocco, M

1992-01-01

A study was performed in two laboratories to evaluate the effect of growth medium and test methodology on inter- and intralaboratory variations in the MICs of amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITRA), and the triazole Sch 39304 (SCH) against 14 isolates of Candida albicans. Testing was performed by broth microdilution and semisolid agar dilution with the following media, buffered to pH 7.0 with morpholinepropanesulfonic acid (MOPS): buffered yeast nitrogen base (BYNB), Eagle's minimal essential medium (EMEM), RPMI 1640 medium (RPMI), and synthetic amino acid medium for fungi (SAAMF). Inocula were standardized spectrophotometrically, and endpoints were defined by the complete absence of growth for AMB and by no more than 25% of the growth in the drug-free control for all other agents. Comparative analyses of median MICs, as determined by each test method, were made for all drug-medium combinations. Both methods yielded similar (+/- 1 twofold dilution) median MICs for AMB in EMEM and RPMI, 5FC in all media, and FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF. In contrast, substantial between-method variations in median MICs were seen for AMB in BYNB and SAAMF, FLU In BYNB, and ITRA and SCH in all media. Interlaboratory concordance of median MICs was good for AMB, 5FC, and FLU but poor for ITRA and SCH in all media. Endpoint determinations were analyzed by use of kappa statistical analyses for evaluating the strength of observer agreement. Moderate to almost perfect interlaboratory agreement occurred with AMB and 5FC in all media and with FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF, irrespective of the test method. Slight to almost perfect interlaboratory agreement occurred with ITRA and SCH in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF when tested by semisolid agar dilution but not broth microdilution. Kappa values assessing intralaboratory agreement between methods were high for 5FC in all media, for AMB in BYNB, ENEM, and RPMI, and for FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF. One laboratory

Collaborative investigation of broth microdilution and semisolid agar dilution for in vitro susceptibility testing of Candida albicans.

PubMed

Shawar, R; Paetznick, V; Witte, Z; Ensign, L G; Anaissie, E; LaRocco, M

1992-08-01

A study was performed in two laboratories to evaluate the effect of growth medium and test methodology on inter- and intralaboratory variations in the MICs of amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLU), itraconazole (ITRA), and the triazole Sch 39304 (SCH) against 14 isolates of Candida albicans. Testing was performed by broth microdilution and semisolid agar dilution with the following media, buffered to pH 7.0 with morpholinepropanesulfonic acid (MOPS): buffered yeast nitrogen base (BYNB), Eagle's minimal essential medium (EMEM), RPMI 1640 medium (RPMI), and synthetic amino acid medium for fungi (SAAMF). Inocula were standardized spectrophotometrically, and endpoints were defined by the complete absence of growth for AMB and by no more than 25% of the growth in the drug-free control for all other agents. Comparative analyses of median MICs, as determined by each test method, were made for all drug-medium combinations. Both methods yielded similar (+/- 1 twofold dilution) median MICs for AMB in EMEM and RPMI, 5FC in all media, and FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF. In contrast, substantial between-method variations in median MICs were seen for AMB in BYNB and SAAMF, FLU In BYNB, and ITRA and SCH in all media. Interlaboratory concordance of median MICs was good for AMB, 5FC, and FLU but poor for ITRA and SCH in all media. Endpoint determinations were analyzed by use of kappa statistical analyses for evaluating the strength of observer agreement. Moderate to almost perfect interlaboratory agreement occurred with AMB and 5FC in all media and with FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF, irrespective of the test method. Slight to almost perfect interlaboratory agreement occurred with ITRA and SCH in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF when tested by semisolid agar dilution but not broth microdilution. Kappa values assessing intralaboratory agreement between methods were high for 5FC in all media, for AMB in BYNB, ENEM, and RPMI, and for FLU in EMEM, RPMI, and SAAMF. One laboratory

An empirical model for parameters affecting energy consumption in boron removal from boron-containing wastewaters by electrocoagulation.

PubMed

Yilmaz, A Erdem; Boncukcuoğlu, Recep; Kocakerim, M Muhtar

2007-06-01

In this study, it was investigated parameters affecting energy consumption in boron removal from boron containing wastewaters prepared synthetically, via electrocoagulation method. The solution pH, initial boron concentration, dose of supporting electrolyte, current density and temperature of solution were selected as experimental parameters affecting energy consumption. The obtained experimental results showed that boron removal efficiency reached up to 99% under optimum conditions, in which solution pH was 8.0, current density 6.0 mA/cm(2), initial boron concentration 100mg/L and solution temperature 293 K. The current density was an important parameter affecting energy consumption too. High current density applied to electrocoagulation cell increased energy consumption. Increasing solution temperature caused to decrease energy consumption that high temperature decreased potential applied under constant current density. That increasing initial boron concentration and dose of supporting electrolyte caused to increase specific conductivity of solution decreased energy consumption. As a result, it was seen that energy consumption for boron removal via electrocoagulation method could be minimized at optimum conditions. An empirical model was predicted by statistically. Experimentally obtained values were fitted with values predicted from empirical model being as following; [formula in text]. Unfortunately, the conditions obtained for optimum boron removal were not the conditions obtained for minimum energy consumption. It was determined that support electrolyte must be used for increase boron removal and decrease electrical energy consumption.

Number of siblings and intellectual development. The resource dilution explanation.

PubMed

Downey, D B

2001-01-01

The resource dilution model posits that parental resources are finite and that as the number of children in the family increases, the resources accrued by any one child necessarily decline. Siblings are competitors for parents' time, energy, and financial resources and so the fewer the better. Even one sibling is too many. The author describes the general elements of the dilution position and assesses its merits for explaining the effect of siblings on one component of the educational process--tests of intellectual development. The author identifies critical flaws in recent critiques of the dilution position and concludes that dilution continues to provide the most promising explanation for why children with few siblings score higher on tests of cognitive skills than children with many siblings.

The Combined Action of Duplicated Boron Transporters Is Required for Maize Growth in Boron-Deficient Conditions.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Mithu; Liu, Qiujie; Menello, Caitlin; Galli, Mary; Gallavotti, Andrea

2017-08-01

The micronutrient boron is essential in maintaining the structure of plant cell walls and is critical for high yields in crop species. Boron can move into plants by diffusion or by active and facilitated transport mechanisms. We recently showed that mutations in the maize boron efflux transporter ROTTEN EAR (RTE) cause severe developmental defects and sterility. RTE is part of a small gene family containing five additional members ( RTE2 - RTE6 ) that show tissue-specific expression. The close paralogous gene RTE2 encodes a protein with 95% amino acid identity with RTE and is similarly expressed in shoot and root cells surrounding the vasculature. Despite sharing a similar function with RTE , mutations in the RTE2 gene do not cause growth defects in the shoot, even in boron-deficient conditions. However, rte2 mutants strongly enhance the rte phenotype in soils with low boron content, producing shorter plants that fail to form all reproductive structures. The joint action of RTE and RTE2 is also required in root development. These defects can be fully complemented by supplying boric acid, suggesting that diffusion or additional transport mechanisms overcome active boron transport deficiencies in the presence of an excess of boron. Overall, these results suggest that RTE2 and RTE function are essential for maize shoot and root growth in boron-deficient conditions. Copyright © 2017 by the Genetics Society of America.

Effect of low temperature oxidation (LTO) in reducing boron skin in boron spin on dopant diffused emitter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singha, Bandana; Solanki, Chetan Singh

Formation of boron skin is an unavoidable phenomenon in p-type emitter formation with boron dopant source. The boron skin thickness is generally less than 100 nm and difficult to remove by chemical and physical means. Low temperature oxidation (LTO) used in this work is useful in removing boron skin thickness up to 30 nm and improves the emitter performance. The effective minority carrier lifetime gets improved by more than 30% after using LTO and leakage current of the emitter gets lowered by 100 times thereby showing the importance of low temperature oxidation in boron spin on dopant diffused emitters.

JAGUAR Procedures for Detonation Behavior of Explosives Containing Boron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stiel, Leonard; Baker, Ernest; Capellos, Christos

2009-06-01

The JAGUAR product library was expanded to include boron and boron containing products. Relationships of the Murnaghan form for molar volumes and derived properties were implemented in JAGUAR. Available Hugoniot and static volumertic data were analyzed to obtain constants of the Murnaghan relationship for solid boron, boron oxide, boron nitride, boron carbide, and boric acid. Experimental melting points were also utilized with optimization procedures to obtain the constants of the volumetric relationships for liquid boron and boron oxide. Detonation velocities for HMX - boron mixtures calculated with these relationships using JAGUAR are in closer agreement with literature values at high initial densities for inert (unreacted) boron than with the completely reacted metal. These results indicate that boron mixtures may exhibit eigenvalue detonation behavior, as observed by aluminized combined effects explosives, with higher detonation velocities than would be achieved by a classical Chapman-Jouguet detonation. Analyses of calorimetric measurements for RDX - boron mixtures indicate that at high boron contents the formation of side products, including boron nitride and boron carbide, inhibits the energy output obtained from the detonation of the formulation.

Precooling of a dilution refrigerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlov, Valentin N.

A non-trivial system for Precooling of the dilution refrigerator for low-temperatureexperiments on an ISOL-facility is described in detail. Neither exchange gas in the vacuum jacket of the cryostat nor a demantable window in the 4K shield are used in this system. Instead of that the dilution refrigerator is supplemented with two capillaries and a heater in order to cool all low-temperature parts of the refrigerator down to start conditions. The, time of cooling depends on the total impedance of the first heat exchanger. Such system has been developed and tested in Dubna, and it is in operation.

Mineral of the month: boron

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lyday, Phyllis A.

2005-01-01

What does boron have to do with baseball, apple pie, motherhood and Chevrolet? Boron minerals and chemicals are used in the tanning of leather baseballs and gloves; in micro-fertilizer to grow apples and in the glass and enamels of bakewares to cook apple pie; in boron detergents for soaking baby clothes and diapers; and in fiberglass parts for the Chevrolet Corvette.

Method for separating boron isotopes

DOEpatents

Rockwood, Stephen D.

1978-01-01

A method of separating boron isotopes .sup.10 B and .sup.11 B by laser-induced selective excitation and photodissociation of BCl.sub.3 molecules containing a particular boron isotope. The photodissociation products react with an appropriate chemical scavenger and the reaction products may readily be separated from undissociated BCl.sub.3, thus effecting the desired separation of the boron isotopes.

Boron isotope fractionation in liquid chromatography with boron-specific resins as column packing material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oi, Takao; Shimazaki, Hiromi; Ishii, Reiko

1997-07-01

Boron-specific resins with n-methyl glucamine as the functional group were used as column packing material of liquid chromatography for boron isotope separation. The shapes of chromatograms in reverse breakthrough experiments were heavily dependent on the pH of the eluents, and there existed a pH value at which a chromatogram of the displacement type was realized nearly ideally. The value of the single-stage separation factor for the boron isotopes varied between 1.010 and 1.022, depending on the temperature and the form of the resins. The existence of the three-coordinate boron species in addition to the four-coordinate species in the resin phasemore » is suggested.« less

Properties of vacuum-evaporated boron films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feakes, F.

1973-01-01

The work on the properties of thin boron films made by vacuum evaporation of elemental boron using an electron beam as the energy source is reported. The program aimed at characterizing the properties of vacuum evaporated films. The work was directed toward those variables considered to be important in affecting the tensile strength of the boron films. In general, the thickness of the films was less than 0.002 in. The temperature of the substrate on which the boron was condensed was found to be most important. Three distinctly different forms of boron deposit were produced. Although the transition temperature was not sharply defined, at substrate temperatures of less than approximately 600 deg C the boron deposits were amorphous to X-ray. If the substrate were highly polished, the deposits were black and mirror-like. For substrates with coefficients of thermal expansion close to that of boron, the deposits were then continuous and uncracked. The studies suggest that the potential continues to exist for film-type composites to have both high strength and high modulus.

Impact resistant boron/aluminum composites for large fan blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oller, T. L.; Salemme, C. T.; Bowden, J. H.; Doble, G. S.; Melnyk, P.

1977-01-01

Blade-like specimens were subjected to static ballistic impact testing to determine their relative FOD impact resistance levels. It was determined that a plus or minus 15 deg layup exhibited good impact resistance. The design of a large solid boron/aluminum fan blade was conducted based on the FOD test results. The CF6 fan blade was used as a baseline for these design studies. The solid boron/aluminum fan blade design was used to fabricate two blades. This effort enabled the assessment of the scale up of existing blade manufacturing details for the fabrication of a large B/Al fan blade. Existing CF6 fan blade tooling was modified for use in fabricating these blades.

Boron - A potential goiterogen?

PubMed

Popova, Elizaveta V; Tinkov, Alexey A; Ajsuvakova, Olga P; Skalnaya, Margarita G; Skalny, Anatoly V

2017-07-01

The iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) include a variety of disturbances such as decreased fertility, increased perinatal and infant mortality, impaired physical and intellectual development, mental retardation, cretinism, hypothyroidism, and endemic goiter (EG). The occurrence of the latter is determined by interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The major environmental factor is iodine status that is required for normal thyroid hormone synthesis. However, other factors like intake of micronutrients and goiterogens also have a significant impact. Essential and toxic trace elements both play a significant role in thyroid physiology. We hypothesize that in terms of overexposure boron may serve as a potential goiterogen. In particular, it is proposed that boron overload may impair thyroid physiology ultimately leading to goiter formation. Certain studies provide evidential support of the hypothesis. In particular, it has been demonstrated that serum and urinary B levels are characterized by a negative association with thyroid hormone levels in exposed subjects. Single indications on the potential efficiency of B in hypothyroidism also exist. Moreover, the levels of B were found to be interrelated with thyroid volume in children environmentally exposed to boron. Experimental studies also demonstrated a significant impact of boron on thyroid structure and hormone levels. Finally, the high rate of B cumulation in thyroid may also indicate that thyroid is the target for B activity. Chemical properties of iodine and boron also provide a background for certain competition. However, it is questionable whether these interactions may occur in the biological systems. Further clinical and experimental studies are required to support the hypothesis of the involvement of boron overexposure in goiter formation. If such association will be confirmed and the potential mechanisms elucidated, it will help to regulate the incidence of hypothyroidism and goiter in endemic

Infiltration processing of boron carbide-, boron-, and boride-reactive metal cermets

DOEpatents

Halverson, Danny C.; Landingham, Richard L.

1988-01-01

A chemical pretreatment method is used to produce boron carbide-, boron-, and boride-reactive metal composites by an infiltration process. The boron carbide or other starting constituents, in powder form, are immersed in various alcohols, or other chemical agents, to change the surface chemistry of the starting constituents. The chemically treated starting constituents are consolidated into a porous ceramic precursor which is then infiltrated by molten aluminum or other metal by heating to wetting conditions. Chemical treatment of the starting constituents allows infiltration to full density. The infiltrated precursor is further heat treated to produce a tailorable microstructure. The process at low cost produces composites with improved characteristics, including increased toughness, strength.

Boron carbide nanostructures: A prospective material as an additive in concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Paviter; Kaur, Gurpreet; Kumar, Rohit; Kumar, Umesh; Singh, Kulwinder; Kumar, Manjeet; Bala, Rajni; Meena, Ramovatar; Kumar, Akshay

2018-05-01

In recent decades, manufacture and ingestion of concrete have increased particularly in developing countries. Due to its low cost, safety and strength, concrete have become an economical choice for protection of radiation shielding material in nuclear reactors. As boron carbide has been known as a neutron absorber material makes it a great candidate as an additive in concrete for shielding radiation. This paper presents the synthesis of boron carbide nanostructures by using ball milling method. The X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope analysis confirms the formation of boron carbide nanostructures. The effect of boron carbide nanostructures on the strength of concrete samples was demonstrated. The compressive strength tests of concrete cube B4C powder additives for 0 % and 5 % of total weight of cement was compared for different curing time period such as 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The high compressive strength was observed when 5 wt % boron carbide nanostructures were used as an additive in concrete samples after 28 days curing time and showed significant improvement in strength.

Boron-based nanostructures: Synthesis, functionalization, and characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bedasso, Eyrusalam Kifyalew

Boron-based nanostructures have not been explored in detail; however, these structures have the potential to revolutionize many fields including electronics and biomedicine. The research discussed in this dissertation focuses on synthesis, functionalization, and characterization of boron-based zero-dimensional nanostructures (core/shell and nanoparticles) and one-dimensional nanostructures (nanorods). The first project investigates the synthesis and functionalization of boron-based core/shell nanoparticles. Two boron-containing core/shell nanoparticles, namely boron/iron oxide and boron/silica, were synthesized. Initially, boron nanoparticles with a diameter between 10-100 nm were prepared by decomposition of nido-decaborane (B10H14) followed by formation of a core/shell structure. The core/shell structures were prepared using the appropriate precursor, iron source and silica source, for the shell in the presence of boron nanoparticles. The formation of core/shell nanostructures was confirmed using high resolution TEM. Then, the core/shell nanoparticles underwent a surface modification. Boron/iron oxide core/shell nanoparticles were functionalized with oleic acid, citric acid, amine-terminated polyethylene glycol, folic acid, and dopamine, and boron/silica core/shell nanoparticles were modified with 3-(amino propyl) triethoxy silane, 3-(2-aminoethyleamino)propyltrimethoxysilane), citric acid, folic acid, amine-terminated polyethylene glycol, and O-(2-Carboxyethyl)polyethylene glycol. A UV-Vis and ATR-FTIR analysis established the success of surface modification. The cytotoxicity of water-soluble core/shell nanoparticles was studied in triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and the result showed the compounds are not toxic. The second project highlights optimization of reaction conditions for the synthesis of boron nanorods. This synthesis, done via reduction of boron oxide with molten lithium, was studied to produce boron nanorods without any

Testing the ontogenetic base for the transient model of inflorescence development

PubMed Central

Bull-Hereñu, Kester; Claßen-Bockhoff, Regine

2013-01-01

Backgrounds and Aims Current research in plant science has concentrated on revealing ontogenetic processes of key attributes in plant evolution. One recently discussed model is the ‘transient model’ successful in explaining some types of inflorescence architectures based on two main principles: the decline of the so called ‘vegetativeness’ (veg) factor and the transient nature of apical meristems in developing inflorescences. This study examines whether both principles find a concrete ontogenetic correlate in inflorescence development. Methods To test the ontogenetic base of veg decline and the transient character of apical meristems the ontogeny of meristematic size in developing inflorescences was investigated under scanning electron microscopy. Early and late inflorescence meristems were measured and compared during inflorescence development in 13 eudicot species from 11 families. Key Results The initial size of the inflorescence meristem in closed inflorescences correlates with the number of nodes in the mature inflorescence. Conjunct compound inflorescences (panicles) show a constant decrease of meristematic size from early to late inflorescence meristems, while disjunct compound inflorescences present an enlargement by merging from early inflorescence meristems to late inflorescence meristems, implying a qualitative change of the apical meristems during ontogeny. Conclusions Partial confirmation was found for the transient model for inflorescence architecture in the ontogeny: the initial size of the apical meristem in closed inflorescences is consistent with the postulated veg decline mechanism regulating the size of the inflorescence. However, the observed biphasic kinetics of the development of the apical meristem in compound racemes offers the primary explanation for their disjunct morphology, contrary to the putative exclusive transient mechanism in lateral axes as expected by the model. PMID:23425784

Boron nitride composites

DOEpatents

Kuntz, Joshua D.; Ellsworth, German F.; Swenson, Fritz J.; Allen, Patrick G.

2016-02-16

According to one embodiment, a composite product includes hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and a plurality of cubic boron nitride (cBN) particles, wherein the plurality of cBN particles are dispersed in a matrix of the hBN. According to another embodiment, a composite product includes a plurality of cBN particles, and one or more borate-containing binders.

40 CFR 1065.667 - Dilution air background emission correction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Calculations and Data Requirements § 1065.667 Dilution air background emission correction. (a) To determine the mass of background emissions to subtract... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Dilution air background emission...

40 CFR 1065.667 - Dilution air background emission correction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Calculations and Data Requirements § 1065.667 Dilution air background emission correction. (a) To determine the mass of background emissions to subtract... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Dilution air background emission...

40 CFR 1065.667 - Dilution air background emission correction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Calculations and Data Requirements § 1065.667 Dilution air background emission correction. (a) To determine the mass of background emissions to subtract... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Dilution air background emission...

40 CFR 1065.667 - Dilution air background emission correction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Calculations and Data Requirements § 1065.667 Dilution air background emission correction. (a) To determine the mass of background emissions to subtract... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Dilution air background emission...

40 CFR 1065.667 - Dilution air background emission correction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS ENGINE-TESTING PROCEDURES Calculations and Data Requirements § 1065.667 Dilution air background emission correction. (a) To determine the mass of background emissions to subtract... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Dilution air background emission...

Improving the Efficiency of 3-D Hydrogeological Mixers: Dilution Enhancement Via Coupled Engineering-Induced Transient Flows and Spatial Heterogeneity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Dato, Mariaines; de Barros, Felipe P. J.; Fiori, Aldo; Bellin, Alberto

2018-03-01

Natural attenuation and in situ oxidation are commonly considered as low-cost alternatives to ex situ remediation. The efficiency of such remediation techniques is hindered by difficulties in obtaining good dilution and mixing of the contaminant, in particular if the plume deformation is physically constrained by an array of wells, which serves as a containment system. In that case, dilution may be enhanced by inducing an engineered sequence of injections and extractions from such pumping system, which also works as a hydraulic barrier. This way, the aquifer acts as a natural mixer, in a manner similar to the industrialized engineered mixers. Improving the efficiency of hydrogeological mixers is a challenging task, owing to the need to use a 3-D setup while relieving the computational burden. Analytical solutions, though approximated, are a suitable and efficient tool to seek the optimum solution among all possible flow configurations. Here we develop a novel physically based model to demonstrate how the combined spatiotemporal fluctuations of the water fluxes control solute trajectories and residence time distributions and therefore, the effectiveness of contaminant plume dilution and mixing. Our results show how external forcing configurations are capable of inducing distinct time-varying groundwater flow patterns which will yield different solute dilution rates.

Use of Phenylboronic Acids to Investigate Boron Function in Plants. Possible Role of Boron in Transvacuolar Cytoplasmic Strands and Cell-to-Wall Adhesion

PubMed Central

Bassil, Elias; Hu, Hening; Brown, Patrick H.

2004-01-01

The only defined physiological role of boron in plants is as a cross-linking molecule involving reversible covalent bonds with cis-diols on either side of borate. Boronic acids, which form the same reversible bonds with cis-diols but cannot cross-link two molecules, were used to selectively disrupt boron function in plants. In cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv BY-2) cells, addition of boronic acids caused the disruption of cytoplasmic strands and cell-to-cell wall detachment. The effect of the boronic acids could be relieved by the addition of boron-complexing sugars and was proportional to the boronic acid-binding strength of the sugar. Experiments with germinating petunia (Petunia hybrida) pollen and boronate-affinity chromatography showed that boronic acids and boron compete for the same binding sites. The boronic acids appear to specifically disrupt or prevent borate-dependent cross-links important for the structural integrity of the cell, including the organization of transvacuolar cytoplasmic strands. Boron likely plays a structural role in the plant cytoskeleton. We conclude that boronic acids can be used to rapidly and reversibly induce boron deficiency-like responses and therefore are useful tools for investigating boron function in plants. PMID:15466241

Boron depth profiles and residual damage following rapid thermal annealing of low-temperature BSi molecular ion implantation in silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, J. H.; Wang, S. C.

2007-08-01

The influence of substrate temperature on both the implantation and post-annealing characteristics of molecular-ion-implanted 5 × 1014 cm-2 77 keV BSi in silicon was investigated in terms of boron depth profiles and damage microstructures. The substrate temperatures under investigation consisted of room temperature (RT) and liquid nitrogen temperature (LT). Post-annealing treatments were performed using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 1050 °C for 25 s. Boron depth profiles and damage microstructures in both the as-implanted and as-annealed specimens were determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The as-implanted results revealed that, compared to the RT specimen, the LT specimen yields a shallower boron depth profile with a reduced tail into the bulk. An amorphous layer containing a smooth amorphous-to-crystalline (a/c) interface is evident in the LT specimen while just the opposite is true in the as-implanted RT one. The as-annealed results illustrated that the extension of the boron depth profile into the bulk via transient-enhanced diffusion (TED) in the LT specimen is less than it is in the RT one. Only residual defects are visible in the LT specimen while two clear bands of dislocation loops appear in the RT one.

Single step synthesis of nanostructured boron nitride for boron neutron capture therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Bikramjeet; Singh, Paviter; Kumar, Manjeet; Thakur, Anup; Kumar, Akshay

2015-05-01

Nanostructured Boron Nitride (BN) has been successfully synthesized by carbo-thermic reduction of Boric Acid (H3BO3). This method is a relatively low temperature synthesis route and it can be used for large scale production of nanostructured BN. The synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analyzer (DTA). XRD analysis confirmed the formation of single phase nanostructured Boron Nitride. SEM analysis showed that the particles are spherical in shape. DTA analysis showed that the phase is stable upto 900 °C and the material can be used for high temperature applications as well boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).

Where Boron? Mars Rover Detects It

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-13

This map shows the route driven by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover (blue line) and locations where the rover's Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument detected the element boron (dots, colored by abundance of boron according to the key at right). The main map shows the traverse from landing day (Sol 0) in August 2012 to the rover's location in September 2016, with boron detections through September 2015. The inset at upper left shows a magnified version of the most recent portion of that traverse, with boron detections during that portion. Overlapping dots represent cases when boron was detected in multiple ChemCam observation points in the same target and non-overlapping dots represent cases where two different targets in the same location have boron. Most of the mission's detections of boron have been made in the most recent seven months (about 200 sols) of the rover's uphill traverse. The base image for the map is from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. North is up. The scale bar at lower right represents one kilometer (0.62 mile). http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21150

Boron sorption from aqueous solution by hydrotalcite and its preliminary application in geothermal water deboronation.

PubMed

Guo, Qinghai; Zhang, Yin; Cao, Yaowu; Wang, Yanxin; Yan, Weide

2013-11-01

Hydrotalcite and its calcination product were used to treat pure water spiked with various concentrations of boron and geothermal water containing boron as a major undesirable element. The kinetics process of boron sorption by uncalcined hydrotalcite is controlled by the diffusion of boron from bulk solution to sorbent-solution boundary film and its exchange with interlayer chloride of hydrotalcite, whereas the removal rate of boron by calcined hydrotalcite rests with the restoration process of its layered structure. The results of isotherm sorption experiments reveal that calcined hydrotalcite generally has much stronger ability to lower solution boron concentration than uncalcined hydrotalcite. The combination of adsorption of boron on the residue of MgO-Al2O3 solid solution and intercalation of boron into the reconstructed hydrotalcite structure due to "structural memory effect" is the basic mechanism based on which the greater boron removal by calcined hydrotalcite was achieved. As 15 geothermal water samples were used to test the deboronation ability of calcined hydrotalcite at 65 °C, much lower boron removal efficiencies were observed. The competitive sorption of the other anions in geothermal water, such as HCO3-, SO4(2-), and F-, is the reason why calcined hydrotalcite could not remove boron from geothermal water as effectively as from pure boron solution. However, boron removal percents ranging from 89.3 to 99.0% could be obtained if 50 times of sorbent were added to the geothermal water samples. Calcined hydrotalcite is a good candidate for deboronation of geothermal water.

Extending neutron autoradiography technique for boron concentration measurements in hard tissues.

PubMed

Provenzano, Lucas; Olivera, María Silvina; Saint Martin, Gisela; Rodríguez, Luis Miguel; Fregenal, Daniel; Thorp, Silvia I; Pozzi, Emiliano C C; Curotto, Paula; Postuma, Ian; Altieri, Saverio; González, Sara J; Bortolussi, Silva; Portu, Agustina

2018-07-01

The neutron autoradiography technique using polycarbonate nuclear track detectors (NTD) has been extended to quantify the boron concentration in hard tissues, an application of special interest in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Chemical and mechanical processing methods to prepare thin tissue sections as required by this technique have been explored. Four different decalcification methods governed by slow and fast kinetics were tested in boron-loaded bones. Due to the significant loss of the boron content, this technique was discarded. On the contrary, mechanical manipulation to obtain bone powder and tissue sections of tens of microns thick proved reproducible and suitable, ensuring a proper conservation of the boron content in the samples. A calibration curve that relates the 10 B concentration of a bone sample and the track density in a Lexan NTD is presented. Bone powder embedded in boric acid solution with known boron concentrations between 0 and 100 ppm was used as a standard material. The samples, contained in slim Lexan cases, were exposed to a neutron fluence of 10 12 cm -2 at the thermal column central facility of the RA-3 reactor (Argentina). The revealed tracks in the NTD were counted with an image processing software. The effect of track overlapping was studied and corresponding corrections were implemented in the presented calibration curve. Stochastic simulations of the track densities produced by the products of the 10 B thermal neutron capture reaction for different boron concentrations in bone were performed and compared with the experimental results. The remarkable agreement between the two curves suggested the suitability of the obtained experimental calibration curve. This neutron autoradiography technique was finally applied to determine the boron concentration in pulverized and compact bone samples coming from a sheep experimental model. The obtained results for both type of samples agreed with boron measurements carried out by ICP

Impacts Analyses Supporting the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment for the Resumption of Transient Testing Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schafer, Annette L.; Brown, LLoyd C.; Carathers, David C.

2014-02-01

This document contains the analysis details and summary of analyses conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts for the Resumption of Transient Fuel and Materials Testing Program. It provides an assessment of the impacts for the two action alternatives being evaluated in the environmental assessment. These alternatives are (1) resumption of transient testing using the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and (2) conducting transient testing using the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico (SNL/NM). Analyses are provided for radiologic emissions, other air emissions, soil contamination, and groundwater contamination that couldmore » occur (1) during normal operations, (2) as a result of accidents in one of the facilities, and (3) during transport. It does not include an assessment of the biotic, cultural resources, waste generation, or other impacts that could result from the resumption of transient testing. Analyses were conducted by technical professionals at INL and SNL/NM as noted throughout this report. The analyses are based on bounding radionuclide inventories, with the same inventories used for test materials by both alternatives and different inventories for the TREAT Reactor and ACRR. An upper value on the number of tests was assumed, with a test frequency determined by the realistic turn-around times required between experiments. The estimates provided for impacts during normal operations are based on historical emission rates and projected usage rates; therefore, they are bounding. Estimated doses for members of the public, collocated workers, and facility workers that could be incurred as a result of an accident are very conservative. They do not credit safety systems or administrative procedures (such as evacuation plans or use of personal protective equipment) that could be used to limit worker doses. Doses estimated for transportation are conservative and are based

Lateral gas phase diffusion length of boron atoms over Si/B surfaces during CVD of pure boron layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohammadi, V., E-mail: V.Mohammadi@tudelft.nl; Nihtianov, S.

The lateral gas phase diffusion length of boron atoms, L{sub B}, along silicon and boron surfaces during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using diborane (B{sub 2}H{sub 6}) is reported. The value of L{sub B} is critical for reliable and uniform boron layer coverage. The presented information was obtained experimentally and confirmed analytically in the boron deposition temperature range from 700 °C down to 400 °C. For this temperature range the local loading effect of the boron deposition is investigated on the micro scale. A L{sub B} = 2.2 mm was determined for boron deposition at 700 °C, while a L{sub B}more » of less than 1 mm was observed at temperatures lower than 500 °C.« less

Utility of Boron in Dermatology.

PubMed

Jackson, David G; Cardwell, Leah A; Oussedik, Elias; Feldman, Steven R

2017-08-09

Boron compounds are being investigated as therapies for dermatologic conditions. Several features of boron chemistry make this element an ideal component in dermatologic treatments. We review the published dermatologically-relevant clinical trials and case studies pertaining to boron compounds. PubMed was utilized to query terms boron, chemistry, drug, development, dermatology, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, onychomycosis, tavaborole, AN 2690, crisaborole, and AN 2728. Clinical trials, case studies, animal studies and in vitro studies. pertaining to atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and onychomycosis were included. Crisaborole 2% topical solution reduced atopic dermatitis lesions by approximately 60% when compared to pre-treatment baseline. Crisaborole maintains its dose-dependent effect in treatment of psoriasis and significantly reduces psoriatic plaques when compared to controls. Adverse effects were mild, frequency of events varied between studies. Crisaborole was well tolerated when applied to sensitive skin. Topical tavaborole significantly reduced or eliminated onychomycosis with minimal side effects compared to placebo. Tavaborole was effective in treating recalcitrant onychomycosis. Boron-based compounds form stable interactions with enzyme targets and are safe medications for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and onychomycosis. The mild and rare side effects of topical boron-based compounds may make them ideal treatments for individuals with sensitive skin and pediatric populations.

Thermodynamics of Dilute Solutions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jancso, Gabor; Fenby, David V.

1983-01-01

Discusses principles and definitions related to the thermodynamics of dilute solutions. Topics considered include dilute solution, Gibbs-Duhem equation, reference systems (pure gases and gaseous mixtures, liquid mixtures, dilute solutions), real dilute solutions (focusing on solute and solvent), terminology, standard states, and reference systems.…

Mineral resource of the month: boron

USGS Publications Warehouse

Crangle, Robert D.

2012-01-01

The article offers information on the mineral, boron. Boron compounds, particularly borates, have more commercial applications than its elemental relative which is a metalloid. Making up the 90% of the borates that are used worldwide are colemanite, kernite, tincal, and ulexite. The main borate deposits are located in the Mojave Desert of the U.S., the Tethyan belt in southern Asia, and the Andean belt of South America. Underground and surface mining are being used in gathering boron compounds. INSETS: Fun facts;Boron production and consumption.

Method of manufacture of atomically thin boron nitride

DOEpatents

Zettl, Alexander K

2013-08-06

The present invention provides a method of fabricating at least one single layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) suspending at least one multilayer boron nitride across a gap of a support structure and (2) performing a reactive ion etch upon the multilayer boron nitride to produce the single layer hexagonal boron nitride suspended across the gap of the support structure. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating single layer hexagonal boron nitride. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) providing multilayer boron nitride suspended across a gap of a support structure and (2) performing a reactive ion etch upon the multilayer boron nitride to produce the single layer hexagonal boron nitride suspended across the gap of the support structure.

Radiation tolerance of boron doped dendritic web silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rohatgi, A.

1980-01-01

The potential of dendritic web silicon for giving radiation hard solar cells is compared with the float zone silicon material. Solar cells with n(+)-p-P(+) structure and approximately 15% (AMl) efficiency were subjected to 1 MeV electron irradiation. Radiation tolerance of web cell efficiency was found to be at least as good as that of the float zone silicon cell. A study of the annealing behavior of radiation-induced defects via deep level transient spectroscopy revealed that E sub v + 0.31 eV defect, attributed to boron-oxygen-vacancy complex, is responsible for the reverse annealing of the irradiated cells in the temperature range of 150 to 350 C.

Fabrication Of Carbon-Boron Reinforced Dry Polymer Matrix Composite Tape

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belvin, Harry L.; Cano, Roberto J.; Treasure, Monte; Shahood, Thomas W.

1999-01-01

Future generation aerospace vehicles will require specialized hybrid material forms for component structure fabrication. For this reason, high temperature composite prepregs in both dry and wet forms are being developed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). In an attempt to improve compressive properties of carbon fiber reinforced composites, a hybrid carbon-boron tape was developed and used to fabricate composite laminates which were subsequently cut into flexural and compression specimens and tested. The hybrid material, given the designation HYCARB, was fabricated by modifying a previously developed process for the manufacture of dry polymer matrix composite (PMC) tape at LaRC. In this work, boron fibers were processed with IM7/LaRC(TradeMark)IAX poly(amide acid) solution-coated prepreg to form a dry hybrid tape for Automated Tow Placement (ATP). Boron fibers were encapsulated between two (2) layers of reduced volatile, low fiber areal weight poly(amide acid) solution-coated prepreg. The hybrid prepreg was then fully imidized and consolidated into a dry tape suitable for ATP. The fabrication of a hybrid boron material form for tow placement aids in the reduction of the overall manufacturing cost of boron reinforced composites, while realizing the improved compression strengths. Composite specimens were press-molded from the hybrid material and exhibited excellent mechanical properties.

Hugoniot equation of state and dynamic strength of boron carbide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grady, Dennis E.

mechanistic difference in the processes of shock compression between the LANL data and that of the other studies is the markedly larger inelastic deformation and dissipation experienced in the shock event brought about by compaction of the substantially larger porosity LANL test ceramics. High-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments reveal extensive amorphization, reasoned to be a reversion product of a higher-pressure crystallographic phase, which is a consequence of application of both high pressure and shear deformation to the boron carbide crystal structure. A dependence of shock-induced high-pressure phase transformation in boron carbide on the extent of shear deformation experienced in the shock process offers a plausible explanation for the differences observed in the LANL Hugoniot data on porous ceramic and that of other shock data on near-full-density boron carbide.« less

Nanosized solvent superstructures in ultramolecular aqueous dilutions: twenty years' research using water proton NMR relaxation.

PubMed

Demangeat, Jean-Louis

2013-04-01

proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation times T1, T2, T1/T2 are sensitive to motion and organization of water molecules. Especially, increase in T1/T2 reflects a higher degree of structuring. My purpose was to look at physical changes in water in ultrahigh aqueous dilutions. Samples were prepared by iterative centesimal (c) dilution with vigorous agitation, ranging between 3c and 24c (Avogadro limit 12c). Solutes were silica-lactose, histamine, manganese-lactose. Solvents were water, NaCl 0.15 M or LiCl 0.15 M. Solvents underwent strictly similar, simultaneous dilution/agitation, for each level of dilution, as controls. NMR relaxation was studied within 0.02-20 MHz. No changes were observed in controls. Increasing T1 and T1/T2 were found in dilutions, which persisted beyond 9c (manganese-lactose), 10c (histamine) and 12c (silica-lactose). For silica-lactose in LiCl, continuous decrease in T2 with increase in T1/T2 within the 12c-24c range indicated growing structuring of water despite absence of the initial solute. All changes vanished after heating/cooling. These findings were interpreted in terms of nanosized (>4-nm) supramolecular structures involving water, nanobubbles and ions, if any. Additional study of low dilutions of silica-lactose revealed increased T2 and decreased T1/T2 compared to solvent, within the 10(-3)-10(-6) range, reflecting transient solvent destructuring. This could explain findings at high dilution. Proton NMR relaxation demonstrated modifications of the solvent throughout the low to ultramolecular range of dilution. The findings suggested the existence of superstructures that originate stereospecifically around the solute after an initial destructuring of the solvent, developing more upon dilution and persisting beyond 12c. Copyright © 2013 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Termite Resistance of MDF Panels Treated with Various Boron Compounds

PubMed Central

Usta, Mustafa; Ustaomer, Derya; Kartal, Saip Nami; Ondaral, Sedat

2009-01-01

In this study, the effects of various boron compounds on the termite resistance of MDF panels were evaluated. Either borax (BX), boric acid (BA), zinc borate (ZB), or sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) were added to urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin at target contents of 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 2.5% based on dry fiber weight. The panels were then manufactured using 12% urea-formaldehyde resin and 1% NH4Cl. MDF samples from the panels were tested against the subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Laboratory termite resistance tests showed that all samples containing boron compounds had greater resistance against termite attack compared to untreated MDF samples. At the second and third weeks of exposure, nearly 100% termite mortalities were recorded in all boron compound treated samples. The highest termite mortalities were determined in the samples with either BA or BX. Also, it was found that SPT showed notable performance on the termite mortality. As chemical loadings increased, termite mortalities increased, and at the same time the weight losses of the samples decreased. PMID:19582229

Experimental observation of boron nitride chains.

PubMed

Cretu, Ovidiu; Komsa, Hannu-Pekka; Lehtinen, Ossi; Algara-Siller, Gerardo; Kaiser, Ute; Suenaga, Kazu; Krasheninnikov, Arkady V

2014-12-23

We report the formation and characterization of boron nitride atomic chains. The chains were made from hexagonal boron nitride sheets using the electron beam inside a transmission electron microscope. We find that the stability and lifetime of the chains are significantly improved when they are supported by another boron nitride layer. With the help of first-principles calculations, we prove the heteroatomic structure of the chains and determine their mechanical and electronic properties. Our study completes the analogy between various boron nitride and carbon polymorphs, in accordance with earlier theoretical predictions.

Single step synthesis of nanostructured boron nitride for boron neutron capture therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Bikramjeet; Singh, Paviter; Kumar, Akshay, E-mail: akshaykumar.tiet@gmail.com

2015-05-15

Nanostructured Boron Nitride (BN) has been successfully synthesized by carbo-thermic reduction of Boric Acid (H{sub 3}BO{sub 3}). This method is a relatively low temperature synthesis route and it can be used for large scale production of nanostructured BN. The synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential thermal analyzer (DTA). XRD analysis confirmed the formation of single phase nanostructured Boron Nitride. SEM analysis showed that the particles are spherical in shape. DTA analysis showed that the phase is stable upto 900 °C and the material can be used for high temperature applications asmore » well boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)« less

Pseudoprogression in boron neutron capture therapy for malignant gliomas and meningiomas

PubMed Central

Miyatake, Shin-Ichi; Kawabata, Shinji; Nonoguchi, Naosuke; Yokoyama, Kunio; Kuroiwa, Toshihiko; Matsui, Hideki; Ono, Koji

2009-01-01

Pseudoprogression has been recognized and widely accepted in the treatment of malignant gliomas, as transient increases in the volume of the enhanced area just after chemoradiotherapy, especially using temozolomide. We experienced a similar phenomenon in the treatment of malignant gliomas and meningiomas using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a cell-selective form of particle radiation. Here, we introduce representative cases and analyze the pathogenesis. Fifty-two cases of malignant glioma and 13 cases of malignant meningioma who were treated by BNCT were reviewed retrospectively mainly via MR images. Eleven of 52 malignant gliomas and 3 of 13 malignant meningiomas showed transient increases of enhanced volume in MR images within 3 months after BNCT. Among these cases, five patients with glioma underwent surgery because of suspicion of relapse. In histology, most of the specimens showed necrosis with small amounts of residual tumor cells. Ki-67 labeling showed decreased positivity compared with previous samples from the individuals. Fluoride-labeled boronophenylalanine PET was applied in four and two cases of malignant gliomas and meningiomas, respectively, at the time of transient increase of lesions. These PET scans showed decreased lesion:normal brain ratios in all cases compared with scans obtained prior to BNCT. With or without surgery, all lesions were decreased or stable in size during observation. Transient increases in enhanced volume in malignant gliomas and meningiomas immediately after BNCT seemed to be pseudoprogression. This pathogenesis was considered as treatment-related intratumoral necrosis in the subacute phase after BNCT. PMID:19289492

Boron incorporation in the foraminifer Amphistegina lessonii under a decoupled carbonate chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaczmarek, K.; Langer, G.; Nehrke, G.; Horn, I.; Misra, S.; Janse, M.; Bijma, J.

2015-03-01

A number of studies have shown that the boron isotopic composition (δ11B) and the B / Ca ratio of biogenic carbonates (mostly foraminifers) can serve as proxies for two parameters of the ocean's carbonate chemistry, rendering it possible to calculate the entire carbonate system. However, the B incorporation mechanism into marine carbonates is still not fully understood and analyses of field samples show species-specific and hydrographic effects on the B proxies complicating their application. Identifying the carbonate system parameter influencing boron incorporation is difficult due to the co-variation of pH, CO32- and B(OH)4-. To shed light on the question which parameter of the carbonate system is related to the boron incorporation, we performed culture experiments with the benthic symbiont-bearing foraminifer Amphistegina lessonii using a decoupled pH-CO32- chemistry. The determination of the δ11B and B / Ca ratios was performed simultaneously by means of a new in situ technique combining optical emission spectroscopy and laser ablation MC-ICP-MS. The boron isotopic composition in the tests gets heavier with increasing pH and B / Ca increases with increasing B(OH)4- / HCO3- of the culture media. The latter indicates that boron uptake of A. lessonii features a competition between B(OH)4- and HCO3-. Furthermore, the simultaneous determination of B / Ca and δ11B on single specimens allows for assessing the relative variability of these parameters. Among different treatments the B / Ca shows an increasing variability with increasing boron concentration in the test whereas the variability in the isotope distribution is constant.

Boron delivery with liposomes for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): biodistribution studies in an experimental model of oral cancer demonstrating therapeutic potential.

PubMed

Heber, Elisa M; Kueffer, Peter J; Lee, Mark W; Hawthorne, M Frederick; Garabalino, Marcela A; Molinari, Ana J; Nigg, David W; Bauer, William; Hughes, Andrea Monti; Pozzi, Emiliano C C; Trivillin, Verónica A; Schwint, Amanda E

2012-05-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) combines selective accumulation of (10)B carriers in tumor tissue with subsequent neutron irradiation. We previously demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model. Optimization of BNCT depends largely on improving boron targeting to tumor cells. Seeking to maximize the potential of BNCT for the treatment for head and neck cancer, the aim of the present study was to perform boron biodistribution studies in the oral cancer model employing two different liposome formulations that were previously tested for a different pathology, i.e., in experimental mammary carcinoma in BALB/c mice: (1) MAC: liposomes incorporating K[nido-7-CH(3)(CH(2))(15)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)] in the bilayer membrane and encapsulating a hypertonic buffer, administered intravenously at 6 mg B per kg body weight, and (2) MAC-TAC: liposomes incorporating K[nido-7-CH(3)(CH(2))(15)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)] in the bilayer membrane and encapsulating a concentrated aqueous solution of the hydrophilic species Na(3) [ae-B(20)H(17)NH(3)], administered intravenously at 18 mg B per kg body weight. Samples of tumor, precancerous and normal pouch tissue, spleen, liver, kidney, and blood were taken at different times post-administration and processed to measure boron content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. No ostensible clinical toxic effects were observed with the selected formulations. Both MAC and MAC-TAC delivered boron selectively to tumor tissue. Absolute tumor values for MAC-TAC peaked to 66.6 ± 16.1 ppm at 48 h and to 43.9 ± 17.6 ppm at 54 h with very favorable ratios of tumor boron relative to precancerous and normal tissue, making these protocols particularly worthy of radiobiological assessment. Boron concentration values obtained would result in therapeutic BNCT doses in tumor without exceeding radiotolerance in precancerous/normal tissue at the thermal neutron facility at RA-3.

Boron delivery with liposomes for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): biodistribution studies in an experimental model of oral cancer demonstrating therapeutic potential

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

David W. Nigg

2012-05-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) combines selective accumulation of 10B carriers in tumor tissue with subsequent neutron irradiation. We previously demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of BNCT in the hamster cheek pouch oral cancer model. Optimization of BNCT depends largely on improving boron targeting to tumor cells. Seeking to maximize the potential of BNCT for the treatment for head and neck cancer, the aim of the present study was to perform boron biodistribution studies in the oral cancer model employing two different liposome formulations that were previously tested for a different pathology, i.e., in experimental mammary carcinoma in BALB/c mice: (1)more » MAC: liposomes incorporating K[nido-7-CH3(CH2)15-7,8-C2B9H11] in the bilayer membrane and encapsulating a hypertonic buffer, administered intravenously at 6 mg B per kg body weight, and (2) MAC-TAC: liposomes incorporating K[nido-7-CH3(CH2)15-7,8-C2B9H11] in the bilayer membrane and encapsulating a concentrated aqueous solution of the hydrophilic species Na3 [ae-B20H17NH3], administered intravenously at 18 mg B per kg body weight. Samples of tumor, precancerous and normal pouch tissue, spleen, liver, kidney, and blood were taken at different times post-administration and processed to measure boron content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. No ostensible clinical toxic effects were observed with the selected formulations. Both MAC and MAC-TAC delivered boron selectively to tumor tissue. Absolute tumor values for MAC-TAC peaked to 66.6 {+-} 16.1 ppm at 48 h and to 43.9 {+-} 17.6 ppm at 54 h with very favorable ratios of tumor boron relative to precancerous and normal tissue, making these protocols particularly worthy of radiobiological assessment. Boron concentration values obtained would result in therapeutic BNCT doses in tumor without exceeding radiotolerance in precancerous/normal tissue at the thermal neutron facility at RA-3.« less

Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Nanoplatelets as Reinforcing Agents of Polymeric Matrices for Bone Tissue Engineering

PubMed Central

Farshid, Behzad; Lalwani, Gaurav; Mohammadi, Meisam Shir; Simonsen, John; Sitharaman, Balaji

2016-01-01

This study investigates the mechanical properties and in vitro cytotoxicity of one- and two-dimensional boron nitride nanomaterials-reinforced biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites. Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) nanocomposites were fabricated using crosslinking agent N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and inorganic nanomaterials: boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs) dispersed at 0.2 wt.% in the polymeric matrix. The incorporation of BNNPs and BNNTs resulted in a ~38% and ~15% increase in compressive (young's) modulus, and ~31% and ~6% increase in compressive yield strength compared to PPF control, respectively. The nanocomposites showed a time-dependent increased protein adsorption for only collagen-I protein. The cytotoxicity evaluation of aqueous BNNT and BNNP dispersions (at 1-100 μg/mL concentrations) using a representative murine MC3T3 preosteoblast cell line showed cytocompatibility of BNNTs and BNNPs (~73-99% viability). The cytotoxicity evaluation of media extracts of nanocomposites prior to crosslinking, after crosslinking and upon degradation (using 1X-100X dilutions) showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity responses. Crosslinked nanocomposites showed excellent (~79-100%) cell viability, cellular attachment (~57-67%), and spreading similar to cells grown on the surface of tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) control. The media extracts of degradation products showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The favorable cytocompatibility results in combination with improved mechanical properties of BNNT and BNNP nanocomposites opens new avenues for further in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy studies for their bone tissue engineering applications. PMID:26526153

Fracture mechanics correlation of boron/aluminum coupons containing stress risers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adsit, N. R.; Waszczak, J. P.

1975-01-01

The mechanical behavior of boron/aluminum near stress risers has been studied and reported. This effort was directed toward defining the tensile behavior of both unidirectional and (0/ plus or minus 45) boron/aluminum using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The material used was 5.6-mil boron in 6061 aluminum, consolidated using conventional diffusion bonding techniques. Mechanical properties are reported for both unidirectional and (0/ plus or minus 45) boron/aluminum, which serve as control data for the fracture mechanics predictions. Three different flawed specimen types were studied. In each case the series of specimens remained geometrically similar to eliminate variations in finite size correction factors. The fracture data from these tests were reduced using two techniques. They both used conventional LEFM methods, but the existence of a characteristic flaw was assumed in one case and not the other. Both the data and the physical behavior of the specimens support the characteristic flaw hypothesis. Cracks were observed growing slowly in the (0/ plus or minus 45) laminates, until a critical crack length was reached at which time catastrophic failure occurred.

Avian plasma chemistry analysis using diluted samples.

PubMed

Waldoch, Jennifer; Wack, Raymund; Christopher, Mary

2009-12-01

Clinical chemistry tests are essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in birds. The small volume of blood that can be obtained from many avian species limits the use of routine in-house chemistry analyzers. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy and precision of avian plasma chemistry values obtained by use of a benchtop analyzer in samples diluted with sterile water, as compared with undiluted samples. Whole blood samples were collected from 13 clinically healthy thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). The samples were placed in lithium heparin tubes and centrifuged and the plasma decanted. One aliquot was analyzed immediately using a VetScan benchtop analyzer with an avian-reptile-specific rotor that included 12 analytes. The remainder of the plasma was divided into two aliquots and stored at -80 degrees C until analysis. One of these aliquots was diluted 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:2.5 with sterile water to give final dilutions of 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, and 1:3.5, respectively. The other aliquot was pooled with the 12 other samples to create a plasma pool. The undiluted plasma pool and two final dilutions (1:2 and 1:3) of the pooled plasma were analyzed in replicate (n = 20) to determine intra- and interassay imprecision. Each dilution was analyzed using the avian-reptile rotor and the results multiplied by the appropriate dilution factor to obtain the final result. Significant differences were observed in clinical chemistry results obtained from diluted plasma samples for all analytes except aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and glucose. Uric acid concentration was not significantly different at dilutions of up to 1:3. Bile acids, globulins, and sodium concentrations were below the limit of detection in all diluted samples and were not statistically analyzed. Based on these results, dilution with sterile water is not recommended for biochemical analysis of avian plasma using the VetScan benchtop analyzer.

Concentrations of boron, molybdenum, and selenium in chinook salmon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hamilton, Steven J.; Wiedmeyer, Raymond H.

1990-01-01

The concentrations of boron, molybdenum, and selenium in young chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were determined in three partial life cycle chronic toxicity studies. In each study, fish were exposed to a mixture of boron, molybdenum, selenate, and selenite in the proportions found in subsurface agricultural drainage water in the basin of the San Joaquin Valley, California. Tests were conducted in well water and in site-specific fresh and brackish waters. No boron or molybdenum was detected in fish exposed to concentrations as high as 6,046 μg boron/L and 193 μg molybdenum/L for 90 d in well water or fresh water; however, whole-body concentrations of selenium increased with increasing exposure concentrations in well water and fresh water, but not in brackish water. Concentrations of selenium in chinook salmon were strongly correlated with reduced survival and growth of fish in well water and with reduced survival in a 15-d seawater challenge test of fish from fresh water. Concentrations of selenium in fish seemed to reach a steady state after 60 d of exposure in well water or fresh water. Fish in brackish water had only background concentrations of selenium after 60 d of exposure, and no effects on survival and growth in brackish water or on survival in a 10-d seawater challenge test were exhibited. This lack of effect in brackish water was attributed to initiation of the study with advanced fry, which were apparently better able to metabolize the trace element mixture than were the younger fish used in studies with well water and fresh water. In all three experimental waters, concentration factors (whole-body concentration/waterborne concentration) for selenium decreased with increasing exposure concentrations, suggesting decreased uptake or increased excretion, or both, of selenium at the higher concentrations.

Evaluation of Aluminum-Boron Carbide Neutron Absorbing Materials for Interim Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Lumin; Wierschke, Jonathan Brett

2015-04-08

The objective of this work was to understand the corrosion behavior of Boral® and Bortec® neutron absorbers over long-term deployment in a used nuclear fuel dry cask storage environment. Corrosion effects were accelerated by flowing humidified argon through an autoclave at temperatures up to 570°C. Test results show little corrosion of the aluminum matrix but that boron is leaching out of the samples. Initial tests performed at 400 and 570°C were hampered by reduced flow caused by the rapid build-up of solid deposits in the outlet lines. Analysis of the deposits by XRD shows that the deposits are comprised ofmore » boron trioxide and sassolite (H 3BO 3). The collection of boron- containing compounds in the outlet lines indicated that boron was being released from the samples. Observation of the exposed samples using SEM and optical microscopy show the growth of new phases in the samples. These phases were most prominent in Bortec® samples exposed at 570°C. Samples of Boral® exposed at 570°C showed minimal new phase formation but showed nearly the complete loss of boron carbide particles. Boron carbide loss was also significant in Boral samples at 400°C. However, at 400°C phases similar to those found in Bortec® were observed. The rapid loss of the boron carbide particles in the Boral® is suspected to inhibit the formation of the new secondary phases. However, Material samples in an actual dry cask environment would be exposed to temperatures closer to 300°C and less water than the lowest test. The results from this study conclude that at the temperature and humidity levels present in a dry cask environment, corrosion and boron leaching will have no effect on the performance of Boral® and Bortec® to maintain criticality control.« less

Outcomes of transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing in 6-year-old school children: a comparison with pure tone screening and tympanometry.

PubMed

Driscoll, C; Kei, J; McPherson, B

2001-01-01

(1) To establish test performance measures for Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission testing of 6-year-old children in a school setting; (2) To investigate whether Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission testing provides a more accurate and effective alternative to a pure tone screening plus tympanometry protocol. Pure tone screening, tympanometry and transient evoked otoacoustic emission data were collected from 940 subjects (1880 ears), with a mean age of 6.2 years. Subjects were tested in non-sound-treated rooms within 22 schools. Receiver operating characteristics curves along with specificity, sensitivity, accuracy and efficiency values were determined for a variety of transient evoked otoacoustic emission/pure tone screening/tympanometry comparisons. The Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission failure rate for the group was 20.3%. The failure rate for pure tone screening was found to be 8.9%, whilst 18.6% of subjects failed a protocol consisting of combined pure tone screening and tympanometry results. In essence, findings from the comparison of overall Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission pass/fail with overall pure tone screening pass/fail suggested that use of a modified Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Project criterion would result in a very high probability that a child with a pass result has normal hearing (true negative). However, the hit rate was only moderate. Selection of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) criterion set at > or =1 dB appeared to provide the best test performance measures for the range of SNR values investigated. Test performance measures generally declined when tympanometry results were included, with the exception of lower false alarm rates and higher positive predictive values. The exclusion of low frequency data from the Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission SNR versus pure tone screening analysis resulted in improved performance measures. The present study poses several implications for the clinical implementation of Transient Evoked

Atmospheric contribution to boron enrichment in aboveground wheat tissues.

PubMed

Wang, Cheng; Ji, Junfeng; Chen, Mindong; Zhong, Cong; Yang, Zhongfang; Browne, Patrick

2017-05-01

Boron is an essential trace element for all organisms and has both beneficial and harmful biological functions. A particular amount of boron is discharged into the environment every year because of industrial activities; however, the effects of environmental boron emissions on boron accumulation in cereals has not yet been estimated. The present study characterized the accumulation of boron in wheat under different ecological conditions in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) area. This study aimed to estimate the effects of atmospheric boron that is associated with industrial activities on boron accumulation in wheat. The results showed that the concentrations of boron in aboveground wheat tissues from the highly industrialized region were significantly higher than those from the agriculture-dominated region, even though there was no significant difference in boron content in soils. Using the model based on the translocation coefficients of boron in the soil-wheat system, we estimated that the contribution of atmosphere to boron accumulation in wheat straw in the highly industrialized region exceeded that in the agriculture-dominated region by 36%. In addition, from the environmental implication of the model, it was estimated that the development of boron-utilizing industries had elevated the concentration of boron in aboveground wheat tissues by 28-53%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Boronization on NSTX using Deuterated Trimethylboron

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

W.R. Blanchard; R.C. Gernhardt; H.W. Kugel

2002-01-28

Boronization on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has proved to be quite beneficial with increases in confinement and density, and decreases in impurities observed in the plasma. The boron has been applied to the interior surfaces of NSTX, about every 2 to 3 weeks of plasma operation, by producing a glow discharge in the vacuum vessel using deuterated trimethylboron (TMB) in a 10% mixture with helium. Special NSTX requirements restricted the selection of the candidate boronization method to the use of deuterated boron compounds. Deuterated TMB met these requirements, but is a hazardous gas and special care in themore » execution of the boronization process is required. This paper describes the existing GDC, Gas Injection, and Torus Vacuum Pumping System hardware used for this process, the glow discharge process, and the automated control system that allows for remote operation to maximize both the safety and efficacy of applying the boron coating. The administrative requirements and the detailed procedure for the setup, operation and shutdown of the process are also described.« less

Process of Making Boron-Fiber Reinforced Composite Tape

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belvin, Harry L. (Inventor); Cano, Roberto J. (Inventor); Johnston, Norman J. (Inventor); Marchello, Joseph M. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

The invention is an apparatus and method for producing a hybrid boron reinforced polymer matrix composition from powder pre-impregnated fiber tow bundles and a linear array of boron fibers. The boron fibers are applied onto the powder pre-impregnated fiber tow bundles and then are processed within a processing component having an impregnation bar assembly. After passing through variable-dimension forming nip-rollers, the powder pre-impregnated fiber tow bundles with the boron fibers become a hybrid boron reinforced polymer matrix composite tape. A driving mechanism pulls the powder pre-impregnated fiber tow bundles with boron fibers through the processing line of the apparatus and a take-up spool collects the formed hybrid boron-fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite tape.

Boron

MedlinePlus

... form of boron, inside the vagina to treat yeast infections. People also apply boric acid to the ... acid, used inside the vagina, can successfully treat yeast infections (candidiasis), including infections that do not seem ...

40 CFR 1065.240 - Dilution air and diluted exhaust flow meters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... interval. You may use the difference between a diluted exhaust flow meter and a dilution air meter to.... We recommend that you use a diluted exhaust flow meter that meets the specifications in Table 1 of... verification in § 1065.307 and the calibration and verifications in § 1065.340 and § 1065.341. You may use the...

Boron nitride housing cools transistors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1965-01-01

Boron nitride ceramic heat sink cools transistors in r-f transmitter and receiver circuits. Heat dissipated by the transistor is conducted by the boron nitride housing to the metal chassis on which it is mounted.

Fine-tuning the nucleophilic reactivities of boron ate complexes derived from aryl and heteroaryl boronic esters.

PubMed

Berionni, Guillaume; Leonov, Artem I; Mayer, Peter; Ofial, Armin R; Mayr, Herbert

2015-02-23

Boron ate complexes derived from thienyl and furyl boronic esters and aryllithium compounds have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Products and mechanisms of their reactions with carbenium and iminium ions have been analyzed. Kinetics of these reactions were monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, and the influence of the aryl substituents, the diol ligands (pinacol, ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, catechol), and the counterions on the nucleophilic reactivity of the boron ate complexes were examined. A Hammett correlation confirmed the polar nature of their reactions with benzhydrylium ions, and the correlation lg k(20 °C)=sN (E+N) was employed to determine the nucleophilicities of the boron ate complexes and to compare them with those of other borates and boronates. The neopentyl and ethylene glycol derivatives were found to be 10(4) times more reactive than the pinacol and catechol derivatives. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cross-borehole flowmeter tests for transient heads in heterogeneous aquifers.

PubMed

Le Borgne, Tanguy; Paillet, Frederick; Bour, Olivier; Caudal, Jean-Pierre

2006-01-01

Cross-borehole flowmeter tests have been proposed as an efficient method to investigate preferential flowpaths in heterogeneous aquifers, which is a major task in the characterization of fractured aquifers. Cross-borehole flowmeter tests are based on the idea that changing the pumping conditions in a given aquifer will modify the hydraulic head distribution in large-scale flowpaths, producing measurable changes in the vertical flow profiles in observation boreholes. However, inversion of flow measurements to derive flowpath geometry and connectivity and to characterize their hydraulic properties is still a subject of research. In this study, we propose a framework for cross-borehole flowmeter test interpretation that is based on a two-scale conceptual model: discrete fractures at the borehole scale and zones of interconnected fractures at the aquifer scale. We propose that the two problems may be solved independently. The first inverse problem consists of estimating the hydraulic head variations that drive the transient borehole flow observed in the cross-borehole flowmeter experiments. The second inverse problem is related to estimating the geometry and hydraulic properties of large-scale flowpaths in the region between pumping and observation wells that are compatible with the head variations deduced from the first problem. To solve the borehole-scale problem, we treat the transient flow data as a series of quasi-steady flow conditions and solve for the hydraulic head changes in individual fractures required to produce these data. The consistency of the method is verified using field experiments performed in a fractured-rock aquifer.

Boron content and sources in Tertiary aquifers in the Sultanate of Oman

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moraetis, Daniel; Lamki, Mohamed Al; Muhammad, Dawood; Yaroubi, Saif; Batashi, Hamad Al; Pracejus, Bernhard

2017-04-01

The boron (B) content of relatively shallow groundwaters in arid areas is high due to extreme evaporation which precipitates several salts with subsequent boron accumulation originating from rocks dissolution and/or rainwater. In deeper aquifers, where there is no groundwater-surface connection, other sources of boron may affect the water quality. The present study investigates the boron origin observed in 197 wells completed within the units of Umm Er Radhuma (UeR), Rus, Dammam and Fars (from older to younger geological units) which all belong to the Tertiary units of the interior of Oman. The acquired chemical data include major ions (cations and anions), Rare Earth Elements (REE) along with B isotopes (10 and 11) and Sr isotopes (86 and 87). In addition, leaching tests were performed in selected samples to validate the release of B in distilled water. The water samples were grouped based on B concentration of less than 5 mg/l, 5 to 15 mg/l and extreme values of higher than 15 mg/l. The Fars and UeR groundwater samples showed the most extreme boron content (higher than 15 mg/l) yet the former is the shallower and younger unit and the latter is the deeper and older unit. The Fars water of high boron content (higher than 15 mg/l) shows very high content of magnesium and calcium as well as low concentration of Sr. Furthermore, the magnesium and calcium are also high in UeR, while Sr concentration is much higher in UeR compared to Fars. The UeR water with extreme boron content appears in the field of diagenetic water in a diagram of δ11BNIST951 [‰] versus 1/B, along with Sr isotopes ratio and europium (Eu) positive anomaly, while Fars waters appear in a mixing zone of marine water with infiltrated rainwater. The regression analysis of sodium and chloride showed that concentrations of boron up to 10 mg/l can be correlated to halite dissolution in infiltrated rainwater in all units. The laboratory leaching tests verified the rocks capability to release boron up to 7

Fatigue behaviour of boron free and boron containing heat treated Ti-13Zr-13Nb alloy for biomedical applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Majumdar, P., E-mail: m.pallab@gmail.com; Singh, S.B.; Chakraborty, M.

2010-12-15

Fatigue behaviour of heat treated Ti-13Zr-13Nb (TZN) and Ti-13Zr-13Nb-0.5B (TZNB) alloys for biomedical implants has been investigated by rotating bending test. It was found that fatigue strength of TZN and TZNB alloys is comparable with that of conventionally used biomedical titanium alloys. Addition of boron to TZN alloy deteriorates fatigue strength. - Research Highlights: {yields}The microstructure of the aged TZN consists of {alpha} phase in {beta} matrix. {yields}Addition of boron to TZN leads to the formation of dispersed acicular TiB. {yields}Presence of TiB deteriorates the fatigue strength of TZN alloy. {yields}Fatigue strength of aged TZN/TZNB alloys is comparable with biomedicalmore » Ti-alloys.« less

Multi-axis transient vibration testing of space objects: Test philosophy, test facility, and control strategy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lachenmayr, Georg

1992-01-01

IABG has been using various servohydraulic test facilities for many years for the reproduction of service loads and environmental loads on all kinds of test objects. For more than 15 years, a multi-axis vibration test facility has been under service, originally designed for earthquake simulation but being upgraded to the demands of space testing. First tests with the DFS/STM showed good reproduction accuracy and demonstrated the feasibility of transient vibration testing of space objects on a multi-axis hydraulic shaker. An approach to structural qualification is possible by using this test philosophy. It will be outlined and its obvious advantages over the state-of-the-art single-axis test will be demonstrated by example results. The new test technique has some special requirements to the test facility exceeding those of earthquake testing. Most important is the high reproduction accuracy demanded for a sophisticated control system. The state-of-the-art approach of analog closed-loop control circuits for each actuator combined with a static decoupling network and an off-line iterative waveform control is not able to meet all the demands. Therefore, the future over-all control system is implemented as hierarchical full digital closed-loop system on a highly parallel transputer network. The innermost layer is the digital actuator controller, the second one is the MDOF-control of the table movement. The outermost layer would be the off-line iterative waveform control, which is dedicated only to deal with the interaction of test table and test object or non-linear effects. The outline of the system will be presented.

Dynamic Modulus and Damping of Boron, Silicon Carbide, and Alumina Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dicarlo, J. A.; Williams, W.

1980-01-01

The dynamic modulus and damping capacity for boron, silicon carbide, and silicon carbide coated boron fibers were measured from-190 to 800 C. The single fiber vibration test also allowed measurement of transverse thermal conductivity for the silicon carbide fibers. Temperature dependent damping capacity data for alumina fibers were calculated from axial damping results for alumina-aluminum composites. The dynamics fiber data indicate essentially elastic behavior for both the silicon carbide and alumina fibers. In contrast, the boron based fibers are strongly anelastic, displaying frequency dependent moduli and very high microstructural damping. Ths single fiber damping results were compared with composite damping data in order to investigate the practical and basic effects of employing the four fiber types as reinforcement for aluminum and titanium matrices.

Mineral resource of the month: boron

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lyday, Phyllis A.

2005-01-01

What does boron have to do with baseball, apple pie, motherhood and Chevrolet? Boron minerals and chemicals are used in the tanning of leather baseballs and gloves; in micro-fertilizer to grow apples and in the glass and enamels of bakewares to cook apple pie; in boron detergents for soaking baby clothes and diapers; and in fiberglass parts for the Chevrolet Corvette.

Entropy of gaseous boron monobromide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jian-Feng; Peng, Xiao-Long; Zhang, Lie-Hui; Wang, Chao-Wen; Jia, Chun-Sheng

2017-10-01

We present an explicit representation of molar entropy for gaseous boron monobromide in terms of experimental values of only three molecular constants. Fortunately, through comparison of theoretically calculated results and experimental data, we find that the molar entropy of gaseous boron monobromide can be well predicted by employing the improved Manning-Rosen oscillator to describe the internal vibration of boron monobromide molecule. The present approach provides also opportunities for theoretical predictions of molar entropy for other gases with no use of large amounts of experimental spectroscopy data.

Synthesis of borophenes: Anisotropic, two-dimensional boron polymorphs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mannix, A. J.; Zhou, X. -F.; Kiraly, B.

At the atomic-cluster scale, pure boron is markedly similar to carbon, forming simple planar molecules and cage-like fullerenes. Theoretical studies predict that two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets will adopt an atomic configuration similar to that of boron atomic clusters. We synthesized atomically thin, crystalline 2D boron sheets (i.e., borophene) on silver surfaces under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. Atomic-scale characterization, supported by theoretical calculations, revealed structures reminiscent of fused boron clusters with multiple scales of anisotropic, out-of-plane buckling. Unlike bulk boron allotropes, borophene shows metallic characteristics that are consistent with predictions of a highly anisotropic, 2D metal.

Boron nitride - Composition, optical properties, and mechanical behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pouch, John J.; Alterovitz, Samuel A.; Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Warner, Joseph D.

1987-01-01

A low energy ion beam deposition technique was used to grow boron nitride films on quartz, germanium, silicon, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphate. The film structure was amorphous with evidence of a hexagonal phase. The peak boron concentration was 82 at. percent. The carbon and oxygen impurities were in the 5 to 8 at. percent range. Boron-nitrogen and boron-boron bonds were revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The index of refraction varied from 1.65 to 1.67 for films deposited on III-V compound semiconductors. The coefficient of friction for boron nitride in sliding contact with diamond was less than 0.1. The substrate was silicon.

Boron nitride: Composition, optical properties and mechanical behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pouch, John J.; Alterovitz, Samuel A.; Miyoshi, Kazuhisa; Warner, Joseph D.

1987-01-01

A low energy ion beam deposition technique was used to grow boron nitride films on quartz, germanium, silicon, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphate. The film structure was amorphous with evidence of a hexagonal phase. The peak boron concentration was 82 at %. The carbon and oxygen impurities were in the 5 to 8 at % range. Boron-nitrogen and boron-boron bonds were revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The index of refraction varied from 1.65 to 1.67 for films deposited on III-V compound semiconductors. The coefficient of friction for boron nitride in sliding contact with diamond was less than 0.1. The substrate was silicon.

40 CFR 1048.510 - What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... model year, measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with the duty cycle described in Appendix II to determine whether it meets the transient emission standards in § 1048.101(a). (b) Calculate cycle statistics and compare with the established criteria as specified in 40 CFR 1065.514 to confirm...

40 CFR 1048.510 - What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... model year, measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with the duty cycle described in Appendix II to determine whether it meets the transient emission standards in § 1048.101(a). (b) Calculate cycle statistics and compare with the established criteria as specified in 40 CFR 1065.514 to confirm...

40 CFR 1048.510 - What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... model year, measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with the duty cycle described in Appendix II to determine whether it meets the transient emission standards in § 1048.101(a). (b) Calculate cycle statistics and compare with the established criteria as specified in 40 CFR 1065.514 to confirm...

40 CFR 1048.510 - What transient duty cycles apply for laboratory testing?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... model year, measure emissions by testing the engine on a dynamometer with the duty cycle described in Appendix II to determine whether it meets the transient emission standards in § 1048.101(a). (b) Calculate cycle statistics and compare with the established criteria as specified in 40 CFR 1065.514 to confirm...

Methods for boron delivery to mammalian tissue

DOEpatents

Hawthorne, M. Frederick; Feaks, Debra A.; Shelly, Kenneth J.

2003-01-01

Boron neutron capture therapy can be used to destroy tumors. This treatment modality is enhanced by delivering compounds to the tumor site where the compounds have high concentrations of boron, the boron compounds being encapsulated in the bilayer of a liposome or in the bilayer as well as the internal space of the liposomes. Preferred compounds, include carborane units with multiple boron atoms within the carborane cage structure. Liposomes with increased tumor specificity may also be used.

METHOD OF PREPARING POLONIUM-BORON SOURCES

DOEpatents

Birden, J.H.

1959-08-01

An improved technique is described for preparation of a polonium-boron neutron source. A selected amount of Po-210 is vaporized into a thin walled nickel container, then the desired amcunt of boron powder is added. After sealing the container, it is heated quickly by induction heating to vaporize the Po-210 and deposit it in the still cool boron powder. The unit is then quickly cooled to prevent revaporization of the Po-210 from the boron. The build-up of neutron emission may be followed by means of a neutron counter in order to terminate the heating at the optimum level of neutron yield.

The versatility of boron in biological target engagement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz, Diego B.; Yudin, Andrei K.

2017-08-01

Boron-containing molecules have been extensively used for the purposes of chemical sensing, biological probe development and drug discovery. Due to boron's empty p orbital, it can coordinate to heteroatoms such as oxygen and nitrogen. This reversible covalent mode of interaction has led to the use of boron as bait for nucleophilic residues in disease-associated proteins, culminating in the approval of new therapeutics that work by covalent mechanisms. Our analysis of a wide range of covalent inhibitors with electrophilic groups suggests that boron is a unique electrophile in its chameleonic ability to engage protein targets. Here we review boron's interactions with a range of protein side-chain residues and reveal that boron's properties are nuanced and arise from its uncommon coordination preferences. These mechanistic and structural insights should serve as a guide for the development of selective boron-based bioactive molecules.

Sensitivity of the activated partial thromboplastin time, the dilute Russell's viper venom time, and the kaolin clotting time for the detection of the lupus anticoagulant: a direct comparison using plasma dilutions.

PubMed

Martin, B A; Branch, D W; Rodgers, G M

1996-01-01

Increasing dilutions of lupus anticoagulant (LA) plasmas from twelve patients were used to directly compare the sensitivity of four tests for LA. The tests evaluated were the modified Bell and Alton activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), an APTT using a commercially prepared partial thromboplastin (Platelin LS APTT), a modified dilute Russell's viper venom time (DRVVT), and a modified kaolin clotting time (KCT). LAs were detected in all twelve plasmas by each of three tests and eleven of twelve plasmas in a fourth test when undiluted patient plasma was used. Repeating the tests after diluting the LA plasmas with normal platelet-free plasma (PFP) showed that the KCT was the most sensitive test for LA, detecting eleven of twelve LAs at a dilution of 10% patient plasma and ten of twelve LAs at a dilution of 5% patient plasma. The modified Bell and Alton APTT and the modified DRVVT had similar sensitivities at a patient plasma concentration of 10%, detecting seven of twelve and eight of twelve LAs, respectively. The Platelin LS APTT detected only four of twelve LAs at a patient plasma concentration of 10%. Our results indicate that the modified KCT is a sensitive method for the detection of LAs. The modified Bell and Alton APTT and the DRVVT were less sensitive.

A critical assessment of boron target compounds for boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Hawthorne, M Frederick; Lee, Mark W

2003-01-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has undergone dramatic developments since its inception by Locher in 1936 and the development of nuclear energy during World War II. The ensuing Cold War spawned the entirely new field of polyhedral borane chemistry, rapid advances in nuclear reactor technology and a corresponding increase in the number to reactors potentially available for BNCT. This effort has been largely oriented toward the eradication of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and melanoma with reduced interest in other types of malignancies. The design and synthesis of boron-10 target compounds needed for BNCT was not channeled to those types of compounds specifically required for GBM or melanoma. Consequently, a number of potentially useful boron agents are known which have not been biologically evaluated beyond a cursory examination and only three boron-10 enriched target species are approved for human use following their Investigational New Drug classification by the US Food and Drug Administration; BSH, BPA and GB-10. All ongoing clinical trials with GBM and melanoma are necessarily conducted with one of these three species and most often with BPA. The further development of BNCT is presently stalled by the absence of strong support for advanced compound evaluation and compound discovery driven by recent advances in biology and chemistry. A rigorous demonstration of BNCT efficacy surpassing that of currently available protocols has yet to be achieved. This article discusses the past history of compound development, contemporary problems such as compound classification and those problems which impede future advances. The latter include means for biological evaluation of new (and existing) boron target candidates at all stages of their development and the large-scale synthesis of boron target species for clinical trials and beyond. The future of BNCT is bright if latitude is given to the choice of clinical disease to be treated and if a recognized study

Declining ecosystem health and the dilution effect.

PubMed

Khalil, Hussein; Ecke, Frauke; Evander, Magnus; Magnusson, Magnus; Hörnfeldt, Birger

2016-08-08

The "dilution effect" implies that where species vary in susceptibility to infection by a pathogen, higher diversity often leads to lower infection prevalence in hosts. For directly transmitted pathogens, non-host species may "dilute" infection directly (1) and indirectly (2). Competitors and predators may (1) alter host behavior to reduce pathogen transmission or (2) reduce host density. In a well-studied system, we tested the dilution of the zoonotic Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) by two competitors and a predator. Our study was based on long-term PUUV infection data (2003-2013) in northern Sweden. The field vole (Microtus agrestis) and the common shrew (Sorex araneus) are bank vole competitors and Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) is a main predator of bank voles. Infection probability in bank voles decreased when common shrew density increased, suggesting that common shrews reduced PUUV transmission. Field voles suppressed bank vole density in meadows and clear-cuts and indirectly diluted PUUV infection. Further, Tengmalm's owl decline in 1980-2013 may have contributed to higher PUUV infection rates in bank voles in 2003-2013 compared to 1979-1986. Our study provides further evidence for dilution effect and suggests that owls may have an important role in reducing disease risk.

Synthesis of borophenes: Anisotropic, two-dimensional boron polymorphs.

PubMed

Mannix, Andrew J; Zhou, Xiang-Feng; Kiraly, Brian; Wood, Joshua D; Alducin, Diego; Myers, Benjamin D; Liu, Xiaolong; Fisher, Brandon L; Santiago, Ulises; Guest, Jeffrey R; Yacaman, Miguel Jose; Ponce, Arturo; Oganov, Artem R; Hersam, Mark C; Guisinger, Nathan P

2015-12-18

At the atomic-cluster scale, pure boron is markedly similar to carbon, forming simple planar molecules and cage-like fullerenes. Theoretical studies predict that two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets will adopt an atomic configuration similar to that of boron atomic clusters. We synthesized atomically thin, crystalline 2D boron sheets (i.e., borophene) on silver surfaces under ultrahigh-vacuum conditions. Atomic-scale characterization, supported by theoretical calculations, revealed structures reminiscent of fused boron clusters with multiple scales of anisotropic, out-of-plane buckling. Unlike bulk boron allotropes, borophene shows metallic characteristics that are consistent with predictions of a highly anisotropic, 2D metal. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Gluconeogenesis from labeled carbon: estimating isotope dilution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelleher, J.K.

1986-03-01

To estimate the rate of gluconeogenesis from steady-state incorporation of labeled 3-carbon precursors into glucose, isotope dilution must be considered so that the rate of labeling of glucose can be quantitatively converted to the rate of gluconeogenesis. An expression for the value of this isotope dilution can be derived using mathematical techniques and a model of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The present investigation employs a more complex model than that used in previous studies. This model includes the following pathways that may affect the correction for isotope dilution: 1) flux of 3-carbon precursor to the oxaloacetate pool via acetyl-CoAmore » and the TCA cycle; 2) flux of 4- or 5-carbon compounds into the TCA cycle; 3) reversible flux between oxaloacetate (OAA) and pyruvate and between OAA and fumarate; 4) incomplete equilibrium between OAA pools; and 5) isotope dilution of 3-carbon tracers between the experimentally measured pool and the precursor for the TCA-cycle OAA pool. Experimental tests are outlined which investigators can use to determine whether these pathways are significant in a specific steady-state system. The study indicated that flux through these five pathways can significantly affect the correction for isotope dilution. To correct for the effects of these pathways an alternative method for calculating isotope dilution is proposed using citrate to relate the specific activities of acetyl-CoA and OAA.« less

Boron ion beam generation utilizing lanthanum hexaboride cathodes: Comparison of vacuum arc and planar magnetron glow

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nikolaev, A. G.; Vizir, A. V.; Yushkov, G. Yu., E-mail: gyushkov@mail.ru

Boron ion beams are widely used for semiconductor ion implantation and for surface modification for improving the operating parameters and increasing the lifetime of machine parts and tools. For the latter application, the purity requirements of boron ion beams are not as stringent as for semiconductor technology, and a composite cathode of lanthanum hexaboride may be suitable for the production of boron ions. We have explored the use of two different approaches to boron plasma production: vacuum arc and planar high power impulse magnetron in self-sputtering mode. For the arc discharge, the boron plasma is generated at cathode spots, whereasmore » for the magnetron discharge, the main process is sputtering of cathode material. We present here the results of comparative test experiments for both kinds of discharge, aimed at determining the optimal discharge parameters for maximum yield of boron ions. For both discharges, the extracted ion beam current reaches hundreds of milliamps and the fraction of boron ions in the total extracted ion beam is as high as 80%.« less

The effect of boron deficiency on gene expression and boron compartmentalization in sugarbeet

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

NIP5, BOR1, NIP6, and WRKY6 genes were investigated for their role in boron deficiency in sugar beet, each with a proposed role in boron use in model plant species. All genes showed evidence of polymorphism in fragment size and gene expression in the target genomic DNA and cDNA libraries, with no co...

Electron paramagnetic resonance of deep boron in silicon carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranov, P. G.; Mokhov, E. N.

1996-04-01

In this article we report the first EPR observation of deep boron centres in silicon carbide. A direct identification of the boron atom involved in the defect centre, considered as deep boron, has been established by the presence of a hyperfine interaction with 0268-1242/11/4/005/img1 and 0268-1242/11/4/005/img2 nuclei in isotope-enriched 6H-SiC:B crystals. Deep boron centres were shown from EPR spectra to have axial symmetry along the hexagonal axis. A correspondence between the EPR spectra and the luminescence, ODMR and DLTS spectra of deep boron centres has been indicated. The structural model for a deep boron centre as a boron - vacancy pair is presented and the evidence for bistable behaviour of deep boron centres is discussed.

Insights into the Mechanisms Underlying Boron Homeostasis in Plants

PubMed Central

Yoshinari, Akira; Takano, Junpei

2017-01-01

Boron is an essential element for plants but is toxic in excess. Therefore, plants must adapt to both limiting and excess boron conditions for normal growth. Boron transport in plants is primarily based on three transport mechanisms across the plasma membrane: passive diffusion of boric acid, facilitated diffusion of boric acid via channels, and export of borate anion via transporters. Under boron -limiting conditions, boric acid channels and borate exporters function in the uptake and translocation of boron to support growth of various plant species. In Arabidopsis thaliana, NIP5;1 and BOR1 are located in the plasma membrane and polarized toward soil and stele, respectively, in various root cells, for efficient transport of boron from the soil to the stele. Importantly, sufficient levels of boron induce downregulation of NIP5;1 and BOR1 through mRNA degradation and proteolysis through endocytosis, respectively. In addition, borate exporters, such as Arabidopsis BOR4 and barley Bot1, function in boron exclusion from tissues and cells under conditions of excess boron. Thus, plants actively regulate intracellular localization and abundance of transport proteins to maintain boron homeostasis. In this review, the physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms of intracellular localization and abundance of boron transport proteins are discussed. PMID:29204148

Transient Thermal Testing and Analysis of a Thermally Insulating Structural Sandwich Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blosser, Max L.; Daryabeigi, Kamran; Bird, Richard K.; Knutson, Jeffrey R.

2015-01-01

A core configuration was devised for a thermally insulating structural sandwich panel. Two titanium prototype panels were constructed to illustrate the proposed sandwich panel geometry. The core of one of the titanium panels was filled with Saffil(trademark) alumina fibrous insulation and the panel was tested in a series of transient thermal tests. Finite element analysis was used to predict the thermal response of the panel using one- and two-dimensional models. Excellent agreement was obtained between predicted and measured temperature histories.

Effect of Boron and Titanium Addition on the Hot Ductility of Low-Carbon Nb-Containing Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei-Jian; Li, Jing; Shi, Cheng-Bin; Huo, Xiang-Dong

2015-12-01

The effect of boron and titanium addition on the hot ductility of Nb-containing steel was investigated using hot tensile tests. The fracture surface and the quenched longitudinal microstructure were examined by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that both steel samples had the similar change from 1,100°C to 700°C. The hot ductility of Nb-containing steel with boron and titanium addition was higher than the steel without boron and titanium in the temperature range of 900-750°C. Because the formation of intergranular ferrite was inhibited by solute boron segregating on the grain boundary, the formation of TiN changed the distribution of Nb- and boron-containing precipitates and improved the amount of intragranular ferrite.

Chemical disposition of boron in animals and humans.

PubMed Central

Moseman, R F

1994-01-01

Elemental boron was isolated in 1808. It typically occurs in nature as borates hydrated with varying amounts of water. Important compounds are boric acid and borax. Boron compounds are also used in the production of metals, enamels, and glasses. In trace amounts, boron is essential for the growth of many plants, and is found in animal and human tissues at low concentrations. Poisoning in humans has been reported as the result of accidental ingestion or use of large amounts in the treatment of burns. Boron as boric acid is fairly rapidly absorbed and excreted from the body via urine. The half-life of boric acid in humans is on the order of 1 day. Boron does not appear to accumulate in soft tissues of animals, but does accumulate in bone. Normal levels of boron in soft tissues, urine, and blood generally range from less than 0.05 ppm to no more than 10 ppm. In poisoning incidents, the amount of boric acid in brain and liver tissue has been reported to be as high as 2000 ppm. Recent studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have indicated that boron may contribute to reduced fertility in male rodents fed 9000 ppm of boric acid in feed. Within a few days, boron levels in blood and most soft tissues quickly reached a plateau of about 15 ppm. Boron in bone did not appear to plateau, reaching 47 ppm after 7 days on the diet. Cessation of exposure to dietary boron resulted in a rapid drop in bone boron.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:7889870

High Purity and Yield of Boron Nitride Nanotubes Using Amorphous Boron and a Nozzle-Type Reactor

PubMed Central

Kim, Jaewoo; Seo, Duckbong; Yoo, Jeseung; Jeong, Wanseop; Seo, Young-Soo; Kim, Jaeyong

2014-01-01

Enhancement of the production yield of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with high purity was achieved using an amorphous boron-based precursor and a nozzle-type reactor. Use of a mixture of amorphous boron and Fe decreases the milling time for the preparation of the precursor for BNNTs synthesis, as well as the Fe impurity contained in the B/Fe interdiffused precursor nanoparticles by using a simple purification process. We also explored a nozzle-type reactor that increased the production yield of BNNTs compared to a conventional flow-through reactor. By using a nozzle-type reactor with amorphous boron-based precursor, the weight of the BNNTs sample after annealing was increased as much as 2.5-times with much less impurities compared to the case for the flow-through reactor with the crystalline boron-based precursor. Under the same experimental conditions, the yield and quantity of BNNTs were estimated as much as ~70% and ~1.15 g/batch for the former, while they are ~54% and 0.78 g/batch for the latter. PMID:28788161

High Purity and Yield of Boron Nitride Nanotubes Using Amorphous Boron and a Nozzle-Type Reactor.

PubMed

Kim, Jaewoo; Seo, Duckbong; Yoo, Jeseung; Jeong, Wanseop; Seo, Young-Soo; Kim, Jaeyong

2014-08-11

Enhancement of the production yield of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with high purity was achieved using an amorphous boron-based precursor and a nozzle-type reactor. Use of a mixture of amorphous boron and Fe decreases the milling time for the preparation of the precursor for BNNTs synthesis, as well as the Fe impurity contained in the B/Fe interdiffused precursor nanoparticles by using a simple purification process. We also explored a nozzle-type reactor that increased the production yield of BNNTs compared to a conventional flow-through reactor. By using a nozzle-type reactor with amorphous boron-based precursor, the weight of the BNNTs sample after annealing was increased as much as 2.5-times with much less impurities compared to the case for the flow-through reactor with the crystalline boron-based precursor. Under the same experimental conditions, the yield and quantity of BNNTs were estimated as much as ~70% and ~1.15 g/batch for the former, while they are ~54% and 0.78 g/batch for the latter.

Boron stripper foils for particle accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeisler, Stefan K.; Brigham, Michael; Kaur, Ishneet; Jaggi, Vinder

2018-05-01

Micromatter Technologies Inc., now located in Surrey B.C., Canada, is a worldwide supplier of pure and boron containing diamond-like carbon (DLC) stripper foils ranging from 10 nm to 10 μm. These foils are manufactured in-house using pulsed laser deposition. Continuing our research into novel production methods and alternative materials to be used as beam strippers for heavy elements and in particular for tandem particle accelerators, pure boron foils were prepared by laser plasma ablation of a disc shaped boron sputter target. Foil thickness between 10 nm to approximately 0.7 μm were achieved. The new boron foils showed considerably less stress, higher mechanical strength and better flexibility than comparable DLC films.

Controlled in situ boron doping of diamond thin films using solution phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, M.; Dua, A. K.; Nuwad, J.; Girija, K. G.; Tyagi, A. K.; Kulshreshtha, S. K.

2006-12-01

Controlled boron doping of diamond film using nontoxic reagents is a challenge in itself. During the present study, attempts have been made to dope diamond films in situ with boron from a solution of boric acid (H3BO3) in methanol (CH3OH) using a specially designed bubbler that ensured continuous and controlled flow of vapors of boron precursors during deposition. The samples are thoroughly characterized using a host of techniques comprising of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, x-ray diffraction, and current-voltage measurements (I-V). Cross-sectional micro-Raman spectroscopy has been used to obtain depth profile of boron in diamond films. Boron concentration ([B]) in the films is found to vary linearly on a semilog scale with molarity (M) of H3BO3 in CH3OH. Lattice constant of our samples is smaller than the reported American society for testing and materials (ASTM) values due to oxygen incorporation and it increases with [B] in the diamond samples. Heavily boron doped samples exhibit Fano deformation of the Raman line shape and negative and/zero activation barrier in temperature dependent I-V measurements that indicate the formation of metallic phase in the samples. The present study illustrates the feasibility of safe and controlled boron doping of diamond films using a solution of H3BO3 in CH3OH over a significant range of [B] from semiconductor to metallic regime but with a little adverse effect due to unintentional but unavoidable incorporation of oxygen.

Structure prediction of boron-doped graphene by machine learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

M. Dieb, Thaer; Hou, Zhufeng; Tsuda, Koji

2018-06-01

Heteroatom doping has endowed graphene with manifold aspects of material properties and boosted its applications. The atomic structure determination of doped graphene is vital to understand its material properties. Motivated by the recently synthesized boron-doped graphene with relatively high concentration, here we employ machine learning methods to search the most stable structures of doped boron atoms in graphene, in conjunction with the atomistic simulations. From the determined stable structures, we find that in the free-standing pristine graphene, the doped boron atoms energetically prefer to substitute for the carbon atoms at different sublattice sites and that the para configuration of boron-boron pair is dominant in the cases of high boron concentrations. The boron doping can increase the work function of graphene by 0.7 eV for a boron content higher than 3.1%.

Number of Siblings and Intellectual Development: The Resource Dilution Explanation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Downey, Douglas B.

2001-01-01

Resource dilution model suggests that as the number of children increases, parental resources for each child decline. Assesses whether resource dilution could explain the effect of siblings on intellectual development tests. Identifies flaws in recent critiques of this position, discussing it as an explanation for why children with few siblings…

Fluorescent sensors based on boronic acids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Christopher R.; James, Tony D.

1999-05-01

Sensor systems have long been needed for detecting the presence in solution of certain chemically or biologically important species. Sensors are used in a wide range of applications from simple litmus paper that shows a single color change in acidic or basic environments to complex biological assays that use enzymes, antibodies and antigens to display binding events. With this work the use of boronic acids in the design and synthesis of sensors for saccharides (diols) will be presented. The fluorescent sensory systems rely on photoinduced electron transfer (PET) to modulate the observed fluorescence. When saccharides form cyclic boronate esters with boronic acids, the Lewis acidity of the boronic acid is enhanced and therefore the Lewis acid-base interaction between the boronic acid and a neighboring amine is strengthened. The strength of this acid-base interaction modulates the PET from the amine (acting as a quencher) to anthracene (acting as a fluorophore). These compounds show increased fluorescence at neutral pH through suppression of the PET from nitrogen to anthracene on saccharide binding. The general strategy for the development of saccharide selective systems will be discussed. The potential of the boronic acid based systems will be illustrated using the development of glucose and glucosamine selective fluorescent sensors as examples.

Diluting the burden of load: perceptual load effects are simply dilution effects.

PubMed

Tsal, Yehoshua; Benoni, Hanna

2010-12-01

The substantial distractor interference obtained for small displays when the target appears alone is reduced in large displays when the target is embedded among neutral letters. This finding has been interpreted as reflecting low-load and high-load processing, respectively, thereby supporting the theory of perceptual load (Lavie & Tsal, 1994). However, a possible alternative interpretation of this effect is that the distractor is similarly processed in both displays, yet its interference in the large ones is diluted by the presence of the neutral letters. We separated the effects of load and dilution by introducing dilution displays. They contained as many letters as the high-load displays but were clearly distinguished from the target, thus allowing for a low-load processing mode. Distractor interference obtained under both the low-load and high-load conditions disappeared under the dilution condition. Hence, the display size effect traditionally misattributed to perceptual load is fully accounted for by dilution. Furthermore, when dilution is controlled for, it is high load not low load producing greater interference.

Investigation of Hard Boron Rich Solids: Osmium Diboride and β-Rhombohedral Boron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hebbache, M.; Živković, D.

Recently, we succeeded in synthesizing three osmium borides, i.e., OsB1.1, Os2B3 and OsB2. Up to date, almost nothing is known about the physical properties of these materials. Microhardness measurements show that OsB2 is extremely hard. Ab initio calculations show that it is due to formation of covalent bonds between boron atoms. OsB2 is also a low compressibility material. It can be used for hard coatings. The β-rhombohedral polymorph of boron is the second hardest elemental crystal (H ≈ 33 GPa). It is also very light and a p-type semiconductor. In early 1970s, it has been shown that the doping of boron with 3d transition elements enhances its hardness by about 25%. We predict that, in general, heavily doped samples MBx, with x ≤ 31 or equivalently a dopant concentration larger than 3.2 at.%, should be ultrahard, i.e., H > 43 GPa. The relevant dopants M are Al, Cu, Sc, Mn, Mg and Li. In addition to these properties, boron-rich materials have a very low volatility, a high chemical inertness and high melting point. They are suitable for applications under extreme conditions and thermoelectric equipment.

Automated measurement of respiratory gas exchange by an inert gas dilution technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sawin, C. F.; Rummel, J. A.; Michel, E. L.

1974-01-01

A respiratory gas analyzer (RGA) has been developed wherein a mass spectrometer is the sole transducer required for measurement of respiratory gas exchange. The mass spectrometer maintains all signals in absolute phase relationships, precluding the need to synchronize flow and gas composition as required in other systems. The RGA system was evaluated by comparison with the Douglas bag technique. The RGA system established the feasibility of the inert gas dilution method for measuring breath-by-breath respiratory gas exchange. This breath-by-breath analytical capability permits detailed study of transient respiratory responses to exercise.

Boron nitride nanotubes and nanoplatelets as reinforcing agents of polymeric matrices for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Farshid, Behzad; Lalwani, Gaurav; Shir Mohammadi, Meisam; Simonsen, John; Sitharaman, Balaji

2017-02-01

This study investigates the mechanical properties and in vitro cytotoxicity of one- and two-dimensional boron nitride nanomaterials-reinforced biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites. Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) nanocomposites were fabricated using crosslinking agent N-vinyl pyrrolidone and inorganic nanomaterials: boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs) dispersed at 0.2 wt % in the polymeric matrix. The incorporation of BNNPs and BNNTs resulted in a ∼38 and ∼15% increase in compressive (Young's) modulus, and ∼31 and ∼6% increase in compressive yield strength compared to PPF control, respectively. The nanocomposites showed a time-dependent increased protein adsorption for collagen I protein. The cytotoxicity evaluation of aqueous BNNT and BNNP dispersions (at 1-100 μg/mL concentrations) using murine MC3T3 preosteoblast cells showed ∼73-99% viability. The cytotoxicity evaluation of media extracts of nanocomposites before crosslinking, after crosslinking, and upon degradation (using 1×-100× dilutions) showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity responses. Crosslinked nanocomposites showed excellent (∼79-100%) cell viability, cellular attachment (∼57-67%), and spreading similar to cells grown on the surface of tissue culture polystyrene control. The media extracts of degradation products showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The favorable cytocompatibility results in combination with improved mechanical properties of BNNT and BNNP nanocomposites opens new avenues for further in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy studies towards bone tissue engineering applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 406-419, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Characterization of boron carbide with an electron microprobe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matteudi, G.; Ruste, J.

1983-01-01

Within the framework of a study of heterogeneous materials (Matteudi et al., 1971: Matteudi and Verchery, 1972) thin deposits of boron carbide were characterized. Experiments using an electronic probe microanalyzer to analyze solid boron carbide or boron carbide in the form of thick deposits are described. Quantitative results on boron and carbon are very close to those obtained when applying the Monte Carlo-type correction calculations.

Static and Dynamic Behavior of High Modulus Hybrid Boron/Glass/Aluminum Fiber Metal Laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Po-Ching

2011-12-01

This dissertation presents the investigation of a newly developed hybrid fiber metal laminates (FMLs) which contains commingled boron fibers, glass fibers, and 2024-T3 aluminum sheets. Two types of hybrid boron/glass/aluminum FMLs are developed. The first, type I hybrid FMLs, contained a layer of boron fiber prepreg in between two layers of S2-glass fiber prepreg, sandwiched by two aluminum alloy 2024-T3 sheets. The second, type II hybrid FMLs, contained three layer of commingled hybrid boron/glass fiber prepreg layers, sandwiched by two aluminum alloy 2024-T3 sheets. The mechanical behavior and deformation characteristics including blunt notch strength, bearing strength and fatigue behavior of these two types of hybrid boron/glass/aluminum FMLs were investigated. Compared to traditional S2-glass fiber reinforced aluminum laminates (GLARE), the newly developed hybrid boron/glass/aluminum fiber metal laminates possess high modulus, high yielding stress, and good blunt notch properties. From the bearing test result, the hybrid boron/glass/aluminum fiber metal laminates showed outstanding bearing strength. The high fiber volume fraction of boron fibers in type II laminates lead to a higher bearing strength compared to both type I laminates and traditional GLARE. Both types of hybrid FMLs have improved fatigue crack initiation lives and excellent fatigue crack propagation resistance compared to traditional GLARE. The incorporation of the boron fibers improved the Young's modulus of the composite layer in FMLs, which in turn, improved the fatigue crack initiation life and crack propagation rates of the aluminum sheets. Moreover, a finite element model was established to predict and verify the properties of hybrid boron/glass/aluminum FMLs. The simulated results showed good agreement with the experimental results.

Spectrophotometric determination of boric acid in boron powder with curcumin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grotheer, E.W.

1979-12-01

A rapid and accurate method was needed to determine trace amounts of boric acid for quality control and specification testing of elemental boron. The reaction between boric acid and curcumin occurs at a measurable rate only when the curcumin molecule is protonated. Protonation takes place at the carbonyl groups in the presence of a strong acid and occurs completely and rapidly when sulfuric acid is added to a solution of curcumin in acetic acid. Spectrophotometric measurements were made. The extraction of boric acid from boron powder was found to be complete within 2h when either water or the diol solutionmore » was used. Whatman No. 40 cr 42 filter paper was used to obtain diol samples free of boron particles. The extraction efficiency of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol was evaluated by adding 1 ml of 500 ppM aqueous boric acid and 1 drop of 10% NaOH to accurately weighed samples of boron powder. The water then was evaporated at room temperature and the samples were extracted with diol solution. The data obtained are included. The extraction efficiency also was evaluated by determining the boric acid content of boron which had been recovered from a previous extraction and boric acid determination. The determination of boric acid using curcumin is unaffected by the presence of other compounds, except for fluoride and nitrate ions. 2 tables. (DP)« less

Effect of boron on intergranular hot cracking in Ni-Cr-Fe superalloys containing niobium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, R. G.

1990-01-01

Solidification mechanisms had a dominant influence on microfissuring behavior of the test group. Carbon modified the Laves formation significantly and showed that one approach to alloy design would be balancing carbide formers against Laves formers. Boron's strong effect on microfissuring can be traced to its potency as a Laves former. Boron's segregation to grain boundaries plays at best a secondary role in microfissuring.

Boron-Filled Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes

PubMed Central

Patel, Rajen B.; Chou, Tsengming; Kanwal, Alokik; Apigo, David J.; Lefebvre, Joseph; Owens, Frank; Iqbal, Zafar

2016-01-01

A unique nanoheterostructure, a boron-filled hybrid carbon nanotube (BHCNT), has been synthesized using a one-step chemical vapor deposition process. The BHCNTs can be considered to be a novel form of boron carbide consisting of boron doped, distorted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) encapsulating boron nanowires. These MWCNTs were found to be insulating in spite of their graphitic layered outer structures. While conventional MWCNTs have great axial strength, they have weak radial compressive strength, and do not bond well to one another or to other materials. In contrast, BHCNTs are shown to be up to 31% stiffer and 233% stronger than conventional MWCNTs in radial compression and have excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. The corrugated surface of BHCNTs enables them to bond easily to themselves and other materials, in contrast to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). BHCNTs can, therefore, be used to make nanocomposites, nanopaper sheets, and bundles that are stronger than those made with CNTs. PMID:27460526

Dilutions Made Easy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kamin, Lawrence

1996-01-01

Presents problems appropriate for high school and college students that highlight dilution methods. Promotes an understanding of dilution methods in order to prevent the unnecessary waste of chemicals and glassware in biology laboratories. (JRH)

Development of magnetic resonance technology for noninvasive boron quantification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bradshaw, K.M.

1990-11-01

Boron magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) were developed in support of the noninvasive boron quantification task of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) Power Burst Facility/Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (PBF/BNCT) program. The hardware and software described in this report are modifications specific to a GE Signa{trademark} MRI system, release 3.X and are necessary for boron magnetic resonance operation. The technology developed in this task has been applied to obtaining animal pharmacokinetic data of boron compounds (drug time response) and the in-vivo localization of boron in animal tissue noninvasively. 9 refs., 21 figs.

Serial Dilution Simulation Lab

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keler, Cynthia; Balutis, Tabitha; Bergen, Kim; Laudenslager, Bryanna; Rubino, Deanna

2010-01-01

Serial dilution is often a difficult concept for students to understand. In this short dry lab exercise, students perform serial dilutions using seed beads. This exercise helps students gain skill at performing dilutions without using reagents, bacterial cultures, or viral cultures, while being able to visualize the process.

Experimental realization of two-dimensional boron sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Baojie; Zhang, Jin; Zhong, Qing; Li, Wenbin; Li, Shuai; Li, Hui; Cheng, Peng; Meng, Sheng; Chen, Lan; Wu, Kehui

2016-06-01

A variety of two-dimensional materials have been reported in recent years, yet single-element systems such as graphene and black phosphorus have remained rare. Boron analogues have been predicted, as boron atoms possess a short covalent radius and the flexibility to adopt sp2 hybridization, features that favour the formation of two-dimensional allotropes, and one example of such a borophene material has been reported recently. Here, we present a parallel experimental work showing that two-dimensional boron sheets can be grown epitaxially on a Ag(111) substrate. Two types of boron sheet, a β12 sheet and a χ3 sheet, both exhibiting a triangular lattice but with different arrangements of periodic holes, are observed by scanning tunnelling microscopy. Density functional theory simulations agree well with experiments, and indicate that both sheets are planar without obvious vertical undulations. The boron sheets are quite inert to oxidization and interact only weakly with their substrate. We envisage that such boron sheets may find applications in electronic devices in the future.

Analysis of boron distribution in vivo for boron neutron capture therapy using two different boron compounds by secondary ion mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yokoyama, Kunio; Miyatake, Shin-Ichi; Kajimoto, Yoshinaga; Kawabata, Shinji; Doi, Atsushi; Yoshida, Toshiko; Okabe, Motonori; Kirihata, Mitsunori; Ono, Koji; Kuroiwa, Toshihiko

2007-01-01

The efficiency of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for malignant gliomas depends on the selective and absolute accumulation of (10)B atoms in tumor tissues. Only two boron compounds, BPA and BSH, currently can be used clinically. However, the detailed distributions of these compounds have not been determined. Here we used secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to determine the histological distribution of (10)B atoms derived from the boron compounds BSH and BPA. C6 tumor-bearing rats were given 500 mg/kg of BPA or 100 mg/kg of BSH intraperitoneally; 2.5 h later, their brains were sectioned and subjected to SIMS. In the main tumor mass, BPA accumulated heterogeneously, while BSH accumulated homogeneously. In the peritumoral area, both BPA and BSH accumulated measurably. Interestingly, in this area, BSH accumulated distinctively in a diffuse manner even 800 microm distant from the interface between the main tumor and normal brain. In the contralateral brain, BPA accumulated measurably, while BSH did not. In conclusion, both BPA and BSH each have advantages and disadvantages. These compounds are considered to be essential as boron delivery agents independently for clinical BNCT. There is some rationale for the simultaneous use of both compounds in clinical BNCT for malignant gliomas.

Pretest predictions of the Fast Flux Test Facility Passive Safety Test Phase IIB transients using United States derived computer codes and methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heard, F.J.; Harris, R.A.; Padilla, A.

The SASSYS/SAS4A systems analysis code was used to simulate a series of unprotected loss of flow (ULOF) tests planned at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). The subject tests were designed to investigate the transient performance of the FFTF during various ULOF scenarios for two different loading patterns designed to produce extremes in the assembly load pad clearance and the direction of the initial assembly bows. The tests are part of an international program designed to extend the existing data base on the performance of liquid metal reactors (LMR). The analyses demonstrate that a wide range of power-to-flow ratios canmore » be reached during the transients and, therefore, will yield valuable data on the dynamic character of the structural feedbacks in LMRS. These analyses will be repeated once the actual FFTF core loadings for the tests are available. These predictions, similar ones obtained by other international participants in the FFTF program, and post-test analyses will be used to upgrade and further verify the computer codes used to predict the behavior of LMRS.« less

Boron detection from blood samples by ICP-AES and ICP-MS during boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Linko, S; Revitzer, H; Zilliacus, R; Kortesniemi, M; Kouri, M; Savolainen, S

2008-01-01

The concept of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) involves infusion of a (10)B containing tracer into the patient's bloodstream followed by local neutron irradiation(s). Accurate estimation of the blood boron level for the treatment field before irradiation is required. Boron concentration can be quantified by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), spectrofluorometric and direct current atomic emission spectrometry (DCP-AES) or by prompt gamma photon detection methods. The blood boron concentrations were analysed and compared using ICP-AES and ICP-MS to ensure congruency of the results if the analysis had to be changed during the treatment, e.g. for technical reasons. The effect of wet-ashing on the results was studied in addition. The mean of all samples analysed with ICP-MS was 5.8 % lower than with ICP-AES coupled to wet-ashing (R (2) = 0.88). Without wet-ashing, the mean of all samples analysed with ICP-MS was 9.1 % higher than with ICP-AES (R (2) = 0.99). Boron concentration analysed from whole blood samples with ICP-AES correlated well with the values of ICP-MS with wet-ashing of the sample matrix, which is generally considered the reference method. When using these methods in parallel at certain intervals during the treatments, reliability of the blood boron concentration values remains satisfactory, taking into account the required accuracy of dose determination in the irradiation of cancer patients.

Comparison of Agar Dilution, Disk Diffusion, MicroScan, and Vitek Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Methods to Broth Microdilution for Detection of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Isolates of the Family Enterobacteriaceae

PubMed Central

Steward, Christine D.; Stocker, Sheila A.; Swenson, Jana M.; O’Hara, Caroline M.; Edwards, Jonathan R.; Gaynes, Robert P.; McGowan, John E.; Tenover, Fred C.

1999-01-01

Fluoroquinolone resistance appears to be increasing in many species of bacteria, particularly in those causing nosocomial infections. However, the accuracy of some antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods for detecting fluoroquinolone resistance remains uncertain. Therefore, we compared the accuracy of the results of agar dilution, disk diffusion, MicroScan Walk Away Neg Combo 15 conventional panels, and Vitek GNS-F7 cards to the accuracy of the results of the broth microdilution reference method for detection of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin resistance in 195 clinical isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae collected from six U.S. hospitals for a national surveillance project (Project ICARE [Intensive Care Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology]). For ciprofloxacin, very major error rates were 0% (disk diffusion and MicroScan), 0.9% (agar dilution), and 2.7% (Vitek), while major error rates ranged from 0% (agar dilution) to 3.7% (MicroScan and Vitek). Minor error rates ranged from 12.3% (agar dilution) to 20.5% (MicroScan). For ofloxacin, no very major errors were observed, and major errors were noted only with MicroScan (3.7% major error rate). Minor error rates ranged from 8.2% (agar dilution) to 18.5% (Vitek). Minor errors for all methods were substantially reduced when results with MICs within ±1 dilution of the broth microdilution reference MIC were excluded from analysis. However, the high number of minor errors by all test systems remains a concern. PMID:9986809

Elucidation of Iron Gettering Mechanisms in Boron-Implanted Silicon Solar Cells

DOE PAGES

Laine, Hannu S.; Vahanissi, Ville; Liu, Zhengjun; ...

2017-12-15

To facilitate cost-effective manufacturing of boron-implanted silicon solar cells as an alternative to BBr 3 diffusion, we performed a quantitative test of the gettering induced by solar-typical boron-implants with the potential for low saturation current density emitters (< 50 fA/cm 2). We show that depending on the contamination level and the gettering anneal chosen, such boron-implanted emitters can induce more than a 99.9% reduction in bulk iron point defect concentration. The iron point defect results as well as synchrotron-based Nano-X-ray-fluorescence investigations of iron precipitates formed in the implanted layer imply that, with the chosen experimental parameters, iron precipitation is themore » dominant gettering mechanism, with segregation-based gettering playing a smaller role. We reproduce the measured iron point defect and precipitate distributions via kinetics modeling. First, we simulate the structural defect distribution created by the implantation process, and then we model these structural defects as heterogeneous precipitation sites for iron. Unlike previous theoretical work on gettering via boron- or phosphorus-implantation, our model is free of adjustable simulation parameters. The close agreement between the model and experimental results indicates that the model successfully captures the necessary physics to describe the iron gettering mechanisms operating in boron-implanted silicon. Furthermore, this modeling capability allows high-performance, cost-effective implanted silicon solar cells to be designed.« less

Elucidation of Iron Gettering Mechanisms in Boron-Implanted Silicon Solar Cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laine, Hannu S.; Vahanissi, Ville; Liu, Zhengjun

To facilitate cost-effective manufacturing of boron-implanted silicon solar cells as an alternative to BBr 3 diffusion, we performed a quantitative test of the gettering induced by solar-typical boron-implants with the potential for low saturation current density emitters (< 50 fA/cm 2). We show that depending on the contamination level and the gettering anneal chosen, such boron-implanted emitters can induce more than a 99.9% reduction in bulk iron point defect concentration. The iron point defect results as well as synchrotron-based Nano-X-ray-fluorescence investigations of iron precipitates formed in the implanted layer imply that, with the chosen experimental parameters, iron precipitation is themore » dominant gettering mechanism, with segregation-based gettering playing a smaller role. We reproduce the measured iron point defect and precipitate distributions via kinetics modeling. First, we simulate the structural defect distribution created by the implantation process, and then we model these structural defects as heterogeneous precipitation sites for iron. Unlike previous theoretical work on gettering via boron- or phosphorus-implantation, our model is free of adjustable simulation parameters. The close agreement between the model and experimental results indicates that the model successfully captures the necessary physics to describe the iron gettering mechanisms operating in boron-implanted silicon. Furthermore, this modeling capability allows high-performance, cost-effective implanted silicon solar cells to be designed.« less

Low pressure growth of cubic boron nitride films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ong, Tiong P. (Inventor); Shing, Yuh-Han (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A method for forming thin films of cubic boron nitride on substrates at low pressures and temperatures. A substrate is first coated with polycrystalline diamond to provide a uniform surface upon which cubic boron nitride can be deposited by chemical vapor deposition. The cubic boron nitride film is useful as a substitute for diamond coatings for a variety of applications in which diamond is not suitable. any tetragonal or hexagonal boron nitride. The cubic boron nitride produced in accordance with the preceding example is particularly well-suited for use as a coating for ultra hard tool bits and abrasives, especially those intended to use in cutting or otherwise fabricating iron.

Fabrication of Polyimide-Matrix/Carbon and Boron-Fiber Tape

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belvin, Harry L.; Cano, Roberto J.; Treasure, Monte; Shahood, Thomas W.

2007-01-01

process. The multilayer tape is then heated to imidize the matrix material and remove most of the remaining solvent, and is pressed to consolidate the multiple layers into a dense tape. For tests, specimens of HYCARB tapes and laminated composite panels made from HYCARB tape were prepared as follows: HYCARB tapes were fabricated as described above. Each panel was made by laying down ten layers of tape, containing, variously, one, two, or three boron-fiber plies and the remainder carbon- fiber-only plies (see figure). Each panel was made by laying down ten layers of tape. Each panel was then cured by heating to a temperature of 225 C for 15 minutes, then pressing at 200 psi (A1.4 MPa) while heating to 371 C, holding at 371 C for 1 hour, then continuing to hold pressure during cooling. Control specimens that were otherwise identical except that they did not contain boron fibers also were prepared. In room-temperature flexural tests, the HYCARB specimens performed comparably to the control specimens; in room-temperature, open-hole compression tests, the HYCARB specimens performed slightly better, by amounts that increased with boron content.

Coprecipitation and isotopic fractionation of boron in modern biogenic carbonates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vengosh, A.; Chivas, A.R.; McCulloch, M.T.

1991-10-01

The abundances and isotopic composition of boron in modern, biogenic calcareous skeletons from the Gulf of Elat, Israel, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and in deep-sea sediments have been examined by negative thermal-ionization mass spectrometry. The selected species (Foraminifera, Pteropoda, corals, Gastropoda, and Pelecypoda) yield large variations in boron concentration that range from 1 ppm in gastropod shells to 80 ppm in corals. The variations of {delta}{sup 11}B may be controlled by isotopic exchange of boron species in which {sup 10}B is preferentially partitioned into the tetrahedral species, and coprecipitation of different proportions of trigonal and tetrahedral species in themore » calcium carbonates. The B content and {delta}{sup 11}B values of deep-sea sediments, Foraminifera tests, and corals are used to estimate the global oceanic sink of elemental boron by calcium carbonate deposition. As a result of enrichment of B in corals, a substantially higher biogenic sink of 6.4 {plus minus} 0.9 {times} 10{sup 10} g/yr is calculated for carbonates. This is only slightly lower than the sink for desorbable B in marine sediments (10 {times} 10{sup 10} g/yr) and approximately half that of altered oceanic crust (14 {times} 10{sup 10} g/yr). Thus, carbonates are an important sink for B in the oceans being {approximately}20% of the total sinks. The preferential incorporation of {sup 10}B into calcium carbonate results in oceanic {sup 11}B-enrichment, estimated as 1.2 {plus minus} 0.3 {times} 10{sup 12} per mil {center dot} g/yr. The boron-isotope composition of authigenic, well-preserved carbonate skeletons may provide a useful tool to record secular boron-isotope variations in seawater at various times in the geological record.« less

Measurements and simulations of boron carbide as degrader material for proton therapy.

PubMed

Gerbershagen, Alexander; Baumgarten, Christian; Kiselev, Daniela; van der Meer, Robert; Risters, Yannic; Schippers, Marco

2016-07-21

We report on test measurements using boron carbide (B4C) as degrader material in comparison with the conventional graphite, which is currently used in many proton therapy degraders. Boron carbide is a material of lower average atomic weight and higher density than graphite. Calculations predict that, compared to graphite, the use of boron carbide results in a lower emittance behind the degrader due to the shorter degrader length. Downstream of the acceptance defining collimation system we expect a higher beam transmission, especially at low beam energies. This is of great interest in proton therapy applications as it allows either a reduction of the beam intensity extracted from the cyclotron leading to lower activation or a reduction of the treatment time. This paper summarizes the results of simulations and experiments carried out at the PROSCAN facility at the Paul Scherrer Institute(1). The simulations predict an increase in the transmitted beam current after the collimation system of approx. 30.5% for beam degradation from 250 to 84 MeV for a boron carbide degrader compared to graphite. The experiment carried out with a boron carbide block reducing the energy to 84 MeV yielded a transmission improvement of 37% compared with the graphite degrader set to that energy.

Reduction in Recombination Current Density in Boron Doped Silicon Using Atomic Hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Matthew Garett

The solar industry has grown immensely in recent years and has reached a point where solar energy has now become inexpensive enough that it is starting to emerge as a mainstream electrical generation source. However, recent economic analysis has suggested that for solar to become a truly wide spread source of electricity, the costs still need to plummet by a factor of 8x. This demands new and innovative concepts to help lower such cost. In pursuit of this goal, this dissertation examines the use of atomic hydrogen to lessen the recombination current density in the boron doped region of n-type silicon solar cells. This required the development of a boron diffusion process that maintained the bulk lifetime of n-type silicon such that the recombination current density could be extracted by photoconductance spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that by hydrogenating boron diffusions, the majority carrier concentration can be controlled. By using symmetrically diffused test structures with quinhydrone-methanol surface passivation the recombination current density of a hydrogenated boron profile is shown to be less than that of a standard boron profile, by as much as 30%. This is then applied to a modified industrial silicon solar cell process to demonstrate an efficiency enhancement of 0.4%.

OsNIP3;1, a rice boric acid channel, regulates boron distribution and is essential for growth under boron-deficient conditions.

PubMed

Hanaoka, Hideki; Uraguchi, Shimpei; Takano, Junpei; Tanaka, Mayuki; Fujiwara, Toru

2014-06-01

Boron is an essential micronutrient for higher plants. Boron deficiency is an important agricultural issue because it results in loss of yield quality and/or quantity in cereals and other crops. To understand boron transport mechanisms in cereals, we characterized OsNIP3;1, a member of the major intrinsic protein family in rice (Oryza sativa L.), because OsNIP3;1 is the most similar rice gene to the Arabidopsis thaliana boric acid channel genes AtNIP5;1 and AtNIP6;1. Yeast cells expressing OsNIP3;1 imported more boric acid than control cells. GFP-tagged OsNIP3;1 expressed in tobacco BY2 cells was localized to the plasma membrane. The accumulation of OsNIP3;1 transcript increased fivefold in roots within 6 h of the onset of boron starvation, but not in shoots. Promoter-GUS analysis suggested that OsNIP3;1 is expressed mainly in exodermal cells and steles in roots, as well as in cells around the vascular bundles in leaf sheaths and pericycle cells around the xylem in leaf blades. The growth of OsNIP3;1 RNAi plants was impaired under boron limitation. These results indicate that OsNIP3;1 functions as a boric acid channel, and is required for acclimation to boron limitation. Boron distribution among shoot tissues was altered in OsNIP3;1 knockdown plants, especially under boron-deficient conditions. This result demonstrates that OsNIP3;1 regulates boron distribution among shoot tissues, and that the correct boron distribution is crucial for plant growth. © 2014 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fragment approach to the electronic structure of τ -boron allotrope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karmodak, Naiwrit; Jemmis, Eluvathingal D.

2017-04-01

The presence of nonconventional bonding features is an intriguing part of elemental boron. The recent addition of τ boron to the family of three-dimensional boron allotropes is no exception. We provide an understanding of the electronic structure of τ boron using a fragment molecular approach, where the effect of symmetry reduction on skeletal bands of B12 and the B57 fragments are examined qualitatively by analyzing the projected density of states of these fragments. In spite of the structural resemblance to β boron, the reduction of symmetry from a rhombohedral space group to the orthorhombic one destabilizes the bands and reduces the electronic requirements. This suggests the presence of the partially occupied boron sites, as seen for a β boron unit cell, and draws the possibility for the existence of different energetically similar polymorphs. τ boron has a lower binding energy than β boron.

Hybridizing pines with diluted pollen

Treesearch

Robert Z. Callaham

1967-01-01

Diluted pollens would have many uses by the tree breeder. Dilutions would be particularly advantageous in making many controlled pollinations with a limited amount of pollen. They also would be useful in artificial mass pollinations of orchards or single trees. Diluted pollens might help overcome troublesome genetic barriers to crossing. Feasibility o,f using diluted...

Understanding boron through size-selected clusters: structure, chemical bonding, and fluxionality.

PubMed

Sergeeva, Alina P; Popov, Ivan A; Piazza, Zachary A; Li, Wei-Li; Romanescu, Constantin; Wang, Lai-Sheng; Boldyrev, Alexander I

2014-04-15

Boron is an interesting element with unusual polymorphism. While three-dimensional (3D) structural motifs are prevalent in bulk boron, atomic boron clusters are found to have planar or quasi-planar structures, stabilized by localized two-center-two-electron (2c-2e) σ bonds on the periphery and delocalized multicenter-two-electron (nc-2e) bonds in both σ and π frameworks. Electron delocalization is a result of boron's electron deficiency and leads to fluxional behavior, which has been observed in B13(+) and B19(-). A unique capability of the in-plane rotation of the inner atoms against the periphery of the cluster in a chosen direction by employing circularly polarized infrared radiation has been suggested. Such fluxional behaviors in boron clusters are interesting and have been proposed as molecular Wankel motors. The concepts of aromaticity and antiaromaticity have been extended beyond organic chemistry to planar boron clusters. The validity of these concepts in understanding the electronic structures of boron clusters is evident in the striking similarities of the π-systems of planar boron clusters to those of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, naphthalene, coronene, anthracene, or phenanthrene. Chemical bonding models developed for boron clusters not only allowed the rationalization of the stability of boron clusters but also lead to the design of novel metal-centered boron wheels with a record-setting planar coordination number of 10. The unprecedented highly coordinated borometallic molecular wheels provide insights into the interactions between transition metals and boron and expand the frontier of boron chemistry. Another interesting feature discovered through cluster studies is boron transmutation. Even though it is well-known that B(-), formed by adding one electron to boron, is isoelectronic to carbon, cluster studies have considerably expanded the possibilities of new structures and new materials using the B(-)/C analogy. It is

The Effects of Boron Doping on Residual Stress of Hfcvd Diamond Film for Mems Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Tianqi; Wang, Xinchang; Sun, Fanghong

In this study, the residual stress of boron-doped diamond (BDD) films is investigated as a function of boron doping level using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Boron doping level is controlled from 1000ppm to 9000ppm by dissolving trimethyl borate into acetone. BDD films are deposited on silicon wafers using a bias-enhanced hot filament chemical vapor deposition (BE-HFCVD) system. Residual stress calculated by sin2 ψ method varies linearly from -2.4GPa to -1.1GPa with increasing boron doping level. On the BDD film of -1.75GPa, free standing BDD cantilevers are fabricated by photolithography and ICP-RIE processes, then tested by laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV). A cantilever with resonant frequency of 183KHz and Q factor of 261 in the air is fabricated.

Boron-Based Hydrogen Storage: Ternary Borides and Beyond

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vajo, John J.

DOE continues to seek reversible solid-state hydrogen materials with hydrogen densities of ≥11 wt% and ≥80 g/L that can deliver hydrogen and be recharged at moderate temperatures (≤100 °C) and pressures (≤100 bar) enabling incorporation into hydrogen storage systems suitable for transportation applications. Boron-based hydrogen storage materials have the potential to meet the density requirements given boron’s low atomic weight, high chemical valance, and versatile chemistry. However, the rates of hydrogen exchange in boron-based compounds are thus far much too slow for practical applications. Although contributing to the high hydrogen densities, the high valance of boron also leads to slowmore » rates of hydrogen exchange due to extensive boron-boron atom rearrangements during hydrogen cycling. This rearrangement often leads to multiple solid phases occurring over hydrogen release and recharge cycles. These phases must nucleate and react with each other across solid-solid phase boundaries leading to energy barriers that slow the rates of hydrogen exchange. This project sought to overcome the slow rates of hydrogen exchange in boron-based hydrogen storage materials by minimizing the number of solid phases and the boron atom rearrangement over a hydrogen release and recharge cycle. Two novel approaches were explored: 1) developing matched pairs of ternary borides and mixed-metal borohydrides that could exchange hydrogen with only one hydrogenated phase (the mixed-metal borohydride) and only one dehydrogenated phase (the ternary boride); and 2) developing boranes that could release hydrogen by being lithiated using lithium hydride with no boron-boron atom rearrangement.« less

Response surface modeling of boron adsorption from aqueous solution by vermiculite using different adsorption agents: Box-Behnken experimental design.

PubMed

Demirçivi, Pelin; Saygılı, Gülhayat Nasün

2017-07-01

In this study, a different method was applied for boron removal by using vermiculite as the adsorbent. Vermiculite, which was used in the experiments, was not modified with adsorption agents before boron adsorption using a separate process. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) and Gallic acid (GA) were used as adsorption agents for vermiculite by maintaining the solid/liquid ratio at 12.5 g/L. HDTMA/GA concentration, contact time, pH, initial boron concentration, inert electrolyte and temperature effects on boron adsorption were analyzed. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design model combined with response surface method (RSM) was employed to examine and optimize process variables for boron adsorption from aqueous solution by vermiculite using HDTMA and GA. Solution pH (2-12), temperature (25-60 °C) and initial boron concentration (50-8,000 mg/L) were chosen as independent variables and coded x 1 , x 2 and x 3 at three levels (-1, 0 and 1). Analysis of variance was used to test the significance of variables and their interactions with 95% confidence limit (α = 0.05). According to the regression coefficients, a second-order empirical equation was evaluated between the adsorption capacity (q i ) and the coded variables tested (x i ). Optimum values of the variables were also evaluated for maximum boron adsorption by vermiculite-HDTMA (HDTMA-Verm) and vermiculite-GA (GA-Verm).

Evaluation of a boron-nitrogen, phosphate-free fire-retardant treatment. Part I, Testing of Douglas-fir plywood per ASTM Standard D 5516-96

Treesearch

Jerrold E. Winandy; Michael J. Richards

2003-01-01

The objective of this work was to evaluate (a) the effects of a new boron– nitrogen, phosphate-free fire-retardant (FR) formulation on the initial strength of Douglas-fir AB-grade plywood and (b) the potential of this FR treatment to experience subsequent thermal degradation In-service when exposed to elevated temperatures. Test Method ASTM D 5516 was generally...

Understanding Boron through Size-Selected Clusters: Structure, Chemical Bonding, and Fluxionality

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sergeeva, Alina P.; Popov, Ivan A.; Piazza, Zachary A.

Conspectus Boron is an interesting element with unusual polymorphism. While three-dimensional (3D) structural motifs are prevalent in bulk boron, atomic boron clusters are found to have planar or quasi-planar structures, stabilized by localized two-center–two-electron (2c–2e) σ bonds on the periphery and delocalized multicenter–two-electron (nc–2e) bonds in both σ and π frameworks. Electron delocalization is a result of boron’s electron deficiency and leads to fluxional behavior, which has been observed in B13+ and B19–. A unique capability of the in-plane rotation of the inner atoms against the periphery of the cluster in a chosen direction by employing circularly polarized infrared radiationmore » has been suggested. Such fluxional behaviors in boron clusters are interesting and have been proposed as molecular Wankel motors. The concepts of aromaticity and antiaromaticity have been extended beyond organic chemistry to planar boron clusters. The validity of these concepts in understanding the electronic structures of boron clusters is evident in the striking similarities of the π-systems of planar boron clusters to those of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, naphthalene, coronene, anthracene, or phenanthrene. Chemical bonding models developed for boron clusters not only allowed the rationalization of the stability of boron clusters but also lead to the design of novel metal-centered boron wheels with a record-setting planar coordination number of 10. The unprecedented highly coordinated borometallic molecular wheels provide insights into the interactions between transition metals and boron and expand the frontier of boron chemistry. Another interesting feature discovered through cluster studies is boron transmutation. Even though it is well-known that B–, formed by adding one electron to boron, is isoelectronic to carbon, cluster studies have considerably expanded the possibilities of new structures and new materials using the

Synthesis, Properties, and Applications Of Boron Nitride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pouch, John J.; Alterovitz, Samuel A.

1993-01-01

Report describes synthesis, properties, and applications of boron nitride. Especially in thin-film form. Boron nitride films useful as masks in x-ray lithography; as layers for passivation of high-speed microelectronic circuits; insulating films; hard, wear-resistant, protective films for optical components; lubricants; and radiation detectors. Present status of single-crystal growth of boron nitride indicates promising candidate for use in high-temperature semiconductor electronics.

TRACE Model for Simulation of Anticipated Transients Without Scram in a BWR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng L. Y.; Baek J.; Cuadra,A.

2013-11-10

A TRACE model has been developed for using theTRACE/PARCS computational package [1, 2] to simulate anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) events in a boiling water reactor (BWR). The model represents a BWR/5 housed in a Mark II containment. The reactor and the balance of plant systems are modeled in sufficient detail to enable the evaluation of plant responses and theeffectiveness of automatic and operator actions tomitigate this beyond design basis accident.The TRACE model implements features thatfacilitate the simulation of ATWS events initiated by turbine trip and closure of the main steam isolation valves (MSIV). It also incorporates control logic tomore » initiate actions to mitigate the ATWS events, such as water levelcontrol, emergency depressurization, and injection of boron via the standby liquid control system (SLCS). Two different approaches have been used to model boron mixing in the lower plenum of the reactor vessel: modulate coolant flow in the lower plenum by a flow valve, and use control logic to modular.« less

Boron exposure through drinking water during pregnancy and birth size.

PubMed

Igra, Annachiara Malin; Harari, Florencia; Lu, Ying; Casimiro, Esperanza; Vahter, Marie

2016-10-01

Boron is a metalloid found at highly varying concentrations in soil and water. Experimental data indicate that boron is a developmental toxicant, but the few human toxicity data available concern mostly male reproduction. To evaluate potential effects of boron exposure through drinking water on pregnancy outcomes. In a mother-child cohort in northern Argentina (n=194), 1-3 samples of serum, whole blood and urine were collected per woman during pregnancy and analyzed for boron and other elements to which exposure occurred, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Infant weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth. Drinking water boron ranged 377-10,929μg/L. The serum boron concentrations during pregnancy ranged 0.73-605μg/L (median 133μg/L) and correlated strongly with whole-blood and urinary boron, and, to a lesser extent, with water boron. In multivariable-adjusted linear spline regression analysis (non-linear association), we found that serum boron concentrations above 80μg/L were inversely associated with birth length (B-0.69cm, 95% CI -1.4; -0.024, p=0.043, per 100μg/L increase in serum boron). The impact of boron appeared stronger when we restricted the exposure to the third trimester, when the serum boron concentrations were the highest (0.73-447μg/L). An increase in serum boron of 100μg/L in the third trimester corresponded to 0.9cm shorter and 120g lighter newborns (p=0.001 and 0.021, respectively). Considering that elevated boron concentrations in drinking water are common in many areas of the world, although more screening is warranted, our novel findings warrant additional research on early-life exposure in other populations. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Recent developments with boron as a platform for novel drug design.

PubMed

Leśnikowski, Zbigniew J

2016-06-01

After decades of development, the medicinal chemistry of compounds that contain a single boron atom has matured to the present status of having equal rights with other branches of drug discovery, although it remains a relative newcomer. In contrast, the medicinal chemistry of boron clusters is less advanced, but it is expanding and may soon become a productive area of drug discovery. The author reviews the current developments of medicinal chemistry of boron and its applications in drug design. First generation boron drugs that bear a single boron atom and second generation boron drugs that utilize boron clusters as pharmacophores or modulators of bioactive molecules are discussed. The advantages and gaps in our current understanding of boron medicinal chemistry, with a special focus on boron clusters, are highlighted. Boron is not a panacea for every drug discovery problem, but there is a good chance that it will become a useful addition to the medicinal chemistry tool box. The present status of boron resembles the medicinal chemistry status of fluorine three decades ago; indeed, currently, approximately 20% of pharmaceuticals on the market contain fluorine. The fact that novel boron compounds, especially those based on abiotic polyhedral boron hydrides, are currently unfamiliar could be advantageous because organisms may be less prone to developing resistance against boron cluster-based drugs.

Cobalt Doping of Semiconducting Boron Carbide Using Cobaltocene

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

COBALT DOPING OF SEMICONDUCTING BORON CARBIDE USING COBALTOCENE THESIS Lonnie Carlson, Major...DOPING OF SEMICONDUCTING BORON CARBIDE USING COBALTOCENE THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Engineering Physics Graduate School...DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED AFIT/GNE/ENP/07-01 COBALT DOPING OF SEMICONDUCTING BORON CARBIDE USING COBALTOCENE Lonnie

From the Test Tube to the Treatment Room: Fundamentals of Boron-containing Compounds and their Relevance to Dermatology.

PubMed

Del Rosso, James Q; Plattner, Jacob J

2014-02-01

The development of new drug classes and novel molecules that are brought to the marketplace has been a formidable challenge, especially for dermatologic drugs. The relative absence of new classes of antimicrobial agents is also readily apparent. Several barriers account for slow drug development, including regulatory changes, added study requirements, commercial pressures to bring drugs to market quickly by developing new generations of established compounds, and the greater potential for failure and higher financial risk when researching new drug classes. In addition, the return on investment is usually much lower with dermatologic drugs as compared to the potential revenue from "blockbuster" drugs for cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease, hypercholesterolemia, and mood disorders. Nevertheless, some researchers are investigating new therapeutic platforms, one of which is boron-containing compounds. Boron-containing compounds offer a wide variety of potential applications in dermatology due to their unique physical and chemical properties, with several in formal phases of development. Tavaborole, a benzoxaborole compound, has been submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration for approval for treatment of onychomycosis. This article provides a thorough overview of the history of boron-based compounds in medicine, their scientific rationale, physiochemical and pharmacologic properties, and modes of actions including therapeutic targets. A section dedicated to boron-based compounds in development for treatment of various skin disorders is also included.

Transcriptomic analysis of boron hyperaccumulation mechanisms in Puccinellia distans.

PubMed

Öztürk, Saniye Elvan; Göktay, Mehmet; Has, Canan; Babaoğlu, Mehmet; Allmer, Jens; Doğanlar, Sami; Frary, Anne

2018-05-01

Puccinellia distans, common alkali grass, is found throughout the world and can survive in soils with boron concentrations that are lethal for other plant species. Indeed, P. distans accumulates very high levels of this element. Despite these interesting features, very little research has been performed to elucidate the boron tolerance mechanism in this species. In this study, P. distans samples were treated for three weeks with normal (0.5 mg L -1 ) and elevated (500 mg L -1 ) boron levels in hydroponic solution. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from shoot tissue were analyzed by RNA sequencing to identify genes up and down-regulated under boron stress. In this way, 3312 differentially expressed transcripts were detected, 67.7% of which were up-regulated and 32.3% of which were down-regulated in boron-treated plants. To partially confirm the RNA sequencing results, 32 randomly selected transcripts were analyzed for their expression levels in boron-treated plants. The results agreed with the expected direction of change (up or down-regulation). A total of 1652 transcripts had homologs in A. thaliana and/or O. sativa and mapped to 1107 different proteins. Functional annotation of these proteins indicated that the boron tolerance and hyperaccumulation mechanisms of P. distans involve many transcriptomic changes including: alterations in the malate pathway, changes in cell wall components that may allow sequestration of excess boron without toxic effects, and increased expression of at least one putative boron transporter and two putative aquaporins. Elucidation of the boron accumulation mechanism is important in developing approaches for bioremediation of boron contaminated soils. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Boron removal from aqueous solution by direct contact membrane distillation.

PubMed

Hou, Deyin; Wang, Jun; Sun, Xiangcheng; Luan, Zhaokun; Zhao, Changwei; Ren, Xiaojing

2010-05-15

The removal of boron from aqueous solution by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was studied with self-prepared polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes in the present work. The effect of pH, boron concentration, temperature and salt concentration of the feed solution on the boron rejection was investigated. The experimental results indicated that boron rejection was less dependent on the feed pH and salt concentration. DCMD process had high boron removal efficiency (>99.8%) and the permeate boron was below the maximum permissible level even at feed concentration as high as 750 mg/L. Although the permeate flux was enhanced exponentially with the feed temperature increasing, the influence of feed temperature on the boron rejection could be neglected. Finally, the natural groundwater sample containing 12.7 mg/L of boron was treated by DCMD process. The permeate boron kept below 20 microg/L whether the feed was acidified or not, but pre-acidification was helpful to maintain the permeate flux stability. All the experimental results indicated that DCMD could be efficiently used for boron removal from aqueous solution. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large transient fault current test of an electrical roll ring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yenni, Edward J.; Birchenough, Arthur G.

1992-01-01

The space station uses precision rotary gimbals to provide for sun tracking of its photoelectric arrays. Electrical power, command signals and data are transferred across the gimbals by roll rings. Roll rings have been shown to be capable of highly efficient electrical transmission and long life, through tests conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center and Honeywell's Satellite and Space Systems Division in Phoenix, AZ. Large potential fault currents inherent to the power system's DC distribution architecture, have brought about the need to evaluate the effects of large transient fault currents on roll rings. A test recently conducted at Lewis subjected a roll ring to a simulated worst case space station electrical fault. The system model used to obtain the fault profile is described, along with details of the reduced order circuit that was used to simulate the fault. Test results comparing roll ring performance before and after the fault are also presented.

Is Boron a Prebiotic Element? A Mini-review of the Essentiality of Boron for the Appearance of Life on Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scorei, Romulus

2012-02-01

Boron is probably a prebiotic element with special importance in the so-called "sugars world". Boron is not present on Earth in its elemental form. It is found only in compounds, e.g., borax, boric acid, kernite, ulexite, colemanite and other borates. Volcanic spring waters sometimes contain boron-based acids (e.g., boric, metaboric, tetraboric and pyroboric acid). Borates influence the formation of ribofuranose from formaldehyde that feeds the "prebiotic metabolic cycle". The importance of boron in the living world is strongly related to its implications in the prebiotic origins of genetic material; consequently, we believe that throughout the evolution of life, the primary role of boron has been to provide thermal and chemical stability in hostile environments. The complexation of boric acid and borates with organic cis-diols remains the most probable chemical mechanism for the role of this element in the evolution of the living world. Because borates can stabilize ribose and form borate ester nucleotides, boron may have provided an essential contribution to the "pre-RNA world".

Neutronics and Transient Calculations for the Conversion of the Transient Reactor Rest Facility (TREAT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kontogeorgakos, Dimitrios C.; Connaway, Heather M.; Papadias, Dionissios D.

2015-01-01

The Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) is a graphite-reflected, graphitemoderated, and air-cooled reactor fueled with 93.1% enriched UO2 particles dispersed in graphite, with a carbon-to-235U ratio of ~10000:1. TREAT was used to simulate accident conditions by subjecting fuel test samples placed at the center of the core to high energy transient pulses. The transient pulse production is based on the core’s selflimiting nature due to the negative reactivity feedback provided by the fuel graphite as the core temperature rises. The analysis of the conversion of TREAT to low enriched uranium (LEU) is currently underway. This paper presents the analytical methodsmore » used to calculate the transient performance of TREAT in terms of power pulse production and resulting peak core temperatures. The validation of the HEU neutronics TREAT model, the calculation of the temperature distribution and the temperature reactivity feedback as well as the number of fissions generated inside fuel test samples are discussed.« less

Raman effect in icosahedral boron-rich solids

PubMed Central

Werheit, Helmut; Filipov, Volodymyr; Kuhlmann, Udo; Schwarz, Ulrich; Armbrüster, Marc; Leithe-Jasper, Andreas; Tanaka, Takaho; Higashi, Iwami; Lundström, Torsten; Gurin, Vladimir N; Korsukova, Maria M

2010-01-01

We present Raman spectra of numerous icosahedral boron-rich solids having the structure of α-rhombohedral, β-rhombohedral, α-tetragonal, β-tetragonal, YB66, orthorhombic or amorphous boron. The spectra were newly measured and, in some cases, compared with reported data and discussed. We emphasize the importance of a high signal-to-noise ratio in the Raman spectra for detecting weak effects evoked by the modification of compounds, accommodation of interstitial atoms and other structural defects. Vibrations of the icosahedra, occurring in all the spectra, are interpreted using the description of modes in α-rhombohedral boron by Beckel et al. The Raman spectrum of boron carbide is largely clarified. Relative intra- and inter-icosahedral bonding forces are estimated for the different structural groups and for vanadium-doped β-rhombohedral boron. The validity of Badger's rule is demonstrated for the force constants of inter-icosahedral B–B bonds, whereas the agreement is less satisfactory for the intra-icosahedral B–B bonds. PMID:27877328

Comparison between proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): a monte carlo study.

PubMed

Jung, Joo-Young; Yoon, Do-Kun; Barraclough, Brendan; Lee, Heui Chang; Suh, Tae Suk; Lu, Bo

2017-06-13

The aim of this study is to compare between proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and to analyze dose escalation using a Monte Carlo simulation. We simulated a proton beam passing through the water with a boron uptake region (BUR) in MCNPX. To estimate the interaction between neutrons/protons and borons by the alpha particle, the simulation yielded with a variation of the center of the BUR location and proton energies. The variation and influence about the alpha particle were observed from the percent depth dose (PDD) and cross-plane dose profile of both the neutron and proton beams. The peak value of the maximum dose level when the boron particle was accurately labeled at the region was 192.4% among the energies. In all, we confirmed that prompt gamma rays of 478 keV and 719 keV were generated by the nuclear reactions in PBFT and BNCT, respectively. We validated the dramatic effectiveness of the alpha particle, especially in PBFT. The utility of PBFT was verified using the simulation and it has a potential for application in radiotherapy.

Comparison between proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): a Monte Carlo study

PubMed Central

Barraclough, Brendan; Lee, Heui Chang; Suh, Tae Suk; Lu, Bo

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to compare between proton boron fusion therapy (PBFT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and to analyze dose escalation using a Monte Carlo simulation. We simulated a proton beam passing through the water with a boron uptake region (BUR) in MCNPX. To estimate the interaction between neutrons/protons and borons by the alpha particle, the simulation yielded with a variation of the center of the BUR location and proton energies. The variation and influence about the alpha particle were observed from the percent depth dose (PDD) and cross-plane dose profile of both the neutron and proton beams. The peak value of the maximum dose level when the boron particle was accurately labeled at the region was 192.4% among the energies. In all, we confirmed that prompt gamma rays of 478 keV and 719 keV were generated by the nuclear reactions in PBFT and BNCT, respectively. We validated the dramatic effectiveness of the alpha particle, especially in PBFT. The utility of PBFT was verified using the simulation and it has a potential for application in radiotherapy. PMID:28427153

Soft interactions and volume exclusion by polymeric crowders can stabilize or destabilize transient structure in disordered proteins depending on polymer concentration.

PubMed

Rusinga, Farai I; Weis, David D

2017-08-01

The effects of macromolecular crowding on the transient structure of intrinsically disordered proteins is not well-understood. Crowding by biological molecules inside cells could modulate transient structure and alter IDP function. Volume exclusion theory and observations of structured proteins suggest that IDP transient structure would be stabilized by macromolecular crowding. Amide hydrogen exchange (HX) of IDPs in highly concentrated polymer solutions would provide valuable insights into IDP transient structure under crowded conditions. Here, we have used mass spectrometry to measure HX by a transiently helical random coil domain of the activator of thyroid and retinoid receptor (ACTR) in solutions containing 300 g L -1 and 400 g L -1 of Ficoll, a synthetic polysaccharide, using a recently-developed strong cation exchange-based cleanup method [Rusinga, et al., Anal Chem 2017;89:1275-1282]. Transiently helical regions of ACTR exchanged faster in 300 g L -1 Ficoll than in dilute buffer. In contrast, one transient helix exchanged more slowly in 400 g L -1 Ficoll. Nonspecific interactions destabilize ACTR helicity in 300 g L -1 Ficoll because ACTR engages with the Ficoll polymer mesh. In contrast, 400 g L -1 Ficoll is a semi-dilute solution where ACTR cannot engage the Ficoll mesh. At this higher concentration, volume exclusion stabilizes ACTR helicity because ACTR is compacted in interstitial spaces between Ficoll molecules. Our results suggest that the interplay between nonspecific interactions and volume exclusion in different cellular compartments could modulate IDP function by altering the stability of IDP transient structures. Proteins 2017; 85:1468-1479. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of Electrical Capacitance Sensors for Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Testing at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Maolong; Ryals, Matthew; Ali, Amir

2016-08-01

A variety of instruments are being developed and qualified to support the Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) program and future transient irradiations at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The University of New Mexico (UNM) is working with INL to develop capacitance-based void sensors for determining the timing of critical boiling phenomena in static capsule fuel testing and the volume-averaged void fraction in flow-boiling in-pile water loop fuel testing. The static capsule sensor developed at INL is a plate-type configuration, while UNM is utilizing a ring-type capacitance sensor. Each sensor design has been theoretically and experimentallymore » investigated at INL and UNM. Experiments are being performed at INL in an autoclave to investigate the performance of these sensors under representative Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) conditions in a static capsule. Experiments have been performed at UNM using air-water two-phase flow to determine the sensitivity and time response of the capacitance sensor under a flow boiling configuration. Initial measurements from the capacitance sensor have demonstrated the validity of the concept to enable real-time measurement of void fraction. The next steps include designing the cabling interface with the flow loop at UNM for Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA) ATF testing at TREAT and further characterization of the measurement response for each sensor under varying conditions by experiments and modeling.« less

Microstructural stability and thermomechanical processing of boron modified beta titanium alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherukuri, Balakrishna

alloys. Micro-voids were observed at the ends of the TiB needles at high temperature, slow strain rates as a result of decohesion at the TiB/matrix interfaces. At low temperatures and faster strain rates micro voids were also formed due to fracture of TiB needles. Finite element analysis on void formation in TiB containing alloys were in agreement with experimental observations. Microhardness and tensile testing of as-cast + forged and aged Beta21S and Ti5553 alloys with and without boron did not show any significant differences in mechanical properties. The primary benefits of boron modified alloys are in as-cast condition.

Coincident steam generator tube rupture and stuck-open safety relief valve carryover tests: MB-2 steam generator transient response test program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garbett, K; Mendler, O J; Gardner, G C

In PWR steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) faults, a direct pathway for the release of radioactive fission products can exist if there is a coincident stuck-open safety relief valve (SORV) or if the safety relief valve is cycled. In addition to the release of fission products from the bulk steam generator water by moisture carryover, there exists the possibility that some primary coolant may be released without having first mixed with the bulk water - a process called primary coolant bypassing. The MB-2 Phase II test program was designed specifically to identify the processes for droplet carryover during SGTR faultsmore » and to provide data of sufficient accuracy for use in developing physical models and computer codes to describe activity release. The test program consisted of sixteen separate tests designed to cover a range of steady-state and transient fault conditions. These included a full SGTR/SORV transient simulation, two SGTR overfill tests, ten steady-state SGTR tests at water levels ranging from very low levels in the bundle up to those when the dryer was flooded, and three moisture carryover tests without SGTR. In these tests the influence of break location and the effect of bypassing the dryer were also studied. In a final test the behavior with respect to aerosol particles in a dry steam generator, appropriate to a severe accident fault, was investigated.« less

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for the treatment of liver metastases: biodistribution studies of boron compounds in an experimental model.

PubMed

Garabalino, Marcela A; Monti Hughes, Andrea; Molinari, Ana J; Heber, Elisa M; Pozzi, Emiliano C C; Cardoso, Jorge E; Colombo, Lucas L; Nievas, Susana; Nigg, David W; Aromando, Romina F; Itoiz, Maria E; Trivillin, Verónica A; Schwint, Amanda E

2011-03-01

We previously demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of different boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) protocols in an experimental model of oral cancer. BNCT is based on the selective accumulation of (10)B carriers in a tumor followed by neutron irradiation. Within the context of exploring the potential therapeutic efficacy of BNCT for the treatment of liver metastases, the aim of the present study was to perform boron biodistribution studies in an experimental model of liver metastases in rats. Different boron compounds and administration conditions were assayed to determine which administration protocols would potentially be therapeutically useful in in vivo BNCT studies at the RA-3 nuclear reactor. A total of 70 BDIX rats were inoculated in the liver with syngeneic colon cancer cells DHD/K12/TRb to induce the development of subcapsular tumor nodules. Fourteen days post-inoculation, the animals were used for biodistribution studies. We evaluated a total of 11 administration protocols for the boron compounds boronophenylalanine (BPA) and GB-10 (Na(2)(10)B(10)H(10)), alone or combined at different dose levels and employing different administration routes. Tumor, normal tissue, and blood samples were processed for boron measurement by atomic emission spectroscopy. Six protocols proved potentially useful for BNCT studies in terms of absolute boron concentration in tumor and preferential uptake of boron by tumor tissue. Boron concentration values in tumor and normal tissues in the liver metastases model show it would be feasible to reach therapeutic BNCT doses in tumor without exceeding radiotolerance in normal tissue at the thermal neutron facility at RA-3. © Springer-Verlag 2010

Boronic acid-based chemical sensors for saccharides.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao-Tai; Liu, Guang-Jian; Ning, Zhang-Wei; Xing, Guo-Wen

2017-11-27

During the past decades, the interaction between boronic acids-functionalized sensors and saccharides is of great interest in the frontier domain of the interdiscipline concerning both biology and chemistry. Various boronic acid-based sensing systems have been developed to detect saccharides and corresponding derivatives in vitro as well as in vivo, which embrace unimolecular sensors, two-component sensing ensembles, functional assemblies, and boronic acid-loaded nanomaterials or surfaces. New sensing strategies emerge in endlessly with excellent selectivity and sensitivity. In this review, several typical sensing systems were introduced and some promising examples were highlighted to enable the deep insight of saccharides sensing on the basis of boronic acids. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient Boron Nitride Nanotube Formation via Combined Laser-Gas Flow Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitney, R. Roy (Inventor); Jordan, Kevin (Inventor); Smith, Michael W. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B(sub x)C(sub y)N(sub z) The process utilizes a combination of laser light and nitrogen gas flow to support a boron ball target during heating of the boron ball target and production of a boron vapor plume which reacts with nitrogen or nitrogen and carbon to produce boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B(sub x)C(sub y)N(sub z).

Efficient boron nitride nanotube formation via combined laser-gas flow levitation

DOEpatents

Whitney, R. Roy; Jordan, Kevin; Smith, Michael

2014-03-18

A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B.sub.xC.sub.yN.sub.z. The process utilizes a combination of laser light and nitrogen gas flow to support a boron ball target during heating of the boron ball target and production of a boron vapor plume which reacts with nitrogen or nitrogen and carbon to produce boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B.sub.xC.sub.yN.sub.z.

Processing and characterization of boron carbide-hafnium diboride ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown-Shaklee, Harlan James

Hafnium diboride based ceramics are promising candidate materials for advanced aerospace and nuclear reactor components. The effectiveness of boron carbide and carbon as HfB2 sintering additives was systematically evaluated. In the first stage of the research, boron carbide and carbon additives were found to improve the densification behavior of milled HfB2 powder in part by removing oxides at the HfB2 surface during processing. Boron carbide additives reduced the hot pressing temperature of HfB2 by 150°C compared to carbon, which reduced the hot pressing temperature by ˜50°C. Reduction of oxide impurities alone could not explain the difference in sintering enhancement, however, and other mechanisms of enhancement were evaluated. Boron carbides throughout the homogeneity range were characterized to understand other mechanisms of sintering enhancement in HfB2. Heavily faulted carbon rich and boron rich boron carbides were synthesized for addition to HfB2. The greatest enhancement to densification was observed in samples containing boron- and carbon-rich compositions whereas B6.5 C provided the least enhancement to densification. It is proposed that carbon rich and boron rich boron carbides create boron and hafnium point defects in HfB2, respectively, which facilitate densification. Evaluation of the thermal conductivity (kth) between room temperature and 2000°C suggested that the stoichiometry of the boron carbide additives did not significantly affect kth of HfB2-BxC composites. The improved sinterability and the high kth (˜110 W/m-K at 300K and ˜90 W/m-K at 1000°C ) of HfB2-BxC ceramics make them excellent candidates for isotopically enriched reactor control materials.

Breaking the icosahedra in boron carbide

PubMed Central

Xie, Kelvin Y.; An, Qi; Sato, Takanori; Breen, Andrew J.; Ringer, Simon P.; Goddard, William A.; Cairney, Julie M.; Hemker, Kevin J.

2016-01-01

Findings of laser-assisted atom probe tomography experiments on boron carbide elucidate an approach for characterizing the atomic structure and interatomic bonding of molecules associated with extraordinary structural stability. The discovery of crystallographic planes in these boron carbide datasets substantiates that crystallinity is maintained to the point of field evaporation, and characterization of individual ionization events gives unexpected evidence of the destruction of individual icosahedra. Statistical analyses of the ions created during the field evaporation process have been used to deduce relative atomic bond strengths and show that the icosahedra in boron carbide are not as stable as anticipated. Combined with quantum mechanics simulations, this result provides insight into the structural instability and amorphization of boron carbide. The temporal, spatial, and compositional information provided by atom probe tomography makes it a unique platform for elucidating the relative stability and interactions of primary building blocks in hierarchically crystalline materials. PMID:27790982

The prospects for composites based on boron fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naslain, R.

1978-01-01

The fabrication of boron filaments and the production of composite materials consisting of boron filaments and organic or metallic matrices are discussed. Problem involving the use of tungsten substrates in the filament fabrication process, the protection of boron fibers with diffusion barrier cladings, and the application of alloy additives in the matrix to lessen the effects of diffusion are considered. Data on the kinetics of the boron fiber/matrix interaction at high temperatures, and the influence of the fiber/matrix interaction on the mechanical properties of the composite are presented.

Magnetron sputtered boron films and TI/B multilayer structures

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Jankowski, Alan F.

1993-01-01

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence.

Magnetron sputtered boron films and Ti/B multilayer structures

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, Daniel M.; Jankowski, Alan F.

1995-01-01

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence.

Magnetron sputtered boron films and TI/B multilayer structures

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Jankowski, A.F.

1993-04-20

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence.

Magnetron sputtered boron films and Ti/B multilayer structures

DOEpatents

Makowiecki, D.M.; Jankowski, A.F.

1995-02-14

A method is described for the production of thin boron and titanium/boron films by magnetron sputter deposition. The amorphous boron films contain no morphological growth features, unlike those found when thin films are prepared by various physical vapor deposition processes. Magnetron sputter deposition method requires the use of a high density crystalline boron sputter target which is prepared by hot isostatic pressing. Thin boron films prepared by this method are useful for ultra-thin band pass filters as well as the low Z element in low Z/high Z mirrors which enhance reflectivity from grazing to normal incidence. 6 figs.

Boron Clusters Come of Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grimes, Russell N.

2004-01-01

Boron is the only element other than carbon that can build molecules of unlimited size by covalently boding to itself, a property known as catenation. In contrast to the chains and rings favored by carbon, boron arguably adopts a cluster motif that is reflected in the various forms of the pure element and in the huge area of polyhedral borane…

Boron removal by electrocoagulation and recovery.

PubMed

Isa, Mohamed Hasnain; Ezechi, Ezerie Henry; Ahmed, Zubair; Magram, Saleh Faraj; Kutty, Shamsul Rahman Mohamed

2014-03-15

This work investigated the removal of boron from wastewater and its recovery by electrocoagulation and hydrothermal mineralization methods respectively. The experimental design was developed using Box-Behnken Model. An initial study was performed based on four preselected variables (pH, current density, concentration and time) using synthetic wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the effect of process variables and their interaction on boron removal. The optimum conditions were obtained as pH 6.3, current density 17.4 mA/cm(2), and time 89 min. At these applied optimum conditions, 99.7% boron removal from an initial concentration of 10.4 mg/L was achieved. The process was effectively optimized by RSM with a desirability value of 1.0. The results showed that boron removal efficiency enhanced with increase in current density and treatment time. Removal efficiency also increased when pH was increased from 4 to 7 and subsequently decreased at pH 10. Adsorption kinetics study revealed that the reaction followed pseudo second order kinetic model; evidenced by high correlation and goodness of fit. Thermodynamics study showed that mechanism of boron adsorption was chemisorption and the reaction was endothermic in nature. Furthermore, the adsorption process was spontaneous as indicated by negative values of the adsorption free energy. Treatment of real produced water using electrocoagulation resulted in 98% boron removal. The hydrothermal mineralization study showed that borate minerals (Inyoite, Takadaite and Nifontovite) can be recovered as recyclable precipitate from electrocoagulation flocs of produced water. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Boron Steels for Army Use

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-11-01

I IA-79-0120 5 ys-g Aofc34V5 TECHNICAL LIBRARY AD ASSESSMENT OF BORON STEELS FOR ARMVlysr 3 ,% gL&tm tew^ / „»-^~ « "’"s4...ej ASSESSMENT OF BORON STEELS FOR ARMY USE 5. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Final Report 6 PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7...reverse side 11 necessery rmd identify by block number) Boron steels Alloy conservation Alloy substitution Materials shortages 20. ABSTRACT

Alternative Process for Manufacturing of Thin Layers of Boron for Neutron Measurement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Auge, Gregoire; Partyka, Stanislas; Guerard, Bruno

neutron detection characteristics, between 0,5 to 5 μm (equivalent to 0,25 to 2.5 massive layer). The thickness is homogenous within a ±20% range. The layer is an almost pure {sup 10}B layer (90%). The ratio of the amount of deposed boron 10 to the amount of raw boron 10 used is more than 80%. Hence, another advantage of this technique is that Boron 10 will be deposited on the cathodes only, without loss of this expensive material. 2 grids of a Multi-Grid detector have been coated with pure Boron by using this technique. The film structure has been analysed with a microscope and the detector has been tested on a monochromatic neutron beam line. Preliminary results will be shown. (authors)« less

Isotopic Enrichment of Boron in the Sputtering of Boron Nitride with Xenon Ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, P. K.; Shutthanandan, V.

1998-01-01

An experimental study is described to measure the isotopic enrichment of boron. Xenon ions from 100 eV to 1.5 keV were used to sputter a boron nitride target. An ion gun was used to generate the ion beam. The ion current density at the target surface was approximately 30 microA/sq cm. Xenon ions impinged on the target surface at 50 deg angle to the surface normal. Since boron nitride is an insulator, a flood electron gun was used in our experiments to neutralize the positive charge buildup on the target surface. The sputtered secondary ions of boron were detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The spectrometer entrance aperture was located perpendicular to the ion beam direction and 10 mm away from the target surface. The secondary ion flux was observed to be enriched in the heavy isotopes at lower ion energies. The proportion of heavy isotopes in the sputtered secondary ion flux was found to decrease with increasing primary ion energy from 100 to 350 eV. Beyond 350 eV, light isotopes were sputtered preferentially. The light isotope enrichment factor was observed to reach an asymptotic value of 1.27 at 1.5 keV. This trend is similar to that of the isotopic enrichment observed earlier when copper was sputtered with xenon ions in the same energy range.

Solid state, thermal synthesis of site-specific protein-boron cluster conjugates and their physicochemical and biochemical properties.

PubMed

Goszczyński, Tomasz M; Kowalski, Konrad; Leśnikowski, Zbigniew J; Boratyński, Janusz

2015-02-01

Boron clusters represent a vast family of boron-rich compounds with extraordinary properties that provide the opportunity of exploitation in different areas of chemistry and biology. In addition, boron clusters are clinically used in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of tumors. In this paper, a novel, in solid state (solvent free), thermal method for protein modification with boron clusters has been proposed. The method is based on a cyclic ether ring opening in oxonium adduct of cyclic ether and a boron cluster with nucleophilic centers of the protein. Lysozyme was used as the model protein, and the physicochemical and biological properties of the obtained conjugates were characterized. The main residues of modification were identified as arginine-128 and threonine-51. No significant changes in the secondary or tertiary structures of the protein after tethering of the boron cluster were found using mass spectrometry and circular dichroism measurements. However, some changes in the intermolecular interactions and hydrodynamic and catalytic properties were observed. To the best of our knowledge, we have described the first example of an application of cyclic ether ring opening in the oxonium adducts of a boron cluster for protein modification. In addition, a distinctive feature of the proposed approach is performing the reaction in solid state and at elevated temperature. The proposed methodology provides a new route to protein modification with boron clusters and extends the range of innovative molecules available for biological and medical testing. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Declining ecosystem health and the dilution effect

PubMed Central

Khalil, Hussein; Ecke, Frauke; Evander, Magnus; Magnusson, Magnus; Hörnfeldt, Birger

2016-01-01

The “dilution effect” implies that where species vary in susceptibility to infection by a pathogen, higher diversity often leads to lower infection prevalence in hosts. For directly transmitted pathogens, non-host species may “dilute” infection directly (1) and indirectly (2). Competitors and predators may (1) alter host behavior to reduce pathogen transmission or (2) reduce host density. In a well-studied system, we tested the dilution of the zoonotic Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) by two competitors and a predator. Our study was based on long-term PUUV infection data (2003–2013) in northern Sweden. The field vole (Microtus agrestis) and the common shrew (Sorex araneus) are bank vole competitors and Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) is a main predator of bank voles. Infection probability in bank voles decreased when common shrew density increased, suggesting that common shrews reduced PUUV transmission. Field voles suppressed bank vole density in meadows and clear-cuts and indirectly diluted PUUV infection. Further, Tengmalm’s owl decline in 1980–2013 may have contributed to higher PUUV infection rates in bank voles in 2003–2013 compared to 1979–1986. Our study provides further evidence for dilution effect and suggests that owls may have an important role in reducing disease risk. PMID:27499001

Boron removal in radioactive liquid waste by forward osmosis membrane

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doo Seong Hwang; Hei Min Choi; Kune Woo Lee

2013-07-01

This study investigated the treatment of boric acid contained in liquid radioactive waste using a forward osmosis membrane. The boron permeation through the membrane depends on the type of membrane, membrane orientation, pH of the feed solution, salt and boron concentration in the feed solution, and osmotic pressure of the draw solution. The boron flux begins to decline from pH 7 and increases with an increase of the osmotic driving force. The boron flux decreases slightly with the salt concentration, but is not heavily influenced by a low salt concentration. The boron flux increases linearly with the concentration of boron.more » No element except for boron was permeated through the FO membrane in the multi-component system. The maximum boron flux is obtained in an active layer facing a draw solution orientation of the CTA-ES membrane under conditions of less than pH 7 and high osmotic pressure. (authors)« less

Asymmetric homologation of boronic esters bearing azido and silyloxy substituents.

PubMed

Singh, R P; Matteson, D S

2000-10-06

In the asymmetric homologation of boronic esters with a (dihalomethyl)lithium, substituents that can bind metal cations tend to interfere. Accordingly, we undertook the introduction of weakly basic oxygen and nitrogen substituents into boronic esters in order to maximize the efficiency of multistep syntheses utilizing this chemistry. Silyloxy boronic esters cannot be made efficiently by direct substitution, but a (hydroxymethyl)boronic ester has been silylated in the usual manner. Conversion of alpha-halo boronic esters to alpha-azido boronic esters has been carried out with sodium azide and a tetrabutylammonium salt as phase-transfer catalyst in a two-phase system with water and either nitromethane or ethyl acetate. These are safer solvents than the previously used dichloromethane, which can form an explosive byproduct with azide ion. Boronic esters containing silyloxy or alkoxy and azido substituents have been shown to react efficiently with (dihalomethyl)lithiums, resulting in efficient asymmetric insertion of the halomethyl group into the carbon-boron bond.

Methylboronic acid fertilization alleviates boron deficiency symptoms in Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Duran, Catherine; Arce-Johnson, Patricio; Aquea, Felipe

2018-07-01

Our results showed that methylboronic acid is capable of alleviating boron deficiency, enhancing plant growth, and is less toxic than boric acid at higher concentrations. Boron is an essential plant micronutrient and its deficiency occurs in several regions globally, resulting in impaired plant growth. Boron fertilization is a common agricultural practice, but the action range of boron is narrow, sharply transitioning from deficiency to toxicity. Boric acid (BA) is the most common chemical form used in agriculture. In this work, we describe that methylboronic acid (MBA) is capable of alleviating boron deficiency in Arabidopsis. MBA is a boronic acid, but does not naturally occur in soils, necessitating synthesis. Other boronic acids have been described as boron competitors in plants, inhibiting auxin biosynthesis and root development. MBA is more water-soluble than BA and delivers the same amount of boron per molecule. We observed that Arabidopsis seedlings grown in the presence of MBA presented higher numbers of lateral roots and greater main root length compared to plants grown in BA. In addition, root hair length and leaf surface area were increased using MBA as a boron fertilizer. Finally, MBA was less toxic than BA at high concentrations, producing a slight reduction in the main root length but no decrease in total chlorophyll. Our results open a new opportunity to explore the use of a synthetic form of boron in agriculture, providing a tool for future research for plant nutrition.

Method for wetting a boron alloy to graphite

DOEpatents

Storms, E.K.

1987-08-21

A method is provided for wetting a graphite substrate and spreading a a boron alloy over the substrate. The wetted substrate may be in the form of a needle for an effective ion emission source. The method may also be used to wet a graphite substrate for subsequent joining with another graphite substrate or other metal, or to form a protective coating over a graphite substrate. A noneutectic alloy of boron is formed with a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt) with excess boron, i.e., and atomic percentage of boron effective to precipitate boron at a wetting temperature of less than the liquid-phase boundary temperature of the alloy. The alloy is applied to the substrate and the graphite substrate is then heated to the wetting temperature and maintained at the wetting temperature for a time effective for the alloy to wet and spread over the substrate. The excess boron is evenly dispersed in the alloy and is readily available to promote the wetting and spreading action of the alloy. 1 fig.

Effect of Boron Microalloying Element on Susceptibility to Hydrogen Embrittlement in High Strength Mooring Chain Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, H.; Cheng, X. Y.; Shen, H. P.; Su, L. C.; Zhang, S. Y.

The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in high strength mooring chain steel with different boron content (0, 0.003 %, 0.008 %) were investigated by electrochemical hydrogen charging technique and tensile test. The results revealed that appropriate boron content can effectively depress hydrogen induced embrittlement. Precharged with a low current density, this effect seemed to be unobvious. It gradually became clearly with the increasing current density. The increase of resistance to the hydrogen embrittlement for 3B and 8B after adding appropriate boron was attributed to three facts. The first was that the segregation of boron atoms along grain boundaries reduced the grain boundary segregation of phosphorus, which prohibited hydrogen concentration at the grain boundaries, depressing the possibility of the intergranular fracture due to H. The second was that the segregation of boron increased intergranular cohesion, enhanced grain boundary strength, and refined the final microstructure. The third was that the addition of boron changed the state of hydrogen traps, leading to the small amount of diffusible hydrogen. That is to say, hydrogen transferred to these defects by dislocations was accordingly decreased, which led to the low sensitive of hydrogen induced cracking.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BCNT) for the Treatment of Liver Metastases: Biodistribution Studies of Boron Compounds in an Experimental Model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marcela A. Garabalino; Andrea Monti Hughes; Ana J. Molinari

2011-03-01

Abstract We previously demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of different boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) protocols in an experimental model of oral cancer. BNCT is based on the selective accumulation of 10B carriers in a tumor followed by neutron irradiation. Within the context of exploring the potential therapeutic efficacy of BNCT for the treatment of liver metastases, the aim of the present study was to perform boron biodistribution studies in an experimental model of liver metastases in rats. Different boron compounds and administration conditions were assayed to determine which administration protocols would potentially be therapeutically useful in in vivo BNCT studiesmore » at the RA-3 nuclear reactor. A total of 70 BDIX rats were inoculated in the liver with syngeneic colon cancer cells DHD/K12/TRb to induce the development of subcapsular tumor nodules. Fourteen days post-inoculation, the animals were used for biodistribution studies. We evaluated a total of 11 administration protocols for the boron compounds boronophenylalanine (BPA) and GB-10 (Na210B10H10), alone or combined at different dose levels and employing different administration routes. Tumor, normal tissue, and blood samples were processed for boron measurement by atomic emission spectroscopy. Six protocols proved potentially useful for BNCT studies in terms of absolute boron concentration in tumor and preferential uptake of boron by tumor tissue. Boron concentration values in tumor and normal tissues in the liver metastases model show it would be feasible to reach therapeutic BNCT doses in tumor without exceeding radiotolerance in normal tissue at the thermal neutron facility at RA-3.« less

Boron-carbide-aluminum and boron-carbide-reactive metal cermets. [B/sub 4/C-Al

DOEpatents

Halverson, D.C.; Pyzik, A.J.; Aksay, I.A.

1985-05-06

Hard, tough, lighweight boron-carbide-reactive metal composites, particularly boron-carbide-aluminum composites, are produced. These composites have compositions with a plurality of phases. A method is provided, including the steps of wetting and reacting the starting materials, by which the microstructures in the resulting composites can be controllably selected. Starting compositions, reaction temperatures, reaction times, and reaction atmospheres are parameters for controlling the process and resulting compositions. The ceramic phases are homogeneously distributed in the metal phases and adhesive forces at ceramic-metal interfaces are maximized. An initial consolidated step is used to achieve fully dense composites. Microstructures of boron-carbide-aluminum cermets have been produced with modules of rupture exceeding 110 ksi and fracture toughness exceeding 12 ksi..sqrt..in. These composites and methods can be used to form a variety of structural elements.

Hot tensile behaviour in silicon-killed boron microalloyed steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chown, Lesley H.; Cornish, Lesley A.

2017-10-01

Low carbon steel for drawing and cold heading applications should have low strength, high ductility and low strain ageing rates. To achieve this, nitrogen must be removed from solid solution, which can be done by low additions of boron. A wire producer had been experiencing occasional problems with severe cracking on silicon-killed, boron steel billets during continuous casting, but the solution was not obvious. Samples from four billets, each from different casts, were removed for analysis and testing. The tested steel compositions were within the specification limits, with boron to nitrogen ratios of 0.40-1.19. Hot ductility testing was performed on a Gleeble 1500 using parameters approximating the capabilities of this particular billet caster. The steel specimens were subjected to in situ melting, then cooled at a rate of 2 C.s-1 to temperatures in the range 750-1250°C, where they were then pulled to failure at a strain rate of 8x10-4 s-1. In this work, it was found that both the boron to nitrogen ratio and the manganese to sulphur ratio influenced the hot ductility and hence the crack susceptibility. Excellent hot ductility was found for B:N ratios above 1.0, which confirmed that the B:N ratio should be above a stoichiometric value of 0.8 to remove all nitrogen from solid solution. TEM analysis showed that coarse BN precipitates nucleated on other precipitates, such as (Fe,Mn)S, which have relatively low melting points, and are detrimental to hot ductility. Low Mn:S ratios of 10 - 12 were shown to promote precipitation of FeS, so a Mn:S > 14 was recommended. A narrower billet surface temperature range for straightening was recommended to prevent transverse surface cracking. Additionally, analysis of industrial casting data showed that the scrap percentage due to transverse cracking increased significantly for Mn:S < 14. An exponential decay relationship between the manganese to sulphur ratio and the average scrap percentage due to transverse cracking was

Hyaluronic acid as a potential boron carrier for BNCT: Preliminary evaluation.

PubMed

Zaboronok, A; Yamamoto, T; Nakai, K; Yoshida, F; Uspenskii, S; Selyanin, M; Zelenetskii, A; Matsumura, Akira

2015-12-01

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a nonimmunogenic, biocompatible polymer found in different biological tissues, has the potential to attach to CD44 receptors on the surface of certain cancer cells, where the receptor is overexpressed compared with normal cells. Boron-hyaluronic acid (BHA) was tested for its feasibility as a potential agent for BNCT. BHA with low-viscosity 30 kDa HA could be administered by intravenous injection. The compound showed a certain degree of cytotoxicity and accumulation in C6 rat glioma cells in vitro. Instability of the chelate bonds between boron and HA and/or insufficient specificity of CD44 receptors on C6 cells to BHA could account for the insufficient in vitro accumulation. To ensure the future eligibility of BHA for BNCT experiments, using alternative tumor cell lines and chemically securing the chelate bonds or synthesizing BHA with boron covalently attached to HA might be required. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coprecipitation and isotopic fractionation of boron in modern biogenic carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vengosh, Avner; Kolodny, Yehoshua; Starinsky, Abraham; Chivas, Allan R.; McCulloch, Malcolm T.

1991-10-01

The abundances and isotopic composition of boron in modern, biogenic calcareous skeletons from the Gulf of Elat, Israel, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and in deep-sea sediments have been examined by negative thermal-ionization mass spectrometry. The selected species (Foraminifera, Pteropoda, corals, Gastropoda, and Pelecypoda) yield large variations in boron concentration that range from 1 ppm in gastropod shells to 80 ppm in corals. The boron content of the biogenic skeletons is independent of mineralogical composition and is probably related to biological (vital) effects. The δ11B values of the carbonates range from 14.2 to 32.2%. (relative to NBS SRM 951) and overlap with the δ11B values of modern deep-sea carbonate sediments ( δ11B = 8.9 to 26.2%.). The variations of δ11B may be controlled by isotopic exchange of boron species in which 10B is preferentially partitioned into the tetrahedral species, and coprecipitation of different proportions of trigonal and tetrahedral species in the calcium carbonates. Carbonates with low δ11B values (~ 15%.) may indicate preferential incorporation of tetrahedral species, whereas the higher δ11B values (~30%.) may indicate (1) uptake of both boron species assuming equilibrium with seawater (2) preferential incorporation of B(OH) 4- from in situ high-pH internal fluids of organisms that are isolated from seawater. The B content and δ11B values of deep-sea sediments, Foraminifera tests, and corals are used to estimate the global oceanic sink of elemental boron by calcium carbonate deposition. As a result of enrichment of B in corals, a substantially higher biogenic sink of 6.4 ± 0.9 × 10 10 g/yr is calculated for carbonates. This is only slightly lower than the sink for desorbable B in marine sediments (10 × 10 10 g/yr) and approximately half that of altered oceanic crust (14 × 10 10 g/yr). Thus, carbonates are an important sink for B in the oceans being ~20% of the total sinks. The preferential incorporation of

Chemical and structural characterization of boron carbide powders and ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuwelkar, Kanak Anant

Boron carbide is the material of choice for lightweight armor applications due to its extreme hardness, high Young's modulus and low specific weight. The homogeneity range in boron carbide extends from 9 to 20 at% carbon with the solubility limits not uniquely defined in literature. Over the homogeneity range, the exact lattice positions of boron and carbon atoms have not been unambiguously established, and this topic has been the consideration of significant debate over the last 60 years. The atomic configuration and positions of the boron and carbon atoms play a key role in the crystal structure of the boron carbide phases. Depending on the atomic structure, boron carbide exhibits different mechanical properties which may alter its ballistic performance under extreme dynamic conditions. This work focusses on refinement and development of analytical and chemical methods for an accurate determination of the boron carbide stoichiometry. These methods were then utilized to link structural changes of boron carbide across the solubility range to variations in mechanical properties. After an extensive assessment of the currently employed characterization techniques, it was discerned that the largest source of uncertainty in the determination of the boron carbide stoichiometry was found to arise from the method utilized to evaluate the free carbon concentration. To this end, a modified spiking technique was introduced for free carbon determination where curve fitting techniques were employed to model the asymmetry of the 002 free carbon diffraction peak based on the amorphous, disordered and graphitic nature of carbon. A relationship was then established between the relative intensities of the carbon and boron carbide peaks to the percentage of added carbon and the free-carbon content was obtained by extrapolation. Samples with varying chemistry and high purity were synthesized across the solubility range by hot pressing mixtures of amorphous boron and boron carbide

Amorphous boron gasket in diamond anvil cell research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jung-Fu; Shu, Jinfu; Mao, Ho-kwang; Hemley, Russell J.; Shen, Guoyin

2003-11-01

Recent advances in high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments include high-energy synchrotron x-ray techniques as well as new cell designs and gasketing procedures. The success of high-pressure experiments usually depends on a well-prepared sample, in which the gasket plays an important role. Various gasket materials such as diamond, beryllium, rhenium, and stainless steel have been used. Here we introduce amorphous boron as another gasket material in high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments. We have applied the boron gasket for laser-heating x-ray diffraction, radial x-ray diffraction, nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, and inelastic x-ray scattering. The high shear strength of the amorphous boron maximizes the thickness of the sample chamber and increases the pressure homogeneity, improving the quality of high-pressure data. Use of amorphous boron avoids unwanted x-ray diffraction peaks and reduces the absorption of incident and x rays exiting the gasket material. The high quality of the diffraction patterns makes it possible to refine the cell parameters with powder x-ray diffraction data under high pressure and high temperature. The reactivity of boron prevents its use at high temperatures, however. When heated, boron may also react with the specimen to produce unwanted phases. The relatively porous boron starting material at ambient conditions also poses some challenges for sample preparation.

Microfluidic Serial Dilution Circuit

PubMed Central

Paegel, Brian M.; Grover, William H.; Skelley, Alison M.; Mathies, Richard A.; Joyce, Gerald F.

2008-01-01

In vitro evolution of RNA molecules requires a method for executing many consecutive serial dilutions. To solve this problem, a microfluidic circuit has been fabricated in a three-layer glass-PDMS-glass device. The 400-nL serial dilution circuit contains five integrated membrane valves: three two-way valves arranged in a loop to drive cyclic mixing of the diluent and carryover, and two bus valves to control fluidic access to the circuit through input and output channels. By varying the valve placement in the circuit, carryover fractions from 0.04 to 0.2 were obtained. Each dilution process, which is comprised of a diluent flush cycle followed by a mixing cycle, is carried out with no pipeting, and a sample volume of 400 nL is sufficient for conducting an arbitrary number of serial dilutions. Mixing is precisely controlled by changing the cyclic pumping rate, with a minimum mixing time of 22 s. This microfluidic circuit is generally applicable for integrating automated serial dilution and sample preparation in almost any microfluidic architecture. PMID:17073422

Efficient Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen Nanotube Formation Via Combined Laser-Gas Flow Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitney, R. Roy (Inventor); Smith, Michael W. (Inventor); Jordan, Kevin (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula BxCyNz. The process utilizes a combination of laser light and nitrogen gas flow to support a boron ball target during heating of the boron ball target and production of a boron vapor plume which reacts with nitrogen or nitrogen and carbon to produce boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula BxCyNz.

Functionalizing graphene by embedded boron clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quandt, Alexander; Özdoğan, Cem; Kunstmann, Jens; Fehske, Holger

2008-08-01

We present a model system that might serve as a blueprint for the controlled layout of graphene based nanodevices. The systems consists of chains of B7 clusters implanted in a graphene matrix, where the boron clusters are not directly connected. We show that the graphene matrix easily accepts these alternating B7-C6 chains and that the implanted boron components may dramatically modify the electronic properties of graphene based nanomaterials. This suggests a functionalization of graphene nanomaterials, where the semiconducting properties might be supplemented by parts of the graphene matrix itself, but the basic wiring will be provided by alternating chains of implanted boron clusters that connect these areas.

Porphyrins for boron neutron capture therapy

DOEpatents

Miura, Michiko; Gabel, Detlef

1990-01-01

Novel compounds for treatment of brain tumors in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy are disclosed. A method for preparing the compounds as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds are also disclosed. The compounds are water soluble, non-toxic and non-labile boronated porphyrins which show significant uptake and retention in tumors.

Reactivity Initiated Accident Simulation to Inform Transient Testing of Candidate Advanced Cladding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brown, Nicholas R; Wysocki, Aaron J; Terrani, Kurt A

2016-01-01

Abstract. Advanced cladding materials with potentially enhanced accident tolerance will yield different light water reactor performance and safety characteristics than the present zirconium-based cladding alloys. These differences are due to different cladding material properties and responses to the transient, and to some extent, reactor physics, thermal, and hydraulic characteristics. Some of the differences in reactors physics characteristics will be driven by the fundamental properties (e.g., absorption in iron for an iron-based cladding) and others will be driven by design modifications necessitated by the candidate cladding materials (e.g., a larger fuel pellet to compensate for parasitic absorption). Potential changes in thermalmore » hydraulic limits after transition from the current zirconium-based cladding to the advanced materials will also affect the transient response of the integral fuel. This paper leverages three-dimensional reactor core simulation capabilities to inform on appropriate experimental test conditions for candidate advanced cladding materials in a control rod ejection event. These test conditions are using three-dimensional nodal kinetics simulations of a reactivity initiated accident (RIA) in a representative state-of-the-art pressurized water reactor with both nuclear-grade iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) and silicon carbide based (SiC-SiC) cladding materials. The effort yields boundary conditions for experimental mechanical tests, specifically peak cladding strain during the power pulse following the rod ejection. The impact of candidate cladding materials on the reactor kinetics behavior of RIA progression versus reference zirconium cladding is predominantly due to differences in: (1) fuel mass/volume/specific power density, (2) spectral effects due to parasitic neutron absorption, (3) control rod worth due to hardened (or softened) spectrum, and (4) initial conditions due to power peaking and neutron transport cross sections in

Dietary boron: possible roles in human and animal physiology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Boron is a bioactive element of low molecular weight. Since discovery of the first boron biomolecule, boromycin, in 1967, several other similar biomolecules are now well-characterized. Most recently described was a bacterial cell-to-cell communication signal that requires boron, autoinducer-II. Boro...

Dilution jet mixing program, supplementary report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srinivasan, R.; White, C.

1986-01-01

The velocity and temperature distributions predicted by a 3-D numerical model and experimental measurements are compared. Empirical correlations for the jet velocity trajectory developed are presented. The measured velocity distributions for all test cases of phase through phase 3 are presented in the form of contour and oblique plots. quantification of the effects of the following on the jet mixing characteristics with a confined crossflow are: (1) orifice geometry momentum flux ratio and density ratio; (2) nonuniform mainstream temperature and velocity profiles upstream of dilution orifices; (3) cold versus hot jet injection; (4) cross-stream flow are a convergence as encountered in practical dilution zone geometries; (5) 2-D slot versus circular orifices; (6) discrete noncirculcer orifices; (7) single-sided versus opposed jets; (8) single row of jets.

Nothing Boring About Boron.

PubMed

Pizzorno, Lara

2015-08-01

The trace mineral boron is a micronutrient with diverse and vitally important roles in metabolism that render it necessary for plant, animal, and human health, and as recent research suggests, possibly for the evolution of life on Earth. As the current article shows, boron has been proven to be an important trace mineral because it (1) is essential for the growth and maintenance of bone; (2) greatly improves wound healing; (3) beneficially impacts the body's use of estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D; (4) boosts magnesium absorption; (5) reduces levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α); (6) raises levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; (7) protects against pesticide-induced oxidative stress and heavy-metal toxicity; (8) improves the brains electrical activity, cognitive performance, and short-term memory for elders; (9) influences the formation and activity of key biomolecules, such as S-adenosyl methionine (SAM-e) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)); (10) has demonstrated preventive and therapeutic effects in a number of cancers, such as prostate, cervical, and lung cancers, and multiple and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and (11) may help ameliorate the adverse effects of traditional chemotherapeutic agents. In none of the numerous studies conducted to date, however, do boron's beneficial effects appear at intakes > 3 mg/d. No estimated average requirements (EARs) or dietary reference intakes (DRIs) have been set for boron-only an upper intake level (UL) of 20 mg/d for individuals aged ≥ 18 y. The absence of studies showing harm in conjunction with the substantial number of articles showing benefits support the consideration of boron supplementation of 3 mg/d for any individual who is consuming a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables or who is at risk for or has osteopenia; osteoporosis; osteoarthritis (OA

Nanopores creation in boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene: A molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izadifar, Mohammadreza; Abadi, Rouzbeh; Nezhad Shirazi, Ali Hossein; Alajlan, Naif; Rabczuk, Timon

2018-05-01

In the present paper, molecular dynamic simulations have been conducted to investigate the nanopores creation on 10% of boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene by silicon and diamond nanoclusters. Two types of nanoclusters based on silicon and diamond are used to investigate their effect for the fabrication of nanopores. Therefore, three different diameter sizes of the clusters with five kinetic energies of 10, 50, 100, 300 and 500 eV/atom at four different locations in boron or nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene nanosheets have been perused. We also study the effect of 3% and 6% of boron doped polycrystalline graphene with the best outcome from 10% of doping. Our results reveal that the diamond cluster with diameter of 2 and 2.5 nm fabricates the largest nanopore areas on boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene, respectively. Furthermore, the kinetic energies of 10 and 50 eV/atom can not fabricate nanopores in some cases for silicon and diamond clusters on boron doped polycrystalline graphene nanosheets. On the other hand, silicon and diamond clusters fabricate nanopores for all locations and all tested energies on nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene. The area sizes of nanopores fabricated by silicon and diamond clusters with diameter of 2 and 2.5 nm are close to the actual area size of the related clusters for the kinetic energy of 300 eV/atom in all locations on boron doped polycrystalline graphene. The maximum area and the average maximum area of nanopores are fabricated by the kinetic energy of 500 eV/atom inside the grain boundary at the center of the nanosheet and in the corner of nanosheet with diameters of 2 and 3 nm for silicon and diamond clusters on boron and nitrogen doped polycrystalline graphene.

Bias due to Preanalytical Dilution of Rodent Serum for Biochemical Analysis on the Siemens Dimension Xpand Plus

PubMed Central

Johns, Jennifer L.; Moorhead, Kaitlin A.; Hu, Jing; Moorhead, Roberta C.

2018-01-01

Clinical pathology testing of rodents is often challenging due to insufficient sample volume. One solution in clinical veterinary and exploratory research environments is dilution of samples prior to analysis. However, published information on the impact of preanalytical sample dilution on rodent biochemical data is incomplete. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of preanalytical sample dilution on biochemical analysis of mouse and rat serum samples utilizing the Siemens Dimension Xpand Plus. Rats were obtained from end of study research projects. Mice were obtained from sentinel testing programs. For both, whole blood was collected via terminal cardiocentesis into empty tubes and serum was harvested. Biochemical parameters were measured on fresh and thawed frozen samples run straight and at dilution factors 2–10. Dilutions were performed manually, utilizing either ultrapure water or enzyme diluent per manufacturer recommendations. All diluted samples were generated directly from the undiluted sample. Preanalytical dilution caused clinically unacceptable bias in most analytes at dilution factors four and above. Dilution-induced bias in total calcium, creatinine, total bilirubin, and uric acid was considered unacceptable with any degree of dilution, based on the more conservative of two definitions of acceptability. Dilution often caused electrolyte values to fall below assay range precluding evaluation of bias. Dilution-induced bias occurred in most biochemical parameters to varying degrees and may render dilution unacceptable in the exploratory research and clinical veterinary environments. Additionally, differences between results obtained at different dilution factors may confound statistical comparisons in research settings. Comparison of data obtained at a single dilution factor is highly recommended. PMID:29497614

Fluoride, boron and nitrate toxicity in ground water of northwest Rajasthan, India.

PubMed

Chaudhary, Veena; Kumar, Mukesh; Sharma, Mukesh; Yadav, B S

2010-02-01

The study was carried out to access the fluoride, boron, and nitrate concentrations in ground water samples of different villages in Indira Gandhi, Bhakra, and Gang canal catchment area of northwest Rajasthan, India. Rural population, in the study site, is using groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes, without any quality test of water. All water samples (including canal water) were contaminated with fluoride. Fluoride, boron, and nitrate were observed in the ranges of 0.50-8.50, 0.0-7.73, and 0.0-278.68 mg/l, respectively. Most of the water samples were in the categories of fluoride 1.50 mg/l, of boron 2.0-4.0 mg/l, and of nitrate < 45 mg/l. There was no industrial pollution in the study site; hence, availability of these compounds in groundwater was due to natural reasons and by the use of chemical fertilizers.

Evaluation of Ground-Water and Boron Sources by Use of Boron Stable-Isotope Ratios, Tritium, and Selected Water-Chemistry Constituents near Beverly Shores, Northwestern Indiana, 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buszka, Paul M.; Fitzpatrick, John A.; Watson, Lee R.; Kay, Robert T.

2007-01-01

Concentrations of boron greater than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 900 ?g/L removal action level (RAL) standard were detected in water sampled by the USEPA in 2004 from three domestic wells near Beverly Shores, Indiana. The RAL regulates only human-affected concentrations of a constituent. A lack of well logs and screened depth information precluded identification of whether water from sampled wells, and their boron sources, were from human-affected or natural sources in the surficial aquifer, or associated with a previously defined natural, confined aquifer source of boron from the subtill or basal sand aquifers. A geochemically-based classification of the source of boron in ground water could potentially determine the similarity of boron to known sources or mixtures between known sources, or classify whether the relative age of the ground water predated the potential sources of contamination. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the USEPA, investigated the use of a geochemical method that applied boron stable isotopes, and concentrations of boron, tritium, and other constituents to distinguish between natural and human-affected sources of boron in ground water and thereby determine if the RAL was applicable to the situation. Boron stable-isotope ratios and concentrations of boron in 17 ground-water samples and tritium concentrations in 9 ground-water samples collected in 2004 were used to identify geochemical differences between potential sources of boron in ground water near Beverly Shores, Indiana. Boron and d11B analyses for this investigation were made on unacidified samples to assure consistency of the result with unacidified analyses of d11B values from other investigations. Potential sources of boron included surficial-aquifer water affected by coal-combustion products (CCP) or domestic-wastewater, upward discharge of ground water from confined aquifers, and unaffected water from the surficial aquifer that was distant

An Assessment of the Potential Use of BNNTs for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

PubMed

Ferreira, Tiago H; Miranda, Marcelo C; Rocha, Zildete; Leal, Alexandre S; Gomes, Dawidson A; Sousa, Edesia M B

2017-04-12

Currently, nanostructured compounds have been standing out for their optical, mechanical, and chemical features and for the possibilities of manipulation and regulation of complex biological processes. One of these compounds is boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which are a nanostructured material analog to carbon nanotubes, but formed of nitrogen and boron atoms. BNNTs present high thermal stability along with high chemical inertia. Among biological applications, its biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and functionalization potential can be highlighted, in addition to its eased utilization due to its nanometric size and tumor cell internalization. When it comes to new forms of therapy, we can draw attention to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), an experimental radiotherapy characterized by a boron-10 isotope carrier inside the target and a thermal neutron beam focused on it. The activation of the boron-10 atom by a neutron generates a lithium atom, a gamma ray, and an alpha particle, which can be used to destroy tumor tissues. The aim of this work was to use BNNTs as a boron-10 carrier for BNCT and to demonstrate its potential. The nanomaterial was characterized through XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The WST-8 assay was performed to confirm the cell viability of BNNTs. The cells treated with BNNTs were irradiated with the neutron beam of a Triga reactor, and the apoptosis caused by the activation of the BNNTs was measured with a calcein AM/propidium iodide test. The results demonstrate that this nanomaterial is a promising candidate for cancer therapy through BNCT.

Evaluation of boron-epoxy-reinforced titanium tubular truss for application to a space shuttle booster thrust structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corvelli, N.; Carri, R.

1972-01-01

Results of a study to demonstrate the applicability of boron-epoxy-composite-reinforced titanium tubular members to a space shuttle booster thrust structure are presented and discussed. The experimental results include local buckling of all-composite and composite-reinforced-metal cylinders with low values of diameter-thickness ratio, static tests on composite-to-metal bonded step joints, and a test to failure of a boron-epoxy-reinforced titanium demonstration truss. The demonstration truss failed at 118 percent of design ultimate load. Test results and analysis for all specimens and the truss are compared. Comparing an all-titanium design and a boron-epoxy-reinforced-titanium (75 percent B-E and 25 percent Ti) design for application to the space shuttle booster thrust structure indicates that the latter would weigh approximately 24 percent less. Experimental data on the local buckling strength of cylinders with a diameter-thickness ratio of approximately 50 are needed to insure that undue conservatism is not used in future designs.

Low-loss binder for hot pressing boron nitride

DOEpatents

Maya, Leon

1991-01-01

Borazine derivatives used as low-loss binders and precursors for making ceramic boron nitride structures. The derivative forms the same composition as the boron nitride starting material, thereby filling the voids with the same boron nitride material upon forming and hot pressing. The derivatives have a further advantage of being low in carbon thus resulting in less volatile byproduct that can result in bubble formation during pressing.

Apparatus for the production of boron nitride nanotubes

DOEpatents

Smith, Michael W; Jordan, Kevin

2014-06-17

An apparatus for the large scale production of boron nitride nanotubes comprising; a pressure chamber containing; a continuously fed boron containing target; a source of thermal energy preferably a focused laser beam; a cooled condenser; a source of pressurized nitrogen gas; and a mechanism for extracting boron nitride nanotubes that are condensed on or in the area of the cooled condenser from the pressure chamber.

Folate receptor-mediated boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles as potential delivery vehicles for boron neutron capture therapy of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas.

PubMed

Dai, Congxin; Cai, Feng; Hwang, Kuo Chu; Zhou, Yongmao; Zhang, Zizhu; Liu, Xiaohai; Ma, Sihai; Yang, Yakun; Yao, Yong; Feng, Ming; Bao, Xinjie; Li, Guilin; Wei, Junji; Jiao, Yonghui; Wei, Zhenqing; Ma, Wenbin; Wang, Renzhi

2013-02-01

Invasive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are difficult to completely resect and often develop tumor recurrence after initial surgery. Currently, no medications are clinically effective in the control of NFPA. Although radiation therapy and radiosurgery are useful to prevent tumor regrowth, they are frequently withheld because of severe complications. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a binary radiotherapy that selectively and maximally damages tumor cells without harming the surrounding normal tissue. Folate receptor (FR)-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles is a novel boron delivery agent that can be selectively taken up by FR-expressing cells via FR-mediated endocytosis. In this study, FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles were selectively taken up by NFPAs cells expressing FR but not other types of non-FR expressing pituitary adenomas. After incubation with boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles and following irradiation with thermal neutrons, the cell viability of NFPAs was significantly decreased, while apoptotic cells were simultaneously increased. However, cells administered the same dose of FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles without neutron irradiation or received the same neutron irradiation alone did not show significant decrease in cell viability or increase in apoptotic cells. The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated and the expression of Bax was up-regulated in NFPAs after treatment with FR-mediated BNCT. In conclusion, FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles may be an ideal delivery system of boron to NFPAs cells for BNCT. Furthermore, our study also provides a novel insight into therapeutic strategies for invasive NFPA refractory to conventional therapy, while exploring these new applications of BNCT for tumors, especially benign tumors.

Spherical boron nitride particles and method for preparing them

DOEpatents

Phillips, Jonathan; Gleiman, Seth S.; Chen, Chun-Ku

2003-11-25

Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride and method of preparing them. Spherical and polyhedral particles of boron nitride are produced from precursor particles of hexagonal phase boron nitride suspended in an aerosol gas. The aerosol is directed to a microwave plasma torch. The torch generates plasma at atmospheric pressure that includes nitrogen atoms. The presence of nitrogen atoms is critical in allowing boron nitride to melt at atmospheric pressure while avoiding or at least minimizing decomposition. The plasma includes a plasma hot zone, which is a portion of the plasma that has a temperature sufficiently high to melt hexagonal phase boron nitride. In the hot zone, the precursor particles melt to form molten particles that acquire spherical and polyhedral shapes. These molten particles exit the hot zone, cool, and solidify to form solid particles of boron nitride with spherical and polyhedral shapes. The molten particles can also collide and join to form larger molten particles that lead to larger spherical and polyhedral particles.

Boron Abundances in A and B-type Stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lambert, David L.

1997-01-01

Boron abundances in A- and B-type stars may be a successful way to track evolutionary effects in these hot stars. The light elements - Li, Be, and B - are tracers of exposure to temperatures more moderate than those in which the H-burning CN-cycle operates. Thus, any exposure of surface stellar layers to deeper layers will affect these light element abundances. Li and Be are used in this role in investigations of evolutionary processes in cool stars, but are not observable in hotter stars. An investigation of boron, however, is possible through the B II 1362 A resonance line. We have gathered high resolution spectra from the IUE database of A- and B-type stars near 10 solar mass for which nitrogen abundances have been determined. The B II 1362 A line is blended throughout; the temperature range of this program, requiring spectrum syntheses to recover the boron abundances. For no star could we synthesize the 1362 A region using the meteoritic/solar boron abundance of log e (B) = 2.88; a lower boron abundance was necessary which may reflect evolutionary effects (e.g., mass loss or mixing near the main-sequence), the natal composition of the star forming regions, or a systematic error in the analyses (e.g., non-LTE effects). Regardless of the initial boron abundance, and despite the possibility of non-LTE effects, it seems clear that boron is severely depleted in some stars. It may be that the nitrogen and boron abundances are anticorrelated, as would be expected from mixing between the H-burning and outer stellar layers. If, as we suspect, a residue of boron is present in the A-type supergiants, we may exclude a scenario in which mixing occurs continuously between the surface and the deep layers operating the CN-cycle. Further exploitation of the B II 1362 A line as an indicator of the evolutionary status of A- and B-type stars will require a larger stellar sample to be observed with higher signal-to-noise as attainable with the Hubble Space Telescope.

Boronated porhyrins and methods for their use

DOEpatents

Miura, Michiko; Shelnutt, John A.; Slatkin, Daniel N.

1999-03-02

The present invention covers boronated porphyrins containing multiple carborane cages which selectively accumulate in neoplastic tissue within the irradiation volume and thus can be used in cancer therapies such as boron neutron capture therapy and photodynamic therapy.

The mathematics of dilution.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Barun Kumar

2014-04-01

The major objection to homeopathic medicine is that the doses of medicine prescribed in some cases are too dilute for any active ingredient to be present. The medicines would hence be rendered inactive, necessitating novel explanations for the action. A further examination of dilution in the light of the Langmuir equation shows that homeopathic medicines may not be as dilute as a simplistic application of Avogadro's Principle suggests, due to surface effects. Copyright © 2013 The Faculty of Homeopathy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interpretation of energy deposition data from historical operation of the transient test facility (TREAT)

DOE PAGES

DeHart, Mark D.; Baker, Benjamin A.; Ortensi, Javier

2017-07-27

The Transient Test Reactor (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory will resume operations in late 2017 after a 23 year hiatus while maintained in a cold standby state. Over that time period, computational power and simulation capabilities have increased substantially and now allow for new multiphysics modeling possibilities that were not practical or feasible for most of TREAT's operational history. Hence the return of TREAT to operational service provides a unique opportunity to apply state-of-the-art software and associated methods in the modeling and simulation of general three-dimensional steady state and kinetic behavior for reactor operation, and for coupling of the coremore » power transient model to experiment simulations. However, measurements taken in previous operations were intended to predict power deposition in experimental samples, with little consideration of three-dimensional core power distributions. Hence, interpretation of data for the purpose of validation of modern methods can be challenging. For the research discussed herein, efforts are described for the process of proper interpretation of data from the most recent calibration experiments performed in the core, the M8 calibration series (M8-CAL). These measurements were taken between 1990 and 1993 using a set of fission wires and test fuel pins to estimate the power deposition that would be produced in fast reactor test fuel pins during the M8 experiment series. Because of the decision to place TREAT into a standby state in 1994, the M8 series of transients were never performed. However, potentially valuable information relevant for validation is available in the M8-CAL measurement data, if properly interpreted. This article describes the current state of the process of recovery of useful data from M8-CAL measurements and quantification of biases and uncertainties to potentially apply to the validation of multiphysics methods.« less

Interpretation of energy deposition data from historical operation of the transient test facility (TREAT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DeHart, Mark D.; Baker, Benjamin A.; Ortensi, Javier

The Transient Test Reactor (TREAT) at Idaho National Laboratory will resume operations in late 2017 after a 23 year hiatus while maintained in a cold standby state. Over that time period, computational power and simulation capabilities have increased substantially and now allow for new multiphysics modeling possibilities that were not practical or feasible for most of TREAT's operational history. Hence the return of TREAT to operational service provides a unique opportunity to apply state-of-the-art software and associated methods in the modeling and simulation of general three-dimensional steady state and kinetic behavior for reactor operation, and for coupling of the coremore » power transient model to experiment simulations. However, measurements taken in previous operations were intended to predict power deposition in experimental samples, with little consideration of three-dimensional core power distributions. Hence, interpretation of data for the purpose of validation of modern methods can be challenging. For the research discussed herein, efforts are described for the process of proper interpretation of data from the most recent calibration experiments performed in the core, the M8 calibration series (M8-CAL). These measurements were taken between 1990 and 1993 using a set of fission wires and test fuel pins to estimate the power deposition that would be produced in fast reactor test fuel pins during the M8 experiment series. Because of the decision to place TREAT into a standby state in 1994, the M8 series of transients were never performed. However, potentially valuable information relevant for validation is available in the M8-CAL measurement data, if properly interpreted. This article describes the current state of the process of recovery of useful data from M8-CAL measurements and quantification of biases and uncertainties to potentially apply to the validation of multiphysics methods.« less

The Arabidopsis-related halophyte Thellungiella halophila: boron tolerance via boron complexation with metabolites?

PubMed

Lamdan, Netta Li; Attia, Ziv; Moran, Nava; Moshelion, Menachem

2012-04-01

Tolerance to boron (B) is still not completely understood. We tested here the hypothesis that Thellungiella halophila, an Arabidopsis thaliana-related 'extremophile' plant, with abundance of B in its natural environment, is tolerant to B, and examined the potential mechanisms of this tolerance. With 1-10 mm B applied ([B](ext)) to Thellungiella and Arabidopsis grown in hydroponics, the steady-state accumulated B concentration ([B](int)) in the root was below [B](ext), and was similar in both, suggesting both extrude B actively. Whether grown in soil or hydroponically, the shoot [B](int) was higher in Arabidopsis than in Thellungiella, suggesting more effective net B exclusion by Thellungiella root. Arabidopsis exhibited toxicity symptoms including reduced shoot fresh weight (FW), but Thellungiella was not affected, even at similar levels of shoot-accumulated [B](int) (about 10 to 40 mm B in 'shoot water'), suggesting additional B tolerance mechanism in Thellungiella shoot. At [B](ext) = 5 mm, the summed shoot concentration of the potentially B-binding polyhydroxyl metabolites (malic acid, fructose, glucose, sucrose and citric acid) in Arabidopsis was below [B](int) , but in Thellungiella it was over twofold higher than [B](int) , and therefore likely to allow appreciable 1:2 boron-metabolite complexation in the shoot. This, we suggest, is an important component of Thellungiella B tolerance mechanism. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Efficient boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotube formation via combined laser-gas flow levitation

DOEpatents

Whitney, R Roy; Jordan, Kevin; Smith, Michael W

2015-03-24

A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B.sub.xC.sub.yN.sub.z. The process utilizes a combination of laser light and nitrogen gas flow to support a boron ball target during heating of the boron ball target and production of a boron vapor plume which reacts with nitrogen or nitrogen and carbon to produce boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula B.sub.xC.sub.yN.sub.z.

Boron and silicon: Effects on growth, plasma lipids, urinary cyclic AMP and bone and brain mineral composition of male rats

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seaborn, C.D.; Nielsen, F.H.

1994-06-01

Because boron resembles silicon in its chemical properties, an experiment was performed to determine if excessive dietary boron would affect the response to silicon deprivation and, conversely, if silicon would influence the effects of an excessive intake of boron. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to groups of 6 or 12 in a two-by-two factorially arranged experiment. Supplemented to a ground corn/casein diet containing 1.2 [mu]g silicon and 3 [mu]g boron per gram were silicon as sodium metasilicate at 0 or 50 [mu]g/g and boron as orthoboric acid at 0 or 500 [mu]g/g diet. At nine weeks, animals fed highmore » dietary boron had significantly decreased final body weights, liver-weight-to-body-weight ratios, urinary cAMP concentrations, plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, glycine, valine, leucine, and lysine concentrations and skull copper, sodium, and manganese concentrations. High dietary boron also significantly increased brain-weight-to-body-weight ratios, magnesium concentrations of femur, brain, and plasma, zinc concentration of femur, and iron concentration of skull. The bone mineral findings suggest that excess dietary boron exerts subtle effects on bone composition. Dietary silicon affected blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and the concentrations of plasma threonine and aspartic acid in animals fed excess boron. Depression of the testes-weight-to-body-weight ratio of animals fed 500 [mu]g boron per gram diet was most marked in animals not fed silicon. Although excessive dietary boron did not markedly enhanced the response of rats to silicon deprivation, dietary silicon affected their response to high dietary boron. Thus, dietary silicon apparently can influence boron toxicity.« less

Update on human health effects of boron.

PubMed

Nielsen, Forrest H

2014-10-01

In vitro, animal, and human experiments have shown that boron is a bioactive element in nutritional amounts that beneficially affects bone growth and central nervous system function, alleviates arthritic symptoms, facilitates hormone action and is associated with a reduced risk for some types of cancer. The diverse effects of boron suggest that it influences the formation and/or activity of substances that are involved in numerous biochemical processes. Several findings suggest that this influence is through the formation of boroesters in biomolecules containing cis-hydroxyl groups. These biomolecules include those that contain ribose (e.g., S-adenosylmethionine, diadenosine phosphates, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). In addition, boron may form boroester complexes with phosphoinositides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids that affect cell membrane integrity and function. Both animal and human data indicate that an intake of less than 1.0mg/day inhibits the health benefits of boron. Dietary surveys indicate such an intake is not rare. Thus, increasing boron intake by consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and pulses should be recognized as a reasonable dietary recommendation to enhance health and well-being. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Phonon transport in single-layer boron nanoribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhongwei; Xie, Yuee; Peng, Qing; Chen, Yuanping

2016-11-01

Inspired by the successful synthesis of three two-dimensional (2D) allotropes, the boron sheet has recently been one of the hottest 2D materials around. However, to date, phonon transport properties of these new materials are still unknown. By using the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) combined with the first principles method, we study ballistic phonon transport in three types of boron sheets; two of them correspond to the structures reported in the experiments, while the third one is a stable structure that has not been synthesized yet. At room temperature, the highest thermal conductance of the boron nanoribbons is comparable with that of graphene, while the lowest thermal conductance is less than half of graphene’s. Compared with graphene, the three boron sheets exhibit diverse anisotropic transport characteristics. With an analysis of phonon dispersion, bonding charge density, and simplified models of atomic chains, the mechanisms of the diverse phonon properties are discussed. Moreover, we find that many hybrid patterns based on the boron allotropes can be constructed naturally without doping, adsorption, and defects. This provides abundant nanostructures for thermal management and thermoelectric applications.

The CETAC ADX-500 Autodiluter System: A Study of Dilution Performance with the ELAN 6000 ICP-MS and ELAN Software

USGS Publications Warehouse

May, T.W.; Wiedmeyer, Ray H.

1998-01-01

The CETAC ADX-500 autodiluter system was tested with ELAN?? v 2.1 software and the ELAN 6000 ICP-MS instrument to determine on-line automated dilution performance during analysis of standard solutions containing nine analytes representative of the mass spectral range (mass 9 to mass 238). Two or more dilution schemes were tested for each of 5 test tube designs. Dilution performance was determined by comparison of analyte concentration means of diluted and non-diluted standards. Accurate dilutions resulted with one syringe pump addition of diluent in small diameter round-bottomed (13 mm OD) or conical-tipped (18 mm OD) tubes and one or more syringe pump additions in large diameter (28 mm OD) conical-tipped tubes. Inadequate dilution mixing which produced high analyte concentration means was observed for all dilutions conducted in flat-bottomed tubes, and for dilutions requiring multiple syringe additions of diluent in small diameter round-bottomed and conical tipped tubes. Effective mixing of diluted solutions was found to depend largely upon tube diameter and liquid depth: smaller tube diameters and greater liquid depth resulted in ineffective mixing, whereas greater tube diameter and shallower liquid depth facilitated effective mixing. Two design changes for the autodiluter were suggested that would allow effective mixing to occur using any dilution scheme and tube design.

Boron diffusion in silicon devices

DOEpatents

Rohatgi, Ajeet; Kim, Dong Seop; Nakayashiki, Kenta; Rounsaville, Brian

2010-09-07

Disclosed are various embodiments that include a process, an arrangement, and an apparatus for boron diffusion in a wafer. In one representative embodiment, a process is provided in which a boric oxide solution is applied to a surface of the wafer. Thereafter, the wafer is subjected to a fast heat ramp-up associated with a first heating cycle that results in a release of an amount of boron for diffusion into the wafer.

Safety Assessment of Boron Nitride as Used in Cosmetics.

PubMed

Fiume, Monice M; Bergfeld, Wilma F; Belsito, Donald V; Hill, Ronald A; Klaassen, Curtis D; Liebler, Daniel C; Marks, James G; Shank, Ronald C; Slaga, Thomas J; Snyder, Paul W; Andersen, F Alan

2015-01-01

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) assessed the safety of boron nitride which functions in cosmetics as a slip modifier (ie, it has a lubricating effect). Boron nitride is an inorganic compound with a crystalline form that can be hexagonal, spherical, or cubic; the hexagonal form is presumed to be used in cosmetics. The highest reported concentration of use of boron nitride is 25% in eye shadow formulations. Although boron nitride nanotubes are produced, boron nitride is not listed as a nanomaterial used in cosmetic formulations. The Panel reviewed available chemistry, animal data, and clinical data and concluded that this ingredient is safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetic formulations. © The Author(s) 2015.

Ultratough single crystal boron-doped diamond

DOEpatents

Hemley, Russell J [Carnegie Inst. for Science, Washington, DC ; Mao, Ho-Kwang [Carnegie Inst. for Science, Washington, DC ; Yan, Chih-Shiue [Carnegie Inst. for Science, Washington, DC ; Liang, Qi [Carnegie Inst. for Science, Washington, DC

2015-05-05

The invention relates to a single crystal boron doped CVD diamond that has a toughness of at least about 22 MPa m.sup.1/2. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing single crystal boron doped CVD diamond. The growth rate of the diamond can be from about 20-100 .mu.m/h.

Impaired Urine Dilution Capability in HIV Stable Patients

PubMed Central

Belloso, Waldo H.; de Paz Sierra, Mariana; Navarro, Matilde; Sanchez, Marisa L.; Perelsztein, Ariel G.; Musso, Carlos G.

2014-01-01

Renal disease is a well-recognized complication among patients with HIV infection. Viral infection itself and the use of some antiretroviral drugs contribute to this condition. The thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH) is the tubule segment where free water clearance is generated, determining along with glomerular filtration rate the kidney's ability to dilute urine. Objective. We analyzed the function of the proximal tubule and TALH in patients with HIV infection receiving or not tenofovir-containing antiretroviral treatment in comparison with healthy seronegative controls, by applying a tubular physiological test, hyposaline infusion test (Chaimowitz' test). Material & Methods. Chaimowitz' test was performed on 20 HIV positive volunteers who had normal renal functional parameters. The control group included 10 healthy volunteers. Results. After the test, both HIV groups had a significant reduction of serum sodium and osmolarity compared with the control group. Free water clearance was lower and urine osmolarity was higher in both HIV+ groups. Proximal tubular function was normal in both studied groups. Conclusion. The present study documented that proximal tubule sodium reabsorption was preserved while free water clearance and maximal urine dilution capability were reduced in stable HIV patients treated or not with tenofovir. PMID:24800076

Full-scale simulation of seawater reverse osmosis desalination processes for boron removal: Effect of membrane fouling.

PubMed

Park, Pyung-Kyu; Lee, Sangho; Cho, Jae-Seok; Kim, Jae-Hong

2012-08-01

The objective of this study is to further develop previously reported mechanistic predictive model that simulates boron removal in full-scale seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes to take into account the effect of membrane fouling. Decrease of boron removal and reduction in water production rate by membrane fouling due to enhanced concentration polarization were simulated as a decrease in solute mass transfer coefficient in boundary layer on membrane surface. Various design and operating options under fouling condition were examined including single- versus double-pass configurations, different number of RO elements per vessel, use of RO membranes with enhanced boron rejection, and pH adjustment. These options were quantitatively compared by normalizing the performance of the system in terms of E(min), the minimum energy costs per product water. Simulation results suggested that most viable options to enhance boron rejection among those tested in this study include: i) minimizing fouling, ii) exchanging the existing SWRO elements to boron-specific ones, and iii) increasing pH in the second pass. The model developed in this study is expected to help design and optimization of the RO processes to achieve the target boron removal at target water recovery under realistic conditions where membrane fouling occurs during operation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Axial residual stresses in boron fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behrendt, D. R.

1978-01-01

The axial residual stress distribution as a function of radius was determined from the fiber surface to the core including the average residual stress in the core. Such measurements on boron on tungsten (B/W) fibers show that the residual stresses for 102, 142, 203, and 366 micron diameter fibers were similar, being compressive at the surface and changing monotonically to a region of tensile within the boron. At approximately 25 percent of the original radius, the stress reaches a maximum tensile stress of about 860 mn/sq.m and then decreases to a compressive stress near the tungsten boride core. Data were presented for 203 micron diameter B/W fibers that show annealing above 900 C reduces the residual stresses. A comparison between 102 micron diameter B/W and boron on carbon (b/C) shows that the residual stresses were similar in the outer regions of the fibers, but that large differences near and in the core were observed. The effects of these residual stresses on the fracture of boron fibers were discussed.

Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Engineering Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurst, Janet; Hull, David; Gorican, Daniel

2005-01-01

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) are of significant interest to the scientific and technical communities for many of the same reasons that carbon nanotubes (CNT) have attracted wide attention. Both materials have potentially unique and important properties for structural and electronic applications. However of even more consequence than their similarities may be the complementary differences between carbon and boron nitride nanotubes While BNNT possess a very high modulus similar to CNT, they also possess superior chemical and thermal stability. Additionally, BNNT have more uniform electronic properties, with a uniform band gap of 5.5 eV while CNT vary from semi-conductive to highly conductive behavior. Boron nitride nanotubes have been synthesized both in the literature and at NASA Glenn Research Center, by a variety of methods such as chemical vapor deposition, arc discharge and reactive milling. Consistent large scale production of a reliable product has proven difficult. Progress in the reproducible synthesis of 1-2 gram sized batches of boron nitride nanotubes will be discussed as well as potential uses for this unique material.

Boronated porhyrins and methods for their use

DOEpatents

Miura, M.; Shelnutt, J.A.; Slatkin, D.N.

1999-03-02

The present invention covers boronated porphyrins containing multiple carborane cages which selectively accumulate in neoplastic tissue within the irradiation volume and thus can be used in cancer therapies such as boron neutron capture therapy and photodynamic therapy. 3 figs.

Synthesis of Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Engineering Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurst, Janet; Hull, David; Gorican, Dan

2005-01-01

Boron Nitride nanotubes (BNNT) are of interest to the scientific and technical communities for many of the same reasons that carbon nanotubes (CNT) have attracted large amounts of attention. Both materials have potentially unique and significant properties which may have important structural and electronic applications in the future. However of even more interest than their similarities may be the differences between carbon and boron nanotubes. Whilt boron nitride nanotubes possess a very high modulus similaar to CNT, they are also more chemically and thermally inert. Additionally BNNT possess more uniform electronic properties, having a uniform band gap of approximately 5.5 eV while CNT vary from semi-conductin to conductor behavior. Boron Nitride nanotubes have been synthesized by a variety of methods such as chemical vapor deposition, arc discharge and reactive milling. Consistently producing a reliable product has proven difficult. Progress in synthesis of 1-2 gram sized batches of Boron Nitride nanotubes will be discussed as well as potential uses for this unique material.

Additive Manufacturing of Dense Hexagonal Boron Nitride Objects

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marquez Rossy, Andres E.; Armstrong, Beth L.; Elliott, Amy M.

The feasibility of manufacturing hexagonal boron nitride objects via additive manufacturing techniques was investigated. It was demonstrated that it is possible to hot-extrude thermoplastic filaments containing uniformly distributed boron nitride particles with a volume concentration as high as 60% and that these thermoplastic filaments can be used as feedstock for 3D-printing objects using a fused deposition system. Objects 3D-printed by fused deposition were subsequently sintered at high temperature to obtain dense ceramic products. In a parallel study the behavior of hexagonal boron nitride in aqueous solutions was investigated. It was shown that the addition of a cationic dispersant to anmore » azeotrope enabled the formulation of slurries with a volume concentration of boron nitride as high as 33%. Although these slurries exhibited complex rheological behavior, the results from this study are encouraging and provide a pathway for manufacturing hexagonal boron nitride objects via robocasting.« less

Boron- and salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for northern Nevada

Treesearch

Heidi Kratsch

2012-01-01

Boron is a mineral that, in small quantities, is essential for plant growth and development , but becomes toxic at levels above 0.5 to 1 part per million (ppm) in the soil. Excess boron may be naturally present in the soil, and it can accumulate by irrigating with water high in boron. Boron occurs naturally in arid soils originating from geologically young deposits. It...

Beneficiation of borax by reverse flotation in boron saturated brine.

PubMed

Cafer Cilek, Emin; Uresin, Hasan

2005-10-15

Flotation is one of the plausible methods for recovering borax fines discharged as fine waste to the tailings dam in the Kirka borax processing plant. A literature review dealing with the flotation behavior of boron minerals reveals that clay minerals in the boron ores coat boron minerals and thus deteriorate the quality of boron concentrates produced by direct flotation. The main objective of this study is therefore to recover borax fines from the tailings of the concentrator by reverse flotation. A three-level-factor experimental design was used to determine the main and interaction effects of variables selected on the metallurgical performance of reverse flotation. An analysis of variance for experimental results indicates that interaction effects of the variables for concentrate quality and recovery of B2O3 is nonsignificant and the most important variable for grade of concentrate and recovery is the collector dosage. It is shown that a concentrate assaying 11.25% B2O3 with 89.90% B2O3 recovery could be produced by means of single-stage (rougher) reverse flotation. Additionally, in order to produce a sufficient-quality concentrate, a multistage reverse flotation scheme involving rougher, scavenger, and two cleaners was devised. A final concentrate containing 23.47% B2O3 with 81.78% B2O3 recovery was obtained from these tests. The reverse flotation method can be thus considered as an important option for the beneficiation of borax fines.

Characterizing SI Engine Transient Fuel Consumption in ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Examine typical transient engine operation encountered over the EPA's vehicle and engine testing drive cycles to characterize that transient fuel usage, and then describe the changes made to ALPHA to better model transient engine operation. To present an approach to capture dynamic fuel consumption during engine transients and then implement these identified characteristics in ALPHA.

Anode performance of boron-doped graphites prepared from shot and sponge cokes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tao; Luo, Ruiying; Yoon, Seong-Ho; Mochida, Isao

The structures and anode performances of graphitized pristine and boron-doped shot and sponge cokes have been comparatively studied by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and galvanostatic measurement. The results show that high degree of graphitization can be obtained by the substituted boron atom in the carbon lattice, and boron in the resultant boron-doped graphites mainly exist in the form of boron carbide and boron substituted in the carbon lattice. Both of boron-doped graphites from shot and sponge cokes obtain discharge capacity of 350 mAh g -1 and coulombic efficiency above 90%. Apart from commonly observed discharge plateau for graphite, boron-doped samples in this study also show a small plateau at ca. 0.06 V. This phenomenon can be explained that Li ion stores in the site to be void-like spaces that are produced by "molecular bridging" between the edge sites of graphene layer stack with a release of boron atoms substituted at the edge of graphene layer. The effect of the amount of boron dopant and graphitization temperature on the anode performance of boron-doped graphite are also investigated in this paper.