10 CFR 770.1 - What is the purpose of this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY AT DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES FOR ECONOMIC... or lease real property at closed or downsized defense nuclear facilities for economic development. (b... contaminant as a result of DOE activities at the defense nuclear facility. [65 FR 10689, Feb. 29, 2000, as...

A new, simple and precise method for measuring cyclotron proton beam energies using the activity vs. depth profile of zinc-65 in a thick target of stacked copper foils.

PubMed

Asad, A H; Chan, S; Cryer, D; Burrage, J W; Siddiqui, S A; Price, R I

2015-11-01

The proton beam energy of an isochronous 18MeV cyclotron was determined using a novel version of the stacked copper-foils technique. This simple method used stacked foils of natural copper forming 'thick' targets to produce Zn radioisotopes by the well-documented (p,x) monitor-reactions. Primary beam energy was calculated using the (65)Zn activity vs. depth profile in the target, with the results obtained using (62)Zn and (63)Zn (as comparators) in close agreement. Results from separate measurements using foil thicknesses of 100, 75, 50 or 25µm to form the stacks also concurred closely. Energy was determined by iterative least-squares comparison of the normalized measured activity profile in a target-stack with the equivalent calculated normalized profile, using 'energy' as the regression variable. The technique exploits the uniqueness of the shape of the activity vs. depth profile of the monitor isotope in the target stack for a specified incident energy. The energy using (65)Zn activity profiles and 50-μm foils alone was 18.03±0.02 [SD] MeV (95%CI=17.98-18.08), and 18.06±0.12MeV (95%CI=18.02-18.10; NS) when combining results from all isotopes and foil thicknesses. When the beam energy was re-measured using (65)Zn and 50-μm foils only, following a major upgrade of the ion sources and nonmagnetic beam controls the results were 18.11±0.05MeV (95%CI=18.00-18.23; NS compared with 'before'). Since measurement of only one Zn monitor isotope is required to determine the normalized activity profile this indirect yet precise technique does not require a direct beam-current measurement or a gamma-spectroscopy efficiency calibrated with standard sources, though a characteristic photopeak must be identified. It has some advantages over published methods using the ratio of cross sections of monitor reactions, including the ability to determine energies across a broader range and without need for customized beam degraders. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enzyme catalysis by entropy without Circe effect.

PubMed

Kazemi, Masoud; Himo, Fahmi; Åqvist, Johan

2016-03-01

Entropic effects have often been invoked to explain the extraordinary catalytic power of enzymes. In particular, the hypothesis that enzymes can use part of the substrate-binding free energy to reduce the entropic penalty associated with the subsequent chemical transformation has been very influential. The enzymatic reaction of cytidine deaminase appears to be a distinct example. Here, substrate binding is associated with a significant entropy loss that closely matches the activation entropy penalty for the uncatalyzed reaction in water, whereas the activation entropy for the rate-limiting catalytic step in the enzyme is close to zero. Herein, we report extensive computer simulations of the cytidine deaminase reaction and its temperature dependence. The energetics of the catalytic reaction is first evaluated by density functional theory calculations. These results are then used to parametrize an empirical valence bond description of the reaction, which allows efficient sampling by molecular dynamics simulations and computation of Arrhenius plots. The thermodynamic activation parameters calculated by this approach are in excellent agreement with experimental data and indeed show an activation entropy close to zero for the rate-limiting transition state. However, the origin of this effect is a change of reaction mechanism compared the uncatalyzed reaction. The enzyme operates by hydroxide ion attack, which is intrinsically associated with a favorable activation entropy. Hence, this has little to do with utilization of binding free energy to pay the entropic penalty but rather reflects how a preorganized active site can stabilize a reaction path that is not operational in solution.

Enzyme catalysis by entropy without Circe effect

PubMed Central

Kazemi, Masoud; Himo, Fahmi; Åqvist, Johan

2016-01-01

Entropic effects have often been invoked to explain the extraordinary catalytic power of enzymes. In particular, the hypothesis that enzymes can use part of the substrate-binding free energy to reduce the entropic penalty associated with the subsequent chemical transformation has been very influential. The enzymatic reaction of cytidine deaminase appears to be a distinct example. Here, substrate binding is associated with a significant entropy loss that closely matches the activation entropy penalty for the uncatalyzed reaction in water, whereas the activation entropy for the rate-limiting catalytic step in the enzyme is close to zero. Herein, we report extensive computer simulations of the cytidine deaminase reaction and its temperature dependence. The energetics of the catalytic reaction is first evaluated by density functional theory calculations. These results are then used to parametrize an empirical valence bond description of the reaction, which allows efficient sampling by molecular dynamics simulations and computation of Arrhenius plots. The thermodynamic activation parameters calculated by this approach are in excellent agreement with experimental data and indeed show an activation entropy close to zero for the rate-limiting transition state. However, the origin of this effect is a change of reaction mechanism compared the uncatalyzed reaction. The enzyme operates by hydroxide ion attack, which is intrinsically associated with a favorable activation entropy. Hence, this has little to do with utilization of binding free energy to pay the entropic penalty but rather reflects how a preorganized active site can stabilize a reaction path that is not operational in solution. PMID:26755610

Parallel Computing:. Some Activities in High Energy Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willers, Ian

This paper examines some activities in High Energy Physics that utilise parallel computing. The topic includes all computing from the proposed SIMD front end detectors, the farming applications, high-powered RISC processors and the large machines in the computer centers. We start by looking at the motivation behind using parallelism for general purpose computing. The developments around farming are then described from its simplest form to the more complex system in Fermilab. Finally, there is a list of some developments that are happening close to the experiments.

Energy Expenditure During Extravehicular Activity: Apollo Skylab Through STS-135

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paul, Heather L.

2011-01-01

The importance of real-time metabolic rate monitoring during extravehicular activities (EVAs) came into question during the Gemini missions, when the energy expenditure required to conduct an EVA over-tasked the crewmember and exceeded the capabilities of vehicle and space suit life support systems. Energy expenditure was closely evaluated through the Apollo lunar surface EVAs, resulting in modifications to space suit design and EVA operations. After the Apollo lunar surface missions were completed, the United States shifted its focus to long duration human space flight, to study the human response to living and working in a microgravity environment. This paper summarizes the energy expenditure during EVA from Apollo Skylab through STS-135.

Energy Efficient Engine: Control system preliminary definition report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howe, David C.

1986-01-01

The object of the Control Preliminary Definition Program was to define a preliminary control system concept as a part of the Energy Efficient Engine program. The program was limited to a conceptual definition of a full authority digital electronic control system. System requirements were determined and a control system was conceptually defined to these requirements. Areas requiring technological development were identified and a plan was established for implementing the identified technological features, including a control technology demonstration. A significant element of this program was a study of the potential benefits of closed-loop active clearance control, along with laboratory tests of candidate clearance sensor elements for a closed loop system.

Controllability of the Coulomb charging energy in close-packed nanoparticle arrays.

PubMed

Duan, Chao; Wang, Ying; Sun, Jinling; Guan, Changrong; Grunder, Sergio; Mayor, Marcel; Peng, Lianmao; Liao, Jianhui

2013-11-07

We studied the electronic transport properties of metal nanoparticle arrays, particularly focused on the Coulomb charging energy. By comparison, we confirmed that it is more reasonable to estimate the Coulomb charging energy using the activation energy from the temperature-dependent zero-voltage conductance. Based on this, we systematically and comprehensively investigated the parameters that could be used to tune the Coulomb charging energy in nanoparticle arrays. We found that four parameters, including the particle core size, the inter-particle distance, the nearest neighboring number, and the dielectric constant of ligand molecules, could significantly tune the Coulomb charging energy.

Trends over 5 decades in U.S. occupation-related physical activity and their associations with obesity.

PubMed

Church, Timothy S; Thomas, Diana M; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Earnest, Conrad P; Rodarte, Ruben Q; Martin, Corby K; Blair, Steven N; Bouchard, Claude

2011-01-01

The true causes of the obesity epidemic are not well understood and there are few longitudinal population-based data published examining this issue. The objective of this analysis was to examine trends in occupational physical activity during the past 5 decades and explore how these trends relate to concurrent changes in body weight in the U.S. Analysis of energy expenditure for occupations in U.S. private industry since 1960 using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mean body weight was derived from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). In the early 1960's almost half the jobs in private industry in the U.S. required at least moderate intensity physical activity whereas now less than 20% demand this level of energy expenditure. Since 1960 the estimated mean daily energy expenditure due to work related physical activity has dropped by more than 100 calories in both women and men. Energy balance model predicted weights based on change in occupation-related daily energy expenditure since 1960 for each NHANES examination period closely matched the actual change in weight for 40-50 year old men and women. For example from 1960-62 to 2003-06 we estimated that the occupation-related daily energy expenditure decreased by 142 calories in men. Given a baseline weight of 76.9 kg in 1960-02, we estimated that a 142 calories reduction would result in an increase in mean weight to 89.7 kg, which closely matched the mean NHANES weight of 91.8 kg in 2003-06. The results were similar for women. Over the last 50 years in the U.S. we estimate that daily occupation-related energy expenditure has decreased by more than 100 calories, and this reduction in energy expenditure accounts for a significant portion of the increase in mean U.S. body weights for women and men.

Trends over 5 Decades in U.S. Occupation-Related Physical Activity and Their Associations with Obesity

PubMed Central

Church, Timothy S.; Thomas, Diana M.; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Katzmarzyk, Peter T.; Earnest, Conrad P.; Rodarte, Ruben Q.; Martin, Corby K.; Blair, Steven N.; Bouchard, Claude

2011-01-01

Background The true causes of the obesity epidemic are not well understood and there are few longitudinal population-based data published examining this issue. The objective of this analysis was to examine trends in occupational physical activity during the past 5 decades and explore how these trends relate to concurrent changes in body weight in the U.S. Methodology/Principal Findings Analysis of energy expenditure for occupations in U.S. private industry since 1960 using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mean body weight was derived from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). In the early 1960's almost half the jobs in private industry in the U.S. required at least moderate intensity physical activity whereas now less than 20% demand this level of energy expenditure. Since 1960 the estimated mean daily energy expenditure due to work related physical activity has dropped by more than 100 calories in both women and men. Energy balance model predicted weights based on change in occupation-related daily energy expenditure since 1960 for each NHANES examination period closely matched the actual change in weight for 40–50 year old men and women. For example from 1960–62 to 2003–06 we estimated that the occupation-related daily energy expenditure decreased by 142 calories in men. Given a baseline weight of 76.9 kg in 1960–02, we estimated that a 142 calories reduction would result in an increase in mean weight to 89.7 kg, which closely matched the mean NHANES weight of 91.8 kg in 2003–06. The results were similar for women. Conclusion Over the last 50 years in the U.S. we estimate that daily occupation-related energy expenditure has decreased by more than 100 calories, and this reduction in energy expenditure accounts for a significant portion of the increase in mean U.S. body weights for women and men. PMID:21647427

Integrated Model-Based Controls and PHM for Improving Turbine Engine Performance, Reliability, and Cost

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

capable of surviving the high-temperature, high- vibration environment of a jet engine. Active control spans active surge/stall control and three...other closely related areas, viz., active combustion control (references 21-22), active noise control, and active vibration control. All of these are...self-powered sensors that harvest energy from engine heat or vibrations replace sensors that require power. The long-term vision is one of a

Understanding trends in electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction rates

DOE PAGES

Liu, Xinyan; Xiao, Jianping; Peng, Hongjie; ...

2017-05-22

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to fuels presents one of the great challenges in chemistry. Herein we present an understanding of trends in electrocatalytic activity for carbon dioxide reduction over different metal catalysts that rationalize a number of experimental observations including the selectivity with respect to the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. We also identify two design criteria for more active catalysts. The understanding is based on density functional theory calculations of activation energies for electrochemical carbon monoxide reduction as a basis for an electrochemical kinetic model of the process. Furthermore, we develop scaling relations relating transition state energies to the carbonmore » monoxide adsorption energy and determine the optimal value of this descriptor to be very close to that of copper.« less

Understanding trends in electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction rates

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

Liu, Xinyan; Xiao, Jianping; Peng, Hongjie

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to fuels presents one of the great challenges in chemistry. Herein we present an understanding of trends in electrocatalytic activity for carbon dioxide reduction over different metal catalysts that rationalize a number of experimental observations including the selectivity with respect to the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. We also identify two design criteria for more active catalysts. The understanding is based on density functional theory calculations of activation energies for electrochemical carbon monoxide reduction as a basis for an electrochemical kinetic model of the process. Furthermore, we develop scaling relations relating transition state energies to the carbonmore » monoxide adsorption energy and determine the optimal value of this descriptor to be very close to that of copper.« less

5,10-Methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate conformational transitions upon binding to thymidylate synthase: molecular mechanics and continuum solvent studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarmuła, Adam; Cieplak, Piotr; Montfort, William R.

2005-02-01

We applied the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) approach to evaluate relative stability of the extended (flat) and C-shaped (bent) solution conformational forms of the 5,10-methylene-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate (mTHF) molecule in aqueous solution. Calculations indicated that both forms have similar free energies in aqueous solution but detailed energy components are different. The bent solution form has lower intramolecular electrostatic and van der Waals interaction energies. The flat form has more favorable solvation free energy and lower contribution from the bond, angle and torsion angle molecular mechanical internal energies. We exploit these results and combine them with known crystallographic data to provide a model for the progressive binding of the mTHF molecule, a natural cofactor of thymidylate synthase (TS), to the complex forming in the TS-catalyzed reaction. We propose that at the time of initial weak binding in the open enzyme the cofactor molecule remains in a close balance between the flat and bent solution conformations, with neither form clearly favored. Later, thymidylate synthase undergoes conformational change leading to the closure of the active site and the mTHF molecule is withdrawn from the solvent. That effect shifts the thermodynamic equilibrium of the mTHF molecule toward the bent solution form. At the same time, burying the cofactor molecule in the closed active site produces numerous contacts between mTHF and protein that render change in the shape of the mTHF molecule. As a result, the bent solution conformer is converted to more strained L-shaped bent enzyme conformer of the mTHF molecule. The strain in the bent enzyme conformation allows for the tight binding of the cofactor molecule to the productive ternary complex that forms in the closed active site, and facilitates the protonation of the imidazolidine N10 atom, which promotes further reaction.

Effect of temperature and grain size on the dominant diffusion process for superplastic flow in an AZ61 magnesium alloy

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

Watanabe, H.; Mukai, T.; Kohzu, M.

1999-10-26

The effect of temperature and grain size on superplastic flow was investigated using a relatively coarse-grained ({approximately}20 {micro}m) Mg-Al-Zn alloy for the inclusive understanding of the dominant diffusion process. Tensile tests revealed that the strain rate was inversely proportional to the square of the grain size and to the second power of stress. The activation energy was close to that for grain boundary diffusion at 523--573 K, and was close to that for lattice diffusion at 598--673 K. From the analysis of the stress exponent, the grain size exponent and activation energy, it was suggested that the dominant diffusion processmore » was influenced by temperature and grain size. It was demonstrated that the notion of effective diffusivity explained the experimental results.« less

Effect of control surface mass unbalance on the stability of a closed-loop active control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nissim, E.

1989-01-01

The effects on stability of inertial forces arising from closed-loop activation of mass-unbalanced control surfaces are studied analytically using inertial energy approach, similar to the aerodynamic energy approach used for flutter suppression. The limitations of a single control surface like a leading-edge (LE) control or a trailing-edge (TE) control are demonstrated and compared to the superior combined LE-TE mass unbalanced system. It is shown that a spanwise section for sensor location can be determined which ensures minimum sensitivity to the mode shapes of the aircraft. It is shown that an LE control exhibits compatibility between inertial stabilization and aerodynamic stabilization, and that a TE control lacks such compatibility. The results of the present work should prove valuable, both for the purpose of flutter suppression using mass unbalanced control surfaces, or for the stabilization of structural modes of large space structures by means of inertial forces.

Conformational Changes in Orotidine 5-Monophosphate Decarboxylase: "Remote" Residues That Stabilize the Active Conformation

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

Wood, B.; Amyes, T; Fedorov, A

2010-01-01

The structural factors responsible for the extraordinary rate enhancement ({approx}10{sup 17}) of the reaction catalyzed by orotidine 5{prime}-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) have not been defined. Catalysis requires a conformational change that closes an active site loop and 'clamps' the orotate base proximal to hydrogen-bonded networks that destabilize the substrate and stabilize the intermediate. In the OMPDC from Methanobacter thermoautotrophicus, a 'remote' structurally conserved cluster of hydrophobic residues that includes Val 182 in the active site loop is assembled in the closed, catalytically active conformation. Substitution of these residues with Ala decreases k{sub cat}/K{sub m} with a minimal effect on k{sub cat},more » providing evidence that the cluster stabilizes the closed conformation. The intrinsic binding energies of the 5{prime}-phosphate group of orotidine 5{prime}-monophosphate for the mutant enzymes are similar to that for the wild type, supporting this conclusion.« less

Water Electrolyzers and the Zero-Point Energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, M. B.

The gas emitted from popular water electrolyzer projects manifests unusual energetic anomalies, which include vaporizing tungsten when used in a welding torch and running internal combustion engines on small quantities of the gas. Some claim to run generators in closed loop fashion solely on the gas from the electrolyzer, which is powered solely from the generator. Most investigators believe the energy is from burning hydrogen. A hypothesis is proposed that the dominant energy is not coming from hydrogen, but rather it is coming from charged water gas clusters, which activate and coherently trap zero-point energy.

Department of Defense Landfill Database: A Collection of DoD-Wide Landfill Data for the Assessment of Implementing the Flex Energy Powerstation for Landfill Gas to Energy Projects

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

Microturbine. Given the approximate nature of the source data and the gas production models , this material can only be used for a preliminary assessment...methane generation rate, k, used in the first order decay model can vary widely from landfill to landfill and are partly dependent on waste composition...State Status (active/closed/ closure in progress) Gross Power Generation Potential (kW) 345 ARMY WHITE SANDS MISSLE RANGE DONA ANA NM ACTIVE

Absolute cross sections of the 86Sr(α,n)89Zr reaction at energies of astrophysical interest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oprea, Andreea; Glodariu, Tudor; Filipescu, Dan; Gheorghe, Ioana; Mitu, Andreea; Boromiza, Marian; Bucurescu, Dorel; Costache, Cristian; Cata-Danil, Irina; Florea, Nicoleta; Ghita, Dan Gabriel; Ionescu, Alina; Marginean, Nicolae; Marginean, Raluca; Mihai, Constantin; Mihai, Radu; Negret, Alexandru; Nita, Cristina; Olacel, Adina; Pascu, Sorin; Sotty, Cristophe; Suvaila, Rares; Stan, Lucian; Stroe, Lucian; Serban, Andreea; Stiru, Irina; Toma, Sebastian; Turturica, Andrei; Ujeniuc, Sorin

2017-09-01

Absolute cross sections for the 86Sr(α,n)89Zr reaction at energies close to the Gamow window are reported. Three thin SrF2 targets were irradiated using the 9 MV Tandem facility in IFIN-HH Bucharest that delivered α beams for the activation process. Two high-purity Germanium detectors were used to measure the induced activity of 89Zr in a low background environment. The experimental results are in very good agreement with Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations performed with the TALYS code.

Probing Polymer-Segment Motions By ESR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsay, Fun-Dow; Gupta, Amitava

1988-01-01

Molecular origins of mechanical properties and aging processes studied. Rotational motions of segments of poly(methyl methacrylate) molecules studied theoretically and experimentally. Activation energies of these motions as determined from temperature dependencies of ESR spectra agree closely with predictions of theory.

Reducing Mg Acceptor Activation-Energy in Al0.83Ga0.17N Disorder Alloy Substituted by Nanoscale (AlN)5/(GaN)1 Superlattice Using MgGa δ-Doping: Mg Local-Structure Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Hong-Xia; Shi, Jun-Jie; Zhang, Min; Jiang, Xin-He; Huang, Pu; Ding, Yi-Min

2014-10-01

Improving p-type doping efficiency in Al-rich AlGaN alloys is a worldwide problem for the realization of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet optoelectronic devices. In order to solve this problem, we calculate Mg acceptor activation energy and investigate its relationship with Mg local structure in nanoscale (AlN)5/(GaN)1 superlattice (SL), a substitution for Al0.83Ga0.17N disorder alloy, using first-principles calculations. A universal picture to reduce acceptor activation energy in wide-gap semiconductors is given for the first time. By reducing the volume of the acceptor local structure slightly, its activation energy can be decreased remarkably. Our results show that Mg acceptor activation energy can be reduced significantly from 0.44 eV in Al0.83Ga0.17N disorder alloy to 0.26 eV, very close to the Mg acceptor activation energy in GaN, and a high hole concentration in the order of 1019 cm-3 can be obtained in (AlN)5/(GaN)1 SL by MgGa δ-doping owing to GaN-monolayer modulation. We thus open up a new way to reduce Mg acceptor activation energy and increase hole concentration in Al-rich AlGaN.

Reducing Mg acceptor activation-energy in Al(0.83)Ga(0.17)N disorder alloy substituted by nanoscale (AlN)₅/(GaN)₁ superlattice using Mg(Ga) δ-doping: Mg local-structure effect.

PubMed

Zhong, Hong-xia; Shi, Jun-jie; Zhang, Min; Jiang, Xin-he; Huang, Pu; Ding, Yi-min

2014-10-23

Improving p-type doping efficiency in Al-rich AlGaN alloys is a worldwide problem for the realization of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet optoelectronic devices. In order to solve this problem, we calculate Mg acceptor activation energy and investigate its relationship with Mg local structure in nanoscale (AlN)5/(GaN)1 superlattice (SL), a substitution for Al(0.83)Ga(0.17)N disorder alloy, using first-principles calculations. A universal picture to reduce acceptor activation energy in wide-gap semiconductors is given for the first time. By reducing the volume of the acceptor local structure slightly, its activation energy can be decreased remarkably. Our results show that Mg acceptor activation energy can be reduced significantly from 0.44 eV in Al(0.83)Ga(0.17)N disorder alloy to 0.26 eV, very close to the Mg acceptor activation energy in GaN, and a high hole concentration in the order of 10(19) cm(-3) can be obtained in (AlN)5/(GaN)1 SL by Mg(Ga) δ-doping owing to GaN-monolayer modulation. We thus open up a new way to reduce Mg acceptor activation energy and increase hole concentration in Al-rich AlGaN.

Active Contours Driven by Multi-Feature Gaussian Distribution Fitting Energy with Application to Vessel Segmentation.

PubMed

Wang, Lei; Zhang, Huimao; He, Kan; Chang, Yan; Yang, Xiaodong

2015-01-01

Active contour models are of great importance for image segmentation and can extract smooth and closed boundary contours of the desired objects with promising results. However, they cannot work well in the presence of intensity inhomogeneity. Hence, a novel region-based active contour model is proposed by taking image intensities and 'vesselness values' from local phase-based vesselness enhancement into account simultaneously to define a novel multi-feature Gaussian distribution fitting energy in this paper. This energy is then incorporated into a level set formulation with a regularization term for accurate segmentations. Experimental results based on publicly available STructured Analysis of the Retina (STARE) demonstrate our model is more accurate than some existing typical methods and can successfully segment most small vessels with varying width.

[The search for a precise method of measurement in psychical experiments].

PubMed

Borck, Cornelius

2002-06-01

In a series of three brief case studies, it is reconstructed how cognition and psychic activity were explored as energetic and economic transformations in a variety of experimental settings. 1. In the 1870s, the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin started his search for an objective measurement of cognitive performance in which he engaged over several decades. His investigations resulted in a graphic representation of cognitive efficiency, the "arbeitscurve", delineating the numbers of additions per time interval in close resemblance to representations of machine efficiency. 2. At the turn of the century, the American nutrition scientist and agronomist Wilbur Olin Atwater convinced himself in a series of precision measurements that the human motor was a so perfectly closed input-output system that he rejected any mental surplus in the form of cognitive energy transformations as contradictions to the principle of the conservation of energy. 3. At the beginning of the twentieth century and on the basis of Atwater's results, the German psychiatrist Hans Berger stipulated a special form of psychic energy for mediating between the principle of the conservation of energy and mental causality. Berger attempted to quantify psychic energy as one factor of brain metabolism. In the three cases of precision investigations into psychic life presented here, the experimental space of psychophysiology turned mental activity into a form of machine-like behavior.

Solar buildings program contract summary, calendar year 1999

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

NONE

2000-06-07

The mission of the US Department of Energy's Solar Buildings Program is to advance the development and widespread deployment of competitive solar thermal technologies for use in buildings. The long-term goal of the Program is to combine solar energy technologies with energy-efficient construction techniques and create cost-effective buildings that have a zero net need for fossil fuel energy on an annual basis. The Solar Buildings Program conducts research and development on solar technologies that can deliver heat, light, and hot water to residential and commercial buildings. By working closely with manufacturers in both the buildings and solar energy industries andmore » by supporting research at universities and national laboratories, the Solar Buildings Program brings together the diverse players developing reliable and affordable solar technologies for building applications. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, jointly participate in the Solar Buildings Program. These two national laboratories work closely with industry researching new concepts, developing technology improvements, reducing manufacturing costs, monitoring system performance, promoting quality assurance, and identifying potential new markets. In calendar year 1999, the Solar Buildings Program focused primarily on solar hot water system research and development (R and D), US industry manufacturing assistance, and US market assistance. The Program also completed a number of other projects that were begun in earlier years. This Contract Summary describes the Program's contracted activities that were active during 1999.« less

Some problems in coupling solar activity to meteorological phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dessler, A. J.

1975-01-01

The development of a theory of coupling of solar activity to meteorological phenomena is hindered by the difficulties of devising a mechanism that can modify the behavior of the troposphere while employing only a negligible amount of energy compared with the energy necessary to drive the normal meteorological system, and determining how such a mechanism can effectively couple some relevant magnetospheric process into the troposphere in such a way as to influence the weather. A clue to the nature of the interaction between the weather and solar activity might be provided by the fact that most solar activity undergoes a definite 11-yr cycle, and meteorological phenomena undergo either no closely correlated variation, an 11-yr variation, or a 22-yr variation.

Relationship between tactics and energy expenditure according to level of experience in badminton.

PubMed

Dieu, Olivier; Blondeau, Thomas; Vanhelst, Jérémy; Fardy, Paul S; Bui-Xuân, Gilles; Mikulovic, Jacques

2014-10-01

Research on racket sports has traditionally focused on expert players and has treated energy expenditure and tactics as independent factors. These prior studies could not assess how energy expenditure and tactics changed as a function of experience and skill. Here, the specific relationship between playing tactics and energy expenditure in badminton were assessed. Participants were classified into five stages of badminton experience on the basis of conative criteria: structural (physical abilities), technical (technical skills), and functional (tactics). The physical activity of 99 players (47 beginners, 15 intermediates, 30 advanced, and 7 experts) was measured using a three-axis accelerometer during a badminton set (21 points, no extra scoring). The results showed that physical activity (counts/sec.) ranged between about 115 (Stage 1) and 155 (Stage 5), and differed significantly across the conative stages. For Stages 2 and 4, defined by an increase in use of tactics, physical activity increased substantially. For Stage 3, defined by a decrease in use of tactics, physical activity decreased significantly. Thus, tactically-oriented play appears to be closely related to physical activity.

Hybrid energy storage test procedures and high power battery project FY-1995 interim report

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

Hunt, G.L.

1995-12-01

Near the end of FY 1994, DOE provided funding and guidance to INEL for two separate but closely related tasks involving high power energy storage technology. One task was intended to develop and refine application-specific test procedures appropriate to high power energy storage devices for potential use in hybrid vehicles, including batteries, ultracapacitors, flywheels, and similar devices. The second task was intended to characterize the high power capabilities of presently available battery technologies, as well as eventually to evaluate the potential high power capabilities of advanced battery technologies such as those being developed by the USABC. Since the evaluation ofmore » such technologies is necessarily dependent to some extent on the availability of appropriate test methods, these two tasks have been closely coordinated. This report is intended to summarize the activities and results for both tasks accomplished during FY-1995.« less

MAJOR ELECTRON EVENTS AND CORONAL MAGNETIC CONFIGURATIONS OF THE RELATED SOLAR ACTIVE REGIONS

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

Li, C.; Owen, C. J.; Matthews, S. A.

A statistical survey of 26 major electron events during the period 2002 February through the end of solar cycle 23 is presented. We have obtained electron solar onset times and the peak flux spectra for each event by fitting to a power-law spectrum truncated by an exponential high-energy tail, i.e., f(E){approx}E{sup -{delta}}e{sup -E/E{sub 0}}. We also derived the coronal magnetic configurations of the related solar active regions (ARs) from the potential-field source-surface model. It is found that (1) 10 of the 11 well-connected open field-line events are prompt events whose solar onset times coincide with the maxima of flare emissionmore » and 13 of the 14 closed field-line events are delayed events. (2) A not-well-connected open field-line event and one of the closed field-line events are prompt events, they are both associated with large-scale coronal disturbances or dimming. (3) An averaged harder spectrum is found in open field-line events compared with the closed ones. Specifically, the averaged spectral index {delta} is of 1.6 {+-} 0.3 in open field-line events and of 2.0 {+-} 0.4 in closed ones. The spectra of three closed field-line events show infinite rollover energies E {sub 0}. These correlations clearly establish a significant link between the coronal magnetic field-line topology and the escape of charged particles from the flaring ARs into interplanetary space during the major solar energetic particle events.« less

[Coactivators in energy metabolism: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 family].

PubMed

Wang, Rui; Chang, Yong-sheng; Fang, Fu-de

2009-12-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC1) family is highly expressed in tissues with high energy metabolism. They coactivate transcription factors in regulating genes engaged in processes such as gluconeogenesis, adipose beta-oxydation, lipoprotein synthesis and secretion, mitochondrial biogenesis, and oxidative metabolism. Protein conformation studies demonstrated that they lack DNA binding domains and act as coactivators through physical interaction with transcription factors. PGC1 activity is regulated at transcription level or by multiple covalent chemical modifications such as phosphorylation, methylation and acetylation/deacetylation. Abnormal expression of PGC1 coactivators usually is closely correlated with diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, and arterial and brain neuron necrosis diseases.

Reducing Mg Acceptor Activation-Energy in Al0.83Ga0.17N Disorder Alloy Substituted by Nanoscale (AlN)5/(GaN)1 Superlattice Using MgGa δ-Doping: Mg Local-Structure Effect

PubMed Central

Zhong, Hong-xia; Shi, Jun-jie; Zhang, Min; Jiang, Xin-he; Huang, Pu; Ding, Yi-min

2014-01-01

Improving p-type doping efficiency in Al-rich AlGaN alloys is a worldwide problem for the realization of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet optoelectronic devices. In order to solve this problem, we calculate Mg acceptor activation energy and investigate its relationship with Mg local structure in nanoscale (AlN)5/(GaN)1 superlattice (SL), a substitution for Al0.83Ga0.17N disorder alloy, using first-principles calculations. A universal picture to reduce acceptor activation energy in wide-gap semiconductors is given for the first time. By reducing the volume of the acceptor local structure slightly, its activation energy can be decreased remarkably. Our results show that Mg acceptor activation energy can be reduced significantly from 0.44 eV in Al0.83Ga0.17N disorder alloy to 0.26 eV, very close to the Mg acceptor activation energy in GaN, and a high hole concentration in the order of 1019 cm−3 can be obtained in (AlN)5/(GaN)1 SL by MgGa δ-doping owing to GaN-monolayer modulation. We thus open up a new way to reduce Mg acceptor activation energy and increase hole concentration in Al-rich AlGaN. PMID:25338639

Determination of capsinoids by HPLC-DAD in Capsicum species

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Capsicum fruit contain a number of phytochemicals, including the newly characterized capsinoids that have been shown to have positive effects on human health (10-15). Closely related to the pungent capsaicinoids, the non-pungent casinoids exhibit antioxidant activity, promote energy metabolism and r...

X-ray Reverberation Mapping in Active Galactic Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kara, Erin

2018-01-01

Active Galactic Nuclei can produce as much or more electromagnetic and kinetic luminosities than the combined stellar luminosity of an entire galaxy. The energy output from AGN comes from the gravitational potential energy of the infalling material and the rotational energy of the black hole, both of which are released very close to the black hole. Therefore, probing the relativistic region of the inner accretion flow is essential to understanding how AGN work and effect their environments. In this talk, I will present a new technique for probing these relativistic environments: X-ray reverberation mapping. Similar to Optical reverberation mapping, where time delays of days or weeks between the continuum and Broad Line Region lines map out centiparsec scales, X-ray reverberation reveals time delays of tens of seconds, which map out microparsec scales in the accretion flow—well beyond the spatial resolution power of any instrument. This technique has been discovered in the past decade, so I will give a brief overview of how the measurements are made, and highlight some recent discoveries, which allow us to map the gas falling on to the black hole and measure the effects of strongly curved spacetime close to the event horizon.

Kinematic and Energetic Properties of the 2012 March 12 Polar Coronal Mass Ejection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gopalswamy, N.; Yashiro, Seiji; Akiyama, S.

2015-01-01

We report on the energetics of the 2012 March 12 polar coronal mass ejection (CME) originating from a southern latitude of approximately 60deg. The polar CME is similar to low-latitude (LL) CMEs in almost all respects: three-part morphology; post-eruption arcade (PEA), CME, and filament kinematics; CME mass and kinetic energy; and the relative thermal energy content of the PEA. From polarized brightness images, we estimate the CME mass, which is close to the average mass of LL CMEs. The CME kinetic energy (3.3 × 10(sup 30) erg) is also typical of the general population of CMEs. From photospheric magnetograms, we estimate the free energy (1.8 × 10(sup 31) erg) in the polar crown source region, which we find is sufficient to power the CME and the PEA. About 19% of the free energy went into the CME kinetic energy. We compute the thermal energy content of the PEA (2.3 × 10(sup 29) erg) and find it to be a small fraction (6.8%) of the CME kinetic energy. This fraction is remarkably similar to that in active region CMEs associated with major flares. We also show that the 2012 March 12 is one among scores of polar CMEs observed during the maximum phase of cycle 24. The cycle 24 polar crown prominence eruptions have the same rate of association with CMEs as those from LLs. This investigation supports the view that all CMEs are magnetically propelled from closed field regions, irrespective of their location on the Sun (polar crown filament regions, quiescent filament regions, or active regions).

KINEMATIC AND ENERGETIC PROPERTIES OF THE 2012 MARCH 12 POLAR CORONAL MASS EJECTION

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

Gopalswamy, N.; Yashiro, S.; Akiyama, S., E-mail: nat.gopalswamy@nasa.gov

2015-08-10

We report on the energetics of the 2012 March 12 polar coronal mass ejection (CME) originating from a southern latitude of ∼60°. The polar CME is similar to low-latitude (LL) CMEs in almost all respects: three-part morphology; post-eruption arcade (PEA), CME, and filament kinematics; CME mass and kinetic energy; and the relative thermal energy content of the PEA. From polarized brightness images, we estimate the CME mass, which is close to the average mass of LL CMEs. The CME kinetic energy (3.3 × 10{sup 30} erg) is also typical of the general population of CMEs. From photospheric magnetograms, we estimatemore » the free energy (1.8 × 10{sup 31} erg) in the polar crown source region, which we find is sufficient to power the CME and the PEA. About 19% of the free energy went into the CME kinetic energy. We compute the thermal energy content of the PEA (2.3 × 10{sup 29} erg) and find it to be a small fraction (6.8%) of the CME kinetic energy. This fraction is remarkably similar to that in active region CMEs associated with major flares. We also show that the 2012 March 12 is one among scores of polar CMEs observed during the maximum phase of cycle 24. The cycle 24 polar crown prominence eruptions have the same rate of association with CMEs as those from LLs. This investigation supports the view that all CMEs are magnetically propelled from closed field regions, irrespective of their location on the Sun (polar crown filament regions, quiescent filament regions, or active regions)« less

Office of Industrial Technologies research in progress

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

Not Available

1993-05-01

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) conducts research and development activities which focus on improving energy efficiency and providing for fuel flexibility within US industry in the area of industrial conservation. The mission of OIT is to increase the utilization of existing energy-efficient equipment and to find and promote new, cost-effective ways for industrial facilities to improve their energy efficiency and minimize waste products. To ensure advancement of the technological leadership of the United States and to improve the competitiveness of American industrial products in world markets, OIT works closely with industrial partners, the staffsmore » of the national laboratories, and universities to identify research and development needs and to solve technological challenges. This report contains summaries of the currently active projects supported by the Office of Industrial Technologies.« less

75 FR 32963 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-10

.... Alternative B: Same as Alternative A. Alternative C: ACEC would be rescinded. Closed to wind and solar energy... mineral material sales. Closed to wind and solar energy. Closed to motorized travel. Visual Resource... and Hilltop. Closed to wind and solar energy. Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to a...

A high-speed, tunable silicon photonic ring modulator integrated with ultra-efficient active wavelength control.

PubMed

Zheng, Xuezhe; Chang, Eric; Amberg, Philip; Shubin, Ivan; Lexau, Jon; Liu, Frankie; Thacker, Hiren; Djordjevic, Stevan S; Lin, Shiyun; Luo, Ying; Yao, Jin; Lee, Jin-Hyoung; Raj, Kannan; Ho, Ron; Cunningham, John E; Krishnamoorthy, Ashok V

2014-05-19

We report the first complete 10G silicon photonic ring modulator with integrated ultra-efficient CMOS driver and closed-loop wavelength control. A selective substrate removal technique was used to improve the ring tuning efficiency. Limited by the thermal tuner driver output power, a maximum open-loop tuning range of about 4.5nm was measured with about 14mW of total tuning power including the heater driver circuit power consumption. Stable wavelength locking was achieved with a low-power mixed-signal closed-loop wavelength controller. An active wavelength tracking range of > 500GHz was demonstrated with controller energy cost of only 20fJ/bit.

Potential Impacts of Reductions in Refinery Activity on Northeast Petroleum Product Markets

EIA Publications

2012-01-01

Potential Impacts of Reductions in Refinery Activity on Northeast Petroleum Product Markets is an update to a previous Energy Information Administration (EIA) report, Reductions in Northeast Refining Activity: Potential Implications for Petroleum Product Markets, released in December 2011. This update analyzes possible market responses and impacts in the event Sunoco's Philadelphia refinery closes this summer, in addition to the recently idled refineries on the East Coast and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Organical residue and agriculture like energetic reservoir: Study of economic and environmental effects in electricity production from biomass in Venice county

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

Bertoni, G.; Tromboni, S.

1996-12-31

The study proposes, through a technical analysis of feasibility, the individulation of a concrete solution that allows an reduction of pollution`s fonts that they burden on the Venice`s basin. This area, for his particular formation and position, contains a strongs intrinsic brittleness that progressively gets worse because of organic nature environmental pollution. This particularly forms of pollution are provoked by the agricultural activity and by other economic activity. This study examine an alternative and integrated system to utilize organic material coming from livestock farming, urban communities and various production activities that gravitates on the Venice`s logoon. This research exploits anmore » innovative context where {open_quotes}waste implementation{close_quotes} by different methodologies is none of the most powerful means to defend the environment and to recuperate their potential energetical resources. In the present study we will try to transform the current concept of {open_quotes}eliminating and destroying{close_quotes} into a more progressive one where organic wastes take the role of raw material to be converted in energy. The loss of a high quantity of the potential energy that they present can be avoided by technologies and know-how, now available, by which we are able to transform such latent energy in alternative forms that can be directly utilized.« less

Cross-slip in face-centered cubic metals: a general Escaig stress-dependent activation energy line tension model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malka-Markovitz, Alon; Mordehai, Dan

2018-02-01

Cross-slip is a dislocation mechanism by which screw dislocations can change their glide plane. This thermally activated mechanism is an important mechanism in plasticity and understanding the energy barrier for cross-slip is essential to construct reliable cross-slip rules in dislocation models. In this work, we employ a line tension model for cross-slip of screw dislocations in face-centred cubic (FCC) metals in order to calculate the energy barrier under Escaig stresses. The analysis shows that the activation energy is proportional to the stacking fault energy, the unstressed dissociation width and a typical length for cross-slip along the dislocation line. Linearisation of the interaction forces between the partial dislocations yields that this typical length is related to the dislocation length that bows towards constriction during cross-slip. We show that the application of Escaig stresses on both the primary and the cross-slip planes varies the typical length for cross-slip and we propose a stress-dependent closed form expression for the activation energy for cross-slip in a large range of stresses. This analysis results in a stress-dependent activation volume, corresponding to the typical volume surrounding the stressed dislocation at constriction. The expression proposed here is shown to be in agreement with previous models, and to capture qualitatively the essentials found in atomistic simulations. The activation energy function can be easily implemented in dislocation dynamics simulations, owing to its simplicity and universality.

Some problems in coupling solar activity to meteorological phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dessler, A. J.

1974-01-01

The development of a theory of coupling of solar activity to meteorological phenomena has to date foundered on the two difficulties of (1) devising a mechanism that can modify the behavior of the troposphere while employing only a negligible amount of energy compared with the energy necessary to drive the normal meteorological system; and (2) determining how such a mechanism can effectively couple some relevant magnetospheric process into the troposphere in such a way as to influence the weather. A clue to the nature of the interaction between the weather and solar activity might be provided by the fact that most solar activity undergoes a definite 11-year cycle, while meteorological phenomena undergo either no closely correlated variation, or an 11-year variation, or a 22-year variation.

Enzyme activation through the utilization of intrinsic dianion binding energy.

PubMed

Amyes, T L; Malabanan, M M; Zhai, X; Reyes, A C; Richard, J P

2017-03-01

We consider 'the proposition that the intrinsic binding energy that results from the noncovalent interaction of a specific substrate with the active site of the enzyme is considerably larger than is generally believed. An important part of this binding energy may be utilized to provide the driving force for catalysis, so that the observed binding energy represents only what is left over after this utilization' [Jencks,W.P. (1975) Adv. Enzymol. Relat. Areas. Mol. Biol. , , 219-410]. The large ~12 kcal/mol intrinsic substrate phosphodianion binding energy for reactions catalyzed by triosephosphate isomerase (TIM), orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is divided into 4-6 kcal/mol binding energy that is expressed on the formation of the Michaelis complex in anchoring substrates to the respective enzyme, and 6-8 kcal/mol binding energy that is specifically expressed at the transition state in activating the respective enzymes for catalysis. A structure-based mechanism is described where the dianion binding energy drives a conformational change that activates these enzymes for catalysis. Phosphite dianion plays the active role of holding TIM in a high-energy closed active form, but acts as passive spectator in showing no effect on transition-state structure. The result of studies on mutant enzymes is presented, which support the proposal that the dianion-driven enzyme conformational change plays a role in enhancing the basicity of side chain of E167, the catalytic base, by clamping the base between a pair of hydrophobic side chains. The insight these results provide into the architecture of enzyme active sites and the development of strategies for the de novo design of protein catalysts is discussed. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Crossover from weak to strong localization in quasi-1D = conductors.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gershenson, M. E.; Khavin, Y. B.; Mikhalchuk, A. G.; Bozler, H. M.; Bogdanov, A. L.

1997-03-01

A crossover from weak localization (WL) to strong localization (SL) with decreasing temperature has been observed in the resistance of quasi-1D channels in Si delta-doped GaAs structures. The crossover occurs when the phase-breaking length becomes comparable to the localization length. In the SL regime, an activation temperature dependence R(T) is observed. The activation energy is very close to the spacing between the energy levels of the localized electrons within the localization domain. The activation energy decreases by half in strong magnetic fields, as a result, an exponentially strong negative magnetoresistance is developed. All the features of the magnetoresistance in the SL regime are in good agreement with the theory of doubling of the localization length in quasi-1D conductors in strong fields. The magnetoresistance provides a direct measurement of the localization length. Supported by RNFBR, INTAS 943862, and NSF DRM-9623716 (A.G.M. and H.M.B.)

Twinning in fcc lattice creates low-coordinated catalytically active sites in porous gold

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

Krajčí, Marian; Kameoka, Satoshi; Tsai, An-Pang

We describe a new mechanism for creation of catalytically active sites in porous gold. Samples of porous gold prepared by de-alloying Al{sub 2}Au exhibit a clear correlation between the catalytic reactivity towards CO oxidation and structural defects in the fcc lattice of Au. We have found that on the stepped (211) surfaces quite common twin boundary defects in the bulk structure of porous gold can form long close-packed rows of atoms with the coordination number CN = 6. DFT calculations confirm that on these low-coordinated Au sites dioxygen chemisorbs and CO oxidation can proceed via the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism with themore » activation energy of 37 kJ/mol or via the CO–OO intermediate with the energy barrier of 19 kJ/mol. The existence of the twins in porous gold is stabilized by the surface energy.« less

Active Noise Control of Radiated Noise from Jets Originating NASA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doty, Michael J.; Fuller, Christopher R.; Schiller, Noah H.; Turner, Travis L.

2013-01-01

The reduction of jet noise using a closed-loop active noise control system with highbandwidth active chevrons was investigated. The high frequency energy introduced by piezoelectrically-driven chevrons was demonstrated to achieve a broadband reduction of jet noise, presumably due to the suppression of large-scale turbulence. For a nozzle with one active chevron, benefits of up to 0.8 dB overall sound pressure level (OASPL) were observed compared to a static chevron nozzle near the maximum noise emission angle, and benefits of up to 1.9 dB OASPL were observed compared to a baseline nozzle with no chevrons. The closed-loop actuation system was able to effectively reduce noise at select frequencies by 1-3 dB. However, integrated OASPL did not indicate further reduction beyond the open-loop benefits, most likely due to the preliminary controller design, which was focused on narrowband performance.

Proximity vs. strain in intramolecular ring-closing reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karaman, Rafik

2010-07-01

The DFT and ab initio calculation results for ring-closing reactions of eight different ω-bromoalkanecarboxylate anions (1-8) reveal that the activation energy (ΔG ‡) for the intramolecular cyclization process is strongly correlated with both (i) the experimental intramolecular cyclization rate (log k intra) and (ii) the distance between the two reactive centres, whereas the slope values of the change in enthalpy (ΔH) vs. the attack angle (α) and the distance between the two reacting centres (r) were found to correlate strongly with the experimental strain energy of the cycle being formed (E s Exp). These results assist in designing pro-prodrug systems that can be utilized to improve the overall biopharmaceutical profile of current medications in order to enhance their effectiveness and ease their utility.

Transformation of topologically close-packed β-W to body-centered cubic α-W: Comparison of experiments and computations.

PubMed

Barmak, Katayun; Liu, Jiaxing; Harlan, Liam; Xiao, Penghao; Duncan, Juliana; Henkelman, Graeme

2017-10-21

The enthalpy and activation energy for the transformation of the metastable form of tungsten, β-W, which has the topologically close-packed A15 structure (space group Pm3¯n), to equilibrium α-W, which is body-centered cubic (A2, space group Im3¯m), was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The β-W films were 1 μm-thick and were prepared by sputter deposition in argon with a small amount of nitrogen. The transformation enthalpy was measured as -8.3 ± 0.4 kJ/mol (-86 ± 4 meV/atom) and the transformation activation energy as 2.2 ± 0.1 eV. The measured enthalpy was found to agree well with the difference in energies of α and β tungsten computed using density functional theory, which gave a value of -82 meV/atom for the transformation enthalpy. A calculated concerted transformation mechanism with a barrier of 0.4 eV/atom, in which all the atoms in an A15 unit cell transform into A2, was found to be inconsistent with the experimentally measured activation energy for any critical nucleus larger than two A2 unit cells. Larger calculations of eight A15 unit cells spontaneously relax to a mechanism in which part of the supercell first transforms from A15 to A2, creating a phase boundary, before the remaining A15 transforms into the A2 phase. Both calculations indicate that a nucleation and growth mechanism is favored over a concerted transformation. More consistent with the experimental activation energy was that of a calculated local transformation mechanism at the A15-A2 phase boundary, computed as 1.7 eV using molecular dynamics simulations. This calculated phase transformation mechanism involves collective rearrangements of W atoms in the disordered interface separating the A15 and A2 phases.

Remarks of Ruth Bates Harris, Deputy Assistant Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration at summer institute closing activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Applications of experience and knowledge gained from aeronautical and space research and exploration are discussed briefly. Spinoffs are presented which improve the quality of life by contributing to advances in health, transportation, foods, communications, energy, safety, and manufacturing.

GETIT--Geoscience Education through Interactive Technology[TM]. [CD-ROM].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This CD-ROM uses catastrophic events to teach the fundamentals of the earth's dynamism. Topics discussed include earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, plate tectonics, and many subjects that have to do with energy transfer. It contains 63 interactive, inquiry-based activities that closely simulate real life scientific practice. Students work with…

Enhancing Efficiency of Safeguards at Facilities that are Shutdown or Closed-Down, including those being Decommissioned

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

Moran, B.; Stern, W.; Colley, J.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards involves verification activities at a wide range of facilities in a variety of operational phases (e.g., under construction, start-up, operating, shutdown, closed-down, and decommissioned). Safeguards optimization for each different facility type and operational phase is essential for the effectiveness of safeguards implementation. The IAEA’s current guidance regarding safeguards for the different facility types in the various lifecycle phases is provided in its Design Information Examination (DIE) and Verification (DIV) procedure. 1 Greater efficiency in safeguarding facilities that are shut down or closed down, including those being decommissioned, could allow the IAEA to use amore » greater portion of its effort to conduct other verification activities. Consequently, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International Nuclear Safeguards sponsored this study to evaluate whether there is an opportunity to optimize safeguards approaches for facilities that are shutdown or closed-down. The purpose of this paper is to examine existing safeguards approaches for shutdown and closed-down facilities, including facilities being decommissioned, and to seek to identify whether they may be optimized.« less

An analytical study of a six degree-of-freedom active truss for use in vibration control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wynn, Robert H., Jr.; Robertshaw, Harry H.; Horner, C. Garnett

1990-01-01

An analytical study of the vibration control capabilities of three configurations of an active truss is presented. The truss studied is composed of two bays of an octahedral-octahedral configuration. The three configurations of the active truss studies are: all six battens activated (6 DOF), the top three battens activated (3 DOF), and the bottom three battens activated (3 DOF). The closed-loop vibration control response of these three configurations are studied with respect to: vibration attenuation, energy utilized, and the effects of motor drive amplifier saturation non-linearities.

Patterns of daily energy management at work: relations to employee well-being and job characteristics.

PubMed

Kinnunen, Ulla; Feldt, Taru; de Bloom, Jessica; Korpela, Kalevi

2015-11-01

The present study aimed at identifying subgroups of employees with similar daily energy management strategies at work and finding out whether well-being indicators and job characteristics differ between these subgroups. The study was conducted by electronic questionnaire among 1122 Finnish employees. First, subgroups of employees with unique and distinctive patterns of energy management strategies were identified using latent profile analysis. Second, differences in well-being indicators and job characteristics between the subgroups were investigated by means of ANCOVA. Four subgroups (i.e., patterns) were identified and named: Passives (n = 371), Averages (n = 390), Casuals (n = 272) and Actives (n = 89). Passives used all three (i.e., work-related, private micro-break and physical micro-break) strategies less frequently than other subgroups, whereas Actives used work-related and physical energy management strategies more frequently than other subgroups. Averages used all strategies on an average level. Casuals' use of all strategies came close to that of Actives, notably in a shared low use of private micro-break strategies. Active and Casual patterns maintained vigor and vitality. Autonomy and social support at work played a significant role in providing opportunities for the use of beneficial energy management strategies. Autonomy and support at work seem to support active and casual use of daily energy management, which is important in staying energized throughout the working day.

78 FR 20176 - Credit for Renewable Electricity Production, Refined Coal Production, and Indian Coal Production...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-03

... electricity from closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small irrigation..., geothermal energy, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, qualified hydropower... from the qualified energy resources of wind, closed-loop biomass, geothermal energy, and solar energy...

On the validity of the Arrhenius equation for electron attachment rate coefficients.

PubMed

Fabrikant, Ilya I; Hotop, Hartmut

2008-03-28

The validity of the Arrhenius equation for dissociative electron attachment rate coefficients is investigated. A general analysis allows us to obtain estimates of the upper temperature bound for the range of validity of the Arrhenius equation in the endothermic case and both lower and upper bounds in the exothermic case with a reaction barrier. The results of the general discussion are illustrated by numerical examples whereby the rate coefficient, as a function of temperature for dissociative electron attachment, is calculated using the resonance R-matrix theory. In the endothermic case, the activation energy in the Arrhenius equation is close to the threshold energy, whereas in the case of exothermic reactions with an intermediate barrier, the activation energy is found to be substantially lower than the barrier height.

World`s energy appetite may crave nuclear power

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

Fulkerson, W.; Anderson, T.D.

1996-07-01

As scientists come to agree that global warming is a real phenomenon, it may be time to jumpstart the stalled nuclear industry. World population is expected to double by the end of the 21st century, and the lion`s share of growth will be in developing nations. {open_quotes}More people and more economic activity will require more energy,{close_quotes} say William Fulkerson, a senior fellow at the Joint Institute for Energy and the Environment in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Truman D. Anderson, formerly director of planning at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. There are only three viable options to fossil fuel plants, the authors say:more » nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and such renewable energy sources as solar and wind. The advantages of nuclear energy are well known, the authors say. {open_quotes}It emits no greenhouse gases, and potentially it can be expanded almost without limit anywhere in the world, providing the controversies that surround it can be resolved.{close_quotes} However, to garner public acceptance, a new generation of supersafe nuclear reactors, invulnerable to terrorism and conversion to weapons, will need to be developed, the authors say.« less

10 CFR 609.9 - Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement. 609.9 Section 609.9 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTS THAT... 30 days prior to the closing date, the Applicant must provide in writing updated project financing...

10 CFR 609.9 - Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement. 609.9 Section 609.9 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTS THAT... 30 days prior to the closing date, the Applicant must provide in writing updated project financing...

10 CFR 609.9 - Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement. 609.9 Section 609.9 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTS THAT... 30 days prior to the closing date, the Applicant must provide in writing updated project financing...

Political and Military Challenges of the Republic of Moldova in the Context of Security in the Black Sea Basin

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

which requires close attention to political, econornic, social , cultw·al, diplomatic, ethnic, and energy factors. The new geopolitical configmation in...closely connected to regional security, which requires close attention to political, economic, social , cultural, diplomatic, ethnic, and energy factors...requires close attention to political, economic, social , cultural, diplomatic, environmental, ethnical, and energy factors. Such an approach to

A model of VDAC structural rearrangement in the presence of a salt activity gradient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levadny, Victor; Colombini, Marco; Aguilella, Vicente M.

2001-11-01

We have considered the structural transformations of a voltage dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC) known as `gating'. We analysed the redistribution of VDAC among its states. The difference in electrostatic energy between the trans-closed and cis-closed states of VDAC is shown to be the cause of changes in the voltage dependence of the gating in the presence of a salt activity gradient. The asymmetry in the voltage dependence of the open probability about zero millivolts was connected with the apparent location of the voltage sensor. The theory describes the experimental data satisfactorily and explains the nature of the shift of the probability curve as well as the differences found in the asymmetry of the curve for different salts.

The effect of OPC Factor on energy levels in healthy adults ages 45-65: a phase IIb randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

LaRiccia, Patrick J; Farrar, John T; Sammel, Mary D; Gallo, Joseph J

2008-07-01

To determine the efficacy of the food supplement OPC Factor to increase energy levels in healthy adults aged 45 to 65. Randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind crossover study. Twenty-five (25) healthy adults recruited from the University of Pennsylvania Health System. OPC Factor,trade mark (AlivenLabs, Lebanon, TN) a food supplement that contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins from grape seeds and pine bark along with other nutrient supplements including vitamins and minerals, was in the form of an effervescent powder. The placebo was similar in appearance and taste. Five outcome measurements were performed: (1) Energy subscale scores of the Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List (AD ACL); (2) One (1) global question of percent energy change (Global Energy Percent Change); (3) One (1) global question of energy change measured on a Likert scale (Global Energy Scale Change); 4. One (1) global question of percent overall status change (Global Overall Status Percent Change); and (5) One (1) global question of overall status change measured on a Likert scale (Global Overall Status Scale Change). There were no carryover/period effects in the groups randomized to Placebo/Active Product sequence versus Active Product/Placebo sequence. Examination of the AD ACL Energy subscale scores for the Active Product versus Placebo comparison revealed no significant difference in the intention-to-treat (IT) analysis and the treatment received (TR) analysis. However, Global Energy Percent Change (p = 0.06) and Global Energy Scale Change (p = 0.09) both closely approached conventional levels of statistical significance for the active product in the IT analysis. Global Energy Percent Change (p = 0.05) and Global Energy Scale Change (p = 0.04) reached statistical significance in the TR analysis. A cumulative percent responders analysis graph indicated greater response rates for the active product. OPC Factor may increase energy levels in healthy adults aged 45-65 years. A larger study is recommended. Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT03318019.

75 FR 16576 - Credit for Renewable Electricity Production, Refined Coal Production, and Indian Coal Production...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-01

..., open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste... electricity produced from closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small... electricity produced from the qualified energy resources of wind, closed-loop biomass, geothermal energy, and...

77 FR 21835 - Credit for Renewable Electricity Production, Refined Coal Production, and Indian Coal Production...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-11

..., open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste... electricity produced from closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small... electricity produced from the qualified energy resources of wind, closed-loop biomass, geothermal energy, and...

76 FR 21947 - Credit for Renewable Electricity Production, Refined Coal Production, and Indian Coal Production...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-19

..., open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste... electricity produced from closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal energy, solar energy, small... electricity produced from the qualified energy resources of wind, closed-loop biomass, geothermal energy, and...

Cognitive Advantages of Blending with Material Anchors in Energy Instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Close, Hunter; Close, Eleanor; Scherr, Rachel; McKagan, Sarah

2012-03-01

Conceptual blending theory [1] explains how the human imagination creates unreal situations that help us think about reality. In these imaginary blended situations, we establish new correspondences, interactions, and dynamics, and the outcomes of the dynamics lend insight to the nature of various real situations that were used to compose the blend. Blends are not just in the head, however; in some cases, a material system participates in the blend by lending its material structure as conceptual structure [2]. In the instructional activity Energy Theater [3], people represent units of energy and move around in order to solve puzzles of energy transfer and transformation. We use the ideas of blending and material anchors to understand how learners are able to use the representation to their cognitive advantage. [4pt] [1] Fauconnier, G. & Turner, M. (2002). The Way We Think: Conceptual Blending and the Mind's Hidden Complexities. New York: Basic Books.[0pt] [2] Hutchins, E. (2005) Material anchors for conceptual blends. Journal of Pragmatics 37, 1555-1577.[0pt] [3] Scherr, R. E., Close, H. G., McKagan, S. B., & Close, E. W. (2010) ``Energy Theater'': Using the body symbolically to understand energy. In C. Singh, M. Sabella, & S. Rebello (Eds.) 2010 PERC Proceedings. Melville, NY: AIP Press.

Earth Day 2018 Activities

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

During the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have an opportunity to get an up-close look at experimental electric vehicles. The two-day event featured approximately 50 exhibitors offering information on a variety of topics, including electric vehicles, sustainable lighting, renewable energy, Florida-friendly landscaping tips, Florida’s biking trails and more.

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Viscosity-Structure Correlation for High Alumina-Silicate Melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talapaneni, Trinath; Yedla, Natraj; Pal, Snehanshu; Sarkar, Smarajit

2017-06-01

Blast furnaces are encountering high Alumina (Al2O3 > 25 pct) in the final slag due to the charging of low-grade ores. To study the viscosity behavior of such high alumina slags, synthetic slags are prepared in the laboratory scale by maintaining a chemical composition of Al2O3 (25 to 30 wt pct) CaO/SiO2 ratio (0.8 to 1.6) and MgO (8 to 16 wt pct). A chemical thermodynamic software FactSage 7.0 is used to predict liquidus temperature and viscosity of the above slags. Experimental viscosity measurements are performed above the liquidus temperature in the range of 1748 K to 1848 K (1475 °C to 1575 °C). The viscosity values obtained from FactSage closely fit with the experimental values. The viscosity and the slag structure properties are intent by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. It is observed that increase in CaO/SiO2 ratio and MgO content in the slag depolymerizes the silicate structure. This leads to decrease in viscosity and activation energy (167 to 149 kJ/mol) of the slag. Also, an addition of Al2O3 content increases the viscosity of slag by polymerization of alumino-silicate structure and activation energy from 154 to 161 kJ/mol. It is witnessed that the activation energy values obtained from experiment closely fit with the Shankar model based on Arrhenius equation.

Disturbance observer based active and adaptive synchronization of energy resource chaotic system.

PubMed

Wei, Wei; Wang, Meng; Li, Donghai; Zuo, Min; Wang, Xiaoyi

2016-11-01

In this paper, synchronization of a three-dimensional energy resource chaotic system is considered. For the sake of achieving the synchronization between the drive and response systems, two different nonlinear control approaches, i.e. active control with known parameters and adaptive control with unknown parameters, have been designed. In order to guarantee the transient performance, finite-time boundedness (FTB) and finite-time stability (FTS) are introduced in the design of active control and adaptive control, respectively. Simultaneously, in view of the existence of disturbances, a new disturbance observer is proposed to estimate the disturbance. The conditions of the asymptotic stability for the closed-loop system are obtained. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the proposed approaches. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New distributed activation energy model: numerical solution and application to pyrolysis kinetics of some types of biomass.

PubMed

Cai, Junmeng; Liu, Ronghou

2008-05-01

In the present paper, a new distributed activation energy model has been developed, considering the reaction order and the dependence of frequency factor on temperature. The proposed DAEM cannot be solved directly in a closed from, thus a method was used to obtain the numerical solution of the new DAEM equation. Two numerical examples to illustrate the proposed method were presented. The traditional DAEM and new DAEM have been used to simulate the pyrolytic process of some types of biomass. The new DAEM fitted the experimental data much better than the traditional DAEM as the dependence of the frequency factor on temperature was taken into account.

Advanced Fuels Campaign 2016 Accomplishments

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

Richardson, Kate M.

AFC management and integration activities in FY-16 included continued support for international collaborations, primarily with France, Japan, the European Union, Republic of Korea, and China, as well as various working group and expert group activities in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD-NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Three industry-led Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and two university-led Integrated Research Projects (IRPs) funded in 2013, made significant progress in fuels and materials development. All are closely integrated with AFC and accident-tolerant fuels (ATF) research. Accomplishments made during FY-16 are highlighted in this report, which focusesmore » on completed work and results.« less

Closed-form solutions for linear regulator-design of mechanical systems including optimal weighting matrix selection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanks, Brantley R.; Skelton, Robert E.

1991-01-01

This paper addresses the restriction of Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) solutions to the algebraic Riccati Equation to design spaces which can be implemented as passive structural members and/or dampers. A general closed-form solution to the optimal free-decay control problem is presented which is tailored for structural-mechanical systems. The solution includes, as subsets, special cases such as the Rayleigh Dissipation Function and total energy. Weighting matrix selection is a constrained choice among several parameters to obtain desired physical relationships. The closed-form solution is also applicable to active control design for systems where perfect, collocated actuator-sensor pairs exist. Some examples of simple spring mass systems are shown to illustrate key points.

The structure, energy balance, and winds of cool stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linsky, J. L.

1982-01-01

The phenomena associated with magnetic fields in the Sun are summarized and it is shown that similar phenomena occur in cool stars. High dispersion spectra are providing unique information concerning densities, atmospheric extension, and emission line widths. A recent unanticipated discovery is that the transition lines are redshifted (an antiwind) in beta Dra (G2 Ib) and perhaps other stars. This is interpreted as indicating downflows in closed magnetic flux tubes as are seen in the solar flux tubes above sunspots. The G and K giants and supergiants are classified as active stars, quiet stars, or hybrid stars depending on whether their atmospheres are dominated by closed magnetic flux tubes, open field geometries, or a predominately open geometry with a few closed flux tubes embedded.

Study of non-thermal photon production under different scenarios in solar flares. 1: Scenarios and formulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perez-Peraza, J.; Alvarez, M.; Gallegos, A.

1985-01-01

In order to study the overall phenomenology involved in solar flares, it is necessary to understand their individual manifestation before building a corresponding description of the global phenomenon. Here the concern is with the production of X and gamma rays in solar flares. Flares are initiated very often within the closed magnetic field configurations of active centers. According (2) when beta = kinetic energy density/magnetic energy density approximately 0.2, the magnetic trap configuration is destructed within the time scale of the impulsive phase of flares ( 100 s). A first particle acceleration stage occurs during this phase as indicated by impulsive microwave and hard X-rays bursts. In some flare events, when the field strength beta is very high, the broken field lines may close again, such that later, in the course of the flash and main phases more hot plasma of very high conductivity is created, and so, the field and frozen plasma expand outward, as the kinetic pressure inside the closed loops increases. The magnetically trapped particles excite strong Alfven wave turbulence of small transverse scale.

Energy self-sufficient sewage wastewater treatment plants: is optimized anaerobic sludge digestion the key?

PubMed

Jenicek, P; Kutil, J; Benes, O; Todt, V; Zabranska, J; Dohanyos, M

2013-01-01

The anaerobic digestion of primary and waste activated sludge generates biogas that can be converted into energy to power the operation of a sewage wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). But can the biogas generated by anaerobic sludge digestion ever completely satisfy the electricity requirements of a WWTP with 'standard' energy consumption (i.e. industrial pollution not treated, no external organic substrate added)? With this question in mind, we optimized biogas production at Prague's Central Wastewater Treatment Plant in the following ways: enhanced primary sludge separation; thickened waste activated sludge; implemented a lysate centrifuge; increased operational temperature; improved digester mixing. With these optimizations, biogas production increased significantly to 12.5 m(3) per population equivalent per year. In turn, this led to an equally significant increase in specific energy production from approximately 15 to 23.5 kWh per population equivalent per year. We compared these full-scale results with those obtained from WWTPs that are already energy self-sufficient, but have exceptionally low energy consumption. Both our results and our analysis suggest that, with the correct optimization of anaerobic digestion technology, even WWTPs with 'standard' energy consumption can either attain or come close to attaining energy self-sufficiency.

Books not closed on U. S. omnibus energy bill

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

Not Available

This paper reports on omnibus energy legislation which went down to the wire in the closing days of the 102nd U.S. Congress. The House adjourned after approving the compromise energy bill, 363-60. The Senate planned to resume debate on the wide-ranging legislation late last week. Proponents of the bill also faced the problem of getting enough senators to return from a recess and vote to override the filibuster. Sixty senators would have to vote to limit debate on the energy bill, a vote that energy lobbyists the could be close.

Development of a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) for monitoring estrogen receptor alpha activation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michelini, Elisa; Mirasoli, Mara; Karp, Matti; Virta, Marko; Roda, Aldo

2004-06-01

Estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor, able to dimerize after activation and to bind specific DNA sequences (estrogen response elements), thus activating gene target transcription. Since ER homo- and hetero-dimerization (giving a-a and a-b isoforms) is a fundamental step for receptor activation, we developed an assay for detecting compounds that induce human ERa homo-dimerization based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). BRET is a non-radiative energy transfer, occurring between a luminescent donor and a fluorescent acceptor, that strictly depends on the closeness between the two proteins and can therefore be used for studying protein-protein interactions. We cloned ERa coding sequence in frame with either a variant of the green fluorescent protein (enhanced yellow fluorescent protein, EYFP) or Renilla luciferase (RLuc). Upon ERa homo-dimerization, BRET process takes place in the presence of the RLuc substrate coelenterazine resulting in EYFP emission at its characteristic wavelength. The ER alpha-Rluc and ER alpha-EYFP fusion proteins were cloned, then the occurrence of BRET in the presence of ER alpha activators was assayed both in vivo, within cells, and in vitro, with purified fusion proteins.

Extinction cross-section cancellation of a cylindrical radiating active source near a rigid corner and acoustic invisibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitri, F. G.

2017-11-01

Active cloaking in its basic form requires that the extinction cross-section (or energy efficiency) from a radiating body vanishes. In this analysis, this physical effect is demonstrated for an active cylindrically radiating acoustic source in a non-viscous fluid, undergoing periodic axisymmetric harmonic vibrations near a rigid corner (i.e., quarter-space). The rigorous multipole expansion method in cylindrical coordinates, the method of images, and the addition theorem of cylindrical wave functions are used to derive closed-form mathematical expressions for the radiating, amplification, and extinction cross-sections of the active source. Numerical computations are performed assuming monopole and dipole modal oscillations of the circular source. The results reveal some of the situations where the extinction energy efficiency factor of the active source vanishes depending on its size and location with respect to the rigid corner, thus, achieving total invisibility. Moreover, the extinction energy efficiency factor varies between positive or negative values. These effects also occur for higher-order modal oscillations of the active source. The results find potential applications in the development of acoustic cloaking devices and invisibility in underwater acoustics or other areas.

Electrically active induced energy levels and metastability of B and N vacancy-complexes in 4H-SiC.

PubMed

Igumbor, E; Olaniyan, O; Mapasha, R E; Danga, H T; Omotoso, E; Meyer, W E

2018-05-10

Electrically active induced energy levels in semiconductor devices could be beneficial to the discovery of an enhanced p or n-type semiconductor. Nitrogen (N) implanted into 4H-SiC is a high energy process that produced high defect concentrations which could be removed during dopant activation annealing. On the other hand, boron (B) substituted for silicon in SiC causes a reduction in the number of defects. This scenario leads to a decrease in the dielectric properties and induced deep donor and shallow acceptor levels. Complexes formed by the N, such as the nitrogen-vacancy centre, have been reported to play a significant role in the application of quantum bits. In this paper, results of charge states thermodynamic transition level of the N and B vacancy-complexes in 4H-SiC are presented. We explore complexes where substitutional N[Formula: see text]/N[Formula: see text] or B[Formula: see text]/B[Formula: see text] sits near a Si (V[Formula: see text]) or C (V[Formula: see text]) vacancy to form vacancy-complexes (N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text], B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] and B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text]). The energies of formation of the N related vacancy-complexes showed the N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] to be energetically stable close to the valence band maximum in its double positive charge state. The N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] is more energetically stable in the double negative charge state close to the conduction band minimum. The N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] on the other hand, induced double donor level and the N[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] induced a double acceptor level. For B related complexes, the B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] and B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] were energetically stable in their single positive charge state close to the valence band maximum. As the Fermi energy is varied across the band gap, the neutral and single negative charge states of the B[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text] become more stable at different energy levels. B and N related complexes exhibited charge state controlled metastability behaviour.

Structural architecture of prothrombin in solution revealed by single molecule spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Pozzi, Nicola; Bystranowska, Dominika; Zuo, Xiaobing; ...

2016-07-19

The coagulation factor prothrombin has a complex spatial organization of its modular assembly that comprises the N-terminal Gla domain, kringle-1, kringle-2, and the C-terminal protease domain connected by three intervening linkers. Here we use single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer to access the conformational landscape of prothrombin in solution and uncover structural features of functional significance that extend recent x-ray crystallographic analysis. Prothrombin exists in equilibrium between two alternative conformations, open and closed. The closed conformation predominates (70%) and features an unanticipated intramolecular collapse of Tyr 93 in kringle-1 onto Trp 547 in the protease domain that obliterates access tomore » the active site and protects the zymogen from autoproteolytic conversion to thrombin. The open conformation (30%) is more susceptible to chymotrypsin digestion and autoactivation, and features a shape consistent with recent x-ray crystal structures. Small angle x-ray scattering measurements of prothrombin wild type stabilized 70% in the closed conformation and of the mutant Y93A stabilized 80% in the open conformation directly document two envelopes that differ 50 Å in length. These findings reveal important new details on the conformational plasticity of prothrombin in solution and the drastic structural difference between its alternative conformations. Prothrombin uses the intramolecular collapse of kringle-1 onto the active site in the closed form to prevent autoactivation. As a result, the open-closed equilibrium also defines a new structural framework for the mechanism of activation of prothrombin by prothrombinase.« less

Active vibration damping using smart material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baras, John S.; Yan, Zhuang

1994-01-01

We consider the modeling and active damping of an elastic beam using distributed actuators and sensors. The piezoelectric ceramic material (PZT) is used to build the actuator. The sensor is made of the piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). These materials are glued on both sides of the beam. For the simple clamped beam, the closed loop controller has been shown to be able to extract energy from the beam. The shape of the actuator and its influence on the closed loop system performance are discussed. It is shown that it is possible to suppress the selected mode by choosing the appropriate actuator layout. It is also shown that by properly installing the sensor and determining the sensor shape we can further extract and manipulate the sensor signal for our control need.

An activated energy approach for accelerated testing of the deformation of UHMWPE in artificial joints.

PubMed

Galetz, Mathias Christian; Glatzel, Uwe

2010-05-01

The deformation behavior of ultrahigh molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE) is studied in the temperature range of 23-80 degrees C. Samples are examined in quasi-static compression, tensile and creep tests to determine the accelerated deformation of UHMWPE at elevated temperatures. The deformation mechanisms under compression load can be described by one strain rate and temperature dependent Eyring process. The activation energy and volume of that process do not change between 23 degrees C and 50 degrees C. This suggests that the deformation mechanism under compression remains stable within this temperature range. Tribological tests are conducted to transfer this activated energy approach to the deformation behavior under loading typical for artificial knee joints. While this approach does not cover the wear mechanisms close to the surface, testing at higher temperatures is shown to have a significant potential to reduce the testing time for lifetime predictions in terms of the macroscopic creep and deformation behavior of artificial joints. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A convenient and accurate wide-range parameter relationship between Buckingham and Morse potential energy functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Teik-Cheng; Dawson, James Alexander

2018-05-01

This study explores the close-range, short-range and long-range relationships between the parameters of the Morse and Buckingham potential energy functions. The results show that the close-range and short-range relationships are valid for bond compression and for very small changes in bond length, respectively, while the long-range relationship is valid for bond stretching. A wide-range relationship is proposed to combine the comparative advantages of the close-range, short-range and long-range parameter relationships. The wide-range relationship is useful for replacing the close-range, short-range and long-range parameter relationships, thereby preventing the undesired effects of potential energy jumps resulting from functional switching between the close-range, short-range and long-range interaction energies.

Numerical Analysis of Combined Well and Open-Closed Loops Geothermal (CWG) Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Yu-Chul

2016-04-01

Open-loop geothermal heat pump (GHP) system and closed-loop heat pump systems have been used in Korea to reduce emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2). The GHP systems have the pros and cons, for example, the open-loop GHP system is good energy-efficient and the closed-loop GHP system requires minimum maintenance costs. The open-loop GHP system can be used practically only with large amount of groundwater supply. The closed-loop GHP system can be used with high costs of initial installation. The performance and efficiency of the GHP system depend on the characteristics of the GHP system itself in addition to the geologic conditions. To overcome the cons of open-loop or closed-loop GHP system, the combined well and open-closed loops geothermal (CWG) system was designed. The open-loop GHP system is surrounded with closed-loop GHP systems in the CWG system. The geothermal energy in closed-loop GHP systems is supplied by the groundwater pumped by the open-loop GHP system. In this study, 2 different types of the CWG systems (small aperture hybrid CWG system and large aperture CWG system) are estimated using numerical simulation models in the aspect of energy efficiency. This work was supported by the New & Renewable Energy Core Technology Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP), granted financial resource from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea. (No.20153030111120).

Education and the Living Image: Reflections on Imagery, Fantasy, and the Art of Recognition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abbs, Peter

1981-01-01

The educational role of the artist is close to that of the dreamer in the sense that they are active collaborators in the extraordinary process through which instinct and bodily function are converted into image and fantasy. The development of an image can release powerful flows of intellectual energy. (JN)

Energy conservation, energy efficiency and energy savings regulatory hypotheses - taxation, subsidies and underlying economics

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

Trumpy, T.

1995-12-01

More efficient use of energy resources can be promoted by various regulatory means, i.e., taxation, subsidies, and pricing. Various incentives can be provided by income and revenue tax breaks-deductible energy audit fees, energy saving investment credits, breaks for energy saving entrepreneurs, and energy savings accounts run through utility accounts. Value added and excise taxes can also be adjusted to reward energy saving investments and energy saving entrepreneurial activity. Incentives can be provided in the form of cash refunds, including trade-in-and-scrap programs and reimbursements or subsidies on audit costs and liability insurance. Pricing incentives include lower rates for less energy use,more » prepayment of deposit related to peak load use, electronically dispatched multiple tariffs, savings credits based on prior peak use, and subsidized {open_quotes}leasing{close_quotes} of more efficient appliances and lights. Credits, with an emphasis on pooling small loans, and 5-year energy savings contracts are also discussed.« less

Gas Foil Bearing Technology Advancements for Closed Brayton Cycle Turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, Samuel A.; Bruckner, Robert J.; DellaCorte, Christopher; Radil, Kevin C.

2007-01-01

Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) turbine systems are under consideration for future space electric power generation. CBC turbines convert thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, or other heat source, to electrical power using a closed-loop cycle. The operating fluid in the closed-loop is commonly a high pressure inert gas mixture that cannot tolerate contamination. One source of potential contamination in a system such as this is the lubricant used in the turbomachine bearings. Gas Foil Bearings (GFB) represent a bearing technology that eliminates the possibility of contamination by using the working fluid as the lubricant. Thus, foil bearings are well suited to application in space power CBC turbine systems. NASA Glenn Research Center is actively researching GFB technology for use in these CBC power turbines. A power loss model has been developed, and the effects of a very high ambient pressure, start-up torque, and misalignment, have been observed and are reported here.

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

Miley, G.H.

Remarks made in the author{close_quote}s acceptance lecture for the 1995 Edward Teller Medal are presented and expanded. Topics covered include research on nuclear-pumped lasers, the first direct e-beam-pumped laser, direct energy conversion and advanced fuel fusion, plus recent work on inertial electrostatic confinement. {open_quote}{open_quote}Patience{close_quote}{close_quote} and {open_quote}{open_quote}optimism{close_quote}{close_quote} are viewed as essential elements needed by scientists following the {open_quote}{open_quote}zig-zag{close_quote}{close_quote} path to fusion energy production. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

10 CFR 7.15 - Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. 7.15 Section 7.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES § 7.15 Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. (a) To close all or part of a meeting of an NRC advisory...

10 CFR 7.15 - Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. 7.15 Section 7.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES § 7.15 Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. (a) To close all or part of a meeting of an NRC advisory...

10 CFR 7.15 - Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. 7.15 Section 7.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES § 7.15 Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. (a) To close all or part of a meeting of an NRC advisory...

10 CFR 7.15 - Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. 7.15 Section 7.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES § 7.15 Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. (a) To close all or part of a meeting of an NRC advisory...

10 CFR 7.15 - Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. 7.15 Section 7.15 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEES § 7.15 Procedures for closing an NRC advisory committee meeting. (a) To close all or part of a meeting of an NRC advisory...

PET monitoring of cancer therapy with 3He and 12C beams: a study with the GEANT4 toolkit.

PubMed

Pshenichnov, Igor; Larionov, Alexei; Mishustin, Igor; Greiner, Walter

2007-12-21

We study the spatial distributions of beta(+)-activity produced by therapeutic beams of (3)He and (12)C ions in various tissue-like materials. The calculations were performed within a Monte Carlo model for heavy-ion therapy (MCHIT) based on the GEANT4 toolkit. The contributions from positron-emitting nuclei with T(1/2) > 10 s, namely (10,11)C, (13)N, (14,15)O, (17,18)F and (30)P, were calculated and compared with experimental data obtained during and after irradiation, where available. Positron-emitting nuclei are created by a (12)C beam in fragmentation reactions of projectile and target nuclei. This leads to a beta(+)-activity profile characterized by a noticeable peak located close to the Bragg peak in the corresponding depth-dose distribution. This can be used for dose monitoring in carbon-ion therapy of cancer. In contrast, as most of the positron-emitting nuclei are produced by a (3)He beam in target fragmentation reactions, the calculated total beta(+)-activity during or soon after the irradiation period is evenly distributed within the projectile range. However, we predict also the presence of (13)N, (14)O, (17,18)F created in charge-transfer reactions by low-energy (3)He ions close to the end of their range in several tissue-like media. The time evolution of beta(+)-activity profiles was investigated for both kinds of beams. We found that due to the production of (18)F nuclides the beta(+)-activity profile measured 2 or 3 h after irradiation with (3)He ions will have a distinct peak correlated with the maximum of depth-dose distribution. We also found certain advantages of low-energy (3)He beams over low-energy proton beams for reliable PET monitoring during particle therapy of shallow-located tumours. In this case the distal edge of beta(+)-activity distribution from (17)F nuclei clearly marks the range of (3)He in tissues.

Wavelet energy-guided level set-based active contour: a segmentation method to segment highly similar regions.

PubMed

Achuthan, Anusha; Rajeswari, Mandava; Ramachandram, Dhanesh; Aziz, Mohd Ezane; Shuaib, Ibrahim Lutfi

2010-07-01

This paper introduces an approach to perform segmentation of regions in computed tomography (CT) images that exhibit intra-region intensity variations and at the same time have similar intensity distributions with surrounding/adjacent regions. In this work, we adapt a feature computed from wavelet transform called wavelet energy to represent the region information. The wavelet energy is embedded into a level set model to formulate the segmentation model called wavelet energy-guided level set-based active contour (WELSAC). The WELSAC model is evaluated using several synthetic and CT images focusing on tumour cases, which contain regions demonstrating the characteristics of intra-region intensity variations and having high similarity in intensity distributions with the adjacent regions. The obtained results show that the proposed WELSAC model is able to segment regions of interest in close correspondence with the manual delineation provided by the medical experts and to provide a solution for tumour detection. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PeV neutrinos from intergalactic interactions of cosmic rays emitted by active galactic nuclei.

PubMed

Kalashev, Oleg E; Kusenko, Alexander; Essey, Warren

2013-07-26

The observed very high energy spectra of distant blazars are well described by secondary gamma rays produced in line-of-sight interactions of cosmic rays with background photons. In the absence of the cosmic-ray contribution, one would not expect to observe very hard spectra from distant sources, but the cosmic ray interactions generate very high energy gamma rays relatively close to the observer, and they are not attenuated significantly. The same interactions of cosmic rays are expected to produce a flux of neutrinos with energies peaked around 1 PeV. We show that the diffuse isotropic neutrino background from many distant sources can be consistent with the neutrino events recently detected by the IceCube experiment. We also find that the flux from any individual nearby source is insufficient to account for these events. The narrow spectrum around 1 PeV implies that some active galactic nuclei can accelerate protons to EeV energies.

Maintaining energy efficiency in the deregulated electricity market

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

Aho-Mantila, J.

1995-12-31

The positive attitudes of Finns to energy saving are influenced by the view that results are easily attained. The propagated saving measures - like efficiency enhancement in lighting by CFL`s - are not considered to be any remarkable nuisance in one`s everyday living. Normal, necessary everyday energy use is further not felt to be any energy wasting. A kind of simple {open_quotes}I would not bother{close_quotes} or feeling of convenience is found to be the main reason to explain why energy conservation doesn`t take wind under wings. Information campaigns and voluntary actions are the preferred means instead of energy price increasesmore » how people like to be guided in the future. The transition to competitive electricity market is likely to reduce the electricity sellers ability to actively promote energy efficiency - unless their customers would like to pay for it in a way or other.« less

Quenching And Luminescence Efficiency Of Nd3+ In YAG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupei, Voicu; Lupei, Aurelia; Georgescu, Serban; Ionescu, Christian I.; Yen, William M.

1989-05-01

The effect of the concentration luminescence quenching of the 4F 3/2, level of Nd3+ in YAG on the relative efficiency is presented. Based on the analysis of the decay curves in terms of the energy transfer theory, an analytical expression for the relative luminescence efficiency is obtained. In the low concentration range (up to q,1.5 at % Nd3+), the efficiency linearly decreases when Nd3+ concentration increases. It is also stressed that pairs quenching contribute about 20 % to the nonradiative energy transfer losses. Quantum efficiency of luminescence is an important parameter for the characterization of laser active media; its lowering is due to either multiphonon relaxation or energy transfer processes. The multiphonon non-radiative probability depends on the energy gap between levels, on the phonon energy and temperature; usually at low activator doping it is practically independent on concentration. On the other hand, energy transfer losses show a marked dependence on activator concentration, a fact that severely limits the range of useful con-centration of active centers in some laser crystals. In the YAG:Nd case the minimum energy gap between the Stark components of the 4F,I.) and the next lower level 4F15/2 is of about 4700 cm-1. Since in YAG tree phonons most effdbtively coupled to the Rare pi.th ions have an energy of 1, 700 cm-1, the probability for multiphonon relaxation from the 'F3/, level, even at room temperature, is very low and therefore for low Nd 3+ concentrations quantum efficiency is expected to be close to 1.

Optimal migration energetics of humpback whales and the implications of disturbance.

PubMed

Braithwaite, Janelle E; Meeuwig, Jessica J; Hipsey, Matthew R

2015-01-01

Whales migrate long distances and reproduce on a finite store of energy. Budgeting the use of this limited energy reserve is an important factor to ensure survival over the period of migration and to maximize reproductive investment. For some whales, migration routes are closely associated with coastal areas, exposing animals to high levels of human activity. It is currently unclear how various forms of human activity may disturb whales during migration, how this might impact their energy balance and how this could translate into long-term demographic changes. Here, we develop a theoretical bioenergetic model for migrating humpback whales to investigate the optimal migration strategy that minimizes energy use. The average migration velocity was an important driver of the total energy used by a whale, and an optimal velocity of 1.1 m s(-1) was determined. This optimal velocity is comparable to documented observed migration speeds, suggesting that whales migrate at a speed that conserves energy. Furthermore, the amount of resting time during migration was influenced by both transport costs and feeding rates. We simulated hypothetical disturbances to the optimal migration strategy in two ways, by altering average velocity to represent changes in behavioural activity and by increasing total travelled distance to represent displacement along the migration route. In both cases, disturbance increased overall energy use, with implications for the growth potential of calves.

Optimal migration energetics of humpback whales and the implications of disturbance

PubMed Central

Braithwaite, Janelle E.; Meeuwig, Jessica J.; Hipsey, Matthew R.

2015-01-01

Whales migrate long distances and reproduce on a finite store of energy. Budgeting the use of this limited energy reserve is an important factor to ensure survival over the period of migration and to maximize reproductive investment. For some whales, migration routes are closely associated with coastal areas, exposing animals to high levels of human activity. It is currently unclear how various forms of human activity may disturb whales during migration, how this might impact their energy balance and how this could translate into long-term demographic changes. Here, we develop a theoretical bioenergetic model for migrating humpback whales to investigate the optimal migration strategy that minimizes energy use. The average migration velocity was an important driver of the total energy used by a whale, and an optimal velocity of 1.1 m s−1 was determined. This optimal velocity is comparable to documented observed migration speeds, suggesting that whales migrate at a speed that conserves energy. Furthermore, the amount of resting time during migration was influenced by both transport costs and feeding rates. We simulated hypothetical disturbances to the optimal migration strategy in two ways, by altering average velocity to represent changes in behavioural activity and by increasing total travelled distance to represent displacement along the migration route. In both cases, disturbance increased overall energy use, with implications for the growth potential of calves. PMID:27293686

Strong tidal dissipation in Io and Jupiter from astrometric observations.

PubMed

Lainey, Valéry; Arlot, Jean-Eudes; Karatekin, Ozgür; Van Hoolst, Tim

2009-06-18

Io is the volcanically most active body in the Solar System and has a large surface heat flux. The geological activity is thought to be the result of tides raised by Jupiter, but it is not known whether the current tidal heat production is sufficiently high to generate the observed surface heat flow. Io's tidal heat comes from the orbital energy of the Io-Jupiter system (resulting in orbital acceleration), whereas dissipation of energy in Jupiter causes Io's orbital motion to decelerate. Here we report a determination of the tidal dissipation in Io and Jupiter through its effect on the orbital motions of the Galilean moons. Our results show that the rate of internal energy dissipation in Io (k(2)/Q = 0.015 +/- 0.003, where k(2) is the Love number and Q is the quality factor) is in good agreement with the observed surface heat flow, and suggest that Io is close to thermal equilibrium. Dissipation in Jupiter (k(2)/Q = (1.102 +/- 0.203) x 10(-5)) is close to the upper bound of its average value expected from the long-term evolution of the system, and dissipation in extrasolar planets may be higher than presently assumed. The measured secular accelerations indicate that Io is evolving inwards, towards Jupiter, and that the three innermost Galilean moons (Io, Europa and Ganymede) are evolving out of the exact Laplace resonance.

Energy requirements of man living in a weightless environment.

PubMed

Vanderveen, J E; Allen, T H

1972-01-01

The ability to maintain energy balance is a vital factor in maintaining body composition. A negative energy balance requires that body tissue be consumed to sustain biochemical and physiological activity. Such a caloric imbalance coupled with reduced physical activity results in (among other things): a negative balance which can not be reversed by increased protein intake; negative balances for electrolytes; and a suspension of erythrocyte production. Body weight losses were experienced by all astronauts during Gemini and Apollo missions. Data on the magnitude of the changes, together with data on energy consumption, were used to calculate energy imbalances. These data, when compared with results obtained from precise energy balance measurements made on 64 men living in low pressure chambers, show close correlation. When energy requirements are expressed in kilocalories per kilogram of body weight, the difference in energy requirements among the astronauts and chamber subjects was small and not statistically significant. These data indicated that reliable prediction of energy needs for astronauts, during long-term space missions, can be made by studying either the astronauts or healthy subjects in a ground-based environment similar to that of the spacecraft. These data also indicate that changes in body weight and certain other body measurements detected during Gemini and Apollo missions were probably caused, at least in part, by a calorie deficit.

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), General Electric Phase 1. Volume 2: Advanced energy conversion systems. Part 1: Open-cycle gas turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, D. H.; Corman, J. C.

1976-01-01

Ten energy conversion systems are defined and analyzed in terms of efficiency. These include: open-cycle gas turbine recuperative; open-cycle gas turbine; closed-cycle gas turbine; supercritical CO2 cycle; advanced steam cycle; liquid metal topping cycle; open-cycle MHD; closed-cycle inert gas MHD; closed-cycle liquid metal MHD; and fuel cells. Results are presented.

Gallium diffusion in zinc oxide via the paired dopant-vacancy mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sky, T. N.; Johansen, K. M.; Riise, H. N.; Svensson, B. G.; Vines, L.

2018-02-01

Isochronal and isothermal diffusion experiments of gallium (Ga) in zinc oxide (ZnO) have been performed in the temperature range of 900-1050 °C. The samples used consisted of a sputter-deposited and highly Ga-doped ZnO film at the surface of a single-crystal bulk material. We use a novel reaction diffusion (RD) approach to demonstrate that the diffusion behavior of Ga in ZnO is consistent with zinc vacancy (VZn) mediation via the formation and dissociation of GaZnVZn complexes. In the RD modeling, experimental diffusion data are fitted utilizing recent density-functional-theory estimates of the VZn formation energy and the binding energy of GaZnVZn. From the RD modeling, a migration energy of 2.3 eV is deduced for GaZnVZn, and a total/effective activation energy of 3.0 eV is obtained for the Ga diffusion. Furthermore, and for comparison, employing the so-called Fair model, a total/effective activation energy of 2.7 eV is obtained for the Ga diffusion, reasonably close to the total value extracted from the RD-modeling.

The effect of tensile stress on the conformational free energy landscape of disulfide bonds.

PubMed

Anjukandi, Padmesh; Dopieralski, Przemyslaw; Ribas-Arino, Jordi; Marx, Dominik

2014-01-01

Disulfide bridges are no longer considered to merely stabilize protein structure, but are increasingly recognized to play a functional role in many regulatory biomolecular processes. Recent studies have uncovered that the redox activity of native disulfides depends on their C-C-S-S dihedrals, χ2 and χ'2. Moreover, the interplay of chemical reactivity and mechanical stress of disulfide switches has been recently elucidated using force-clamp spectroscopy and computer simulation. The χ2 and χ'2 angles have been found to change from conformations that are open to nucleophilic attack to sterically hindered, so-called closed states upon exerting tensile stress. In view of the growing evidence of the importance of C-C-S-S dihedrals in tuning the reactivity of disulfides, here we present a systematic study of the conformational diversity of disulfides as a function of tensile stress. With the help of force-clamp metadynamics simulations, we show that tensile stress brings about a large stabilization of the closed conformers, thereby giving rise to drastic changes in the conformational free energy landscape of disulfides. Statistical analysis shows that native TDi, DO and interchain Ig protein disulfides prefer open conformations, whereas the intrachain disulfide bridges in Ig proteins favor closed conformations. Correlating mechanical stress with the distance between the two a-carbons of the disulfide moiety reveals that the strain of intrachain Ig protein disulfides corresponds to a mechanical activation of about 100 pN. Such mechanical activation leads to a severalfold increase of the rate of the elementary redox S(N)2 reaction step. All these findings constitute a step forward towards achieving a full understanding of functional disulfides.

Thermal history effects on electrical relaxation and conductivity for potassium silicate glass with low alkali concentrations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angel, Paul W.; Hann, Raiford E.; Cooper, Alfred R.

1993-01-01

Electrical response measurements from 10 Hz to 100 kHz between 120 and 540 C were made on potassium-silicate glasses with alkali oxide contents of 2, 3, 5 and 10 mol percent. Low alkali content glasses were chosen in order to try to reduce the Coulombic interactions between alkali ions to the point that frozen structural effects from the glass could be observed. Conductivity and electrical relaxation responses for both annealed and quenched glasses of the same composition were compared. Lower DC conductivity (sigma(sub DC)) activation energies were measured for the quenched compared to the annealed glasses. The two glasses with the lowest alkali contents exhibited a non-Arrhenius concave up curvature in the log(sigma(sub DC)) against 1/T plots, which decreased upon quenching. A sharp decrease in sigma(sub DC) was observed for glasses containing K2O concentrations of 5 mol percent or less. The log modulus loss peak (M'') maximum frequency plots against 1/T all showed Arrhenius behavior for both annealed and quenched samples. The activation energies for these plots closely agreed with the sigma(sub DC) activation energies. A sharp increase in activation energy was observed for both series as the potassium oxide concentration decreased. Changes in the electrical response are attributed to structural effects due to different alkali concentrations. Differences between the annealed and quenched response are linked to a change in the distribution of activation energies (DAE).

10 CFR 9.104 - Closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Closed meetings. 9.104 Section 9.104 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION PUBLIC RECORDS Government in the Sunshine Act Regulations § 9.104 Closed meetings. (a) Except where the Commission finds that the public interest requires otherwise, Commission meetings shall...

Earth Day 2018 Activities

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-18

Employees get an up-close look at some Florida marine life during a visit to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences booth at Kennedy Space Center’s annual Earth Day celebration. The two-day event featured approximately 50 exhibitors offering information on a variety of topics, including electric vehicles, sustainable lighting, renewable energy, Florida-friendly landscaping tips, Florida’s biking trails and more.

Creep and stress rupture of oxide dispersion strengthened mechanically alloyed Inconel alloy MA 754

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howson, T. E.; Tien, J. K.; Stulga, J. E.

1980-01-01

The creep and stress rupture behavior of the mechanically alloyed oxide dispersion strengthened nickel-base alloy MA 754 was studied at 760, 982 and 1093 C. Tensile specimens with a fine, highly elongated grain structure, oriented parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal grain direction were tested at various stresses in air under constant load. It was found that the apparent stress dependence was large, with power law exponents ranging from 19 to 33 over the temperature range studied. The creep activation energy, after correction for the temperature dependence of the elastic modulus, was close to but slightly larger than the activation energy for self diffusion. Rupture was intergranular and the rupture ductility as measured by percentage elongation was generally low, with values ranging from 0.5 to 16 pct. The creep properties are rationalized by describing the creep rates in terms of an effective stress which is the applied stress minus a resisting stress consistent with the alloy microstructure. Values of the resisting stress obtained through a curve fitting procedure are found to be close to the values of the particle by-pass stress for this oxide dispersion strengthened alloy, as calculated from the measured oxide particle distribution.

Structural Architecture of Prothrombin in Solution Revealed by Single Molecule Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Pozzi, Nicola; Bystranowska, Dominika; Zuo, Xiaobing; Di Cera, Enrico

2016-08-26

The coagulation factor prothrombin has a complex spatial organization of its modular assembly that comprises the N-terminal Gla domain, kringle-1, kringle-2, and the C-terminal protease domain connected by three intervening linkers. Here we use single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer to access the conformational landscape of prothrombin in solution and uncover structural features of functional significance that extend recent x-ray crystallographic analysis. Prothrombin exists in equilibrium between two alternative conformations, open and closed. The closed conformation predominates (70%) and features an unanticipated intramolecular collapse of Tyr(93) in kringle-1 onto Trp(547) in the protease domain that obliterates access to the active site and protects the zymogen from autoproteolytic conversion to thrombin. The open conformation (30%) is more susceptible to chymotrypsin digestion and autoactivation, and features a shape consistent with recent x-ray crystal structures. Small angle x-ray scattering measurements of prothrombin wild type stabilized 70% in the closed conformation and of the mutant Y93A stabilized 80% in the open conformation directly document two envelopes that differ 50 Å in length. These findings reveal important new details on the conformational plasticity of prothrombin in solution and the drastic structural difference between its alternative conformations. Prothrombin uses the intramolecular collapse of kringle-1 onto the active site in the closed form to prevent autoactivation. The open-closed equilibrium also defines a new structural framework for the mechanism of activation of prothrombin by prothrombinase. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Turbulence, selective decay, and merging in the SSX plasma wind tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, Tim; Brown, Michael; Flanagan, Ken; Werth, Alexandra; Lukin, V.

2012-10-01

A helical, relaxed plasma state has been observed in a long cylindrical volume. The cylinder has dimensions L = 1 m and R = 0.08 m. The cylinder is long enough so that the predicted minimum energy state is a close approximation to the infinite cylinder solution. The plasma is injected at v >=50 km/s by a coaxial magnetized plasma gun located at one end of the cylindrical volume. Typical plasma parameters are Ti= 25 eV, ne>=10^15 cm-3, and B = 0.25 T. The relaxed state is rapidly attained in 1--2 axial Alfv'en times after initiation of the plasma. Magnetic data is favorably compared with an analytical model. Magnetic data exhibits broadband fluctuations of the measured axial modes during the formation period. The broadband activity rapidly decays as the energy condenses into the lowest energy mode, which is in agreement to the minimum energy eigenstate of ∇xB = λB. While the global structure roughly corresponds to the minimum energy eigenstate for the wind tunnel geometry, the plasma is high beta (β= 0.5) and does not have a flat λ profile. Merging of two plasmoids in this configuration results in noticeably more dynamic activity compared to a single plasmoid. These episodes of activity exhibit s

10 CFR 95.29 - Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas. 95.29 Section 95.29 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) FACILITY SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING...) The Closed Area must be accorded supplemental protection during non-working hours. During these hours...

10 CFR 95.29 - Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas. 95.29 Section 95.29 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) FACILITY SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING...) The Closed Area must be accorded supplemental protection during non-working hours. During these hours...

10 CFR 95.29 - Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas. 95.29 Section 95.29 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) FACILITY SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING...) The Closed Area must be accorded supplemental protection during non-working hours. During these hours...

10 CFR 95.29 - Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas. 95.29 Section 95.29 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) FACILITY SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING...) The Closed Area must be accorded supplemental protection during non-working hours. During these hours...

10 CFR 95.29 - Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Establishment of Restricted or Closed areas. 95.29 Section 95.29 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) FACILITY SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING...) The Closed Area must be accorded supplemental protection during non-working hours. During these hours...

Comment on 'The solar flare myth' by J. T. Gosling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, Hugh; Haisch, Bernhard; Strong, Keith T.

1995-01-01

In a recent paper Gosling (1993) claims that solar flares are relatively unimportant for understanding the terrestrial consequences of solar activity, and argues that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produce the most powerful terrestrial disturbances. This opinion conflicts with observation, as it is well known that CMEs and flares are closely associated, and we disagree with Gosling's insistence on a simplistic cause-and-effect description of the interrelated phenomena of a solar flare. In this brief response we present new Yohkoh data and review older results that demonstrate the close relationships among CMEs, flares, filament eruptions, and other forms of energy release such as particle acceleration.

Physical Meaning of Virtual Kohn-Sham Orbitals and Orbital Energies: An Ideal Basis for the Description of Molecular Excitations.

PubMed

van Meer, R; Gritsenko, O V; Baerends, E J

2014-10-14

In recent years, several benchmark studies on the performance of large sets of functionals in time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of excitation energies have been performed. The tested functionals do not approximate exact Kohn-Sham orbitals and orbital energies closely. We highlight the advantages of (close to) exact Kohn-Sham orbitals and orbital energies for a simple description, very often as just a single orbital-to-orbital transition, of molecular excitations. Benchmark calculations are performed for the statistical average of orbital potentials (SAOP) functional for the potential [J. Chem. Phys. 2000, 112, 1344; 2001, 114, 652], which approximates the true Kohn-Sham potential much better than LDA, GGA, mGGA, and hybrid potentials do. An accurate Kohn-Sham potential does not only perform satisfactorily for calculated vertical excitation energies of both valence and Rydberg transitions but also exhibits appealing properties of the KS orbitals including occupied orbital energies close to ionization energies, virtual-occupied orbital energy gaps very close to excitation energies, realistic shapes of virtual orbitals, leading to straightforward interpretation of most excitations as single orbital transitions. We stress that such advantages are completely lost in time-dependent Hartree-Fock and partly in hybrid approaches. Many excitations and excitation energies calculated with local density, generalized gradient, and hybrid functionals are spurious. There is, with an accurate KS, or even the LDA or GGA potentials, nothing problematic about the "band gap" in molecules: the HOMO-LUMO gap is close to the first excitation energy (the optical gap).

Catchment Water-Energy Balance Model: Development and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, D.; Yang, H.

2017-12-01

International Hydrological community has widely recognized that the catchment water-energy balance exists, which can be expressed as a general form of E/P = f(E0/P, c), where P is precipitation, E0 is potential evaporation, and c is a parameter. Many empirical/rational formulations of the catchment water-energy balance have been proposed. Several analytical solutions of the water-energy balance equation E/P = f(E0/P, c) have been derived by using dimensional analysis and mathematic reasoning and introducing additional boundary conditions. This paper will summarize the catchment water-energy balance equations and discuss their advantages and limitations. Catchment hydrology has been greatly influenced by the intensive variability in land use/cover, precipitation and air temperature due to climate change and local human activities. The water-energy balance equation, which are usually called the Budyko framework is widely used to analyze the impacts of climate and landscape changes on regional hydrology especially the annual runoff change. In order to quantify impacts of climate change and landscape change on the catchment runoff, the climate elasticity and landscape elasticity are estimated theoretically from the catchment water-energy balance equation. The elasticity of runoff has less of a dependency on the aridity index when the climate is drier (larger aridity index). The precipitation elasticity of runoff was close to 1.0 and that of potential evaporation close to 0.0 in the extreme humid climate with no relation to the landscape conditions, which implies that catchment water balance under extremely wet condition is controlled mainly by the climate condition. We establishes a relationship between the change in the landscape parameter in the catchment water-energy balance equation and vegetation change represented by fPAR, the fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation absorbed by vegetation. The fPAR elasticity of runoff is introduced and estimated over China, which indicate that runoff is more sensitive to the change in fPAR in relatively dry catchments. This paper will summarize applications of the water-energy balance equation and discuss on the future development.

A density functional theory model of mechanically activated silyl ester hydrolysis

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

Pill, Michael F.; Schmidt, Sebastian W.; Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098 Kiel

2014-01-28

To elucidate the mechanism of the mechanically activated dissociation of chemical bonds between carboxymethylated amylose (CMA) and silane functionalized silicon dioxide, we have investigated the dissociation kinetics of the bonds connecting CMA to silicon oxide surfaces with density functional calculations including the effects of force, solvent polarizability, and pH. We have determined the activation energies, the pre-exponential factors, and the reaction rate constants of candidate reactions. The weakest bond was found to be the silyl ester bond between the silicon and the alkoxy oxygen atom. Under acidic conditions, spontaneous proton addition occurs close to the silyl ester such that neutralmore » reactions become insignificant. Upon proton addition at the most favored position, the activation energy for bond hydrolysis becomes 31 kJ mol{sup −1}, which agrees very well with experimental observation. Heterolytic bond scission in the protonated molecule has a much higher activation energy. The experimentally observed bi-exponential rupture kinetics can be explained by different side groups attached to the silicon atom of the silyl ester. The fact that different side groups lead to different dissociation kinetics provides an opportunity to deliberately modify and tune the kinetic parameters of mechanically activated bond dissociation of silyl esters.« less

Electron acceleration in a flare plasma via coronal circuits. (German Title: Elektronenbeschleunigung im Flareplasma modelliert mit koronalen Schaltkreisen)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Önel, Hakan

2008-08-01

The Sun is a star, which due to its proximity has a tremendous influence on Earth. Since its very first days mankind tried to "understand the Sun", and especially in the 20th century science has uncovered many of the Sun's secrets by using high resolution observations and describing the Sun by means of models. As an active star the Sun's activity, as expressed in its magnetic cycle, is closely related to the sunspot numbers. Flares play a special role, because they release large energies on very short time scales. They are correlated with enhanced electromagnetic emissions all over the spectrum. Furthermore, flares are sources of energetic particles. Hard X-ray observations (e.g., by NASA's RHESSI spacecraft) reveal that a large fraction of the energy released during a flare is transferred into the kinetic energy of electrons. However the mechanism that accelerates a large number of electrons to high energies (beyond 20 keV) within fractions of a second is not understood yet. The thesis at hand presents a model for the generation of energetic electrons during flares that explains the electron acceleration based on real parameters obtained by real ground and space based observations. According to this model photospheric plasma flows build up electric potentials in the active regions in the photosphere. Usually these electric potentials are associated with electric currents closed within the photosphere. However as a result of magnetic reconnection, a magnetic connection between the regions of different magnetic polarity on the photosphere can establish through the corona. Due to the significantly higher electric conductivity in the corona, the photospheric electric power supply can be closed via the corona. Subsequently a high electric current is formed, which leads to the generation of hard X-ray radiation in the dense chromosphere. The previously described idea is modelled and investigated by means of electric circuits. For this the microscopic plasma parameters, the magnetic field geometry and hard X-ray observations are used to obtain parameters for modelling macroscopic electric components, such as electric resistors, which are connected with each other. This model demonstrates that such a coronal electric current is correlated with large scale electric fields, which can accelerate the electrons quickly up to relativistic energies. The results of these calculations are encouraging. The electron fluxes predicted by the model are in agreement with the electron fluxes deduced from the measured photon fluxes. Additionally the model developed in this thesis proposes a new way to understand the observed double footpoint hard X-ray sources.

Non-equilibrium thermodynamical description of rhythmic motion patterns of active systems: a canonical-dissipative approach.

PubMed

Dotov, D G; Kim, S; Frank, T D

2015-02-01

We derive explicit expressions for the non-equilibrium thermodynamical variables of a canonical-dissipative limit cycle oscillator describing rhythmic motion patterns of active systems. These variables are statistical entropy, non-equilibrium internal energy, and non-equilibrium free energy. In particular, the expression for the non-equilibrium free energy is derived as a function of a suitable control parameter. The control parameter determines the Hopf bifurcation point of the deterministic active system and describes the effective pumping of the oscillator. In analogy to the equilibrium free energy of the Landau theory, it is shown that the non-equilibrium free energy decays as a function of the control parameter. In doing so, a similarity between certain equilibrium and non-equilibrium phase transitions is pointed out. Data from an experiment on human rhythmic movements is presented. Estimates for pumping intensity as well as the thermodynamical variables are reported. It is shown that in the experiment the non-equilibrium free energy decayed when pumping intensity was increased, which is consistent with the theory. Moreover, pumping intensities close to zero could be observed at relatively slow intended rhythmic movements. In view of the Hopf bifurcation underlying the limit cycle oscillator model, this observation suggests that the intended limit cycle movements were actually more similar to trajectories of a randomly perturbed stable focus. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Single molecule force spectroscopy for in-situ probing oridonin inhibited ROS-mediated EGF-EGFR interactions in living KYSE-150 cells.

PubMed

Pi, Jiang; Jin, Hua; Jiang, Jinhuan; Yang, Fen; Cai, Huaihong; Yang, Peihui; Cai, Jiye; Chen, Zheng W

2017-05-01

As the active anticancer component of Rabdosia Rubescens, oridonin has been proved to show strong anticancer activity in cancer cells, which is also found to be closely related to its specific inhibition effects on the EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. In this study, atomic force microscopy based single molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS) was used for real-time and in-situ detection of EGF-EGFR interactions in living esophageal cancer KYSE-150 cells to evaluate the anticancer activity of oridonin for the first time. Oridonin was found to induce apoptosis and also reduce EGFR expression in KYSE-150 cells. AFM-SMFS results demonstrated that oridonin could inhibit the binding between EGF and EGFR in KYSE-150 cells by decreasing the unbinding force and binding probability for EGF-EGFR complexes, which was further proved to be closely associated with the intracellular ROS level. More precise mechanism studies based on AFM-SMFS demonstrated that oridonin treatment could decrease the energy barrier width, increase the dissociation off rate constant and decrease the activation energy of EGF-EGFR complexes in ROS dependent way, suggesting oridonin as a strong anticancer agent targeting EGF-EGFR interactions in cancer cells through ROS dependent mechanism. Our results not only suggested oridonin as a strong anticancer agent targeting EGF-EGFR interactions in ROS dependent mechanism, but also highlighted AFM-SMFS as a powerful technique for pharmacodynamic studies by detecting ligand-receptor interactions, which was also expected to be developed into a promising tool for the screening and mechanism studies of drugs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observation of a Relaxed Plasma State in a Quasi-Infinite Cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, T.; Brown, M. R.; Dandurand, D.

2013-02-01

A helical relaxed plasma state is observed in a long cylindrical volume. The cylinder is long enough so that the predicted minimum energy state is a close approximation to the infinite cylinder solution. The plasma is injected at v≥50km/s by a coaxial magnetized plasma gun located at one end of the cylindrical volume. The relaxed state is rapidly attained in 1-2 axial Alfvén times after initiation of the plasma. Magnetic data are favorably compared with an analytical model. Magnetic data exhibit broadband fluctuations of the measured axial modes during the formation period. The broadband activity rapidly decays as the energy condenses into the lowest energy mode, which is in agreement with the minimum energy eigenstate of ∇×B=λB.

Observation of a relaxed plasma state in a quasi-infinite cylinder.

PubMed

Gray, T; Brown, M R; Dandurand, D

2013-02-22

A helical relaxed plasma state is observed in a long cylindrical volume. The cylinder is long enough so that the predicted minimum energy state is a close approximation to the infinite cylinder solution. The plasma is injected at v ≥ 50 km/s by a coaxial magnetized plasma gun located at one end of the cylindrical volume. The relaxed state is rapidly attained in 1-2 axial Alfvén times after initiation of the plasma. Magnetic data are favorably compared with an analytical model. Magnetic data exhibit broadband fluctuations of the measured axial modes during the formation period. The broadband activity rapidly decays as the energy condenses into the lowest energy mode, which is in agreement with the minimum energy eigenstate of [Symbol: see text] × B = λB.

Kirtland Operations progress report, October--December 1991

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

Not Available

Kirtland Operations (KO) is an integral part of EG&G Energy Measurements, Inc., whose primary mission is to support the US Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) programs in weapons development and testing and in nuclear safeguards and security. KO performs much of its work in close coordination with and often at the technical direction of Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to aiding Sandia`s weapons programs, KO provides a wide spectrum of technical support to other Sandia activities, particularly their safeguards, security, and treaty verification programs. Support is also provided to other elements of the Department of Energy community and to other federalmore » agencies, primarily in weapons testing and safeguards. This report documents our support to these programs from October to December 1991.« less

Kirtland Operations progress report, April--June 1991

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

Not Available

Kirtland Operations (KO) is an integral part of EG&G Energy Measurements, Inc., whose primary mission is to support the US Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) programs in weapons development and testing and in nuclear safeguards and security. KO performs much of its work in close coordination with and often at the technical direction of Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to aiding Sandia`s weapons programs, KO provides a wide spectrum of technical support to other Sandia activities, particularly their safeguards, security, and treaty verification programs. Support is also provided to other elements of the Department of Energy community and to other federalmore » agencies, primarily in weapons testing and safeguards. This report documents our support to these programs from April to June 1991.« less

The impact of three recent coal-fired power plant closings on Pittsburgh air quality: A natural experiment.

PubMed

Russell, Marie C; Belle, Jessica H; Liu, Yang

2017-01-01

Relative to the rest of the United States, the region of southwestern Pennsylvania, including metropolitan Pittsburgh, experiences high ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), which is known to be associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts. This study evaluates whether the closing of three coal-fired power plants within the southwestern Pennsylvania region resulted in a significant decrease in PM 2.5 concentration. Both PM 2.5 data obtained from EPA ground stations in the study region and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data retrieved from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments onboard the Terra and Aqua satellites were used to investigate regional air quality from January 2011 through December 2014. The impact of the plant closings on PM 2.5 concentration and AOD was evaluated using a series of generalized additive models. The model results show that monthly fuel consumption of the Elrama plant, which closed in October of 2012, and monthly fuel consumption of both the Mitchell and Hatfield's Ferry plants, which closed in October of 2013, were significant predictors of both PM 2.5 concentration and AOD at EPA ground stations in the study region, after controlling for multiple meteorological factors and long-term, region-wide air quality improvements. The model's power to predict PM 2.5 concentration increased from an adjusted R 2 of 0.61 to 0.68 after excluding data from ground stations with higher uncertainty due to recent increases in unconventional natural gas extraction activities. After preliminary analyses of mean PM 2.5 concentration and AOD showed a downward trend following each power plant shutdown, results from a series of generalized additive models confirmed that the activity of the three plants that closed, measured by monthly fuel consumption, was highly significant in predicting both AOD and PM 2.5 at 12 EPA ground stations; further research on PM 2.5 emissions from unconventional natural gas extraction is needed. With many coal-fired power plants scheduled to close across the United States in the coming years, there is interest in the potential impact on regional PM 2.5 concentrations. In southwestern Pennsylvania, recent coal-fired power plant closings were coupled with a boom in unconventional natural gas extraction. Natural gas is currently seen as an economically viable bridge fuel between coal and renewable energy. This study provides policymakers with more information on the potential ambient concentration changes associated with coal-fired power plant closings as the nation's energy reliance shifts toward natural gas.

7 CFR 4280.194 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants § 4280.194 Actions prior to grant closing. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being...

7 CFR 4280.194 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants § 4280.194 Actions prior to grant closing. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being...

7 CFR 4280.194 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants § 4280.194 Actions prior to grant closing. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being...

10 CFR 1704.8 - Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. 1704.8 Section 1704.8 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD RULES IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT § 1704.8 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. Along with the...

10 CFR 1704.8 - Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. 1704.8 Section 1704.8 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD RULES IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT § 1704.8 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. Along with the...

10 CFR 1704.8 - Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. 1704.8 Section 1704.8 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD RULES IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT § 1704.8 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. Along with the...

10 CFR 1704.8 - Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. 1704.8 Section 1704.8 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD RULES IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT § 1704.8 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. Along with the...

10 CFR 1704.8 - Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. 1704.8 Section 1704.8 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD RULES IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE ACT § 1704.8 Transcripts, recordings, or minutes of closed meetings. Along with the...

Spatiotemporal Organization of Energy Release Events in the Quiet Solar Corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uritsky, Vadim M.; Davila, Joseph M.

2014-01-01

Using data from the STEREO and SOHO spacecraft, we show that temporal organization of energy release events in the quiet solar corona is close to random, in contrast to the clustered behavior of flaring times in solar active regions. The locations of the quiet-Sun events follow the meso- and supergranulation pattern of the underling photosphere. Together with earlier reports of the scale-free event size statistics, our findings suggest that quiet solar regions responsible for bulk coronal heating operate in a driven self-organized critical state, possibly involving long-range Alfvenic interactions.

Multiwavelength Optical Switch Based on Controlling the Fermi Energy of Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Xiangqian; Bao, Jinlin; Sun, Xiudong

2018-04-01

We propose a graphene-dielectric-graphene corrugated structure to achieve a multiwavelength optical switch. The transmission and reflection properties of the structure are discussed, and multiultranarrow resonant peaks in the transmission and reflection spectra are found. By adjusting the Fermi energy of graphene, the resonant peaks will shift obviously. Based on this shifting property we present an active multiwavelength optical switch and achieve the on-off of four different wavelengths simultaneously. We also discuss the modulation depths of transmission and reflection. For the transmission of all four wavelengths we can get a very high modulation depth close to 100%.

Indirect Effects of Energy Development in Grasslands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duquette, Cameron Albert

Grassland landscapes in North America are undergoing rapid industrialization due to energy development facilitated by the growing popularity of fracking and horizontal drilling technology. Each year over 3 million hectares are lost from grassland and shrubland habitats to well infrastructure. Direct footprints from energy infrastructure cause impacts to vegetation cover, available cattle forage, carbon sequestration potential, and usable space for wildlife. However, legacy effects from well construction and noise pollution, light pollution, and altered viewsheds have the potential to impact areas beyond this direct footprint, causing additive and persistent changes to nearby grassland function. While these additional areas may be small on a well pad basis, they may have substantial cumulative impacts over time. To investigate these effects via a diversity of mechanisms, we studied the seasonal habitat selection of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus, hereafter bobwhite) in an energy-producing landscape to evaluate space use patterns relative to energy infrastructure. Habitat selection was modeled in the breeding and nonbreeding season using resource Utilization functions (RUFs). We then investigated patterns of vegetation, arthropod, and soil characteristics surrounding well pads to assess small scale environmental gradients extending away from drilling pads via a combination of multivariate and univariate techniques (i.e., Nonmetric dimensional scaling and ANOVA). We found minimal avoidance of energy structures by quail, suggesting a tolerance of moderate development levels. All small-scale effects studied except for soil moisture were impacted at the pad itself (P < 0.01). Off-pad impacts to arthropod abundance and biomass were spatially limited to areas close to pads, while vegetation cover was typically lower than the surrounding habitat beyond 10 m of pads. Soil surface temperature was higher at distances close to well pads, and soil moisture was not different between areas close to and far from well pads. Small-scale gradient results indicate vegetation effects around active drilling pads, potentially increasing erosion and decreasing nesting cover, decreasing carbon sequestration potential, and decreasing forage. Collectively, this research highlights the complexity and importance of impact thresholds in landscape fragmentation.

A Smart DNA Tweezer for Detection of Human Telomerase Activity.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaowen; Wang, Lei; Li, Kan; Huang, Qihong; Jiang, Wei

2018-03-06

Reliable and accurate detection of telomerase activity is crucial to better understand its role in cancer cells and to further explore its function in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we construct a smart DNA tweezer (DT) for detection of telomerase activity. The DT is assembled by three specially designed single-stranded oligonucleotides: a central strand dually labeled with donor/acceptor fluorophores and two arm strands containing overhangs complementary to telomerase reaction products (TRPs). It can get closed through hybridization with TRPs and get reopen through strand displacement reaction by TRPs' complementary sequences. First, under the action of telomerase, telomerase binding substrates (TS) are elongated to generate TRPs ended with telomeric repeats (TTAGGG) n . TRPs hybridize with the two arm overhangs cooperatively and strain DT to closed state, inducing an increased fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency, which is utilized for telomerase activity detection. Second, upon introduction of a removal strand (RS) complementary to TRPs, the closed DT is relaxed to open state via the toehold-mediated strand displacement, inducing a decreased FRET efficiency, which is utilized for determination of TRP length distribution. The detection limit of telomerase activity is equivalent to 141 cells/μL for HeLa cells, and telomerase-active cellular extracts can be differentiated from telomerase-inactive cellular extracts. Furthermore, TRPs owning 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 telomeric repeats are identified to account for 25.6%, 20.5%, 15.7%, 12.5%, and 25.7%, respectively. The proposed strategy will offer a new approach for reliable, accurate detection of telomerase activity and product length distribution for deeper studying its role and function in cancer.

THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF CORONAL STREAMERS AS MAGNETICALLY CLOSED STRUCTURES IN SHOCK-INDUCED ENERGETIC ELECTRONS AND METRIC TYPE II RADIO BURSTS

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

Kong, Xiangliang; Chen, Yao; Feng, Shiwei

2015-01-10

Two solar type II radio bursts, separated by ∼24 hr in time, are examined together. Both events are associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupting from the same active region (NOAA 11176) beneath a well-observed helmet streamer. We find that the type II emissions in both events ended once the CME/shock fronts passed the white-light streamer tip, which is presumably the magnetic cusp of the streamer. This leads us to conjecture that the closed magnetic arcades of the streamer may play a role in electron acceleration and type II excitation at coronal shocks. To examine such a conjecture, we conduct a test-particle simulationmore » for electron dynamics within a large-scale partially closed streamer magnetic configuration swept by a coronal shock. We find that the closed field lines play the role of an electron trap via which the electrons are sent back to the shock front multiple times and therefore accelerated to high energies by the shock. Electrons with an initial energy of 300 eV can be accelerated to tens of keV concentrating at the loop apex close to the shock front with a counter-streaming distribution at most locations. These electrons are energetic enough to excite Langmuir waves and radio bursts. Considering the fact that most solar eruptions originate from closed field regions, we suggest that the scenario may be important for the generation of more metric type IIs. This study also provides an explanation of the general ending frequencies of metric type IIs at or above 20-30 MHz and the disconnection issue between metric and interplanetary type IIs.« less

The dynamics of multimer formation of the amphiphilic hydrophobin protein HFBII.

PubMed

Grunér, M S; Paananen, A; Szilvay, G R; Linder, M B

2017-07-01

Hydrophobins are surface-active proteins produced by filamentous fungi. They have amphiphilic structures and form multimers in aqueous solution to shield their hydrophobic regions. The proteins rearrange at interfaces and self-assemble into films that can show a very high degree of structural order. Little is known on dynamics of multimer interactions in solution and how this is affected by other components. In this work we examine the multimer dynamics by stopped-flow fluorescence measurements and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) using the class II hydrophobin HFBII. The half-life of exchange in the multimer state was 0.9s at 22°C with an activation energy of 92kJ/mol. The multimer exchange process of HFBII was shown to be significantly affected by the closely related HFBI hydrophobin, lowering both activation energy and half-life for exchange. Lower molecular weight surfactants interacted in very selective ways, but other surface active proteins did not influence the rates of exchange. The results indicate that the multimer formation is driven by specific molecular interactions that distinguish different hydrophobins from each other. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of mechanical energy profiles of passive and active below-knee prostheses: a case study.

PubMed

Takahashi, Kota Z; Horne, John R; Stanhope, Steven J

2015-04-01

With the recent technological advancements of prosthetic lower limbs, there is currently a great desire to objectively evaluate existing prostheses. Using a novel biomechanical analysis, the purpose of this case study was to compare the mechanical energy profiles of anatomical and two disparate prostheses: a passive prosthesis and an active prosthesis. An individual with a transtibial amputation who customarily wears a passive prosthesis (Elation, Össur) and an active prosthesis (BiOM, iWalk, Inc.) and 11 healthy subjects participated in an instrumented gait analysis. The total mechanical power and work of below-knee structures during stance were quantified using a unified deformable segment power analysis. Active prosthesis generated greater peak power and total positive work than passive prosthesis and healthy anatomical limbs. The case study will enhance future efforts to objectively evaluate prosthetic functions during gait in individuals with transtibial amputations. A prosthetic limb should closely replicate the mechanical energy profiles of anatomical limbs. The unified deformable (UD) analysis may be valuable to facilitate future clinical prescription and guide fine adjustments of prosthetic componentry to optimize gait outcomes. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Earth Day 2018 Activities

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

During the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have an opportunity to get an up-close look at experimental electric vehicles. The "Remove Before Flight" tag is on a Polaris GEM electric car. The two-day event featured approximately 50 exhibitors offering information on a variety of topics, including electric vehicles, sustainable lighting, renewable energy, Florida-friendly landscaping tips, Florida’s biking trails and more.

10 CFR 609.9 - Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement. 609.9 Section 609.9 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTS THAT... project financing information if the terms and conditions of the financing arrangements changed between...

10 CFR 609.9 - Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Closing on the Loan Guarantee Agreement. 609.9 Section 609.9 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (CONTINUED) ASSISTANCE REGULATIONS LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PROJECTS THAT... project financing information if the terms and conditions of the financing arrangements changed between...

Kinetic energy budgets in areas of convection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuelberg, H. E.

1979-01-01

Synoptic scale budgets of kinetic energy are computed using 3 and 6 h data from three of NASA's Atmospheric Variability Experiments (AVE's). Numerous areas of intense convection occurred during the three experiments. Large kinetic energy variability, with periods as short as 6 h, is observed in budgets computed over each entire experiment area and over limited volumes that barely enclose the convection and move with it. Kinetic energy generation and transport processes in the smaller volumes are often a maximum when the enclosed storms are near peak intensity, but the nature of the various energy processes differs between storm cases and seems closely related to the synoptic conditions. A commonly observed energy budget for peak storm intensity indicates that generation of kinetic energy by cross-contour flow is the major energy source while dissipation to subgrid scales is the major sink. Synoptic scale vertical motion transports kinetic energy from lower to upper levels of the atmosphere while low-level horizontal flux convergence and upper-level horizontal divergence also occur. Spatial fields of the energy budget terms show that the storm environment is a major center of energy activity for the entire area.

Nonlinear predictive control for adaptive adjustments of deep brain stimulation parameters in basal ganglia-thalamic network.

PubMed

Su, Fei; Wang, Jiang; Niu, Shuangxia; Li, Huiyan; Deng, Bin; Liu, Chen; Wei, Xile

2018-02-01

The efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) depends in part on the post-operative programming of stimulation parameters. Closed-loop stimulation is one method to realize the frequent adjustment of stimulation parameters. This paper introduced the nonlinear predictive control method into the online adjustment of DBS amplitude and frequency. This approach was tested in a computational model of basal ganglia-thalamic network. The autoregressive Volterra model was used to identify the process model based on physiological data. Simulation results illustrated the efficiency of closed-loop stimulation methods (amplitude adjustment and frequency adjustment) in improving the relay reliability of thalamic neurons compared with the PD state. Besides, compared with the 130Hz constant DBS the closed-loop stimulation methods can significantly reduce the energy consumption. Through the analysis of inter-spike-intervals (ISIs) distribution of basal ganglia neurons, the evoked network activity by the closed-loop frequency adjustment stimulation was closer to the normal state. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is the morphology and activity of the occlusal carious lesion related to the lesion progression stage?

PubMed

Neves, Aline Almeida; Vargas, Daniel Otero Amaral; Santos, Thais Maria Pires; Lopes, Ricardo Tadeu; Sousa, Frederico Barbosa

2016-12-01

To investigate the relationship between degree of dentin demineralization with both lesion activity and morphology of the occlusal carious cavity. Occlusal sites (n=138) were identified by visual examination (Nyvad's scores 0-6) in 67 extracted teeth which were scanned in a high energy micro-CT. After 3D reconstruction, each stack was resliced in the mesio-distal direction and tooth mineral density (MD) was measured along a path from enamel to the deepest part of dentin in the slice showing the most severe carious involvement. Each site was classified in "open" or "closed" (if cavitated) depending on the morphology of the surrounding enamel walls as measured using micro-CT and as active or inactive in enamel or dentin by a clinical scoring system. Lesions showing dentin cavitation presented higher demineralization degree compared to non-cavitated, or enamel cavitated lesions. Inactive lesions presented lower demineralization degree compared to active lesions, although with a low effect size. According to the morphological aspect of the carious cavity, open enamel lesions showed lower dentin demineralization degree than closed lesion environments. Active lesions showed higher dentin demineralization degree than inactive ones, while lesions showing closed cavitation resulted in higher dentin demineralization degree only for enamel lesions. Including those parameters in treatment decisions may help to improve prognosis and increase effectiveness of the caries diagnostic systems in the clinical setting. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

10 CFR 1704.5 - Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to close a meeting. 1704.5 Section 1704.5 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR... submitted to the General Counsel, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., suite...

10 CFR 1704.5 - Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to close a meeting. 1704.5 Section 1704.5 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR... submitted to the General Counsel, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., suite...

10 CFR 1704.5 - Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Procedures for closing meetings, or withholding information, and requests by affected persons to close a meeting. 1704.5 Section 1704.5 Energy DEFENSE NUCLEAR... submitted to the General Counsel, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., suite...

Roadmap to the multidisciplinary design analysis and optimisation of wind energy systems

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

Perez-Moreno, S. Sanchez; Zaaijer, M. B.; Bottasso, C. L.

Here, a research agenda is described to further encourage the application of Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimisation (MDAO) methodologies to wind energy systems. As a group of researchers closely collaborating within the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Task 37 for Wind Energy Systems Engineering: Integrated Research, Design and Development, we have identified challenges that will be encountered by users building an MDAO framework. This roadmap comprises 17 research questions and activities recognised to belong to three research directions: model fidelity, system scope and workflow architecture. It is foreseen that sensible answers to all these questions will enable to more easilymore » apply MDAO in the wind energy domain. Beyond the agenda, this work also promotes the use of systems engineering to design, analyse and optimise wind turbines and wind farms, to complement existing compartmentalised research and design paradigms.« less

Roadmap to the multidisciplinary design analysis and optimisation of wind energy systems

DOE PAGES

Perez-Moreno, S. Sanchez; Zaaijer, M. B.; Bottasso, C. L.; ...

2016-10-03

Here, a research agenda is described to further encourage the application of Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimisation (MDAO) methodologies to wind energy systems. As a group of researchers closely collaborating within the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Task 37 for Wind Energy Systems Engineering: Integrated Research, Design and Development, we have identified challenges that will be encountered by users building an MDAO framework. This roadmap comprises 17 research questions and activities recognised to belong to three research directions: model fidelity, system scope and workflow architecture. It is foreseen that sensible answers to all these questions will enable to more easilymore » apply MDAO in the wind energy domain. Beyond the agenda, this work also promotes the use of systems engineering to design, analyse and optimise wind turbines and wind farms, to complement existing compartmentalised research and design paradigms.« less

Kirtland Operations progress report, April--June 1991

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

Not Available

Kirtland Operations (KO) is an integral part of EG G Energy Measurements, Inc., whose primary mission is to support the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) programs in weapons development and testing and in nuclear safeguards and security. KO performs much of its work in close coordination with and often at the technical direction of Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to aiding Sandia's weapons programs, KO provides a wide spectrum of technical support to other Sandia activities, particularly their safeguards, security, and treaty verification programs. Support is also provided to other elements of the Department of Energy community and to othermore » federal agencies, primarily in weapons testing and safeguards. This report documents our support to these programs from April to June 1991.« less

Kirtland Operations progress report, January--March 1991

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

None

Kirtland Operations (KO) is an integral part of EG G Energy Measurements, Inc., whose primary mission is to support the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) programs in weapons development and testing and in nuclear safeguards and security. KO performs much of its work in close coordination with and often at the technical direction of Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to aiding Sandia's weapons programs, KO provides a wide spectrum of technical support to other Sandia activities, particularly their safeguards, security, and treaty verification programs. Support is also provided to other elements of the Department of Energy community and to othermore » federal agencies, primarily in weapons testing and safeguards. This report documents our support to these porgrams from January to March 1991.« less

Kirtland Operations progress report, October--December 1991

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

Not Available

Kirtland Operations (KO) is an integral part of EG G Energy Measurements, Inc., whose primary mission is to support the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) programs in weapons development and testing and in nuclear safeguards and security. KO performs much of its work in close coordination with and often at the technical direction of Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to aiding Sandia's weapons programs, KO provides a wide spectrum of technical support to other Sandia activities, particularly their safeguards, security, and treaty verification programs. Support is also provided to other elements of the Department of Energy community and to othermore » federal agencies, primarily in weapons testing and safeguards. This report documents our support to these programs from October to December 1991.« less

Fabrication and Compressive Properties of Low to Medium Porosity Closed-Cell Porous Aluminum Using PMMA Space Holder Technique

PubMed Central

Jamal, Nur Ayuni; Tan, Ai Wen; Yusof, Farazila; Katsuyoshi, Kondoh; Hisashi, Imai; Singh, S.; Anuar, Hazleen

2016-01-01

In recent years, closed-cell porous Aluminum (Al) has drawn increasing attention, particularly in the applications requiring reduced weight and energy absorption capability such as in the automotive and aerospace industries. In the present work, porous Al with closed-cell structure was successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy technique using PMMA as a space holder. The effects of the amount of PMMA powder on the porosity, density, microstructure and compressive behaviors of the porous specimens were systematically evaluated. The results showed that closed-cell porous Al having different porosities (12%–32%) and densities (1.6478 g/cm3, 1.5125 g/cm3 and 1.305 g/cm3) could be produced by varying the amount of PMMA (20–30 wt %). Meanwhile, the compressive behavior results demonstrated that the plateau stress decreased and the energy absorption capacity increased with increasing amount of PMMA. However, the maximum energy absorption capacity was achieved in the closed-cell porous Al with the addition of 25 wt % PMMA. Therefore, fabrication of closed-cell porous Al using 25 wt % PMMA is considered as the optimal condition in the present study since the resultant closed-cell porous Al possessed good combinations of porosity, density and plateau stress, as well as energy absorption capacity. PMID:28773377

Early Thermal History of Rhea: The Role of Serpentinization and Liquid State Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Czechowski, Leszek; Łosiak, Anna

2016-12-01

Early thermal history of Rhea is investigated. The role of the following parameters of the model is investigated: time of beginning of accretion, tini, duration of accretion, tac, viscosity of ice close to the melting point, η0, activation energy in the formula for viscosity, E, thermal conductivity of silicate component, ksil, ammonia content, XNH3, and energy of serpentinization, cserp. We found that tini and tac are crucial for evolution. All other parameters are also important, but no dramatic differences are found for realistic values. The process of differentiation is also investigated. It is found that liquid state convection could delay the differentiation for hundreds of My. The results are confronted with observational data from Cassini spacecraft. It is possible that differentiation is fully completed but the density of formed core is close to the mean density. If this interpretation is correct, then Rhea could have accreted any time before 3-4 My after formation of CAI.

Subsurface energy storage and transport for solar-powered geysers on Triton

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kirk, Randolph L.; Soderblom, Laurence A.; Brown, Robert H.

1990-01-01

The location of active geyser-like eruptions and related features close to the current subsolar latitude on Triton suggests a solar energy source for these phenomena. Solid-state greenhouse calculations have shown that sunlight can generate substantially elevated subsurface temperatures. A variety of models for the storage of solar energy in a subgreenhouse layer and for the supply of gas and energy to a geyser are examined. 'Leaky greenhouse' models with only vertical gas transport are inconsistent with the observed upper limit on geyser radius of about 1.5 km. However, lateral transport of energy by gas flow in a porous N2 layer with a block size on the order of a meter can supply the required amount of gas to a source region about 1 km in radius. The decline of gas output to steady state may occur over a period comparable with the inferred active geyser lifetime of 5 earth years. The required subsurface permeability may be maintained by thermal fracturing of the residual N2 polar cap. A lower limit on geyser source radius of about 50 to 100 m predicted by a theory of negatively buoyant jets is not readily attained.

Baseline brain energy supports the state of consciousness.

PubMed

Shulman, Robert G; Hyder, Fahmeed; Rothman, Douglas L

2009-07-07

An individual, human or animal, is defined to be in a conscious state empirically by the behavioral ability to respond meaningfully to stimuli, whereas the loss of consciousness is defined by unresponsiveness. PET measurements of glucose or oxygen consumption show a widespread approximately 45% reduction in cerebral energy consumption with anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness. Because baseline brain energy consumption has been shown by (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy to be almost exclusively dedicated to neuronal signaling, we propose that the high level of brain energy is a necessary property of the conscious state. Two additional neuronal properties of the conscious state change with anesthesia. The delocalized fMRI activity patterns in rat brain during sensory stimulation at a higher energy state (close to the awake) collapse to a contralateral somatosensory response at lower energy state (deep anesthesia). Firing rates of an ensemble of neurons in the rat somatosensory cortex shift from the gamma-band range (20-40 Hz) at higher energy state to <10 Hz at lower energy state. With the conscious state defined by the individual's behavior and maintained by high cerebral energy, measurable properties of that state are the widespread fMRI patterns and high frequency neuronal activity, both of which support the extensive interregional communication characteristic of consciousness. This usage of high brain energies when the person is in the "state" of consciousness differs from most studies, which attend the smaller energy increments observed during the stimulations that form the "contents" of that state.

Continuum theory of phase separation kinetics for active Brownian particles.

PubMed

Stenhammar, Joakim; Tiribocchi, Adriano; Allen, Rosalind J; Marenduzzo, Davide; Cates, Michael E

2013-10-04

Active Brownian particles (ABPs), when subject to purely repulsive interactions, are known to undergo activity-induced phase separation broadly resembling an equilibrium (attraction-induced) gas-liquid coexistence. Here we present an accurate continuum theory for the dynamics of phase-separating ABPs, derived by direct coarse graining, capturing leading-order density gradient terms alongside an effective bulk free energy. Such gradient terms do not obey detailed balance; yet we find coarsening dynamics closely resembling that of equilibrium phase separation. Our continuum theory is numerically compared to large-scale direct simulations of ABPs and accurately accounts for domain growth kinetics, domain topologies, and coexistence densities.

Active member vibration control for a 4 meter primary reflector support structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Umland, J. W.; Chen, G.-S.

1992-01-01

The design and testing of a new low voltage piezoelectric active member with integrated load cell and displacement sensor is described. This active member is intended for micron level vibration and structural shape control of the Precision Segmented Reflector test-bed. The test-bed is an erectable 4 meter diameter backup support truss for a 2.4 meter focal length parabolic reflector. Active damping of the test-bed is then demonstrated using the newly developed active members. The control technique used is referred to as bridge feedback. With this technique the internal sensors are used in a local feedback loop to match the active member's input impedance to the structure's load impedance, which then maximizes vibrational energy dissipation. The active damping effectiveness is then evaluated from closed loop frequency responses.

Siderophile trace element diffusion in Fe-Ni alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, Heather C.; Watson, E. Bruce

2003-09-01

Experiments were performed in a piston cylinder apparatus to characterize the diffusion behavior of the siderophile elements, Mo, Cu, Pd, Au, and Re in solid Fe-Ni alloy (90 wt.% Fe, 10 wt.% Ni). All experiments were conducted at 1 GPa and temperatures ranging from 1175 to 1400 °C. Activation energies of all elements fall between 270 kJ/mol (Cu) and 360 kJ/mol (Mo). Mo, Cu, Pd, and Au all show similar diffusivities at the same conditions, but the diffusivity of Re was consistently close to an order of magnitude lower. Initial experiments on other refractory elements (Os, Pt, and Ir) indicate that their diffusivities are close to or slightly lower than that of Re.

Diffusion and the Thermal Stability of Amorphous Copper-Zirconium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stelter, Eric Carl

Measurements have been made of diffusion and thermal relaxation in amorphous Cu(,50)Zr(,50). Samples were prepared by melt-spinning under vacuum. Diffusion measurements were made over the temperature range from 317 to 385 C, using Ag and Au as substitutional impurities, by means of Auger electron spectrometry (AES) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Thermal measurements were made by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) up to 550 C. The diffusion coefficients of Ag and Au in amorphous Cu(,50)Zr(,50) are found to be somewhat higher than, but very close in magnitude to the coefficient of self-diffusion in crystalline Cu at the same temperatures. The activation energies for diffusion in the amorphous alloy are 0.72 to 1.55 eV/atom, much closer to the activation energy for self-diffusion in liquid Cu, 0.42 eV/atom, than that for the crystalline solid, 2.19 eV/atom. The mechanism for diffusion in the amorphous metal is presumably quite different from the monovacancy mechanism dominant in the crystalline solid. The pre-exponential terms are found to be extremely small, on the order of 10('-10) to 10('-11) cm('2)/sec for Ag diffusion. This indicates that diffusion in amorphous Cu(,50)Zr(,50) may involve an extended defect of 10 or more atoms. Analysis of the data in terms of the free -volume model also lends strength to this conclusion and indicates that the glass is composed of liquid-like clusters of 15 to 20 atoms. The initial stage of relaxation in amorphous CuZr occurs with a spectrum of activation energies. The lowest activation energy involved, 0.78 eV/atom, is almost identical to the average activation energy of Ag diffusion in the glass, 0.77 eV/atom, indicating that relaxation occurs primarily through diffusion. The activation energy of crystallization, determined by Kissinger's method, is 3.10 eV/atom. The large difference, on the order of 2.3 eV/atom, between the activation energies of crystallization and diffusion is attributed to the energy required to nucleate the crystalline phase.

New type of synchronization of oscillators with hard excitation

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

Kovaleva, M. A., E-mail: margo.kovaleva@gmail.com; Manevich, L. I., E-mail: manevichleonid3@gmail.com; Pilipchuk, V. N.

2013-08-15

It is shown that stable limiting cycles corresponding to nonlinear beats with complete energy exchange between oscillators can exist in a system of two weakly coupled active oscillators (generators). The oscillatory regime of this type, which implements a new type of synchronization in an active system, is an alternative to the well-studied synchronization in a regime close to a nonlinear normal mode. In this case, the ranges of dissipative parameters corresponding to different types of synchronization do not intersect. The analytic description of attractors revealed in analysis is based on the concept of limiting phase trajectories, which was developed earliermore » by one of the authors for conservative systems. A transition (in the parametric space) from the complete energy exchange between oscillators to predominant localization of energy in one of the oscillators can be naturally described using this concept. The localized normal mode is an attractor in the range of parameters in which neither the limiting phase trajectory nor any of the collective normal modes is an attractor.« less

The gravitational potential energy regeneration system with closed-circuit of boom of hydraulic excavator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Mingdong; Zhao, Dingxuan

2017-01-01

Considering the disadvantage of higher throttling loss for the open-circuit hydrostatic transmission at present, a novel gravitational potential energy regeneration system (GPERS) of the boom of hydraulic excavator, namely the closed-circuit GPERS, is proposed in this paper. The closed-circuit GPERS is based on a closed-circuit hydrostatic transmission and adopts a hydraulic accumulator as main energy storage element fabricated in novel configuration to recover the entire gravitational potential energy of the boom of hydraulic excavator. The matching parameter and control system design are carried out for the proposed system, and the system is modeled based on its physical attributes. Simulation and experiments are performed to validate the employed mathematical models, and then, the velocity and the pressure performance of system are analyzed. It is observed that the closed-circuit GPERS shows better velocity control of the boom and response characteristics. After that, the average working efficiency of the closed-circuit GPERS of boom is estimated under different load conditions. The results indicate that the proposed system is highly effective and that the average working efficiency in different load conditions varied from 60% to 68.2% for the experiment platform.

Orientation-dependent structural and photocatalytic properties of LaCoO3 epitaxial nano-thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yan-ping; Liu, Hai-feng; Hu, Hai-long; Xie, Rui-shi; Ma, Guo-hua; Huo, Ji-chuan; Wang, Hai-bin

2018-02-01

LaCoO3 epitaxial films were grown on (100), (110) and (111) oriented LaAlO3 substrates by the polymer-assisted deposition method. Crystal structure measurement and cross-section observation indicate that all the LaCoO3 films are epitaxially grown in accordance with the orientation of LaAlO3 substrates, with biaxial compressive strain in the ab plane. Owing to the different strain directions of CoO6 octahedron, the mean Co-O bond length increases by different amounts in (100), (110) and (111) oriented films compared with that of bulk LaCoO3, and the (100) oriented LaCoO3 has the largest increase. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange indicates that the order of photocatalytic activity of the three oriented films is (100) > (111) > (110). Combined with analysis of electronic nature and band structure for LaCoO3 films, it is found that the change of the photocatalytic activity is closely related to the crystal field splitting energy of Co3+ and Co-O binding energy. The increase in the mean Co-O bond length will decrease the crystal field splitting energy of Co3+ and Co-O binding energy and further reduce the value of band gap energy, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. This may also provide a clue for expanding the visible-light-induced photocatalytic application of LaCoO3.

Energy Expenditure and Aging

PubMed Central

Manini, Todd M.

2009-01-01

The study of energy expenditure (EE) has deep roots in understanding aging and lifespan in all species. In humans, total EE decreases substantially in advanced age resulting from parallel changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and activity EE. For RMR, this reduction appears to be due to a reduction in organ mass and specific metabolic rates of individual tissues. However, these anatomical changes explain very little regarding the decline in activity EE, which is governed by both genetic and environmental sources. The biological control centers for activity EE are closely coupled with body mass fluctuations and seem to originate in the brain. Several candidate neuromodulators may be involved in the age-related reduction of activity EE that include: orexin, agouti-related proteins and dopaminergic pathways. Unfortunately, the existing body of research has primarily focused on how neuromodulators influence weight gain and only a few studies have been performed in aging models. Recent evidence suggests that activity EE has an important role in dictating lifespan and thus places emphasis on future research to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms. The study of EE continues to unlock clues to aging. PMID:19698803

FY2010 Annual Progress Report for Propulsion Materials

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

Davis, Patrick B.; Schutte, Carol L.; Gibbs, Jerry L.

The Propulsion Materials Technology actively supports the energy security and reduction of greenhouse emissions goals of the Vehicle Technologies Program by developing advanced materials that enable development of higher efficiency powertrains for ground transportation. Propulsion Materials works closely with the other disciplines within the VT Program to identify the materials properties essential for the development of cost-effective, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly next-generation heavy and light duty powertrains.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Obesity.

PubMed

Yilmaz, Erkan

2017-01-01

In recent years, the world has seen an alarming increase in obesity and closely associated with insulin resistance which is a state of low-grade inflammation, the latter characterized by elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in blood and tissues. A shift in energy balance alters systemic metabolic regulation and the important role that chronic inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction, and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) play in this process.Why obesity is so closely associated with insulin resistance and inflammation is not understood well. This suggests that there are probably other causes for obesity-related insulin resistance and inflammation. One of these appears to be endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.The ER is a vast membranous network responsible for the trafficking of a wide range of proteins and plays a central role in integrating multiple metabolic signals critical in cellular homeostasis. Conditions that may trigger unfolded protein response activation include increased protein synthesis, the presence of mutant or misfolded proteins, inhibition of protein glycosylation, imbalance of ER calcium levels, glucose and energy deprivation, hypoxia, pathogens or pathogen-associated components and toxins. Thus, characterizing the mechanisms contributing to obesity and identifying potential targets for its prevention and treatment will have a great impact on the control of associated conditions, particularly T2D.

Binding of Single Walled Carbon Nanotube to WT and Mutant HIV-1 Proteases: Analysis of Flap Dynamics and Binding Mechanism

PubMed Central

Meher, Biswa Ranjan; Wang, Yixuan

2012-01-01

Most of the currently treated HIV-1 protease (HIV-PR) inhibitors have been prone to suffer from the mutations associated drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to search for potent alternatives against the drug resistance. In the current study we have tested the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) as an inhibitor in wild type (WT) as well as in three primary mutants (I50VPR, V82APR and I84VPR) of the HIV-1-PR through docking the SWCNT in the active site region, and then performed all-atom MD simulations for the complexes. The conformational dynamics of HIV-PR with a 20 ns trajectory reveals that the SWCNT can effectively bind to the HIV-1-PR active site and regulate the flap dynamics such as maintaining the flap-flap closed. To gain an insight into the binding affinity, we also performed the MM-PBSA based binding free energy calculations for the four HIV-PR/SWCNT complexes. It was observed that, although the binding between the SWCNT and the HIV-PR decreases due to the mutations, the SWCNTs bind to the HIV-PRs 3–5 folds stronger than the most potent HIV-1-PR inhibitor, TMC114. Remarkably, the significant interactions with binding energy higher than 1 kcal/mol focus on the flap and active regions, which favors closing flap-flap and deactivating the active residues of the HIV-PR. The flap dynamics and binding strength information for HIV-PR and SWCNTs can help design SWCNT-based HIV-1-PR inhibitors. PMID:23142620

DFT Study of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity on Fe−N4-Patched Carbon Nanotubes: The Influence of the Diameter and Length

PubMed Central

Chen, Xin; Hu, Rui; Bai, Fan

2017-01-01

The influences of diameter and length of the Fe−N4-patched carbon nanotubes (Fe−N4/CNTs) on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity were investigated by density functional theory method using the BLYP/DZP basis set. The results indicate that the stability of the Fe−N4 catalytic site in Fe−N4/CNTs will be enhanced with a larger tube diameter, but reduced with shorter tube length. A tube with too small a diameter makes a Fe−N4 site unstable in acid medium since Fe−N and C−N bonds must be significantly bent at smaller diameters due to hoop strain. The adsorption energy of the ORR intermediates, especially of the OH group, becomes weaker with the increase of the tube diameter. The OH adsorption energy of Fe−N4/CNT with the largest tube diameter is close to that on Pt(111) surface, indicating that its catalytic property is similar to Pt. Electronic structure analysis shows that the OH adsorption energy is mainly controlled by the energy levels of Fe 3d orbital. The calculation results uncover that Fe−N4/CNTs with larger tube diameters and shorter lengths will exhibit better ORR activity and stability. PMID:28772903

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

Wang, Yujie; Gong, Sha; Wang, Zhen

The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of an RNA base pair were obtained through a long-time molecular dynamics simulation of the opening-closing switch process of the base pair near its melting temperature. The thermodynamic parameters were in good agreement with the nearest-neighbor model. The opening rates showed strong temperature dependence, however, the closing rates showed only weak temperature dependence. The transition path time was weakly temperature dependent and was insensitive to the energy barrier. The diffusion constant exhibited super-Arrhenius behavior. The free energy barrier of breaking a single base stack results from the enthalpy increase, ΔH, caused by the disruption ofmore » hydrogen bonding and base-stacking interactions. The free energy barrier of base pair closing comes from the unfavorable entropy loss, ΔS, caused by the restriction of torsional angles. These results suggest that a one-dimensional free energy surface is sufficient to accurately describe the dynamics of base pair opening and closing, and the dynamics are Brownian.« less

Analysis of the irreversible process of proton transport in the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium.

PubMed

Hong, T; Manqi, T

1980-04-01

The proton transport across biological membrane, accompanied by energy transformation, is closely related with many basic processes involved in the maintenance of life. Active researches are carried out in this field, but so far we have not known a complete calculation. This paper presents a model of an open and closed photon-controlled ion pore with a quantitative analysis of the irreversible process of the proton transport across the purple membrane. Upon absorbing photon by the purple membrane, the deprotonation of the Schiff base causes the ion pore to open, but it will close when it returns to bR570. A set of nonlinear differential equations describing this model is given. The stability of the equations is discussed. The results of the numerical calculation for steady state are found in good agreement with the experimental data of Bakker.

Two-Photon Activation of p-Hydroxyphenacyl Phototriggers: Toward Spatially Controlled Release of Diethyl Phosphate and ATP.

PubMed

Houk, Amanda L; Givens, Richard S; Elles, Christopher G

2016-03-31

Two-photon activation of the p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) photoactivated protecting group is demonstrated for the first time using visible light at 550 nm from a pulsed laser. Broadband two-photon absorption measurements reveal a strong two-photon transition (>10 GM) near 4.5 eV that closely resembles the lowest-energy band at the same total excitation energy in the one-photon absorption spectrum of the pHP chromophore. The polarization dependence of the two-photon absorption band is consistent with excitation to the same S3 ((1)ππ*) excited state for both one- and two-photon activation. Monitoring the progress of the uncaging reaction under nonresonant excitation at 550 nm confirms a quadratic intensity dependence and that two-photon activation of the uncaging reaction is possible using visible light in the range 500-620 nm. Deprotonation of the pHP chromophore under mildly basic conditions shifts the absorption band to lower energy (3.8 eV) in both the one- and two-photon absorption spectra, suggesting that two-photon activation of the pHP chromophore may be possible using light in the range 550-720 nm. The results of these measurements open the possibility of spatially and temporally selective release of biologically active compounds from the pHP protecting group using visible light from a pulsed laser.

Closing Keynote Presentation on the Genomics of Energy and the Environment (JGI Seventh Annual User Meeting 2012: Genomics of Energy and Environment)

ScienceCinema

Benner, Steve

2018-05-08

Steve Benner, a distinguished chemist at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Westheimer Institute of Science and Technology, provides the closing keynote address for the JGI 7th Annual Users Meeting: Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting on March 22, 2012 in Walnut Creek, California.

Closing Keynote Presentation on the Genomics of Energy and the Environment (JGI Seventh Annual User Meeting 2012: Genomics of Energy and Environment)

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

Benner, Steve

2012-03-22

Steve Benner, a distinguished chemist at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Westheimer Institute of Science and Technology, provides the closing keynote address for the JGI 7th Annual Users Meeting: Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting on March 22, 2012 in Walnut Creek, California.

A radioluminescent nuclear battery using volumetric configuration: 63Ni solution/ZnS:Cu,Al/InGaP.

PubMed

Russo, Johnny; Litz, Marc; Ray, William; Smith, Brenda; Moyers, Richard

2017-12-01

Energy dense power sources are critical to the development of compact, remote sensors for terrestrial and space applications. Nuclear batteries using β - -emitting radioisotopes possess energy densities 1000 times greater than chemical batteries. Their power generation is a function of β - flux saturation point relative to the planar (2D) configuration, β - range, and semiconductor converter. An approach to increase power density in a beta-photovoltaic (β-PV) nuclear battery is described. By using volumetric (3D) configuration, the radioisotope, nickel-63 ( 63 Ni) in a chloride solution was integrated in a phosphor film (ZnS:Cu,Al) where the β - energy is converted into optical energy. The optical energy was converted to electrical energy via an indium gallium phosphate (InGaP) photovoltaic (PV) cell, which was optimized for low light illumination and closely matched to radioluminescence (RL) spectrum. With 15mCi of 63 Ni activity, the 3D configuration energy values surpassed 2D configuration results. The highest total power conversion efficiency (η t ) of 3D configuration was 0.289% at 200µm compared 0.0638% for 2D configuration at 50µm. The highest electrical power and η t for the 3D configuration were 3.35 nW e /cm 2 at an activity of 30mCi and 0.289% at an activity of 15mCi, respectively. By using 3D configuration, the interaction space between the radioisotope source and scintillation material increased, allowing for significant electrical energy output, relative to the 2D configuration. These initial results represent a first step to increase nuclear battery power density from microwatts to milliwatts per 1000cm 3 with the implementation of higher energy β - sources. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Controlled creation and stability of k π skyrmions on a discrete lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagemeister, Julian; Siemens, Ansgar; Rózsa, Levente; Vedmedenko, Elena Y.; Wiesendanger, Roland

2018-05-01

We determine sizes and activation energies of k π skyrmions on a discrete lattice using the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation and the geodesic nudged elastic band method. The employed atomic material parameters are based on the skyrmionic material system Pd/Fe/Ir(111). We find that the critical magnetic fields for collapse of the 2 π skyrmion and 3 π skyrmion are very close to each other and considerably lower than the critical field of the 1 π skyrmion. The activation energy protecting the structures does not strictly decrease with increasing k as it can be larger for the 3 π skyrmion than for the 2 π skyrmion depending on the applied magnetic field. Furthermore, we propose a method of switching the skyrmion order k by a reversion of the magnetic field direction in samples of finite size.

Spin distributions and cross sections of evaporation residues in the 28Si+176Yb reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudarshan, K.; Tripathi, R.; Sodaye, S.; Sharma, S. K.; Pujari, P. K.; Gehlot, J.; Madhavan, N.; Nath, S.; Mohanto, G.; Mukul, I.; Jhingan, A.; Mazumdar, I.

2017-02-01

Background: Non-compound-nucleus fission in the preactinide region has been an active area of investigation in the recent past. Based on the measurements of fission-fragment mass distributions in the fission of 202Po, populated by reactions with varying entrance channel mass asymmetry, the onset of non-compound-nucleus fission was proposed to be around ZpZt˜1000 [Phys. Rev. C 77, 024606 (2008), 10.1103/PhysRevC.77.024606], where Zp and Zt are the projectile and target proton numbers, respectively. Purpose: The present paper is aimed at the measurement of cross sections and spin distributions of evaporation residues in the 28Si+176Yb reaction (ZpZt=980 ) to investigate the fusion hindrance which, in turn, would give information about the contribution from non-compound-nucleus fission in this reaction. Method: Evaporation-residue cross sections were measured in the beam energy range of 129-166 MeV using the hybrid recoil mass analyzer (HYRA) operated in the gas-filled mode. Evaporation-residue cross sections were also measured by the recoil catcher technique followed by off-line γ -ray spectrometry at few intermediate energies. γ -ray multiplicities of evaporation residues were measured to infer about their spin distribution. The measurements were carried out using NaI(Tl) detector-based 4π-spin spectrometer from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, coupled to the HYRA. Results: Evaporation-residue cross sections were significantly lower compared to those calculated using the statistical model code pace2 [Phys. Rev. C 21, 230 (1980), 10.1103/PhysRevC.21.230] with the coupled-channel fusion model code ccfus [Comput. Phys. Commun. 46, 187 (1987), 10.1016/0010-4655(87)90045-2] at beam energies close to the entrance channel Coulomb barrier. At higher beam energies, experimental cross sections were close to those predicted by the model. Average γ -ray multiplicities or angular momentum values of evaporation residues were in agreement with the calculations of the code ccfus + pace2 within the experimental uncertainties at all the beam energies. Conclusions: Deviation of evaporation-residue cross sections from the "fusion + statistical model" predictions at beam energies close to the entrance channel Coulomb barrier indicates fusion hindrance at these beam energies which would lead to non-compound-nucleus fission. However, reasonable agreement of average angular momentum values of evaporation residues at these beam energies with those calculated using the coupled-channel fusion model with the statistical model codes ccfus + pace2 suggests that fusion suppression at beam energies close to the entrance channel Coulomb barrier where populated l waves are low is not l dependent.

Closed-Loop Control of Complex Networks: A Trade-Off between Time and Energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yong-Zheng; Leng, Si-Yang; Lai, Ying-Cheng; Grebogi, Celso; Lin, Wei

2017-11-01

Controlling complex nonlinear networks is largely an unsolved problem at the present. Existing works focus either on open-loop control strategies and their energy consumptions or on closed-loop control schemes with an infinite-time duration. We articulate a finite-time, closed-loop controller with an eye toward the physical and mathematical underpinnings of the trade-off between the control time and energy as well as their dependence on the network parameters and structure. The closed-loop controller is tested on a large number of real systems including stem cell differentiation, food webs, random ecosystems, and spiking neuronal networks. Our results represent a step forward in developing a rigorous and general framework to control nonlinear dynamical networks with a complex topology.

Ag/SiO2 nanoparticle-based plasmonic enhancement of light output in nanohole-patterned InGaN/GaN blue light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yun, Jin-Hyeon; Kim, Kyu Cheol; Yu, Yeon Tae; Yang, Jin Kyu; Polyakov, Alexander Y.; Lee, In-Hwan

2017-10-01

Improved performance of blue InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is realized as a result of fabricating nanohole patterns in the p-GaN contact layer and embedding the nanoholes with Ag/SiO2 nanoparticles to generate localized surface plasmons (LSPs). Good matching between LSP resonance energy and LED emission energy together with the close proximity between nanoparticles and the active region results in strong coupling between them. Consequently, the photoluminescence and electroluminescence intensities increased to 1.75 and 1.10, respectively, compared with nanohole patterned reference LEDs.

Simulation of cortico-basal ganglia oscillations and their suppression by closed loop deep brain stimulation.

PubMed

Grant, Peadar F; Lowery, Madeleine M

2013-07-01

A new model of deep brain stimulation (DBS) is presented that integrates volume conduction effects with a neural model of pathological beta-band oscillations in the cortico-basal ganglia network. The model is used to test the clinical hypothesis that closed-loop control of the amplitude of DBS may be possible, based on the average rectified value of beta-band oscillations in the local field potential. Simulation of closed-loop high-frequency DBS was shown to yield energy savings, with the magnitude of the energy saved dependent on the strength of coupling between the subthalamic nucleus and the remainder of the cortico-basal ganglia network. When closed-loop DBS was applied to a strongly coupled cortico-basal ganglia network, the stimulation energy delivered over a 480 s period was reduced by up to 42%. Greater energy reductions were observed for weakly coupled networks, as the stimulation amplitude reduced to zero once the initial desynchronization had occurred. The results provide support for the application of closed-loop high-frequency DBS based on electrophysiological biomarkers.

Storage of Renewable Energy by Reduction of CO2 with Hydrogen.

PubMed

Züttel, Andreas; Mauron, Philippe; Kato, Shunsuke; Callini, Elsa; Holzer, Marco; Huang, Jianmei

2015-01-01

The main difference between the past energy economy during the industrialization period which was mainly based on mining of fossil fuels, e.g. coal, oil and methane and the future energy economy based on renewable energy is the requirement for storage of the energy fluxes. Renewable energy, except biomass, appears in time- and location-dependent energy fluxes as heat or electricity upon conversion. Storage and transport of energy requires a high energy density and has to be realized in a closed materials cycle. The hydrogen cycle, i.e. production of hydrogen from water by renewable energy, storage and use of hydrogen in fuel cells, combustion engines or turbines, is a closed cycle. However, the hydrogen density in a storage system is limited to 20 mass% and 150 kg/m(3) which limits the energy density to about half of the energy density in fossil fuels. Introducing CO(2) into the cycle and storing hydrogen by the reduction of CO(2) to hydrocarbons allows renewable energy to be converted into synthetic fuels with the same energy density as fossil fuels. The resulting cycle is a closed cycle (CO(2) neutral) if CO(2) is extracted from the atmosphere. Today's technology allows CO(2) to be reduced either by the Sabatier reaction to methane, by the reversed water gas shift reaction to CO and further reduction of CO by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to hydrocarbons or over methanol to gasoline. The overall process can only be realized on a very large scale, because the large number of by-products of FTS requires the use of a refinery. Therefore, a well-controlled reaction to a specific product is required for the efficient conversion of renewable energy (electricity) into an easy to store liquid hydrocarbon (fuel). In order to realize a closed hydrocarbon cycle the two major challenges are to extract CO(2) from the atmosphere close to the thermodynamic limit and to reduce CO(2) with hydrogen in a controlled reaction to a specific hydrocarbon. Nanomaterials with nanopores and the unique surface structures of metallic clusters offer new opportunities for the production of synthetic fuels.

On the closed form mechanistic modeling of milling: Specific cutting energy, torque, and power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayoumi, A. E.; Yücesan, G.; Hutton, D. V.

1994-02-01

Specific energy in metal cutting, defined as the energy expended in removing a unit volume of workpiece material, is formulated and determined using a previously developed closed form mechanistic force model for milling operations. Cutting power is computed from the cutting torque, cutting force, kinematics of the cutter, and the volumetric material removal rate. Closed form expressions for specific cutting energy were formulated and found to be functions of the process parameters: pressure and friction for both rake and flank surfaces and chip flow angle at the rake face of the tool. Friction is found to play a very important role in cutting torque and power. Experiments were carried out to determine the effects of feedrate, cutting speed, workpiece material, and flank wear land width on specific cutting energy. It was found that the specific cutting energy increases with a decrease in the chip thickness and with an increase in flank wear land.

Advanced technology cogeneration system conceptual design study: Closed cycle gas turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mock, E. A. T.; Daudet, H. C.

1983-01-01

The results of a three task study performed for the Department of Energy under the direction of the NASA Lewis Research Center are documented. The thermal and electrical energy requirements of three specific industrial plants were surveyed and cost records for the energies consumed were compiled. Preliminary coal fired atmospheric fluidized bed heated closed cycle gas turbine and steam turbine cogeneration system designs were developed for each industrial plant. Preliminary cost and return-on-equity values were calculated and the results compared. The best of the three sites was selected for more detailed design and evaluation of both closed cycle gas turbine and steam turbine cogeneration systems during Task II. Task III involved characterizing the industrial sector electrical and thermal loads for the 48 contiguous states, applying a family of closed cycle gas turbine and steam turbine cogeneration systems to these loads, and conducting a market penetration analysis of the closed cycle gas turbine cogeneration system.

How does the Earth system generate and maintain thermodynamic disequilibrium and what does it imply for the future of the planet?

PubMed

Kleidon, Axel

2012-03-13

The Earth's chemical composition far from chemical equilibrium is unique in our Solar System, and this uniqueness has been attributed to the presence of widespread life on the planet. Here, I show how this notion can be quantified using non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Generating and maintaining disequilibrium in a thermodynamic variable requires the extraction of power from another thermodynamic gradient, and the second law of thermodynamics imposes fundamental limits on how much power can be extracted. With this approach and associated limits, I show that the ability of abiotic processes to generate geochemical free energy that can be used to transform the surface-atmosphere environment is strongly limited to less than 1 TW. Photosynthetic life generates more than 200 TW by performing photochemistry, thereby substantiating the notion that a geochemical composition far from equilibrium can be a sign for strong biotic activity. Present-day free energy consumption by human activity in the form of industrial activity and human appropriated net primary productivity is of the order of 50 TW and therefore constitutes a considerable term in the free energy budget of the planet. When aiming to predict the future of the planet, we first note that since global changes are closely related to this consumption of free energy, and the demands for free energy by human activity are anticipated to increase substantially in the future, the central question in the context of predicting future global change is then how human free energy demands can increase sustainably without negatively impacting the ability of the Earth system to generate free energy. This question could be evaluated with climate models, and the potential deficiencies in these models to adequately represent the thermodynamics of the Earth system are discussed. Then, I illustrate the implications of this thermodynamic perspective by discussing the forms of renewable energy and planetary engineering that would enhance the overall free energy generation and, thereby 'empower' the future of the planet.

Toward Fully in Silico Melting Point Prediction Using Molecular Simulations

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

Zhang, Y; Maginn, EJ

2013-03-01

Melting point is one of the most fundamental and practically important properties of a compound. Molecular computation of melting points. However, all of these methods simulation methods have been developed for the accurate need an experimental crystal structure as input, which means that such calculations are not really predictive since the melting point can be measured easily in experiments once a crystal structure is known. On the other hand, crystal structure prediction (CSP) has become an active field and significant progress has been made, although challenges still exist. One of the main challenges is the existence of many crystal structuresmore » (polymorphs) that are very close in energy. Thermal effects and kinetic factors make the situation even more complicated, such that it is still not trivial to predict experimental crystal structures. In this work, we exploit the fact that free energy differences are often small between crystal structures. We show that accurate melting point predictions can be made by using a reasonable crystal structure from CSP as a starting point for a free energy-based melting point calculation. The key is that most crystal structures predicted by CSP have free energies that are close to that of the experimental structure. The proposed method was tested on two rigid molecules and the results suggest that a fully in silico melting point prediction method is possible.« less

Nuclear power grows in China`s energy mix

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

Chen, Xavier

1996-07-01

China`s rapid economic growth in the past two decades has caused the nations`s demand for electricity to exceed its capacity. AS of 1992, with power shortages as high as 25 percent, {open_quotes}power plant operators were often forced to resort to rolling brownouts to avoid complete system breakdowns,{close_quotes} says Xavier Chen, an assistant professor with the Asian Institute of Technology`s Energy Program in Bangkok, Thailand. To keep pace with China`s economic development, Chen estimates that {open_quotes}China must increase its electricity capacity 6 to 8 percent a year each year into the foreseeable future.{close_quotes} For now, coal is transported to power plantsmore » in the rapidly developing eastern coastal provinces at great expense. Chen also notes that the environmental disadvantages of coal make it a less desirable source of energy than nuclear. Development of nuclear energy is likely to go forward for another reason: In China, there is much less opposition to nuclear power plants than in other developing nations. {open_quotes}Nuclear energy likely will plan an important role in China`s future energy mix and help close the gap between electricity production and demand,{close_quotes} Chen says.« less

Hydrophobic interaction between contiguous residues in the S6 transmembrane segment acts as a stimuli integration node in the BK channel

PubMed Central

Carrasquel-Ursulaez, Willy; Contreras, Gustavo F.; Sepúlveda, Romina V.; Aguayo, Daniel; González-Nilo, Fernando

2015-01-01

Large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channel (BK) open probability is enhanced by depolarization, increasing Ca2+ concentration, or both. These stimuli activate modular voltage and Ca2+ sensors that are allosterically coupled to channel gating. Here, we report a point mutation of a phenylalanine (F380A) in the S6 transmembrane helix that, in the absence of internal Ca2+, profoundly hinders channel opening while showing only minor effects on the voltage sensor active–resting equilibrium. Interpretation of these results using an allosteric model suggests that the F380A mutation greatly increases the free energy difference between open and closed states and uncouples Ca2+ binding from voltage sensor activation and voltage sensor activation from channel opening. However, the presence of a bulky and more hydrophobic amino acid in the F380 position (F380W) increases the intrinsic open–closed equilibrium, weakening the coupling between both sensors with the pore domain. Based on these functional experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we propose that F380 interacts with another S6 hydrophobic residue (L377) in contiguous subunits. This pair forms a hydrophobic ring important in determining the open–closed equilibrium and, like an integration node, participates in the communication between sensors and between the sensors and pore. Moreover, because of its effects on open probabilities, the F380A mutant can be used for detailed voltage sensor experiments in the presence of permeant cations. PMID:25548136

Oxidation of CO and Methanol on Pd-Ni Catalysts Supported on Different Chemically-Treated Carbon Nanofibers

PubMed Central

Calderón, Juan Carlos; Rios Ráfales, Miguel; Nieto-Monge, María Jesús; Pardo, Juan Ignacio; Moliner, Rafael; Lázaro, María Jesús

2016-01-01

In this work, palladium-nickel nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibers were synthesized, with metal contents close to 25 wt % and Pd:Ni atomic ratios near to 1:2. These catalysts were previously studied in order to determine their activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction. Before the deposition of metals, the carbon nanofibers were chemically treated in order to generate oxygen and nitrogen groups on their surface. Transmission electron microscopy analysis (TEM) images revealed particle diameters between 3 and 4 nm, overcoming the sizes observed for the nanoparticles supported on carbon black (catalyst Pd-Ni CB 1:2). From the CO oxidation at different temperatures, the activation energy Eact for this reaction was determined. These values indicated a high tolerance of the catalysts toward the CO poisoning, especially in the case of the catalysts supported on the non-chemically treated carbon nanofibers. On the other hand, apparent activation energy Eap for the methanol oxidation was also determined finding—as a rate determining step—the COads diffusion to the OHads for the catalysts supported on carbon nanofibers. The results here presented showed that the surface functional groups only play a role in the obtaining of lower particle sizes, which is an important factor in the obtaining of low CO oxidation activation energies. PMID:28335315

Innovative Strategy on Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Utilizing Activated Liquid Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Bing-Joe; Chen, Hsiao-Chien; Mai, Fu-Der; Tsai, Hui-Yen; Yang, Chih-Ping; Rick, John; Liu, Yu-Chuan

2015-11-01

Splitting water for hydrogen production using light, or electrical energy, is the most developed ‘green technique’. For increasing efficiency in hydrogen production, currently, the most exciting and thriving strategies are focused on efficient and inexpensive catalysts. Here, we report an innovative idea for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) utilizing plasmon-activated liquid water with reduced hydrogen-bonded structure by hot electron transfer. This strategy is effective for all HERs in acidic, basic and neutral systems, photocatalytic system with a g-C3N4 (graphite carbon nitride) electrode, as well as in an inert system with an ITO (indium tin oxide) electrode. Compared to deionized water, the efficiency of HER increases by 48% based on activated water ex situ on a Pt electrode. Increase in energy efficiency from activated water is 18% at a specific current yield of -20 mA in situ on a nanoscale-granulated Au electrode. Moreover, the onset potential of -0.023 V vs RHE was very close to the thermodynamic potential of the HER (0 V). The measured current density at the corresponding overpotential for HER in an acidic system was higher than any data previously reported in the literature. This approach establishes a new vista in clean green energy production.

Charge movement in gating-locked HCN channels reveals weak coupling of voltage sensors and gate.

PubMed

Ryu, Sujung; Yellen, Gary

2012-11-01

HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated) pacemaker channels have an architecture similar to that of voltage-gated K(+) channels, but they open with the opposite voltage dependence. HCN channels use essentially the same positively charged voltage sensors and intracellular activation gates as K(+) channels, but apparently these two components are coupled differently. In this study, we examine the energetics of coupling between the voltage sensor and the pore by using cysteine mutant channels for which low concentrations of Cd(2+) ions freeze the open-closed gating machinery but still allow the sensors to move. We were able to lock mutant channels either into open or into closed states by the application of Cd(2+) and measure the effect on voltage sensor movement. Cd(2+) did not immobilize the gating charge, as expected for strict coupling, but rather it produced shifts in the voltage dependence of voltage sensor charge movement, consistent with its effect of confining transitions to either closed or open states. From the magnitude of the Cd(2+)-induced shifts, we estimate that each voltage sensor produces a roughly three- to sevenfold effect on the open-closed equilibrium, corresponding to a coupling energy of ∼1.3-2 kT per sensor. Such coupling is not only opposite in sign to the coupling in K(+) channels, but also much weaker.

Integrated active and passive control design methodology for the LaRC CSI evolutionary model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voth, Christopher T.; Richards, Kenneth E., Jr.; Schmitz, Eric; Gehling, Russel N.; Morgenthaler, Daniel R.

1994-01-01

A general design methodology to integrate active control with passive damping was demonstrated on the NASA LaRC CSI Evolutionary Model (CEM), a ground testbed for future large, flexible spacecraft. Vibration suppression controllers designed for Line-of Sight (LOS) minimization were successfully implemented on the CEM. A frequency-shaped H2 methodology was developed, allowing the designer to specify the roll-off of the MIMO compensator. A closed loop bandwidth of 4 Hz, including the six rigid body modes and the first three dominant elastic modes of the CEM was achieved. Good agreement was demonstrated between experimental data and analytical predictions for the closed loop frequency response and random tests. Using the Modal Strain Energy (MSE) method, a passive damping treatment consisting of 60 viscoelastically damped struts was designed, fabricated and implemented on the CEM. Damping levels for the targeted modes were more than an order of magnitude larger than for the undamped structure. Using measured loss and stiffness data for the individual damped struts, analytical predictions of the damping levels were very close to the experimental values in the (1-10) Hz frequency range where the open loop model matched the experimental data. An integrated active/passive controller was successfully implemented on the CEM and was evaluated against an active-only controller. A two-fold increase in the effective control bandwidth and further reductions of 30 percent to 50 percent in the LOS RMS outputs were achieved compared to an active-only controller. Superior performance was also obtained compared to a High-Authority/Low-Authority (HAC/LAC) controller.

Quantum close coupling calculation of transport and relaxation properties for Hg-H2 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nemati-Kande, Ebrahim; Maghari, Ali

2016-11-01

Quantum mechanical close coupling calculation of the state-to-state transport and relaxation cross sections have been done for Hg-H2 molecular system using a high-level ab initio potential energy surface. Rotationally averaged cross sections were also calculated to obtain the energy dependent Senftleben-Beenakker cross sections at the energy range of 0.005-25,000 cm-1. Boltzmann averaging of the energy dependent Senftleben-Beenakker cross sections showed the temperature dependency over a wide temperature range of 50-2500 K. Interaction viscosity and diffusion coefficients were also calculated using close coupling cross sections and full classical Mason-Monchick approximation. The results were compared with each other and with the available experimental data. It was found that Mason-Monchick approximation for viscosity is more reliable than diffusion coefficient. Furthermore, from the comparison of the experimental diffusion coefficients with the result of the close coupling and Mason-Monchick approximation, it was found that the Hg-H2 potential energy surface used in this work can reliably predict diffusion coefficient data.

Regulating the electrical behaviors of 2D inorganic nanomaterials for energy applications.

PubMed

Feng, Feng; Wu, Junchi; Wu, Changzheng; Xie, Yi

2015-02-11

Recent years have witnessed great developments in inorganic 2D nanomaterials for their unique dimensional confinement and diverse electronic energy bands. Precisely regulating their intrinsic electrical behaviors would bring superior electrical conductivity, rendering 2D nanomaterials ideal candidates for active materials in electrochemical applications when combined with the excellent reaction activity from the inorganic lattice. This Concept focuses on highly conducting inorganic 2D nanomaterials, including intrinsic metallic 2D nanomaterials and artificial highly conductive 2D nanomaterials. The intrinsic metallicity of 2D nanomaterials is derived from their closely packed atomic structures that ensure maximum overlapping of electron orbitals, while artificial highly conductive 2D nanomaterials could be achieved by designed methodologies of surface modification, intralayer ion doping, and lattice strain, in which atomic-scale structural modulation plays a vital role in realizing conducting behaviors. Benefiting from fast electron transfer, high reaction activity, as well as large surface areas arising from the 2D inorganic lattice, highly conducting 2D nanomaterials open up prospects for enhancing performance in electrochemical catalysis and electrochemical capacitors. Conductive 2D inorganic nanomaterials promise higher efficiency for electrochemical applications of energy conversion and storage. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Neurophysiological, metabolic and cellular compartments that drive neurovascular coupling and neuroimaging signals

PubMed Central

Moreno, Andrea; Jego, Pierrick; de la Cruz, Feliberto; Canals, Santiago

2013-01-01

Complete understanding of the mechanisms that coordinate work and energy supply of the brain, the so called neurovascular coupling, is fundamental to interpreting brain energetics and their influence on neuronal coding strategies, but also to interpreting signals obtained from brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging. Interactions between neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow regulation are largely compartmentalized. First, there exists a functional compartmentalization in which glutamatergic peri-synaptic activity and its electrophysiological events occur in close proximity to vascular responses. Second, the metabolic processes that fuel peri-synaptic activity are partially segregated between glycolytic and oxidative compartments. Finally, there is cellular segregation between astrocytic and neuronal compartments, which has potentially important implications on neurovascular coupling. Experimental data is progressively showing a tight interaction between the products of energy consumption and neurotransmission-driven signaling molecules that regulate blood flow. Here, we review some of these issues in light of recent findings with special attention to the neuron-glia interplay on the generation of neuroimaging signals. PMID:23543907

Electrical conductivity and dielectric behavior in sodium zinc divanadates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sallemi, F.; Louati, B.; Guidara, K.

2014-11-01

The Na2ZnV2O7 compound was obtained by the conventional solid-state reaction. The sample was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman and impedance spectroscopy. The ac electrical conductivity and dielectric properties have been investigated in the frequency and temperature range of 200 Hz-1 MHz and 513 K-729 K, respectively. The direct current conductivity process is thermally activated. The frequency dependence of the conductivity is interpreted using the power law. The close values of activation energies obtained from the analysis of hopping frequency and dc conductivity implies that the transport is due to Na+ cation displacement parallel to (0 0 1) plane located between ZnO4 and VO4 tetrahedra. The evolution of the complex permittivity as a function of angular frequency was investigated. Several important parameters such as charge carrier concentration, ionic mobility and diffusion coefficient were determined. Thermodynamic parameters such as the free energy of activation ∆F, the enthalpy ∆H, and the change in entropy ∆S have been calculated.

Focus: Nucleation kinetics of shear bands in metallic glass.

PubMed

Wang, J Q; Perepezko, J H

2016-12-07

The development of shear bands is recognized as the primary mechanism in controlling the plastic deformability of metallic glasses. However, the kinetics of the nucleation of shear bands has received limited attention. The nucleation of shear bands in metallic glasses (MG) can be investigated using a nanoindentation method to monitor the development of the first pop-in event that is a signature of shear band nucleation. The analysis of a statistically significant number of first pop-in events demonstrates the stochastic behavior that is characteristic of nucleation and reveals a multimodal behavior associated with local spatial heterogeneities. The shear band nucleation rate of the two nucleation modes and the associated activation energy, activation volume, and site density were determined by loading rate experiments. The nucleation activation energy is very close to the value that is characteristic of the β relaxation in metallic glass. The identification of the rate controlling kinetics for shear band nucleation offers guidance for promoting plastic flow in metallic glass.

Trend in the Catalytic Activity of Transition Metals for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction by Lithium

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

Dathar, Gopi Krishna Phani; Shelton Jr, William Allison; Xu, Ye

2012-01-01

Periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the intrinsic activity of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, and Ru for the oxygen reduction reaction by Li (Li-ORR) forms a volcano-like trend with respect to the adsorption energy of oxygen, with Pt and Pd being the most active. The trend is based on two mechanisms: the reduction of molecular O{sub 2} on Au and Ag and of atomic O on the remaining metals. Step edges are found to be more active for catalyzing the Li-ORR than close-packed surfaces. Our findings identify important considerations in the design of catalyst-promoted air cathodes formore » nonaqueous Li-air batteries.« less

Ernst Young study of the economic effects of the Canadian Nuclear Industry

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

Going, T.; Roberts, M.; Harrison, S.

A major independent study was completed recently by Ernst Young on behalf of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). The [open quotes]Study of the Economic Effects of the Canadian Nuclear Industry[close quotes] is the first attempt to provide a cumulative and comprehensive assessment of the contribution to the Canadian economy made by the industry from business activities in Canada and abroad since commercial development began in the 1950s.

NEWS Climatology Project: The State of the Water Cycle at Continental to Global Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodell, Matthew; LEcuyer, Tristan; Beaudoing, Hiroko Kato; Olson, Bill

2011-01-01

NASA's Energy and Water Cycle Study (NEWS) program fosters collaborative research towards improved quantification and prediction of water and energy cycle consequences of climate change. In order to measure change, it is first necessary to describe current conditions. The goal of the NEWS Water and Energy Cycle Climatology project is to develop "state of the global water cycle" and "state of the global energy cycle" assessments based on data from modern ground and space based observing systems and data integrating models. The project is a multiinstitutional collaboration with more than 20 active contributors. This presentation will describe results of the first stage of the water budget analysis, whose goal was to characterize the current state of the water cycle on mean monthly, continental scales. We examine our success in closing the water budget within the expected uncertainty range and the effects of forcing budget closure as a method for refining individual flux estimates.

An optimal open/closed-loop control method with application to a pre-stressed thin duralumin plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadimpalli, Sruthi Raju

The excessive vibrations of a pre-stressed duralumin plate, suppressed by a combination of open-loop and closed-loop controls, also known as open/closed-loop control, is studied in this thesis. The two primary steps involved in this process are: Step (I) with an assumption that the closed-loop control law is proportional, obtain the optimal open-loop control by direct minimization of the performance measure consisting of energy at terminal time and a penalty on open-loop control force via calculus of variations. If the performance measure also involves a penalty on closed-loop control effort then a Fourier based method is utilized. Step (II) the energy at terminal time is minimized numerically to obtain optimal values of feedback gains. The optimal closed-loop control gains obtained are used to describe the displacement and the velocity of open-loop, closed-loop and open/closed-loop controlled duralumin plate.

Down-regulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activity: A driver of cancer.

PubMed

He, Xiaoling; Li, Cong; Ke, Rong; Luo, Lingyu; Huang, Deqiang

2017-04-01

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine protein kinase, is known as "intracellular energy sensor and regulator." AMPK regulates multiple cellular processes including protein and lipid synthesis, cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis. Moreover, AMPK plays a key role in the regulation of "Warburg effect" in cancer cells. AMPK activity is down-regulated in most tumor tissues compared with the corresponding adjacent paracancerous or normal tissues, indicating that the decline in AMPK activity is closely associated with the development and progression of cancer. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of AMPK deactivation during cancer progression is of pivotal importance as it may identify AMPK as a valid therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Here, we review the mechanisms by which AMPK is down-regulated in cancer.

Mathematical modelling of the active hearing process in mosquitoes

PubMed Central

Avitabile, D.; Homer, M.; Champneys, A. R.; Jackson, J. C.; Robert, D.

2010-01-01

Insects have evolved diverse and delicate morphological structures in order to capture the inherently low energy of a propagating sound wave. In mosquitoes, the capture of acoustic energy and its transduction into neuronal signals are assisted by the active mechanical participation of the scolopidia. We propose a simple microscopic mechanistic model of the active amplification in the mosquito species Toxorhynchites brevipalpis. The model is based on the description of the antenna as a forced-damped oscillator coupled to a set of active threads (ensembles of scolopidia) that provide an impulsive force when they twitch. This twitching is in turn controlled by channels that are opened and closed if the antennal oscillation reaches a critical amplitude. The model matches both qualitatively and quantitatively with recent experiments: spontaneous oscillations, nonlinear amplification, hysteresis, 2 : 1 resonances, frequency response and gain loss owing to hypoxia. The numerical simulations presented here also generate new hypotheses. In particular, the model seems to indicate that scolopidia located towards the tip of Johnston's organ are responsible for the entrainment of the other scolopidia and that they give the largest contribution to the mechanical amplification. PMID:19447819

Closing loop base pairs in RNA loop-loop complexes: structural behavior, interaction energy and solvation analysis through molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Golebiowski, Jérôme; Antonczak, Serge; Fernandez-Carmona, Juan; Condom, Roger; Cabrol-Bass, Daniel

2004-12-01

Nanosecond molecular dynamics using the Ewald summation method have been performed to elucidate the structural and energetic role of the closing base pair in loop-loop RNA duplexes neutralized by Mg2+ counterions in aqueous phases. Mismatches GA, CU and Watson-Crick GC base pairs have been considered for closing the loop of an RNA in complementary interaction with HIV-1 TAR. The simulations reveal that the mismatch GA base, mediated by a water molecule, leads to a complex that presents the best compromise between flexibility and energetic contributions. The mismatch CU base pair, in spite of the presence of an inserted water molecule, is too short to achieve a tight interaction at the closing-loop junction and seems to force TAR to reorganize upon binding. An energetic analysis has allowed us to quantify the strength of the interactions of the closing and the loop-loop pairs throughout the simulations. Although the water-mediated GA closing base pair presents an interaction energy similar to that found on fully geometry-optimized structure, the water-mediated CU closing base pair energy interaction reaches less than half the optimal value.

On approximation and energy estimates for delta 6-convex functions.

PubMed

Saleem, Muhammad Shoaib; Pečarić, Josip; Rehman, Nasir; Khan, Muhammad Wahab; Zahoor, Muhammad Sajid

2018-01-01

The smooth approximation and weighted energy estimates for delta 6-convex functions are derived in this research. Moreover, we conclude that if 6-convex functions are closed in uniform norm, then their third derivatives are closed in weighted [Formula: see text]-norm.

Estimation of activation energy for electroporation and pore growth rate in liquid crystalline and gel phases of lipid bilayers using molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Majhi, Amit Kumar; Kanchi, Subbarao; Venkataraman, V; Ayappa, K G; Maiti, Prabal K

2015-11-28

Molecular dynamics simulations of electroporation in POPC and DPPC lipid bilayers have been carried out at different temperatures ranging from 230 K to 350 K for varying electric fields. The dynamics of pore formation, including threshold field, pore initiation time, pore growth rate, and pore closure rate after the field is switched off, was studied in both the gel and liquid crystalline (Lα) phases of the bilayers. Using an Arrhenius model of pore initiation kinetics, the activation energy for pore opening was estimated to be 25.6 kJ mol(-1) and 32.6 kJ mol(-1) in the Lα phase of POPC and DPPC lipids respectively at a field strength of 0.32 V nm(-1). The activation energy decreases to 24.2 kJ mol(-1) and 23.7 kJ mol(-1) respectively at a higher field strength of 1.1 V nm(-1). At temperatures below the melting point, the activation energy in the gel phase of POPC and DPPC increases to 28.8 kJ mol(-1) and 34.4 kJ mol(-1) respectively at the same field of 1.1 V nm(-1). The pore closing time was found to be higher in the gel than in the Lα phase. The pore growth rate increases linearly with temperature and quadratically with field, consistent with viscosity limited growth models.

Assessment of laboratory and daily energy expenditure estimates from consumer multi-sensor physical activity monitors.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Enhad A; Western, Max J; Nightingale, Thomas E; Peacock, Oliver J; Thompson, Dylan

2017-01-01

Wearable physical activity monitors are growing in popularity and provide the opportunity for large numbers of the public to self-monitor physical activity behaviours. The latest generation of these devices feature multiple sensors, ostensibly similar or even superior to advanced research instruments. However, little is known about the accuracy of their energy expenditure estimates. Here, we assessed their performance against criterion measurements in both controlled laboratory conditions (simulated activities of daily living and structured exercise) and over a 24 hour period in free-living conditions. Thirty men (n = 15) and women (n = 15) wore three multi-sensor consumer monitors (Microsoft Band, Apple Watch and Fitbit Charge HR), an accelerometry-only device as a comparison (Jawbone UP24) and validated research-grade multi-sensor devices (BodyMedia Core and individually calibrated Actiheart™). During discrete laboratory activities when compared against indirect calorimetry, the Apple Watch performed similarly to criterion measures. The Fitbit Charge HR was less consistent at measurement of discrete activities, but produced similar free-living estimates to the Apple Watch. Both these devices underestimated free-living energy expenditure (-394 kcal/d and -405 kcal/d, respectively; P<0.01). The multi-sensor Microsoft Band and accelerometry-only Jawbone UP24 devices underestimated most laboratory activities and substantially underestimated free-living expenditure (-1128 kcal/d and -998 kcal/d, respectively; P<0.01). None of the consumer devices were deemed equivalent to the reference method for daily energy expenditure. For all devices, there was a tendency for negative bias with greater daily energy expenditure. No consumer monitors performed as well as the research-grade devices although in some (but not all) cases, estimates were close to criterion measurements. Thus, whilst industry-led innovation has improved the accuracy of consumer monitors, these devices are not yet equivalent to the best research-grade devices or indeed equivalent to each other. We propose independent quality standards and/or accuracy ratings for consumer devices are required.

Assessment of laboratory and daily energy expenditure estimates from consumer multi-sensor physical activity monitors

PubMed Central

Chowdhury, Enhad A.; Western, Max J.; Nightingale, Thomas E.; Peacock, Oliver J.; Thompson, Dylan

2017-01-01

Wearable physical activity monitors are growing in popularity and provide the opportunity for large numbers of the public to self-monitor physical activity behaviours. The latest generation of these devices feature multiple sensors, ostensibly similar or even superior to advanced research instruments. However, little is known about the accuracy of their energy expenditure estimates. Here, we assessed their performance against criterion measurements in both controlled laboratory conditions (simulated activities of daily living and structured exercise) and over a 24 hour period in free-living conditions. Thirty men (n = 15) and women (n = 15) wore three multi-sensor consumer monitors (Microsoft Band, Apple Watch and Fitbit Charge HR), an accelerometry-only device as a comparison (Jawbone UP24) and validated research-grade multi-sensor devices (BodyMedia Core and individually calibrated Actiheart™). During discrete laboratory activities when compared against indirect calorimetry, the Apple Watch performed similarly to criterion measures. The Fitbit Charge HR was less consistent at measurement of discrete activities, but produced similar free-living estimates to the Apple Watch. Both these devices underestimated free-living energy expenditure (-394 kcal/d and -405 kcal/d, respectively; P<0.01). The multi-sensor Microsoft Band and accelerometry-only Jawbone UP24 devices underestimated most laboratory activities and substantially underestimated free-living expenditure (-1128 kcal/d and -998 kcal/d, respectively; P<0.01). None of the consumer devices were deemed equivalent to the reference method for daily energy expenditure. For all devices, there was a tendency for negative bias with greater daily energy expenditure. No consumer monitors performed as well as the research-grade devices although in some (but not all) cases, estimates were close to criterion measurements. Thus, whilst industry-led innovation has improved the accuracy of consumer monitors, these devices are not yet equivalent to the best research-grade devices or indeed equivalent to each other. We propose independent quality standards and/or accuracy ratings for consumer devices are required. PMID:28234979

From free energy to expected energy: Improving energy-based value function approximation in reinforcement learning.

PubMed

Elfwing, Stefan; Uchibe, Eiji; Doya, Kenji

2016-12-01

Free-energy based reinforcement learning (FERL) was proposed for learning in high-dimensional state and action spaces. However, the FERL method does only really work well with binary, or close to binary, state input, where the number of active states is fewer than the number of non-active states. In the FERL method, the value function is approximated by the negative free energy of a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). In our earlier study, we demonstrated that the performance and the robustness of the FERL method can be improved by scaling the free energy by a constant that is related to the size of network. In this study, we propose that RBM function approximation can be further improved by approximating the value function by the negative expected energy (EERL), instead of the negative free energy, as well as being able to handle continuous state input. We validate our proposed method by demonstrating that EERL: (1) outperforms FERL, as well as standard neural network and linear function approximation, for three versions of a gridworld task with high-dimensional image state input; (2) achieves new state-of-the-art results in stochastic SZ-Tetris in both model-free and model-based learning settings; and (3) significantly outperforms FERL and standard neural network function approximation for a robot navigation task with raw and noisy RGB images as state input and a large number of actions. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Platinum-Terminated “Onion-structured” Alloy Catalysts

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

Herron, Jeffrey A.; Jiao, Jiao; Hahn, Konstanze

Using periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (GGA-PW91) calculations, a series of onion-structured metal alloys have been investigated for their catalytic performance towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The onion-structures consist of a varying number of atomic layers of one or two metals each, pseudomorphically deposited on top of one another to form the overall structure. All catalysts studied feature a Pt overlayer, and often consist of at least one Pd layer below the surface. Three distinct ORR mechanisms were analyzed on the close-packed facets of all the structures considered. These mechanisms include a direct route of O2 dissociation and twomore » hydrogen-assisted routes of O–O bond-breaking in peroxyl (OOH) and in hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) intermediates. A thermochemical analysis of the elementary steps provides information on the operating potential, and thereby energy efficiency of each electrocatalyst. A Sabatier analysis of catalytic activity based on thermochemistry of proton/electron transfer steps and activation energy barrier for O–O bond-breaking steps leads to a “volcano” relation between the surfaces’ activity and the binding energy of O. Several of the onion-structured alloys studied here show promise for achieving energy efficiency higher than that of Pt, by being active at potentials higher than the operating potential of Pt. Furthermore, some have at least as good activity as pure Pt at that operating potential. Thus, a number of the onion-structured alloys studied here are promising as cathode electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.« less

Orientation-dependent structural and photocatalytic properties of LaCoO3 epitaxial nano-thin films

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yan-ping; Hu, Hai-long; Xie, Rui-shi; Ma, Guo-hua; Huo, Ji-chuan; Wang, Hai-bin

2018-01-01

LaCoO3 epitaxial films were grown on (100), (110) and (111) oriented LaAlO3 substrates by the polymer-assisted deposition method. Crystal structure measurement and cross-section observation indicate that all the LaCoO3 films are epitaxially grown in accordance with the orientation of LaAlO3 substrates, with biaxial compressive strain in the ab plane. Owing to the different strain directions of CoO6 octahedron, the mean Co–O bond length increases by different amounts in (100), (110) and (111) oriented films compared with that of bulk LaCoO3, and the (100) oriented LaCoO3 has the largest increase. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange indicates that the order of photocatalytic activity of the three oriented films is (100) > (111) > (110). Combined with analysis of electronic nature and band structure for LaCoO3 films, it is found that the change of the photocatalytic activity is closely related to the crystal field splitting energy of Co3+ and Co–O binding energy. The increase in the mean Co–O bond length will decrease the crystal field splitting energy of Co3+ and Co–O binding energy and further reduce the value of band gap energy, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. This may also provide a clue for expanding the visible-light-induced photocatalytic application of LaCoO3. PMID:29515854

Orientation-dependent structural and photocatalytic properties of LaCoO3 epitaxial nano-thin films.

PubMed

Zhang, Yan-Ping; Liu, Hai-Feng; Hu, Hai-Long; Xie, Rui-Shi; Ma, Guo-Hua; Huo, Ji-Chuan; Wang, Hai-Bin

2018-02-01

LaCoO 3 epitaxial films were grown on (100), (110) and (111) oriented LaAlO 3 substrates by the polymer-assisted deposition method. Crystal structure measurement and cross-section observation indicate that all the LaCoO 3 films are epitaxially grown in accordance with the orientation of LaAlO 3 substrates, with biaxial compressive strain in the ab plane. Owing to the different strain directions of CoO 6 octahedron, the mean Co-O bond length increases by different amounts in (100), (110) and (111) oriented films compared with that of bulk LaCoO 3 , and the (100) oriented LaCoO 3 has the largest increase. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange indicates that the order of photocatalytic activity of the three oriented films is (100) > (111) > (110). Combined with analysis of electronic nature and band structure for LaCoO 3 films, it is found that the change of the photocatalytic activity is closely related to the crystal field splitting energy of Co 3+ and Co-O binding energy. The increase in the mean Co-O bond length will decrease the crystal field splitting energy of Co 3+ and Co-O binding energy and further reduce the value of band gap energy, thus improving the photocatalytic activity. This may also provide a clue for expanding the visible-light-induced photocatalytic application of LaCoO 3 .

Characterizing Natural Gas Hydrates in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico: Applications for Safe Exploration and Production Activities

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

Bent, Jimmy

2014-05-31

In 2000 Chevron began a project to learn how to characterize the natural gas hydrate deposits in the deep water portion of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Chevron is an active explorer and operator in the Gulf of Mexico and is aware that natural gas hydrates need to be understood to operate safely in deep water. In August 2000 Chevron worked closely with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and held a workshop in Houston, Texas to define issues concerning the characterization of natural gas hydrate deposits. Specifically, the workshop was meantmore » to clearly show where research, the development of new technologies, and new information sources would be of benefit to the DOE and to the oil and gas industry in defining issues and solving gas hydrate problems in deep water.« less

Summary of energy planning technical support to the Government of Liberia

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

Samuels, G.

1985-06-01

Subsequent to a general assessment of energy options for Liberia, the principal activities of this program were: (1) an assessment of the economics of wood energy in Liberia; (2) a study of the potential for energy conservation in government buildings; (3) assistance in completing the 1982 Liberian energy balance; and (4) assistance in preparing the National Energy Plan. This report discusses the first three of these activities. A draft of the National Energy Plan was submitted in January 1985 to member agencies of the Liberian National Energy Committee for their review and comments. Liberia used the equivalent of 13.2 millionmore » barrels of crude oil in 1982- 67% from fuel wood, 4% from hydro, and 29% from imported petroleum. The wood was used almost entirely (approx. 99%) by the residential sector. Iron ore mining operations accounted for about 60% of domestic consumption of petroleum products. The transportation sector accounted for another 25%. The energy consumed by the agriculture and forestry sector was less than 2% of domestic consumption and was used primarily for operations of the large rubber plantations and timber concessions. Very little energy was used for food production. Significant energy savings in government buildings would require a major remodeling effort, including replacement of the louvered windows; extensive repairs to close large gaps around windows, air conditioners, and doors; and extensive caulking. The payback period from energy savings would be long. The assessment of the economics of wood energy indicates that wood can probably be delivered to a small rural power plant at costs that make this feedstock highly competitive for some and perhaps most of Liberia's rural electric stations.« less

Development and demonstration of a flutter-suppression system using active controls. [wind tunnel tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandford, M. C.; Abel, I.; Gray, D. L.

1975-01-01

The application of active control technology to suppress flutter was demonstrated successfully in the transonic dynamics tunnel with a delta-wing model. The model was a simplified version of a proposed supersonic transport wing design. An active flutter suppression method based on an aerodynamic energy criterion was verified by using three different control laws. The first two control laws utilized both leading-edge and trailing-edge active control surfaces, whereas the third control law required only a single trailing-edge active control surface. At a Mach number of 0.9 the experimental results demonstrated increases in the flutter dynamic pressure from 12.5 percent to 30 percent with active controls. Analytical methods were developed to predict both open-loop and closed-loop stability, and the results agreed reasonably well with the experimental results.

Bibliography of NASA-related publications on wind turbine technology 1973-1995

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spera, David A.

1995-01-01

A major program of research and development projects on wind turbines for generating electricity was conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center from 1973 to 1988. Most of these projects were sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as a major element of its Federal Wind Energy Program. One other large-scale wind turbine project was sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of Interior (DOI). The peak years for wind energy work at Lewis were 1979-80, when almost 100 engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel were involved. From 1988 their conclusion in 1995, NASA wind energy activities have been directed toward the transfer of technology to commercial and academic organizations. Wind energy activities at NASA can be divided into two broad categories which are closely related and often overlapping: (1) Designing, building, and testing a series of 12 large-scale, experimental, horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT's); and (2) conducting supporting research and technology (SR&T) projects. The purpose of this bibliography is to assist those active in the field of wind energy in locating the technical information they need on wind power planning, wind loads, turbine design and analysis, fabrication and installation, laboratory and field testing, and operations and maintenance. This bibliography contains approximately 620 citations of publications by over 520 authors and co-authors. Sources are: (1) NASA reports authored by government grantee, and contractor personnel, (2) papers presented by attendees at NASA-sponsored workshops and conferences, (3) papers presented by NASA personnel at outside workshops and conferences, and (4) outside publications related to research performed at NASA/ DOE wind turbine sites.

Energy Smart Colorado, Final Report

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

Gitchell, John M.; Palmer, Adam L.

2014-03-31

Energy Smart Colorado is an energy efficiency program established in 2011 in the central mountain region of Colorado. The program was funded through a grant of $4.9 million, awarded in August 2010 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program. As primary grant recipient, Eagle County coordinated program activities, managed the budget, and reported results. Eagle County staff worked closely with local community education and outreach partner Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability (now Walking Mountains Science Center) to engage residents in the program. Sub-recipients Pitkin County and Gunnison County assigned local implementation of the program in their regions tomore » their respective community efficiency organizations, Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) in Pitkin County, and Office for Resource Efficiency (ORE) in Gunnison County. Utility partners contributed $166,600 to support Home Energy Assessments for their customers. Program staff opened Energy Resource Centers, engaged a network of qualified contractors, developed a work-flow, an enrollment website, a loan program, and a data management system to track results.« less

Aeration optimization through operation at low dissolved oxygen concentrations: Evaluation of oxygen mass transfer dynamics in different activated sludge systems.

PubMed

Fan, Haitao; Qi, Lu; Liu, Guoqiang; Zhang, Yuankai; Fan, Qiang; Wang, Hongchen

2017-05-01

In wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) using the activated sludge process, two methods are widely used to improve aeration efficiency - use of high-efficiency aeration devices and optimizing the aeration control strategy. Aeration efficiency is closely linked to sludge characteristics (such as concentrations of mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and microbial communities) and operating conditions (such as air flow rate and operational dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations). Moreover, operational DO is closely linked to effluent quality. This study, which is in reference to WWTP discharge class A Chinese standard effluent criteria, determined the growth kinetics parameters of nitrifiers at different DO levels in small-scale tests. Results showed that the activated sludge system could meet effluent criteria when DO was as low as 0.3mg/L, and that nitrifier communities cultivated under low DO conditions had higher oxygen affinity than those cultivated under high DO conditions, as indicated by the oxygen half-saturation constant and nitrification ability. Based on nitrifier growth kinetics and on the oxygen mass transfer dynamic model (determined using different air flow rate (Q' air ) and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) values), theoretical analysis indicated limited potential for energy saving by improving aeration diffuser performance when the activated sludge system had low oxygen consumption; however, operating at low DO and low MLVSS could significantly reduce energy consumption. Finally, a control strategy coupling sludge retention time and MLVSS to minimize the DO level was discussed, which is critical to appropriate setting of the oxygen point and to the operation of low DO treatment technology. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

7 CFR 4280.180 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.180 Actions prior to grant closing... funds. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being partially...

7 CFR 4280.180 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.180 Actions prior to grant closing... funds. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being partially...

7 CFR 4280.180 - Actions prior to grant closing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... SERVICE AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS Rural Energy for America Program General Renewable Energy System Feasibility Study Grants § 4280.180 Actions prior to grant closing... funds. Applicants expecting funds from other sources for use in completing projects being partially...

Neutron-Impact Ionization of H and He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, T.-G.; Ciappina, M. F.; Robicheaux, F.; Pindzola, M. S.

2014-05-01

Perturbative distorted-wave and non-perturbative close-coupling methods are used to study neutron-impact ionization of H and He. For single ionization of H, we find excellent agreement between the distorted-wave and close-coupling results at all incident energies. For double ionization of He, we find poor agreement between the distorted-wave and close-coupling results, except at the highest incident energies. We present the ratio of double to single ionization for He as a guide to experimental checks of theory at low energies and experimental confirmation of the rapid rise of the ratio at high energies. This work was supported in part by grants from NSF and US DoE. Computational work was carried out at NERSC in Oakland, California, NICS in Knoxville, Tennessee, and OLCF in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

New neutron imaging techniques to close the gap to scattering applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, Eberhard H.; Peetermans, S.; Trtik, P.; Betz, B.; Grünzweig, C.

2017-01-01

Neutron scattering and neutron imaging are activities at the strong neutron sources which have been developed rather independently. However, there are similarities and overlaps in the research topics to which both methods can contribute and thus useful synergies can be found. In particular, the spatial resolution of neutron imaging has improved recently, which - together with the enhancement of the efficiency in data acquisition- can be exploited to narrow the energy band and to implement more sophisticated methods like neutron grating interferometry. This paper provides a report about the current options in neutron imaging and describes how the gap to neutron scattering data can be closed in the future, e.g. by diffractive imaging, the use of polarized neutrons and the dark-field imagining of relevant materials. This overview is focused onto the interaction between neutron imaging and neutron scattering with the aim of synergy. It reflects mainly the authors’ experiences at their PSI facilities without ignoring the activities at the different other labs world-wide.

Pushing the Theoretical Limit of Li-CFx Batteries: A Tale of Bi-functional Electrolyte

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

Rangasamy, Ezhiylmurugan; Li, Juchuan; Sahu, Gayatri

2014-01-01

In a typical battery, electrodes deliver capacities less or equal the theoretical maxima of the electrode materials.1 The inert electrolyte functions solely as the ionic conductor without contribution to the cell capacity because of its distinct mono-function in the concept of conventional batteries. Here we demonstrate that the most energy-dense Li-CFx battery2 delivers a capacity exceeding the theoretical maximum of CFx with a solid electrolyte of Li3PS4 (LPS) that has dual functions: as the inert electrolyte at the anode and the active component at the cathode. Such a bi-functional electrolyte reconciles both inert and active characteristics through a synergistic dischargemore » mechanism of CFx and LPS. Li3PS4 is known as an inactive solid electrolyte with a broad electrochemical window over 5 V.3 The synergy at the cathode is through LiF, the discharge product of CFx, which activates the electrochemical discharge of LPS at a close electrochemical potential of CFx. Therefore, the solid-state Li-CFx batteries output 126.6% energy beyond their theoretic limits without compromising the stability of the cell voltage. The extra energy comes from the electrochemical discharge of LPS, the inert electrolyte. This bi-functional electrolyte revolutionizes the concept of conventional batteries and opens a new avenue for the design of batteries with an unprecedentedly high energy density.« less

Complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2//CASSCF) study of the dissociative electron attachment in canonical DNA nucleobases caused by low-energy electrons (0-3 eV)

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

Francés-Monerris, Antonio; Segarra-Martí, Javier; Merchán, Manuela

Low-energy (0-3 eV) ballistic electrons originated during the irradiation of biological material can interact with DNA/RNA nucleobases yielding transient-anion species which undergo decompositions. Since the discovery that these reactions can eventually lead to strand breaking of the DNA chains, great efforts have been dedicated to their study. The main fragmentation at the 0-3 eV energy range is the ejection of a hydrogen atom from the specific nitrogen positions. In the present study, the methodological approach introduced in a previous work on uracil [I. González-Ramírez et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 2769-2776 (2012)] is employed to study the DNA canonicalmore » nucleobases fragmentations of N–H bonds induced by low-energy electrons. The approach is based on minimum energy path and linear interpolation of internal coordinates computations along the N–H dissociation channels carried out at the complete-active-space self-consistent field//complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory level. On the basis of the calculated theoretical quantities, new assignations for the adenine and cytosine anion yield curves are provided. In addition, the π{sub 1}{sup −} and π{sub 2}{sup −} states of the pyrimidine nucleobases are expected to produce the temporary anions at electron energies close to 1 and 2 eV, respectively. Finally, the present theoretical results do not allow to discard neither the dipole-bound nor the valence-bound mechanisms in the range of energies explored, suggesting that both possibilities may coexist in the experiments carried out with the isolated nucleobases.« less

Complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2//CASSCF) study of the dissociative electron attachment in canonical DNA nucleobases caused by low-energy electrons (0-3 eV).

PubMed

Francés-Monerris, Antonio; Segarra-Martí, Javier; Merchán, Manuela; Roca-Sanjuán, Daniel

2015-12-07

Low-energy (0-3 eV) ballistic electrons originated during the irradiation of biological material can interact with DNA/RNA nucleobases yielding transient-anion species which undergo decompositions. Since the discovery that these reactions can eventually lead to strand breaking of the DNA chains, great efforts have been dedicated to their study. The main fragmentation at the 0-3 eV energy range is the ejection of a hydrogen atom from the specific nitrogen positions. In the present study, the methodological approach introduced in a previous work on uracil [I. González-Ramírez et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 2769-2776 (2012)] is employed to study the DNA canonical nucleobases fragmentations of N-H bonds induced by low-energy electrons. The approach is based on minimum energy path and linear interpolation of internal coordinates computations along the N-H dissociation channels carried out at the complete-active-space self-consistent field//complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory level. On the basis of the calculated theoretical quantities, new assignations for the adenine and cytosine anion yield curves are provided. In addition, the π1 (-) and π2 (-) states of the pyrimidine nucleobases are expected to produce the temporary anions at electron energies close to 1 and 2 eV, respectively. Finally, the present theoretical results do not allow to discard neither the dipole-bound nor the valence-bound mechanisms in the range of energies explored, suggesting that both possibilities may coexist in the experiments carried out with the isolated nucleobases.

Complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2//CASSCF) study of the dissociative electron attachment in canonical DNA nucleobases caused by low-energy electrons (0-3 eV)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francés-Monerris, Antonio; Segarra-Martí, Javier; Merchán, Manuela; Roca-Sanjuán, Daniel

2015-12-01

Low-energy (0-3 eV) ballistic electrons originated during the irradiation of biological material can interact with DNA/RNA nucleobases yielding transient-anion species which undergo decompositions. Since the discovery that these reactions can eventually lead to strand breaking of the DNA chains, great efforts have been dedicated to their study. The main fragmentation at the 0-3 eV energy range is the ejection of a hydrogen atom from the specific nitrogen positions. In the present study, the methodological approach introduced in a previous work on uracil [I. González-Ramírez et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 2769-2776 (2012)] is employed to study the DNA canonical nucleobases fragmentations of N-H bonds induced by low-energy electrons. The approach is based on minimum energy path and linear interpolation of internal coordinates computations along the N-H dissociation channels carried out at the complete-active-space self-consistent field//complete-active-space second-order perturbation theory level. On the basis of the calculated theoretical quantities, new assignations for the adenine and cytosine anion yield curves are provided. In addition, the π1- and π2- states of the pyrimidine nucleobases are expected to produce the temporary anions at electron energies close to 1 and 2 eV, respectively. Finally, the present theoretical results do not allow to discard neither the dipole-bound nor the valence-bound mechanisms in the range of energies explored, suggesting that both possibilities may coexist in the experiments carried out with the isolated nucleobases.

Business Development Corporation, Inc.

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

Jasek, S.

1995-12-31

Business Development Corporation, Inc., is a company specializing in opportunity seeking and business development activities in the {open_quotes}new{close_quotes} post communist Central and Eastern Europe, with particular emphasis on the Republics of Poland and Slovakia. The company currently focuses its expertise on strategic investing and business development between Central Europe and the United States of America. In Poland and Slovakia, the company specializes in developing large scale energy and environmental {open_quotes}infrastructure{close_quotes} development projects on the federal, state, and local level. In addition, the company assists large state owned industries in the transformation and privatization process. Business Development Corporation has assisted andmore » continues to assist in projects of national importance. The staff of experts advise numerous large Polish and Slovak companies, most owned or in the process of privatization, on matters of restructuring, finance, capital structure, strategic parternships or investors, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures with U.S. based firms. The company also assists and advises on a variety of environmental and energy matters in the public and private sector.« less

Energy Harvesting & Recapture from Human Subjects: Dual-Stage MEMS Cantilever Energy Harvester

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

15 Figure 5. (a) In-plane overlap-varying capacitive harvester, (b) In-plane gap-closing capacitive harvester, (c) Out -of-plane gap-closing...capacitive harvester, (c) Out -of-plane gap-closing capacitive harvester [1] The two-way arrows in each subpart of Figure 5 indicate the shuttle’s direction...are compatible with other wafer -based technologies. Bismuth Telluride (Bi2Te3), a common Seebeck thermoelectric material, is able to be processed

Predicting vertical phase segregation in polymer-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells by free energy analysis.

PubMed

Clark, Michael D; Jespersen, Michael L; Patel, Romesh J; Leever, Benjamin J

2013-06-12

Blends of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are widely used as a model system for bulk heterojunction active layers developed for solution-processable, flexible solar cells. In this work, vertical concentration profiles within the P3HT:PCBM active layer are predicted based on a thermodynamic analysis of the constituent materials and typical solvents. Surface energies of the active layer components and a common transport interlayer blend, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), are first extracted using contact angle measurements coupled with the acid-base model. From this data, intra- and interspecies interaction free energies are calculated, which reveal that the thermodynamically favored arrangement consists of a uniformly blended "bulk" structure capped with a P3HT-rich air interface and a slightly PCBM-rich buried interface. Although the "bulk" composition is solely determined by P3HT:PCBM ratio, composition near the buried interface is dependent on both the blend ratio and interaction free energy difference between solvated P3HT and PCBM deposition onto PEDOT:PSS. In contrast, the P3HT-rich overlayer is independent of processing conditions, allowing kinetic formation of a PCBM-rich sublayer during film casting due to limitations in long-range species diffusion. These thermodynamic calculations are experimentally validated by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low energy XPS depth profiling, which show that the actual composition profiles of the cast and annealed films closely match the predicted behavior. These experimentally derived profiles provide clear evidence that typical bulk heterojunction active layers are predominantly characterized by thermodynamically stable composition profiles. Furthermore, the predictive capabilities of the comprehensive free energy approach are demonstrated, which will enable investigation of structurally integrated devices and novel active layer systems including low band gap polymers, ternary systems, and small molecule blends.

Observation of the impulse phase of a simple flare

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tandberg-Hanssen, E.; Reichmann, E. J.; Teuber, D. L.; Moore, R. L.; Kaufmann, P.; Orwig, L. E.; Zirin, H.

1984-01-01

The paper presents a broad range of complementary observations (SMM and ground-based) of the onset and impulsive phase of the fairly large (1B, M1.2) but simple two-ribbon flare which occurred at 19:15 UT on November 1, 1980 in the northern part of the active region Boulder No. AR2776. It is found that the overall magnetic field configuration in which the flare occurred was a fairly simple, closed arch containing nonpotential substructure; the flare occurred spontaneously within the arch (it was not triggered by emerging magnetic flux). The two major spikes of the impulsive energy release are examined, and the three immediate products of this energy release are discussed.

Growth Mechanism Studies of ZnO Nanowires: Experimental Observations and Short-Circuit Diffusion Analysis.

PubMed

Shih, Po-Hsun; Wu, Sheng Yun

2017-07-21

Plenty of studies have been performed to probe the diverse properties of ZnO nanowires, but only a few have focused on the physical properties of a single nanowire since analyzing the growth mechanism along a single nanowire is difficult. In this study, a single ZnO nanowire was synthesized using a Ti-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to avoid the appearance of catalytic contamination. Two-dimensional energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping with a diffusion model was used to obtain the diffusion length and the activation energy ratio. The ratio value is close to 0.3, revealing that the growth of ZnO nanowires was attributed to the short-circuit diffusion.

Neutron production by stopping 55 MeV deuterons in carbon and heavy water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lhersonneau, G.; Malkiewicz, T.; Jones, P.; Ketelhut, S.; Trzaska, W. H.

2012-09-01

Neutron production by stopping 55 MeV deuterons in thick carbon and heavy-water targets has been measured by the activation method. The geometry was close to the one defined for the SPIRAL2 uranium-carbide target in the initial phase. A comparative method for obtaining the neutron flux has been used and is presented in detail. The neutron flux generated by 55 MeV deuterons on carbon is 2.3 times the flux at the deuteron energy of 40 MeV. The flux further increases by a factor 1.4 when using a heavy-water target. These results are discussed in the context of an energy upgrade of the SPIRAL2 driver accelerator.

The unrestricted local properties: application in nanoelectronics and for predicting radicals reactivity.

PubMed

Dral, Pavlo O

2014-03-01

The local electron affinity (EA(L)) and the local ionization energy (IE(L)) are successfully used for predicting properties of closed-shell species for drug design and for nanoelectronics. Here the respective unrestricted Hartree-Fock variants of EA(L) and IE(L), i.e., the unrestricted local electron affinity (UHF-EA(L)) and ionization energy (UHF-IE(L)), have been shown to be useful for predicting properties of open-shell species. UHF-EA(L) and UHF-IE(L) have been applied for explaining unique electronic properties of an exemplary nanomaterial carbon peapod. It is also demonstrated that UHF-EA(L) is useful for predicting and better understanding reactivity of radicals related to alkanes activation.

International waste management fact book

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

Amaya, J P; LaMarche, M N; Upton, J F

1997-10-01

Many countries around the world are faced with nuclear and environmental management problems similar to those being addressed by the US Department of Energy. The purpose of this Fact Book is to provide the latest information on US and international organizations, programs, activities and key personnel to promote mutual cooperation to solve these problems. Areas addressed include all aspects of closing the commercial and nuclear fuel cycle and managing the wastes and sites from defense-related, nuclear materials production programs.

Powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and conductivity studies of AgSbMP{sub 3}O{sub 12} (M = Al, Ga, Fe and Cr)

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

Rambabu, G.; Anantharamulu, N.; Koteswara Rao, K.

2008-06-03

New Nasicon type of compounds of composition AgSbMP{sub 3}O{sub 12} (M = Al, Ga, Fe and Cr) are synthesized by solid-state method. All the compounds crystallize in the hexagonal lattice with space group R3-barc. The infrared spectra of these compounds show characteristic bands due to PO{sub 4} group. The frequency independent conductivity of these compounds shows Arrhenius type behavior and the activation energy for conduction is in the range 0.40-0.55 eV. Frequency independent conductivity ({sigma}{sub dc}) studies and frequency dependent ({sigma}{sub ac}) impedance measurements correlate well. The Cole-Cole plots do not show any spikes on the lower frequency side indicatingmore » negligible electrode effects. The activation energies obtained from the plots of log {sigma}{sub dc}T versus 1/T, log {sigma}{sub ac}(0) versus 1/T and log {tau} versus 1/T are approximately the same. The peak width at half height for electric modulus (M'') plot is {approx}1.24 decades for all samples, which is close to 1.14 decades observed for Debye solid. The height of electric modulus (M'') obtained from the experimental plots are close to that of M'' (max) = C{sub 0}/2C indicating the Debye nature of the samples.« less

An Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for a Zinc-Air Battery Derived from Fe/N/C and Bimetallic Metal-Organic Framework Composites.

PubMed

Wang, Mengfan; Qian, Tao; Zhou, Jinqiu; Yan, Chenglin

2017-02-15

Efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts with desirable oxygen activities are closely related to practical applications of renewable energy systems including metal-air batteries, fuel cells, and water splitting. Here a composite material derived from a combination of bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (denoted as BMZIFs) and Fe/N/C framework was reported as an efficient bifunctional catalyst. Although BMZIF or Fe/N/C alone exhibits undesirable oxygen reaction activity, a combination of these materials shows unprecedented ORR (half-wave potential of 0.85 V as well as comparatively superior OER activities (potential@10 mA cm -2 of 1.64 V), outperforming not only a commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst but also most reported bifunctional electrocatalysts. We then tested its practical application in Zn-air batteries. The primary batteries exhibit a high peak power density of 235 mW cm -2 , and the batteries are able to be operated smoothly for 100 cycles at a curent density of 10 mA cm -2 . The unprecedented catalytic activity can be attritued to chemical coupling effects between Fe/N/C and BMZIF and will aid the development of highly active electrocatalysts and applications for electrochemical energy devices.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip: A computational biomechanical model of the path of least energy for closed reduction.

PubMed

Zwawi, Mohammed A; Moslehy, Faissal A; Rose, Christopher; Huayamave, Victor; Kassab, Alain J; Divo, Eduardo; Jones, Brendan J; Price, Charles T

2017-08-01

This study utilized a computational biomechanical model and applied the least energy path principle to investigate two pathways for closed reduction of high grade infantile hip dislocation. The principle of least energy when applied to moving the femoral head from an initial to a final position considers all possible paths that connect them and identifies the path of least resistance. Clinical reports of severe hip dysplasia have concluded that reduction of the femoral head into the acetabulum may occur by a direct pathway over the posterior rim of the acetabulum when using the Pavlik harness, or by an indirect pathway with reduction through the acetabular notch when using the modified Hoffman-Daimler method. This computational study also compared the energy requirements for both pathways. The anatomical and muscular aspects of the model were derived using a combination of MRI and OpenSim data. Results of this study indicate that the path of least energy closely approximates the indirect pathway of the modified Hoffman-Daimler method. The direct pathway over the posterior rim of the acetabulum required more energy for reduction. This biomechanical analysis confirms the clinical observations of the two pathways for closed reduction of severe hip dysplasia. The path of least energy closely approximated the modified Hoffman-Daimler method. Further study of the modified Hoffman-Daimler method for reduction of severe hip dysplasia may be warranted based on this computational biomechanical analysis. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 35:1799-1805, 2017. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society.

A comparison of light spot hydrophone and fiber optic probe hydrophone for lithotripter field characterization.

PubMed

Smith, N; Sankin, G N; Simmons, W N; Nanke, R; Fehre, J; Zhong, P

2012-01-01

The performance of a newly developed light spot hydrophone (LSHD) in lithotripter field characterization was compared to that of the fiber optic probe hydrophone (FOPH). Pressure waveforms produced by a stable electromagnetic shock wave source were measured by the LSHD and FOPH under identical experimental conditions. In the low energy regime, focus and field acoustic parameters matched well between the two hydrophones. At clinically relevant high energy settings for shock wave lithotripsy, the measured leading compressive pressure waveforms matched closely with each other. However, the LSHD recorded slightly larger |P_| (p < 0.05) and secondary peak compressive pressures (p < 0.01) than the FOPH, leading to about 20% increase in total acoustic pulse energy calculated in a 6 mm radius around the focus (p = 0.06). Tensile pulse durations deviated ~5% (p < 0.01) due to tensile wave shortening from cavitation activity using the LSHD. Intermittent compression spikes and laser light reflection artifacts have been correlated to bubble activity based on simultaneous high-speed imaging analysis. Altogether, both hydrophones are adequate for lithotripter field characterization as specified by the international standard IEC 61846.

A new type of high energy asymmetric capacitor with nanoporous carbon electrodes in aqueous electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khomenko, V.; Raymundo-Piñero, E.; Béguin, F.

A new type of low cost and high energy asymmetric capacitor based on only activated carbons for both electrodes has been developed in a safe and environment friendly aqueous electrolyte. In such electrolyte, the charges are stored in the electrical double-layer and through fast faradaic charge transfer processes. By taking profit of different redox reactions occurring in the positive and negative ranges of potential, it is possible to optimize the capacitor either by balancing the mass of the electrodes or by using different optimized carbons for the positive and negative electrodes. The best results are obtained in the latter case, by utilizing different pseudo-faradaic properties of carbons in order to increase the capacitance and to shift the potentials of water decomposition and destructive oxidation of activated carbon to more negative and positive values, respectively. After an additional adjustment of potentials by mass-balancing the two electrodes, the electrochemical capacitor can be reversibly charged/discharged at 1.6 V in aqueous medium, with energy densities close to the values obtained with electrical double-layer capacitors working in organic electrolytes, while avoiding their disadvantages.

Fundamental Pathways for the Adsorption and Transport of Hydrogen on TiO2 Surfaces: Origin for Effective Sensing at about Room Temperature.

PubMed

Wang, Zhuo; Xia, Xiaohong; Guo, Meilan; Shao, Guosheng

2016-12-28

Effective detection of hydrogen at lowered temperature is highly desirable in promoting safety in using this abundant gas as a clean energy source. Through first-principle calculations in the framework of density functional theory, we find that the high-energy (002) surface for rutile TiO 2 is significantly more effective in adsorbing hydrogen atoms through dissociating hydrogen molecules. The pathways for the dissociation of hydrogen molecules and sequential migration of hydrogen atoms are identified through searching along various transitional states. Pathways of low potential barriers indicate promise for hydrogen sensing, even close to room temperature. This has been proven through sensors made of thin films of well-aligned rutile nanorods, wherein the high-energy (002) surface dictates the top surface of the active layer of the sensors.

Computational Flux Balance Analysis Predicts that Stimulation of Energy Metabolism in Astrocytes and their Metabolic Interactions with Neurons Depend on Uptake of K+ Rather than Glutamate.

PubMed

DiNuzzo, Mauro; Giove, Federico; Maraviglia, Bruno; Mangia, Silvia

2017-01-01

Brain activity involves essential functional and metabolic interactions between neurons and astrocytes. The importance of astrocytic functions to neuronal signaling is supported by many experiments reporting high rates of energy consumption and oxidative metabolism in these glial cells. In the brain, almost all energy is consumed by the Na + /K + ATPase, which hydrolyzes 1 ATP to move 3 Na + outside and 2 K + inside the cells. Astrocytes are commonly thought to be primarily involved in transmitter glutamate cycling, a mechanism that however only accounts for few % of brain energy utilization. In order to examine the participation of astrocytic energy metabolism in brain ion homeostasis, here we attempted to devise a simple stoichiometric relation linking glutamatergic neurotransmission to Na + and K + ionic currents. To this end, we took into account ion pumps and voltage/ligand-gated channels using the stoichiometry derived from available energy budget for neocortical signaling and incorporated this stoichiometric relation into a computational metabolic model of neuron-astrocyte interactions. We aimed at reproducing the experimental observations about rates of metabolic pathways obtained by 13 C-NMR spectroscopy in rodent brain. When simulated data matched experiments as well as biophysical calculations, the stoichiometry for voltage/ligand-gated Na + and K + fluxes generated by neuronal activity was close to a 1:1 relationship, and specifically 63/58 Na + /K + ions per glutamate released. We found that astrocytes are stimulated by the extracellular K + exiting neurons in excess of the 3/2 Na + /K + ratio underlying Na + /K + ATPase-catalyzed reaction. Analysis of correlations between neuronal and astrocytic processes indicated that astrocytic K + uptake, but not astrocytic Na + -coupled glutamate uptake, is instrumental for the establishment of neuron-astrocytic metabolic partnership. Our results emphasize the importance of K + in stimulating the activation of astrocytes, which is relevant to the understanding of brain activity and energy metabolism at the cellular level.

Generic Transport Mechanisms for Molecular Traffic in Cellular Protrusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, Isabella R.; Frey, Erwin

2017-03-01

Transport of molecular motors along protein filaments in a half-closed geometry is a common feature of biologically relevant processes in cellular protrusions. Using a lattice-gas model we study how the interplay between active and diffusive transport and mass conservation leads to localized domain walls and tip localization of the motors. We identify a mechanism for task sharing between the active motors (maintaining a gradient) and the diffusive motion (transport to the tip), which ensures that energy consumption is low and motor exchange mostly happens at the tip. These features are attributed to strong nearest-neighbor correlations that lead to a strong reduction of active currents, which we calculate analytically using an exact moment identity, and might prove useful for the understanding of correlations and active transport also in more elaborate systems.

Structures of closed and open states of a voltage-gated sodium channel

PubMed Central

Lenaeus, Michael J.; Gamal El-Din, Tamer M.; Ramanadane, Karthik; Pomès, Régis; Zheng, Ning; Catterall, William A.

2017-01-01

Bacterial voltage-gated sodium channels (BacNavs) serve as models of their vertebrate counterparts. BacNavs contain conserved voltage-sensing and pore-forming domains, but they are homotetramers of four identical subunits, rather than pseudotetramers of four homologous domains. Here, we present structures of two NaVAb mutants that capture tightly closed and open states at a resolution of 2.8–3.2 Å. Introduction of two humanizing mutations in the S6 segment (NaVAb/FY: T206F and V213Y) generates a persistently closed form of the activation gate in which the intracellular ends of the four S6 segments are drawn tightly together to block ion permeation completely. This construct also revealed the complete structure of the four-helix bundle that forms the C-terminal domain. In contrast, truncation of the C-terminal 40 residues in NavAb/1–226 captures the activation gate in an open conformation, revealing the open state of a BacNav with intact voltage sensors. Comparing these structures illustrates the full range of motion of the activation gate, from closed with its orifice fully occluded to open with an orifice of ∼10 Å. Molecular dynamics and free-energy simulations confirm designation of NaVAb/1–226 as an open state that allows permeation of hydrated Na+, and these results also support a hydrophobic gating mechanism for control of ion permeation. These two structures allow completion of a closed–open–inactivated conformational cycle in a single voltage-gated sodium channel and give insight into the structural basis for state-dependent binding of sodium channel-blocking drugs. PMID:28348242

Analytic saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions

DOE PAGES

Sjue, Sky K. L.; George, Jr., Richard Neal; Mathews, David Gregory

2017-07-27

Here, we present a saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions, valid for arbitrary relativistic velocities of the incident particle 0 < v/c < 1, provided that ionizing collisions are still the dominant energy loss mechanism. We derive a closed form solution closely related to Moyal’s distribution. This distribution is intended for use in simulations with relatively low computational overhead. The approximation generally reproduces the Vavilov most probable energy loss and full width at half maximum to better than 1% and 10%, respectively, with significantly better agreement as Vavilov’s κ approaches 1.

Analytic saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sjue, S. K. L.; George, R. N.; Mathews, D. G.

2017-09-01

We present a saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions, valid for arbitrary relativistic velocities of the incident particle 0 < v / c < 1 , provided that ionizing collisions are still the dominant energy loss mechanism. We derive a closed form solution closely related to Moyal's distribution. This distribution is intended for use in simulations with relatively low computational overhead. The approximation generally reproduces the Vavilov most probable energy loss and full width at half maximum to better than 1% and 10%, respectively, with significantly better agreement as Vavilov's κ approaches 1.

Analytic saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions

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

Sjue, Sky K. L.; George, Jr., Richard Neal; Mathews, David Gregory

Here, we present a saddlepoint approximation for ionization energy loss distributions, valid for arbitrary relativistic velocities of the incident particle 0 < v/c < 1, provided that ionizing collisions are still the dominant energy loss mechanism. We derive a closed form solution closely related to Moyal’s distribution. This distribution is intended for use in simulations with relatively low computational overhead. The approximation generally reproduces the Vavilov most probable energy loss and full width at half maximum to better than 1% and 10%, respectively, with significantly better agreement as Vavilov’s κ approaches 1.

Influence of hepatic load from far-off dry period to early postpartum period on the first postpartum ovulation and accompanying subsequent fertility in dairy cows.

PubMed

Kawashima, Chiho; Ito, Nozomi; Nagashima, Shuntarou; Matsui, Motozumi; Sawada, Kumiko; Schweigert, Florian J; Miyamoto, Akio; Kida, Katsuya

2016-06-17

The aim of the present study was to investigate nutritional and metabolic parameters during the dry and early postpartum periods of ovulatory and anovulatory cows, as well as their postpartum reproductive performance. Blood samples from 20 multiparous Holstein cows were collected once a week from the far-off dry period to 3 weeks postpartum. Early postpartum (0-3 weeks) ovulation was confirmed using plasma progesterone concentration profiles, and cows were considered ovulatory if they had resumed luteal activity by this point (n = 9), whereas cows that had not were considered anovulatory (n = 11). Data from the ovulatory and anovulatory cows were analyzed separately for the far-off dry period (7-4 weeks prepartum), the close-up dry period (3-1 weeks prepartum), and the early postpartum period (0-3 weeks). Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity (far-off, P = 0.065; close-up, P = 0.051; and early postpartum, P = 0.030) and aspartate aminotransferase (close-up, P = 0.050 and early postpartum, P = 0.087) activities were higher in anovulatory than in ovulatory cows. The days open period was longer (P = 0.019) in anovulatory than in ovulatory cows, and the number of artificial inseminations per conception (P = 0.025) was greater. In conclusion, we found that continuously high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities in serum, which may be induced by liver disorders, prevent subsequent ovulation and affect subsequent fertility, even if cows obtain sufficient ovulation-related energy and β-carotene.

Optimal design and control of an electromechanical transfemoral prosthesis with energy regeneration.

PubMed

Rohani, Farbod; Richter, Hanz; van den Bogert, Antonie J

2017-01-01

In this paper, we present the design of an electromechanical above-knee active prosthesis with energy storage and regeneration. The system consists of geared knee and ankle motors, parallel springs for each motor, an ultracapacitor, and controllable four-quadrant power converters. The goal is to maximize the performance of the system by finding optimal controls and design parameters. A model of the system dynamics was developed, and used to solve a combined trajectory and design optimization problem. The objectives of the optimization were to minimize tracking error relative to human joint motions, as well as energy use. The optimization problem was solved by the method of direct collocation, based on joint torque and joint angle data from ten subjects walking at three speeds. After optimization of controls and design parameters, the simulated system could operate at zero energy cost while still closely emulating able-bodied gait. This was achieved by controlled energy transfer between knee and ankle, and by controlled storage and release of energy throughout the gait cycle. Optimal gear ratios and spring parameters were similar across subjects and walking speeds.

Probing RNA tertiary structure: interhelical crosslinking of the hammerhead ribozyme.

PubMed Central

Sigurdsson, S T; Tuschl, T; Eckstein, F

1995-01-01

Distinct structural models for the hammerhead ribozyme derived from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements have been compared. Both models predict the same overall geometry, a wishbone shape with helices II and III nearly colinear and helix I positioned close to helix II. However, the relative orientations of helices I and II are different. To establish whether one of the models represents a kinetically active structure, a new crosslinking procedure was developed in which helices I and II of hammerhead ribozymes were disulfide-crosslinked via the 2' positions of specific sugar residues. Crosslinking residues on helices I and II that are close according to the X-ray structure did not appreciably reduce the catalytic efficiency. In contrast, crosslinking residues closely situated according to the FRET model dramatically reduced the cleavage rate by at least three orders of magnitude. These correlations between catalytic efficiencies and spatial proximities are consistent with the X-ray structure. PMID:7489517

Advanced Fuels Campaign FY 2014 Accomplishments Report

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

Braase, Lori; May, W. Edgar

The mission of the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) is to perform Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) activities for advanced fuel forms (including cladding) to enhance the performance and safety of the nation’s current and future reactors; enhance proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel; effectively utilize nuclear energy resources; and address the longer-term waste management challenges. This includes development of a state-of-the art Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure to support the use of a “goal-oriented science-based approach.” In support of the Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD) program, AFC is responsible for developing advanced fuels technologies to support the various fuel cyclemore » options defined in the Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap, Report to Congress, April 2010. AFC uses a “goal-oriented, science-based approach” aimed at a fundamental understanding of fuel and cladding fabrication methods and performance under irradiation, enabling the pursuit of multiple fuel forms for future fuel cycle options. This approach includes fundamental experiments, theory, and advanced modeling and simulation. The modeling and simulation activities for fuel performance are carried out under the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, which is closely coordinated with AFC. In this report, the word “fuel” is used generically to include fuels, targets, and their associated cladding materials. R&D of light water reactor (LWR) fuels with enhanced accident tolerance is also conducted by AFC. These fuel systems are designed to achieve significantly higher fuel and plant performance to allow operation to significantly higher burnup, and to provide enhanced safety during design basis and beyond design basis accident conditions. The overarching goal is to develop advanced nuclear fuels and materials that are robust, have high performance capability, and are more tolerant to accident conditions than traditional fuel systems. AFC management and integration activities included continued support for international collaborations, primarily with France, Japan, the European Union, Republic of Korea, and China, as well as various working group and expert group activities in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD-NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Three industry-led Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and two university-led Integrated Research Projects (IRPs), funded in 2013, made significant progress in fuels and materials development. All are closely integrated with AFC and Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) research. Accomplishments made during fiscal year (FY) 2014 are highlighted in this report, which focuses on completed work and results. The process details leading up to the results are not included; however, the lead technical contact is provided for each section.« less

SIMPLIFIED PRACTICAL TEST METHOD FOR PORTABLE DOSE METERS USING SEVERAL SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES.

PubMed

Mikamoto, Takahiro; Yamada, Takahiro; Kurosawa, Tadahiro

2016-09-01

Sealed radioactive sources which have small activity were employed for the determination of response and tests for non-linearity and energy dependence of detector responses. Close source-to-detector geometry (at 0.3 m or less) was employed to practical tests for portable dose meters to accumulate statistically sufficient ionizing currents. Difference between response in the present experimentally studied field and in the reference field complied with ISO 4037 due to non-uniformity of radiation fluence at close geometry was corrected by use of Monte Carlo simulation. As a consequence, corrected results were consistent with the results obtained in the ISO 4037 reference field within their uncertainties. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Relative stability of the open and closed conformations of the active site loop of streptavidin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ignacio J., General; Meirovitch, Hagai

2011-01-01

The eight-residue surface loop, 45-52 (Ser, Ala, Val, Gly, Asn, Ala, Glu, Ser), of the homotetrameric protein streptavidin has a "closed" conformation in the streptavidin-biotin complex, where the corresponding binding affinity is one of the strongest found in nature (ΔG ˜ -18 kcal/mol). However, in most of the crystal structures of apo (unbound) streptavidin, the loop conformation is "open" and typically exhibits partial disorder and high B-factors. Thus, it is plausible to assume that the loop structure is changed from open to closed upon binding of biotin, and the corresponding difference in free energy, ΔF = Fopen - Fclosed in the unbound protein, should therefore be considered in the total absolute free energy of binding. ΔF (which has generally been neglected) is calculated here using our "hypothetical scanning molecular-dynamics" (HSMD) method. We use a protein model in which only the atoms closest to the loop are considered (the "template") and they are fixed in the x-ray coordinates of the free protein; the x-ray conformation of the closed loop is attached to the same (unbound) template and both systems are capped with the same sphere of TIP3P water. Using the force field of the assisted model building with energy refinement (AMBER), we carry out two separate MD simulations (at temperature T = 300 K), starting from the open and closed conformations, where only the atoms of the loop and water are allowed to move (the template-water and template-loop interactions are considered). The absolute Fopen and Fclosed (of loop + water) are calculated from these trajectories, where the loop and water contributions are obtained by HSMD and a thermodynamic integration (TI) process, respectively. The combined HSMD-TI procedure leads to total (loop + water) ΔF = -27.1 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, where the entropy TΔS constitutes 34% of ΔF, meaning that the effect of S is significant and should not be ignored. Also, ΔS is positive, in accord with the high flexibility of the open loop observed in crystal structures, while the energy ΔE is unexpectedly negative, thus also adding to the stability of the open loop. The loop and the 250 capped water molecules are the largest system studied thus far, which constitutes a test for the efficiency of HSMD-TI; this efficiency and technical issues related to the implementation of the method are also discussed. Finally, the result for ΔF is a prediction that will be considered in the calculation of the absolute free energy of binding of biotin to streptavidin, which constitutes our next project.

Crystal structure analysis, covalent docking, and molecular dynamics calculations reveal a conformational switch in PhaZ7 PHB depolymerase.

PubMed

Kellici, Tahsin F; Mavromoustakos, Thomas; Jendrossek, Dieter; Papageorgiou, Anastassios C

2017-07-01

An open and a closed conformation of a surface loop in PhaZ7 extracellular poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase were identified in two high-resolution crystal structures of a PhaZ7 Y105E mutant. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed high root mean square fluctuations (RMSF) of the 281-295 loop, in particular at residue Asp289 (RMSF 7.62 Å). Covalent docking between a 3-hydroxybutyric acid trimer and the catalytic residue Ser136 showed that the binding energy of the substrate is significantly more favorable in the open loop conformation compared to that in the closed loop conformation. MD simulations with the substrate covalently bound depicted 1 Å RMSF higher values for the residues 281-295 in comparison to the apo (substrate-free) form. In addition, the presence of the substrate in the active site enhanced the ability of the loop to adopt a closed form. Taken together, the analysis suggests that the flexible loop 281-295 of PhaZ7 depolymerase can act as a lid domain to control substrate access to the active site of the enzyme. Proteins 2017; 85:1351-1361. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Electrons in a closed galaxy model of cosmic rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramaty, R.; Westergaard, N. J.

1976-01-01

The consistency of positrons and electrons was studied using a propagation model in which the cosmic rays are stopped by nuclear collisions or energy losses before they can escape from the galaxy (the closed-galaxy model). The fact that no inconsistency was found between the predictions and the data implies that the protons which produce the positrons by nuclear reactions could have their origin in a large number of distant sources, as opposed to the heavier nuclei which in this model come from a more limited set of sources. The closed-galaxy model predicts steep electron and positron spectra at high energies. None of these are inconsistent with present measurements; but future measurements of the spectrum of high-energy positrons could provide a definite test for the model. The closed-galaxy model also predicts that the interstellar electron intensity below a few GeV is larger than that implied by other models. The consequence of this result is that electron bremsstrahlung is responsible for about 50% of the galactic gamma-ray emission at photon energies greater than 100 MeV.

How does the Earth system generate and maintain thermodynamic disequilibrium and what does it imply for the future of the planet?

PubMed Central

Kleidon, Axel

2012-01-01

The Earth's chemical composition far from chemical equilibrium is unique in our Solar System, and this uniqueness has been attributed to the presence of widespread life on the planet. Here, I show how this notion can be quantified using non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Generating and maintaining disequilibrium in a thermodynamic variable requires the extraction of power from another thermodynamic gradient, and the second law of thermodynamics imposes fundamental limits on how much power can be extracted. With this approach and associated limits, I show that the ability of abiotic processes to generate geochemical free energy that can be used to transform the surface–atmosphere environment is strongly limited to less than 1 TW. Photosynthetic life generates more than 200 TW by performing photochemistry, thereby substantiating the notion that a geochemical composition far from equilibrium can be a sign for strong biotic activity. Present-day free energy consumption by human activity in the form of industrial activity and human appropriated net primary productivity is of the order of 50 TW and therefore constitutes a considerable term in the free energy budget of the planet. When aiming to predict the future of the planet, we first note that since global changes are closely related to this consumption of free energy, and the demands for free energy by human activity are anticipated to increase substantially in the future, the central question in the context of predicting future global change is then how human free energy demands can increase sustainably without negatively impacting the ability of the Earth system to generate free energy. This question could be evaluated with climate models, and the potential deficiencies in these models to adequately represent the thermodynamics of the Earth system are discussed. Then, I illustrate the implications of this thermodynamic perspective by discussing the forms of renewable energy and planetary engineering that would enhance the overall free energy generation and, thereby ‘empower’ the future of the planet. PMID:22291221

Dependence of cerebral-cortex activation in women on environmental factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlov, K. I.; Mukhin, V. N.; Kamenskaya, V. G.; Klimenko, V. M.

2016-12-01

The investigation of female physiological reactions to different meteorological conditions and space weather is relevant, since there are little experimental findings in this field. The purpose of this work is to determine how the level of cerebral-cortex activity in women depends on the meteorological and cosmophysical parameters of weather and space processes. We studied electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded at rest in the sitting position and with eyes closed. We performed four series of measurements of brain bioelectrical activity from February to June 2013. We found that the level of cortical activity recorded by EEG changed significantly during these 6 months. Significant differences were detected between the cortical activity and the parameters of weather and space processes; namely, an increase in the air temperature and a decrease in the wind speed and cosmic-ray energy result in a decrease in the activity rate of the right occipital lobe.

Safety assessment of the use of ultrasonic energy in the proximity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in a porcine model.

PubMed

Chávez, Karla V; Barajas, Elpidio M; Soroa, Francisco; Gamboa-Dominguez, Armando; Ordóñez, Samuel; Pantoja, Juan P; Sierra, Mauricio; Velázquez-Fernández, David; Herrera, Miguel F

2018-01-01

Advanced bipolar and ultrasonic energy have demonstrated reduction of operating time and blood loss in thyroidectomy. However, these devices generate heat and thermal dispersion that may damage adjacent structures such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). This study was designed to evaluate the safety profile of the Harmonic Focus+ ® (HF+) device through the evaluation of thermal injury to the RLN using different algorithms of distance and time with state of the art technology. 25 Vietnamese pigs underwent activation of HF+ in the proximity of their RLN. They were divided into 4 groups according to activation distance (3 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm and on the RLN). Time of activation, time between tones of the ultrasonic generator, changes in the electromyographic signal using continuous nerve neuromonitoring, vocal fold mobility assessed by direct laryngoscopy and histological thermal damaged were evaluated. None of the pigs had loss of signal in the electromyography during the procedure; only one pig had isolated transient decrease in amplitude and one increase in latency. One pig had transient vocal fold paresis in the group with activation on the nerve. Evaluation of the nerves by histology and immunohistochemistry did not show significant changes attributed to thermal injury. The use of ultrasonic energy close to the RLN is safe, provided that activation time does not exceed the necessary time to safely transect the tissue. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Earth Day 2018 Activities

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

During the annual Earth Day celebration at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, guests have an opportunity to get an up-close look at experimental electric vehicles and see and Apollo era Lunar Roving Vehicle used in astronaut training. The battery-operated car was used on Apollos 15, 16 and 17 in 1971 and 1972. The two-day event featured approximately 50 exhibitors offering information on a variety of topics, including electric vehicles, sustainable lighting, renewable energy, Florida-friendly landscaping tips, Florida’s biking trails and more.

A fading-based method for checking the presence of closely overlapping peaks in thermoluminescent (TL) materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furetta, C.

The paper describes a method, based on fading experiment, for determining the presence of a complex structure in the thermoluminescent glow curve emission from herbs, e.g. oregano and nopal. Because of the polymineral content of the inorganic part of these herbs, the emitted glow curve is the result of several overlapping glow peaks, each one corresponding to another mineral. The initial rise method is also used for determining the activation energy of each component.

Photocatalytic post-treatment in waste water reclamation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Gerald; Ratcliff, Matthew A.; Verostko, Charles E.

1989-01-01

A photocatalytic water purification process is described which effectively oxidizes organic impurities common to reclaimed waste waters and humidity condensates to carbon dioxide at ambient temperatures. With this process, total organic carbon concentrations below 500 ppb are readily achieved. The temperature dependence of the process is well described by the Arrhenius equation and an activation energy barrier of 3.5 Kcal/mole. The posttreatment approach for waste water reclamation described here shows potential for integration with closed-loop life support systems.

Activation of Methane by FeO+: Determining Reaction Pathways through Temperature-Dependent Kinetics and Statistical Modeling (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-25

benchmarks for the reaction surface. ■ INTRODUCTION There is significant interest in procuring and employing natural gas as a viable alternative to...petroleum for both energy and chemical feed stocks.1,2 One of the primary impediments to natural gas utilization is that methane (∼90% of natural gas ...is significant, which typically limits its use to areas where large natural gas deposits are in very close proximity, neglecting the many smaller

The aggregation and characteristics of radiation-induced defects in lithium fluoride nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voitovich, A. P.; Kalinov, V. S.; Korzhik, M. V.; Martynovich, E. F.; Runets, L. P.; Stupak, A. P.

2013-02-01

It has been established that diffusion activation energies for anion vacancies and centres ? in lithium fluoride nanocrystals are higher than those in bulk crystals. In nanocrystals, ? centres migrating in the range of the temperature close to room temperature is not observed and these centres remain stable. The ratio of centres ? and F 2 concentrations in nanocrystals is higher than in bulk crystals. A new type of colour centres, which is absent in bulk crystals, is discovered in nanocrystals.

Rapid transitions between defect configurations in a block copolymer melt.

PubMed

Tsarkova, Larisa; Knoll, Armin; Magerle, Robert

2006-07-01

With in situ scanning force microscopy, we image the ordering of cylindrical microdomains in a thin film of a diblock copolymer melt. Tracking the evolution of individual defects reveals elementary steps of defect motion via interfacial undulations and repetitive transitions between distinct defect configurations on a time scale of tens of seconds. The velocity of these transitions suggests a cooperative movement of clusters of chains. The activation energy for the opening/closing of a connection between two cylinders is estimated.

Active control of flexible structures using a fuzzy logic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen, Kelly; Weller, Tanchum; Ben-Asher, Joseph Z.

2002-08-01

This study deals with the development and application of an active control law for the vibration suppression of beam-like flexible structures experiencing transient disturbances. Collocated pairs of sensors/actuators provide active control of the structure. A design methodology for the closed-loop control algorithm based on fuzzy logic is proposed. First, the behavior of the open-loop system is observed. Then, the number and locations of collocated actuator/sensor pairs are selected. The proposed control law, which is based on the principles of passivity, commands the actuator to emulate the behavior of a dynamic vibration absorber. The absorber is tuned to a targeted frequency, whereas the damping coefficient of the dashpot is varied in a closed loop using a fuzzy logic based algorithm. This approach not only ensures inherent stability associated with passive absorbers, but also circumvents the phenomenon of modal spillover. The developed controller is applied to the AFWAL/FIB 10 bar truss. Simulated results using MATLAB© show that the closed-loop system exhibits fairly quick settling times and desirable performance, as well as robustness characteristics. To demonstrate the robustness of the control system to changes in the temporal dynamics of the flexible structure, the transient response to a considerably perturbed plant is simulated. The modal frequencies of the 10 bar truss were raised as well as lowered substantially, thereby significantly perturbing the natural frequencies of vibration. For these cases, too, the developed control law provides adequate settling times and rates of vibrational energy dissipation.

Evaluation of normal swallowing functions by using dynamic high-density surface electromyography maps.

PubMed

Zhu, Mingxing; Yu, Bin; Yang, Wanzhang; Jiang, Yanbing; Lu, Lin; Huang, Zhen; Chen, Shixiong; Li, Guanglin

2017-11-21

Swallowing is a continuous process with substantive interdependencies among different muscles, and it plays a significant role in our daily life. The aim of this study was to propose a novel technique based on high-density surface electromyography (HD sEMG) for the evaluation of normal swallowing functions. A total of 96 electrodes were placed on the front neck to acquire myoelectric signals from 12 healthy subjects while they were performing different swallowing tasks. HD sEMG energy maps were constructed based on the root mean square values to visualize muscular activities during swallowing. The effects of different volumes, viscosities, and head postures on the normal swallowing process were systemically investigated by using the energy maps. The results showed that the HD sEMG energy maps could provide detailed spatial and temporal properties of the muscle electrical activity, and visualize the muscle contractions that closely related to the swallowing function. The energy maps also showed that the swallowing time and effort was also explicitly affected by the volume and viscosity of the bolus. The concentration of the muscular activities shifted to the opposite side when the subjects turned their head to either side. The proposed method could provide an alternative method to physiologically evaluate the dynamic characteristics of normal swallowing and had the advantage of providing a full picture of how different muscle activities cooperate in time and location. The findings from this study suggested that the HD sEMG technique might be a useful tool for fast screening and objective assessment of swallowing disorders or dysphagia.

Quantifying the Topology and Evolution of a Magnetic Flux Rope Associated with Multi-flare Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Kai; Guo, Yang; Ding, M. D.

2016-06-01

Magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) play an important role in solar activities. The quantitative assessment of the topology of an MFR and its evolution is crucial for a better understanding of the relationship between the MFR and associated activities. In this paper, we investigate the magnetic field of active region (AR) 12017 from 2014 March 28-29, during which time 12 flares were triggered by intermittent eruptions of a filament (either successful or confined). Using vector magnetic field data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we calculate the magnetic energy and helicity injection in the AR, and extrapolate the 3D magnetic field with a nonlinear force-free field model. From the extrapolations, we find an MFR that is cospatial with the filament. We further determine the configuration of this MFR from the closed quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) around it. Then, we calculate the twist number and the magnetic helicity for the field lines composing the MFR. The results show that the closed QSL structure surrounding the MFR becomes smaller as a consequence of flare occurrence. We also find that the flares in our sample are mainly triggered by kink instability. Moreover, the twist number varies more sensitively than other parameters with the occurrence of flares.

Theoretical study of the H2 reaction with a Pt4 (111) cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cruz, A.; Bertin, V.; Poulain, E.; Benitez, J. I.; Castillo, S.

2004-04-01

The Cs symmetry reaction of the H2 molecule on a Pt4 (111) clusters, has been studied using ab initio multiconfiguration self-consistent field plus extensive multireference configuration interaction variational and perturbative calculations. The H2 interaction by the vertex and by the base of a tetrahedral Pt4 cluster were studied in ground and excited triplet and singlet states (closed and open shells), where the reaction curves are obtained through many avoided crossings. The Pt4 cluster captures and activates the hydrogen molecule; it shows a similar behavior compared with other Ptn (n=1,2,3) systems. The Pt4 cluster in their lowest five open and closed shell electronic states: 3B2, 1B2, 1A1 3A1, 1A1, respectively, may capture and dissociate the H2 molecule without activation barriers for the hydrogen molecule vertex approach. For the threefolded site reaction, i.e., by the base, the situation is different, the hydrogen adsorption presents some barriers. The potential energy minima occur outside and inside the cluster, with strong activation of the H-H bond. In all cases studied, the Pt4 cluster does not absorb the hydrogen molecule.

Energy density of ionospheric and solar wind origin ions in the near-Earth magnetotail during substorms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daglis, Loannis A.; Livi, Stefano; Sarris, Emmanuel T.; Wilken, Berend

1994-01-01

Comprehensive energy density studies provide an important measure of the participation of various sources in energization processes and have been relatively rare in the literature. We present a statistical study of the energy density of the near-Earth magnetotail major ions (H(+), O(+), He(++), He(+)) during substorm expansion phase and discuss its implications for the solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling. Our aim is to examine the relation between auroral activity and the particle energization during substorms through the correlation between the AE indices and the energy density of the major magnetospheric ions. The data we used here were collected by the charge-energy-mass (CHEM) spectrometer on board the Active Magnetospheric Particle Trace Explorer (AMPTE)/Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) satellite in the near-equatorial nightside magnetosphere, at geocentric distances approximately 7 to 9 R(sub E). CHEM provided the opportunity to conduct the first statistical study of energy density in the near-Earth magnetotail with multispecies particle data extending into the higher energy range (greater than or equal to 20 keV/E). the use of 1-min AE indices in this study should be emphasized, as the use (in previous statistical studies) of the (3-hour) Kp index or of long-time averages of AE indices essentially smoothed out all the information on substorms. Most distinct feature of our study is the excellent correlation of O(+) energy density with the AE index, in contrast with the remarkably poor He(++) energy density - AE index correlation. Furthermore, we examined the relation of the ion energy density to the electrojet activity during substorm growth phase. The O(+) energy density is strongly correlated with the pre-onset AU index, that is the eastward electrojet intensity, which represents the growth phase current system. Our investigation shows that the near-Earth magnetotail is increasingly fed with energetic ionospheric ions during periods of enhanced dissipation of auroral currents. The participation of the ionosphere in the substorm energization processes seems to be closely, although not solely, associated with the solar wind/magnetosphere coupling. That is, the ionosphere influences actively the substorm energization processes by responding to the increased solar wind/magnetosphere coupling as well as to the unloading dissipation of stored energy, with the increased feeding of new material into the magnetosphere.

Analysis of close associations of uropod-associated proteins in human T-cells using the proximity ligation assay

PubMed Central

Baumann, Tommy; Affentranger, Sarah

2013-01-01

We have shown previously that the raft-associated proteins flotillin-1 and -2 are rapidly recruited to the uropods of chemoattractant-stimulated human neutrophils and T-cells and are involved in cell polarization. Other proteins such as the adhesion receptor PSGL-1, the actin-membrane linker proteins ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) and the signaling enzyme phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type Iγ90 (PIPKIγ90) also accumulate in the T-cell uropod. Using the in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) we now have investigated putative close associations of these proteins in human freshly isolated T-cells before and after chemokine addition. The PLA allows in situ subcellular localization of close proximity of endogenous proteins at single-molecule resolution in fixed cells. It allows detection also of weaker and transient complexes that would not be revealed with co-immunoprecipitation approaches. We previously provided evidence for heterodimer formation of tagged flotillin-1 and -2 in T-cells before and after chemokine addition using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). We now confirm these findings using PLA for the endogenous flotillins in fixed human T-cells. Moreover, in agreement with the literature, our PLA findings confirm a close association of endogenous PSGL-1 and ERM proteins both in resting and chemokine-activated human T-cells. In addition, we provide novel evidence using the PLA for close associations of endogenous activated ERM proteins with PIPKIγ90 and of endogenous flotillins with PSGL-1 in human T-cells, before and after chemokine addition. Our findings suggest that preformed clusters of these proteins coalesce in the uropod upon cell stimulation. PMID:24167781

Closed Cycle Engine Program Used in Solar Dynamic Power Testing Effort

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ensworth, Clint B., III; McKissock, David B.

1998-01-01

NASA Lewis Research Center is testing the world's first integrated solar dynamic power system in a simulated space environment. This system converts solar thermal energy into electrical energy by using a closed-cycle gas turbine and alternator. A NASA-developed analysis code called the Closed Cycle Engine Program (CCEP) has been used for both pretest predictions and post-test analysis of system performance. The solar dynamic power system has a reflective concentrator that focuses solar thermal energy into a cavity receiver. The receiver is a heat exchanger that transfers the thermal power to a working fluid, an inert gas mixture of helium and xenon. The receiver also uses a phase-change material to store the thermal energy so that the system can continue producing power when there is no solar input power, such as when an Earth-orbiting satellite is in eclipse. The system uses a recuperated closed Brayton cycle to convert thermal power to mechanical power. Heated gas from the receiver expands through a turbine that turns an alternator and a compressor. The system also includes a gas cooler and a radiator, which reject waste cycle heat, and a recuperator, a gas-to-gas heat exchanger that improves cycle efficiency by recovering thermal energy.

Guided Inquiry Learning With Sea Water Battery Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mashudi, A.

2017-02-01

Science learning process is expected to produce valuable product, innovative and real learning environment, and provide memorable learning experience. That orientation can be contained in Inquiry Based Learning. SMP N 4 Juwana is located close to the beach. That’s why, Sea Water Battery Project is very suitable to be applied in learning activity as an effort to fulfill the renewable energy based on local wisdom. This study aims to increase interest, activity and achievement of students. Learning implementation stage, namely : Constructing Sea Water Battery project, observation, group presentations, and feedback. Sea Water Battery is renewable energy battery from materials easily found around the learner. The materials used are copper plate as the anode, zinc plate as the cathode and sea water as the electrolyte. Average score of students Interest on the first cycle 76, while on the second cycle 85. Average score of students Activity on the first cycle 76 and on the second cycle 86. Average score of students achievement on the first cycle 75, while on the second cycle 84. This learning process gave nurturant effect for students to keep innovating and construct engineering technology for the future.

2-D Ultrasound Sparse Arrays Multidepth Radiation Optimization Using Simulated Annealing and Spiral-Array Inspired Energy Functions.

PubMed

Roux, Emmanuel; Ramalli, Alessandro; Tortoli, Piero; Cachard, Christian; Robini, Marc C; Liebgott, Herve

2016-12-01

Full matrix arrays are excellent tools for 3-D ultrasound imaging, but the required number of active elements is too high to be individually controlled by an equal number of scanner channels. The number of active elements is significantly reduced by the sparse array techniques, but the position of the remaining elements must be carefully optimized. This issue is faced here by introducing novel energy functions in the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. At each iteration step of the optimization process, one element is freely translated and the associated radiated pattern is simulated. To control the pressure field behavior at multiple depths, three energy functions inspired by the pressure field radiated by a Blackman-tapered spiral array are introduced. Such energy functions aim at limiting the main lobe width while lowering the side lobe and grating lobe levels at multiple depths. Numerical optimization results illustrate the influence of the number of iterations, pressure measurement points, and depths, as well as the influence of the energy function definition on the optimized layout. It is also shown that performance close to or even better than the one provided by a spiral array, here assumed as reference, may be obtained. The finite-time convergence properties of SA allow the duration of the optimization process to be set in advance.

Stabilizing the Performance of High-Capacity Sulfur Composite Electrodes by a New Gel Polymer Electrolyte Configuration.

PubMed

Agostini, Marco; Lim, Du Hyun; Sadd, Matthew; Fasciani, Chiara; Navarra, Maria Assunta; Panero, Stefania; Brutti, Sergio; Matic, Aleksandar; Scrosati, Bruno

2017-09-11

Increased pollution and the resulting increase in global warming are drawing attention to boosting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. However, the production of energy from most renewable sources is intermittent and thus relies on the availability of electrical energy-storage systems with high capacity and at competitive cost. Lithium-sulfur batteries are among the most promising technologies in this respect due to a very high theoretical energy density (1675 mAh g -1 ) and that the active material, sulfur, is abundant and inexpensive. However, a so far limited practical energy density, life time, and the scaleup of materials and production processes prevent their introduction into commercial applications. In this work, we report on a simple strategy to address these issues by using a new gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) that enables stable performance close to the theoretical capacity of a low cost sulfur-carbon composite with high loading of active material, that is, 70 % sulfur. We show that the GPE prevents sulfur dissolution and reduces migration of polysulfide species to the anode. This functional mechanism of the GPE membranes is revealed by investigating both its morphology and the Li-anode/GPE interface at various states of discharge/charge using Raman spectroscopy. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Absolute cascade-free cross-sections for the 2S to 2P transition in Zn(+) using electron-energy-loss and merged-beams methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Steven J.; Man, K.-F.; Chutjian, A.; Mawhorter, R. J.; Williams, I. D.

1991-01-01

Absolute cascade-free excitation cross-sections in an ion have been measured for the resonance 2S to 2P transition in Zn(+) using electron-energy-loss and merged electron-ion beams methods. Measurements were carried out at electron energies of below threshold to 6 times threshold. Comparisons are made with 2-, 5-, and 15-state close-coupling and distorted-wave theories. There is good agreement between experiment and the 15-state close-coupling cross-sections over the energy range of the calculations.

A low-cost approach to electronic excitation energies based on the driven similarity renormalization group

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chenyang; Verma, Prakash; Hannon, Kevin P.; Evangelista, Francesco A.

2017-08-01

We propose an economical state-specific approach to evaluate electronic excitation energies based on the driven similarity renormalization group truncated to second order (DSRG-PT2). Starting from a closed-shell Hartree-Fock wave function, a model space is constructed that includes all single or single and double excitations within a given set of active orbitals. The resulting VCIS-DSRG-PT2 and VCISD-DSRG-PT2 methods are introduced and benchmarked on a set of 28 organic molecules [M. Schreiber et al., J. Chem. Phys. 128, 134110 (2008)]. Taking CC3 results as reference values, mean absolute deviations of 0.32 and 0.22 eV are observed for VCIS-DSRG-PT2 and VCISD-DSRG-PT2 excitation energies, respectively. Overall, VCIS-DSRG-PT2 yields results with accuracy comparable to those from time-dependent density functional theory using the B3LYP functional, while VCISD-DSRG-PT2 gives excitation energies comparable to those from equation-of-motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles.

Multifractal and wavelet analysis of epileptic seizures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dick, Olga E.; Mochovikova, Irina A.

The aim of the study is to develop quantitative parameters of human electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings with epileptic seizures. We used long-lasting recordings from subjects with epilepsy obtained as part of their clinical investigation. The continuous wavelet transform of the EEG segments and the wavelet-transform modulus maxima method enable us to evaluate the energy spectra of the segments, to fin lines of local maximums, to gain the scaling exponents and to construct the singularity spectra. We have shown that the significant increase of the global energy with respect to background and the redistribution of the energy over the frequency range are observed in the patterns involving the epileptic activity. The singularity spectra expand so that the degree of inhomogenety and multifractality of the patterns enhances. Comparing the results gained for the patterns during different functional probes such as open and closed eyes or hyperventilation we demonstrate the high sensitivity of the analyzed parameters (the maximal global energy, the width and asymmetry of the singularity spectrum) for detecting the epileptic patterns.

Studying Solid-Phase Processes in Metakaoline-Sodium Hydroxide Mixtures by Means of Isoconversion Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordina, N. E.; Prokof'ev, V. Yu.; Khramtsova, A. P.; Cherednikova, D. S.; Konstantinova, E. M.

2018-05-01

Processes of the thermal treatment of 6Al2Si4O7: 12NaOH mixtures for the synthesis of zeolites are studied. The mixtures are subjected to ultrasonic treatment and mechanochemical activation, after which the suspensions are evaporated, granulated, and dried. The study is performed using X-ray diffraction, synchronous thermal analysis, and electron microscopy. It is established that calcination below 500°C leads to the dehydration of the LTA zeolite and sodium hydroaluminates formed earlier, and Al2Si4O7 reacts with LTA and NaOH in the range of 500-800°C to form Na6Al4Si4O17 and Na8Al4Si4O18. Using the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose methods, the apparent activation energies (E) are calculated for this range. The two methods yield close results. It is found that E grows from 30-80 to 240-300 kJ/mol as conversion increases. It is shown that preliminary ultrasonic treatment and mechanochemical activation reduce apparent energy of activation E due to changes in the morphology of particles.

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

Salvarli, H.

The high energy demand in Turkey is closely linked to economic growth, industrialization, and population increase. Turkish general energy policies are designed to support economic and social development. Natural conditions of Turkey are favorable for utilization of new and renewable energies, such as hydraulic energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass energy, solar energy, and, probably, nuclear energy. As the use of hydraulic and coal in Turkey will reach its full capacity by 2020, imported natural gas, coal, and other resources will be used to meet the energy demand. By 2020, approximately 75% of final energy demand and 67% of electricitymore » supply will be met by coal, oil, and natural gas. Energy investments, which are closely related with the environmental protection, require massive financial resources. It is also important to use standardized equipment and materials in all areas of energy generation, transmission, distribution, and trade. For a sustainable development, the next investments on industry should be made for the clean technologies in regard with being environment-friendly.« less

Low-energy electron-impact single ionization of helium

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

Colgan, J.; Pindzola, M. S.; Childers, G.

2006-04-15

A study is made of low-energy electron-impact single ionization of ground-state helium. The time-dependent close-coupling method is used to calculate total integral, single differential, double differential, and triple differential ionization cross sections for impact electron energies ranging from 32 to 45 eV. For all quantities, the calculated cross sections are found to be in very good agreement with experiment, and for the triple differential cross sections, good agreement is also found with calculations made using the convergent close-coupling technique.

Power from space for use on earth: An emerging global option

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaser, Peter E.

1989-01-01

The concept of the Earth as a closed ecological system is addressed from the point of view of the availability and use of energy from space and its potential influence on the economies of both developed and developing countries. The results of past studies of the solar power satellite (SPS) are reviewed, and the current international activities exploring various aspects of an SPS are mentioned. The functions of an SPS, including collection of solar energy in orbit, conversion to an intermediate form of energy, transmission of energy from orbit to Earth, and conversion to useful energy in the most appropriate form are discussed. Directions for future developments are addressed including a suggested planning framework. Salient aspects of SPS technologies are presented, and the potential benefits of the uses of lunar materials for the SPS construction are outlined. Scenarios within the context of international participation in a global SPS system are presented. The conclusion is drawn that an SPS system is one of the few promising, globally applicable power generation options that has the potential to meet energy demands in the 21st Century and to achieve the inevitable transition to inexhaustible and renewable energy sources.

A second-order multi-reference perturbation method for molecular vibrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizukami, Wataru; Tew, David P.

2013-11-01

We present a general multi-reference framework for treating strong correlation in vibrational structure theory, which we denote the vibrational active space self-consistent field (VASSCF) approach. Active configurations can be selected according to excitation level or the degrees of freedom involved, or both. We introduce a novel state-specific second-order multi-configurational perturbation correction that accounts for the remaining weak correlation between the vibrational modes. The resulting VASPT2 method is capable of accurately and efficiently treating strong correlation in the form of large anharmonic couplings, at the same time as correctly resolving resonances between states. These methods have been implemented in our new dynamics package DYNAMOL, which can currently treat up to four-body Hamiltonian coupling terms. We present a pilot application of the VASPT2 method to the trans isomer of formic acid. We have constructed a new analytic potential that reproduces frozen core CCSD(T)(F12*)/cc-pVDZ-F12 energies to within 0.25% RMSD over the energy range 0-15 000 cm-1. The computed VASPT2 fundamental transition energies are accurate to within 9 cm-1 RMSD from experimental values, which is close to the accuracy one can expect from a CCSD(T) potential energy surface.

Mother and newborn baby: mutual regulation of physiology and behavior--a selective review.

PubMed

Winberg, Jan

2005-11-01

This article reviews 30 years of work demonstrating that interactions between mother and newborn infant in the period just after birth influence the physiology and behavior of both. Close body contact of the infant with his/her mother helps regulate the newborn's temperature, energy conservation, acid-base balance, adjustment of respiration, crying, and nursing behaviors. Similarly, the baby may regulate--i.e., increase--the mother's attention to his/her needs, the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, and the efficiency of her energy economy through vagus activation and a surge of gastrointestinal tract hormone release resulting in better exploitation of ingested calories. The effects of some of these changes can be detected months later. Parallels to animal research and possible mechanisms are discussed.

Growth Mechanism Studies of ZnO Nanowires: Experimental Observations and Short-Circuit Diffusion Analysis

PubMed Central

Shih, Po-Hsun

2017-01-01

Plenty of studies have been performed to probe the diverse properties of ZnO nanowires, but only a few have focused on the physical properties of a single nanowire since analyzing the growth mechanism along a single nanowire is difficult. In this study, a single ZnO nanowire was synthesized using a Ti-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to avoid the appearance of catalytic contamination. Two-dimensional energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping with a diffusion model was used to obtain the diffusion length and the activation energy ratio. The ratio value is close to 0.3, revealing that the growth of ZnO nanowires was attributed to the short-circuit diffusion. PMID:28754030

Dynamic energy budget approach to evaluate antibiotic effects on biofilms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birnir, Bjorn; Carpio, Ana; Cebrián, Elena; Vidal, Perfecto

2018-01-01

Quantifying the action of antibiotics on biofilms is essential to devise therapies against chronic infections. Biofilms are bacterial communities attached to moist surfaces, sheltered from external aggressions by a polymeric matrix. Coupling a dynamic energy budget based description of cell metabolism to surrounding concentration fields, we are able to approximate survival curves measured for different antibiotics. We reproduce numerically stratified distributions of cell types within the biofilm and introduce ways to incorporate different resistance mechanisms. Qualitative predictions follow that are in agreement with experimental observations, such as higher survival rates of cells close to the substratum when employing antibiotics targeting active cells or enhanced polymer production when antibiotics are administered. The current computational model enables validation and hypothesis testing when developing therapies.

Attosecond pulse carrier-envelope phase effects on ionized electron momentum and energy distributions

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

Peng, L.-Y.; Starace, Anthony F.

2007-10-15

We analyze carrier-envelope phase (CEP) effects on electron wave-packet momentum and energy spectra produced by one or two few-cycle attosecond xuv pulses. The few-cycle attosecond pulses are assumed to have arbitrary phases. We predict CEP effects on ionized electron wave-packet momentum distributions produced by attosecond pulses having durations comparable to those obtained by Sansone et al. [Science 314, 443 (2006)]. The onset of significant CEP effects is predicted to occur for attosecond pulse field strengths close to those possible with current experimental capabilities. Our results are based on single-active-electron solutions of the three-dimensional, time-dependent Schroedinger equation including atomic potentials appropriatemore » for the H and He atoms.« less

Carbon recycling in materially closed ecological life support systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Obenhuber, D. C.; Folsome, C. E.

1988-01-01

Results of studies are presented of materially closed energetically open microbial ecosystems or 'closed ecosystems'. These are natural marine ecosystems that have been sealed in glass containers to prevent material exchange with the environment but allow energy to pass freely through them. They represent model life support systems for the future human habitation of space. The results are discussed analytically and indicate that these ecosystems, when subjected to a constant energy flux, seem to be reliable and self-sufficient systems for recycling of biologically produced carbon compounds.

Bipolarly stacked electrolyser for energy and space efficient fabrication of supercapacitor electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaojuan; Wu, Tao; Dai, Zengxin; Tao, Keran; Shi, Yong; Peng, Chuang; Zhou, Xiaohang; Chen, George Z.

2016-03-01

Stacked electrolysers with titanium bipolar plates are constructed for electrodeposition of polypyrrole electrodes for supercapacitors. The cathode side of the bipolar Ti plates are pre-coated with activated carbon. In this new design, half electrolysis occurs which significantly lowers the deposition voltage. The deposited electrodes are tested in a symmetrical unit cell supercapacitor and an asymmetrical supercapacitor stack. Both devices show excellent energy storage performances and the capacitance values are very close to the design value, suggesting a very high current efficiency during the electrodeposition. The electrolyser stack offers multi-fold benefits for preparation of conducting polymer electrodes, i.e. low energy consumption, facile control of the electrode capacitance and simultaneous preparation of a number of identical electrodes. Therefore, the stacked bipolar electrolyser is a technology advance that offers an engineering solution for mass production of electrodeposited conducting polymer electrodes for supercapacitors.

Design of control laws for flutter suppression based on the aerodynamic energy concept and comparisons with other design methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nissim, Eli

1990-01-01

The aerodynamic energy method is used to synthesize control laws for NASA's drone for aerodynamic and structural testing-aerodynamic research wing 1 (DAST-ARW1) mathematical model. The performance of these control laws in terms of closed-loop flutter dynamic pressure, control surface activity, and robustness is compared with other control laws that relate to the same model. A control law synthesis technique that makes use of the return difference singular values is developed. It is based on the aerodynamic energy approach and is shown to yield results that are superior to those results given in the literature and are based on optimal control theory. Nyquist plots are presented, together with a short discussion regarding the relative merits of the minimum singular value as a measure of robustness as compared with the more traditional measure involving phase and gain margins.

Design of control laws for flutter suppression based on the aerodynamic energy concept and comparisons with other design methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nissim, E.

1989-01-01

The aerodynamic energy method is used in this paper to synthesize control laws for NASA's Drone for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing-Aerodynamic Research Wing 1 (DAST-ARW1) mathematical model. The performance of these control laws in terms of closed-loop flutter dynamic pressure, control surface activity, and robustness is compared against other control laws that appear in the literature and relate to the same model. A control law synthesis technique that makes use of the return difference singular values is developed in this paper. it is based on the aerodynamic energy approach and is shown to yield results superior to those given in the literature and based on optimal control theory. Nyquist plots are presented together with a short discussion regarding the relative merits of the minimum singular value as a measure of robustness, compared with the more traditional measure of robustness involving phase and gain margins.

18 CFR 375.206 - Procedures to close meetings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... meetings. 375.206 Section 375.206 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY... Sunshine Act § 375.206 Procedures to close meetings. (a) General rule. A meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed only when the Commission votes by a majority of the membership to close the meeting. A...

Kinetics of Hole Nucleation in Biomembrane Rupture

PubMed Central

Evans, Evan; Smith, Benjamin A

2011-01-01

The core component of a biological membrane is a fluid-lipid bilayer held together by interfacial-hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions, which are balanced for the most part by acyl chain entropy confinement. If biomembranes are subjected to persistent tensions, an unstable (nanoscale) hole will emerge at some time to cause rupture. Because of the large energy required to create a hole, thermal activation appears to be requisite for initiating a hole and the activation energy is expected to depend significantly on mechanical tension. Although models exist for the kinetic process of hole nucleation in tense membranes, studies of membrane survival have failed to cover the ranges of tension and lifetime needed to critically examine nucleation theory. Hence, rupturing giant (~20 μm) membrane vesicles ultra-slowly to ultra-quickly with slow to fast ramps of tension, we demonstrate a method to directly quantify kinetic rates at which unstable holes form in fluid membranes, at the same time providing a range of kinetic rates from < 0.01 s−1 to > 100 s−1. Measuring lifetimes of many hundreds of vesicles, each tensed by precision control of micropipet suction, we have determined the rates of failure for vesicles made from several synthetic phospholipids plus 1:1 mixtures of phospho- and sphingo-lipids with cholesterol, all of which represent prominent constituents of eukaryotic cell membranes. Plotted on a logarithmic scale, the failure rates for vesicles are found to rise dramatically with increase of tension. Converting the experimental profiles of kinetic rates into changes of activation energy versus tension, we show that the results closely match expressions for thermal activation derived from a combination of meso-scale theory and molecular-scale simulations of hole formation. Moreover, we demonstrate a generic approach to transform analytical fits of activation energies obtained from rupture experiments into energy landscapes characterizing the process hole nucleation along the reaction coordinate defined by hole size. PMID:21966242

Response in thermal neutrons intensity on the activation of seismic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonova, Valentina; Chubenko, Alexandr; Kryukov, Sergey; Lutsenko, Vadim

2017-04-01

Results of study of thermal and high-energy neutrons intensity during the activation of seismic activity are presented. Installations are located close to the fault of the earth's crust at the high-altitude station of cosmic rays (3340 m above sea level, 20 km from Almaty) in the mountains of Northern Tien-Shan. High correlation and similarity of responses to changes of space and geophysical conditions in the absence of seismic activity are obtained between data of thermal neutron detectors and data of the standard neutron monitor, recording the intensity of high-energy particles. These results confirm the genetic connection of thermal neutrons at the Earth's surface with high-energy neutrons of the galactic origin and suggest same sources of disturbances of their flux. However, observations and analysis of experimental data during the activation of seismic activity showed the frequent breakdown of the correlation between the intensity of thermal and high-energy neutrons and the absence of similarity between variations during these periods. We suppose that the cause of this phenomenon is the additional thermal neutron flux of the lithospheric origin, which appears under these conditions. Method of separating of thermal neutron intensity variations of the lithospheric origin from neutrons variations generated in the atmosphere is proposed. We used this method for analysis of variations of thermal neutrons intensity during earthquakes (with intensity ≥ 3b) in the vicinity of Almaty which took place in 2006-2015. The increase of thermal neutrons flux of the lithospheric origin during of seismic processes activation was observed for 60% of events. However, before the earthquake the increase of thermal neutron flux is only observed for 25-30% of events. It is shown that the amplitude of the additional thermal neutron flux from the Earth's crust is equal to 5-7% of the background level.

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

The Anh, Le, E-mail: letheanh@jaist.ac.jp; Lam, Pham Tien; Manoharan, Muruganathan

We present a first-principles study on the interstitial-mediated diffusion process of neutral phosphorus (P) atoms in a silicon crystal with the presence of mono-atomic hydrogen (H). By relaxing initial Si structures containing a P atom and an H atom, we derived four low-energy P-H-Si defect complexes whose formation energies are significantly lower than those of P-Si defect complexes. These four defect complexes are classified into two groups. In group A, an H atom is located near a Si atom, whereas in group B, an H atom is close to a P atom. We found that the H atom pairs withmore » P or Si atom and changes the nature bonding between P and Si atoms from out-of-phase conjugation to in-phase conjugation. This fact results in the lower formation energies compare to the cases without H atom. For the migration of defect complexes, we have found that P-H-Si defect complexes can migrate with low barrier energies if an H atom sticks to either P or Si atom. Group B complexes can migrate from one lattice site to another with an H atom staying close to a P atom. Group A complexes cannot migrate from one lattice site to another without a transfer of an H atom from one Si atom to another Si atom. A change in the structure of defect complexes between groups A and B during the migration results in a transfer of an H atom between P and Si atoms. The results for diffusion of group B complexes show that the presence of mono-atomic H significantly reduces the activation energy of P diffusion in a Si crystal, which is considered as a summation of formation energy and migration barrier energy, leading to the enhancement of diffusion of P atoms at low temperatures, which has been suggested by recent experimental studies.« less

Outstanding visible photocatalytic activity of a new mixed bismuth titanatate material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zambrano, P.; Sayagués, M. J.; Navío, J. A.; Hidalgo, M. C.

2017-02-01

In this work, a new photocatalyst based on bismuth titanates with outstanding visible photocatalytic activity was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The synthesised material showed visible activity as high as UV activity of commercial TiO2 P25 under the same experimental conditions for phenol degradation. A wide characterisation of the photocatalyst was performed. The material was composed of three phases; majority of Bi20TiO32 closely interconnected to Bi4Ti3O12 and amorphous TiO2. The high visible activity showed by this material could be ascribed to a combination of several features; i.e. low band gap energy value (2.1 eV), a structure allowing a good separation path for visible photogenerated electron-holes pairs and a relatively high surface area. This photocatalyst appeared as a promising material for solar and visible applications of photocatalysis.

An energy saving mechanism of EPON networks for real time video transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chien-Ping; Wu, Ho-Ting; Chiang, Yun-Ting; Chien, Shieh-Chieh; Ke, Kai-Wei

2015-07-01

Modern access networks are constructed widely by passive optical networks (PONs) to meet the growing bandwidth demand. However, higher bandwidth means more energy consumption. To save energy, a few research works propose the dual-mode energy saving mechanism that allows the ONU to operate between active and sleep modes periodically. However, such dual-mode energy saving design may induce unnecessary power consumption or packet delay increase in the case where only downstream data exist for most of the time. In this paper, we propose a new tri-mode energy saving scheme for Ethernet PON (EPON). The new tri-mode energy saving design, combining the dual-mode saving mechanism with the doze mode, allows the ONU to switch among these three modes alternatively. In the doze mode, the ONU may receive downstream data while keeping its transmitter close. Such scenario is often observed for real time video downstream transmission. Furthermore, the low packet delay of high priority upstream data can be attained through the use of early wake-up mechanism employed in both energy saving modes. The energy saving and system efficiency can thus be achieved jointly while maintaining the differentiated QoS for data with various priorities. Performance results via simulation have demonstrated the effectiveness of such mechanism.

Outcomes of tibia shaft fractures caused by low energy gunshot wounds.

PubMed

Su, Charles A; Nguyen, Mai P; O'Donnell, Jeffrey A; Vallier, Heather A

2018-05-16

The purpose of this project was to compare the rates of infections, nonunions, malunions, and secondary operations in tibia fractures resultant from low energy GSWs versus those seen in open and closed tibia fractures resultant from blunt trauma. A secondary objective was to assess the utility of using the traditional Gustilo-Anderson classification system for open fractures to describe fractures secondary to low energy GSW. A retrospective review of 327 patients with tibia shaft fractures was conducted at our level I trauma center. Patients underwent a variety of interventions depending on their injury. Standard fixation techniques were utilized. Outcome measures include: mechanism of injury, rates of superficial and deep infection, nonunion, malunion, and secondary operations. Deep infection after low energy GSW tibia fractures was uncommon and seen in only 2.3% of patients. Rates of infection after low energy GSWs were similar to low and high energy closed tibia fractures resultant from blunt trauma, but significantly less than that seen in open type II (25%, p < 0.05), type IIIA (19.5%, p < 0.05), and type IIIB fractures (47%, p < 0.01). There were no nonunions following GSW fractures, versus 3.7% after closed tibia fractures from blunt trauma (p = 0.2). Nonunions were more common after open fractures from blunt trauma (11%, p < 0.05) versus GSWs. Differences in infection and nonunion were associated with more secondary operations (18%, p < 0.01) in the open tibia fracture group compared with GSWs (2.3%) and closed fractures (7.9% p = 0.19). While GSWs are traditionally thought of as open injuries, low energy GSW tibia fractures had a low rate of infection and no nonunions, and resulted in a reoperation rate similar to closed blunt tibia shaft fractures and significantly lower than open tibia fractures. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Initiation and growth of the discontinuous precipitation reaction at [0 1 1] symmetric tilt boundaries in Cu-Be alloy bicrystals

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

Monzen, R.; Watanabe, C.; Mino, D.

2005-02-01

The initiation and growth of discontinuous precipitation (DP) at [0 1 1] symmetric tilt boundaries in Cu-0.75 wt% Be alloy bicrystals have been studied. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that {gamma} precipitates tended to nucleate at a boundary in such a manner that their habit plane, (1 1 2){sub {alpha}} or (4 4 5){sub {alpha}}, with one of the adjoining grains lay as close as possible to the boundary. The habit plane with a low energy formed on both sides of the precipitates behind an initially migrating boundary, indicating the importance of the existence of the low-energy habit plane for themore » initial boundary migration. The incubation period to initiate DP and cell growth rate for a boundary show a good correlation with the energy of the boundary. A kinetic analysis of DP using the models of Turnbull, and Petermann and Hornbogen has yielded boundary diffusion data. A higher-energy boundary has a higher diffusivity with a smaller activation energy.« less

Minimum energy control for a two-compartment neuron to extracellular electric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Guo-Sheng; Wang, Jiang; Li, Hui-Yan; Wei, Xi-Le; Deng, Bin

2016-11-01

The energy optimization of extracellular electric field (EF) stimulus for a neuron is considered in this paper. We employ the optimal control theory to design a low energy EF input for a reduced two-compartment model. It works by driving the neuron to closely track a prescriptive spike train. A cost function is introduced to balance the contradictory objectives, i.e., tracking errors and EF stimulus energy. By using the calculus of variations, we transform the minimization of cost function to a six-dimensional two-point boundary value problem (BVP). Through solving the obtained BVP in the cases of three fundamental bifurcations, it is shown that the control method is able to provide an optimal EF stimulus of reduced energy for the neuron to effectively track a prescriptive spike train. Further, the feasibility of the adopted method is interpreted from the point of view of the biophysical basis of spike initiation. These investigations are conducive to designing stimulating dose for extracellular neural stimulation, which are also helpful to interpret the effects of extracellular field on neural activity.

Controlling resonance energy transfer in nanostructure emitters by positioning near a mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weeraddana, Dilusha; Premaratne, Malin; Gunapala, Sarath D.; Andrews, David L.

2017-08-01

The ability to control light-matter interactions in quantum objects opens up many avenues for new applications. We look at this issue within a fully quantized framework using a fundamental theory to describe mirror-assisted resonance energy transfer (RET) in nanostructures. The process of RET communicates electronic excitation between suitably disposed donor and acceptor particles in close proximity, activated by the initial excitation of the donor. Here, we demonstrate that the energy transfer rate can be significantly controlled by careful positioning of the RET emitters near a mirror. The results deliver equations that elicit new insights into the associated modification of virtual photon behavior, based on the quantum nature of light. In particular, our results indicate that energy transfer efficiency in nanostructures can be explicitly expedited or suppressed by a suitably positioned neighboring mirror, depending on the relative spacing and the dimensionality of the nanostructure. Interestingly, the resonance energy transfer between emitters is observed to "switch off" abruptly under suitable conditions of the RET system. This allows one to quantitatively control RET systems in a new way.

Low-frequency noise in charge ordered system Pr0.63Ca0.37MnO3 near the charge-ordering transition and in the current induced destabilized state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bid, Aveek; Raychaudhuri, Arup K.

2003-05-01

We have investigated the dynamics of co-existing phases in the Charge Ordered (CO) manganite Pr0.63Ca0.37MnO3 using the technique of conductance noise spectroscopy. We note that close to the CO transition temperature Tco the spectral power of Sv(f)/V2 deviates significantly from the 1/f frequency dependence for f<=0.12Hz. Our analysis shows that this deviation can be described by a single frequency Lorentzian with corner frequency fc in addition to the usual broadband 1/f noise. Such a Lorentzian contribution to Sv(f)/V2 can come from a two level system (TLS). In the time serioues this shows up as RTN. For T<=Tco the system shows the onset of a non-linear conduction close to a threshold value Jdc = Jth the noise spectra is mainly 1/f in nature. For J > Jth a large low frequency component of noise (characterized again by a frequency fc) appears. We associate fc with the relaxation time tc of the TLS fluctuator so the tc = 1/fc. For thermal activation of the TLS the temperature dependence of fc will follow fc=foexp(-Ea/kBT) where Ea is an energy barrier. The value of fc shows an increase with Jdc showing that the value of the activation energy Ea is being lowered by the applied bias.

The relation of close friends to cognitive performance in old age: the mediating role of leisure activities.

PubMed

Ihle, Andreas; Oris, Michel; Baeriswyl, Marie; Kliegel, Matthias

2018-06-01

ABSTRACTBackground:From a conceptual point of view, close friends are an important resource for promoting activity engagement in old age. Leisure activity engagement in turn is a key predictor of cognitive performance. Empirically, it remains unclear so far whether leisure activity engagement mediates between having close friends on the one hand and cognitive performance on the other, which we investigated in a large sample of older adults. We assessed cognitive performance (Mill Hill vocabulary scale and Trail Making Test (TMT) parts A and B) in 2,812 older adults. Participants reported information on leisure activity engagement and close friends. A larger number of leisure activities and a larger number of close friends were significantly related to better cognitive performance in the Mill Hill vocabulary scale and TMT parts A and B. A larger number of close friends were significantly related to a larger number of leisure activities. The number of leisure activities mediated more than half of the relation of the number of close friends to performance in all three cognitive measures. Having close friends may be helpful to stimulate and promote activity participation in old age. By enhancing individuals' cognitive reserve, this may finally preserve their cognitive performance level in old age.

Answer to Question {number_sign}30 [{open_quote}{open_quote}How are positrons moderated?,{close_quote}{close_quote} Thomas D. Rossing, Am. J. Phys. {bold 63}(12), 1065 (1995)

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

Weber, M.; Lynn, K.G.

1996-07-01

The positrons from {beta}{sup +} decaying sources loss energyat a much faster rate than they annihilate. As the energy of the positrons drops, core excitations, plasmon excitation, electron/hole pair creation, and phonon scattering are the dominant processes of further energy loss.

Positron-rubidium scattering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mceachran, R. P.; Horbatsch, M.; Stauffer, A. D.

1990-01-01

A 5-state close-coupling calculation (5s-5p-4d-6s-6p) was carried out for positron-Rb scattering in the energy range 3.7 to 28.0 eV. In contrast to the results of similar close-coupling calculations for positron-Na and positron-K scattering the (effective) total integrated cross section has an energy dependence which is contrary to recent experimental measurements.

First Year Observations of Antarctic Circumpolar Current Variability and Internal Wave Activity from the DIMES Mooring Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brearley, J. A.; Sheen, K. L.; Naveira-Garabato, A. C.

2012-04-01

A key component of DIMES (Diapycnal and Isopycnal Mixing Experiment in the Southern Ocean) is the deployment of a two-year cross-shaped mooring array in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to the east of Drake Passage close to 57°W. Motivation for the cluster arises from the need to understand how eddies dissipate in the Southern Ocean, and specifically how much energy is extracted from the mesoscale by breaking internal waves, which in turn leads to turbulent mixing. The location of the mooring cluster was chosen to fulfil these objectives, being situated in a region of pronounced finestructure with high eddy kinetic energy and rough topography. The array, comprising 34 current meters and Microcats and a downward-looking ADCP, was first deployed in December 2009 and serviced in December 2010. Time series of current meter results from the most heavily-instrumented 'C' mooring indicate that a strong (up to 80 cms-1) surface-intensified north-eastward directed ACC occupies the region for most of the year, with over 85% of the variability in current speed being accounted for by equivalent barotropic fluctuations. A strong mean poleward heat flux is observed at the site, which compares favourably in magnitude with literature results from other ACC locations. Interestingly, four episodes of mid-depth (~2000 m) current speed maxima, each of a few days duration, were found during the 360-day time series, a situation also observed by the lowered ADCP during mooring servicing in December 2010. Early results indicate that these episodes, which coincide with time minima in stratification close to 2000 m, could profoundly influence the nature of eddy-internal wave interactions at these times. Quantification of the energy budget at the mooring cluster has been a key priority. When compared with previous moorings located in Drake Passage (Bryden, 1977), a near threefold-increase in mean eddy kinetic energy (EKE) is observed despite a small reduction in the mean kinetic energy between these sites. The magnitude of interactions between the available potential energy and EKE and between the EKE and mean kinetic energy are of similar magnitude to those observed in Drake Passage. Unfortunately, the collapse of two moorings early in 2010 has meant that second-year data will be required before the exchange of energy between the eddy and internal wave frequency bands can be rigorously quantified. However, data from the downward-looking ADCP between 2700 and 3400 m is starting to identify the important frequencies and mechanisms of internal wave activity.

Fabrication Processes to Generate Concentration Gradients in Polymer Solar Cell Active Layers

PubMed Central

Inaba, Shusei; Vohra, Varun

2017-01-01

Polymer solar cells (PSCs) are considered as one of the most promising low-cost alternatives for renewable energy production with devices now reaching power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above the milestone value of 10%. These enhanced performances were achieved by developing new electron-donor (ED) and electron-acceptor (EA) materials as well as finding the adequate morphologies in either bulk heterojunction or sequentially deposited active layers. In particular, producing adequate vertical concentration gradients with higher concentrations of ED and EA close to the anode and cathode, respectively, results in an improved charge collection and consequently higher photovoltaic parameters such as the fill factor. In this review, we relate processes to generate active layers with ED–EA vertical concentration gradients. After summarizing the formation of such concentration gradients in single layer active layers through processes such as annealing or additives, we will verify that sequential deposition of multilayered active layers can be an efficient approach to remarkably increase the fill factor and PCE of PSCs. In fact, applying this challenging approach to fabricate inverted architecture PSCs has the potential to generate low-cost, high efficiency and stable devices, which may revolutionize worldwide energy demand and/or help develop next generation devices such as semi-transparent photovoltaic windows. PMID:28772878

Fabrication Processes to Generate Concentration Gradients in Polymer Solar Cell Active Layers.

PubMed

Inaba, Shusei; Vohra, Varun

2017-05-09

Polymer solar cells (PSCs) are considered as one of the most promising low-cost alternatives for renewable energy production with devices now reaching power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above the milestone value of 10%. These enhanced performances were achieved by developing new electron-donor (ED) and electron-acceptor (EA) materials as well as finding the adequate morphologies in either bulk heterojunction or sequentially deposited active layers. In particular, producing adequate vertical concentration gradients with higher concentrations of ED and EA close to the anode and cathode, respectively, results in an improved charge collection and consequently higher photovoltaic parameters such as the fill factor. In this review, we relate processes to generate active layers with ED-EA vertical concentration gradients. After summarizing the formation of such concentration gradients in single layer active layers through processes such as annealing or additives, we will verify that sequential deposition of multilayered active layers can be an efficient approach to remarkably increase the fill factor and PCE of PSCs. In fact, applying this challenging approach to fabricate inverted architecture PSCs has the potential to generate low-cost, high efficiency and stable devices, which may revolutionize worldwide energy demand and/or help develop next generation devices such as semi-transparent photovoltaic windows.

Behavior of the Enthalpy of Adsorption in Nanoporous Materials Close to Saturation Conditions

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Many important industrial separation processes based on adsorption operate close to saturation. In this regime, the underlying adsorption processes are mostly driven by entropic forces. At equilibrium, the entropy of adsorption is closely related to the enthalpy of adsorption. Thus, studying the behavior of the enthalpy of adsorption as a function of loading is fundamental to understanding separation processes. Unfortunately, close to saturation, the enthalpy of adsorption is hard to measure experimentally and hard to compute in simulations. In simulations, the enthalpy of adsorption is usually obtained from energy/particle fluctuations in the grand-canonical ensemble, but this methodology is hampered by vanishing insertions/deletions at high loading. To investigate the fundamental behavior of the enthalpy and entropy of adsorption at high loading, we develop a simplistic model of adsorption in a channel and show that at saturation the enthalpy of adsorption diverges to large positive values due to repulsive intermolecular interactions. However, there are many systems that can avoid repulsive intermolecular interactions and hence do not show this drastic increase in enthalpy of adsorption close to saturation. We find that the conventional grand-canonical Monte Carlo method is incapable of determining the enthalpy of adsorption from energy/particle fluctuations at high loading. Here, we show that by using the continuous fractional component Monte Carlo, the enthalpy of adsorption close to saturation conditions can be reliably obtained from the energy/particle fluctuations in the grand-canonical ensemble. The best method to study properties at saturation is the NVT energy (local-) slope methodology. PMID:28521093

Tidal evolution in close binary systems.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kopal, Z.

1972-01-01

Mathematical outline of the theory of tidal evolution in close binary systems of secularly constant total momentum. Following a general outline of the problem the basic expressions for the energy and momenta of close binaries consisting of components of arbitrary internal structure are established, and the maximum and minimum values of the energy (kinetic and potential) which such systems can attain for a given amount of total momentum are investigated. These results are compared with the actual facts encountered in binaries with components whose internal structure (and, therefore, rotational momenta) are known from evidence furnished by the observed rates of apsidal advance. The results show that all such systems whether of detached or semidetached type - disclose that more than 99% of their total momenta are stored in the orbital momentum. The sum of the rotational momenta of the constituent components amounts to less than 1% of the total -a situation characteristic of a state close to the minimum energy for given total momentum.

The distribution of ion orbit loss fluxes of ions and energy from the plasma edge across the last closed flux surface into the scrape-off layer

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

Stacey, Weston M.; Schumann, Matthew T.

A more detailed calculation strategy for the evaluation of ion orbit loss of thermalized plasma ions in the edge of tokamaks is presented. In both this and previous papers, the direct loss of particles from internal flux surfaces is calculated from the conservation of canonical angular momentum, energy, and magnetic moment. The previous result that almost all of the ion energy and particle fluxes crossing the last closed flux surface are in the form of ion orbit fluxes is confirmed, and the new result that the distributions of these fluxes crossing the last closed flux surface into the scrape-off layermore » are very strongly peaked about the outboard midplane is demonstrated. Previous results of a preferential loss of counter current particles leading to a co-current intrinsic rotation peaking just inside of the last closed flux surface are confirmed. Various physical details are discussed.« less

Dynamics of the active site loops in catalyzing aminoacylation reaction in seryl and histidyl tRNA synthetases.

PubMed

Dutta, Saheb; Kundu, Soumya; Saha, Amrita; Nandi, Nilashis

2018-03-01

Aminoacylation reaction is the first step of protein biosynthesis. The catalytic reorganization at the active site of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) is driven by the loop motions. There remain lacunae of understanding concerning the catalytic loop dynamics in aaRSs. We analyzed the functional loop dynamics in seryl tRNA synthetase from Methanopyrus kandleri ( mk SerRS) and histidyl tRNA synthetases from Thermus thermophilus ( tt HisRS), respectively, using molecular dynamics. Results confirm that the motif 2 loop and other active site loops are flexible spots within the catalytic domain. Catalytic residues of the loops form a network of interaction with the substrates to form a reactive state. The loops undergo transitions between closed state and open state and the relaxation of the constituent residues occurs in femtosecond to nanosecond time scale. Order parameters are higher for constituent catalytic residues which form a specific network of interaction with the substrates to form a reactive state compared to the Gly residues within the loop. The development of interaction is supported from mutation studies where the catalytic domain with mutated loop exhibits unfavorable binding energy with the substrates. During the open-close motion of the loops, the catalytic residues make relaxation by ultrafast librational motion as well as fast diffusive motion and subsequently relax rather slowly via slower diffusive motion. The Gly residues act as a hinge to facilitate the loop closing and opening by their faster relaxation behavior. The role of bound water is analyzed by comparing implicit solvent-based and explicit solvent-based simulations. Loops fail to form catalytically competent geometry in absence of water. The present result, for the first time reveals the nature of the active site loop dynamics in aaRS and their influence on catalysis.

An overview of DREV's activities on pulsed CO2 laser transmitters: Frequency stability and lifetime aspects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruickshank, James; Pace, Paul; Mathieu, Pierre

1987-01-01

After introducing the desired features in a transmitter for laser radar applications, the output characteristics of several configurations of frequency-stable TEA-CO2 lasers are reviewed. Based on work carried out at the Defence Research Establishment Valcartier (DREV), output pulses are examined from short cavity lasers, CW-TEA hybrid lasers, and amplifiers for low power pulses. It is concluded that the technique of injecting a low-power laser beam into a TEA laser resonator with Gaussian reflectivity mirrors should be investigated because it appears well adapted to producing high energy, single mode, low chirp pulses. Finally, a brief report on tests carried out on catalysts composed of stannic oxide and noble metals demonstrates the potential of these catalysts, operating at close to room temperature, to provide complete closed-cycle laser operation.

High Average Power Laser Gain Medium With Low Optical Distortion Using A Transverse Flowing Liquid Host

DOEpatents

Comaskey, Brian J.; Ault, Earl R.; Kuklo, Thomas C.

2005-07-05

A high average power, low optical distortion laser gain media is based on a flowing liquid media. A diode laser pumping device with tailored irradiance excites the laser active atom, ion or molecule within the liquid media. A laser active component of the liquid media exhibits energy storage times longer than or comparable to the thermal optical response time of the liquid. A circulation system that provides a closed loop for mixing and circulating the lasing liquid into and out of the optical cavity includes a pump, a diffuser, and a heat exchanger. A liquid flow gain cell includes flow straighteners and flow channel compression.

Diffusion and Stability of Hydrogen in Mg-Doped GaN: A Density Functional Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Ji-Sang; Chang, Kee Joo

2012-06-01

Using hybrid functional calculations, we study the diffusion and thermal stability of hydrogen in Mg-doped GaN. Compared with the generalized gradient approximation, we obtain a higher activation barrier for dissociating a Mg-H complex, which is attributed to the increase in the binding energy of Mg-H. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations yield the annealing temperature of around 800 °C for activating Mg acceptors, close to the measured values. The results provide an insight to understanding the annealing effect such that the annealing temperature generally increases with the Mg-H concentration, and the retrapping of H is partly responsible for the low doping efficiencies at high Mg concentrations.

Aqueous solubility and alkaline hydrolysis of the novel high explosive hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20).

PubMed

Karakaya, Pelin; Sidhoum, Mohammed; Christodoulatos, Christos; Nicolich, Steve; Balas, Wendy

2005-04-11

The recently developed polycyclic nitramine CL-20 is considered as a possible replacement for the monocyclic nitramines RDX and HMX. The present study reports aqueous solubility data for CL-20, as well as the kinetic parameters for its alkaline hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide below and above its solubility limits. Aqueous solubility of CL-20 was measured in the temperature range of 4-69 degrees C and the data were fitted to a generalized solubility model. Alkaline hydrolysis experiments were conducted at 15, 20, 30 and 40 degrees C, with hydroxide concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 300 mM. Like RDX and HMX, alkaline hydrolysis of CL-20 follows second-order kinetics. CL-20 alkaline hydrolysis was found to proceed at a significantly faster rate than RDX. The temperature dependency of the second-order rate constants was evaluated using the Arrhenius model. The activation energy for CL-20 was found to be within close range of the activation energies reported for RDX and HMX.

Dielectric behavior of MgO:Li/sup +/ crystals

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

Puma, M.; Lorincz, A.; Andrews, J.F.

1980-01-01

Measurements of the dielectric constant in crystals of MgO doped with Li/sup +/ ions have been carried out after quenching from anneals at 1300/sup 0/C in static air. Prior to heat treatment the crystals showed no discernible dielectric loss but afterwards the loss tangent exceeded 0.4. For 10 min anneals the dielectric relaxation is very close to a Debye process and the temperature dependence of the maximum of the loss peak corresponds to an activation energy of 0.72 eV. When plotted in the form of a Cole-Cole arc the data indicate that deviation from a Debye relaxation amounts to amore » distribution of relaxation time no greater than that which can be accounted for with a distribution of activation energies only 0.007 eV. For longer heating times overlapping relaxation processes appear. The lack of broadening of the loss peak and the magnitude of the relaxation time yield clues as to possible loss mechanisms.« less

Dielectric behavior of MgO:Li/sup +/ crystals

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

Puma, M.; Lorincz, A.; Andrews, J.F.

1982-06-01

Measurements of the dielectric constant in crystals of MgO doped with Li/sup +/ ions have been carried out after quenching from anneals at 1300 /sup 0/C in static air. Prior to heat treatment, the crystals showed no discernible dielectric loss, but afterwards, the loss tangent exceeded 0.4. For 10-min anneals, the dielectric relaxation is very close to a Debye process, and the temperature dependence of the maximum of the loss peak corresponds to an activation energy of 0.724 eV. When plotted in the form of a Cole-Cole arc, the data indicate that deviation from a Debye relaxation amounts to amore » distribution of relaxation time no greater than that which can be accounted for with a distribution of activation energies of only 0.007 eV. For longer heating times, overlapping relaxation processes appear. The lack of broadening of the loss peak, and the magnitude of the relaxation time, yield clues as to possible loss mechanisms.« less

Wnt-Lrp5 Signaling Regulates Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Osteoblast

PubMed Central

Frey, Julie L.; Li, Zhu; Ellis, Jessica M.; Zhang, Qian; Farber, Charles R.; Aja, Susan; Wolfgang, Michael J.; Clemens, Thomas L.

2015-01-01

The Wnt coreceptors Lrp5 and Lrp6 are essential for normal postnatal bone accrual and osteoblast function. In this study, we identify a previously unrecognized skeletal function unique to Lrp5 that enables osteoblasts to oxidize fatty acids. Mice lacking the Lrp5 coreceptor specifically in osteoblasts and osteocytes exhibit the expected reductions in postnatal bone mass but also exhibit an increase in body fat with corresponding reductions in energy expenditure. Conversely, mice expressing a high bone mass mutant Lrp5 allele are leaner with reduced plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid levels. In this context, Wnt-initiated signals downstream of Lrp5, but not the closely related Lrp6 coreceptor, regulate the activation of β-catenin and thereby induce the expression of key enzymes required for fatty acid β-oxidation. These results suggest that Wnt-Lrp5 signaling regulates basic cellular activities beyond those associated with fate specification and differentiation in bone and that the skeleton influences global energy homeostasis via mechanisms independent of osteocalcin and glucose metabolism. PMID:25802278

Solar spectral conversion for improving the photosynthetic activity in algae reactors.

PubMed

Wondraczek, Lothar; Batentschuk, Miroslaw; Schmidt, Markus A; Borchardt, Rudolf; Scheiner, Simon; Seemann, Benjamin; Schweizer, Peter; Brabec, Christoph J

2013-01-01

Sustainable biomass production is expected to be one of the major supporting pillars for future energy supply, as well as for renewable material provision. Algal beds represent an exciting resource for biomass/biofuel, fine chemicals and CO2 storage. Similar to other solar energy harvesting techniques, the efficiency of algal photosynthesis depends on the spectral overlap between solar irradiation and chloroplast absorption. Here we demonstrate that spectral conversion can be employed to significantly improve biomass growth and oxygen production rate in closed-cycle algae reactors. For this purpose, we adapt a photoluminescent phosphor of the type Ca0.59Sr0.40Eu0.01S, which enables efficient conversion of the green part of the incoming spectrum into red light to better match the Qy peak of chlorophyll b. Integration of a Ca0.59Sr0.40Eu0.01S backlight converter into a flat panel algae reactor filled with Haematococcus pluvialis as a model species results in significantly increased photosynthetic activity and algae reproduction rate.

High-Resolution pH Imaging of Living Bacterial Cells To Detect Local pH Differences

PubMed Central

Morimoto, Yusuke V.; Kami-ike, Nobunori; Miyata, Tomoko; Kawamoto, Akihiro; Kato, Takayuki

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Protons are utilized for various biological activities such as energy transduction and cell signaling. For construction of the bacterial flagellum, a type III export apparatus utilizes ATP and proton motive force to drive flagellar protein export, but the energy transduction mechanism remains unclear. Here, we have developed a high-resolution pH imaging system to measure local pH differences within living Salmonella enterica cells, especially in close proximity to the cytoplasmic membrane and the export apparatus. The local pH near the membrane was ca. 0.2 pH unit higher than the bulk cytoplasmic pH. However, the local pH near the export apparatus was ca. 0.1 pH unit lower than that near the membrane. This drop of local pH depended on the activities of both transmembrane export components and FliI ATPase. We propose that the export apparatus acts as an H+/protein antiporter to couple ATP hydrolysis with H+ flow to drive protein export. PMID:27923921

Insights into the relationship between the color and photocatalytic property of attapulgite/CdS nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaowen; Mu, Bin; An, Xingcai; Wang, Aiqin

2018-05-01

Attapulgite/CdS (APT/CdS) nanocomposites were fabricated by hydrothermal decomposition of the cadmium-thiourea complex in the presence of APT. The incorporating of APT not only adjusted the color of APT/CdS nanocomposites and controlled the growth of CdS nanoparticles on the surface of APT without the free agglomeration, but also changed the band-gap energy of nanocomposites to affect their photocatalytic property for degradation of organic dyes. Interestingly, there was a close relationship between the color and the photocatalytic property of APT/CdS nanocomposites. The as-prepared nanocomposites with the optimal color properties exhibited the optimal photocatalytic performance for degradation of methylene blue, methyl violet and congo red within 70 min. The key bridge between the color and the photocatalytic activity was mainly band-gap energy. Therefore, it was presumed that the photocatalytic activity of APT/CdS nanocomposites could be evaluated directly from their color property.

Mode-specific vibrational excitation and energy redistribution after ultrafast intramolecular electron transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogiu, S.; Werncke, W.; Pfeiffer, M.; Dreyer, J.; Elsaesser, T.

2000-07-01

Vibrational relaxation in the electronic ground state initiated by intramolecular back-electron transfer (b-ET) of betaine-30 (B-30) is studied by picosecond time-resolved anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. Measurements were carried out with B-30 dissolved in slowly as well as in rapidly relaxing solvents. We observed a risetime of the Raman band with the highest frequency near 1600 cm-1 which is close to the b-ET time τb-ET of B-30. For B-30 dissolved in propylene carbonate (τb-ET˜1 ps), the population of this mode exhibits a rise time of 1 ps whereas vibrational populations between 400 and 1400 cm-1 increase substantially slower. In contrast, in glycerol triacetin (τb-ET˜3.5 ps) and in ethanol (τb-ET˜6 ps) rise times of all modes are close to the respective b-ET times. Within the first few picoseconds, direct vibrational excitation through b-ET is favored for modes with the highest frequencies and high Franck-Condon factors. Later on, indirect channels of population due to vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) become effective. Thermal equilibrium populations of the Raman active modes are established within 10 to 15 ps after optical excitation.

Generation of 300 MeV Quasi-Monochromatic Electron Beams from Laser Wakefield and Initiation of Photonuclear Reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maksimchuk, A.; Beene, J. R.

2005-10-01

In the interaction of 30 fs, 40 TW Ti:sapphire Hercules laser at the University of Michigan, which is focused to the intensity of 10^19 W/cm^2 onto a supersonic He gas jet with electron density close to the resonant density, we observed quasi-monoenergetic electron beams with energy up to 300 MeV and angular divergence of about 10 mrad. The results on characterization of relativistic electron beam in terms of energy spread, its charge, divergence and pointing stability will be presented. 2D PIC simulations performed for the parameters close to the experimental conditions show the evolution of the laser pulse in plasma, electron injection, and the specifics of electron acceleration observed in experiments. Resulted relativistic electron beams have been used to perform gamma-neutron activation of ^12C and ^63Cu and photo-fission of ^238U. We demonstrated that approximately 10^6 reaction per shot has been produced in each case. This work was supported by the NSF through the Physics Frontier Center FOCUS. JRB, DRS, DWS, and CRV acknowledge support by the DOE under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, LLC.

Regulation, competition in natural gas industry

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

O`Neill, R.P.; Whitmore, C.S.

1995-08-01

Conventional regulatory and rate-making tools are not adequate to deal with today`s natural-gas market, according to Richard P. O`Neill and Charles S. Whitmore of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. {open_quotes}Competitive market forces can substitute for many activities that traditionally have been regulated,{close_quotes} say O`Neill and Whitmore. {open_quotes}However, market-based solutions are only effective if traditional regulations is replaced by institutions that foster competition.{close_quotes} The transition to the era of open access to the transmission network, and thus to wellhead competition, started in the mid-1980s. More recently, change has also occurred in the industry`s communication and control activities. Pipelinesmore » now make more use of electronic communication and control, which will spread into pricing and capacity-release markets. Current trends and new policies for greater gas use make forecasting as difficult now as it has been for the past 20 years. O`Neill and Whitmore conclude that development of efficient institutions, therefore, should be the most important task of regulatory bodies.« less

Performance of timing Resistive Plate Chambers with protons from 200 to 800 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machado, J.; Adamczewski-Musch, J.; Blanco, A.; Boretzky, K.; Cabanelas, P.; Cartegni, L.; Ferreira Marques, R.; Fonte, P.; Fruehauf, J.; Galaviz, D.; Heil, M.; Henriques, A.; . Ickert, G.; Körper, D.; Lopes, L.; Palka, M.; Pereira, A.; Rossi, D.; Simon, H.; Teubig, P.; Traxler, M.; Velho, P.; Altstadt, S.; Atar, L.; Aumann, T.; Bemmerer, D.; Caesar, C.; Charpy, A.; Elekes, Z.; Fiori, E.; Gasparic, I.; Gerbig, J.; Göbel, K.; Heftrich, T.; Heine, M.; Heinz, A.; Holl, M.; Ignatov, A.; Isaak, J.; Johansson, H.; Kelic-Heil, A.; Lederer, C.; Lindberg, S.; Löher, B.; Marganiec, J.; Martensson, M.; Nilsson, T.; Panin, V.; Paschalis, S.; Petri, M.; Plag, R.; Pohl, M.; Rastrepina, G.; Reifarth, R.; Reinhardt, T. P.; Röder, M.; Savran, D.; Scheit, H.; Schrock, P.; Silva, J.; Stach, D.; Strannerdahl, F.; Thies, R.; Wagner, A.; Wamers, F.; Weigand, M.

2015-01-01

A prototype composed of four resistive plate chamber layers has been exposed to quasi-monoenergetic protons produced from a deuteron beam of varying energy (200 to 800 AMeV) in experiment S406 at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The aim of the experiment is to characterize the response of the prototype to protons in this energy range, which deposit from 1.75 to 6 times more energy than minimum ionizing particles. Each layer, with an active area of about 2000 × 500 mm2, is made of modules containing the active gaps, all in multigap construction. Each gap is defined by 0.3 mm nylon mono-filaments positioned between 2.85 mm thick float glass electrodes. The modules are operated in avalanche mode with a non-flammable gas mixture composed of 90% C2H2F4 and 10% SF6. The signals are readout by a pick-up electrode formed by 15 copper strips (per layer), spaced at a pitch of 30 mm, connected at both sides to timing front end electronics. Results show an uniform efficiency close to 100% along with a timing resolution of around 60 ps on the entire 2000 × 500 mm2 area.

Transformation and Precipitation Reactions by Metal Active Gas Pulsed Welded Joints from X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 Duplex Stainless Steels

PubMed Central

Utu, Ion-Dragos; Mitelea, Ion; Urlan, Sorin Dumitru; Crăciunescu, Corneliu Marius

2016-01-01

The high alloying degree of Duplex stainless steels makes them susceptible to the formation of intermetallic phases during their exposure to high temperatures. Precipitation of these phases can lead to a decreasing of the corrosion resistance and sometimes of the toughness. Starting from the advantages of the synergic Metal Active Gas (MAG) pulsed welding process, this paper analyses the structure formation particularities of homogeneous welded joints from Duplex stainless steel. The effect of linear welding energy on the structure morphology of the welded joints was revealed by macro- and micrographic examinations, X-ray energy dispersion analyses, measurements of ferrite proportion and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results obtained showed that the transformation of ferrite into austenite is associated with the chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen distribution between these two phases and their redistribution degree is closely linked to the overall heat cycle of the welding process. The adequate control of the energy inserted in the welded components provides an optimal balance between the two microstructural constituents (Austenite and Ferrite) and avoids the formation of undesirable intermetallic phases. PMID:28773727

Transformation and Precipitation Reactions by Metal Active Gas Pulsed Welded Joints from X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 Duplex Stainless Steels.

PubMed

Utu, Ion-Dragos; Mitelea, Ion; Urlan, Sorin Dumitru; Crăciunescu, Corneliu Marius

2016-07-21

The high alloying degree of Duplex stainless steels makes them susceptible to the formation of intermetallic phases during their exposure to high temperatures. Precipitation of these phases can lead to a decreasing of the corrosion resistance and sometimes of the toughness. Starting from the advantages of the synergic Metal Active Gas (MAG) pulsed welding process, this paper analyses the structure formation particularities of homogeneous welded joints from Duplex stainless steel. The effect of linear welding energy on the structure morphology of the welded joints was revealed by macro- and micrographic examinations, X-ray energy dispersion analyses, measurements of ferrite proportion and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results obtained showed that the transformation of ferrite into austenite is associated with the chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen distribution between these two phases and their redistribution degree is closely linked to the overall heat cycle of the welding process. The adequate control of the energy inserted in the welded components provides an optimal balance between the two microstructural constituents (Austenite and Ferrite) and avoids the formation of undesirable intermetallic phases.

Cross-Section Measurements via the Activation Technique at the Cologne Clover Counting Setup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heim, Felix; Mayer, Jan; Netterdon, Lars; Scholz, Philipp; Zilges, Andreas

The activation technique is a widely used method for the determination of cross-section values for charged-particle induced reactions at astrophysically relevant energies. Since network calculations of nucleosynthesis processes often depend on reaction rates calculated in the scope of the Hauser-Feshbach statistical model, these cross-sections can be used to improve the nuclear-physics input-parameters like optical-model potentials (OMP), γ-ray strength functions, and nuclear level densities. In order to extend the available experimental database, the 108Cd(α, n)111Sn reaction cross section was investigated at ten energies between 10.2 and 13.5 MeV. As this reaction at these energies is almost only sensitive on the α-decay width, the results were compared to statistical model calculations using different models for the α-OMP. The irradiation as well as the consecutive γ-ray counting were performed at the Institute for Nuclear Physics of the University of Cologne using the 10 MV FN-Tandem accelerator and the Cologne Clover Counting Setup. This setup consists of two clover- type high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in a close face-to-face geometry to cover a solid angle of almost 4π.

Feasibility study on an energy-saving desiccant wheel system with CO2 heat pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yefeng; Meng, Deren; Chen, Shen

2018-02-01

In traditional desiccant wheel, air regeneration process occurs inside an open loop, and lots of energy is consumed. In this paper, an energy-saving desiccant wheel system with CO2 heat pump and closed loop air regeneration is proposed. The general theory and features of the desiccant wheel are analysed. The main feature of the proposed system is that the air regeneration process occurs inside a closed loop, and a CO2 heat pump is utilized inside this loop for the air regeneration process as well as supplying cooling for the process air. The simulation results show that the proposed system can save significant energy.

Solar energy receiver

DOEpatents

Schwartz, Jacob

1978-01-01

An improved long-life design for solar energy receivers provides for greatly reduced thermally induced stress and permits the utilization of less expensive heat exchanger materials while maintaining receiver efficiencies in excess of 85% without undue expenditure of energy to circulate the working fluid. In one embodiment, the flow index for the receiver is first set as close as practical to a value such that the Graetz number yields the optimal heat transfer coefficient per unit of pumping energy, in this case, 6. The convective index for the receiver is then set as closely as practical to two times the flow index so as to obtain optimal efficiency per unit mass of material.

Closing the energy gap through passive energy expenditure

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Development of obesity is a gradual process occurring when daily energy intake persistently exceeds energy expenditure (EE). Typical daily weight gain is attributed to an energy gap or excess of stored energy of 15 to 50 kcal/day. Sedentary jobs likely promote weight gain. Standing may be a passive ...

Coronal Jets in Closed Magnetic Regions on the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyper, Peter Fraser; DeVore, C. R.

2015-04-01

Coronal jets are dynamic, collimated structures observed in solar EUV and X-ray emission. They appear predominantly in the open field of coronal holes, but are also observed in areas of closed field, especially active regions. A common feature of coronal jets is that they originate from the field above a parasitic polarity of opposite sign to the surrounding field. Some process - such as instability onset or flux emergence - induces explosive reconnection between the closed “anemone” field and the surrounding open field that generates the jet. The lesser number of coronal jets in closed-field regions suggests a possible stabilizing effect of the closed configuration with respect to coronal jet formation. If the scale of the jet region is small compared with the background loop length, as in for example type II spicules, the nearby magnetic field may be treated as locally open. As such, one would expect that if a stabilizing effect exists it becomes most apparent as the scale of the anemone region approaches that of the background coronal loops.To investigate if coronal jets are indeed suppressed along shorter coronal loops, we performed a number of simulations of jets driven by a rotation of the parasitic polarity (as in the previous open-jet calculations by Pariat et. al 2009, 2010, 2015) embedded in a large-scale closed bipolar field. The simulations were performed with the state of the art Adaptively Refined Magnetohydrodynamics Solver. We will report here how the magnetic configuration above the anemone region determines the nature of the jet, when it is triggered, and how much of the stored magnetic energy is released. We show that regions in which the background field and the parasitic polarity region are of comparable scale naturally suppress explosive energy release. We will also show how in the post-jet relaxation phase a combination of confined MHD waves and weak current layers are generated by the jet along the background coronal loops, both of which may have implications for coronal heating.This work was supported by an appointment to the NASA Postdoctoral Program (P.F.W.) and by NASA’s Living With a Star Targeted Research and Technology program (C.R.D.).

Effect of foaming temperature on the mechanical properties of produced closed-cell A356Aluminum foams with melting method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movahedi, N.; Mirbagheri, S. M. H.; Hoseini, S. R.

2014-07-01

In this study an attempt was carried out to determine the effect of production temperature on the mechanical properties and energy absorption behavior of closed-cell A356 alloy foams under uniaxial compression test. For this purpose, three different A356 alloy closed-cell foams were synthesized at three different casting temperatures, 650 °C, 675 °C and 700 °C by adding the same amounts of granulated calcium as thickening and TiH2 as blowing agent. The samples were characterized by SEM to study the pore morphology at different foaming temperatures. Compression tests of the A356 foams were carried out to assess their mechanical properties and energy absorption behavior. The results indicated that increasing the foaming temperature from 650 °C to 675 °C and 700 °C reduces the relative density of closed cell A356 alloys by 18.3% and 38% respectively and consequently affects the compressive strength and energy absorption of cellular structures by changing them from equiaxed polyhedral closed cells to distorted cells. Also at 700 °C foaming temperature, growth of micro-pores and coalescence with other surrounding pores leads to several big voids.

Optimized Energy Harvesting, Cluster-Head Selection and Channel Allocation for IoTs in Smart Cities

PubMed Central

Aslam, Saleem; Hasan, Najam Ul; Jang, Ju Wook; Lee, Kyung-Geun

2016-01-01

This paper highlights three critical aspects of the internet of things (IoTs), namely (1) energy efficiency, (2) energy balancing and (3) quality of service (QoS) and presents three novel schemes for addressing these aspects. For energy efficiency, a novel radio frequency (RF) energy-harvesting scheme is presented in which each IoT device is associated with the best possible RF source in order to maximize the overall energy that the IoT devices harvest. For energy balancing, the IoT devices in close proximity are clustered together and then an IoT device with the highest residual energy is selected as a cluster head (CH) on a rotational basis. Once the CH is selected, it assigns channels to the IoT devices to report their data using a novel integer linear program (ILP)-based channel allocation scheme by satisfying their desired QoS. To evaluate the presented schemes, exhaustive simulations are carried out by varying different parameters, including the number of IoT devices, the number of harvesting sources, the distance between RF sources and IoT devices and the primary user (PU) activity of different channels. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed schemes perform better than the existing ones. PMID:27918424

Carbon and energy footprint of electrochemical vinegar wastewater treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerek, Emine Esra; Yilmaz, Seval; Savaş Koparal, A.; Nezih Gerek, Ömer

2017-11-01

Electrochemical treatment of wastewaters that are rich in organic compounds is a popular method, due to its acidic nature that avoids biological treatment. In many cases, the pollution hazard is considered as the chemical oxygen demand (COD) from active carbon, and the success of the treatment is measured in terms of how much this specific parameter is reduced. However, if electricity is used during the treatment process, the treatment "itself" has manufacturing and operational energy costs. Many of the studies consider energy utilization as a monetary cost, and try to reduce its amount. However, the energy cost of the treatment also causes emission of carbon at the energy producing side of the closed loop. This carbon emission can be converted into oxygen demand, too. Therefore, it can be argued that one must look for the total optimal carbon efficiency (or oxygen demand), while reducing the COD. We chose a highly acidic wastewater case of vinegar production, which is a popular food product in Turkey, to demonstrate the high energy consumption and carbon emission problem of the electrochemical treatment approach. A novel strategy is presented to monitor total oxygen demand simultaneously at the treatment and energy production sides. Necessity of renewable energy utilization and conditions on process termination points are discussed.

Optimized Energy Harvesting, Cluster-Head Selection and Channel Allocation for IoTs in Smart Cities.

PubMed

Aslam, Saleem; Hasan, Najam Ul; Jang, Ju Wook; Lee, Kyung-Geun

2016-12-02

This paper highlights three critical aspects of the internet of things (IoTs), namely (1) energy efficiency, (2) energy balancing and (3) quality of service (QoS) and presents three novel schemes for addressing these aspects. For energy efficiency, a novel radio frequency (RF) energy-harvesting scheme is presented in which each IoT device is associated with the best possible RF source in order to maximize the overall energy that the IoT devices harvest. For energy balancing, the IoT devices in close proximity are clustered together and then an IoT device with the highest residual energy is selected as a cluster head (CH) on a rotational basis. Once the CH is selected, it assigns channels to the IoT devices to report their data using a novel integer linear program (ILP)-based channel allocation scheme by satisfying their desired QoS. To evaluate the presented schemes, exhaustive simulations are carried out by varying different parameters, including the number of IoT devices, the number of harvesting sources, the distance between RF sources and IoT devices and the primary user (PU) activity of different channels. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed schemes perform better than the existing ones.

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse phase 1. Volume 6: Closed-cycle gas turbine systems. [energy conversion efficiency in electric power plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amos, D. J.; Fentress, W. K.; Stahl, W. F.

1976-01-01

Both recuperated and bottomed closed cycle gas turbine systems in electric power plants were studied. All systems used a pressurizing gas turbine coupled with a pressurized furnace to heat the helium for the closed cycle gas turbine. Steam and organic vapors are used as Rankine bottoming fluids. Although plant efficiencies of over 40% are calculated for some plants, the resultant cost of electricity was found to be 8.75 mills/MJ (31.5 mills/kWh). These plants do not appear practical for coal or oil fired plants.

Diffraction of electrons at intermediate energies: The role of phonons

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

Ascolani, H.; Zampieri, G.

1996-07-01

The intensity of electrons reflected {open_quote}{open_quote}elastically{close_quote}{close_quote} from crystalline surfaces presents two regimes: the low-energy or LEED regime ({lt}500 eV), in which the electrons are reflected along the Bragg directions, and the intermediate-energy or XPD/AED regime ({gt}500 eV), in which the maxima of intensity are along the main crystallographic axes. We present a model which explains this transition in terms of the excitation/absorption of phonons during the scattering. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse phase 1. Volume 1: Introduction and summary and general assumptions. [energy conversion systems for electric power plants using coal - feasibility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beecher, D. T.

1976-01-01

Nine advanced energy conversion concepts using coal or coal-derived fuels are summarized. They are; (1) open-cycle gas turbines, (2) combined gas-steam turbine cycles, (3) closed-cycle gas turbines, (4) metal vapor Rankine topping, (5) open-cycle MHD; (6) closed-cycle MHD; (7) liquid-metal MHD; (8) advanced steam; and (9) fuel cell systems. The economics, natural resource requirements, and performance criteria for the nine concepts are discussed.

2FHL: The Second Catalog of Hard Fermi-LAT Sources

DOE PAGES

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Atwood, W. B.; ...

2016-01-14

We present a catalog of sources detected above 50 GeV by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) in 80 months of data. The newly delivered Pass 8 event-level analysis allows the detection and characterization of sources in the 50 GeV–2TeV energy range. In this energy band, Fermi - LAT has detected 360 sources, which constitute the second catalog of hard Fermi -LAT sources (2FHL). The improved angular resolution enables the precise localization of point sources (~1.'7 radius at 68 % C. L.) and the detection and characterization of spatially extended sources. We find that 86% of the sources can be associatedmore » with counterparts at other wavelengths, of which the majority (75%) are active galactic nuclei and the rest (11%) are Galactic sources. Only 25% of the 2FHL sources have been previously detected by Cherenkov telescopes, implying that the 2FHL provides a reservoir of candidates to be followed up at very high energies. This work closes the energy gap between the observations performed at GeV energies by Fermi -LAT on orbit and the observations performed at higher energies by Cherenkov telescopes from the ground.« less

2FHL- The Second Catalog of Hard Fermi-LAT Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Atwood, W. B.; Baldini, L.; Ballet, J.; Barbiellini, G.; Bastieri, D.; Gonzalez, J. Becerra; Bellazzini, R.; Bissaldi, E.;

2FHL: The Second Catalog of Hard Fermi-LAT Sources

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

Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; Atwood, W. B.

We present a catalog of sources detected above 50 GeV by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) in 80 months of data. The newly delivered Pass 8 event-level analysis allows the detection and characterization of sources in the 50 GeV–2TeV energy range. In this energy band, Fermi - LAT has detected 360 sources, which constitute the second catalog of hard Fermi -LAT sources (2FHL). The improved angular resolution enables the precise localization of point sources (~1.'7 radius at 68 % C. L.) and the detection and characterization of spatially extended sources. We find that 86% of the sources can be associatedmore » with counterparts at other wavelengths, of which the majority (75%) are active galactic nuclei and the rest (11%) are Galactic sources. Only 25% of the 2FHL sources have been previously detected by Cherenkov telescopes, implying that the 2FHL provides a reservoir of candidates to be followed up at very high energies. This work closes the energy gap between the observations performed at GeV energies by Fermi -LAT on orbit and the observations performed at higher energies by Cherenkov telescopes from the ground.« less

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

Slipchenko, S. O., E-mail: serghpl@mail.ioffe.ru; Podoskin, A. A.; Vinokurov, D. A.

Radiative characteristics of semiconductor stripe-contact lasers operating under quenching conditions of Fabry-Perot-mode lasing are studied. It is found that reversible turning off of Fabry-Perot-mode lasing is caused by switching to closed-mode lasing. Radiative characteristics of the closed mode are controlled by the mode structure with the close-to-zero loss for radiation output, which covers the entire crystal. The main threshold conditions of closed-mode lasing are a decrease in interband absorption in the passive region and an increase in the modal gain of the closed-mode lasing line. It is shown that a decrease in interband absorption in the passive region can bemore » provided by both spontaneous emission from the injection region and lasing-mode photons. An increase in the modal gain of the closed-mode lasing line is provided by shifting the energy minima of the conduction band and maxima of the valence band of the injection region with respect to the energy bands of the passive region.« less

X-Ray Reprocessing in Active Galactic Nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Begelman, Mitchell C.

2004-01-01

This is the final report for research entitled "X-ray reprocessing in active galactic nuclei," into X-ray absorption and emission in various classes of active galaxy via X-ray spectral signatures. The fundamental goal of the research was to use these signatures as probes of the central engine structure and circumnuclear environment of active galactic nuclei. The most important accomplishment supported by this grant involved the detailed analysis and interpretation of the XMM data for the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG-6-30-15. This work was performed by Drs. Christopher Reynolds and Mitchell Begelman in collaboration with Dr. Jorn Wilms (University of Tubingen, Germany; PI of the XMM observation) and other European scientists. With XMM we obtained medium resolution X-ray spectra of unprecedented quality for this Seyfert galaxy. Modeling the X-ray spectrum within the framework of accretion disk reflection models produced the first evidence for energy extraction from the spin of a black hole. Specifically, we found that the extreme gravitational redshifts required to explain the X-ray spectrum suggests that the bulk of the energy dissipation is concentrated very close to the black hole, in contrast with the expectations of any pure accretion disk model. In a second paper we addressed the low- energy spectral complexity and used RXTE specta to pin down the high-energy spectral index, thus firming up our initial interpretation. Additionally, we carried out detailed spectral and variability analyses of a number of Seyfert and radio galaxies (e.g., NGC 5548 and 3C 111) and developed general techniques that will be useful in performing X-ray reverberation mapping of accretion disks in AGN, once adequate data becomes available. A list of papers supported by this research is included.

Algorithmic design of a noise-resistant and efficient closed-loop deep brain stimulation system: A computational approach.

PubMed

Karamintziou, Sofia D; Custódio, Ana Luísa; Piallat, Brigitte; Polosan, Mircea; Chabardès, Stéphan; Stathis, Pantelis G; Tagaris, George A; Sakas, Damianos E; Polychronaki, Georgia E; Tsirogiannis, George L; David, Olivier; Nikita, Konstantina S

2017-01-01

Advances in the field of closed-loop neuromodulation call for analysis and modeling approaches capable of confronting challenges related to the complex neuronal response to stimulation and the presence of strong internal and measurement noise in neural recordings. Here we elaborate on the algorithmic aspects of a noise-resistant closed-loop subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation system for advanced Parkinson's disease and treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, ensuring remarkable performance in terms of both efficiency and selectivity of stimulation, as well as in terms of computational speed. First, we propose an efficient method drawn from dynamical systems theory, for the reliable assessment of significant nonlinear coupling between beta and high-frequency subthalamic neuronal activity, as a biomarker for feedback control. Further, we present a model-based strategy through which optimal parameters of stimulation for minimum energy desynchronizing control of neuronal activity are being identified. The strategy integrates stochastic modeling and derivative-free optimization of neural dynamics based on quadratic modeling. On the basis of numerical simulations, we demonstrate the potential of the presented modeling approach to identify, at a relatively low computational cost, stimulation settings potentially associated with a significantly higher degree of efficiency and selectivity compared with stimulation settings determined post-operatively. Our data reinforce the hypothesis that model-based control strategies are crucial for the design of novel stimulation protocols at the backstage of clinical applications.

Vibronic Wavepackets and Energy Transfer in Cryptophyte Light-Harvesting Complexes.

PubMed

Jumper, Chanelle C; van Stokkum, Ivo H M; Mirkovic, Tihana; Scholes, Gregory D

2018-06-21

Determining the key features of high-efficiency photosynthetic energy transfer remains an ongoing task. Recently, there has been evidence for the role of vibronic coherence in linking donor and acceptor states to redistribute oscillator strength for enhanced energy transfer. To gain further insights into the interplay between vibronic wavepackets and energy-transfer dynamics, we systematically compare four structurally related phycobiliproteins from cryptophyte algae by broad-band pump-probe spectroscopy and extend a parametric model based on global analysis to include vibrational wavepacket characterization. The four phycobiliproteins isolated from cryptophyte algae are two "open" structures and two "closed" structures. The closed structures exhibit strong exciton coupling in the central dimer. The dominant energy-transfer pathway occurs on the subpicosecond timescale across the largest energy gap in each of the proteins, from central to peripheral chromophores. All proteins exhibit a strong 1585 cm -1 coherent oscillation whose relative amplitude, a measure of vibronic intensity borrowing from resonance between donor and acceptor states, scales with both energy-transfer rates and damping rates. Central exciton splitting may aid in bringing the vibronically linked donor and acceptor states into better resonance resulting in the observed doubled rate in the closed structures. Several excited-state vibrational wavepackets persist on timescales relevant to energy transfer, highlighting the importance of further investigation of the interplay between electronic coupling and nuclear degrees of freedom in studies on high-efficiency photosynthesis.

Factors Affecting Teaching the Concept of Renewable Energy in Technology Assisted Environments and Designing Processes in the Distance Education Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yucel, A. Seda

2007-01-01

The energy policies of today focus mainly on sustainable energy systems and renewable energy resources. Chemistry is closely related to energy recycling, energy types, renewable energy, and nature-energy interaction; therefore, it is now an obligation to enrich chemistry classes with renewable energy concepts and related awareness. Before creating…

Melanin-concentrating hormone directly inhibits GnRH neurons and blocks kisspeptin activation, linking energy balance to reproduction.

PubMed

Wu, Min; Dumalska, Iryna; Morozova, Elena; van den Pol, Anthony; Alreja, Meenakshi

2009-10-06

A link between energy balance and reproduction is critical for the survival of all species. Energy-consuming reproductive processes need to be aborted in the face of a negative energy balance, yet knowledge of the pathways mediating this link remains limited. Fasting and food restriction that inhibit fertility also upregulate the hypothalamic melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system that promotes feeding and decreases energy expenditure; MCH knockout mice are lean and have a higher metabolism but remain fertile. MCH also modulates sleep, drug abuse behavior, and mood, and MCH receptor antagonists are currently being developed as antiobesity and antidepressant drugs. Despite the clinical implications of MCH, the direct postsynaptic effects of MCH have never been reported in CNS neurons. Using patch-clamp recordings in brain slices from multiple lines of transgenic GFP mice, we demonstrate a strong inhibitory effect of MCH on an exclusive population of septal vGluT2-GnRH neurons that is activated by the puberty-triggering and preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge-mediating peptide, kisspeptin. MCH has no effect on kisspeptin-insensitive GnRH, vGluT2, cholinergic, or GABAergic neurons located within the same nucleus. The inhibitory effects of MCH are reproducible and nondesensitizing and are mediated via a direct postsynaptic Ba(2+)-sensitive K(+) channel mechanism involving the MCHR1 receptor. MCH immunoreactive fibers are in close proximity to vGluT2-GFP and GnRH-GFP neurons. Importantly, MCH blocks the excitatory effect of kisspeptin on vGluT2-GnRH neurons. Considering the role of MCH in regulating energy balance and of GnRH and kisspeptin in triggering puberty and maintaining fertility, MCH may provide a critical link between energy balance and reproduction directly at the level of the kisspeptin-activated vGluT2-GnRH neuron.

Pulse thermal energy transport/storage system

DOEpatents

Weislogel, Mark M.

1992-07-07

A pulse-thermal pump having a novel fluid flow wherein heat admitted to a closed system raises the pressure in a closed evaporator chamber while another interconnected evaporator chamber remains open. This creates a large pressure differential, and at a predetermined pressure the closed evaporator is opened and the opened evaporator is closed. This difference in pressure initiates fluid flow in the system.

Influence of LOD variations on seismic energy release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riguzzi, F.; Krumm, F.; Wang, K.; Kiszely, M.; Varga, P.

2009-04-01

Tidal friction causes significant time variations of geodynamical parameters, among them geometrical flattening. The axial despinning of the Earth due to tidal friction through the change of flattening generates incremental meridional and azimuthal stresses. The stress pattern in an incompressible elastic upper mantle and crust is symmetric to the equator and has its inflection points at the critical latitude close to ±45°. Consequently the distribution of seismic energy released by strong, shallow focus earthquakes should have also sharp maxima at this latitude. To investigate the influence of length of day (LOD) variations on earthquake activity an earthquake catalogue of strongest seismic events (M>7.0) was completed for the period 1900-2007. It is shown with the use of this catalogue that for the studied time-interval the catalogue is complete and consists of the seismic events responsible for more than 90% of released seismic energy. Study of the catalogue for earthquakes M>7.0 shows that the seismic energy discharged by the strongest seismic events has significant maxima at ±45°, what renders probably that the seismic activity of our planet is influenced by an external component, i.e. by the tidal friction, which acts through the variation of the hydrostatic figure of the Earth caused by it. Distribution along the latitude of earthquake numbers and energies was investigated also for the case of global linear tectonic structures, such as mid ocean ridges and subduction zones. It can be shown that the number of the shallow focus shocks has a repartition along the latitude similar to the distribution of the linear tectonic structures. This means that the position of foci of seismic events is mainly controlled by the tectonic activity.

Microinhomogeneities in Semi-Insulating Cd(Zn)Te

DOE PAGES

Fochuk, P.; Nykoniuk, Y.; Zakharuk, Z.; ...

2017-09-04

Here, we investigated the temperature dependences (TDs) in the range of 290-423 K for the Hall constant R H and the Hall carrier mobility μn (σ R H) in semi-insulating Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te:In (CZT) crystals. As-grown, CZT material has nonequilibrium distributions of native and impurity-related defects. Thus, before taking any measurements, the samples were kept inside the test chamber in the dark at 423 K to reach an equilibrium state at T <; 423 K. For all the tested samples, the R H TD could be described by two activation energies. At the transitional point, the TD ofmore » the carrier mobility also changes from “normal” at high temperatures to “exponential” at low temperatures. The latter is a result of the collective effect of drift barriers due to microinhomogeneity. Therefore, only the high-temperature activation energies can be assigned to the ionization energies of the compensated deep donors (ε D). For different samples, the values for ε D 0 (at absolute zero) were found to be in the range of 0.50-0.78 eV, and the degree of donor compensation [D +]/[D] is between 0.3 and 0.98. The low-temperature region, where there are strong effects of crystal microinhomogeneities, cannot be used to characterize the ionization energy of donors. Therefore, we describe the activation energy as ε 1 = ε D - αε b, where ε b is the drift barrier height found from the TD of the carrier mobility and α takes a value close to unity. Values of ε b for our studied samples lie within (0.05-0.35) eV.« less

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

Fochuk, P.; Nykoniuk, Y.; Zakharuk, Z.

Here, we investigated the temperature dependences (TDs) in the range of 290-423 K for the Hall constant R H and the Hall carrier mobility μn (σ R H) in semi-insulating Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te:In (CZT) crystals. As-grown, CZT material has nonequilibrium distributions of native and impurity-related defects. Thus, before taking any measurements, the samples were kept inside the test chamber in the dark at 423 K to reach an equilibrium state at T <; 423 K. For all the tested samples, the R H TD could be described by two activation energies. At the transitional point, the TD ofmore » the carrier mobility also changes from “normal” at high temperatures to “exponential” at low temperatures. The latter is a result of the collective effect of drift barriers due to microinhomogeneity. Therefore, only the high-temperature activation energies can be assigned to the ionization energies of the compensated deep donors (ε D). For different samples, the values for ε D 0 (at absolute zero) were found to be in the range of 0.50-0.78 eV, and the degree of donor compensation [D +]/[D] is between 0.3 and 0.98. The low-temperature region, where there are strong effects of crystal microinhomogeneities, cannot be used to characterize the ionization energy of donors. Therefore, we describe the activation energy as ε 1 = ε D - αε b, where ε b is the drift barrier height found from the TD of the carrier mobility and α takes a value close to unity. Values of ε b for our studied samples lie within (0.05-0.35) eV.« less

High-performance gap-closing vibrational energy harvesting using electret-polarized dielectric oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Yue; Yu, Zejie; Han, Yanhui

2018-01-01

In conventional gap-closing electret-biased electrostatic energy harvesting (EEEH) schemes, electrets with a very low ratio of electret thickness to permittivity are in great demand to allow the attainment of high power output. However, in practice, pursuing such a low ratio introduces unwanted burdens on the electret stability and therefore the reliability of the EEEH devices. In this paper, we propose a dielectric-oscillator-based electrostatic EH (DEEH) scheme as an alternative approach to harvesting electret-biased electrostatic energy. This approach permits the fabrication of an electret-free closed EH circuit. The DEEH architecture directly collects the electrical energy exclusively through the oscillating dielectric body and thus completely circumvents the restrictions imposed by the electret parameters (thickness and permittivity) on power generation. Significantly, without considering the electret thickness and permittivity, both theoretical analysis and experiments have verified the effectiveness of this DEEH strategy, and a high figure of merit (on the order of 10-8 mW cm-2 V-2 Hz-1) was achieved for low-frequency movements.

Electronic structures of Al-Si clusters and the magic number structure Al8Si4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Ning; Su, Mingzhi; Chen, Hongshan

2018-02-01

The low-energy structures of Al8Sim (m = 1-6) have been determined by using the genetic algorithm combined with density functional theory and the Second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) models. The results show that the close-packed structures are preferable in energy for Al-Si clusters and in most cases there exist a few isomers with close energies. The valence molecular orbitals, the orbital level structures and the electron localisation function (ELF) consistently demonstrate that the electronic structures of Al-Si clusters can be described by the jellium model. Al8Si4 corresponds to a magic number structure with pronounced stability and large energy gap; the 40 valence electrons form closed 1S21P61D102S21F142P6 shells. The ELF attractors also suggest weak covalent Si-Si, Si-Al and Al-Al bonding, and doping Si in aluminium clusters promotes the covalent interaction between Al atoms.

Gravitationally confined relativistic neutrinos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vayenas, C. G.; Fokas, A. S.; Grigoriou, D.

2017-09-01

Combining special relativity, the equivalence principle, and Newton’s universal gravitational law with gravitational rather than rest masses, one finds that gravitational interactions between relativistic neutrinos with kinetic energies above 50 MeV are very strong and can lead to the formation of gravitationally confined composite structures with the mass and other properties of hadrons. One may model such structures by considering three neutrinos moving symmetrically on a circular orbit under the influence of their gravitational attraction, and by assuming quantization of their angular momentum, as in the Bohr model of the H atom. The model contains no adjustable parameters and its solution, using a neutrino rest mass of 0.05 eV/c2, leads to composite state radii close to 1 fm and composite state masses close to 1 GeV/c2. Similar models of relativistic rotating electron - neutrino pairs give a mass of 81 GeV/c2, close to that of W bosons. This novel mechanism of generating mass suggests that the Higgs mass generation mechanism can be modeled as a latent gravitational field which gets activated by relativistic neutrinos.

Closed-form solutions for linear regulator design of mechanical systems including optimal weighting matrix selection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanks, Brantley R.; Skelton, Robert E.

1991-01-01

Vibration in modern structural and mechanical systems can be reduced in amplitude by increasing stiffness, redistributing stiffness and mass, and/or adding damping if design techniques are available to do so. Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) theory in modern multivariable control design, attacks the general dissipative elastic system design problem in a global formulation. The optimal design, however, allows electronic connections and phase relations which are not physically practical or possible in passive structural-mechanical devices. The restriction of LQR solutions (to the Algebraic Riccati Equation) to design spaces which can be implemented as passive structural members and/or dampers is addressed. A general closed-form solution to the optimal free-decay control problem is presented which is tailored for structural-mechanical system. The solution includes, as subsets, special cases such as the Rayleigh Dissipation Function and total energy. Weighting matrix selection is a constrained choice among several parameters to obtain desired physical relationships. The closed-form solution is also applicable to active control design for systems where perfect, collocated actuator-sensor pairs exist.

Controlled soil warming powered by alternative energy for remote field sites.

PubMed

Johnstone, Jill F; Henkelman, Jonathan; Allen, Kirsten; Helgason, Warren; Bedard-Haughn, Angela

2013-01-01

Experiments using controlled manipulation of climate variables in the field are critical for developing and testing mechanistic models of ecosystem responses to climate change. Despite rapid changes in climate observed in many high latitude and high altitude environments, controlled manipulations in these remote regions have largely been limited to passive experimental methods with variable effects on environmental factors. In this study, we tested a method of controlled soil warming suitable for remote field locations that can be powered using alternative energy sources. The design was tested in high latitude, alpine tundra of southern Yukon Territory, Canada, in 2010 and 2011. Electrical warming probes were inserted vertically in the near-surface soil and powered with photovoltaics attached to a monitoring and control system. The warming manipulation achieved a stable target warming of 1.3 to 2 °C in 1 m(2) plots while minimizing disturbance to soil and vegetation. Active control of power output in the warming plots allowed the treatment to closely match spatial and temporal variations in soil temperature while optimizing system performance during periods of low power supply. Active soil heating with vertical electric probes powered by alternative energy is a viable option for remote sites and presents a low-disturbance option for soil warming experiments. This active heating design provides a valuable tool for examining the impacts of soil warming on ecosystem processes.

M13 Virus-Incorporated Biotemplates on Electrode Surfaces To Nucleate Metal Nanostructures by Electrodeposition.

PubMed

Manivannan, Shanmugam; Kang, Inhak; Seo, Yeji; Jin, Hyo-Eon; Lee, Seung-Wuk; Kim, Kyuwon

2017-09-27

We report a virus-incorporated biological template (biotemplate) on electrode surfaces and its use in electrochemical nucleation of metal nanocomposites as an electrocatalytic material for energy applications. The biotemplate was developed with M13 virus (M13) incorporated in a silicate sol-gel matrix as a scaffold to nucleate Au-Pt alloy nanostructures by electrodeposition, together with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The phage when engineered with Y3E peptides could nucleate Au-Pt alloy nanostructures, which ensured adequate packing density, simultaneous stabilization of rGO, and a significantly increased electrochemically active surface area. Investigation of the electrocatalytic activity of the resulting sol-gel composite catalyst toward methanol oxidation in an alkaline medium showed that this catalyst had mass activity greater than that of the biotemplate containing wild-type M13 and that of monometallic Pt and other Au-Pt nanostructures with different compositions and supports. M13 in the nanocomposite materials provided a close contact between the Au-Pt alloy nanostructures and rGO. In addition, it facilitated the availability of an OH - -rich environment to the catalyst. As a result, efficient electron transfer and a synergistic catalytic effect of the Au and Pt in the alloy nanostructures toward methanol oxidation were observed. Our nanocomposite synthesis on the novel biotemplate and its application might be useful for developing novel clean and green energy-generating and energy-storage materials.

Imaging of Ras/Raf activity induced by low energy laser irradiation in living cell using FRET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fang; Chen, Tong-Sheng; Xing, Da

2005-01-01

Ras/Raf signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway that governs cell proliferation, differential and apoptosis. Low-energy laser irradiation (LELI) was found to modulate various processes. Generally, cell proliferation is induced by low doses LELI and apoptosis is induced by high doses LELI. Mechanism of biological effect of LELI has not been clear. Recently, activation of MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase), which are downstream protein kinases of Ras/Raf, are observed during LELI-induced cell proliferation by immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. RaichuRas reporter consisting of fusions of H-ras, the Ras-binding domain of Raf (RafRBD), a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Therefore, intramolecular binding of GTP-Ras to RafRBD brings CFP close to YFP and increases FRET between CFP and YFP. Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (ASTC-a-1) was transfected with the plasmid (pRaichuRas) and then treated with LELI at dose of 60J/cm2. Effect of LELI on Ras/Raf in physiological condition of living cells was observed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique during lung adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis induced by high dose (60J/cm2) LELI. Experimental results showed that after high dose LELI treatment, the binding of Ras and Raf decreases obviously, Ras/Raf signaling pathway deregulates and cell apoptosis occurs.

Transportation Energy - Sandia Energy

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Zipping and Unzipping of Adenylate Kinase: Atomistic Insights into the Ensemble of Open ↔ Closed Transitions

PubMed Central

Beckstein, Oliver; Denning, Elizabeth J.; Perilla, Juan R.; Woolf, Thomas B.

2009-01-01

Adenylate kinase (AdK), a phosphotransferase enzyme, plays an important role in cellular energy homeostasis. It undergoes a large conformational change between an open and a closed state, even in the absence of substrate. We investigate the apo-AdK transition at the atomic level both with free energy calculations and our new dynamic importance sampling (DIMS) molecular dynamics (MD) method. DIMS is shown to sample biologically relevant conformations as verified by comparing an ensemble of hundreds of DIMS transitions to AdK crystal structure intermediates. The simulations reveal in atomic detail how hinge regions partially and intermittently unfold during the transition. Conserved salt bridges are seen to have important structural and dynamic roles; in particular four ionic bonds are identified that open in a sequential, zipper-like fashion and thus dominate the free energy landscape of the transition. Transitions between the closed and open conformations only have to overcome moderate free energy barriers. Unexpectedly, the closed and open state encompass broad free energy basins that contain conformations differing in domain hinge motions by up to 40°. The significance of these extended states is discussed in relation to recent experimental FRET measurements. Taken together, these results demonstrate how a small number of cooperative key interactions can shape the overall dynamics of an enzyme and suggest an “all-or-nothing” mechanism for the opening and closing of AdK. Our efficient DIMS-MD computer simulation approach can provide a detailed picture of a functionally important macromolecular transition and thus help to interpret and suggest experiments to probe the conformational landscape of dynamic proteins such as AdK. PMID:19751742

A general formula for Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation energy utilizing a power series expansion of the quantum mechanical Hamiltonian

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

Herbert, J.M.

1997-02-01

Perturbation theory has long been utilized by quantum chemists as a method for approximating solutions to the Schroedinger equation. Perturbation treatments represent a system`s energy as a power series in which each additional term further corrects the total energy; it is therefore convenient to have an explicit formula for the nth-order energy correction term. If all perturbations are collected into a single Hamiltonian operator, such a closed-form expression for the nth-order energy correction is well known; however, use of a single perturbed Hamiltonian often leads to divergent energy series, while superior convergence behavior is obtained by expanding the perturbed Hamiltonianmore » in a power series. This report presents a closed-form expression for the nth-order energy correction obtained using Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation theory and a power series expansion of the Hamiltonian.« less

Integrating Mechanisms for Insulin Resistance: Common Threads and Missing Links

PubMed Central

Samuel, Varman T.; Shulman, Gerald I.

2012-01-01

Insulin resistance is a complex metabolic disorder that defies a single etiological pathway. Accumulation of ectopic lipid metabolites, activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway and innate immune pathways have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. However, these pathways are also closely linked to changes in fatty acid uptake, lipogenesis, and energy expenditure that can impact ectopic lipid deposition. Ultimately, accumulation of specific lipid metabolites (diacylglycerols and/or ceramides) in liver and skeletal muscle, may be a common pathway leading to impaired insulin signaling and insulin resistance. PMID:22385956

Determinants Affecting Physical Activity Levels In Animal Models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tou, Janet C. L.; Wade, Charles E.; Dalton, Bonnie P. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Weight control is dependent on energy balance. Reduced energy expenditure (EE) associated with decreased physical activity is suggested to be a major underlying cause in the increasing prevalence of weight gain and obesity. Therefore, a better understanding of the biological determinants involved in the regulation of physical activity is essential. To facilitate interpretation in humans, it is helpful to consider the evidence from animal studies. This review focuses on animal studies examining the biological determinants influencing activity and potential implications to human. It appears that physical activity is influenced by a number of parameters. However, regardless of the parameter involved, body weight appears to play all underlying role in the regulation of activity. Furthermore, the regulation of activity associated with body weight appears to occur only after the animal achieves a critical weight. This suggests that activity levels are a consequence rather than a contributor to weight control. However, the existence of an inverse weight-activity relationship remains inconclusive. Confounding the results are the multi-factorial nature of physical activity and the lack of appropriate measuring devices. Furthermore, many determinants of body weight are closely interlocked making it difficult to determine whether a single, combination or interaction of factors is important for the regulation of activity. For example, diet-induced obesity, aging, lesions to tile ventral medial hypothalamus and genetics all produce hypoactivity. Providing a better understanding of the biological determinants involved in the regulation of activity has important implications for the development of strategies for the prevention of weight gain leading to obesity and subsequent morbidity and mortality in the human population.

Determinants affecting physical activity levels in animal models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tou, Janet C L.; Wade, Charles E.

2002-01-01

Weight control is dependent on energy balance. Reduced energy expenditure (EE) associated with decreased physical activity is suggested to be a major underlying cause in the increasing prevalence of weight gain and obesity. Therefore, a better understanding of the biological determinants involved in the regulation of physical activity is essential. To facilitate interpretation in humans, it is helpful to consider the evidence from animal studies. This review focuses on animal studies examining the biological determinants influencing activity and potential implications to human. It appears that physical activity is influenced by a number of parameters. However, regardless of the parameter involved, body weight appears to play an underlying role in the regulation of activity. Furthermore, the regulation of activity associated with body weight appears to occur only after the animal achieves a critical weight. This suggests that activity levels are a consequence rather than a contributor to weight control. However, the existence of an inverse weight-activity relationship remains inconclusive. Confounding the results are the multifactorial nature of physical activity and the lack of appropriate measuring devices. Furthermore, many determinants of body weight are closely interlocked, making it difficult to determine whether a single, combination, or interaction of factors is important for the regulation of activity. For example, diet-induced obesity, aging, lesions to the ventral medial hypothalamus, and genetics all produce hypoactivity. Providing a better understanding of the biological determinants involved in the regulation of activity has important implications for the development of strategies for the prevention of weight gain leading to obesity and subsequent morbidity and mortality in the human population.

A distal mutation perturbs dynamic amino acid networks in dihydrofolate reductase

PubMed Central

Bae, Sung-Hun; Duggan, Brendan M.; Benkovic, Stephen J.; Dyson, H. Jane; Wright, Peter E

2013-01-01

Correlated networks of amino acids have been proposed to play a fundamental role in allostery and enzyme catalysis. These networks of amino acids can be traced from surface-exposed residues all the way into the active site, and disruption of these networks can decrease enzyme activity. Substitution of the distal Gly121 residue in E.coli dihydrofolate reductase results in up to a 200-fold decrease in the hydride transfer rate despite the fact that the residue is located 15 Å from the active-site center. In the present study, NMR relaxation experiments are used to demonstrate that dynamics on the ps-ns and μs-ms timescales are changed significantly in the G121V mutant of dihydrofolate reductase. In particular, ps-ns timescale dynamics are decreased in the FG loop (containing the mutated residue 121) and the neighboring active-site loop (the Met20 loop) in the mutant compared to wild-type enzyme, suggesting that these loops are dynamically coupled. Changes in methyl order parameters reveal a pathway by which dynamic perturbations can be propagated more than 25 Å across the protein from the site of mutation. All of the enzyme complexes, including the model Michaelis complex with folate and NADP+ bound, assume an occluded ground state conformation, and we do not observe sampling of a higher energy closed conformation by 15N R2 relaxation dispersion. This is highly significant, since it is only in the closed conformation that the cofactor and substrate reactive centers are positioned for reaction. The mutation also impairs μs - ms timescale fluctuations that have been implicated in product release from the wild type enzyme. Our results are consistent with an important role for Gly121 in controlling protein dynamics critical for enzyme function and further validate the dynamic energy landscape hypothesis of enzyme catalysis. PMID:23758161

Inflation in a closed universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratra, Bharat

2017-11-01

To derive a power spectrum for energy density inhomogeneities in a closed universe, we study a spatially-closed inflation-modified hot big bang model whose evolutionary history is divided into three epochs: an early slowly-rolling scalar field inflation epoch and the usual radiation and nonrelativistic matter epochs. (For our purposes it is not necessary to consider a final dark energy dominated epoch.) We derive general solutions of the relativistic linear perturbation equations in each epoch. The constants of integration in the inflation epoch solutions are determined from de Sitter invariant quantum-mechanical initial conditions in the Lorentzian section of the inflating closed de Sitter space derived from Hawking's prescription that the quantum state of the universe only include field configurations that are regular on the Euclidean (de Sitter) sphere section. The constants of integration in the radiation and matter epoch solutions are determined from joining conditions derived by requiring that the linear perturbation equations remain nonsingular at the transitions between epochs. The matter epoch power spectrum of gauge-invariant energy density inhomogeneities is not a power law, and depends on spatial wave number in the way expected for a generalization to the closed model of the standard flat-space scale-invariant power spectrum. The power spectrum we derive appears to differ from a number of other closed inflation model power spectra derived assuming different (presumably non de Sitter invariant) initial conditions.

Motorizing fibres with geometric zero-energy modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumann, Arthur; Sánchez-Ferrer, Antoni; Jacomine, Leandro; Martinoty, Philippe; Le Houerou, Vincent; Ziebert, Falko; Kulić, Igor M.

2018-06-01

Responsive materials1-3 have been used to generate structures with built-in complex geometries4-6, linear actuators7-9 and microswimmers10-12. These results suggest that complex, fully functional machines composed solely from shape-changing materials might be possible13. Nonetheless, to accomplish rotary motion in these materials still relies on the classical wheel and axle motifs. Here we explore geometric zero-energy modes to elicit rotary motion in elastic materials in the absence of a rigid wheel travelling around an axle. We show that prestrained polymer fibres closed into rings exhibit self-actuation and continuous motion when placed between two heat baths due to elastic deformations that arise from rotational-symmetry breaking around the rod's axis. Our findings illustrate a simple but robust model to create active motion in mechanically prestrained objects.

Ultrahigh Ionic Conduction in Water-Stable Close-Packed Metal-Carbonate Frameworks.

PubMed

Manna, Biplab; Desai, Aamod V; Illathvalappil, Rajith; Gupta, Kriti; Sen, Arunabha; Kurungot, Sreekumar; Ghosh, Sujit K

2017-08-21

Utilization of the robust metal-carbonate backbone in a series of water-stable, anionic frameworks has been harnessed for the function of highly efficient solid-state ion-conduction. The compact organization of hydrophilic guest ions facilitates water-assisted ion-conduction in all the compounds. The dense packing of the compounds imparts high ion-conducting ability and minimizes the possibility of fuel crossover, making this approach promising for design and development of compounds as potential components of energy devices. This work presents the first report of evaluating ion-conduction in a purely metal-carbonate framework, which exhibits high ion-conductivity on the order of 10 -2 S cm -1 along with very low activation energy, which is comparable to highly conducting well-known crystalline coordination polymers or commercialized organic polymers like Nafion.

Drag reduction in a turbulent channel flow using a passivity-based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heins, Peter; Jones, Bryn; Sharma, Atul

2013-11-01

A new active feedback control strategy for attenuating perturbation energy in a turbulent channel flow is presented. Using a passivity-based approach, a controller synthesis procedure has been devised which is capable of making the linear dynamics of a channel flow as close to passive as is possible given the limitations on sensing and actuation. A controller that is capable of making the linearized flow passive is guaranteed to globally stabilize the true flow. The resulting controller is capable of greatly restricting the amount of turbulent energy that the nonlinearity can feed back into the flow. DNS testing of a controller using wall-sensing of streamwise and spanwise shear stress and actuation via wall transpiration acting upon channel flows with Reτ = 100 - 250 showed significant reductions in skin-friction drag.

78 FR 77607 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

... Fans AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period. SUMMARY: On October 25, 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE... furnace fans, with a comment period that was scheduled to close December 24, 2013. This document announces...

Location of Low-Energy Charged Particle Instrument

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-12-03

This graphic shows the NASA Voyager 1 spacecraft and the location of its low-energy charged particle instrument. A labeled close-up of the low-energy charged particle instrument appears as the inset image.

QUANTIFYING THE TOPOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OF A MAGNETIC FLUX ROPE ASSOCIATED WITH MULTI-FLARE ACTIVITIES

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

Yang, Kai; Guo, Yang; Ding, M. D., E-mail: dmd@nju.edu.cn

2016-06-20

Magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) play an important role in solar activities. The quantitative assessment of the topology of an MFR and its evolution is crucial for a better understanding of the relationship between the MFR and associated activities. In this paper, we investigate the magnetic field of active region (AR) 12017 from 2014 March 28–29, during which time 12 flares were triggered by intermittent eruptions of a filament (either successful or confined). Using vector magnetic field data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory , we calculate the magnetic energy and helicity injection in themore » AR, and extrapolate the 3D magnetic field with a nonlinear force-free field model. From the extrapolations, we find an MFR that is cospatial with the filament. We further determine the configuration of this MFR from the closed quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) around it. Then, we calculate the twist number and the magnetic helicity for the field lines composing the MFR. The results show that the closed QSL structure surrounding the MFR becomes smaller as a consequence of flare occurrence. We also find that the flares in our sample are mainly triggered by kink instability. Moreover, the twist number varies more sensitively than other parameters with the occurrence of flares.« less

Connectome-harmonic decomposition of human brain activity reveals dynamical repertoire re-organization under LSD.

PubMed

Atasoy, Selen; Roseman, Leor; Kaelen, Mendel; Kringelbach, Morten L; Deco, Gustavo; Carhart-Harris, Robin L

2017-12-15

Recent studies have started to elucidate the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on the human brain but the underlying dynamics are not yet fully understood. Here we used 'connectome-harmonic decomposition', a novel method to investigate the dynamical changes in brain states. We found that LSD alters the energy and the power of individual harmonic brain states in a frequency-selective manner. Remarkably, this leads to an expansion of the repertoire of active brain states, suggestive of a general re-organization of brain dynamics given the non-random increase in co-activation across frequencies. Interestingly, the frequency distribution of the active repertoire of brain states under LSD closely follows power-laws indicating a re-organization of the dynamics at the edge of criticality. Beyond the present findings, these methods open up for a better understanding of the complex brain dynamics in health and disease.

Comparative analysis of respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation in Leishmania tarentolae, Crithidia fasciculata, Phytomonas serpens and procyclic stage of Trypanosoma brucei.

PubMed

Verner, Zdeněk; Cermáková, Petra; Skodová, Ingrid; Kováčová, Bianka; Lukeš, Julius; Horváth, Anton

2014-01-01

Trypanosomatids are unicellular parasites living in a wide range of host environments, which to large extent shaped their mitochondrial energy metabolism, resulting in quite large differences even among closely related flagellates. In a comparative manner, we analyzed the activities and composition of mitochondrial respiratory complexes in four species (Leishmania tarentolae, Crithidia fasciculata, Phytomonas serpens and Trypanosoma brucei), which represent the main model trypanosomatids. Moreover, we measured the activity of mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the overall oxygen consumption and the mitochondrial membrane potential in each species. The comparative analysis suggests an inverse relationship between the activities of respiratory complexes I and II, as well as the overall activity of the canonical complexes and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Our comparative analysis shows that mitochondrial functions are highly variable in these versatile parasites. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fusion Materials Research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Fiscal Year 2015

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

Wiffen, F. W.; Katoh, Yutai; Melton, Stephanie G.

The realization of fusion energy is a formidable challenge with significant achievements resulting from close integration of the plasma physics and applied technology disciplines. Presently, the most significant technological challenge for the near-term experiments such as ITER, and next generation fusion power systems, is the inability of current materials and components to withstand the harsh fusion nuclear environment. The overarching goal of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) fusion materials program is to provide the applied materials science support and understanding to underpin the ongoing Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science fusion energy program while developing materials for fusionmore » power systems. In doing so the program continues to be integrated both with the larger United States (US) and international fusion materials communities, and with the international fusion design and technology communities.This document provides a summary of Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 activities supporting the Office of Science, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Materials Research for Magnetic Fusion Energy (AT-60-20-10-0) carried out by ORNL. The organization of this report is mainly by material type, with sections on specific technical activities. Four projects selected in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicitation of late 2011 and funded in FY2012-FY2014 are identified by “FOA” in the titles. This report includes the final funded work of these projects, although ORNL plans to continue some of this work within the base program.« less

Multiparticle Solutions in 2+1 Gravity and Time Machines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steif, Alan R.

Multiparticle solutions for sources moving at the speed of light and corresponding to superpositions of single-particle plane-wave solutions are constructed in 2+1 gravity. It is shown that the two-particle spacetimes admit closed timelike curves provided the center-of-momentum energy exceeds a certain critical value. This occurs, however, at the cost of unphysical boundary conditions which are analogous to those affecting Gott’s time machine. As the energy exceeds the critical value, the closed timelike curves first occur at spatial infinity, then migrate inward as the energy is further increased. The total mass of the system also becomes imaginary for particle energies greater than the critical value.

An efficient parallel algorithm for the calculation of unrestricted canonical MP2 energies.

PubMed

Baker, Jon; Wolinski, Krzysztof

2011-11-30

We present details of our efficient implementation of full accuracy unrestricted open-shell second-order canonical Møller-Plesset (MP2) energies, both serial and parallel. The algorithm is based on our previous restricted closed-shell MP2 code using the Saebo-Almlöf direct integral transformation. Depending on system details, UMP2 energies take from less than 1.5 to about 3.0 times as long as a closed-shell RMP2 energy on a similar system using the same algorithm. Several examples are given including timings for some large stable radicals with 90+ atoms and over 3600 basis functions. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Energy Fact Sheets - Sandia Energy

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Approaching an experimental electron density model of the biologically active trans -epoxysuccinyl amide group-Substituent effects vs. crystal packing

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

Shi, Ming W.; Stewart, Scott G.; Sobolev, Alexandre N.

The trans-epoxysuccinyl amide group as a biologically active moiety in cysteine protease inhibitors such as loxistatin acid E64c has been used as a benchmark system for theoretical studies of environmental effects on the electron density of small active ingredients in relation to their biological activity. Here, the synthesis and the electronic properties of the smallest possible active site model compound are reported to close the gap between the unknown experimental electron density of trans-epoxysuccinyl amides and the well-known function of related drugs. Intramolecular substituent effects are separated from intermolecular crystal packing effects on the electron density, which allows us tomore » predict the conditions under which an experimental electron density investigation on trans-epoxysuccinyl amides will be possible. In this context, the special importance of the carboxylic acid function in the model compound for both crystal packing and biological activity is revealed through the novel tool of model energy analysis.« less

Effects of channel blocking on information transmission and energy efficiency in squid giant axons.

PubMed

Liu, Yujiang; Yue, Yuan; Yu, Yuguo; Liu, Liwei; Yu, Lianchun

2018-04-01

Action potentials are the information carriers of neural systems. The generation of action potentials involves the cooperative opening and closing of sodium and potassium channels. This process is metabolically expensive because the ions flowing through open channels need to be restored to maintain concentration gradients of these ions. Toxins like tetraethylammonium can block working ion channels, thus affecting the function and energy cost of neurons. In this paper, by computer simulation of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron model, we studied the effects of channel blocking with toxins on the information transmission and energy efficiency in squid giant axons. We found that gradually blocking sodium channels will sequentially maximize the information transmission and energy efficiency of the axons, whereas moderate blocking of potassium channels will have little impact on the information transmission and will decrease the energy efficiency. Heavy blocking of potassium channels will cause self-sustained oscillation of membrane potentials. Simultaneously blocking sodium and potassium channels with the same ratio increases both information transmission and energy efficiency. Our results are in line with previous studies suggesting that information processing capacity and energy efficiency can be maximized by regulating the number of active ion channels, and this indicates a viable avenue for future experimentation.

On the different roles of anions and cations in the solvation of enzymes in ionic liquids.

PubMed

Klähn, Marco; Lim, Geraldine S; Seduraman, Abirami; Wu, Ping

2011-01-28

The solvation of the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B) was studied in eight different ionic liquids (ILs). The influence of enzyme-ion interactions on the solvation of CAL-B and the structure of the enzyme-IL interface are analyzed. CAL-B and ILs are described with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with an atomistic empirical force field. The considered cations are based on imidazolium or guanidinium that are paired with nitrate, tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate anions. The interactions of CAL-B with ILs are dominated by Coulomb interactions with anions, while the second largest contribution stems from van der Waals interactions with cations. The enzyme-ion interaction strength is determined by the ion size and the magnitude of the ion surface charge. The solvation of CAL-B in ILs is unfavorable compared to water because of large formation energies for the CAL-B solute cages in ILs. The internal energy in the IL and of CAL-B increases linearly with the enzyme-ion interaction strength. The average electrostatic potential on the surface of CAL-B is larger in ILs than in water, due to a weaker screening of charged enzyme residues. Ion densities increased moderately in the vicinity of charged residues and decreased close to non-polar residues. An aggregation of long alkyl chains close to non-polar regions and the active site entrance of CAL-B are observed in one IL that involved long non-polar decyl groups. In ILs that contain 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cations, the diffusion of one or two cations into the active site of CAL-B occurs during MD simulations. This suggests a possible obstruction of the active site in these ILs. Overall, the results indicate that small ions lead to a stronger electrostatic screening within the solvent and stronger interactions with the enzyme. Also a large ion surface charge, when more hydrophilic ions are used, increases enzyme-IL interactions. An increase of these interactions destabilizes the enzyme and impedes enzyme solvation due to an increase in solute cage formation energies.

Disturbance rejection performance analyses of closed loop control systems by reference to disturbance ratio.

PubMed

Alagoz, Baris Baykant; Deniz, Furkan Nur; Keles, Cemal; Tan, Nusret

2015-03-01

This study investigates disturbance rejection capacity of closed loop control systems by means of reference to disturbance ratio (RDR). The RDR analysis calculates the ratio of reference signal energy to disturbance signal energy at the system output and provides a quantitative evaluation of disturbance rejection performance of control systems on the bases of communication channel limitations. Essentially, RDR provides a straightforward analytical method for the comparison and improvement of implicit disturbance rejection capacity of closed loop control systems. Theoretical analyses demonstrate us that RDR of the negative feedback closed loop control systems are determined by energy spectral density of controller transfer function. In this manner, authors derived design criteria for specifications of disturbance rejection performances of PID and fractional order PID (FOPID) controller structures. RDR spectra are calculated for investigation of frequency dependence of disturbance rejection capacity and spectral RDR analyses are carried out for PID and FOPID controllers. For the validation of theoretical results, simulation examples are presented. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vibrational imaging of glucose uptake activity in live cells and tissues by stimulated Raman scattering microscopy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Fanghao; Chen, Zhixing; Zhang, Luyuan; Shen, Yihui; Wei, Lu; Min, Wei

2016-03-01

Glucose is consumed as an energy source by virtually all living organisms, from bacteria to humans. Its uptake activity closely reflects the cellular metabolic status in various pathophysiological transformations, such as diabetes and cancer. Extensive efforts such as positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence microscopy have been made to specifically image glucose uptake activity but all with technical limitations. Here, we report a new platform to visualize glucose uptake activity in live cells and tissues with subcellular resolution and minimal perturbation. A novel glucose analogue with a small alkyne tag (carbon-carbon triple bond) is developed to mimic natural glucose for cellular uptake, which can be imaged with high sensitivity and specificity by targeting the strong and characteristic alkyne vibration on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscope to generate a quantitative three dimensional concentration map. Cancer cells with differing metabolic characteristics can be distinguished. Heterogeneous uptake patterns are observed in tumor xenograft tissues, neuronal culture and mouse brain tissues with clear cell-cell variations. Therefore, by offering the distinct advantage of optical resolution but without the undesirable influence of bulky fluorophores, our method of coupling SRS with alkyne labeled glucose will be an attractive tool to study energy demands of living systems at the single cell level.

Dissipation of excess photosynthetic energy contributes to salinity tolerance: a comparative study of salt-tolerant Ricinus communis and salt-sensitive Jatropha curcas.

PubMed

Lima Neto, Milton C; Lobo, Ana K M; Martins, Marcio O; Fontenele, Adilton V; Silveira, Joaquim Albenisio G

2014-01-01

The relationships between salt tolerance and photosynthetic mechanisms of excess energy dissipation were assessed using two species that exhibit contrasting responses to salinity, Ricinus communis (tolerant) and Jatropha curcas (sensitive). The salt tolerance of R. communis was indicated by unchanged electrolyte leakage (cellular integrity) and dry weight in leaves, whereas these parameters were greatly affected in J. curcas. The leaf Na+ content was similar in both species. Photosynthesis was intensely decreased in both species, but the reduction was more pronounced in J. curcas. In this species biochemical limitations in photosynthesis were more prominent, as indicated by increased C(i) values and decreased Rubisco activity. Salinity decreased both the V(cmax) (in vivo Rubisco activity) and J(max) (maximum electron transport rate) more significantly in J. curcas. The higher tolerance in R. communis was positively associated with higher photorespiratory activity, nitrate assimilation and higher cyclic electron flow. The high activity of these alternative electron sinks in R. communis was closely associated with a more efficient photoprotection mechanism. In conclusion, salt tolerance in R. communis, compared with J. curcas, is related to higher electron partitioning from the photosynthetic electron transport chain to alternative sinks. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Large magnetoresistance in antiferromagnetic CaMnO3-δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Z.; Greenblatt, M.; Croft, M.

1999-04-01

CaMnO3-δ with δ=0, 0.06, and 0.11 was prepared by the Pechini citrate gel process at 1100 °C. Oxygen defects were created by quenching the sample from high temperature. Chemical analysis and x-ray absorption show that the formal valence of Mn in CaMnO3 is close to 4+, and that Mn(III) is created in the quenched samples. Moreover the x-ray absorption near-edge spectra results support the creation of two Mn(III) five coordinate sites for each O vacancy. CaMnO3-δ (δ=0-0.11) are n-type semiconductors and order antiferromagnatically with Néel temperatures close to 125 K. The activation energy decreases with increasing δ. A relatively large (~40%) negative magnetoresistance (MR) is observed for CaMnO2.89. This result shows that a substantial MR can occur in these G-type antiferromagnetic materials.

Method for creating ideal tissue fusion in soft-tissue structures using radio frequency (RF) energy.

PubMed

Shields, Chelsea A; Schechter, David A; Tetzlaff, Phillip; Baily, Ali L; Dycus, Sean; Cosgriff, Ned

2004-01-01

Bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy can successfully seal vascular structures up to 7 mm by fusing collagen and elastin in the lumen. Valleylab has created a system to expand this technology beyond vessel sealing with the development of a closed-loop, feedback-control RF generator that closely monitors tissue fusion. This generator, operating with a loop time of approximately 250 micros, continuously adjusts energy output, creating optimized soft-tissue fusion through structural protein amalgamation. In the first study, RF energy was applied to canine lung using the new-generation generator and lung-prototype device. A lobectomy was completed, sealing the lobar bronchus, parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. Chronic performance of the seals was evaluated at necropsy on postoperative days 7 and 14. In a second study, RF energy was applied to porcine small intestine using the same closed-loop generator and anastomosis prototype device. Acute tissue fusion was assessed qualitatively for hemostasis and seal quality. Terminal tissue evaluation was completed on postoperative day 7 and analyzed histopathologically. Histopathology confirmed acute and chronic tissue fusion in both the lung and intestine. Normal pathological healing was substantiated by angiogenesis, granulation, and proliferation of fibroblasts. Preliminary studies using canine lung and porcine small intestine demonstrate the potential of this closed-loop generator for soft-tissue amalgamation. Advanced monitoring capabilities make this fusion system applicable in many soft-tissue structures with adequate collagen and elastin. Further investigation of potential surgical applications needs to be completed.

Dynamically variable spot size laser system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gradl, Paul R. (Inventor); Hurst, John F. (Inventor); Middleton, James R. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A Dynamically Variable Spot Size (DVSS) laser system for bonding metal components includes an elongated housing containing a light entry aperture coupled to a laser beam transmission cable and a light exit aperture. A plurality of lenses contained within the housing focus a laser beam from the light entry aperture through the light exit aperture. The lenses may be dynamically adjusted to vary the spot size of the laser. A plurality of interoperable safety devices, including a manually depressible interlock switch, an internal proximity sensor, a remotely operated potentiometer, a remotely activated toggle and a power supply interlock, prevent activation of the laser and DVSS laser system if each safety device does not provide a closed circuit. The remotely operated potentiometer also provides continuous variability in laser energy output.

The 1943 K emission spectrum of H216O between 6600 and 7050 cm-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Czinki, Eszter; Furtenbacher, Tibor; Császár, Attila G.; Eckhardt, André K.; Mellau, Georg Ch.

2018-02-01

An emission spectrum of H216O has been recorded, with Doppler-limited resolution, at 1943 K using Hot Gas Molecular Emission (HOTGAME) spectroscopy. The wavenumber range covered is 6600 to 7050 cm-1. This work reports the analysis and subsequent assignment of close to 3700 H216O transitions out of a total of more than 6700 measured peaks. The analysis is based on the Measured Active Rotational-Vibrational Energy Levels (MARVEL) energy levels of H216O determined in 2013 and emission line intensities obtained from accurate variational nuclear-motion computations. The analysis of the spectrum yields about 1300 transitions not measured previously and 23 experimentally previously unidentified rovibrational energy levels. The accuracy of the line positions and intensities used in the analysis was improved with the spectrum deconvolution software SyMath via creating a peak list corresponding to the dense emission spectrum. The extensive list of labeled transitions and the new experimental energy levels obtained are deposited in the Supplementary Material of this article as well as in the ReSpecTh (http://www.respecth.hu) information system.

Gas may be answer to world`s fuel needs

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

Nakicenovic, N.; Nolan, L.

1995-08-01

Natural gas could become the major energy source of the 21st century, serving as a {open_quotes}bridge{close_quotes} fuel from the use of fossil fuels today to renewable energy sources tomorrow, say Nebojsa Nakicenovic and Lucy Nolan. Nakicenovic is a project leader and Nolan is a former research assistant for the Environmentally Compatible Energy Strategies Project at an Austrian research institute. The use of nuclear energy will by stymied by public opposition, costs, and waste-storage problems; renewable energy technology, on the other hand, must still overcome many technological barriers. Natural gas, then, is likely to become our next dominant energy source. {open_quotes}Themore » development of a methane economy, led by increased use of natural gas, could provide another important step in the world`s century-old stride toward a carbon-free economy,{close_quotes} the authors conclude.« less

Equilibrium fluctuation relations for voltage coupling in membrane proteins.

PubMed

Kim, Ilsoo; Warshel, Arieh

2015-11-01

A general theoretical framework is developed to account for the effects of an external potential on the energetics of membrane proteins. The framework is based on the free energy relation between two (forward/backward) probability densities, which was recently generalized to non-equilibrium processes, culminating in the work-fluctuation theorem. Starting from the probability densities of the conformational states along the "voltage coupling" reaction coordinate, we investigate several interconnected free energy relations between these two conformational states, considering voltage activation of ion channels. The free energy difference between the two conformational states at zero (depolarization) membrane potential (i.e., known as the chemical component of free energy change in ion channels) is shown to be equivalent to the free energy difference between the two "equilibrium" (resting and activated) conformational states along the one-dimensional voltage couplin reaction coordinate. Furthermore, the requirement that the application of linear response approximation to the free energy functionals of voltage coupling should satisfy the general free energy relations, yields a novel closed-form expression for the gating charge in terms of other basic properties of ion channels. This connection is familiar in statistical mechanics, known as the equilibrium fluctuation-response relation. The theory is illustrated by considering the coupling of a unit charge to the external voltage in the two sites near the surface of membrane, representing the activated and resting states. This is done using a coarse-graining (CG) model of membrane proteins, which includes the membrane, the electrolytes and the electrodes. The CG model yields Marcus-type voltage dependent free energy parabolas for the response of the electrostatic environment (electrolytes etc.) to the transition from the initial to the final configuratinal states, leading to equilibrium free energy difference and free energy barrier that follow the trend of the equilibrium fluctuation relation and the Marcus theory of electron transfer. These energetics also allow for a direct estimation of the voltage dependence of channel activation (Q-V curve), offering a quantitative rationale for a correlation between the voltage dependence parabolas and the Q-V curve, upon site-directed mutagenesis or drug binding. Taken together, by introducing the voltage coupling as the energy gap reaction coordinate, our framework brings new perspectives to the thermodynamic models of voltage activation in voltage-sensitive membrane proteins, offering an a framework for a better understating of the structure-function correlations of voltage gating in ion channels as well as electrogenic phenomena in ion pumps and transporters. Significantly, this formulation also provides a powerful bridge between the CG model of voltage coupling and the conventional macroscopic treatments. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mithras Studies of the Boundary Between Open and Closed Field Lines.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-31

I ¸ . . A- : - Final Report • March 1995 MITHRAS STUDIES OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED FIELD LINES John D. Kelly, Program Manager Richard A...Kelly, Program Manager Richard A. Doe, Research Physicist Geoscience and Engineering Center SRI Project 3245 Prepared for: Department of the Air...characteristic energy, energy flux, and an estimate for upward field-aligned current. On the basis of coordinated radar/optical experiments, Vallance Jones et al

Mapping heat exchange in an allosteric protein.

PubMed

Gupta, Shaweta; Auerbach, Anthony

2011-02-16

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are synaptic ion channels that spontaneously isomerize (i.e., gate) between resting and active conformations. We used single-molecule electrophysiology to measure the temperature dependencies of mouse neuromuscular AChR gating rate and equilibrium constants. From these we estimated free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes caused by mutations of amino acids located between the transmitter binding sites and the middle of the membrane domain. The range of equilibrium enthalpy change (13.4 kcal/mol) was larger than for free energy change (5.5 kcal/mol at 25°C). For two residues, the slope of the rate-equilibrium free energy relationship (Φ) was approximately constant with temperature. Mutant cycle analysis showed that both free energies and enthalpies are additive for energetically independent mutations. We hypothesize that changes in energy associated with changes in structure mainly occur close to the site of the mutation, and, hence, that it is possible to make a residue-by-residue map of heat exchange in the AChR gating isomerization. The structural correlates of enthalpy changes are discussed for 12 different mutations in the protein. Copyright © 2011 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional Performance of Pyrovalves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bement, Laurence J.

1996-01-01

Following several flight and ground test failures of spacecraft systems using single-shot, 'normally closed' pyrotechnically actuated valves (pyrovalves), a government/industry cooperative program was initiated to assess the functional performance of five qualified designs. The goal of the program was to improve performance-based requirements for the procurement of pyrovalves. Specific objectives included the demonstration of performance test methods, the measurement of 'blowby' (the passage of gases from the pyrotechnic energy source around the activating piston into the valve's fluid path), and the quantification of functional margins for each design. Experiments were conducted in-house at NASA on several units each of the five valve designs. The test methods used for this program measured the forces and energies required to actuate the valves, as well as the energies and the pressures (where possible) delivered by the pyrotechnic sources. Functional performance ranged widely among the designs. Blowby cannot be prevented by o-ring seals; metal-to-metal seals were effective. Functional margin was determined by dividing the energy delivered by the pyrotechnic sources in excess to that required to accomplish the function by the energy required for that function. All but two designs had adequate functional margins with the pyrotechnic cartridges evaluated.

Consortia for Improving Medicine with Innovation and Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

2011 Out - 001585 11-484 Award Closed Hacking, Adam Non-invasive Fasciotomy to Treat Extremity Compartment Syndrome 2012 Out - 001706 12-1173 Award...592 Award Closed 7 Kaushal, Shalesh Low Energy Laser as a Therapeutic for Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration 2011 Out - 001607 11-397 Award Closed...Electrostatic dry powder inhaler for constant dose respiratory drug delivery 2010 Out - 000885 10-512 Award Closed McLaughlin, Bryan An implantable

The effects of close binaries on the magnetic activity of M dwarfs as probed using close white dwarf companions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, D. P.

2017-01-01

I present a study of close white dwarf (WD) and M dwarf (dM) binary systems (WD+dM) to examine the effects that close companions have on magnetic field generation in dMs. Using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 8 spectroscopic database, I constructed a sample of 1756 WD+dM high-quality pairs. I show that early-type dMs (M4), where stars become fully convective, the activity fraction and activity lifetimes of WD+dM binary systems become more comparable to those of the field dMs. The implications of having a close binary companion may include: increased stellar rotation through disk disruption, tidal effects, and/or angular momentum exchange. Thus, the similarity in activity between late-type field dMs and late-type dMs with close companions is likely due to the mechanism generating magnetic fields being less sensitive to the effects caused by a close companion; namely, increased stellar rotation. Using a subset of 181 close WD+dM pairs, matched to the time-domain SDSS Stripe 82 catalog, I show that enhanced magnetic activity extends to the flaring behavior of dMs in close binaries. Specifically, early spectral type dMs (M0-M4), in close WD+dM pairs, are two orders of magnitude more likely to flare than field dMs, whereas late-type dMs (M4-M6) in close WD+dM pairs flare as frequently or less than the late-type field dM sample. To test whether the presence of a close companion leads to star-star interactions, I searched for correlations between the WD occultations and flares from the dM member in KOI-256, an eclipsing WD+dM system. I find no correlations between the flaring activity of the dM and the WD occultations, indicating the there are no obvious signs of star-star interactions at work. In addition, the dM member of KOI-256 flares more than any other dM observed by Kepler and shows evidence for solar-like magnetic activity cycles, a feature not seen in many dMs to date.

Mass and heat flux balance of La Soufrière volcano (Guadeloupe) from aerial infrared thermal imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaudin, Damien; Beauducel, François; Coutant, Olivier; Delacourt, Christophe; Richon, Patrick; de Chabalier, Jean-Bernard; Hammouya, Gilbert

2016-06-01

La Soufrière of Guadeloupe is an active volcano of Lesser Antilles that is closely monitored due to a high eruptive hazard potential. Since 1992 it exhibits a medium-level but sustained background hydrothermal activity with low-energy and shallow seismicity, hot springs temperature increase and high flux acidic gas fumaroles at the summit. The problem of estimating the heat balance and quantifying the evolution of hydrothermal activity has become a key challenge for surveillance. This work is the first attempt of a global mapping and quantification of La Soufrière thermal activity performed in February 2010 using aerial thermal infrared imagery. After instrument calibration and data processing, we present a global map of thermal anomalies allowing to spot the main active sites: the summit area (including the fumaroles of Tarissan Pit and South Crater), the Ty Fault fumarolic zone, and the hot springs located at the vicinity of the dome. In a second step, we deduce the mass and the energy fluxes released by the volcano. In particular, we propose a simple model of energy balance to estimate the mass flux of the summit fumaroles from their brightness temperature and size. In February 2010, Tarissan Pit had a 22.8 ± 8.1 kg s -1 flux (1970 ± 704 tons day -1), while South Crater vents had a total of 19.5 ± 4.0 kg s -1 (1687 ± 348 tons day -1). Once converted into energy flux, summit fumaroles represent 98% of the 106 ± 30 MW released by the volcano, the 2% remaining being split between the hot springs and the thermal anomalies at the summit and at the Ty Fault fumarolic zone. These values are in the high range of the previous estimations, highlighting the short-term variability of the expelled fluxes. Such a heat flux requires the cooling of 1500 m 3 of magma per day, in good agreement with previous geochemical studies.

A New Type of Transient Luminous Events Produced by Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, W.; Celestin, S. J.; Pasko, V. P.; Marshall, R. A.

2016-12-01

Discovered in 1994 by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) detector aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory [Fishman et al., Science, 264, 1313, 1994], Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) are high-energy photon bursts originating from the Earth's atmosphere characterized by their close association with thunderstorm activities. Since the discovery, TGFs have also been observed by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) [Smith et al., Science, 307, 1085, 2005], the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope [Briggs et al., JGR, 115, A07323, 2010], and the Astrorivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero (AGILE) satellite [Marisaldi et al., JGR, 115, A00E13, 2010]. Space-borne measurements have revealed the temporal and spectral features of TGFs: typically lasting from fractions of to a few milliseconds, having a fluence of fractions of photons/cm2, and exhibiting a hard energy spectra extending up to a few tens of MeVs [Dwyer et al., Space Sci. Rev., 173, 133, 2012]. Moreover, detailed analyses of radio emissions have pointed out the close correlation between TGFs and the initial development stages of normal polarity intra-cloud lightning that transports negative charge upward (+IC) [e.g., Lu et al., GRL, 37, L11806, 2010; JGR, 116, A03316, 2011]. In this work, we show that, while TGFs pass through the atmosphere, the large quantities of energetic electrons knocked out during collisions of gamma-rays with air molecules can generate significant amount of excited species of neutral and ionized nitrogen molecules, thereby leading to production of a new type of transient luminous events (TLEs). The spectroscopic and morphological features of this predicted luminous phenomenon have been theoretically quantified in the framework of Monte Carlo simulations. Considering the measurability of this type of events and its close relation with TGFs, corresponding measurements would provide a novel perspective to investigate TGFs, as well as the initial breakdown stage of lightning discharges.

Mechanism of the αβ Conformational Change in F1-ATPase after ATP Hydrolysis: Free-Energy Simulations

PubMed Central

Ito, Yuko; Ikeguchi, Mitsunori

2015-01-01

One of the motive forces for F1-ATPase rotation is the conformational change of the catalytically active β subunit due to closing and opening motions caused by ATP binding and hydrolysis, respectively. The closing motion is accomplished in two steps: the hydrogen-bond network around ATP changes and then the entire structure changes via B-helix sliding, as shown in our previous study. Here, we investigated the opening motion induced by ATP hydrolysis using all-atom free-energy simulations, combining the nudged elastic band method and umbrella sampling molecular-dynamics simulations. Because hydrolysis requires residues in the α subunit, the simulations were performed with the αβ dimer. The results indicate that the large-scale opening motion is also achieved by the B-helix sliding (in the reverse direction). However, the sliding mechanism is different from that of ATP binding because sliding is triggered by separation of the hydrolysis products ADP and Pi. We also addressed several important issues: 1), the timing of the product Pi release; 2), the unresolved half-closed β structure; and 3), the ADP release mechanism. These issues are fundamental for motor function; thus, the rotational mechanism of the entire F1-ATPase is also elucidated through this αβ study. During the conformational change, conserved residues among the ATPase proteins play important roles, suggesting that the obtained mechanism may be shared with other ATPase proteins. When combined with our previous studies, these results provide a comprehensive view of the β-subunit conformational change that drives the ATPase. PMID:25564855

Climbing the walls

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

Duey, R.

1997-07-01

{open_quotes}Integrated solutions{close_quotes} has become such a buzzword in the business world that it`s beginning to lose its semantic impact. But when the business is oil and gas and the integrated solutions revolve around information technology, the impact is very great indeed. A recent Cambridge Energy Research Associates study called the use of information technology within the petroleum industry a {open_quotes}quiet revolution.{close_quotes} The technology has been {open_quotes}a powerful, enabling factor in the survival and rebirth{close_quotes} of the industry since the price collapse of 1986, the report states, adding, {open_quotes}It will be even more important to the industry`s future, shaping business strategymore » and competitive advantage-- and company structure.{close_quotes} Like many other industries, oil and gas companies are moving away from hierarchical structures, relying on asset teams and other interdisciplinary approaches to maximize profits in an era of downsizing, volatile prices and stiff competition. {open_quotes}I think in the past the energy industry had a commodity mindset,{close_quotes} says Robert Shaw, senior vice president and head of the worldwide sector for Oracle Energy. {open_quotes}The industry was fairly controlled, stable and regulated, and there was a feeling that there wasn`t much to do except find oil, own reserves, refine as much as they can, run the pipe full, dispose of as much as they can and hopefully make a lot of money{close_quotes}.« less

Systems of artificial lighting at the Phytotron of Plant Breeding and Genetic Institute (Odessa)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chernozubov, Adolf

1994-01-01

At the Odessa Phytotron we have installed over 50 climatic chambers and cabinets made by various companies of the United States, Canada, Germany and U.S.S.R. They employ different light sources including Sylvania fluorescent lamps of various types, fluorescent lamps produced in the former Soviet Union with a special luminophore, ordinary tungsten lamps, xenon, mercury, mercury-iodide, sodium, etc. Our objective in lighting is that the intensity distribution over the wave lengths should be maximal in the photosynthetically active part of the spectrum and minimal in the IR part to avoid plant sterilization. Phytotrons are extremely energy consuming entities, and the large part of their energy consumption falls into the lighting category in our electric bills. Therefore, we are in a constant search of the processes to reduce energy. However, the main way to increase effectiveness would be the development of new types of light sources, which would come close to the threshold of 150 to 200 lumens per watt.

Improving the neutron-to-photon discrimination capability of detectors used for neutron dosimetry in high energy photon beam radiotherapy.

PubMed

Irazola, L; Terrón, J A; Bedogni, R; Pola, A; Lorenzoli, M; Sánchez-Nieto, B; Gómez, F; Sánchez-Doblado, F

2016-09-01

The increasing interest of the medical community to radioinduced second malignancies due to photoneutrons in patients undergoing high-energy radiotherapy, has stimulated in recent years the study of peripheral doses, including the development of some dedicated active detectors. Although these devices are designed to respond to neutrons only, their parasitic photon response is usually not identically zero and anisotropic. The impact of these facts on measurement accuracy can be important, especially in points close to the photon field-edge. A simple method to estimate the photon contribution to detector readings is to cover it with a thermal neutron absorber with reduced secondary photon emission, such as a borated rubber. This technique was applied to the TNRD (Thermal Neutron Rate Detector), recently validated for thermal neutron measurements in high-energy photon radiotherapy. The positive results, together with the accessibility of the method, encourage its application to other detectors and different clinical scenarios. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The missing link between submarine volcano and promising geothermal potential in Jinshan, Northern Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S. C.; Hutchings, L.; Chang, C. C.; Lee, C. S.

2017-12-01

The Tatun volcanic group (TVG) and the Keelung submarine volcano (KSV) are active volcanoes and surrounding three nuclear plant sites in north Taiwan. The famous Jinshan-Wanli hot springs locates between TVG and KSV, moreover, the geochemical anomalies of acidic boiling springs on the seacoast infer that the origin is from magmatic fluids, sea water and meteoric water mixture, strongly implying that mantle fluids ascends into the shallow crust. The evidence for a magma chamber, submarine volcano, and boiling springs have a close spatial relationship. Based on UNECE specifications to Geothermal Energy Resources (2016), the Jinshan-Wanli geothermal area could be classified as Known Geothermal Energy Source for geothermal direct use and Potential Geothermal Energy Source for conventional geothermal system. High resolution reservoir exploration and modeling in Jinshan-Wanli geothermal area is developing for drilling risk mitigation. The geothermal team of National Taiwan Ocean University and local experts are cooperating for further exploration drilling and geothermal source evaluation. Keywords: geothermal resource evaluation, Jinshan-Wanli geothermal area, submarine volcano

The interactions of high-energy, highly-charged ions with fullerenes

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

Ali, R.; Berry, H.G.; Cheng, S.

1996-03-01

In 1985, Robert Curl and Richard Smalley discovered a new form of carbon, the fullerene, C{sub 60}, which consists of 60 carbon atoms in a closed cage resembling a soccer ball. In 1990, Kritschmer et al. were able to make macroscopic quantities of fullerenes. This has generated intense activity to study the properties of fullerenes. One area of research involves collisions between fullerenes and atoms, ions or electrons. In this paper we describe experiments involving interactions between fullerenes and highly charged ions in which the center-of-mass energies exceed those used in other work by several orders of magnitude. The highmore » values of projectile velocity and charge state result in excitation and decay processes differing significantly from those seen in studies 3 at lower energies. Our results are discussed in terms of theoretical models analogous to those used in nuclear physics and this provides an interesting demonstration of the unity of physics.« less

Identifying the T=5 states in 48Ca

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upadhyayula, Sriteja; Ahn, Sunghoon; Anastasiou, Maria; Bedoor, Shadi; Browne, Justin; Blackmon, Jeffrey; Deibel, Catherine; Hood, Ashley; Hooker, Joshua; Hunt, Curtis; Koshchiy, Yevgen; Lighthall, Jon; Ong, Wei Jia; Rijal, Nabin; Rogachev, Grigory; Santiago-Gonzalez, Daniel; Nscl, Michigan State University, Ingo

2017-09-01

Particle-hole excitations near closed shells carry information on single-particle energies and on two-body interactions. The particle-hole excitations near the doubly magic nuclei are of special interest. Information on the charge-changing particle-hole excitations (T=5 negative parity states) in 48Ca is not available. We performed an experiment to establish the level scheme of the low-lying negative parity T=5 states in 48Ca. Excitation functions for the 1H(47K,p)47K(g.s.) and 1H(47K,p)47K(3/2+) reactions in the c.m. energy range from 1 MeV to 4.5 MeV were measured. The T=5 states are expected to show up in the p+47K excitation function as narrow resonances. This experiment was performed at NSCL using the ReA3 beam of 47K at energy of 4.6 MeV/u. ANASEN, set in active target mode, was used for this experiment. Experimental results from this experiment will be presented.

Astrocytes Regulate GLP-1 Receptor-Mediated Effects on Energy Balance

PubMed Central

Reiner, David J.; Mietlicki-Baase, Elizabeth G.; McGrath, Lauren E.; Zimmer, Derek J.; Bence, Kendra K.; Sousa, Gregory L.; Konanur, Vaibhav R.; Krawczyk, Joanna; Burk, David H.; Kanoski, Scott E.; Hermann, Gerlinda E.; Rogers, Richard C.

2016-01-01

Astrocytes are well established modulators of extracellular glutamate, but their direct influence on energy balance-relevant behaviors is largely understudied. As the anorectic effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are partly mediated by central modulation of glutamatergic signaling, we tested the hypothesis that astrocytic GLP-1R signaling regulates energy balance in rats. Central or peripheral administration of a fluorophore-labeled GLP-1R agonist, exendin-4, localizes within astrocytes and neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), a hindbrain nucleus critical for energy balance control. This effect is mediated by GLP-1R, as the uptake of systemically administered fluorophore-tagged exendin-4 was blocked by central pretreatment with the competitive GLP-1R antagonist exendin-(9–39). Ex vivo analyses show prolonged exendin-4-induced activation (live cell calcium signaling) of NTS astrocytes and neurons; these effects are also attenuated by exendin-(9–39), indicating mediation by the GLP-1R. In vitro analyses show that the application of GLP-1R agonists increases cAMP levels in astrocytes. Immunohistochemical analyses reveal that endogenous GLP-1 axons form close synaptic apposition with NTS astrocytes. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of NTS astrocytes attenuates the anorectic and body weight-suppressive effects of intra-NTS GLP-1R activation. Collectively, data demonstrate a role for NTS astrocytic GLP-1R signaling in energy balance control. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reduce food intake and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obesity, but the cellular mechanisms underlying the anorectic effects of GLP-1 require further investigation. Astrocytes represent a major cellular population in the CNS that regulates neurotransmission, yet the role of astrocytes in mediating energy balance is largely unstudied. The current data provide novel evidence that astrocytes within the NTS are relevant for energy balance control by GLP-1 signaling. Here, we report that GLP-1R agonists activate and internalize within NTS astrocytes, while behavioral data suggest the pharmacological relevance of NTS astrocytic GLP-1R activation for food intake and body weight. These findings support a previously unknown role for CNS astrocytes in energy balance control by GLP-1 signaling. PMID:27013681

Nucleus Z=126 with magic neutron number N=184 may be related to the measured Maruhn-Greiner maximum at A/2=155 from compound nuclei at low energy nuclear reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prelas, M. A.; Hora, H.; Miley, G. H.

2014-07-01

Evaluation of nuclear binding energies from theory close to available measurements of a very high number of superheavy elements (SHE) based on α-decay energies Qα, arrived at a closing shell with a significant neutron number 184. Within the option of several discussed magic numbers for protons of around 120, Bagge's numbers 126 and 184 fit well and are supported by the element generation measurements by low energy nuclear reactions (LENR) discovered in deuterium loaded host metals. These measurements were showing a Maruhn-Greiner maximum from fission of compound nuclei in an excited state with double magic numbers for mutual confirmation.

Energy use and conservation in highway construction and maintenance.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-01-01

This report reviews the options available to the highway engineer for the conservation of energy in highway construction and maintenance. In general, it was found that the objective of conserving energy is closely related to long-standing objectives ...

The Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative: Dissolving Silos

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

Danielson, David; Orr, Lynn; Sarkar, Reuben

2016-06-15

DOE’s work is closely tied to manufacturing because manufacturing is an important part of technology innovation and commercialization. Find out how DOE – through the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative – is helping America lead the clean energy revolution.

Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Energy Development Program. Annual report, fiscal year 1979

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

Cremer, G.M.; Duffield, R.B.; Smith, M.C.

1980-08-01

The Fenton Hill Project is still the principal center for developing methods, equipment, and instrumentation for creating and utilizing HDR geothermal reservoirs. The search for a second site for a similar experimental system in a different geological environment has been intensified, as have the identification and characterization of other HDR areas that may prove suitable for either experimental or commercial development. The Phase I fracture system was enlarged during FY79. Drilling of the injection well of the Phase II system began at Fenton Hill in April 1979. Environmental monitoring of the Fenton Hill area continued through FY79. The environmental studiesmore » indicate that the hot dry rock operations have caused no significant environmental impact. Other supporting activities included rock physics, rock mechanics, fracture mapping, and instrumentation development. Two closely related activities - evaluation of the potential HDR energy resource of the US and the selection of a site for development of a second experimental heat-extraction system generally similar to that at Fenton Hill - have resulted in the collection of geology, hydrology, and heat-flow data on some level of field activity in 30 states. The resource-evaluation activity included reconnaissance field studies and a listing and preliminary characterization of US geothermal areas in which HDR energy extraction methods may be applicable. The selection of Site 2 has taken into account such legal, institutional, and economic factors as land ownership and use, proximity to possible users, permitting and licensing requirements and procedures, environmental issues, areal extent of the geothermal area, and visibility to and apparent interest by potential industrial developers.« less

Mechanism of work hardening in Hadfield manganese steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dastur, Y. N.; Leslie, W. C.

1981-05-01

When Hadfield manganese steel in the single-phase austenitic condition was strained in tension, in the temperature range - 25 to 300 °C, it exhibited jerky (serrated) flow, a negative (inverse) strain-rate dependence of flow stress and high work hardening, characteristic of dynamic strain aging. The strain rate-temperature regime of jerky flow was determined and the apparent activation energies for the appearance and disappearance of serrations were found to be 104 kJ/mol and 146 kJ/mol, respectively. The high work hardening cannot be a result of mechanical twinning because at -50 °C numerous twins were produced, but the work hardening was low and no twins were formed above 225 °C even though work hardening was high. The work hardening decreased above 300 °C because of the cessation of dynamic strain aging and increased again above 400 °C because of precipitation of carbides. An apparent activation energy of 138 kJ/mol was measured for static strain aging between 300 and 400 °C, corresponding closely to the activation energies for the disapperance of serrations and for the volume diffusion of carbon in Hadfield steel. Evidence from the present study, together with the known effect of manganese on the activity of carbon in austenite and previous internal friction studies of high-manganese steels, lead to the conclusion that dynamic strain aging, brought about by the reorientation of carbon members of C-Mn couples in the cores of dislocations, is the principal cause of rapid work hardening in Hadfield steel.

DFT study on stability and H2 adsorption activity of bimetallic Au79-nPdn (n = 1-55) clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xuejing; Tian, Dongxu; Meng, Changgong

2013-03-01

The stability and H2 adsorption activity of bimetallic Au79-nPdn (n = 1-55) clusters were studied by density functional theory with GGA-PW91 functional. The stability order for four Pd substitution types is face > mid-edge > corner > edge, and the stability is improved with increasing Pd content. In contrast with the stability order, H2 adsorption activity is corner ≈ edge > mid-edge > face. The Au36Pd43 (3) with Au:Pd ≈ 1:1 ratio and twenty-four Pd substitutions at (1 1 1) facets and nineteen Pd substitutions at subshell sites shows high stability and H2 non-activated dissociation activity. The partial density of d-states and d band center revealed that the electronic properties are closely associated with the geometric characteristic and adsorption activity. Correlating the d band center ɛd and the adsorption energies, the ɛd order agrees with the adsorption activity that the Pd substitution at edge and corner sites are more active than at face and mid-edge sites.

{open_quotes}Full steam ahead{close_quotes} (a historical review of geothermal power development in the Philippines)

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

Gazo, F.M.

1997-12-31

The Philippine geothermal energy development is now considered in a state of maturity. After more than 20 years of geothermal experience, the total geothermal installed capacity in the Philippines reached 1,455 MW (1996) or about 12% of the total installed power plant capacity. This also enabled the Philippines to become the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world. The country`s track record in harnessing geothermal energy is considered a revelation, as it continues with its vision of {open_quotes}full steam ahead{close_quotes}, originally conceived when commercial geothermal operation started in 1973. It is thus proper and timely to refer tomore » historical highlights and experiences in geothermal energy development for planning and implementation of the country`s geothermal energy program.« less

Permafrost and active layer monitoring in the maritime Antarctic: Preliminary results from CALM sites on Livingston and Deception Islands

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ramos, M.; Vieira, G.; Blanco, J.J.; Hauck, C.; Hidalgo, M.A.; Tome, D.; Nevers, M.; Trindade, A.

2007-01-01

This paper describes results obtained from scientific work and experiments performed on Livingston and Deception Islands. Located in the South Shetland Archipelago, these islands have been some of the most sensitive regions over the last 50 years with respect to climate change with a Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) close to -2 ºC. Three Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) sites were installed to record the thermal regime and the behaviour of the active layer in different places with similar climate, but with different soil composition, porosity, and water content. The study’s ultimate aim is to document the influence of climate change on permafrost degradation. Preliminary results, obtained in 2006, on maximum active-layer thickness (around 40 cm in the CALM of Deception Island), active layer temperature evolution, snow thickness, and air temperatures permit early characterization of energy exchange mechanisms between the ground and the atmosphere in the CALM-S sites.

Energy-efficient regenerative liquid desiccant drying process

DOEpatents

Ko, Suk M.; Grodzka, Philomena G.; McCormick, Paul O.

1980-01-01

This invention relates to the use of desiccants in conjunction with an open oop drying cycle and a closed loop drying cycle to reclaim the energy expended in vaporizing moisture in harvested crops. In the closed loop cycle, the drying air is brought into contact with a desiccant after it exits the crop drying bin. Water vapor in the moist air is absorbed by the desiccant, thus reducing the relative humidity of the air. The air is then heated by the used desiccant and returned to the crop bin. During the open loop drying cycle the used desiccant is heated (either fossil or solar energy heat sources may be used) and regenerated at high temperature, driving water vapor from the desiccant. This water vapor is condensed and used to preheat the dilute (wet) desiccant before heat is added from the external source (fossil or solar). The latent heat of vaporization of the moisture removed from the desiccant is reclaimed in this manner. The sensible heat of the regenerated desiccant is utilized in the open loop drying cycle. Also, closed cycle operation implies that no net energy is expended in heating drying air.

Close Up Special Focus: Energy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mayer, Fritz; And Others

Designed to accompany a 30-minute seminar televised over the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN), this handbook contains 4 readings on energy for high school students. Following an introduction on energy policy formulation, the first selection outlines the role of nuclear energy in America's future. Included are insets on the operation…

47 CFR 79.104 - Closed caption decoder requirements for recording devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...) BROADCAST RADIO SERVICES CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING § 79.104 Closed... to record video programming transmitted simultaneously with sound, if such apparatus is manufactured... such that viewers are able to activate and de-activate the closed captions as the video programming is...

Compositional and Ionic-Size Controls on the Diffusion of Divalent Cations in Garnet: Insights from Atomistic Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlson, W. D.

2012-12-01

Divalent cations in garnet (Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca) diffuse at rates that depend strongly on the host-crystal composition and on the ionic radius of the diffusant. Understanding of the nanoscale basis for these behaviors comes from atomistic simulations that calculate energies in the static limit for the defects and transition-state configurations associated with each diffusive step. Diffusion of divalent cations requires (a) creation of a cation-vacancy defect in a dodecahedral site and of a charge-compensating oxygen-vacancy defect that may or may not be in close spatial association; (b) except in the case of self-diffusion, creation of an impurity defect in which a foreign atom replaces the normal atom in a dodecahedral site adjacent to the vacancy; and (c) during the diffusive process, motion of the diffusing atom to a 'saddlepoint' position that represents the transition-state configuration. Comparisons of the system's energy in these various states, in structures of different composition and for ions of different ionic size, allows assessment of the nanoscale controls on diffusion kinetics. Molecular-statics calculations quantify defect energies and identify the transition-state configuration: the maximum energy along the diffusion path between two adjacent dodecahedral sites results when the diffusing ion is surrounded symmetrically by the six oxygen atoms that lie between the two sites. Across the range of end-member compositions, self-diffusion coefficients measured at identical conditions, and the tracer diffusivity of a single ion measured at identical conditions, can each vary by five orders of magnitude or more. Measured activation energies for these motions, however, are all equivalent to within ±6%. Calculated activation energies are in agreement with observations, in that they vary by only ±10%. Calculated vacancy-formation energies, on the other hand, are significantly larger in expanded structures; for example, that energy is greater for Prp than for Grs by ~ 470 kJ/mol. Thus in expanded structures, much higher vacancy concentrations can be produced at the same energetic cost, greatly enhancing rates of diffusion. The primary explanation for the more rapid diffusion of divalent cations in structures with larger cell dimensions therefore comes not from reduced saddlepoint strain energies in more compliant structures, but instead from the smaller energy required to create vacancy defects. Diffusivities of divalent cations exhibit a curious parabolic dependence on ionic size: for each structure, an optimally-sized ion exists, close in size to the dominant ion, that exhibits the fastest diffusion. Larger ions — and enigmatically, smaller ions — both diffuse more slowly. Calculated impurity-defect energies show that undersized impurity ions are bound more tightly in their sites, but the effects are too small in comparison to corresponding reductions in strain energy for the transition-state configuration to account for observed rate differences. Calculated vacancy-association energies reveal a slight tendency for vacancies to associate preferentially with larger impurity ions, but again the effect appears to be too small to provide a full explanation for observed behaviors.

The structure of a ring-opened proliferating cell nuclear antigen-replication factor C complex revealed by fluorescence energy transfer.

PubMed

Zhuang, Zhihao; Yoder, Bonita L; Burgers, Peter M J; Benkovic, Stephen J

2006-02-21

Numerous proteins that function in DNA metabolic pathways are known to interact with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The important function of PCNA in stimulating various cellular activities requires its topological linkage with DNA. Loading of the circular PCNA onto duplex DNA requires the activity of a clamp-loader [replication factor C (RFC)] complex and the energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. The mechanistic and structural details regarding PCNA loading by the RFC complex are still developing. In particular, the positive identification of a long-hypothesized structure of an open clamp-RFC complex as an intermediate in loading has remained elusive. In this study, we capture an open yeast PCNA clamp in a complex with RFC through fluorescence energy transfer experiments. We also follow the topological transitions of PCNA in the various steps of the clamp-loading pathway through both steady-state and stopped-flow fluorescence studies. We find that ATP effectively drives the clamp-loading process to completion with the formation of the closed PCNA bound to DNA, whereas ATPgammaS cannot. The information derived from this work complements that obtained from previous structural and mechanistic studies and provides a more complete picture of a eukaryotic clamp-loading pathway using yeast as a paradigm.

[Metabolic effects of static physical load under the conditions of pharmakologicheskoĭ mobilization of physical endurance].

PubMed

Nagornev, S N; Kalinkin, S V; Bobrovnitskiĭ, I P; Sytnik, S I; Petrova, T V; Orlova, T A

2000-01-01

The model of static physical loading (SPL) was used to study the biochemical effects of graded static tension and potentiality for pharmacological mobilization of physical endurance with participation of male volunteers. A close pathogenetic linkage between the established metabolic effects of the model and their adaptive adequacy to the stressing factor show that there is every reason to arrange the observed shifts in a SPL syndrome. The SPL syndrome is primarily manifested by exaggerated tone of the adrenoactive structures, inhibition of insulin production by the pancreas, activation of the neuropeptide anti-stress mechanisms, predominant utilization of the lipid substrate in energy production, intensification of protein catabolism, and increase in myocyte membrane permeability due to energy deficit. The investigation demonstrated that improvement of static physical endurance can be attained with a mobilizing stimulator (sidnocarb) and a combination of sidnocarb with a nonmediatory preparation (bemytil). This pharmacological combination levels side-effects of exorbitant activation of the adrenal system. On the contrary, a metabolic vitamin-microelements complex ("cocktail C") perceivably enhances SPL endurance (sidnocarb dose was lowered in three times), possesses the stress-protective effect, the ability to moderate the intensity of free (uninvolved in phosphorylation) oxidation and to optimize energy-plastic processes with predominant utilization of the lipid substrate.

Study of temperature dependent electrical properties of Se80-xTe20Bix (x = 0, 3, 6) glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deepika, Singh, Hukum

2018-05-01

This paper reports the variation in electrical properties of Se80-xTe20Bix (x = 0, 3, 6) glasses studied at different temperatures. The amorphous samples were prepared using the melt quenching method and the electrical measurements were performed on Keithley Electrometer in the temperature ranging from 298-373 K. The I-V characteristics were noted at different temperatures and the data obtained was analysed to get dc electrical conductivity and activation energy of electrical conduction. Further, Mott's 3D VRH model has been applied to obtain density of states, hopping range and hopping energy at different temperatures. The obtained results show that dc electrical conductivity increases with increase in Bi composition in Se-Te system. These compositions also show close agreement to Mott's VRH model.

Turbulence convective heat transfer for cooling the photovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arianmehr, Iman

Solar PV (photovoltaic) is a rapidly advancing renewable energy technology which converts sunlight directly into electricity. One of the outstanding challenges of the current PV technology is the reduction in its conversion efficiency with increasing PV panel temperature, which is closely associated with the increase in solar intensity and the ambient temperature surrounding the PV panels. To more effectively capture the available energy when the sun is most intense, significant efforts have been invested in active and passive cooling research over the last few years. While integrated cooling systems can lead to the highest total efficiencies, they are usually neither the most feasible nor the most cost effective solutions. This work examines some simple passive means of manipulating the prevailing wind turbulence to enhance convective heat transfer over a heated plate in a wind tunnel.

Programming temporal shapeshifting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaobo; Zhou, Jing; Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani, Mohammad; Daniel, William F. M.; Li, Qiaoxi; Zhushma, Aleksandr P.; Dobrynin, Andrey V.; Sheiko, Sergei S.

2016-09-01

Shapeshifting enables a wide range of engineering and biomedical applications, but until now transformations have required external triggers. This prerequisite limits viability in closed or inert systems and puts forward the challenge of developing materials with intrinsically encoded shape evolution. Herein we demonstrate programmable shape-memory materials that perform a sequence of encoded actuations under constant environment conditions without using an external trigger. We employ dual network hydrogels: in the first network, covalent crosslinks are introduced for elastic energy storage, and in the second one, temporary hydrogen-bonds regulate the energy release rate. Through strain-induced and time-dependent reorganization of the reversible hydrogen-bonds, this dual network allows for encoding both the rate and pathway of shape transformations on timescales from seconds to hours. This generic mechanism for programming trigger-free shapeshifting opens new ways to design autonomous actuators, drug-release systems and active implants.

Possibilities of the forecast of generation of the high energy solar protons for the safety of Mars mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avakyan, S. V.; Gaponov, V. A.; Nicol'skii, G. A.; Solov'ev, A. A.

2017-06-01

During interplanetary flight, after large solar flares, astronauts are subject to the impact of relativistic solar protons. These particles produce an especially strong effect during extravehicular activity or landing on Mars (in the future). The relativistic protons reach the orbits of the Earth and Mars with a delay of several hours relative to solar X-rays and UV radiation. In this paper, we discuss a new opportunity to predict the most dangerous events caused by Solar Cosmic Rays with protons of maximum (relativistic) energy, known in the of solar-terrestrial physics asGround Level Enhancements or Ground Level Events (GLEs). This new capability is based on a close relationship between the dangerous events and decrease ofTotal Solar Irradiance (TSI)which precedes these events. This important relationship is revealed for the first time.

Energy Systems Integration Facility News | Energy Systems Integration

Science.gov Websites

, 2018 News Release: NREL Taps Young to Oversee Geothermal Energy Program In her new role, Young will work closely with NREL management to establish the lab's geothermal energy portfolio, including research and development geared toward advancing the use of geothermal energy as a renewable power source

Closing the Loop--Improving Energy Management in Schools. Energy Research Group Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Isaacs, Nigel; Donn, Michael

A study of the energy savings potential in New Zealand schools demonstrates that considerable reductions in energy costs can be achieved through energy management. An initial examination of available 1985 light, heat, and water expenditures for 268 secondary schools (84 percent of the secondary schools in New Zealand) is followed by the selection…

US/China Energy and Environmental Technology Center (EETC) international business development and technology transfer

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

Hsieh, S.T.; Atwood, T.; Qiu Daxiong

1997-12-31

Since January 1997, the US/China Energy and Environmental Technology Center (EETC) in Beijing has been jointly operated by Tulane University and Tsinghua University. EETC is established to encourage the adoption of technologies for energy production with improved environmental performance which are essential for supporting economic growth and managing the Global Warming and Climate Change issues. International cooperation is critical to insure the environmental and energy security on a global basis. For example, the US has acquired a great deal of useful experience in clean coal technology which has been demonstrated with major utilities in commercial operations. The adaption of, andmore » the installation of, clean coal technology should be given high priority. Worldwide, the continuous exchange of information and technology between developed and developing nations relating to the current and future clean coal technologies is of great importance. Developed nations which possess environmental responsive technologies and financial resources should work closely with developing nations to facilitate technology transfer and trade of technologies. International cooperation will lower the cost of deploying clean coal technologies directed toward the clean production of energy. This paper presents the updated activities of EETC on facilitating technology transfer and promoting the clean use of coal to satisfy growing energy demand in China.« less

Large-eddy simulation of subtropical cloud-topped boundary layers: 1. A forcing framework with closed surface energy balance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Zhihong; Schneider, Tapio; Teixeira, João.; Pressel, Kyle G.

2016-12-01

Large-eddy simulation (LES) of clouds has the potential to resolve a central question in climate dynamics, namely, how subtropical marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds respond to global warming. However, large-scale processes need to be prescribed or represented parameterically in the limited-area LES domains. It is important that the representation of large-scale processes satisfies constraints such as a closed energy balance in a manner that is realizable under climate change. For example, LES with fixed sea surface temperatures usually do not close the surface energy balance, potentially leading to spurious surface fluxes and cloud responses to climate change. Here a framework of forcing LES of subtropical MBL clouds is presented that enforces a closed surface energy balance by coupling atmospheric LES to an ocean mixed layer with a sea surface temperature (SST) that depends on radiative fluxes and sensible and latent heat fluxes at the surface. A variety of subtropical MBL cloud regimes (stratocumulus, cumulus, and stratocumulus over cumulus) are simulated successfully within this framework. However, unlike in conventional frameworks with fixed SST, feedbacks between cloud cover and SST arise, which can lead to sudden transitions between cloud regimes (e.g., stratocumulus to cumulus) as forcing parameters are varied. The simulations validate this framework for studies of MBL clouds and establish its usefulness for studies of how the clouds respond to climate change.

THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF OVERPRESSURED, MAGNETIZED, RELATIVISTIC JETS

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

Martí, J. M.; Perucho, M.; Gómez, J. L.

This work presents the first characterization of the internal structure of overpressured, steady superfast-magnetosonic relativistic jets in connection with their dominant type of energy. To this aim, relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of different jet models threaded by a helical magnetic field have been analyzed covering a wide region in the magnetosonic Mach number–specific internal energy plane. The merit of this plane is that models dominated by different types of energy (internal energy: hot jets; rest-mass energy: kinetically dominated jets; magnetic energy: Poynting-flux-dominated jets) occupy well-separated regions. The analyzed models also cover a wide range of magnetizations. Models dominated by the internalmore » energy (i.e., hot models, or Poynting-flux-dominated jets with magnetizations larger than but close to one) have a rich internal structure characterized by a series of recollimation shocks and present the largest variations in the flow Lorentz factor (and internal energy density). Conversely, in kinetically dominated models, there is not much internal or magnetic energy to be converted into kinetic, and the jets are featureless with small variations in the flow Lorentz factor. The presence of a significant toroidal magnetic field threading the jet produces large gradients in the transversal profile of the internal energy density. Poynting-flux-dominated models with high magnetization (≈10 or larger) are prone to be unstable against magnetic pinch modes, which sets limits on the expected magnetization in parsec-scale active galactic nucleus jets or constrains their magnetic field configuration.« less

Silicon exfoliation by hydrogen implantation: Actual nature of precursor defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuisseu, Pauline Sylvia Pokam; Pingault, Timothée; Ntsoenzok, Esidor; Regula, Gabrielle; Mazen, Frédéric; Sauldubois, Audrey; Andreazza, Caroline

2017-06-01

MeV energy hydrogen implantation in silicon followed by a thermal annealing is a very smart way to produce high crystalline quality silicon substrates, much thinner than what can be obtained by diamond disk or wire sawing. Using this kerf-less approach, ultra-thin substrates with thicknesses between 15 μm and 100 μm, compatible with microelectronic and photovoltaic applications are reported. But, despite the benefits of this approach, there is still a lack of fundamental studies at this implantation energy range. However, if very few papers have addressed the MeV energy range, a lot of works have been carried out in the keV implantation energy range, which is the one used in the smart-cut® technology. In order to check if the nature and the growth mechanism of extended defects reported in the widely studied keV implantation energy range could be extrapolated in the MeV range, the thermal evolution of extended defects formed after MeV hydrogen implantation in (100) Si was investigated in this study. Samples were implanted at 1 MeV with different fluences ranging from 6 × 1016 H/cm2 to 2 × 1017 H/cm2 and annealed at temperatures up to 873 K. By cross-section transmission electron microscopy, we found that the nature of extended defects in the MeV range is quite different of what is observed in the keV range. In fact, in our implantation conditions, the generated extended defects are some kinds of planar clusters of gas-filled lenses, instead of platelets as commonly reported in the keV energy range. This result underlines that hydrogen behaves differently when it is introduced in silicon at high or low implantation energy. The activation energy of the growth of these extended defects is independent of the chosen fluence and is between (0.5-0.6) eV, which is very close to the activation energy reported for atomic hydrogen diffusion in a perfect silicon crystal.

Algorithmic design of a noise-resistant and efficient closed-loop deep brain stimulation system: A computational approach

PubMed Central

Karamintziou, Sofia D.; Custódio, Ana Luísa; Piallat, Brigitte; Polosan, Mircea; Chabardès, Stéphan; Stathis, Pantelis G.; Tagaris, George A.; Sakas, Damianos E.; Polychronaki, Georgia E.; Tsirogiannis, George L.; David, Olivier; Nikita, Konstantina S.

2017-01-01

Advances in the field of closed-loop neuromodulation call for analysis and modeling approaches capable of confronting challenges related to the complex neuronal response to stimulation and the presence of strong internal and measurement noise in neural recordings. Here we elaborate on the algorithmic aspects of a noise-resistant closed-loop subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation system for advanced Parkinson’s disease and treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, ensuring remarkable performance in terms of both efficiency and selectivity of stimulation, as well as in terms of computational speed. First, we propose an efficient method drawn from dynamical systems theory, for the reliable assessment of significant nonlinear coupling between beta and high-frequency subthalamic neuronal activity, as a biomarker for feedback control. Further, we present a model-based strategy through which optimal parameters of stimulation for minimum energy desynchronizing control of neuronal activity are being identified. The strategy integrates stochastic modeling and derivative-free optimization of neural dynamics based on quadratic modeling. On the basis of numerical simulations, we demonstrate the potential of the presented modeling approach to identify, at a relatively low computational cost, stimulation settings potentially associated with a significantly higher degree of efficiency and selectivity compared with stimulation settings determined post-operatively. Our data reinforce the hypothesis that model-based control strategies are crucial for the design of novel stimulation protocols at the backstage of clinical applications. PMID:28222198

Energy - Sandia National Laboratories

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Earth Science - Sandia Energy

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Stationary Power - Sandia Energy

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Grid Modernization - Sandia Energy

Science.gov Websites

; Components Compatibility Hydrogen Behavior Quantitative Risk Assessment Technical Reference for Hydrogen Combustion jbei Facilities Algae Testbed Battery Abuse Testing Laboratory Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation Combustion Research Facility Joint BioEnergy Institute Close Energy Research Programs

Power performance optimization and loads alleviation with active flaps using individual flap control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pettas, Vasilis; Barlas, Thanasis; Gertz, Drew; Madsen, Helge A.

2016-09-01

The present article investigates the potential of Active Trailing Edge Flaps (ATEF) in terms of increase in annual energy production (AEP) as well as reduction of fatigue loads. The basis for this study is the DTU 10 MW Reference Wind Turbine (RWT) simulated using the aeroelastic code HAWC2. In an industrial-oriented manner the baseline rotor is upscaled by 5% and the ATEFs are implemented in the outer 30% of the blades. The flap system is kept simple and robust with a single flap section and control with wind speed, rotor azimuth, root bending moments and angle of attack in flap's mid-section being the sensor inputs. The AEP is increased due to the upscaling but also further due to the flap system while the fatigue loads in components of interest (blade, tower, nacelle and main bearing) are reduced close to the level of the original turbine. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a simple and applicable method that can be a technology enabler for rotor upscaling and lowering cost of energy.

Questions and Answers in Extreme Energy Cosmic Rays - a guide to explore the data set of the Pierre Auger Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abreu, P.; Andringa, S.; Diogo, F.; Espírito Santo, M. C.; Pierre Auger Collaboration

2016-04-01

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest extensive air shower detector, covering 3000 km2 in Argentina. The Observatory makes available, for educational and outreach purposes, 1% of its cosmic ray data set, corresponding after 10 years of running to more than 35 000 cosmic ray events. Several different proposals of educational activities have been developed within the collaboration and are available. We will focus on the activity guide we developed with the aim of exploring the rich education and outreach potential of cosmic rays with Portuguese high school students. In this guide we use the Auger public data set as a starting point to introduce open questions on the origin, nature and spectrum of high energy cosmic rays. To address them, the students learn about the air-shower cascade development, data reconstruction and its statistical analysis. The guide has been used both in the context of student summer internships at research labs and directly in schools, under the supervision of trained teachers and in close collaboration with Auger researchers. It is now available in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Sudurnes Regional Heating Corp.

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

Lienau, P.J.

1996-11-01

The Svartsengi geothermal area is close to the town of Grindavik on the Rekjanes peninsula and is part of an active fissure swarm, lined with crater-rows and open fissures and faults. The high-temperature area has an area of 2 sq. km and shows only limited signs of geothermal activity at the surface. The reservoir, however, contains lots of energy and at least 8 wells supply the Svartsengi Power Plant with steam. The steam is not useable for domestic heating purposes so that heat exchangers are used to heat cold groundwater with the steam. Some steam is also used for producingmore » 16.4 MW{sub e} of electrical power. The article shows the distribution system piping hot water to nine towns and the Keflavik International Airport. The effluent brine from the Svartsengi Plant is disposed of into a surface pond, called the Blue Lagoon, popular to tourists and people suffering from psoriasis and other forms of eczema seeking therapeutic effects from the silica rich brine. This combined power plant and regional district heating system (cogeneration) is an interesting and unique design for the application of geothermal energy.« less

Conformational Flexibility of Human Casein Kinase Catalytic Subunit Explored by Metadynamics

PubMed Central

Gouron, Aurélie; Milet, Anne; Jamet, Helene

2014-01-01

Casein kinase CK2 is an essential enzyme in higher organisms, catalyzing the transfer of the γ phosphate from ATP to serine and threonine residues on protein substrates. In a number of animal tumors, CK2 activity has been shown to escape normal cellular control, making it a potential target for cancer therapy. Several crystal structures of human CK2 have been published with different conformations for the CK2α catalytic subunit. This variability reflects a high flexibility for two regions of CK2α: the interdomain hinge region, and the glycine-rich loop (p-loop). Here, we present a computational study simulating the equilibrium between three conformations involving these regions. Simulations were performed using well-tempered metadynamics combined with a path collective variables approach. This provides a reference pathway describing the conformational changes being studied, based on analysis of free energy surfaces. The free energies of the three conformations were found to be close and the paths proposed had low activation barriers. Our results indicate that these conformations can exist in water. This information should be useful when designing inhibitors specific to one conformation. PMID:24606937

On fully three-dimensional resistive wall mode and feedback stabilization computationsa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strumberger, E.; Merkel, P.; Sempf, M.; Günter, S.

2008-05-01

Resistive walls, located close to the plasma boundary, reduce the growth rates of external kink modes to resistive time scales. For such slowly growing resistive wall modes, the stabilization by an active feedback system becomes feasible. The fully three-dimensional stability code STARWALL, and the feedback optimization code OPTIM have been developed [P. Merkel and M. Sempf, 21st IAEA Fusion Energy Conference 2006, Chengdu, China (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 2006, paper TH/P3-8] to compute the growth rates of resistive wall modes in the presence of nonaxisymmetric, multiply connected wall structures and to model the active feedback stabilization of these modes. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the codes and to study the effect of the toroidal mode coupling caused by multiply connected wall structures, the codes are applied to test equilibria using the resistive wall structures currently under debate for ITER [M. Shimada et al., Nucl. Fusion 47, S1 (2007)] and ASDEX Upgrade [W. Köppendörfer et al., Proceedings of the 16th Symposium on Fusion Technology, London, 1990 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991), Vol. 1, p. 208].

On fully three-dimensional resistive wall mode and feedback stabilization computations

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

Strumberger, E.; Merkel, P.; Sempf, M.

2008-05-15

Resistive walls, located close to the plasma boundary, reduce the growth rates of external kink modes to resistive time scales. For such slowly growing resistive wall modes, the stabilization by an active feedback system becomes feasible. The fully three-dimensional stability code STARWALL, and the feedback optimization code OPTIM have been developed [P. Merkel and M. Sempf, 21st IAEA Fusion Energy Conference 2006, Chengdu, China (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 2006, paper TH/P3-8] to compute the growth rates of resistive wall modes in the presence of nonaxisymmetric, multiply connected wall structures and to model the active feedback stabilization of these modes.more » In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the codes and to study the effect of the toroidal mode coupling caused by multiply connected wall structures, the codes are applied to test equilibria using the resistive wall structures currently under debate for ITER [M. Shimada et al., Nucl. Fusion 47, S1 (2007)] and ASDEX Upgrade [W. Koeppendoerfer et al., Proceedings of the 16th Symposium on Fusion Technology, London, 1990 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991), Vol. 1, p. 208].« less

Seasonal variations in photosystem I compared with photosystem II of three alpine evergreen broad-leaf tree species.

PubMed

Huang, Wei; Yang, Ying-Jie; Hu, Hong; Zhang, Shi-Bao

2016-12-01

Low temperature associated with high light can induce photoinhibition of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). However, the photosynthetic electron flow and specific photoprotective responses in alpine evergreen broad-leaf plants in winter is unclear. We analyzed seasonal changes in PSI and PSII activities, and energy quenching in PSI and PSII in three alpine broad-leaf tree species, Quercus guyavifolia (Fagaceae), Rhododendron decorum (Ericaceae), Euonymus tingens (Celastraceae). In winter, PSII activity remained stable in Q. guyavifolia but decreased significantly in R. decorum and E. tingens. Q. guyavifolia showed much higher capacities of cyclic electron flow (CEF), water-water cycle (WWC), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) than R. decorum and E. tingens in winter. These results indicated that in alpine evergreen broad-leaf tree species the PSII activity in winter was closely related to these photoprotective mechanisms. Interestingly, unlike PSII, PSI activity was maintained stable in winter in the three species. Meanwhile, photosynthetic electron flow from PSII to PSI (ETRII) was much higher in Q. guyavifolia, suggesting that the mechanisms protecting PSI activity against photoinhibition in winter differed among the three species. A high level of CEF contributed the stability of PSI activity in Q. guyavifolia. By comparison, R. decorum and E. tingens prevented PSI photoinhibition through depression of electron transport to PSI. Taking together, CEF, WWC and NPQ played important roles in coping with excess light energy in winter for alpine evergreen broad-leaf tree species. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Computational Chemistry-Based Identification of Ultra-Low Temperature Water-Gas-Shift Catalysts

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

Manos Mavrikakis

2008-08-31

The current work seeks to identify novel, catalytically-active, stable, poison-resistant LWGS catalysts that retain the superior activity typical of conventional Cu catalysts but can be operated at similar or lower temperatures. A database for the Binding Energies (BEs) of the LWGS relevant species, namely CO, O and OH on the most-stable, close-packed facets of a set of 17 catalytically relevant transition metals was established. This BE data and a database of previously established segregation energies was utilized to predict the stability of bimetallic NSAs that could be synthesized by combinations of the 17 parent transition metals. NSAs that were potentiallymore » stable both in vacuo and under the influence of strong-binding WGS intermediates were then selected for adsorption studies. A set of 40 NSAs were identified that satisfied all three screener criteria and the binding energies of CO, O and OH were calculated on a set of 66, 43 and 79 NSA candidates respectively. Several NSAs were found that bound intermediates weaker than the monometallic catalysts and were thus potentially poison-resistant. Finally, kinetic studies were performed and resulted in the discovery of a specific NSA-based bimetallic catalyst Cu/Pt that is potentially a promising LWGS catalyst. This stable Cu/Pt subsurface alloy is expected to provide facile H{sub 2}O activation and remain relatively resistant from the poisoning by CO, S and formate intermediates.« less

Controlling factors of recent clastic coastal sediments (Viransehir, Mersin bay, S Turkey)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gül, Murat; Özbek, Ahmet; Kurt, Mehmet Ali; Zorlu, Kemal

2009-04-01

The Plio-Quaternary conglomeratic sets within the marine environment of the Viranşehir coast (W Mersin, S Turkey) are responsible for the evolution of sandy and gravely beaches due to their control on various factors such as sea floor irregularity, wave energy, and organic activity. The conglomeratic sets close to the shoreline (50-150 cm) act as wave breakers, creating hard substratum and high energy, well-oxygenated environment for organisms like Patella sp., Phoronida worms and Brachidontes pharaonis (Fischer P. 1870). The boring activities of these organisms have disintegrated the sandy matrix of these sets. Finer-grained matrix sediments have been transported to the interset and open sea, while cobble-pebbles have been carried landwards and have created imbricated gravely beach deposits without matrix. Sandy beach is evolving where the conglomeratic sets away from the shoreline (5.0-10.0 m). In this example, sets form a bar; causing fivefold division as backshore, berm, surf zone, bar and offshore from land to sea. Poorly sorted, cobbles-pebbles cobbles and pebbles are found associated with the high-energy environments of bars, whilst well-sorted sands are observed in low energetic environments on shore. The sets and recent shell fragments are the main sources of coastal sediments in Viranşehir. However, the amount of shell fragments decrease towards the active river mouth. This is due to sediment and fresh water influx from the river causing deteriorated temperature, salinity and light penetration of the marine environment resulting in less organic diversity.

Insight into proton transfer in phosphotungstic acid functionalized mesoporous silica-based proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

PubMed

Zhou, Yuhua; Yang, Jing; Su, Haibin; Zeng, Jie; Jiang, San Ping; Goddard, William A

2014-04-02

We have developed for fuel cells a novel proton exchange membrane (PEM) using inorganic phosphotungstic acid (HPW) as proton carrier and mesoporous silica as matrix (HPW-meso-silica) . The proton conductivity measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is 0.11 S cm(-1) at 90 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH) with a low activation energy of ∼14 kJ mol(-1). In order to determine the energetics associated with proton migration within the HPW-meso-silica PEM and to determine the mechanism of proton hopping, we report density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). These DFT calculations revealed that the proton transfer process involves both intramolecular and intermolecular proton transfer pathways. When the adjacent HPWs are close (less than 17.0 Å apart), the calculated activation energy for intramolecular proton transfer within a HPW molecule is higher (29.1-18.8 kJ/mol) than the barrier for intermolecular proton transfer along the hydrogen bond. We find that the overall barrier for proton movement within the HPW-meso-silica membranes is determined by the intramolecular proton transfer pathway, which explains why the proton conductivity remains unchanged when the weight percentage of HPW on meso-silica is above 67 wt %. In contrast, the activation energy of proton transfer on a clean SiO2 (111) surface is computed to be as high as ∼40 kJ mol(-1), confirming the very low proton conductivity on clean silica surfaces observed experimentally.

Pressure-induced photoluminescence in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 fluorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández, Ignacio; Rodríguez, Fernando

2003-01-01

This work reports an effective way for inducing room temperature photoluminescence (PL) in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 using high-pressure techniques. The aim is to understand the surprising PL behavior exhibited by Mn2+ at the cubal site of the fluorite structure. While Mn2+-doped CaF2 shows a green PL with quantum yield close to 1 at room temperature, Mn2+-doped MF2 (M=Ba,Sr) is not PL either at room temperature (SrF2) or at any temperature (BaF2) at ambient pressure. We associate the loss of Mn2+ PL on passing from CaF2 to SrF2 or BaF2 with nonradiative multiphonon relaxation whose thermal activation energy decreases along the series CaF2→SrF2→BaF2. A salient feature of this work deals with the increase of activation energy induced by pressure. It leads to a quantum yield enhancement, which favors PL recovery. Furthermore, the activation energy mainly depends on the crystal volume per molecule irrespective of the crystal structure or the local symmetry around the impurity. In this way, the relevance of the fluorite-to-cotunnite phase transition is analyzed in connection with the PL properties of the investigated compounds. The PL spectrum and the corresponding lifetime are reported for both structural phases as a function of pressure.

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

Thorhaug, A.

The major focus was to understand the function of the seagrass community and to relate this to the impact of energy related activities, most importantly, thermal effluent. In addition, the increased turbidity, current, siltation and heavy metals were factors at the Turkey Point site. We attempted to delineate the effect of heat in the laboratory to determine the upper thermal tolerance of the seagrass. This was shown to be quite close to the combined effect of all the pollutants in the field for Thalassia and the macroalgae. This would indicate that temperature is a very fundamental factor in the growthmore » and survival of the seagrass community.« less

Set points, settling points and some alternative models: theoretical options to understand how genes and environments combine to regulate body adiposity

PubMed Central

Speakman, John R.; Levitsky, David A.; Allison, David B.; Bray, Molly S.; de Castro, John M.; Clegg, Deborah J.; Clapham, John C.; Dulloo, Abdul G.; Gruer, Laurence; Haw, Sally; Hebebrand, Johannes; Hetherington, Marion M.; Higgs, Susanne; Jebb, Susan A.; Loos, Ruth J. F.; Luckman, Simon; Luke, Amy; Mohammed-Ali, Vidya; O’Rahilly, Stephen; Pereira, Mark; Perusse, Louis; Robinson, Tom N.; Rolls, Barbara; Symonds, Michael E.; Westerterp-Plantenga, Margriet S.

2011-01-01

The close correspondence between energy intake and expenditure over prolonged time periods, coupled with an apparent protection of the level of body adiposity in the face of perturbations of energy balance, has led to the idea that body fatness is regulated via mechanisms that control intake and energy expenditure. Two models have dominated the discussion of how this regulation might take place. The set point model is rooted in physiology, genetics and molecular biology, and suggests that there is an active feedback mechanism linking adipose tissue (stored energy) to intake and expenditure via a set point, presumably encoded in the brain. This model is consistent with many of the biological aspects of energy balance, but struggles to explain the many significant environmental and social influences on obesity, food intake and physical activity. More importantly, the set point model does not effectively explain the ‘obesity epidemic’ – the large increase in body weight and adiposity of a large proportion of individuals in many countries since the 1980s. An alternative model, called the settling point model, is based on the idea that there is passive feedback between the size of the body stores and aspects of expenditure. This model accommodates many of the social and environmental characteristics of energy balance, but struggles to explain some of the biological and genetic aspects. The shortcomings of these two models reflect their failure to address the gene-by-environment interactions that dominate the regulation of body weight. We discuss two additional models – the general intake model and the dual intervention point model – that address this issue and might offer better ways to understand how body fatness is controlled. PMID:22065844

Globalization and sustainable development an E7 point of view

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

Strassburg, W.

1998-07-01

The energy sector is a crucial feedstock to economic development. One example of this industry sector's contribution towards sustainable development is the so-called E7 initiative on sustainable energy development of some of the biggest electric utilities. E7 members from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US are demonstrating the functioning of the requested globally synchronized approach between developed and developing countries. E7 members focus their activities on (1) the efficient use of primary energy resources, (2) maximizing the use of renewable energy resources, (3) maximizing efficiency in the generation, delivery, and use of electricity, (4) minimizing environmental impacts ofmore » energy production and use and, (5) implementing innovative options to promote win-win benefits for the environment and the economy through their network of expertise on a pro bono basis. A main emphasis lies in the consistent Joint Implementation given the fact that innovative and efficient Green House Gas reduction measures will be the core of future E7 activities. Especially commercial projects will provide valuable contributions to Green House Gas reductions as well as to economic development of the recipient country. Other instruments, such Emission Trading and Clean Development Mechanism will have to be investigated appropriately in terms of their practicability for Green House Gas reductions so that their will be a notification by the international climate protection regime. Therefore Emission Trading and Clean Development Mechanism are of importance for E7 members' future operations, too. With respect to Sustainable Development industry, energy and environmental policy in leading industry countries must be more closely aligned to a global approach than has so far been the case. The electricity sector is called on to make a major contribution.« less

Adaptability of the oxidative capacity of motoneurons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chalmers, G. R.; Roy, R. R.; Edgerton, V. R.

1992-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that a chronic change in neuronal activation can produce a change in soma oxidative capacity, suggesting that: (i) these 2 variables are directly related in neurons and (ii) ion pumping is an important energy requiring activity of a neuron. Most of these studies, however, have focused on reduced activation levels of sensory systems. In the present study the effect of a chronic increase or decrease in motoneuronal activity on motoneuron oxidative capacity and soma size was studied. In addition, the effect of chronic axotomy was studied as an indicator of whether cytoplasmic volume may also be related to the oxidative capacity of motoneurons. A quantitative histochemical assay for succinate dehydrogenase activity was used as a measure of motoneuron oxidative capacity in experimental models in which chronic electromyography has been used to verify neuronal activity levels. Spinal transection reduced, and spinal isolation virtually eliminated lumbar motoneuron electrical activity. Functional overload of the plantaris by removal of its major synergists was used to chronically increase neural activity of the plantaris motor pool. No change in oxidative capacity or soma size resulted from either a chronic increase or decrease in neuronal activity level. These data indicate that the chronic modulation of ionic transport and neurotransmitter turnover associated with action potentials do not induce compensatory metabolic responses in the metabolic capacity of the soma of lumbar motoneurons. Soma oxidative capacity was reduced in the axotomized motoneurons, suggesting that a combination of axoplasmic transport, intracellular biosynthesis and perhaps neurotransmitter turnover represent the major energy demands on a motoneuron. While soma oxidative capacity may be closely related to neural activity in some neural systems, e.g. visual and auditory, lumbar motoneurons appear to be much less sensitive to modulations in chronic activity levels.

Modeling global macroclimatic constraints on ectotherm energy budgets

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

Grant, B.W.; Porter, W.P.

1992-12-31

The authors describe a mechanistic individual-based model of how global macroclimatic constraints affect the energy budgets of ectothermic animals. The model uses macroclimatic and biophysical characters of the habitat and organism and tenets of heat transfer theory to calculate hourly temperature availabilities over a year. Data on the temperature dependence of activity rate, metabolism, food consumption and food processing capacity are used to estimate the net rate of resource assimilation which is then integrated over time. They present a new test of this model in which they show that the predicted energy budget sizes for 11 populations of the lizardmore » Sceloporus undulates are in close agreement with observed results from previous field studies. This demonstrates that model tests rae feasible and the results are reasonable. Further, since the model represents an upper bound to the size of the energy budget, observed residual deviations form explicit predictions about the effects of environmental constraints on the bioenergetics of the study lizards within each site that may be tested by future field and laboratory studies. Three major new improvements to the modeling are discussed. They present a means to estimate microclimate thermal heterogeneity more realistically and include its effects on field rates of individual activity and food consumption. Second, they describe an improved model of digestive function involving batch processing of consumed food. Third, they show how optimality methods (specifically the methods of stochastic dynamic programming) may be included to model the fitness consequences of energy allocation decisions subject to food consumption and processing constraints which are predicted from the microclimate and physiological modeling.« less

Nonlinear evolution of the coronal magnetic field under reconnective relaxation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolfson, R.; Vekstein, G. E.; Priest, E. R.

1994-01-01

Recently, Vekstein et al. (Vekstein, Priest, & Steele 1993) have developed a model for coronal heating in which the corona responds to photospheric footpoint motions by small-scale reconnection events that bring about a relaxed state while conserving magnetic helicity but not field-line connectivity. Vekstein et al. consider a partially open field configuration in which magnetic helicity is ejected to infinity on open field lines but retained in the closed-field region. Under this scheme, they describe the evolution of an initially potential field, in response to helicity injection, in the linear regime. The present work uses numerical calculations to extend the model of Vekstein et al. into the fully nonlinear regime. The results show a rise and bulging of the field lines of the closed-field region with increasing magnetic helicity, to a point where further solutions are impossible. We interpret these solution-sequence endpoints as indicating a possible loss of equilibrium, in the sense that a relaxed equilibrium state may no longer be available to the corona when sufficient helicity has been injected. The rise and bulging behavior is reminiscent of what is observed in a helmet streamer just before the start of a coronal mass ejection (CME), and so our model suggests that a catastrophic loss of magnetic equilibrium might be the initiation mechanism for CMEs. We also find that some choices of boundary conditions can result in qualitative changes in the magnetic topology, with the appearance of magnetic islands. Whether or not this behavior occurs depends on the relative strengths of the fields in the closed- and open-field regions; in particular, island formation is most likely when the open field (which is potential) is strong and thus acts to confine the force-free closed field. Finally, we show that the energy released through reconnective relaxation can be a substantial fraction of the magnetic energy injected into the corona through footpoint motions and may be sufficient for heating the corona above active regions.

Development of a microbial time/temperature indicator prototype for monitoring the microbiological quality of chilled foods.

PubMed

Vaikousi, Hariklia; Biliaderis, Costas G; Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos P

2008-05-01

A time/temperature indicator (TTI) system based on the growth and metabolic activity of a Lactobacillus sakei strain was developed for monitoring food quality throughout the chilled-food chain. In the designed system, an irreversible color change of a chemical chromatic indicator (from red to yellow) progressively occurs due to the pH decline that results from microbial growth and metabolism in a selected medium. The relation of the TTI response (color change) to the growth and metabolic activity (glucose consumption, lactic acid production, pH decrease) of L. sakei was studied. In addition, the temperature dependence of the TTI kinetics was investigated isothermally in the range of 0 to 16 degrees C and modeled with a system of differential equations. At all temperatures tested, the pH and color changes of the TTI system followed closely the growth of L. sakei, with the endpoint (the time at which a distinct visual color change to the final yellow was observed) of the TTI coinciding with a population level of 10(7) to 10(8) CFU/ml. The endpoint decreased from 27 days at 0 degrees C to 2.5 days at 16 degrees C, yielding an activation energy of 97.7 kJ/mol, which was very close to the activation energy of the L. sakei growth rate in the TTI substrate (103.2 kJ/mol). Furthermore, experiments conducted on the effect of the inoculum level showed a negative linear relationship between the level of L. sakei inoculated in the system medium and the endpoint of the TTI. For example, the endpoint at 8 degrees C ranged from 6 to 2 days for inoculum levels of 10(1) and 10(6) CFU/ml, respectively. This relationship allows the easy adjustment of the TTI endpoint at a certain temperature according to the shelf life of the food product of concern by using an appropriate inoculum level of L. sakei. The microbial TTI prototype developed in the present study could be used as an effective tool for monitoring shelf life during the distribution and storage of food products that are spoiled primarily by lactic acid bacteria or other bacteria exhibiting similar kinetic responses and spoilage potentials. Apart from the low cost, the main advantage of the proposed TTI is that its response closely matches the loss of the quality of a food product by simulating the microbial spoilage process in particular environments.

Development of a Microbial Time/Temperature Indicator Prototype for Monitoring the Microbiological Quality of Chilled Foods▿

PubMed Central

Vaikousi, Hariklia; Biliaderis, Costas G.; Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos P.

2008-01-01

A time/temperature indicator (TTI) system based on the growth and metabolic activity of a Lactobacillus sakei strain was developed for monitoring food quality throughout the chilled-food chain. In the designed system, an irreversible color change of a chemical chromatic indicator (from red to yellow) progressively occurs due to the pH decline that results from microbial growth and metabolism in a selected medium. The relation of the TTI response (color change) to the growth and metabolic activity (glucose consumption, lactic acid production, pH decrease) of L. sakei was studied. In addition, the temperature dependence of the TTI kinetics was investigated isothermally in the range of 0 to 16°C and modeled with a system of differential equations. At all temperatures tested, the pH and color changes of the TTI system followed closely the growth of L. sakei, with the endpoint (the time at which a distinct visual color change to the final yellow was observed) of the TTI coinciding with a population level of 107 to 108 CFU/ml. The endpoint decreased from 27 days at 0°C to 2.5 days at 16°C, yielding an activation energy of 97.7 kJ/mol, which was very close to the activation energy of the L. sakei growth rate in the TTI substrate (103.2 kJ/mol). Furthermore, experiments conducted on the effect of the inoculum level showed a negative linear relationship between the level of L. sakei inoculated in the system medium and the endpoint of the TTI. For example, the endpoint at 8°C ranged from 6 to 2 days for inoculum levels of 101 and 106 CFU/ml, respectively. This relationship allows the easy adjustment of the TTI endpoint at a certain temperature according to the shelf life of the food product of concern by using an appropriate inoculum level of L. sakei. The microbial TTI prototype developed in the present study could be used as an effective tool for monitoring shelf life during the distribution and storage of food products that are spoiled primarily by lactic acid bacteria or other bacteria exhibiting similar kinetic responses and spoilage potentials. Apart from the low cost, the main advantage of the proposed TTI is that its response closely matches the loss of the quality of a food product by simulating the microbial spoilage process in particular environments. PMID:18326676

Kinetic energy equations for the average-passage equation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Richard W.; Adamczyk, John J.

1989-01-01

Important kinetic energy equations derived from the average-passage equation sets are documented, with a view to their interrelationships. These kinetic equations may be used for closing the average-passage equations. The turbulent kinetic energy transport equation used is formed by subtracting the mean kinetic energy equation from the averaged total instantaneous kinetic energy equation. The aperiodic kinetic energy equation, averaged steady kinetic energy equation, averaged unsteady kinetic energy equation, and periodic kinetic energy equation, are also treated.

Post Common Envelope Binaries as probes of M dwarf stellar wind and habitable zone radiation environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, David

2017-08-01

M dwarf stars are promising targets in the search for extrasolar habitable planets, as their small size and close-in habitable zones make the detection of Earth-analog planets easier than at Solar-type stars. However, the effects of the high stellar activity of M dwarf hosts has uncertain effects on such planets, and may render them uninhabitable. Studying stellar activity at M dwarfs is hindered by a lack of measurements of high-energy radiation, flare activity and, in particular, stellar wind rates. We propose to rectify this by observing a sample of Post Common Envelope Binaries (PCEBs) with HST and XMM-Newton. PCEBs consist of an M dwarf with a white dwarf companion, which experiences the same stellar wind and radiation environment as a close-in planet. The stellar wind of the M dwarf accretes onto the otherwise pure hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf, producing metal lines detectable with ultraviolet spectroscopy. The metal lines can be used to measure accretion rates onto the white dwarf, from with we can accurately infer the stellar wind mass loss rate of the M dwarf, along with abundances of key elements. Simultaneous observations with XMM-Newton will probe X-ray flare occurrence rate and strength, in addition to coronal temperatures. Performing these measurements over twelve PCEBs will provide a sample of M dwarf stellar wind strengths, flare occurrence and X-ray/UV activity that will finally shed light on the true habitability of planets around small stars.

Bidirectional Control of Blood Flow by Astrocytes: A Role for Tissue Oxygen and Other Metabolic Factors.

PubMed

Gordon, Grant R J; Howarth, Clare; MacVicar, Brian A

2016-01-01

Altering cerebral blood flow through the control of cerebral vessel diameter is critical so that the delivery of molecules important for proper brain functioning is matched to the activity level of neurons. Although the close relationship of brain glia known as astrocytes with cerebral blood vessels has long been recognized, it is only recently that these cells have been demonstrated to translate information on the activity level and energy demands of neurons to the vasculature. In particular, astrocytes respond to elevations in extracellular glutamate as a consequence of synaptic transmission through the activation of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. These Gq-protein coupled receptors elevate intracellular calcium via IP3 signaling. A close examination of astrocyte endfeet calcium signals has been shown to cause either vasoconstriction or vasodilation. Common to both vasomotor responses is the generation of arachidonic acid in astrocytes by calcium sensitive phospholipase A2. Vasoconstriction ensues from the conversion of arachidonic acid to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, while vasodilation ensues from the production of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids or prostaglandins. Factors that determine whether constrictor or dilatory pathways predominate include brain oxygen, lactate, adenosine as well as nitric oxide. Changing the oxygen level itself leads to many downstream changes that facilitate the switch from vasoconstriction at high oxygen to vasodilation at low oxygen. These findings highlight the importance of astrocytes as sensors of neural activity and metabolism to coordinate the delivery of essential nutrients via the blood to the working cells.

The radical mechanism of biological methane synthesis by methyl-coenzyme M reductase

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

Wongnate, T.; Sliwa, D.; Ginovska, B.

2016-05-19

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), the rate-limiting enzyme in methanogenesis and anaerobic methane oxidation, is responsible for the production of over one billion tons of methane per year. The mechanism of methane synthesis is unknown, with the two leading proposals involving either a methyl-nickel(III) (Mechanism I) or methyl radical/Ni(II)-thiolate (Mechanism II) intermediate(s). When the reaction between the active Ni(I) enzyme with substrates was studied by transient kinetic, spectroscopic and computational methods, formation of an EPR-silent Ni(II)-thiolate intermediate was positively identified by magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy. There was no evidence for an EPR-active methyl-Ni(III) species. Temperature-dependent transient kinetic studies revealed that themore » activation energy for the initial catalytic step closely matched the value computed by density functional theory for Mechanism II. Thus, our results demonstrate that biological methane synthesis occurs by generation of a methyl radical.« less

Le Châtelier Braun principle in cosmological physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavón, Diego; Wang, Bin

2009-01-01

Assuming that dark energy may be treated as a fluid with a well-defined temperature, close to equilibrium, we argue that if nowadays there is a transfer of energy between dark energy and dark matter, it must be such that the latter gains energy from the former and not the other way around.

75 FR 41102 - Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Furnace Fans: Reopening of Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-15

... Furnace Fans: Reopening of Public Comment Period AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy... work of residential heating and cooling systems (``furnace fans''). The comment period closed on July 6... information relevant to the furnace fan rulemaking will be accepted until July 27, 2010. ADDRESSES: Interested...

Miscibility and Thermodynamics of Mixing of Different Models of Formamide and Water in Computer Simulation.

PubMed

Kiss, Bálint; Fábián, Balázs; Idrissi, Abdenacer; Szőri, Milán; Jedlovszky, Pál

2017-07-27

The thermodynamic changes that occur upon mixing five models of formamide and three models of water, including the miscibility of these model combinations itself, is studied by performing Monte Carlo computer simulations using an appropriately chosen thermodynamic cycle and the method of thermodynamic integration. The results show that the mixing of these two components is close to the ideal mixing, as both the energy and entropy of mixing turn out to be rather close to the ideal term in the entire composition range. Concerning the energy of mixing, the OPLS/AA_mod model of formamide behaves in a qualitatively different way than the other models considered. Thus, this model results in negative, while the other ones in positive energy of mixing values in combination with all three water models considered. Experimental data supports this latter behavior. Although the Helmholtz free energy of mixing always turns out to be negative in the entire composition range, the majority of the model combinations tested either show limited miscibility, or, at least, approach the miscibility limit very closely in certain compositions. Concerning both the miscibility and the energy of mixing of these model combinations, we recommend the use of the combination of the CHARMM formamide and TIP4P water models in simulations of water-formamide mixtures.

KIDS Nuclear Energy Density Functional: 1st Application in Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil, Hana; Papakonstantinou, Panagiota; Hyun, Chang Ho; Oh, Yongseok

We apply the KIDS (Korea: IBS-Daegu-Sungkyunkwan) nuclear energy density functional model, which is based on the Fermi momentum expansion, to the study of properties of lj-closed nuclei. The parameters of the model are determined by the nuclear properties at the saturation density and theoretical calculations on pure neutron matter. For applying the model to the study of nuclei, we rely on the Skyrme force model, where the Skyrme force parameters are determined through the KIDS energy density functional. Solving Hartree-Fock equations, we obtain the energies per particle and charge radii of closed magic nuclei, namely, 16O, 28O, 40Ca, 48Ca, 60Ca, 90Zr, 132Sn, and 208Pb. The results are compared with the observed data and further improvement of the model is shortly mentioned.

Gas concentration cells for utilizing energy

DOEpatents

Salomon, R.E.

1987-06-30

An apparatus and method are disclosed for utilizing energy, in which the apparatus may be used for generating electricity or as a heat pump. When used as an electrical generator, two gas concentration cells are connected in a closed gas circuit. The first gas concentration cell is heated and generates electricity. The second gas concentration cell repressurizes the gas which travels between the cells. The electrical energy which is generated by the first cell drives the second cell as well as an electrical load. When used as a heat pump, two gas concentration cells are connected in a closed gas circuit. The first cell is supplied with electrical energy from a direct current source and releases heat. The second cell absorbs heat. The apparatus has no moving parts and thus approximates a heat engine. 4 figs.

Gas concentration cells for utilizing energy

DOEpatents

Salomon, Robert E.

1987-01-01

An apparatus and method for utilizing energy, in which the apparatus may be used for generating electricity or as a heat pump. When used as an electrical generator, two gas concentration cells are connected in a closed gas circuit. The first gas concentration cell is heated and generates electricity. The second gas concentration cell repressurizes the gas which travels between the cells. The electrical energy which is generated by the first cell drives the second cell as well as an electrical load. When used as a heat pump, two gas concentration cells are connected in a closed gas circuit. The first cell is supplied with electrical energy from a direct current source and releases heat. The second cell absorbs heat. The apparatus has no moving parts and thus approximates a heat engine.

Fermi orbital derivatives in self-interaction corrected density functional theory: Applications to closed shell atoms

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

Pederson, Mark R., E-mail: mark.pederson@science.doe.gov

2015-02-14

A recent modification of the Perdew-Zunger self-interaction-correction to the density-functional formalism has provided a framework for explicitly restoring unitary invariance to the expression for the total energy. The formalism depends upon construction of Löwdin orthonormalized Fermi-orbitals which parametrically depend on variational quasi-classical electronic positions. Derivatives of these quasi-classical electronic positions, required for efficient minimization of the self-interaction corrected energy, are derived and tested, here, on atoms. Total energies and ionization energies in closed-shell singlet atoms, where correlation is less important, using the Perdew-Wang 1992 Local Density Approximation (PW92) functional, are in good agreement with experiment and non-relativistic quantum-Monte-Carlo results albeitmore » slightly too low.« less

The results of the investigations of Russian Research Center - {open_quotes}Kurchatov Institute{close_quotes} on molten salt applications to problems of nuclear energy systems

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

Novikov, V.M.

1995-10-01

The results of investigations on molten salt (MS) applications to problems of nuclear energy systems that have been conducted in Russian Research {open_quotes}Kurchatov Institute{close_quotes} are presented and discussed. The spectrum of these investigations is rather broad and covers the following items: physical characteristics of molten salt nuclear energy systems (MSNES); nuclear and radiation safety of MSNES; construction materials compatible with MS of different compositions; technological aspects of MS loops; in-reactor loop testing. It is shown that main findings of completed program support the conclusion that there are no physical nor technological obstacles on way of MS application to different nuclearmore » energy systems.« less

Applications of plasma core reactors to terrestrial energy systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latham, T. S.; Biancardi, F. R.; Rodgers, R. J.

1974-01-01

Plasma core reactors offer several new options for future energy needs in addition to space power and propulsion applications. Power extraction from plasma core reactors with gaseous nuclear fuel allows operation at temperatures higher than conventional reactors. Highly efficient thermodynamic cycles and applications employing direct coupling of radiant energy are possible. Conceptual configurations of plasma core reactors for terrestrial applications are described. Closed-cycle gas turbines, MHD systems, photo- and thermo-chemical hydrogen production processes, and laser systems using plasma core reactors as prime energy sources are considered. Cycle efficiencies in the range of 50 to 65 percent are calculated for closed-cycle gas turbine and MHD electrical generators. Reactor advantages include continuous fuel reprocessing which limits inventory of radioactive by-products and thorium-U-233 breeder configurations with about 5-year doubling times.-

Electrostatic Spectrograph with a Wide Range of Simultaneously Recorded Energies Composed of Two Coaxial Electrodes with Closed End Faces and a Discrete Combined External Electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fishkova, T. Ya.

2018-01-01

An optimal set of geometric and electrical parameters of a high-aperture electrostatic charged-particle spectrograph with a range of simultaneously recorded energies of E/ E min = 1-50 has been found by computer simulation, which is especially important for the energy analysis of charged particles during fast processes in various materials. The spectrograph consists of two coaxial electrodes with end faces closed by flat electrodes. The external electrode with a conical-cylindrical form is cut into parts with potentials that increase linearly, except for the last cylindrical part, which is electrically connected to the rear end electrode. The internal cylindrical electrode and the front end electrode are grounded. In the entire energy range, the system is sharply focused on the internal cylindrical electrode, which provides an energy resolution of no worse than 3 × 10-3.

Solar dynamic power module design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Secunde, Richard R.; Labus, Thomas L.; Lovely, Ronald G.

1989-01-01

Studies have shown that use of solar dynamic (SD) power for the growth eras of the Space Station Freedom program will result in life cycle cost savings when compared to power supplied by photovoltaic sources. In the SD power module, a concentrator collects and focuses solar energy into a heat receiver which has integral thermal energy storage. A power conversion unit (PCU) based on the closed Brayton thermodynamic cycle removes thermal energy from the receiver and converts that energy to electrical energy. Since the closed Brayton cycle is a single phase gas cycle, the conversion hardware (heat exchangers, turbine, compressor, etc.) can be designed for operation in low earth orbit, and tested with confidence in test facilities on earth before launch into space. The concentrator subassemblies will be aligned and the receiver/PCU/radiator combination completely assembled and charged with gas and cooling liquid on earth before launch to, and assembly on orbit.

Elucidating the Vibrational Fingerprint of the Flexible Metal–Organic Framework MIL-53(Al) Using a Combined Experimental/Computational Approach

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

In this work, mid-infrared (mid-IR), far-IR, and Raman spectra are presented for the distinct (meta)stable phases of the flexible metal–organic framework MIL-53(Al). Static density functional theory (DFT) simulations are performed, allowing for the identification of all IR-active modes, which is unprecedented in the low-frequency region. A unique vibrational fingerprint is revealed, resulting from aluminum-oxide backbone stretching modes, which can be used to clearly distinguish the IR spectra of the closed- and large-pore phases. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations based on a DFT description of the potential energy surface enable determination of the theoretical Raman spectrum of the closed- and large-pore phases for the first time. An excellent correspondence between theory and experiment is observed. Both the low-frequency IR and Raman spectra show major differences in vibrational modes between the closed- and large-pore phases, indicating changes in lattice dynamics between the two structures. In addition, several collective modes related to the breathing mechanism in MIL-53(Al) are identified. In particular, we rationalize the importance of the trampoline-like motion of the linker for the phase transition. PMID:29449906

Solar thermal program summary. Volume 1: Overview, fiscal year 1988

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1989-02-01

The goal of the solar thermal program is to improve overall solar thermal systems performance and provide cost-effective energy options that are strategically secure and environmentally benign. Major research activities include energy collection technology, energy conversion technology, and systems and applications technology for both CR and DR systems. This research is being conducted through research laboratories in close coordination with the solar thermal industry, utilities companies, and universities. The Solar Thermal Technology Program is pursuing the development of critical components and subsystems for improved energy collection and conversion devices. This development follows two basic paths: for CR systems, critical components include stretched membrane heliostats, direct absorption receivers (DARs), and transport subsystems for molten salt heat transfer fluids. These components offer the potential for a significant reduction in system costs; and for DR systems, critical components include stretched membrane dishes, reflux receivers, and Stirling engines. These components will significantly increase system reliability and efficiency, which will reduce costs. The major thrust of the program is to provide electric power. However, there is an increasing interest in the use of concentrated solar energy for applications such as detoxifying hazardous wastes and developing high-value transportable fuels. These potential uses of highly concentrated solar energy still require additional experiments to prove concept feasibility. The program goal of economically competitive energy reduction from solar thermal systems is being cooperatively addressed by industry and government.

Energy manager design for microgrids

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

Firestone, Ryan; Marnay, Chris

2005-01-01

On-site energy production, known as distributed energy resources (DER), offers consumers many benefits, such as bill savings and predictability, improved system efficiency, improved reliability, control over power quality, and in many cases, greener electricity. Additionally, DER systems can benefit electric utilities by reducing congestion on the grid, reducing the need for new generation and transmission capacity, and offering ancillary services such as voltage support and emergency demand response. Local aggregations of distributed energy resources (DER) that may include active control of on-site end-use energy devices can be called microgrids. Microgrids require control to ensure safe operation and to make dispatchmore » decisions that achieve system objectives such as cost minimization, reliability, efficiency and emissions requirements, while abiding by system constraints and regulatory rules. This control is performed by an energy manager (EM). Preferably, an EM will achieve operation reasonably close to the attainable optimum, it will do this by means robust to deviations from expected conditions, and it will not itself incur insupportable capital or operation and maintenance costs. Also, microgrids can include supervision over end-uses, such as curtailing or rescheduling certain loads. By viewing a unified microgrid as a system of supply and demand, rather than simply a system of on-site generation devices, the benefits of integrated supply and demand control can be exploited, such as economic savings and improved system energy efficiency.« less

Sustainable Systems for exploration, stays with increased duration in LEO and Earth application -an overview about life support activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slenzka, Klaus; Duenne, Matthias

Solar system exploration with extended stays in totally closed habitats far away from Earth as well as longer stays in LEO requires intensive preparatory activities. Activities supporting life in a more or less close meaning are essential in this context -on a scientific as well as on a technical level. These needed activities are supporting life by e.g.: i) increasing knowledge about the impact of single and combined effects of different exploration related environmental conditions (e. g. microgravity, radiation, reduced pressure and temperature, lunar soil etc.) on biological systems. This is needed to enable safe life of humans itself as well as safe operating of required bioregenerative life support systems. Thus, different human cell types as well as representatives of bioregenerative life support system protagonists (algae, bacteria as well as higher organisms) needs to be addressed. ii) provision of required consumables (oxygen, food, energy equivalents etc.) on site, mainly via bioregenerative life support systems, Bio-ISRU-units etc. Preparation is needed on a scientific as well as technological level. iii) ensuring reduced negative effects on humans (and partially also equipment), which could be caused by living in a closed habitat in general (and thus being not space related per se): E. g. detection systems for the quality of water and air, antimicrobial and selfhealing as well as anti-icing materials without dangerous hazard substances, psychological health enhancing components etc. Referring payloads for above mentioned investigations (scientific evaluation and technology demonstration) must be developed. Extended stays and extended closure in habitats without the possibility of material transport into and out of the system are leading to the necessity of more autonomous technologies and sustainable processes. Latter one will rely mainly on biological processes and structures, which increases additionally the necessity of an intensive scientific and technological verification before routine use under extreme conditions during solar system exploration.

Specificity in transition state binding: the Pauling model revisited.

PubMed

Amyes, Tina L; Richard, John P

2013-03-26

Linus Pauling proposed that the large rate accelerations for enzymes are caused by the high specificity of the protein catalyst for binding the reaction transition state. The observation that stable analogues of the transition states for enzymatic reactions often act as tight-binding inhibitors provided early support for this simple and elegant proposal. We review experimental results that support the proposal that Pauling's model provides a satisfactory explanation for the rate accelerations for many heterolytic enzymatic reactions through high-energy reaction intermediates, such as proton transfer and decarboxylation. Specificity in transition state binding is obtained when the total intrinsic binding energy of the substrate is significantly larger than the binding energy observed at the Michaelis complex. The results of recent studies that aimed to characterize the specificity in binding of the enolate oxygen at the transition state for the 1,3-isomerization reaction catalyzed by ketosteroid isomerase are reviewed. Interactions between pig heart succinyl-coenzyme A:3-oxoacid coenzyme A transferase (SCOT) and the nonreacting portions of coenzyme A (CoA) are responsible for a rate increase of 3 × 10(12)-fold, which is close to the estimated total 5 × 10(13)-fold enzymatic rate acceleration. Studies that partition the interactions between SCOT and CoA into their contributing parts are reviewed. Interactions of the protein with the substrate phosphodianion group provide an ~12 kcal/mol stabilization of the transition state for the reactions catalyzed by triosephosphate isomerase, orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase, and α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase. The interactions of these enzymes with the substrate piece phosphite dianion provide a 6-8 kcal/mol stabilization of the transition state for reaction of the appropriate truncated substrate. Enzyme activation by phosphite dianion reflects the higher dianion affinity for binding to the enzyme-transition state complex compared with that of the free enzyme. Evidence is presented that supports a model in which the binding energy of the phosphite dianion piece, or the phosphodianion group of the whole substrate, is utilized to drive an enzyme conformational change from an inactive open form E(O) to an active closed form E(C), by closure of a phosphodianion gripper loop. Members of the enolase and haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase superfamilies use variable capping domains to interact with nonreacting portions of the substrate and sequester the substrate from interaction with bulk solvent. Interactions of this capping domain with the phenyl group of mandelate have been shown to activate mandelate racemase for catalysis of deprotonation of α-carbonyl carbon. We propose that an important function of these capping domains is to utilize the binding interactions with nonreacting portions of the substrate to activate the enzyme for catalysis.

Specificity in Transition State Binding: The Pauling Model Revisited

PubMed Central

Amyes, Tina L.; Richard, John P.

2013-01-01

Linus Pauling proposed that the large rate accelerations for enzymes are due to the high specificity of the protein catalyst for binding the reaction transition state. The observation that stable analogs of the transition states for enzymatic reactions often act as tight-binding binding inhibitors provided early support for this simple and elegant proposal. We review experimental results which support the proposal that Pauling’s model provides a satisfactory explanation for the rate accelerations for many heterolytic enzymatic reactions through high energy reaction intermediates, such as proton transfer and decarboxylation. Specificity in transition state binding is obtained when the total intrinsic binding energy of the substrate is significantly larger than the binding energy observed at the Michaelis complex. The results of recent studies to characterize the specificity in binding of the enolate oxygen at the transition state for the 1,3-isomerization reaction catalyzed by ketosteroid isomerase are reviewed. Interactions between pig heart succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid coenzyme A transferase (SCOT) and the nonreacting portions of CoA are responsible for a rate increase of 3 × 1012-fold, which is close to the estimated total 5 × 1013-fold enzymatic rate acceleration. Studies that partition the interactions between SCOT and CoA into their contributing parts are reviewed. Interactions of the protein with the substrate phosphodianion group provide a ca. 12 kcal/mol stabilization of the transition state for the reactions catalyzed by triosephosphate isomerase, orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase and α-glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase. The interactions of these enzymes with the substrate piece phosphite dianion provide a 6 – 8 kcal/mol stabilization of the transition state for reaction of the appropriate truncated substrate. Enzyme activation by phosphite dianion reflects the higher dianion affinity for binding to the enzyme-transition state complex compared with the free enzyme. Evidence is presented that supports a model in which the binding energy of the phosphite dianion piece, or the phosphodianion group of the whole substrate, is utilized to drive an enzyme conformational change from an inactive open form EO to an active closed form EC, by closure of a phosphodianion gripper loop. Members of the enolase and haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase superfamilies use variable capping domains to interact with nonreacting portions of the substrate and sequester the substrate from interaction with bulk solvent. Interactions of this capping domain with the phenyl group of mandelate have been shown to activate mandelate racemase for catalysis of deprotonation of α-carbonyl carbon. We propose that an important function of these capping domains is to utilize the binding interactions with nonreacting portions of the substrate to activate the enzyme for catalysis. PMID:23327224

Comparison of the Danish Physical Activity Questionnaire with a validated position and motion instrument.

PubMed

Matthiessen, Jeppe; Biltoft-Jensen, Anja; Rasmussen, Lone B; Hels, Ole; Fagt, Sisse; Groth, Margit V

2008-01-01

To compare the Danish Physical Activity Questionnaire (DPAQ) estimating physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and physical activity level (PAL) and the pattern of physical activity (including health-related physical activity) with measurements from a validated position and motion instrument (ActiReg). One hundred and thirty-eight healthy Danish volunteers aged 20-59 years participated. Participants filled in the DPAQ at the end of the day every day for seven consecutive days and carried the ActiReg on the same days as the DPAQ were filled in. A small, but statistically significant difference was seen between the DPAQ and the ActiReg for PAEE (mean: -0.32 MJ x d(-1); 95% limits of agreement: ((-2.88)-2.24 MJ x d(-1)); P = 0.003) and PAL (-0.03; ((-0.37)-0.31); P = 0.02) for the whole group and for women (P < 0.008 for PAEE and PAL), but not for men. The correlation between methods was good for PAEE (r = 0.71, P < 0.001) and PAL (r = 0.64, P < 0.001). No difference was observed for time spent in moderate plus vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (P = 0.40). Time reported in MVPA with the DPAQ was positively correlated with time spent in MVPA measured by the ActiReg (p = 0.53, P < 0.001). Although the volunteer sample may influence the representativeness of the results, the DPAQ provided a close estimate of PAEE, PAL (2-5% underestimation) and health-related physical activity (MVPA) in healthy adults at group level. The results indicate that the questionnaire can be used to rank individuals according to energy expenditure and level of total physical activity and to provide information on health-related physical activity.